Prominent Venda senior traditional leader Thovhele Vho Gole Mphaphuli has called on all African countries to unite and preserve their cultures and traditions. Mphaphuli was speaking during the second edition of a cultural exchange festival aimed at communities and people on the move in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The festival was held at the Musina Rugby Field last Friday and drew participants and guests from as far afield as the USA, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Different nationalities showcased their cultures through traditional music performances, poetry, dialogues and personal storytelling.
Organised by the Messina Legal Advice Office, in partnership with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the cultural festival forms part of a broader initiative to support vulnerable migrants and their communities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. The first edition of the festival took place in the town of Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, in 2023. The event aims to celebrate the communities' diverse cultural heritage, promote social cohesion and foster a sense of belonging among Zimbabweans and South Africans.
Thovhele Mphaphuli, who was accompanied by his entourage of headmen, vhavenda and khadzis, as well as his tshikona and malende performers, said the initiative should be supported as its objectives aligned with the mission of the Mphaphuli traditional leadership dynasty — to preserve culture and tradition.
"It is important to understand that, as Africans, we are one people with almost the same cultures and traditions. What perceives us as different are the borders that separate us. As Africans, we should unite, love one another, and share our cultures and tradition in order to build a strong cultural foundation for the generations to come," he said.
The director of the Messina Legal Advice Office, Mr Jacob Matakanye, said the festival aimed to raise awareness about safe migration and to educate participants and the broader regional community on how culture could unite people from different backgrounds.
"This is a platform to foster appreciation for African cultural diversity by providing an opportunity for participants from various African countries across the region to share their traditions, knowledge and experiences — highlighting common values and promoting tolerance across different socio-political and cultural backgrounds," he said.
Kennedy Akolo, the African regional director for the AFSC, based in Nairobi, Kenya, said the expected outcomes of the festival included increased awareness among participants and the broader community about safe migration pathways, as well as providing a platform for communities to showcase their heritage, build pride in their cultural identity and amplify their voices.