Vatsonga community celebrates Bungeni day in style
Traditional dance groups Xibelani, Mchongolo, Xigubu and Makwaya battled it out on the dance floor to be crowned winners in front of a huge crowd, which included traditional leaders and residents who supported their favourite talents.
LIMPOPO – The Vatsonga community gathered in large numbers to celebrate their heritage with Bungeni day in style on August 20.
Residents arrived at Bungeni Stadium, outside Elim, singing traditional songs and dressed in their Vatsonga traditional regalia. Among the guests were Vhembe Mayor Dowelani Nenguda, Minister Thembi Seweya, CoGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu, Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders chairpreson and Khoisani hosi Pheni Ngove and Collins Chabane Mayor Shadrack Maluleke.
Traditional dance groups Xibelani, Mchongolo, Xigubu and Makwaya battled it out on the dance floor to be crowned winners in front of a huge crowd, which included traditional leaders and residents who supported their favourite talents. During the event Siweya addressed the attendees and talked about how the roles of traditional leaders have changed.
“Gone are the days when traditional leaders made important decisions without consulting the masses. Traditional leadership is created by God and it is important to build a united nation before Him. Only the Bible can guide us to live right and it is our collective duty to make sure that our nation lives according to the will of God,” she said. Ngove urged all traditional leaders to unite in the preservation of culture. He encouraged families to teach their children the Tsonga history and where they came from, so that it could not be forgotten. “By doing so, we will invest in the future of the country,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of special cultural days and said a nation without respect for its culture is doomed and has no future. “Other nations have their special days to celebrate their culture. We cannot be left behind and we will continue to be in the forefront of cultural revival,” he added.
During the event, hosi Given Bungeni said the traditional leaders are serious about the restoration of culture and indigenous knowledge. He commended the community for launching the initiative to revive culture through traditional dances.
“Culture and tradition are the foundation on which the prosperity for each nation is built. It is important to continue with initiatives like this for the sake of our children.”
He told community members to be proud of their cultural practices, as it will boost the traditional leaders’ drive to restore the community’s morals and culture.
He encouraged the attendees to celebrate and embrace the country’s historical inheritance, languages, spirituality and sacred sites, diverse cultures, indigenous food and traditional art forms.
“We need to develop strategies to fight unemployment, hunger and crime, regardless of the denominations to which we belong,” said Bungeni and emphasised the need to cultivate an environment for learning and culture to all. “We need to build on the culture of teaching and learning to produce thoughtful leaders and technical skills that our economy needs for growth, development and reconstruction,” he said.
