Zwashu Indigenous and Cultural Dance received a whopping financial injection of R70 000 from local businessmen during a press conference held at Avhkom hotel last Thursday night to revive zwikona.

The non-profit organisation (Zwashu) was established in February this year with the sole purpose of reviving and preserving indigenous dances such as zwikona through competitions. The three businessmen who handed over dummy cheques to the board members of Zwashu are Mr Hendrick Nenngwekhulu of Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions and Mudzunga Electrical, Mr Tshianeo Walter Mathidi of Vele Meat Wholesalers and Dr Avhasei Khomunala of Avhkom Hotel. Nenngwekhulu and Mathidi each donated R30 000, while Dr Khomunala contributed R10 000 towards Zwashu.

Speaking before the handing over of the cheques, Dr Khomunala described culture as power in Africa and Venda in particular. He said that, while the majority of learners are attending schools where they are no longer taught in their vernacular language, the revival of indigenous dances will certainly play a vital role in preserving Tshivenda as a language. “Language is spoken by people and these people are unified by their culture, so I am supporting the indigenous dances financially because I want this to remain for good. When businesspeople from other cultures sponsor our indigenous dances, they often mix the identity of our cultural dances with other irrelevant things. In short, as Venda speakers, we need to develop a sense in our mindset that our culture is about us,” he said.

Khomunala further indicated that, if board members of Zwashu can showcase good administration, his financial support will continue over the long term to lure other businessmen.

Mathidi indicated that, because he strongly believes that indigenous dances promote ubuntu, peace and harmony within the community, he felt it crucial to contribute financially to preserving this cultural dance which he is proud of. “Promoting culture inspires us as Venda speakers. In the past, the Venda speakers suffered in Gauteng as it was thought that speaking Tshivenda was like a criminal activity. We will support this initiative as business-people. To achieve this goal, we must unite,” he said.

Nenngwekhulu indicated that he contributed financially so that the young generation could see the importance of reviving their cultural dances. “Cultural and indigenous dances are my roots. I will continue availing myself financially, so that the competition is held annually. Donating this amount does not mean that I have a lot of money; however, I want to get involved in community-building projects, of which the revival of indigenous dances is a crucial project to be taken into consideration,” he said.

As from next year, Nenngwekhulu is also planning to finance the inclusion of other indigenous dances such as malende and zwigombela. About 20 zwikona groups participated during the competitions held at Ha-Khakhu, Makonde and the Rabali stadium in recent months.

According to Mr Norman Phophi, marketing officer of Zwashu, his organisation is grateful for the initiative taken by the three businessmen. “There are people employed in relevant government departments to ensure the preserving of cultural dances, but such people are never present and are not delivering as expected. If this can be done with the involvement of relevant government departments, we can revive our indigenous dances more easily. We cannot talk about African Renaissance without reviving what is ours as Africans,” he said.

Phophi further indicated that, while his organisation is closely working with traditional leaders, doors are still open for other community stakeholders to come in.

The final competition for Zwikona, according to Phophi, is scheduled for September 23, at the Makwarela stadium. The winner will pocket R4 000, the second prize is R3 500, the third prize R3 000, the fourth prize R2 500 and the fifth prize is R2 200. Groups that will finish in position 6 to position 11 will each receive R2 000, while groups from position 12 to 20 will receive R1 500.