Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena
“IN today’s world, where exposure to various influences like drugs and substance abuse seems abundant, nurturing a cultural identity among children has never been more crucial.”These sentiments were echoed by, the director of the Amagagasi Amahle Art group, during the King Mzilikazi Commemorations held on September 5 and 6 at the revered monarch’s grave in Matobo.
The all-children group was among performers on the first day of the celebrations, which featured a schools’ seminar on King Mzilikazi’s life and legacy.
The seminar was aligned with the Government’s Heritage 5.0 policy, aimed to foster an appreciation for cultural heritage that is essential for nation-building and embodying the spirit of Ubuntu.
Sibanda established Amagagasi Amahle in 2022 with a vision to inspire children through performance and traditional arts.
The group specialises in a variety of cultural performances, including Isitshikisha, Imbube, Isicathamiya, Indlamu, Umtshongoyo, as well as gumboot dance.
The kind of art and dances that they are invested in, does not only celebrate their heritage, but it also instills a sense of identity and belonging among the youth.
“The main aim of this group is to encourage children to stay away from drugs. In Pumula, where we come from, many young people have fallen into drug abuse, and we are doing our best to ensure that the kids in our group don’t fall prey to that,” said Sibanda.
This proactive approach illustrates the group’s commitment to safeguarding the youth, providing them a safe haven through engagement in the arts.
Sibanda firmly believes that art can be a transformative force in a child’s life.
By participating in rehearsals and performances, children develop not only artistic skills but also life skills that are vital for their personal growth.
“We are grooming them into art because it’s a way in which we portray different cultural expressions of our community. We also encourage them to embrace their culture and heritage by teaching them different cultural dances and songs,” said Sibanda.
As a way of reaching out to different communities and showcase what they are capable of on stage, Amagagasi Amahle are looking forward to being booked for performing in different events.
“The money we usually generate through our performances helps members of our group in paying their school fees. We wish to be booked more often so that we can also support even underprivileged kids, who are not part of our ensemble,” said Sibanda.
