A high-ranking delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana at the Dzanani Royal Kraal on Saturday as part of Africa Day Festivities.
The delegation, under the leadership of Fabrice Zombi Kavuadioko, a traditional leader, visited heritage sites and other institutions during the visit. Kavuadioko expressed his delegation's excitement and was impressed with the performances of traditional dances.
As the visit forms part of an exchange programme between the Vhavenda and the DRC, Kavuadioko said that his visit was to make sure that a continued relationship was established and maintained between the local communities and the visitors. "The exchange programme will also help the two traditional leaders when they go abroad and learn about other cultures," Kavuadioko said. He said that he was proud of being an African leader. "I call upon all Africans to have peace and love among themselves in our countries. We say no to tribal wars and mediocrity in African states."
He said it was important to preserve African culture and traditional values in order to build strong and disciplined nations. Kavudioko said Africans must not undermine themselves, because African practices were morally acceptable and also educational.
Mphephu Ramabulana referred to xenephobic attacks and said it was unacceptable to African culture and should never be tolerated. He encouraged all community members to join hands against this evil practice. "Our place as a whole, our political leaders and partners, our religious leaders, the leaders of our civic movements, and all progressive community leaders and the majority of South Africans must join hands in condemning in the strongest terms acts of xenophobia and the abuse of human rights."
Mphephu added that South Africa was building a country where all its people had a decent place to live‚ where all had the skills they needed to make a living and where all lived in peace and security. He added that the constitution gave everyone the right to be protected.