Different cultures came together in the unique Gadunga Sigadange cultural event to showcase their rich heritage, proudly embracing their traditions and preserving their unique identities. On June 29, contestants competed to be crowned Kings and Queens of their respective cultures/ kingdoms, demonstrating exceptional traditional dance skills and in-depth knowledge of their cultural heritage. The contestants and other young people, totalling 1,300, arrived for the camp on June 17 and left on June 30, having received intense cultural training and life skills teachings.
Twelve kingdoms were represented, including Zulu, Ndebele, Pedi, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, Xhosa, Mpondo, Tswana, Khoisan, Thembu, and Sotho.
The packed finale, held at the Sizanani Village Trust in Bronkhorstspruit and supported by traditional leaders (Abondabezitha) and the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport, and Recreation, saw great excitement and a sense of cultural pride from those in attendance.
According to Gadunga Sigadange Sivuselele Isimilo founder Professor Thuthukile Kabini, the programme, in addition to the cultural teachings, taught the young people valuable lessons on how to excel in life while avoiding distractions common among young people, such as drugs, alcohol, and harmful relationships (umjolo). The camp was also supported by the Ndebele Student Association (NSA), which conducted a career expo during the camp, guiding learners on different career paths.
The closing event was a true spectacular display of culture, with all 12 kingdoms giving their all as kings and queens were crowned for each kingdom, and all first-place winners were awarded a R10,000 cash prize.
The non-profit organisation made history with the 2nd annual one-of-a-kind two-week camp, culminating in a spectacular closing event that ran from 10:00 am to 4:30 am. The work of Professor Kabini, the founder and mastermind behind Gadunga, will surely be etched in the history books for successfully delivering this uniquely structured event, which, according to Shaka Thwala, Ndzundza Sokhulumi Investment Manager, cost over R2.3 million to put together. As the event drew to a close, Kabini shared the exciting news that all roads now lead to Jamaica for the winners, who will embark on a cultural exploration trip before the end of 2024. In an interview with Highveld Chronicle, a jubilant Professor Kabini shared her excitement and thanked those who contributed towards the success of the camp and the main event, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ndzundza Sokhulumi Traditional Council who made sure that the event was a success. Personally, I didn’t do much, but they paid for the venue, covered transport fares, and provided the prizes you saw today. They understood that this initiative came through their great-great-grandmother, and I believe it was she who finally pushed them to take ownership of the event.”
“I also want to thank Endumbeni through Sipho Mahamba, who made a great contribution, among others, including the taxi association and the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport, and Recreation,” Kabini concluded, indicating that she anticipates lamentations from the children due to their departure, as they called for an extra week extension of the camp.
Nongcele Ncume, a cultural leader from the Eastern Cape, highlighted the cultural teachings they learned during the two-week camp, which emphasised that we are all one irrespective of ethnicity and that we all have red blood. Ncume further expressed her admiration for her group of 120 children and teenagers performed on the day, “I am blown away by how our children excelled, and this will show our traditional leaders the work we are doing in grooming the children from different traditional houses. Even those who were taking us for granted will now start paying attention.”
“It is really sad that we are heading back; we truly enjoyed our time here,” Ncume concluded.
