‘Culture key in fight against drug abuse’

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]

INSTILLING cultural values, discipline and a strong sense of identity among young people can become a powerful weapon in the fight against drug and substance abuse, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has said.

Speaking at the Inqama Arts Festival in Simbumbumbu, Gwanda District recently, Minister Nguluvhe said reconnecting young people with their cultural roots could help build a disciplined, confident and productive generation capable of resisting destructive social influences.

The festival, held under the theme, “Sibuyela Emuva Ukuya Phambili – Reclaiming Our Roots, Shaping Our Future,” seeks to revive Ndebele heritage while using arts and culture as tools for youth development and community engagement.

It provided a platform for Amatshitshi and Amabutho, groups of young girls and boys dressed in traditional Ndebele attire, to showcase indigenous cultural practices and strengthen their connection with their heritage.

Minister Nguluvhe said Government recognises cultural festivals as important platforms for preserving heritage, empowering communities and stimulating local economic development.

“As Government, we recognise that devolution is about empowering communities to participate in and benefit from development in their own localities. Festivals such as this demonstrate how communities can use their own heritage and resources to drive local development.

“We look back not because we want to remain in the past, but because we want to take the best of our heritage with us as we move forward. Our young people need opportunities that build discipline, confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging,” he said.

Minister Nguluvhe said the festival’s theme speaks directly to the importance of understanding one’s roots while preparing for the future. He said modernisation and development should not come at the expense of people’s identity, language, traditions and values.

“Our development must not result in the loss of our identity. We need to preserve our language, traditions and values while ensuring that our young people are equipped to participate meaningfully in the modern world,” he said.

Minister Nguluvhe said there was also a need to intensify the documentation of oral history, indigenous knowledge and traditional performances to ensure that the wisdom and experiences of older generations are not lost.

He said programmes such as Amatshitshi eNqama and Ibutho leNqama play an important role in moulding young people by instilling discipline, leadership qualities, confidence and a strong sense of identity.

The Minister said cultural programmes could complement broader efforts to tackle social challenges, particularly the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse among young people. He said young people who have a strong sense of belonging, purpose and community values were better positioned to make responsible life choices.

Minister Nguluvhe said arts and culture should also be viewed as an economic sector capable of creating livelihoods for artists, craftspeople, women and young entrepreneurs.

“Arts and culture are not merely about entertainment. They can create livelihoods and contribute to tourism and local economic development,” he said.

He urged traditional leaders, residents, artists, young people and other stakeholders to take ownership of the Inqama Arts Festival and transform it into a sustainable platform for celebrating local identity and driving community development.

“As we celebrate our culture today, let us remember that culture is the bridge between our past and our future. Let us preserve our language, our traditions, our music, our stories and the values that have held our communities together,” said Minister Nguluvhe.

Chief Dlodlo of Matabeleland North, who was the guest of honour, said cultural identity was central to building cohesive communities and inculcating the values of Ubuntu among younger generations.

He said festivals provided an important meeting point where communities could pass knowledge and values from one generation to another.

“It is these festivals that can unite the nation and the people. You can’t be a people without a culture and this event allows us to inculcate the ideas of Ubuntu into the youths.

“Communities can only confidently shape their future when younger generations understand their roots, respect their traditions and preserve the knowledge passed down by their elders,” said Chief Dlodlo.

He said cultural values could also play an important role in protecting young people from destructive behaviours.

“We must protect our young people from drugs and substance abuse. We need a healthy, disciplined and productive generation that can build families, preserve our culture and contribute to national development,” he said.

Chief Mathema said cultural gatherings provided communities with an opportunity to collectively confront social challenges and mobilise around development issues.

“Once we bring people together like this, then it becomes easier to sit down and talk about development and fight the scourge of drug and substance abuse,” he said.

Inqama Arts Festival director Mr Oscar Siziba said the event was intended not only to preserve culture but also to use the arts as a vehicle for youth engagement and community development.

“We are trying to revive our culture and our identity. We have brought big names in the music industry from this area, and we want to ensure that our youth are reminded of who we are,” he said.

The festival featured traditional and contemporary performances, including Isitshikitsha, Ingoma, Imbube, AmaWoso, poetry and Maskandi.

It also marked the graduation of Amatshitshi eNqama and Ibutho leNqama, highlighting the festival’s growing role in passing cultural knowledge and values to a new generation.