The leading organizers of indigenous dances in the Vhembe district, Zwashu Indigenous and Cultural Dance presented a living head cattle and a cash prize worth R5 000 to the overall winner in the Zwikona category of the 2007 competition.

The president of Zwashu, Mr Tshianeo Mathidi, accompanied by his colleagues, Messrs Norman Phophi, Aifheli Tshivhase and Tshifhiwa Tshiswaise presented the prizes to Tshikona tsha Lwamondo during an event held at Thovhele Vho-AC Nelwamondo’s palace on December 29.

Tshikona tsha Lwamondo is mostly comprised of young boys, elderly men and women. Thovhele Nelwamondo said that since it was the biggest prize they have ever won, it would assist in motivating and concretizing the interests of young boys to perform tshikona. "We’ve participated in various competitions in the recent past, but I must confess that we’ve never won half of these cash prize we received from Zwashu. We are glad to participate in the competition organized by indigenous people who understand the value and importance of our culture," he said.

Nelwamondo said that as long as he sees a great difference in terms of how the competition is organized by Zwashu and those who have been organizing it in the recent past, his tshikona group will always participate in the competition in years to come. "It is clear that the current organizers of the indigenous dances have a similar common goal to that of indigenous leaders of restoring and preserving the cultural dances of our ancestors. As an indigenous leader, I value the importance of giving Zwashu more support for their efforts of ensuring that the indigenous dances of our forefathers do not fade away," he said.

According to Nelwamondo if all indigenous leaders across Venda can stick to their heart knowledge that tshikona is a Venda national dance they will start their own zwikona groups not to perform on crucial events such as the installation of a headman only, but also perform in various competitions aimed at preserving the cultural dances. "The secret behind our great achievement is that we regard tshikona like soccer, and if we realize one that is tired or those who lost interest in participating in the national dance, we replace them immediately. There is unity in our group, the boys respect vho-malogwane and it is our belief that they are still going to scoop the prize this year," he said.

The event was also attended by various headmen of Lwamondo and musanda Vho-Luvhaivhai Tshivhase. The president of Zwashu, Mr Tshianeo Mathidi congratulated Tshikona tsha Lwamondo for finishing the competition at the top.