SIX years ago, Khabazela Village residents, Thobile Makhoba and Mamsi Zulu began the school Bright Future to teach young women from a Zulu background about tradition, culture and heritage. (#Isigqisezintombi)

For Makhoba, heritage provides clues to our past and how it contributes to our identity.

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“For us at the school, the Zulu tradition is a living heritage, a foundation of our ancestors and children. At our school we teach young women about cultural tradition, oral history, ritual, indigenous knowledge, dancing and singing. We also teach the young girls about how to take care of themselves and how to be independent,” Makhoba said.

“We feel respect and love for one’s culture is an important outlet. Most of the young women wear specific imvunulo (costume), ubuhlalu (beads) that have significance for those who wear it. Importantly, when we started this school in 2015 it was really about recognising where we come from. We are known as the rainbow nation because of our cultural diversity and this is why Heritage Day exists. My hope is that all South Africans nurture and embrace their culture and learn about other people’s cultures.”