Tshilamba-based cultural activist Ms Pfarelo Negondeni said that the lack of financial support was one of the main causes of the decline of cultural activities in this country.
Speaking at the Heritage Day celebrations at Lukau Tshishivhe on Saturday, 24 September, she said people did not want to learn about their cultural dances like they used to. She said one of the reasons for this was because starting and maintaining cultural groups could be very expensive.
"It was evident on Heritage Day last week that very few people know their traditional dances. Many people were walking around in their different traditional attire, but did not know their traditional songs, let alone how to dance while singing. Many youngsters don't even speak their mother tongue fluently anymore. It is English everywhere. Have we forgotten who we are as a Vhavenda people?" she asked.
A single mother of two, Negondeni started her own cultural group to teach young people more about their own culture and tradition. "I have more than 50 kids who practice every weekend at my house. I have to organise traditional dresses for girls and vhugoni (traditional underwear) for boys, and it is very expensive," she said.
She said that neither the government nor the business community was prepared to help up-and-coming cultural groups. "They are only interested in helping those who are already famous, just for the lights of the cameras. They know that when they help cultural groups that are well established and supported by politicians, the media will come and give them more exposure, but when they help poor people like us, the media do not usually cover our stories. We are side-lined from both sides."
Negondeni said that she had knocked on many doors in search of assistance, but to no avail. "All we need is a Good Samaritan or two to assist us in keeping our culture alive. We are calling on members of the community to please help us with donations," she pleaded.