Tombstone of Xhosa chief unveiled
The tombstone of Xhosa Chief Nkosi Jongusobomvu Maqoma was unveiled at Ntaba Ka Ndoda Mountain outside Dimbaza recently.
The unveiling was initiated by department of sport, recreation, art and culture (Dsrac) deputy minister Makhotso Sotyu and provincial minister Bulelwa Tunyiswa.
Fezile Sikhwehle of Twelve Apostle Church in Christ, East London, officiated and was accompanied by other members of the church.
Maqoma Legacy project’s Reverend Jabulani Batala, said their aim was to attract tourists from around the world and in this way support and develop the area.
“We also want to invest in this place because we want to decrease the high rate of unemployment in the Eastern Cape. In addition, another aim of the project is to decrease poverty in this province because we expect to employ hundreds of people, youth and adults, to work inside and outside,” Batala said.
Sotyu delivered the main address which was attended by about 1,000 members of the public from around the country, as well as traditional leaders and government officials.
“We are also here to brief our communities about the things that are expected to be done in the coming years. We need development because we want our people to sell their beautiful products and we want people must know this mountain as a tourist place in Eastern Cape.
“We must be proud because is place is our history,” Sotyu said.
Vuyo Fani, a descendent of Maqoma, encouraged the youth to read books throughout the year, including their history.