Dance & Culture

The Shanzha Tshikona dance group had an opportunity to participate in the local SABC 2 soapie, Muvhango, at Xivulana near Malamulele last Tuesday.

The traditional dance group comprises mainly youngsters from Shanzha village.

The chief of Shanzha village, Mr Pfananani Shavhani, said that it was a great honour to be approached by one of South African top soapies. “Our main aim for starting this dance group was to keep our youth off the streets and teach them the little we can about our culture through tshikona dancing."

The location manager of Muvhango, Mr Tshamano Makhadi, indicated that he was passionate about young people and developing them. “In a country where the population of the youth is greater than that of any other age group, I believe that more opportunities should be granted to the young people,” said Makhadi.

He further indicated that young people should be encouraged through the media to make use of opportunities they get to understand and embrace their culture. “It is important to participate and understand culture. We rely on the youth to carry our culture forward.”

One of the dancers, Lingedzani Mavhusha, said that he never ever thought that their dance group would ever appear on television and that he was thrilled by the great offer they had been given by Muvhango.