Global warming is a challenge, with extreme weather conditions such as unexpected snow dumps, coming earlier every year. Writer and mental health advocate Seitebatso Khomari shows you 5 fun things to do in the snow.
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00:00Every year Basotho are collectively traumatized by how cold the winter gets,
00:04which is shocking considering that it snows here annually without fail.
00:07My name is Sitte Batokhomari. I'm a writer, a public speaker, and a mental health advocate.
00:13Would you believe me if I promised to show you five fun things to do in the snow?
00:17Let's explore Africa's coolest country.
00:20Between June and September, Lesotho experiences an average of one to four centimeters of snow
00:26most winters. Global warming is a challenge, with weather becoming more extreme and
00:31unexpected snow dumps coming early in the year, seemingly every year.
00:38There's a saying that the average Basotho woman wears at least three blankets. One around the
00:43waist, one around the baby, one to keep the chill out, and that's in summer. Yes,
00:48the Basotho blanket is a functional fashion item, but I don't think that's how it works.
00:56If you're going to go play in the snow, you'd better dress the part. Lesotho has a large textile
01:01industry manufacturing and exporting everything from jeans to jackets to more fashionable items
01:06produced with a smaller run. Look out for one of the local boutiques that specialize in locally
01:11designed and produced couture, such as the Style Hub in Maseo. Come with me.
01:18Hey, how are you? Hi. Hi.
01:39It's very nice. It's very nice. Got the attention to detail and everything.
01:44Thank you. See, toasty warm and fabulously fashionable. I didn't even have to borrow a baby
01:53as an excuse to wear an extra blanket, although I did buy one of these fantastic ones from
01:58Bununu Merchants because what kind of Masotho would I be without a Basotho blanket?
02:04At 1,600 meters above sea level, Maseru is the highest capital city in Africa,
02:10but comparatively in Lesotho, we're in the lowlands and Maseru
02:15basically comes to a standstill when it snows because it's so rare.
02:27So let's take a drive. You'll need a 4x4 and a very skilled driver
02:31because we're climbing up some steep, twisty mountain roads. This should be fun.
02:37Every ski is the best place to come and get your snow adventure sports on.
02:42Located a conservative four to five hour drive north of Maseru,
02:46next door to the Letheng diamond mine, you're in the wealthiest neighborhood in Lesotho.
03:06However, as fabulous as I look, you're here to experience a different kind of sparsel.
03:17I have to ask you, how adventurous are you?
03:23And no, before my mama comes after me, I'm not going to kill myself in the experience slopes.
03:28If you haven't skied like Setebazo, take a lesson.
03:36And if you aren't coordinated, that doesn't mean the snow isn't for you.
03:47You can still get a rush on a snowboard. Let's go.
03:57I think that's enough action for one day. What else can you do in the snow?
04:01Maybe tone it down a notch and do a little bit of something that's traditional.
04:05Maybe build a snowman. And if you can do that, take a snowball.
04:18Some of life's best pleasures are the simplest.
04:21If you ever find yourself snowbound and you're lucky to be in a beautiful place like I am,
04:25why not order yourself a hot piping meal to warm you up from the inside out?
04:29And maybe a cup of coffee while you wait.
04:36There is a wealth of fun to be had in the snow
04:38that Basotho and the rest of the continent are missing out on.
04:42Come to Lesotho for your snow adventure.
04:44It's a lot easier on your pocket than the global north.
04:47And besides, they don't have sunsets like this.