No one will come and preserve our culture – it's up to citizens to maintain their heritage.
No one will come and preserve our culture – it's up to citizens to maintain their heritage.
That was the message of Thembelani Maso, from the National Heritage Council at the Albany Museum launch on Friday night of an exhibition honouring the prophet and hero, Makhanda.
Titled 'Ukuza kukaNxele' (The return of Makhanda), the opening also acknowledged Heritage Month.
"We are building the heritage that will speak of our African cultures," Maso said to a gathering of Nathaniel Nyaluza pupils and representatives of the Albany Museum, National English Literary Museum and members of the public.
There was entertainment by a marimba band, as well as the Nathaniel Nyaluza drama group who performed their play, 'The return of Makhanda'.
The exhibition's curator Thabang Tshobeni treated guests to a series of stories about Makhanda, explaining the contacts and conflicts between the British colonists and the amaXhosa.
Then Nathaniel Nyaluza teacher Stida Nkwinti recited his poem, titled 'Song', about Makhanda: "I'm talking about songs, the songs of triumph, the songs of victory…"
The Makhanda family arrived at the exhibition later.
Acting director of the Albany Museum, Phumlani Cimi, invited members of the public to visit the exhibition at the museum from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
