She could not allow her culture to be swallowed by the global changes of this world and she decided to do something about it. A culture maniac, Mashudu Nemaranzhe (34) decided to come up with the Nyanenge Project, with the sole aim of instilling Venda culture.

Mashudu, who hails from Maniini near Thohoyandou, uses children to make her message heard. She has in the past staged unique traditional beauty contests where kids would put on traditional attire like mashedo, vhugoni and tsindi. Her latest beauty contest, recently staged at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre, drew hundreds of culture lovers.

Mashudu also teaches the kids traditional games like Tsinga-ndededede, Khoikhoi, Gushe, Ndode, Mutoga, Muravharavha, Khadi, to name but a few. She also takes her time to familiarize the kids with Venda folk songs.

A hairdresser by profession, Mashudu explains how the idea of Nyanenge was conceived: "I was born in a very cultural family and my parents encouraged me to take culture very seriously. They told me that culture is the only foundation for each prosperous nation and I never disregarded their words. I then decided that I could also do something to contribute to the cultural development of my community, and that is where the idea of the Nyanenge Project came into being."

Mashudu says she will never forget to pass her gratitude to all the stakeholders who supported her through thick and thin. "I would like to thank the parents who trusted me and gave their children permission to come and participate in the project. More importantly, I will never forget to thank the Thulamela Municipality for their support. I would not have done my job well if I don’t thank Margareth Sikhwivhilu and Joyce Netshituka for sponsoring the kids with traditional attire."

However, Mashudu says it is difficult to run the project without a sponsor. "We need financial support to meet our daily needs in the project. I have more than 30 kids who also have needs that must be met when they are busy with the rehearsals. Besides that, staging big events cost a lot of money, of which there currently is none. We also need computers and fax machines for the projects. I hope a Good Samaritan will just emerge and assist us before it is too late. We also need people who will assist us to market the project both nationally and internationally."

Mashudu can be contacted at 076 432 0394.