Traditional Leaders to converge on Komjekejeke Heritage Site for the Commemoration of King Silamba
By HRH Stella Sigcau
24 February 2023
Traditional Leaders will converge at Komjekejeke Heritage Site in the Ndebele Kingdom on 4 March 2023 to commemorate the legendary King of amaNdebele Silamba who played a meaningful role in preserving the culture and heritage of the Ndebele nation.
Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau, Chairperson of the Alfred Nzo Local House of Traditional Leaders will lead a delegation of Traditional Leaders from the Mpondo Kingdom to attend this event. Jamakazi, the renowned opera singer from Lusikisiki will also perform during this event as well as Novizicelo, a poet from Ntabankulu.
The Mpondo and Ndebele nations established a partnership on cultural exchange in 2008. Since then they have been supporting each others' cultural activities. In September 2022, Nkosi Thomas Mabhena led a delegation of 100 people including chiefs, Reed maidens and traditional dancers to attend the Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival and Mpondo Reed Dance held at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place annually since 2006.
In attendance at the King Silamba Commemoration will also be the Mayor of Winnie Madikizela Mandela Daniswa Mafumbatha who will deliver a message of support on behalf of the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality whilst enhancing relations with the local Municipality through establishing strategic partnerships.
Events like the King Silamba commemoration are some of the activities that Traditional Leaders initiate to preserve the culture, history and heritage of their nations whilst playing an active role in uplifting their communities. These events also honour the role Traditional Leaders played in colonial resistance and in the struggle for liberation. They also promote cultural tourism and contribute to the local economy. Unity amongst Traditional Leaders and strategic partnerships are imperative.
Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau, who is the Chairperson of the Alfred Nzo Local House of Traditional Leaders in his speech during the King Mampuru commemoration that was held on 28 January 2023 in Mamone, Limpopo emphasized the importance of Traditional Leadership working together, playing a significant, proactive and progressive role to make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of their communities whilst preserving the history, culture and heritage. Important is also the role of government and the business sector in supporting these initiatives and working with Traditional Leaders for a better life of the people.