Heritage Month celebrations shine a spotlight on local artists

Aspiring artists around Kathorus took center stage as they took turns to showcase their unique talents during the second instalment of the Embracing Our Diversity Multidiscipline event, at Vosloorus Civic Centre, on September 16.

The Heritage Month event aimed to promote social cohesion and community education through motivational that addressed social ills that affect many people in the townships including xenophobia, social challenges, discrimination faced by people living with disabilities, bullying, GBV and substance abuse.

Guest speakers present included DJ Slondo and Job Mdakane, who represented people living with the disability community.

It also created a market space for craters to publicly display and sell their products, as you entered the hall you could see colourful stalls.

According to the event organiser, Xolani Mahambehlala from Stage In Motion, the first instalment of the event in 2021 was themed Embracing the New Normal.

It highlighted how Covid-19 impacted badly the arts and culture industry amongst other industries.

“This year we are embracing our diversity because as a community we are different in our make-up. We have the LGBTQ+ community that is among us so we need to embrace them as our brothers and sisters. We have people living with disabilities, while the youth and women are affected by social ills like GBV,” he continued.

“That is why we invited different speakers to share information so that we can empower ourselves as a community and find ways to embrace our diversity and get information on where to find help, for example when facing an abusive situation,” said Mahambehlala.

He said they believe that staging events like these not only keep the youth off the dangerous streets but also helps the community, artists and arts and culture service providers to earn some temporary income by participating.

Gogo Slindile Mashaya is the founder of Izintombi zaka Mashaya. She said Heritage Day reminds us to go back to our roots and culture as black people.

“When you look at how our children are raised today it is different. They do not know most things about their culture. We teach them about their culture, where they come from and who they are, it is important for us. We do not want them assuming that heritage is not important because they will not know where they are going if they do not know where they come from,” said Mashaya.

The director of Bheka Loyal Artists Foundation, Brian Mazibuko from Vosloorus, performed a theatrical piece that spoke to the challenge of human trafficking.

He noted they chose to present it to the community because it was not in conversations enough.

“It is happening around us. Many girls disappear from the streets, malls and parks. They are not found, so I chose to use the platform that I am given to raise awareness,” said Mazibuko.

“I hope people will become more cautious and take care of their children. Criminals, who abduct girls, ship them in a container and enslave them for sex work in foreign countries.”

He said Heritage Day is his favourite public holiday as he noted that the traditional colours remind people that as Africans they have the spirit of Ubuntu and respect.

Friends, families and guests enjoyed thrilling performances from the Alexandra Brass Brand, Izintombi zaka Mashaya, uMashonisa, African Spirits, Mayibuye Theatre Dancers, Sanele and Andile Zwane among others.

The event is made possible by the National Arts Council and National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Program, produced by Stage In Motion, Super Hero On Board, and supported by Nedbank proud partners of Ranyaka Activating Communities.