The Hub works at the intersection of digital arts and activism – using digital arts skills as tools for promoting social development, justice and equality. In 2020-2021 in partnership with OSISA, The Hub planned to hold Artivism concerts to support civic engagement, amplify community voices and foreground creativity as a way of addressing social issues.
The Hub’s Artivism events were originally planned to be held in the Morija Museum amphitheatre, but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we tried something new and held the event online. An open call for submissions was made, and songs were judged on use of lyrics that take on human rights + socio-economic issues in Lesotho, and of course how the song was delivered. The competition was judged by a panel of artists.
The top 5 were invited to perform live via a Zoom event on May 19. Trer took away the number 1 prize, winning M1000, a chance to record his song and film a music video with The Hub! The rest of the winners were: 2nd place: Kong with M800 + recording. 3rd place: Skwendah with M500 + recording. 4th place: Leinad Wise with M200. 5th place: Q-Real with M200.
Look out for Trer’s music video for his song ‘Blame’ coming out in 2021! Some of our Skills & Soup participants got to watch the event screened in Morija and see Tokelo perform.
Big thanks to all the talented artists who submitted their music, don’t be surprised if we call you about future collaborations! Thanks also to the panel of judges: Sadon, L-Tore, Queen Mo: The first lady, Mochela Kafela, Thabelo Revelation Mokobori, Kot Inferno, Msoko Lara, PRIME ZEIK, Kardiac & Tokelo. Special thanks also to Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa for their support of Artivism and Vodacom Lesotho Foundation for keeping us online #KaeKapaKae!
The Hub 