The sounds of the tshikona flutes and horns, the thumping beat of drums and soft voices of women singing and dancing to traditional tshigombela and malende songs at the fully packed Jack Lavhengwa Sports Grounds were how the community of Khalavha village celebrated Khalavha and Heritage Day on Saturday, 24 September.
More than 2 000 people attended the event, among them dignitaries such as Mailausumbwa Midiyavhathu Prince Kennedy Tshivhase, Khosi Vho-Mpfuneni Tshivhase, veteran Mathakha Mashau, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, Mulalo Tshivhase, Bishop Ntshavheni Netshia, Cllr Livhuwani Maduse, and Cllr Matodzi Shavhani, who represented the mayor for the day.
Speaking at the event, Mailausumbwa Tshivhase encouraged the people of Khalavha to continue preserving the Vhavenda traditions to keep them from perishing. "We have to go back to how we used to do things, like performing our cultural dances, such as the madomba and musevhetho. What the people of Khalavha do here today is very important. We must protect our culture and traditions."
Mailausumbwa Tshivhase further encouraged the people to be united and fight against the escalating crime, especially child abduction, which has become rife in the area of late.
A new organisation, called Khalavha Community Development, was also launched during the event. Its founder, Mulalo Tshivhase, said that the main aim of this organisation was to develop the youth through sports and culture, as well as educationally and financially. "We have a lot of organisations that want to partner with us to develop the youth. Our biggest drive is to take the youth from the streets and put them in schools or find them work," he said.
SANCO chairperson Mr Clifford Muthelo said he was grateful for the success of the event. "Our objective was not only about celebration, but also about encouraging the youth to start different projects to fight poverty."
Khalavha village is located next to the Thathe Holy Forest and prides itself on being home to the late Rodgers Tshivhase, Bob Tshivhase, State President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, Mmbengeni Ramudingane, Mathakha Mashau, Gospel Kutama and many other well-known freedom fighters.