– Indoni-Ndebele Kingdom in collaboration with local stakeholder, Traditional leaders and department of culture, sport and recreation is hosting a transformative initiative to addressing different social issues such as peer pressure and teenage pregnancy at a 7-day Cultural Youth Camp held at Dlawulale Nkosini from 24 to 30 June 2024.
The camp’s primary objective is to leverage cultural identity and traditions to curb social ills, particularly teenage pregnancy and motherhood, and to encourage positive behavioural change. “We teach them about culture and how to preserve it as well as ubuntu and to encourage them to be better,” said Sibongile Mahlangu a champion of Indoni-Ndebele Kingdom. Recognizing the youth’s affinity for cultural activities, the camp integrates traditional practices to promote positive behaviour.
Activities such as dancing, poetry writing, crocheting, beadwork and gardening are included to address socio-economic challenges that contribute to teenage pregnancy. “We fight dropout rates by engaging them in these cultural activities and skills development,” Sibongile explained. The camp emphasizes self-respect, confidence, democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights. Success stories from previous participants, include 2017 Indoni Program winner, Audrey Skhosana.
“Indoni past participants have passed grade 12, pursued higher education and graduated without falling pregnant. These success stories serve as powerful role models for current participants,” Sibongile further said. Efforts have been made to ensure inclusive participation, including hosting camps during school and inviting the past participants to help and show the new one how it’s done.
“We promote abstaining from sexual engagement, that they virgins for the longest of time,” Sibongile concluded.
The camp’s comprehensive program includes singing the national anthem, reciting the preamble, drama performances on respect, singing and dancing, and drawing national symbols, all of which are part of a competition. Health talks on sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and social behaviour led by qualified people, the camp is an annual thing in preparation for the Indoni SA pageant. Indoni SA is a traditional and cultural pageant that promotes the cultures of 11 South African nations in their pageants, a tradition that started more than a decade ago, Zulu, Mpondo, Swati, Pedi, Xhosa, Sotho, Venda, Khoisan, Thembu, Tsonga, and Ndebele are the kingdoms that are represented when eleven contestants compete on stage about their cultures and pageants normally take place in December after many camp schools.
