Respect for culture and traditions helps Mpatha community grow
The Mpatha community near Malalane is turning to old traditions to help keep their culture alive and grow economically.
MALELANE – Traditional music, attire, dancing and other activities proved a feast for the eyes and ears during the ninth annual Mthayiza Day at Mpatha, Mgangeni Farm on Saturday.
The celebration is held in the second week of August in honour of community builder and activist, iNkosi Mthayiza Khumalo. It also serves to remind locals of their respective cultures and the economic development that has taken place.
The event was attended by traditional leaders Indlunkulukazi Thobekile Khumalo from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal and Inkhosi Mgcoyiza II from Swaziland, as well as government officials and leaders.
Cultural groups had the opportunity to perform dances in their traditional ensembles.
One of the day’s aims was to cultivate a respect and knowledge of culture, norms and tradition among children.
“A nation that does not respect its culture is a doomed one. Mthayiza Day celebrates that people who were forcefully removed during apartheid are regaining their land. They are now farming extensively,” Induna Herbert Maseko stated.
“We are building the community of Mpatha in a different way and have gone back to the olden ways for inspiration for the way forward,” said Khumalo.
iNkhosi Musa Mthayiza Khumalo II also announced plans for the development of the Mpatha community.
“We started building each other and now we are building structures. It was difficult for the beneficiaries of Mpatha, but we were able to wait a few years before starting economic development.”
They have engaged with the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust, which specialises in skills development, to train the beneficiaries. This will enable the community to build their own homes. They hope to construct between 250 and 300 houses.
READ: Locals enjoy a feast of culture and tradition
Khumalo also noted that they have a good source of water and very good soil.
“We have approached experts and found out that there is gold, iron ore, copper and lime to be mined in Mpatha. We hope to use this knowledge to create job opportunities, empower people and advance our economy. The community also owns a small lodge and hopes to extend it into a culture village, but will need more than R50 million for the project,” he said.
Khumalo stated that the beneficiaries will receive a budget of R1,5 million in December for their projects and that a documentary will be made of them, their projects and progress.
He hopes the documentary will help teach young people about Mpatha’s history, values and cultures “so that everyone can learn from what we are doing”.
“We want to build a community that is different from any other and is doing well, working together, teaching about culture. A pilot community where concepts are tested and where others can learn from us.”
An event similar to Mthayiza Day will be held in Ladysmith and Inkundlakazi Yama Ntungwa will be held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on November 25.
For more information, visit inkundlakazi.co.za.
