SA to use Heritage Month to unite Africa

The celebrations began on Friday, when hundreds of African cultural groups from across the continent gathered in Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto to celebrate African indigenous cultures.

The Gcwala-Ngamasiko African Cultural and Dance Festival, which was organised by the Department of Art and Culture and African Cultural Music and Dance Association, created a platform for indigenous cultural groups to uphold cultural diversity through exchanging cultural values and knowledge.

The spokesperson for the Department of Art and Culture, Sandile Memela said the event was very important because it was one of the initiatives that could help unite Africans.

"Such events are worthy to us as an African because they help celebrate our pride and dignity through music and dance...On the African continent there are no South Africans, Zambians or isolated nationalities when it comes to cultures. We are all Africans and we need to treat each other as such," he said.

Ubuntu Kraal became alive when cultural groups from Ghana, Tanzania, Mali, Namibia, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Kenya, among others, performed their cultural music and dance performances.

Guests and the public dressed in their diverse African cultural attires could not stop dancing and laughing while being spoilt with traditional food and the sense of togetherness could be seen among the groups.

Benjamin Mfaba of the Association said the delegates were passionate about uniting, promoting and preserving African culture and they would not be resting until after Sunday's big event to be held at the Five Roses Bowl in Soweto.

"They all geared up to entice the public. Tomorrow [Saturday] we will be traveling across Gauteng on a roadshow, in which our bus will be seen in central Johannesburg city, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and in the West Rand...In observance of the clarion call of the President, Thabo Mbeki, the event also embraces...the African Renaissance by espousing Africa's renewal," he said.

Leah Alias Kihimbi of the Ministry of Information Culture and Sports in Tanzania said exchanging cultures, value and knowledge were vital in helping Africa to become one state and in fighting civil wars which have claimed the lives of thousands of Africans.

"We must unite as Africans to fight poverty because we are one. Despite our different cultural backgrounds...if we respect each other you will never hear about xenophobia or wars...We call all African countries to join South Africa in celebrating the Heritage Month which will promote our cultures as Africans."

Thembekile Dlamini of the Swaziland Royal Family told BuaNews that it was very important for African countries to share and protect their cultures to ensure that Africans were united.

"We are here to share our culture with cultural groups while learning others. Africans, particularly the youth has lost morals and their African values. I hope through such events they would realise their mistakes and reunite as future African leaders."

The Namibian group and the youngest group of the day thrilled the crowd with their music and dance performances and left people breathless.

Speaking in the Nama (Khoe Khoe) language, 11-year-old Namibian performer, Monalisa Matroos said it was very important for children to know about their cultures so that it would correct today's mistakes and build towards cultural-based African states.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews.