The National Heritage Council (NHC), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, held an intergenerational dialogue and exhibition on indigenous food with Nyamukuvha Ngwaniwapo, a youth organisation from rural Tshidzivhe village, on Saturday, 28 March.
Mr Amos Mulaudzi from the NHC said the council supported the initiative because it aligns with its mandate to promote, preserve and protect South Africa’s diverse heritage, particularly living heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).
“The dialogue focuses on indigenous food practices, which are a core component of South Africa’s intangible cultural heritage. By supporting this initiative, the NHC is advancing efforts to document, revitalise and transmit indigenous knowledge that is at risk of being lost due to modernisation and generational gaps,” Mulaudzi said.
He added that indigenous food systems are increasingly recognised for their role in food security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
“By celebrating shared cultural practices and creating a platform for dialogue, the initiative contributes to social cohesion, community pride and inclusive nation-building, all of which are central to the NHC’s strategic objectives. As the project is led by a youth- and women-driven organisation, it aligns with national priorities and the NHC’s transformation agenda to empower historically underrepresented groups in the heritage sector,” Mulaudzi said.
One of the participating organisations, Gumbu Seed Bank, displayed traditional seeds. Its chairperson, Ms Livhuwani Gundula, said the bank was established in 2016 by women and youth who want to preserve traditional seeds such as luvhele, mufhoho, makhaya and mafhuri.
“We want to restore our heritage and culture through restoring the traditional seeds, which will also benefit future generations,” Gundula said.