Amampondo celebrate their heritage in a colourful affair: 18th Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival and 16th Mpondo Reed Dance
By HRH Stella Sigcau
1 October 2024
Representatives from various walks of life and Kingdoms from South Africa joined amaMpondo in celebrating the 18th Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival and the Mpondo Reed Dance which celebrates its 16 year anniversary this year.
These included Pedi, Swati, Sotho, Tsonga, Xhosa, Bhaca, Tswana, Thembu, Xesibe, Ndebele Kingdoms amongst others. Some came from as far as the Republic of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Various government structures were represented including the Department of Arts and Culture, Ntabankulu, Alfred Nzo and Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipalities who support the Festival and the Reed Dance.
These events hosted by the Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council takes place annually since inception in 2006 and 2008 respectively and promote ubuMpondo, ibuyambo nesiMpondo, share and preserve Mpondo culture, history, language, customs and heritage. The Mpondo Festival was launched in 2006 in commemoration of the late ANC liberation activist Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau.
This year the Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival, commonly known as Umgubho wamaMpondo took place from 14-15 September 2024 at the Royal Grounds at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place, Matshona Village in Ntabankulu, preceded by the Mpondo Reed Dance (inkciyo yamaMpondo). The theme for this year's Reed dance was on creating awareness against GBV. Joining inkciyo yamaMpondo were also inkciyo from the Thembu and Xhosa Kingdoms. The Department of Arts and Culture also donated some soccer and netball kits during the event.
These events also promote unity in a diversity of cultures hence they are attended by diverse cultures from various parts of South Africa and beyond.
Local artists including Ntombethongo from Lusikisiki, Sivuyile RSA from Flagstaff, T GOA from Ngqeleni, Thuluzobona from Ngqeleni, Makholwa from Lusikisiki, Selula from Ntabankulu, Gqubemswanini from Ntabankulu, Mvee from Ntabankulu and many other artists from the various parts of the Mpondo Kingdom entertained the guests joined by artists from various parts of Southern Africa including Casper the Golden Voice from Botswana and Velho Djapondo Traditional Group from Mozambique.
Guests also experienced the beauty and diversity of Mpondo culture and heritage from food, clothing, horse parades (umkhwelo) and traditional dances. The event was attended by over 20 000 people and the mood was jovial. Amampondo continue to campaigne for their language to be recognised as the 13th official language.