Children show off talents at Heritage Festival

With September being Heritage month, children from Samuel Ntlebi Primary School gathered at Noluthando Hall on Thursday 21 September to celebrate in song and dance, showing off their talents during the school’s Heritage DayFestival.

Among the guests were Rhodes Music Radio, Nyama Rama, Ward 2 councillor Ramie Xonxa and Basil Mills, who was the guest speaker.

A group called Black Stars opened the ceremony, impressing the crowd with gumboot dancing.

Mills then spoke to the children about the importance of Heritage Day and preserving their culture.

“It is important to absorb the African culture because people spend a lot of money here in Grahamstown on tourism,” he said.

He added that Grahamstown was a city where spears were once used, but now it is a city of education.

With Grahamstown having the best schools in South Africa and a tertiary institution, Mills said pupils should think of what they want to become in the future because teachers put a lot of work into their education.

“I started with nothing, but by telling stories I have travelled the world,” said Mills.

Mills said pupils should visit the museums to learn about their culture.

“It’s important to know where we come from and what our culture is about. Heritage Day is about preserving our culture, which is why we have this special event,” he said.

The second group of pupils, Ncede Stars, performed on stage in their traditional attire doing traditional dances and singing traditional Xhosa songs.

Grade 1 teacher Kholiwe Mvula said she was happy to see the children performing on stage, as it would make them remember their roots as black children.

“A ncede is a small bird and when I looked at this bird I saw myself because I teach small children and yet they are doing great things,” she said.

Another guest at the festival was former convict Mzoxolo Mkhontwana who inspired the learners with his story and advised them to stay in school.

Mkhontwana was arrested and imprisoned for five years after befriending the wrong crowd during his school years.

“I am an ex-convict and didn’t listen to teachers in school, which is why I spent five years in jail. I don’t want you to end up like me because I have a criminal record now,” he said.

During his time in jail, he participated in music and drama and his message to the learners was to stay in school and focus.

“I want you to know how important education is for your future and to also nurture your talents while in school,” he said.

The learners enjoyed the event, including Grade 5 pupil Abenathi Williams from Ncede Stars, who told Grocott’s Mail that she was happy to be performing on stage in front of her peers.

When asked what Heritage Day means to her, she said that she can embrace her culture.

“I like to sing and I am happy that we are celebrating our culture today,” she said.

As a symbol of appreciation to the community, the owner of Nyama Rama, Yafit Repapis donated 21 pairs of school shoes to the learners.

She said that it is a pleasure for her to be able to give back to the community, especially to the learners.

“We must remember sharing is caring and if we care for one another, we will live in a better society,” she said.

The principal of the school, Dudu Myemane gave a word of thanks for the donation, saying, “We really appreciate this donation because some of our learners don’t have shoes.”