LIMPOPO – The traditional dance competition, organised by the Radzambo Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Limpopo SABC Combo, drew an impressive crowd from the various villages in Vhembe.

The tshikona (Vhavenda) dance elimination was held at the Thengwe Sports Grounds last Saturday.

Traditional leaders from the various villages, including Thovhele Vho-Vudzidzhena Nethengwe, Thovhele Vho-Kennedy Tshivhase, chief Thinawanga Randima, and chief Mutulagole Nyamande attended the event.

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The groups from Mukula, Makhuvha, Vhutavhatsindi, Vhufuli, Maraxwe, Rammbuda and Tshikona sailed through to the finals to be held at the Makhuvha Stadium on March 12. Three groups from each category (except the tshikona category) will qualify to participate in the elimination rounds during the finals.

Vhavenda, Tsonga and Pedi dancers will participate in the various traditional Vhavenda (tshigombela and malende) dances, Pedi (kiba, visa, basadi bastep, marashia, magagasi and dinaka) dances and Tsonga (maxaxasi, xicaicai, xigubu, xibelani, muchongolo and kutauza) dances. Prize money of more than R200 000 is at stake in the competition.

The sponsor, chief Livhuwani Matsila of the Radzambo Cultural Foundation, said the idea came as a way to revive and preserve the various cultures in Limpopo. “We are one and our cultures should be a uniting factor. We included all the major ethnic groups in Limpopo for this purpose. Traditional leaders should set and lead by example as the custodians of this culture,” he said.

He was very excited about the good turnout and said it only proved the people’s love for their culture. The business manager of SABC Limpopo Combo, Madikana Matjiela, commended the three local radio stations; Phalaphala FM, Munghana Lonene FM and Thobela FM, as well as chief Matsila for the joint effort to preserve culture and promote African traditional norms.

“We must learn to love and appreciate our history, tradition and morality, because those are the bases from which a strong nation develops. Our indigenous languages should also be preserved for the benefit of the young generation and the community at large,” Matjiela said.

Tshivhase welcomed the competition and said it would bring back the dignity of the people of Limpopo. He added the traditional leaders were serious about restoring culture and indigenous knowledge and commended the organisers for the initiative to revive culture through traditional dances.