African Cultural Calabash Highlights Social Ailments

BY: .

Social ailments were highlighted during the 12th Annual African Cultural Calabash and African Cuisine event hosted at the Howard College Theatre by the School of Arts within the College of Humanities.

The event was organised by third-year African Music and Dance students under the directorship of lecturer Dr Patricia Opondo. This year’s theme was: Rootless Africa, Remembrance of Who we Were.

The production aimed to conscientise audiences about social ailments - including the abuse of women and human trafficking - which have plagued the country in recent months, tainting the “African image”. Through curating a platform embracing cultural diversity it was hoped unity, love and Ubuntu would be re-energised.

Key performers included Ithwasa Lekhansela, an award winning Maskandi artist from Umbumbulu who has worked with masters in the genre, including Bahubhe and Phuzekhemisi. Lekhansela has been nominated as best new comer in the South African Traditional Music Awards, and for song of the year in the South African Volunteers Awards.

There was also a performance by the Emzini Arts Youth Production whose members infused dance, music and theatre on stage. This ensemble from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast has previously performed at the Durban Playhouse and Ushaka Marine World.

Additionally, a percussion group, the Burundi Drummers from Central-East Africa, brought exotic rhythms to the set. The group has performed at the International Convention Centre and for the Royal Zulu family in Kwa-Nongoma.

The UKZN African Music and Dance Ensemble, comprising first and second year African Music and Dance students, displayed their talents and passion on stage.

African and jazz inspired tunes also filled the theatre thanks to the Nkosinathi Ntshangase Quintet.

Said guest speaker Professor Sihawukele Ngubane: ‘A calabash decides the route we are going to take as Zulu people, and constitutes our uniqueness as Africans.’

Opondo added: ‘The Annual African Cultural Calabash is an important cultural event of the UKZN African Music Project providing a platform to celebrate various cultural traditions. It also allows students to have hands-on experience in producing and hosting a large scale cultural event as part of the training in my African Music Outreach: Community Development module. 

‘I thank the National Arts Council of South Africa, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation and Concerts SA for sponsoring the event.’

Words: Ziphezinhle Silindile Biyela

Photographs: Thuli Dlamini