Phalaphala FM - Final of cultural dancing competition

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The final of the Phalaphala FM and Radzambo Cultural Foundation’s cultural dance competition will take place at the Makhuvha Stadium on Saturday (tomorrow).

Vhavenda, Tsonga and Pedi dancers will participate in different traditional dances, namely xibela, tshikona, tshigombela, xitaitai, xibelani, xigumbu, muchongolo, malende, kutauza and tshikhamba. Prize money of more than R200 000 is at stake in the competition.

Three groups that qualified for the finals in each category during the elimination rounds will participate in the finals, except tshikona, where five groups will compete.

The events coordinator of Phalaphala FM, Mr Lufuno Munonde, commended the radio station and Chief Matsila for the joint effort to preserve culture and to promote African traditional norms. He said culture was one of the main human tools that should not be left behind during the process of transformation.

“We must be proud of who we are, instead of being copycats of other peoples’ culture. We must learn to love and appreciate our history, tradition and morality, because those are the basis from which a strong nation develops. Our indigenous languages should also be preserved for the benefit of the young generation and the community at large,” said Munonde.

He appealed to all groups to be punctual at the stadium and he said that after the toss they would have no chance to participate or they would be disqualified if they arrived later than 08:00.

Chief Livhuwani Matsila said that the Radzambo Cultural Foundation had been established to provide an opportunity for different communities to exercise their culture. "The main purpose is to form partnerships with different communities," he said. He added that the traditional leaders were serious about restoring culture and indigenous knowledge and commended the organisers for the initiative of reviving culture through traditional dances.

He appealed to the youth to respect elderly people and stated that Africans must be proud of themselves, their culture and traditions. “We must start practising our culture of being proud, so that our children will grow up knowing their identity,” he said.

He added that “traditional dances make us what we are. If we lose our tradition and lose our identity, we must consequently remind ourselves where we are coming from”.

Matsila said that he was going to provide transport to all groups who were going to participate in the finals.

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.