Pretoria - Communications Minister Faith Muthambi will this Saturday deliver a keynote address at an annual cultural celebration to promote indigenous and traditional dances at Saulsville Arena.
Minister Muthambi is expected to use the occasion, which will also be attended by Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, to encourage the youth to embrace their heritage with pride.
“… We dance to the melodies of our indigenous and traditional music not only to leave our audiences awestruck, but to promote social cohesion and nation building,” said the Minister.
She said the much awaited digital broadcasting will be the relevant platform to promote traditional music in the country.
The annual cultural celebration is organised by Tshikona tsha Gauteng Cultural Dance with the view of promoting Tshivenda indigenous dances such as Tshikona, Tshifasi, Tshigombela and Malende.
The chairperson of Tshikona tsha Gauteng Cultural Dance, Rudzani Takalani, said: “Our mission is to play a central role in storytelling, ceremonial practices, recreation and socialisation, and community sharing through traditional and indigenous dances.
“The arts are part and parcel of our historical development, so we depend on the arts to carry us toward the fullness of our humanity in this country. Through this cultural celebration, we are also promoting social cohesion,” said Takalani.
When asked what Tshikona dance is, Takalani said: “Traditionally, tshikona is a male dance in which each person has a horn made out of a special indigenous type of bamboo growing only in few places in the Vhembe District in Limpopo.
“Each player has one note to play, which has to be played in turn, to build a harmonious melody. Tshikona is not usually for commoners but [for] royalty. It is usually played during burials, weddings or the installation of headmen, chiefs and the King.” - SAnews.gov.za
