The voices of young South Africans took centre stage when Kamoraleng Heritage Institute, in partnership with Freedom Park, hosted a Cultural Heritage Education and Storytelling Programme under the theme “Wena o mang? Who Am I?”

Held at Freedom Park, the programme brought together learners aged between eight and 15 from schools across Gauteng to explore and celebrate their heritage through poetry, praise poetry, storytelling and indigenous knowledge, with performances delivered in their mother tongues.

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Delivering the keynote address, Kamoraleng Heritage Institute founder and CEO Molatelo Develd Monyai spoke on the importance of preserving identity through language. Monyai also served as the programme director.

He reminded attendees of the role mothers and grandmothers have played in passing languages and cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.

“A nation that forgets its language loses its compass,” Monyai said.

He quoted the Sepedi proverb, “Mmago ngwana o swara thipa ka bogaleng”, which refers to a mother’s willingness to make great sacrifices to protect her child.

“Mothers protected not only our bodies but our identity and languages from historical erasure,” he said.

The programme’s performances demonstrated the range of cultural knowledge and confidence among the young participants.

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Imbongi Mbali Dlamini of Eqinisweni Secondary School delivered a performance centred on love and redemption.

Eight-year-old Makungu Shishenge, a learner at Ebony Park Primary School, also impressed the audience with his knowledge of history.

In addition to his rendition of “Halloween Fish”, he recited biographical information about historical figures including Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel.

Faith Chauke of Eqinisweni Secondary School delivered a message focused on peace, unity and prosperity.

Ebony Park Primary School learners Khaviso Mathevoni, Vukona Mathebula and 13-year-old Ntsako Maluleke delivered interactive speeches, while 10-year-old Ntsako Maluleke shared her knowledge of the six colours featured on the South African national flag.

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Following lunch, the learners took part in a guided tour of Freedom Park, where they were introduced to several sites of historical and cultural significance.

The tour included the Hapo Museum and Wall of Names, where learners learned about thousands of people who lost their lives in conflicts; Isivivane, a sacred site where soil from South Africa’s nine provinces and international sites has been gathered; and the Sanctuary, which includes an open-air amphitheatre with a capacity of about 3 000 people.

The tour also introduced learners to Freedom Park’s history and its commemoration of people who died in conflicts in South Africa and elsewhere.

The programme forms part of Kamoraleng Heritage Institute’s work to promote and preserve indigenous knowledge and encourage young people to remain connected to their languages and cultural identities.
Monyai said the learners’ participation demonstrated the importance of giving young people opportunities to engage with their heritage.

He is also expected to receive a Clevenard Honorary Award in Alicante, Spain, later this month, according to the institute.

As the organisation works to raise funds for a delegation to attend the event, Monyai said the young participants remained a source of pride.

“By preserving the mother tongue, we safeguard our ultimate freedom. Today, the children showed us that our future is secure because they know who they are,” he said.