Event teaches community about African culture
Mbele added that in the book she highlights racism in history books with regard to the Khoisan people.
Cosbie Mbele, the founder of a company called Campus After Hours, organised a music event at Thokoza Auditorium on Saturday, February 11 with the aim of teaching the community about African culture as well as launching her book.
Mbele, who is the author of a number of books on African culture, is also a singer of African music and has been in the music industry for more than 38 years.
She said she went to America in 1981 and came back in 2003 to give back to the upcoming artists in her country of birth.
“My coming back had to do with contributing positively to my country, South Africa, especially in the arts, music and in education.
“Since I came back I’ve been discovering and nurturing talent in colleges, universities as well as in the community through my company which is an NGO,” she told Kathorus MAIL.
She furthermore explained the purpose of the event that took place on Saturday.
“We organised this music event with the aim of encouraging African people to love themselves and their culture. We also want to expose culture and books that teach African people about their history and culture,” said Mbele.
During the event, a new Maskandi music group from Ladysmith, known as Osika Nhliziyo, was launched.
Other groups such as Sakhumzi (Afro-Pop), Zinnycated (Hip-Hop), Mabu Mhlongo (Jazz), Ubuhle Benhlangano (Traditional Dance Group) and Encochoyini Primary School (Gum-boot Dancing) were present to entertain large number of people who filled Thokoza Auditorium.
During the event Mbele used the opportunity to launch her new book, “Lady Africa in America,” which is mainly an autobiography.
“At the same time young people can learn a lot from what I experienced in my life as young person while growing up in Ladysmith and moving to Johannesburg with my parents,” she said.
“I talk a lot about the political challenges that I faced at school in Soweto until I left for the United States of America (USA) in 1981. There are so many challenges that I faced in the USA. The reason why I wrote about those challenges is because I want to teach people who have never been overseas about the difficulties that one can face while travelling abroad,” said Mbele.
Mbele added that in the book she highlights racism in history books with regard to the Khoisan people.
“I also spoke about the challenges that we are facing as black authors,” said Mbele.
Mbele asked South Africans to give support to black authors in this country.
She concluded by thanking everyone who contributed to making the day a success.
“I would like to thank the National Heritage Council for giving me an opportunity to do research on African Civilisation and Cultural Heritage,” she said.
“I would also like to thank teachers and the principal from Encochoyini Primary School for preparing learners who performed the gum-boot dance. I also want to extend my gratitude to all the groups who performed during the day. They are part of Campus after Hours research group that is busy conducting research about African civilisation,” said Mbele.
Mbele also passed on condolences to the group members of Ladysmith Kethokuhle, who couldn’t make it to the event because of the death of one of their family members.
