Contralesa lobbies govt over Ancestors Day
We have a role to play to re-educate some of our own that are miseducated, says Mkiva.
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) general secretary Zolani Mkiva believes the enactment of May 8 as Ancestors Day public holiday will be a start of the affirmation of the African agenda in this country.
Speaking in an interview with Alex News at the launch of the Ancestors Day, which is the brainchild of Castle Milk Stout, Mkiva said Contralesa was currently lobbying government with the idea of enacting Ancestors Day as a public holiday like any other.
“We have so many holidays in this country and the African continent as well but none of them speak to the Africans in this country and continent. We now want to ensure that African spirituality is also given the recognition it deserves in the calendar of this country.
“We are tired of celebrating other people’s cultures and traditions and thereby neglecting our own customs and beliefs. If we as African don’t set the agenda for this country no else will ever do that for us.
“This is what we fought for as a people to be recognised for what we are and not to allow other people to continue to impose their will on us. Our will should also be done in our own land and not continue the tradition of our colonisers,” Mkiva said.
Mkiva said he had no doubt the government would accede to their request as this formed part of the liberation agenda of the ANC that Africans should be allowed to determine and fashion their own agenda.
BLUR CASTLE MILK STOUT
“We need to embrace the whole notion of indigenous knowledge systems and make it part and parcel of our daily lives in order to liberate ourselves mentally.
“We do not have to go outside of Africa to seek wisdom. Many people in our society are miseducated. They think ancestors are demons. This means we have a role to play to re-educate some of our own that are miseducated,” Mkiva said.
Castle Milk Stout brand manager Khensani Mkhombo said she can’t wait for the day when Ancestors Day is finally enacted as a legal public holiday in this country.
“I can’t wait for the day to be embraced, enacted, celebrated and promoted as part of our African roots, traditions and spirituality,” Mkhombo said.
A petition to endorse this campaign can be signed on https://www.castlemilkstout.co.za/one-for-the-ancestors and a lucky petitioner stands to win R5 000.
