CALL FOR UNITY
Chief Mosojane regrets fragmentation within Bakalanga cultural groups
Chief (She) Sibangani Mosojane of Mosojane village in the North East District has expressed disappointment at the fact that Bakalanga Chiefs (bo She) in the Bukalanga region do not actively support the Domboshaba Cultural Trust.
“I have not seen a good relationship between Bo-she in this Bukalanga region actively taking part and supporting the Domboshaba Cultural Trust. This would go a long way in restoring and preserving the culture and history of Bakalanga,” Mosojane said. He pointed out that traditional leaders are the custodians of the cultural heritage of their respective tribes.
Mosojane advised that a good and supportive relationship between all the stakeholders would promote the cultural heritage for the benefit of all.
Regretting the existing fragmentation among major players who have the common goal of preserving and promoting Bakalanga culture and history, Mosojane said that it was imperative to strengthen the relationship that exists between organisations such as Mukani Action Campaign, Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language and other groups that have a bearing on the promotion of Bakalanga Culture and history.
The disappointed traditional leader suspects that all the organisations formed for the promotion of Ikalanga have lost direction.
She Mosojane is happy however, that the DCT is hard at work in the revival of traditional performing arts like dances and poetry, as well as choral music and literacy through the promotion of writing and traditional dances such as hoso and ndazula which have almost disappeared. She Mosojane is also elated that Ikalanga choral music and other cultural activities, which were on the verge of extinction, are coming back to life.
According to him, in 2013, DCT was told about the various research activities that were undertaken on bilingual education in schools over the years. He said the DCT has taken strides to engage policy makers to adhere to the request.
“However, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development is yet to involve Bakalanga and other tribes as to when exactly these languages will be finally taught in schools, despite so many promises that have failed to be implemented,” complained the Chief.
He noted that Domboshaba Cultural Festival was for Bakalanga to showcase their food, songs, and artefacts. She Mosojane lamented the fact that Bakalanga are yet to find pamphlets, magazines and books written and sold in book stores in the region.
“We are also yet to obtain an action plan that is to be implemented within the Bukalanga region which would one way or the other enhance the work of the DCT,” said Mosojane, who is happy that he has witnessed the translation of the Bible into the Ikalanga language, as well as its launch.
She Mosojane added that natural resources conservation and the challenges of climate change should be in the agenda of the Domboshaba festival since they are part and parcel of culture in many ways. He advised DCT to come up with initiatives and projects that would someday promote and commercialise Bakalanga culture and history for the benefit of future generations.
“The involvement of youth in decision making should be of vital importance and be given priority as it is the youth who will inherit the continuity of the Domboshaba festivals,” suggested the traditional leader, who would like academics and the media to work towards imparting knowledge on Bakalanga Culture and history to the youth so that they may read and learn from them.
She Mosojane urged Bakalanga and all organisations represented at the show to make Domboshaba cultural site an informed destination for tourism, as well as an entertainment centre that will promote socio-economic developments in the Bukalanga region.
“This calls for putting aside differences and disputes so that we can self-realise as Bakalanga or else we will remain subjects of other tribes which are systematic in improving the knowledge of their own culture,” warned the traditional leader.