IMPRESSED by his hard-working nation, that subscribe to the notion of Vukuzenzele (wake up and do it for yourself), senior traditional leader and head of Mbhashe Traditional Council, Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu, will reward those individuals who go the extra mile.
“We must not have a nation that depends on government handouts. Our nation must have initiative and work with the little they have to do bigger things that benefit the community,” he said.
Toto Thetyana, Maphukatha, Nokhaya and others have not received any grants from government. There are some people however, like the 10-member Gcaleka Youth Project, a brick-making entity, that started off six years ago with government funding.
Project chairman Bathandwa Madaka said: “As youth we did not want to sit and do nothing but we wanted to be involved in a project that would keep us busy. This shows you can do something on your own and succeed,” said Madaka.
Despite the fact that bead-making is a skill that is mainly practised by women, Mncekeleli Mgoduka, 75, is a respected bead-maker.
“I never got any training. I had a vision in a dream and was shown how to do beadwork. I have dressed many important people, including traditional leaders and politicians,” said Mgoduka, better known by his clan name, Gcwanini.
A father of 12, of Lotha Village, he is also a sangoma and herbalist.
He started beadwork in 1999 and has trained many people in the trade. —