Langa Mabena
Langalakhe Mabena
Preparations for the third edition of the Chief Dakamela Appreciation Awards slated for 4 and 5 April at koDakamela Hall in Nkayi, Matabeleland North have started, with the chief stating they expect this year’s edition to be bigger and much improved.
Also known as Imiklomelo kaDakamela, the awards are a community-driven initiative designed to recognise, acknowledge and motivate individuals and organisations who were able to contribute significantly to the advancement of human development through their respective fields.
The awards also recognise the invaluable contributions made by members of the community in Matabeleland who serve as pillars of inspiration in preserving the Ndebele culture.
Chief Dakamela, a beacon of transformative leadership shown in his remarkable efforts in uplifting his rural community, usually invites people from different walks of life to be part of this event.
With the preparations already on course, Chief Dakamela said this year’s event is all about celebrating different aspects that make up the Ndebele culture from traditional music, dance, poetry, fashion and exhibition as well as promoting indigenous Ndebele foods and drinks.
The two-day extravaganza promises to attract different cultural leaders, politicians and socialites such as South Africa-based-Zimbabwean thespian Luthuli Dlamini, Ernest Ndlovu, rapper Awakhiwe, Mzansi actor Prince Phuma Dlamini, amongst others.
In previous editions, many of those who attended were complaining about the poor road networks that connect major cities to koDakamela. This also causes some who are willing to attend not to travel as the poor state of the roads damage their cars.
However, to solve that, Chief Dakamela revealed that he has notified the relevant government departments as well as local rural authorities to work together to grade and restore the roads for people to be able to travel smoothly.
The chief encouraged people to come early so that they experience both days of the extravaganza as he stated that there would be camping sites for those who would like to experience the feeling that comes with sleeping outdoors.
“What we learnt from the previous editions is that there are many people who are willing to come and attend this event from all over Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and even the world. However, some cancel the trips because of poor road infrastructure in Nkayi.
“With that in mind, we have approached relevant authorities from the government as well as local rural councils to help us in improving our road networks, and at least grade the roads so that there can be smooth transportation.
“This is a two-day event, meaning that there is a need for people to be accommodated. As such, we created this year’s event and allowed people to come with their tents so as to have fun and experience camping in the thickets of Nkayi.
“Through Isiphala seNkosi, we managed to build houses for different people in the community. The houses we built are a mixture of modern and maintain the cultural aspect of the housing features of the Ndebele people.
“Some houses will be available for accommodation at a fee that will go to these vulnerable owners who will use the money generated from the period of the awards to buy themselves food and be able to pay school fees.
“I encourage people to be punctual and respect time. They must come as early as possible so that they enjoy all the elements that characterise the awards as there will be many activities that people can enjoy from traditional music, dance, food, fashion show and Inganekwane,” said Dakamela.
Nurturing children to maintain and preserve their cultural heritage while at the same time embracing the importance of education has always been the main objectives of the Dakamela awards.
As such, this year’s edition will see various schools from Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North exhibiting at the affair.
“This year, we have a schools’ innovation programme and we have invited a few schools from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South to come and celebrate with us at the same time showcasing their different cultural and technology innovations.
“Children from rural areas do not get career-oriented and to solve that we also invited tertiary institutions to come and display their programs and provide career guidance to children based in our community,” said Dakamela.
Online Reporter