Africa day celebrations held

Tichafara Bepe and Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporters
CHRISTIAN Brothers College (CBC) yesterday held Africa Day celebrations joining a number of organisations across the country that held various activities as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the African continent to celebrate the special day.

Every year on 25 May, African countries celebrate Africa Day to mark Africa’s independence, freedom and liberation efforts from colonial imperialists.

It is the day when the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) was formed on May 25, 1963. It was later transformed into the African Union (AU). CBC headmaster Mr Kizito Muhambo said the funds realised from the celebrations would be used to promote school activities and development programmes.

“These Africa Day celebrations are open to all including parents, students and the general public”, said Mr Muhambo.

“We do a lot of things to teach and preserve African culture and heritage such as teaching languages, as well as extra-curricular activities as you saw the boys playing marimba and doing poetry. The celebrations are also a time for the students and parents to enjoy while relaxing.”

He said this year’s celebrations were the second edition from last year’s and he believed are now part of the school’s annual events.

The school partnered with various organisations that sponsored the commemorations which included Isuzu, Nedbank, Nust, Proton Bakers, Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance and Minerva among others.

As part of the celebrations, a raffle draw was conducted which saw the first prize winner take away one night’s accommodation for two people at Cresta Churchill Hotel.

Meanwhile, youths have been urged to embrace their culture and uplift the values so that next generations can learn from them.

Speaking at the Shaba Cultural Festival at Shaba Culture Project Centre on Friday in Tsholotsho, Joshua Nkomo Cultural Movement (JNCM) chairman, Mr Sibangilizwe Michael Nkomo said children at a younger age should have an appreciation of their culture.

“Catch them young, children should be taught their culture as they grow so that they preserve it. Let’s not focus mostly on foreign cultures but uphold and follow our African cultures. Let’s not forget our Africanism,” said Mr Nkomo, the son of the late Vice-President, Dr Joshua Nkomo.

He said culture brings people together to share and interrelate.

“Culture unites people so that there is peace and dignity. I remember growing up, my siblings and I, we would eat together in one plate, the older would pick the meat first followed by the other and the last born would be the last to take, but above all this shows that in a culture there is enough for everyone because at the end of the day we would all have eaten. This is what we want children to grow up knowing and also that in culture there is humanity,” he said.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Matabeleland North acting provincial arts manager for Mr Philani Dube said people should work together to revive culture.

“Culture is what makes us human and revitalisation of culture in different ways, such as traditional dances and music is key. Back then we used to have dances like Wosana for the rain making ceremony, these should be passed on by people coming together as was done by our elders.

“Zimbabwe is home to many diverse ethnic groups, cultures and languages; hence our country retains a rich and varied tradition, history and heritage,” said Mr Dube.

Director of Shaba Arts Project Mr Topaz Ndlovu said the centre has become a place where children come and learn their cultural background and beliefs.

“We work together with various schools in our district so that children are taught about their culture and to promote arts. Children come here and we train various drama clubs from different schools to uplift students with talents,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He added: “We are working on a modern culture hub that offers e-learning internet facilities, museum and gallery for the near future to attract local, regional and international tourists. At the same time it will also create employment for handy crafters, painters and artists, thereby generating income for the community.”