Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, recently in Tsholotsho
AS Africa commemorated Africa Day yesterday under the continental theme, “Sixty‑three (63) Years of Unity, Integration and Development, let’s celebrate together,” rural communities are proving that the heartbeat of African unity resides deep within local traditions.
In a vibrant display of heritage, scores of villagers from across Tsholotsho District converged on Friday at Royal Avenues High School in Simanje village for a massive pre-Africa Day cultural festival.
The event, which drew communities from Lopila, Masekesa, Simanje 1, Simanje 2, Mlotheni, Mhlabangu, and Matshudula villages, seamlessly dovetailed into the ongoing National Culture Month celebrations running until the end of May.
The local landscapes were transformed into a kaleidoscope of traditional colours as villagers proudly donned indigenous garb, echoing the rhythm of traditional drums and poetic praise singing that reverberated through the school grounds.
The guest of honour, Headman Sicelo Dube Mazibisa, who oversees Ward 22 and Ward 12 under Chief Gampu, implored the community to keep cultural customs and norms at the forefront of their daily lives.
“Our cultural norms and customs are not ancient, discarded relics of the past; they are the very bedrock of our identity and social cohesion. When we ignore our heritage, we create a vacuum,” he said.
“The moment a society turns its back on its foundational customs, it invites severe cultural and moral decay. We see the consequences today in broken social fabrics and a lost sense of accountability among our people.”
Headman Mazibisa also expressed gratitude to the Government for institutionalising National Culture Month, noting that deliberate State-led recognition provides communities with the institutional backing needed to preserve their vanishing histories.
A major highlight of the day was the highly competitive traditional culinary exhibition. Women representing the various participating villages set up meticulously decorated stalls, showcasing a rich array of indigenous foods aimed at promoting nutritional sovereignty and traditional processing techniques.
Central to the culinary showcase was an intense adjudication process tracking the precise formulation of amasi (traditional sour milk).
The culinary showcase featured distinct displays from the participating villages, with Lopila and Masekesa exhibiting isitshwala samabele (sorghum) and dried vegetables (umfushwa) focused on deep fermentation flavours, while Simanje 1 and 2 showcased roasted groundnuts, round nuts (indlubu), and melons (ikhabe) judged on cream consistency and traditional gourd (isitshebo) preparation.
Meanwhile, Mlotheni, Mhlabangu, and Matshudula presented ithanga, amasi omcaba and millet blends evaluated on temperature regulation and whey separation quality — all culminating in an event that seamlessly anchored the youth via the Heritage-based Education 5.0 framework.
School leadership and residents said hosting the festival within an educational institution allows the community to confront modern challenges directly.
Local elders and residents expressed relief at the initiative, openly citing that youthful delinquency is currently abundant in the face of unvetted digital exposure.
Community members said events of this nature serve as a crucial psychological and moral anchor, reminding the younger generation of their roots while cautioning them against blindly adopting foul Western practices that erode local values.
