The AmaMpondo nation will host the 19th Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival on 13–14 September 2025 at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place, Matshona Village in Ntabankulu. While the event is widely celebrated for its colourful displays of tradition and music, its significance runs far deeper for the AmaMpondo people and South Africa at large.
1. Honouring History
The festival was launched in 2006 to commemorate Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau (1947–1996), an ANC activist and traditional leader who played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle and rural development in the Mpondo Kingdom. Each year, the festival serves as both a memorial and a renewal of the AmaMpondo’s commitment to community development.
2. Promoting Culture and Language
Central to the festival is the promotion of Mpondo culture and language. The AmaMpondo have long campaigned for isiMpondo to be recognised as one of South Africa’s official languages. The event also showcases traditional attire, music, horse parades, and craft exhibitions, reinforcing the pride of a community with a distinct cultural identity.
3. Driving Tourism and Rural Economy
The festival doubles as a tourism showcase, positioning the Mpondo Kingdom as a destination for cultural tourism. Visitors are introduced not only to performances and exhibitions but also to the broader culture economy, where local crafts, arts, and hospitality create opportunities for rural development.
4. Youth Empowerment and Social Issues
The celebrations include the Mpondo Reed Dance (Inkciyo yamaMpondo), now in its 17th year. While deeply rooted in cultural practice, the Reed Dance also carries a modern advocacy theme: raising awareness against gender-based violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Youth participation in these traditions helps create dialogue about dignity, empowerment, and safety.
5. Building Unity Through Cultural Diplomacy
By emphasising cultural diplomacy, the festival positions the AmaMpondo as contributors to South Africa’s broader project of nation-building and social cohesion.
Why It Matters
The Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival is not just an annual gathering of music and dance. It’s a multifaceted platform: one that safeguards history, advances language recognition, empowers youth, boosts rural economies, and builds unity in diversity.
