THE annual Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival turns 15 years old in 2021.
It was launched in 2006 in commemoration of the late ANC liberation activist, Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, and to promote, preserve and share Mpondo culture and heritage, as well as unity in a diversity of cultures.
Sigcau was one of the Mpondo traditional leaders who was honoured earlier this year by Freedom Park, for his role in the liberation struggle. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mpondo Festival will not be celebrated as it has been in previous years, to adhere to COVID-19 regulations and measures.
“The year, 2021, has been declared as the year of Charlotte Maxeke. It celebrates women who were at the centre of South Africa’s liberation struggle – women who played a meaningful role in the freedom of all, including women and children,” said Princess Stella Sigcau II, the director of the festival.
“It is on this premise that, in commemoration of the annual Mpondo Festival, this year, that Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council, in partnership with the Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau Foundation, the Ntabankulu Municipality and Alfred Nzo District Municipality will host a gender-based violence (GBV) awareness programme.” The programme will commence with a hike against GBV, at Gomo Forest in Ntabankulu tomorrow, September 9.
This will be followed by a visitation and donation to the female/youth led families and victims of GBV on Friday, September 10.
There will also be a GBV workshop with GBV survivor, Josina Machel, founder of the Kuhluka Movement, at Ntsikayezwe Senior Secondary School on Saturday, September 11, and a session with community members with Professor Mzikazi, Dean of Health Sciences at the University of Fort Hare, followed by a dialogue on GBV at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place.
Presentations during the dialogue will be made by representatives from the SAPS and the departments of Social Development, Disaster and Health. Due to COVID-19 protocol, attendance is limited and those in attendance will need to adhere to strict regulations.
The session will be live-streamed on Ntabankulu Municipality and Alfred Nzo District Municipality’s Facebook pages on September 11.
– ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MPONDO CULTURE AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL
