Lubombo Circuit’s manager, Dr Mandla Luphoko, has encouraged all learners to take pride in their culture.
This was during the circuit’s Heritage Day celebration hosted on the Mbuzini sports field on September 19. Luphoko said this event will now happen annually, when the learners will gather to showcase cultural dances, from sibhaca, the gumboot dance, xibelane and more.
“It has always been a dream of mine to get all the schools under the Lubombo Circuit together to embrace and celebrate our culture. When I engaged Inkhosi Mlambo II, he warmly embraced the idea and told us we could host the event here for as long as we want. It fills me with pride to see these learners executing the dances so well and looking so beautiful in their diverse cultures. This is what South Africa is about,” said Luphoko.
He further encouraged the schools to utilise Wednesdays as the day to learn more about these cultural activities and to practise them. “We are happy that the Department of Education and the one of culture, sport and recreation have signed a memorandum of understanding, wherein Wednesdays and Fridays will be used to play sports and practise dances in the afternoon. We are planting a beautiful seed of cultural pride in the learners. As a cultural committee in the circuit, we are also working on starting a competition, wherein the schools will compete in dance. Today is not about speeches, it’s a day to be happy and enjoy the different renditions of cultural dances in our schools. Let us dance and be merry.”
ALSO READ: Annual Mpumalanga Ingoma Festival celebrates heritage
The event was also supported by various educator unions and Utopia Wellness, who brought some medical expertise. “We have different specialists that will help everyone get checked for various medical conditions while we enjoy this beautiful cultural event. We have brought a dietician for those who might need help with their diet. We can also check your high blood pressure and sugar levels. For those with foot problems, we have brought a podiatrist. All of these services are given to anyone here for free as our contribution to celebrate this day better,” said Utopia Wellness’s Carlos Makgopa.
