Contralesa secretary general Zolani Mkiva has alluded to the long walk to have Ancestors’ Day in South Africa officially declared a national holiday like all other holidays in the country.
“Ancestors Day is an instrument that reunites our people with their spirituality, reminds them to celebrate the sacrifices of those who came before them, and instills in them a newfound sense of pride in their identity.
“Our relationship with those who preceded us is not only biological but is deeply rooted in our spirituality as well,” said Mkiva said during a commemoration in Johannesburg to mark the third edition of the Ancestors’ Day celebration.
Mkiva acknowledged that the process to get Ancestors’ Day officially recognised would be long and tedious, due to the painstaking process entailed in getting new legislation enacted through parliament and there is still a long walk to that realisation.
“Over the past three years, we have done amazing groundwork to lobby our people and all relevant stakeholders to rally behind this lofty initiative. We cultivated the field and created platforms that encouraged people to openly and frankly discuss controversial, yet important conversations in a programme called Black Conversations.
“We are encouraged by the progress we are making in preserving African culture and spirituality, and of the partnerships we have forged with like-minded partners to raise awareness about Ancestors’ Day,” said Khwezi Vika, Castle Milk Stout marketing manager.
Heralded and punctuated by torrential rains which drenched large parts of Gauteng just a day before the celebrations on May 8, which signifies a good omen in African culture, the third edition of Ancestors’ Day was celebrated with festivities, revelry, and a poignant spiritual reawakening.
The festivities were complemented by captivating and soothing live music from Afro-pop sensation Berita and the hypnotic beats by Phila, the rhythmic poetry and enthralling lecture on African spirituality by Bishop Joshua Maphonga and enchanting intonations from traditional leaders in attendance.
Gogo Dineo Ndlanzi, one of the country’s foremost spiritualists and traditional leader, said it is shameful that Africans in South Africa, which is home to the cradle of humankind, have to validate the commemoration of Ancestors’ Day.
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