Ululations, singing, and traditional dancing filled the air as the king and queen set to represent the Venda kingdom in the prestigious Indoni SA My Heritage My Pride competition were announced. The event took place on Saturday, 5 July, in the Professor Ralushai Auditorium at the Thohoyandou Library Centre.
Khumbudzo Managa was crowned queen and Zwonaka Mabada king, earning the right to showcase the Venda culture and traditions at the national event in Richmond Indoni village, KwaZulu-Natal, this December.
Ms Shonisani Mutengwe, chairperson of Indoni SA My Heritage My Pride for the Venda Kingdom, congratulated the winners and praised all finalists for their creativity and dedication to promoting the Venda heritage.
The competition also educates the youth on traditional ways of life, including how forefathers survived, the preparation of traditional foods such as vhuswa ha mikonde and vhutete, and important social issues such as the dangers of alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Mutengwe said the programme included visits to traditional leaders, where young people learn about customs such as marriage practices, leadership installation, and succession principles in Venda culture.
Mr Quincy Maladze from the Thulamela Arts Council expressed pride in the youth's role in preserving the Venda heritage and urged the newly crowned king and queen to represent the community well at the national finals.
Queen Managa, 23, from Tshakhuma Maguvhuni, is a third-year BCom business management student at the University of Venda. She said she was thrilled to be chosen and looked forward to promoting Venda cultural activities across schools in the Vhembe region.