Local kids preserve culture and heritage through dance
The cultural festivities included learners from Bonamelo Primary, Thabang Primary, Hector Peterson, Makhoarane, Boikanyo, Mayibuye and JB Marks Marks Primary.
Local primary schools from around Region D participated in the Schools Arts and Culture Festival for the coveted prize in an exhibition of culture and heritage at the Umthombowolwazi Community Hall in Dobsonville.
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The cultural festivities included learners from Bonamelo Primary, Thabang Primary, Hector Peterson, Makhoarane, Boikanyo, Mayibuye and JB Marks Marks Primary.
They were ranked according to the various categories including dance, poetry, creative arts, and infusing cultural elements.
Khumo Bogatwso, organiser from the Emmanuel Church of Christ in Dobsonville said the event was inspired by the diverse beauty of South Africa.
“This event is a display of who we are and where we come from. We had this idea and due to Covid-19, we could not do much festivities with the learners in the last two years.
“We thought we should do a programme centred around youngsters, and put on a show that will allow them to show off their full talents and what they love,” he said.
Bogatwso further emphasized on the need for more education as an important tool in ensuring that young people do not lose sight of what their culture and history is.
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“We have a role play to make sure that we groom them from an early age and making sure they do not forget their roots, to embrace their full selves, that even despite western influences, they will never forget where they come from and that is really the message we are trying to push this heritage month.”
The Gauteng Arts, Culture and Recreation department has come on board to assist with resources as part of its community development mandate where it partners with various community based organisations in supporting them in their roll-out of plans.
The department’s representative under Region D, Justice Madi, said they as the department were targeting teaching children the rich history of black culture.
“We came here to give away prizes such as trophies, medals and participation certificates for the young learners who put on a good show,” He said.
“We want to foster an environment of learning and it is particularly important because what we do is that at an early stage as a department, we ensure that they get the platforms where they can harness their skills.
“Those will not only ensure that we promote culture and it doesn’t die, but we are also able to identify their strengths early, we then guide and show them career options in line with the arts.”
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