Botswana stands still

GABORONE - The Tlokweng community in Botswana stood in awe and appreciation as the Ndebeles held their annual cultural day.

The Ndebele Cultural Day was held at the Tlokweng Community Hall (behind Masitara Residence) on Saturday. The Ndebeles alongside the rest of the world gathered on the 16th of November to preserve their culture.

The event was graced by several cultural stake holders such as: Masiyephambili Cultural Association, IButho LeNqama, Imbabazane and Maskandi heavyweights (Amabhukudwana and Insukamini).

"We mustn't take ourselves as separate groups, we must be united because we are one," said Chief Gumede.

"We will be parading traditional music in Maskandi and Isichathamiya on the 25th of December koNtuso in St Joseph in Khezi. The following day on the 26th, we will be in Maphisa to complete the Khezi Maphisa District Traditional Music Festival," said Amabhukudwana Music CEO; Junior Ngwenya.

Other speakers included the event organiser and Masiyephambili Cultural Association member; Thokozani Dumani Mlalazi, Skhulu Khumalo and MaSthebe who spoke on behalf of Imbabazane.
Diniwe Mlimisi Ncube encouraged the community to support Abalobi Bakithi by buying their two books; Izigigaba ZakwaNdongaziyaduma and Sigiya Ngolwethu.  

The audience was kept on their toes by great artistic performances from Amabhukudwana and Insukamini. IButho LeNqama, Imbabazane, Bashimane, poets; Junior Ngwenya and Mlimisi Ncube also invaded the stage.
The hall went quiet in deep attention when Junior Ngwenya narrated the history of the Ndebele.

The event turned a lovely and unforgettable day as the joyous audience enjoyed traditional dances such as ingquzu and isitshikitsha.
Traditional delicacies such as inkobe, umxhanxa, isitshwala sonyawuthi, isitshwala samabele was in much abundance, much to the delight of the masses.

The Ndebele Cultural Day in Botswana was started by the Masiyephambili Cultural Association in 2012. They vowed to keep the ball rolling in the precious name of culture.
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