Traditional group make strides in their community
This group was established in 1998 with the aim of promoting culture and teaching young people how to behave themselves and become better people.
LUPHISI – “Being involved in this cultural group teaches me a lot about life such as morals and respecting myself as a young person since we live in a very cruel world.” These are the words of one of the members of a local traditional group called Mtukulu Wagogo, Fortunate Mazibuko aged 16.
This group was established in 1998 with the aim of promoting culture and teaching young people how to behave themselves and become better people.
“As young as I am, I’m very proud that I understand my culture because we are not gathered here just for dancing, but also are learning about life skills so that we must have direction in life. Culture is very important to us as black Africans.”When we face reality, the truth is that in the environment in which we live, we can focus on our culture only during heritage month in September, which is not good. Teenage pregnancy is so high because some of the girls lack knowledge. Even my friends at school laugh at me. “Batsi ngalokugindza ngito phelela kuphi njengoba ingekho imincintiswano lesiyingenelayo kodvwa mine ngifundza kutiphatsa ngiyintfombatane,” she explained.
When this newspaper visited the group, it was hip and happening. They were singing traditional songs and the group attracted community members. Speaking to this reporter, the founder of Mtukulu Wagogo, Mandlakayise Maseko said his mission was to erase the name street kids, “When I started this group, it was to give direction to young people. It was also to help them to achieve their goals in life because not everyone is fortunate enough to have good support at home. Children end up doing bad things because they cannot cope with the challenges that face them. Some end up running away from home and living on the streets while others become parents at a very young age. “Emandvulo kwakulihlazo kukhulelwa kwentfwana asemncane, ingako ngifuna kukhombisa lusha kutsi emasiko abalulekile.”
“I want to change that,“ he explained.Even though the group is surviving, financial problems are limiting these talented young people. “We need a sponsor so that we can take our talent to another level because our dream is one day to represent our province at national level or internationally. Now we are able to make money by entertaining people in our society and with that little money, we have managed to buy ourselves costumes,” he concluded.
To view pictures click here: https://www.citizen.co.za/mpumalanga-news/41490/young-people-promote-culture-village/
