TOWNSHIP/GRASSROOTS
NGONWENI FESTIVAL
Ngonweni Arts Council is holding its annual cultural festival over the Easter weekend when six
Zulu clans will
converge on Ngonweni Sports Grounds in the Ndwedwe area in full tribal dress for a two-day celebration of
traditional dance and
gospel music.
The clans meet to celebrate aspects of their shared history and perform customary dances linked
to their ancestry.
Some 15 traditional dance groups as well as seven gospel and five Isicathamiya groups will compete for prizes.
Durban Arts has provided the funding for the organisation and staging of this event.
WORKSHOPS
Co-ordinator Thabo Bhengu holds regular workshops with all six group leaders, organises
cultural activities and
liaises with parents and community leaders in Ndwedwe. He also meets professional Zulu dance leaders to
promote and develop
traditional Zulu dancing.
ROOTS
The clans, all from Ndwedwe region, have deep roots in pre-colonial and colonial history, being
Nuyswa, Qadi,
Ngcolosi, Chili, Shangase, Maphephetheni.
The Nyuswa and Qadi are descended from the Ngcobo ancestor (described in proverb as:
uNgcobo lomhle, lotima,
lokhanya ngamatinyo - "The Ngcobos, their beautiful black skin, with the shining white teeth"). Also referred
to as Debe ("those
who cut their faces"), their custom of ascribing tribal membership was by imprinting distinctive markings
around the eyes, cheeks
and mouth. This is still practised today in some areas.
DISPERSED
Dispersed in disputes over succession, AmaQadi fled across the Tugela where some settled on
the Bluff and others
still today occupy part of the Inanda location. The Qadi gave South Africa one of her greatest sons - founder of
the ANC, Dr John
Dube, Congregational pastor-turned-politician.
AmaNyuswa, during the time of Shaka's father, Senzagakhona, lived on the northern bank of
the Tugela opposite
Kranskop. As the royal house, Ama-Nyuswa traditionally produced the tribal chieftain. Chaka settled a dispute
between two sons
of the royal kraal over succession by ordering his army to sweep the Nyuswa into the Tugela.
The surviving Nyuswa took refuge with Zihlandlo, chief of the Mbo, until he was overthrown
by Dingane Natal.
Then
they fled with the Mbo to Natal. Later, under Sir Theopolis Shepstone, they were offered a
more spacious settlement
on the upper UMona stream and the Noodsberg hills where they still live.
AbakwaNgcolosi, early subjects of the Zulu, were once resident on the Tugela (Thukela).
Fleeing from an onslaught
by Dingane, they took refuge in the Umgeni Valley.
COUNTRY
eMaPhephetheni, whose country was not far from the Ngcolosi, lived on top of oPhisweni
mountain, a four-faced
perpendicular escarpment and stronghold accessible only by ladder. However, Chaka succeeded in besieging and
storming the
mountain, killing all but a few survivors who fled to emKhambathini (table mountain) in Natal.
AbakwaChili, originating from the Ndwedwe area, are related to the Zulu. The name translates
as "a pushed-aside"
arising from a hunting incident between
two families of the great Qwabe tribe.
abakwaShangase. In the early 1700s Ngcobo forced his good-looking brother, Mkeshane, whom
he suspected his
wives of desiring, to flee. Later relenting, he invited Mkehane to return. Upon enquiring where he had been,
Mkeshane replied "Sire,
I have been roaming". Whereupon Ngcobo re-named him Shangase( "the rover).
For further information on the clans Robert Papini should be contacted at the Local History
Museum on 300-6247.
Contact Ngonweni Arts Council through Thabo Bhenghu on 32-2111 ext 130 or ring Durban
Arts on 23-1236.
Maps on how to reach Ngonweni Sport Grounds (approximately 60 kms from Durban)
from Durban
Arts.)
ASPIRANT
Funky's Saturday jam sessions held each week from 13h00 until 17h00-ish ofrer its stage and
sound system to
aspirant musicians. Ring Lou on 37-3061.
TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Woza Sikolethu performed at the Kwa Dinabakubo Community Centre
Several township community projects were held early last month.
The Richmond Farm Community Arts and Culture Forum held a community concert organised
by the Ithunga
development project which operates between KwaMashu and Richmond farm area (close to Kwa Mashu). Brenda
Toko of Durban
Arts held a workshop on how to request help or resources from Durban Arts and other avenues.
The KwaDinabakubo Youth Initiative (KYT) also held a community concert when Bonus
Building Supplies of
Pinetown donated prizes to those who correctly answered questions on the formation and structure of KYT and
the sponsors.
Entertainment was provided by the group, Woza Sikolethu, led by John Ramaota which
presented all African
traditional music and dance.
Umlazi Children's Drama and Music Development Programme held its community showcase at
Umlazi "V" Section.
The rainy Sunday did not prevent an audience of 600, seven gospel music groups, four drama groups and the
Children's
Sarafina performances from taking place. Mama Thandi Zulu organised trophies for the best
groups in gospel music
and drama. Adjudicators were Mr Z A Mkhwanazi and M B Mzobe, both school teachers at kwaShaka High
School in Umlazi.
For information on community projects, contact Brenda Toko at Durban Arts on 23-1236.