What an honour and privilege to witness the first annual AmaMpondo Kingdom Heritage and Cultural Celebration that took place on 15 to 17 September 2023 at Ndimakude Great Place in Flagstaff Eastern Cape South Africa aimed at celebrating the life of King Zanozuko Sigcua’s life and legacy on his birth month.
Kumkani Tyelovuyo Sigcau (Ahh Zanozuko!) was born 15 September 1974 and died in 2022 and was the first King to be recognised in this capacity during the term of President Ramaphosa, who engaged the King on numerous occasions on service delivery and local development initiatives residing under the District Development Model. Kumkani Zanozuko appreciated the socio-economic impact of the Eastern Seaboard Development and how it could benefit the impoverished and underdeveloped AmaMpondo communities. King Zanozuko was passionate about involving communities as investors in the initiative through land ownership. To His Majesty, local communities were the first investors in the initiative, whose views and interests should guide the process. With the Eastern Cape being one of the provinces with high unemployment and poverty rates, we counted on His Majesty’s visionary leadership in this and many other projects to transform the socio-economic conditions of his people. He was among those monarchs who are determined that economic development should not be confined to the urban centers of our country. He loved his people, and the people loved him as he promoted unity amongst all.
The whole three days were a phenomena that I wish more people from all over the globe could come and witness for themselves. The heritage and culture that is experienced daily by the AmaMpondo people really has to be elevated and showcased to the world as we celebrate their endeavours to uphold their culture no matter what. As Nozibele, I am married into the AmaMpondo people under the Valela clan and it is eye opening to see the vastness, the richness and deep rootedness of unity the AmaMpondo people have through their clothes, song, values and love of their heritage and culture.
On the first day of the celebration, I witnessed groups of local singers called ‘indlavini’, ‘amabhungu’, ‘onombhola’ and praise singers called ‘imbongi’ coming from the various towns and villages that make up the AmaMpondo Kingdom geographic space: Lusikisiki, Flagstaff, Bizana, Ntabankulu, Port St Johns, Libode and Ngqeleni. The main highlight being their original wear in their pants which is only unique to Amampondo people.
The King Zanozuko Heritage and Cultural Festival is part of the first day and is hosted by Siyalithatha Ilizwe in association with Nozibele Solutions and is endorsed by the AmaMpondo Kingdom. It showcases various artists from various genres while celebrating the life and legacy of the late King Zanozuko with the aim of social cohesion and upliftment through cultural song and dance. It targets creatives, cultural and heritage enthusiasts from different Clans, Kingdoms, Government Officials, Political Parties and various organisations and individuals who love traditional music.
I got to hear Inkunzi Emdaka as the highlight artist who is well known throughout South Africa as a maskandi artist and Mamu Holweni who is an AmaMpondo female artist who has even travelled abroad to share her unique talent of folk music using ‘uhadi’ a single stringed instrument. I listened to other artists falling under various genres like isicathamiya; Sivuyile, Imfene group, Saka Letsangu, Kwezi Lasenquza group, Nongxowa, Mahlezana, Lizo Ndobe and others. It was an honour to celebrate and honour the King’s life and this will be an annual event.
The second day was filled with excitement from Inkciyo and saw over a thousand maidens gather at Ndimakude Great Place to celebrate this cultural practice that ensures that virginity maintenance is upheld. The event starts in the early hours of the morning with the maidens travelling to the river for ‘ukuhlolwa’ by onomehlo (checking by mothers who oversee the girls). A graduation ceremony is also part of the festivities as the girls return back to the homestead. There was more than enough cultural entertainment, dancing and excitement from the biker’s who also attended the ceremony.
What is Inkciyo
A goup of children from the age of 6 years upwards to adulthood. It is called Inkciyo because they come to a decision and live under traditional training, they receive from the elderly people who voluntarily teach and train these children and adults. It is a group made up of boys and girls. We believe in “FIRST THINGS FIRST”.
Its relevance to Amampondo
Since culture is not static, we believe that they are the generation that will pass the norms, beliefs, traditions and the language of AmaMpondo to the next generation. The name INKCIYO is the Phondo name given to this group identifying the norms and beliefs govern them.
Why we do it
To affirm the sense of belonging. To make them feel proud of their culture. To increase their knowledge of AmaMpondo tribe; it’s background, norms, values, language and all. To maintain their culture wherever they are. Talking about moral re-generation, we feel that it is important for them to know the history of AmaMpondo Tribe going forward. Building a Nation that loves one another, that has respect towards humankind with acceptable behaviour.
It’s Aim
- To train youth on norms, values and traditions of AmaMpondo.
- To create awareness on importance of maintaining virginity until adulthood to:
- Prevention of teenage pregnancy
- Be able to focus on education until graduation
- Have a sound mind enabling them on making good decisions.
- Promote holiness as instructed in Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 6:19
- Trainings on roles played by each sex generally: that males are created to be the protectors and providers to the female figure. Females created to be helpers to the males just as it is stated in the book of Genesis 2:18
- Training of Inkciyo Mothers on conducting the program in an integrated approach
- To improve Governance and Ethics
- To train Mothers to be Professional counselling to sexual abuse victims they come across among these children, some done within their families and others outside
- Provision of incentives is requested and suggested to these Mothers
- As part of encouragement for such important initiative they have towards the AmaMpondo Youth
The last day of the three-day celebration was the cherry on top as we saw different designers showcase their garments from various kingdoms within the Easten Cape. Traditional creativity and ingenuity were not lacking at all throughout all the designers. To see Mpondo wear modernized was captivating and really want to see the garments being worn in occasions all over the world. The designers were as follows: Ziyanda Bobo of Brand marigold Designs from Libode (AmaMpondomise Kingdom); Khulile Malunga of Miks Designs from Bizana (AmaMpondo Kingdom); Anelisiwe Mbangata of AM Designs from Taweni, Flagstaff (AmaMpondo Kingdom); Abongile Nyhanyhawe of AQ Wear from Umthatha (AbaThembu Kingdom); Nkosiphendule Mnyazi of Brand Zakes M from Umthatha (AbaThembu Kingdom); Sihle Ngceke of Brand Ciera Clothing from Umthatha (AbaThembu Kingdom); Nosandi Innocentia Macabela of Innomac Designs from Ntabankulu (AmaMpondo Kingdom); and Buyelwa Ngenjane of Bhaca Wear from Thandiziswe Madzikane ka Zulu Mount Frere (KwaBhaca).
