HERITAGE and CULTURE
By HRH Stella Sigcau
3 September 2023
AmaMpondo nation will be celebrating 17th commemoration of the annual Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival which will take place on 9-10 September 2023 at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place Matshona Village, Ntabankulu, Mpondo Kingdom, Eastern Cape Province. Key to these celebrations is the showcasing of Mpondo culture and heritage as well as the promotion of the Kingdom as a tourism destination. This to also contribute to rural development and culture economy.
AmaMpondo have a rich history, culture, customs, heritage and a distinct language and traditional, unique colourful regalia that they take pride in. Currently they are campaigning for their language to be one of the official languages.
The Festival which is the biggest and the first event of its kind in the Mpondo Kingdom and in the Eastern Cape province, was launched in 2006 in commemoration of Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau (1947-1996), an ANC liberation activist and stalwart, who was the Senior Traditional Leader of Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council and the youngest of the two sons of the late King Botha Manzolwandle Sigcau who made a meaningful and significant contribution in the liberation struggle of South Africa as well as in the rural development in the Mpondo Kingdom. The Festival has grown since then attracting over an estimated number of over 20 000 people.
The popular event which is attended by multitudes people from various walks of life from South Africa and beyond contributes to the preservation and promotion of the values, heritage, history, customs, language of amaMpondo, ibuyambo and the way of life of the Mpondo people as well as unity in a diversity of cultures.
Youth empowerment activities will take place as part of the festival broader programme which include the Mpondo Reed Dance launched in 2008 which will precede the Festival. This event also provides a platform to empower the maidens as well as educate them about GBV. The GBV programme as led by culture and gender activist Princess Stella Sigcau II who is the founder of the South African Royal Princesses Network will be followed by a hike against GBV at Magwa Falls and end at Mbotyi Beach to educate and create awareness around GBV, rape, child abuse, child and human trafficking. On 8 September, Princess Stella Sigcau II together with the CEO of Freedom Park, Ms Jane Mafumadi will be motivating the grade 12 learners of Ntsikayezwe SSS. Ms Bongi Ramushwana, Senior story teller from Freedom Park will also share on story telling with the learners. 2023 marks 15 years since the inception of the Mpondo Reed Dance. In promotion of unity in a diversity of cultures, maidens from the Mpondo Kingdom will be joined by the maidens from other Kingdoms including Ndebele and Pedi Kingdoms.
Expected activities during the Festival include performances from artists and traditional groups from Mpondoland, various parts of South Africa and beyond. The activities will also include exhibitions, showcasing of Mpondo traditional cuisine, Mpondo horse parade (umkhwelo), traditional games, showcasing of Mpondo Traditional clothing, arts and craft, performances by amabandla (traditional Mpondo warriors) and Mpondo dances. Exhibitions from Iran and Turkey are also expected.
Culture Ambassador and well known musician from Botswana Casper the Golden Voice will perform during this event. Other artists include Csana, Ntombethongo, Tofolux, Sivuyile, Kgosi Kgolo Mampuru II traditional dance group from Jane Furse in Limpopo.
Expected to attend are representatives from various Kingdoms and Chieftainships including Pedi, Ndebele, Swati, Venda, Shangaan, Tswana, Xesibe, Sotho, Thembu, Xhosa, Bhaca etc, tourists as well dignitaries including members of the diplomatic corps, government including the Mayors, Community Leaders and business representatives.