Citizens urged to preserve African culture
Delyse Ndlovu
VICTORIA FALLS – Victoria Falls residents have called upon citizens to preserve African culture and maintain African pride in the face of massive Westernization across the continent. The call was made during Africa Day celebrations.
Schools in Victoria Falls also joined the rest of the continent to celebrate Africa Day in style on the eve of the special day whose theme for 2021 is ‘Arts, culture and heritage: Levers for building the Africa we want.
Africa day is a very important day for all Africans as the day affords the indigenes of the great continent an opportunity to celebrate their Africaness. The commemoration of this day also presents an opportunity for Africans to reflect on the great historical achievements of their progenitors, the founding fathers of the African continent who paid the ultimate price that culminated in independence from colonial imperialism.
In Zimbabwe this special day is celebrated with pomp as manifested in various activities such as cultural dances, rallies and poetry. Victoria Falls schools were not to be outdone as learners were given rare permission to wear African traditional dress which created an amazing spectacle that epitomized African beauty.
Speaking to Community Podium, an upbeat Tatenda Ncube paid tribute to the continent which is a source of pride to its peoples. He hailed the prevailing unity, multiculturalism and the continent’s enviable natural resources.
“This day is important because we celebrate and cherish our rich continent that boasts of diversity of cultures, loving people and noble nations endowed with many natural resources. We are proud of the unity that prevails among our countries.
African culture is expressed in its arts and crafts, folklore and religion, clothing, cuisine, music and languages. Our expression of this identity shows others what we value, it highlights our values and priorities. It helps us understand and acknowledge where we come from. The struggles, sorrows and joys of the past generations are passed to us on a cellular level,” said Ncube.
Leo Nyasula, a local youth, said that celebrating this day counters the Westernization of the youth as they are reminded of their true African identity.
“Africa day reminds us of our heritage and traditions which of late are losing considerable ground and suffering distortions due to our youth’s tendency to embrace western culture at the expense of our own culture. By celebrating Africa Day, we push back as we remind our youth of their true identity and heritage,” said Nyasula.
Nyasula asserted that African culture can best be preserved through celebrating it and sharing it widely across the continent.
“The best way of preserving our culture and traditions is to celebrate them and share them with others. Preserving our culture keeps our integrity and pride intact as a people. If culture is preserved, the young people will benefit immensely from their sense of identity and African pride.”
Susan Ndebele, who is a parent, said, “This day is of paramount importance to young people because it creates a special experience that can help bond them with our cultural heritage. It helps them to embrace our culture and remember our roots. One cannot move forward or succeed as a young person without knowing who they are and where they come from.”
Another youth, Honest Moyo, said Africa runs the risk of cultural extinction if adequate efforts are not applied to preserve the African culture.
“The world is replete of so many competing cultures. If we are not careful, our own culture may be obliterated from the cultural scene. So, it is important to preserve our culture and celebrating Africa Day is one of the preservatives of our culture.
Formally known as African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day, Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963.
