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Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP will deliver a keynote address at Isikhumbuzo saMahlubi celebrations on Saturday, 26 September 2015 at Khayakhulu village in North West Province. The celebrations forms part of the 2015 Heritage Month Commemoration under theme,“Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage: Towards the identification, promotion and preservation of South African’s living heritage,”

As part of this year’s heritage month activities, Amahlubi Celebrations will amongst others seek to recognise and commemorate the role of their forbearers, thus promoting national identity and fostering nation building and social cohesion.

Under the leadership of Nkosi Shadrack Fuba Zibi after his return from World War 1 under the French army, the Chief realised the need for his people to own land they could use for residential and agricultural purposes such as crop and livestock farming. After his return with a group of soldiers he lead from his village of Ncwazi in the Eastern Cape he convinced them to use the income they had received whilst in service to invest and buy land in the former Transvaal at a farm then called Rhenosterboom (Changed to Khayakhulu) and later Rampampaspoort.

With a group of 19 families from the Eastern Cape in Ncwazi village (Alice) they arrived in Khayakhulu on cattle drawn carriages on the 20th September 1924. On their arrival they rested under a huge tree which they called Ebenezer. Ebenezer is now the heritage site and venue for Isikhumbuzo event for the Amahlubi as they celebrate and commemorate the arrival of their forbearers on the 24 September.

Amahlubi are now on a quest to renew the nation within the represented villages (Khayakhulu, Welverdiendt, Welgeval, Rampampaspoort, Welgeval and Goedhop) and come up with a new communal order and revive a purpose of self-sustenance.The commemoration is in line with the Department of Arts (DAC) and Culture’s mandate to develop, promote and preserve our rich heritage.

Prior to the Amahlubi Celebration, the Deputy Minister will hoist the national flag at Khayakhulu Primary School on Friday, 25 September 2015 at 07h30 as part of the Department of Arts and Cultures’ Flag in every school campaign which seeks to promote national identity, instil the spirit of patriotism, love for our country, nation building and social cohesion.

The Flag hoisting will be followed by the Amahlubi Traditional Council Career Expo at Langa la Sembo Secondary School on Friday, 25 September 2015 at 09:30, under the theme, Diversity and Social Cohesion. This Career Expo aims to introduce careers and government programmes to young people in the village.

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of the Department of Arts & Culture