Royalty visits metro
THE Northern Areas was abuzz with the arrival of royalty earlier this month.
Princes Siphosezwe Mahlangu and Jan Mthimkhulu of the Mpumalanga Ndzua Ndebele tribe flew to the Bay to meet with Khoisan Chiefs Xam Gaob Maleiba and Eikomo Allies who attended Zivikele's cultural exchange programme.
National project manager for Zivikhele Training, Valerie Kariem, said the programme which was funded by a R1-million donation from Lotto was aimed at combining and comparing cultural ideas and expressions.
"The convention, which ran from November 5 to 7 at the Famhealth centre in Gelvandale, brought together all the chiefs and headmen of the Khoisan tribes in the Eastern Cape, as well as the two princes and other religious and community figures, to exchange cultural ideas and share their opinions on social issues such as gender-based violence and HIV/Aids."
The leaders took the opportunity to see and learn about Khoisan heritage sites in the Northern Areas such as Van der Kemp Kloof and the Bethelsdrop Congregational Church where Chief George Maleiba spoke to the 30-strong group about the origins of the Khoisan.
Prince Mahlangu emphasised the importance of such programmes.
"Through this programme we have learnt that both the Ndebele and Khoisan tribes share a lot of similarities in terms of its people, traditions and challenges. Both tribes are trying to gain recognition of their headmen from the government.
"And through programmes like this we can discuss and work together on a way forward. Although we have different beliefs we are all born of one God, who is our one true leader," said Mahlangu Khoisan Chief Winston Lucan Daniels of the Griqua Royal house said there were too many outside forces at play and the programme was necessary to re-instill faith and respect in traditional beliefs.
"It is very important to interact to learn more about each other. There are to many western influences at play. As the custodians of our culture we need to keep it alive."
Among those in attendance was the Archbishop of the Jerusalem Church of South Africa, Richard Zandisile Magxwalisa, who encouraged more organisations to participate in similar programmes.
"We should start embracing each other as different as we are," he said.