Ntelezi Msani Cultural Commemoration Celebrates

Ntelezi Msani cultural commemoration celebrates #KZNSouthCoast heritage this March

The 115th anniversary of one of the #KZNSouthCoast’s landmark historical moments will be celebrated on Saturday, 20 March, from 12pm to 4pm, through a virtual commemoration. Themed ‘Building Families and Communities Using African History, Indigenous Knowledge, Culture and Creative Arts’, this annual celebration keeps alive an important piece of traditional history that is key to the area’s heritage.

The 2021 commemoration

“This is always such a vibrant and enriching celebration and is particularly poignant this year as we launch the #ParadiseoftheZuluKingdom hashtag in recognition of our cultural heritage,” said CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT), Phelisa Mangcu. “This year’s 1906 Mthwalume Poll Tax Uprising Commemoration is set to be a magnificent celebration which will be livestreamed to audiences everywhere.”

Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre was established in 2007 at Emjahweni in Mthwalume by the non-profit organisation, Ntelezi Msani Heritage Foundation, as well as Ikhwezi Le-Afrika, Umzumbe Municipality and other strategic stakeholders. It derived its name from one of the stalwarts arrested for participation in the 1906 Bhambatha Rebellion (Poll Tax Uprising) who was subsequently exiled to St Helena, where he died.

Howard Msomi of Ikhwezi Le-Afrika – the organisation responsible for the implementation, development and management of the centre programmes – said this year’s commemoration will further the centre’s aim of bringing to life the area’s traditional history through afro-theatre, music, dance and folklore.

“We’ve put together a really comprehensive programme for this year’s event, giving audiences an authentic look at the history and heritage that makes the KZN South Coast what it is today,” explained Msomi. “This is a really important celebration that uses creative arts and indigenous knowledge to tackle social ills while providing a platform for education and engagement. By adhering to Covid-19 restrictions and livestreaming the event, we can capture international audiences as well as local, highlighting this amazing region.”

The commemoration programme includes an overview of the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, a crafts’ exhibition, presentation, lecture, traditional dance, music, storytelling and poetry. It will also include a commemorative ritual in a kraal where indigenous knowledge practitioners and traditional healers will lead a mediation process between poll tax stalwarts and families, followed by the traditional ritual. Regiments will conclude the commemoration with the final ‘stone throwing’ ritual, Isivivane. The line up of those involved in 2021 programme will include renowned artists and practitioners.

About Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre

The centre has been developed as a creative arts’ and heritage facility which plays an important role in preserving the local history, cultural and creative activities of Umzumbe Municipality and Ugu District. Visitors to the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre can enjoy a truly authentic local experience that gives wonderful insight into the soul of the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom.

At the centre, visitors can:

·         Learn the origins of the Zulu kingdom

·         Experience the art of crafts and fighting

·         Become part of an ancient stone throwing ritual

·         Uncover the health and wellness secrets of Zulu tradition

·         Support the local way of life through this community-driven initiative.

This year’s commemoration will be presented via live-streaming platforms, Facebook – Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre Mthwalume – and Tik Tok, to observe current regulations. For more information on Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, contact 060 473 3712 or emailhowardmsomis@gmail.com.

For more information about USCT, as well as other events and activities on #KZNSouthCoast, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores or visitwww.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. USCT is also on social media – follow the ‘South Coast Tourism’Facebook page, or @infosouthcoast on Twitter.

High resolution images are available upon request.

(Photographer: Justin Klusener)

Cebo Lenkosi and Khulekani Shongwe (Mtwalume).

Bonisile Msomi, Aphiwe Xaba, Anele Khomo, Gabisile Xaba and Bazini Msomi.

About Ugu South Coast Tourism
Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is the official destination management organisation of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The Ugu District comprises four local municipalities that include Umdoni, Umzumbe, Umuziwabantu and Ray Nkonyeni. USCT’s mandate is to grow tourism within the KZN South Coast. This involves implementing marketing and development initiatives that are aimed at showcasing the diverse offerings and experiences of the South Coast as tourist destination. A board of directors oversees USCT, headed by CEO, Phelisa Mangcu.

About KZN South Coast
Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of:

Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

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Olivia Jones Communications
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