MEC Faith Mazibuko promises to consider issues brought before her by traditional event organisers
JOHANNESBURG – MEC Faith Matzibuko urged those attending the Ingoma YaMachuni cultural event in Jeppestown to unite and live in peace.
The MEC in the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the province Faith Mazibuko together with her KwaZulu-Natal counterpart Bongi Sithole-Moloi attended the Ingoma yaMachunu Cultural event in Jeppestown.
According to the event’s coordinator Mbongeleni ‘Makhuzwayo’ Mkhize the event started a few years ago with the aim of uniting the people of Umsinga, a small town in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, who reside in Gauteng.
“Umsinga has been for a long time known as a place where people kill each other in what is known as clan wars,” said Mkize.
“After we [the leaders] realised that people who were mostly involved in these wars were residing here in Gauteng, and that’s where these fights start, we decided to have talks with all village leaders in different hostels so that we can initiate something that will unite them.”
Addressing the scores of people who attended the event, Mazibuko said, “We thank you all for being responsible citizens of our province and that is clear to everyone who is here today that you are indeed well taken care of by our provincial Gauteng government. We must continue to celebrate our cultures and today’s event is evidence that you haven’t lost your identity.”
Mazibuko promised to meet with the event’s organisers to discuss ways in which they could work with her department to improve the gathering.
