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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
MATABELELAND South Province joined the rest of the nation in celebrating Culture Week amid calls from traditional leaders for people to attach great importance to cultural practices that were cherished in the past.Speaking at commemorations that were held under the theme: “Celebrating Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship” at Madabe area under Chief Wasi in Mangwe last week, Chief Sinqobile Mabhena said people had to turn to traditional solutions to problems.

“There’re several practices like dancing for  the rain, cleansing ceremonies and appeasing the ancestors which applied in the past. These practices are necessary if we want to solve some of the challenges which we’re facing as a nation,” Chief Mabhena said.

“We also have to cherish our traditional meals so that we can pass these traditional practices and others to our children so that they’re not completely lost.”

She said the degradation of cultural practices was the reason behind the upsurge of horrific crimes in the country adding that cultural practices were crucial in eradicating rape and murder as they would revive moral values.

Chief Mabhena said Culture Week commemorations, organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to depict our varied cultural aspects that signify who we are as Zimbabweans were important as they sought to revive traditional values among people.

She said: “Our ancestors would be displeased by the extent of moral degradation in our country. We appeal to government to avail funds towards successfully holding this event in various parts of the country every year.”

She added that the concept of teaching school pupils in their mother language had to be implemented effectively in all schools as it was an important element of preserving culture.

Chief Maduna from Insiza who is also the chairman of the Matabeleland South provincial assembly of chiefs said the upbringing of children nowadays had weakened moral standards among youths.

“The manner in which children were brought up in the past was more effective than today. Teenagers are now drinking beer and smoking dagga at an early age and some do these immoral practices with the knowledge of their parents and guardians,” a concerned Chief Maduna said.

“Collective effort is necessary to heal the nation. Parents have to instill moral values in their children and schools have to incorporate teaching of cultural practices among youngsters.”

He said some western and modern practices can be adopted but not at the expense of Zimbabwean cultural practices adding that churches and various community leaders had a crucial role to play in that regard.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland South, Abednico Ncube urged people who were talented in various aspects of tradition to embark on projects which would generate income.

“A number of artistes have succeeded from selling and displaying our culture such as Ndolwane Superstars and Chase Skuza. Traditional dance, singing groups and drama groups have to be formed at grassroots level as they’re a source of income,’’ said Ncube.

He said schools had a role to identify potential artistes and develop their talent in order to make them visible.