Kwa-Thema – The Kwa-Thema Stadium came alive recently as community members gathered for the Isintu-Sethu Carnival and Heritage Day celebrations, combining cultural pride with awareness around gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The event was organised in partnership with the Greater Ekurhuleni Integrated Stakeholders Forum, Kutlwano (KUSO) Men’s Club and the Kwa-Thema Arts Forum.

Greater Ekurhuleni’s public relations officer, Alcum Molapo, said the programme began with a fun walk that brought together community members from across Kwa-Thema.

Participants carried banners and wore ribbons as a symbol of solidarity against GBVF.

He noted that the walk was followed by an awareness campaign led by members of the KUSO Men’s Club, who highlighted the role men can play in addressing GBVF.

The second phase of the programme featured a carnival and march which allowed participants to celebrate their cultural heritage while continuing to raise awareness about social issues affecting communities.

KUSO’s Puso Malefane said that the day brought community members, local leaders, youth, women, and health practitioners together for a day dedicated to health, culture, and community empowerment.

He said the day aimed to promote community wellness through free health screening, education, and access to medical services, while celebrating South Africa’s rich cultural heritage, unity, and diversity as a source of strength and healing.

“We wanted to raise awareness of critical social issues, including education, entrepreneurship, and the fight against GBVF, and strengthen stakeholder collaboration for sustainable community development.

An intergenerational dialogue, Inxoxo yabadala nabancane, brought elders and young people together to share cultural and historical knowledge.

Malefane expressed that the discussion also focused on the importance of preserving heritage while addressing modern social challenges.

“We call upon more stakeholders, private sector partners, and government departments to join hands with us in future initiatives,” said Malefane.

The Kwa-Thema Arts Forum hosted the third phase, which featured an art gallery showcasing local talent and heritage-inspired work, a culturally themed fashion show, a women empowerment talk and performances incorporating drama, poetry and music.

The forum’s Khayalethu Nkosi told the publication that it was a powerful celebration of women’s creativity, talent and empowerment.

She said that the event brought together women, youth and community members to connect, share skills and showcase talent.

“As the Kwa-Thema Arts and Culture Youth Forum, we aimed to formally introduce the Forum to the community and launch our new art classes for children.

“We are proud to have created a platform that encourages women to recognise their worth and inspires the next generation,” added Nkosi.

Nkosi thanked all the women, young men, fathers and children who came to support and their partner, Hypa Wi-Fi, for their support on the day.

The organisers also thanked Food Town Hyper (Savemoor) and Drd Gold (Ergo) for their sponsorship, as well as the cultural leadership, participants and everyone who supported the Heritage Day programme.