UMZINGWANE district community members celebrated Africa Day in style when they attended the Umzingwane Annual Cultural and Arts Festival event that was held at Sibomvu business centre in Matabeleland South province on Thursday.
The cultural fiesta, which ran under the theme Celebrating Cultural Diversity, Unity and Peace, also hosted chiefs, village heads, officials from Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
In a keynote address during the event, vice president of the chiefs’ council of Zimbabwe Chief Mtshane Khumalo who was the guest speaker emphasised the importance of cultural importance in the dynamic modern world.
“It is important that we go back and do some things the way we were told by our parents. There are certain things which are no longer respected, sivame ukuba ngothathekile (yet) white people come here in Zimbabwe, learn this and that, but they do not throw away their culture," said Khumalo.
“But, when we go to England we come back speaking English within two months and white people do not do that. I am kindly asking that we revert to our culture, which we used to practice.”
Crowds gathered to watch spellbinding performances from groups that included Mabhubesi, Rain, Ezemvelo, Abanqobi and Woza Africa. The groups showcased ethnic African dances like Isitshikitsha, Ingquzu and amabhiza while traditional artefacts were on display as well as wholesome nutritious African cuisine on the menu.
"Here in Umzingwane we saw it fit to mark our cultural day on May 25 to revive our culture and give ourselves time to love and care for each other. This is also a day on which we observe that we are Africans, (by celebrating) a day that is respected and recognised by the whole of Africa," Umzingwane legislator Levi Mayihlome (Zanu PF) said.
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