Shabalala celebrates rich cultural heritage

The Inkosi Destination Management Company (IDMC) is hosting another of its joyous cultural festivals of dance and traditional African cuisine and beer, on Thursday November 22 in Shabalala outside Hazyview. The joy and happiness starts at 16:30 and organisers advise people to book early for the increasingly popular event.

IDMC is a Hazyview-based enterprise fully vested in tourism and hospitality projects and initiatives in South Africa and beyond our borders.

In capitalising on the Kruger Lowveld’s tourism potential, founder Goodman Sithembiso Nkosi identified ample opportunities to sell the region to the world, while at the same time creating much-needed employment opportunities for the youth.

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The first entry into the IDMC’s tourism space was Inkosi Tours. Following the success and steady growth of the safari and touring arm of the entity, a need was seen to create more tourism products that go beyond the region’s “flagship” attractions.

This led to the formation of the much-loved Shabalala Interpretation of Culture Centre at Shabalala Trust, on the road to Kruger National Park’s Phabeni Gate. The initiative was aimed at supplementing the typical safari experience.

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Nkosi said, “We are fast becoming one of the leading tourism and hospitality role players in Mpumalanga and are constantly looking to improve our services and offerings to make this province the premier destination of choice among all travellers.”

?IDMC is made up of four dynamic enterprises: Inkosi Tours and Transfers, IT Bush Braai, the Shabalala Interpretation of Culture, and Inkosi Destinations.

The Shabalala Interpretation of Culture is a stone’s throw away from Phabeni Gate. It focuses on preserving heritage and sharing our cultural traditions with the world.

“Through interpretation, storytelling, music, dance and cuisine, visitors always leave feeling enriched,” Nkosi said.

“The centre offers immersive experiences into Zulu, Tsonga, Swati and Sotho cultures. There is also a marimba band that offers joyful performances reminiscent of days gone by.”

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One of the main traditions among the Swati people is dance. At the centre, visitors are treated to the sibhaca, an energetic and lively dance led by men. Women display their dance prowess through ingadla, which is exciting to experience.

Every dance performance evokes the spiritual feeling of the joy of being in Africa. The evening festival will be filled with drumming and music as guests feast over African cuisine and umcombotsi (traditional African beer). Guests will be invited to participate in the dances and can also purchase Swati regalia.

For more information, call 072 439 9117 or 081 572 5044, or email info@inkosidmc.co.za.