Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
AFRICAN tradition, which in some cases has become maligned as young people adopt western customs, should be a significant source of pride that should inspire people from the continent to be rooted by a sense of belonging and a desire to protect their culture at all costs.
Being culturally rooted raises one’s self-esteem, as one who understands where they belong culturally, also knows where they are heading in life.
Ingwebu Breweries
Elderly members of a community thus have a responsibility to make sure that African traditions are passed on to the younger generations who then preserve the button for future generations. One such community is the western suburb of Matshobana in Bulawayo, where groups like Thandanani Traditional Dance Group, Bambanani Traditional Dance Group, and Iluba Lemvelo Traditional Dance Group have managed to draw women who have an interest in upholding culture and tradition through traditional dance.
Thandanani traditional dance group, which is comprised of 12 women, has won accolades and awards on such prestigious platforms such as NAMA and Chibuku Neshamwari. The oldest group member is 72 years old, and the group as a whole has performed for both national and international audiences. Thandanani has collaborated with organisations like NSSA, NAC, Msasa, Chibuku, and Econet among others, as their raise awareness on traditional culture and customs. The group has visited Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and Swaziland, where they met the King of the Swazi people, recognising the value of cultural diversity and the idea that culture may be expanded on by learning from various ethnic groups.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC)
Speaking to Sunday Life, the director of Thandanani, Florence Sithole who is known as Gogo MaTshabalala said their passion as a group has made them continue efforts to continue carrying tradition forward, with a belief that the youth might get to understand the importance of embracing their cultural norms and values.
“What makes us stick to the group is because we want our traditions to remain immortal as we continue to pass on our knowledge to our grandchildren so that they are morally upright. We welcome every talented lady who wants to be a part of our group despite their age”, she added.
Bambanani traditional group is made up of 12 energetic women, with a 63-year-old women being the oldest group member. Their recruitment starts from the age of 19. The group is a commercial group as these women make a living out of their traditional dance. Bambanani has worked mostly with Mambo Dynas, Chibuku neshamwari, Ingwebu breweries, ZNTDA, National Arts Council. The group has also presented at many government functions.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ)
Lydia Sibanda who is a member of the Bambanani group said it is important for them to share the knowledge they have about culture and tradition with the younger generation that is why they don’t only present in shows but also teach the culture and tradition to school children.
Muchaneta Dube, a member of Iluba lemvelo dance group said their group is a commercial group that is motivated by the passion to please and entertain people as they appreciate their culture. The group recruits any women or girl who is talented and they have even gone out to schools, educating the students on the importance of culture. Iluba lemvelo is made up of nine women and the oldest of them is 70 years of age.
“We have worked with Ingwebu, Chibuku, Bulawayo City Council, National Arts Council among many others and from there we have received a lot of awards which also keeps us going and working even harder”, she added. The group has also presented on government functions including the Independence Day.