Feasting marks launch of Ancestors Day
Other parties offer spiritual opposition
There was a lot of feasting, dancing and animal sacrifice at the launch of Ancestors Day at the weekend.
The festivities by members of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) kicked off on Friday by sacrificing an ox at the Mathibela Royal Palace in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
The main event on Saturday was hosted by poet laureate, praise singer and Contralesa secretary-general Zolani Mkiva.
TV and radio personality Hulisani Ravele, draped in a colourful traditional dress, cohosted with Mkiva.
Other guests included traditional leaders and heritage practitioners from across the country including Sheila Mbele-Khama from the Commission for the Promotion and
Protection of the Rights of Cultural‚ Religious and Linguistic Communities and chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders chief Sipho Mahlangu.
Renowned performance poet Lebo Mashile and African Transformation Movement leader Mzwanele Manyi were also in attendance.
“I’m so happy that everyone came here to solidify and cement this day as a day of the ancestors,” said Mkiva.
“In 100 years when your children and grandchildren look back they will be so proud that you were the few that carried millions of our people to launch this.”
Contralesa president chief Mathupa Mokoena said they were not going to let naysayers get in the way and they plan to honour the day every year – on May 8 – going forward.
“Let’s ignore those that say ancestors are demonic. No-one fell from the sky, if you say our forefathers are demons then it
you are also demonic. We are honouring our heroes who gave us life and fought for this country,” Mokoena said
“As Contralesa we are going to write to the minister to formalise it, but even if they delay it we’ll continue honouring the day. I want to plead with everyone to be proud of who they are.
“Practise your tradition and culture unapologetically so. It does not help us to trash our ancestors during the day, but at night we lurk in the shadows to go praise them. Let’s do it openly...”
Last week, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACPD) released a statement urging the boycot of the day.
“Let us use Saturday 8 May 2021 as a day to intensify our prayers to ask our living God to save our souls, deliver us from evil, heal our land, bless and prosper all our people in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,” ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe said in a statement.
“While we acknowledge that millions of South Africans consult and worship their dead ancestors, committed evangelical Christians know that God’s Word denounces such practices,” Meshoe added.
Mokoena said other Chrismeans tian leaders approved the day.
“I sent a clip of Friday’s festivities to one of our bishops in SA and they asked why they were not invited. So we say to those fake reverends, pastors and bishops ‘shame on you’. We are here to stay as African people,” Mokoena said.