Hotel Manager Interview Series
Happiness. Health. Wealth. A Lesotho lodge, Basotho traditions and the quiet power of Maletsunyane Falls.
The conversation
At Maletsunyane Gardens Lodge, a short distance from the famous falls in Lesotho, hospitality is shaped as much by Basotho culture as by the mountain setting. In this interview, Alphonce Nkome-Thejane shares why authenticity matters, how the lodge helps guests experience village life and pony trekking, and what a snowbound couple taught the team about caring for visitors. The conversation also explores a room named for family heritage, a favourite moment beside the waterfall, and a simple approach to leadership: trusting people to make decisions and learning patience along the way.
“To know where you are going, you need to know where you come from.”Alphonce Nkome-Thejane · Maletsunyane Gardens Lodge
Basotho culture & setting
Place and traditions
What makes this hotel—and its surrounding destination—different from anywhere else in Africa?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Our lodge offers authentic Basotho culture, within 2 km of Maletsunyane Falls, known for its dramatic waterfall and abseiling experience. It is quiet and peaceful, allowing guests to stay close to the waterfall but away from the roar of the falls.
What local traditions, ingredients, art, or experiences do you incorporate into the guest experience?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Village tours and pony trekking.
The human side
A snowbound guest story
Can you share a memorable story about a guest, employee, or community member that captures the spirit of this hotel?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
A couple was snowed in while staying at the lodge. They were taken shopping by horse, and our whole hotel team made sure there was enough wood to keep them warm. This defines our values: happiness, health and wealth.
Rooms and first impressions
A family legacy
Which is your favourite room in the hotel, and what makes it special to you?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Thejane. To know where you are going, you need to know where you come from. The room is named after the family surname and defines the legacy that must be left behind.
What is the first thing you want guests to feel when they walk through the door?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Authenticity.
A day in the mountains
Waterfall moments
What is your ideal day in the area, from morning until evening?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Mountains, a very peaceful breeze, and sunset at the waterfall.
If you could describe the hotel in just three words, which would you choose—and why?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Happiness, Health and Wealth.
Happiness: Here, you find uninterrupted peace of mind away from the city. Sometimes, to find peace, you need to walk alone in a quiet place where you meet only smiling strangers—Lesotho herdboys.
Health: Each walk to the waterfall or uphill provides a chance to complete 10,000 steps, with steep walks that test how healthy your heart is.
Wealth: Each mountain view is a reminder that one step at a time can take you far, and patience builds your wealth.
What nearby hidden gem do you return to again and again—and what makes it special to you?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Sit in front of the waterfall and look at it. Sit quietly and see how it flows so peacefully.
Lessons in leadership
Trust and patience
What do you do to help employees grow into future leaders?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
I coach them to make independent decisions.
What is the most important leadership lesson that working in hospitality has taught you?
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Patience.
Meet the manager
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane
Alphonce Nkome-Thejane shared the lodge’s experiences and approach to guest care. The correspondence identifies him as Logistics Manager. He highlights authenticity, independent decisions by colleagues and patience in hospitality.
About the property
Maletsunyane Gardens Lodge
Located near Maletsunyane Falls in Lesotho, Maletsunyane Gardens Lodge introduces guests to Basotho culture through activities such as village tours and pony trekking, with a peaceful mountain setting away from the waterfall’s roar.
Maletsunyane Gardens Lodge website ↗
Part of the See.Africa Hotel Manager Interview Series. Answers provided by the lodge and lightly edited for grammar and readability.