Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THE Imiklomela KaDakamela (Chief Dakamela Achievers’ Awards), a flagship event celebrating excellence in the Nkayi community has called for more volunteers to come forward and provide different services in the wake of the event’s dramatic expansion into a multi-faceted cultural and tourism festival.
The call comes as preparations intensify for the 3 to 6 April gathering at Chief Dakamela’s homestead.
What began as a prestigious awards ceremony honouring local achievers has, through strategic partnerships and ambitious programming, evolved into a significant tourism-designated event.
This year’s edition promises an unprecedented range of activities, stretching far beyond the core awards presentation and creating logistical demands that have outstripped the existing volunteer base.
Event organisers are thus making a passionate appeal to the community and beyond as they seek enthusiastic, reliable individuals willing to contribute their time and energy to ensure this landmark edition of the Imiklomela KaDakamela Awards is a resounding success.
Desmond Ntini, one of the organisers, confirmed the situation, saying, “It’s the same prestigious Imiklomelo ka Dakamela at its heart, but the scale is entirely different. This year, we have lots of programmes and activities, which necessitated the volunteer call.
“It’s now a tourism-designated event, which has its own festival within the awards ceremony. We’ve also partnered with key players in the civic and arts world.”
A major factor in the expansion is the landmark inclusion of the Isintu Festival, a vibrant cultural festival that has had editions in the UK and South Africa.
“Our other partner is the Isintu Festival, which will, for the first time, take place in Nkayi, koDakamela.
“This integration brings a whole new dimension of cultural performances, crafts and heritage celebration to the event,” Ntini said.
Ntini said the festival’s sheer range of activities highlights the urgent need for volunteers.
He said the programme is vast, from workshops and excursions to the bush dinner, music festival, schools programmes and bush massage — all demanding a larger team.
“The core awards ceremony alone requires ushers, registration staff, stage management and guest services. The Isintu Festival, featuring traditional music, dance, storytelling and crafts, needs volunteers for venue setup, artist liaison and activity co-ordination. Educational workshops require facilitators’ assistants, registration help and setup support.
“Outdoor excursions, which showcase Nkayi’s natural beauty, call for guides, logistics support and safety monitors. The unique Bush Dinner needs serving staff, setup and clean-up crews and general hospitality support.
“A music festival showcasing local talent requires stagehands, security, ticketing personnel and vendor assistance. Youth programmes for schools need activity leaders, chaperones and educational support.
Wellness activities, including bush massages, require registration staff, site management and guest flow co-ordination.
“Additional events such as markets, exhibitions and community forums further increase the demand for volunteers, making extra hands critical to the festival’s success.”
Ntini said they are confident the community will rally, as this event puts Nkayi and its diverse culture on the map. —@MbuleloMpofu
