The Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage site was a hive of activities last week during a huge cultural heritage celebration.
Various local artists exhibited their work in an effort to promote and support indigenous music and art.
The annual heritage celebration event was hosted simultaneously with the government's initiative to promote access to South African national parks.
SANParks, in partnership with First National Bank (FNB), opened doors to public from last Tuesday until Friday to allow public to enjoy the natural beauty that South African parks have to offer. The week was established under the theme “Know Your National Parks.”
The initiative has allowed Mapungubwe to use the opportunity to promote culture and heritage celebrations. The park manager, Mr Fhatuwani Mugwabana, said the festival was a unique opportunity for the visual arts community to experience, see and buy a large selection of artworks from the province. “We went the extra mile and made a comprehensive selection of artist in the Vhembe district,” said Mr Mugwabana.
The event ended on Saturday with various local artist and indigenous groups performing their cultural dances and indigenous music.
The performances were opened with the python dance (Domba) by young girls of the Ngwana Cultural Group from Jumbo Progress Combined School. To show that they are proud of their culture, they also performed the Malende. The girls’ teacher, Ms Ngwana, said she was proud of their culture and their school was meant to restore the culture and dignity of the Vhavenda people. “We want to restore our own rules because we are proud of our culture,” she said.
Among the other artists who performed were Conerstone, Vhavenda Vho Matsheka, Dinaka Cultural group, Dietlaetla cultural group, Naledzani Netshirembe, Burning Doctor and Mr Makhwara Mutondi.
