Award-winning singers Betusile Mcinga and Zuko SA have emphasized the importance of municipalities supporting local talent and creatives. They believe that without this support, talented individuals may not reach their full potential and may be forced to showcase their skills elsewhere. Both singers proudly hail from the Mbhashe Local Municipality and are eager to contribute to initiatives that foster local talent development.
Mcinga and Zuko SA's comments follow their recent performance at the Ilifa Lombhashe Festival, held at the Dutywa Sports Ground. The event saw the duo share the stage with other local artists, including Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Mbhashe Mayor Dr. Samkelo Janda. The festival, now in its third year, has grown significantly, attracting over 2,500 visitors across its three-day program.
The Ilifa Lombhashe Festival features a range of activities, including a 5km and 10km Fun Run & Walk, a 14km heritage hike, and a marketplace showcasing Mbhashe's heritage economy. Stalls selling organic vegetables, traditional food, clothing, crafts, and music were also part of the event. Mcinga highlighted the need for municipalities to invest in local talent, citing its potential to drive youth development, food security, and job creation.
Zuko SA, raised in Ngcingwana village outside Dutywa, expressed his emotional experience of performing at home as an award-winning artist. He emphasized the unique energy and love received from the local audience, which serves as motivation for his continued growth. Mcinga, from Mahasan village in Willowvale, also shared his sentiments, stating that performing at home has a profound impact, restoring dignity and providing a sense of fulfillment.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane has praised the Ilifa LoMbhashe Festival as a model for rural development, highlighting its potential to drive food security, tourism, and job creation through heritage preservation. Mabuyane encouraged other municipalities to develop their own concepts, rather than staging generic events. He noted that Enoch Mgijima's annual festival in Komani is an example of a similar initiative.
Mbhashe Mayor Dr. Samkelo Janda defended the municipality's approach, stating that it supports local economic development by creating opportunities for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), youth, and communities. Janda emphasized that the festival's focus on showcasing local heritage and promoting local businesses is a key aspect of its success.
The Ilifa Lombhashe Festival has become a platform for local creatives to showcase their talents and share their experiences. Nomawethu Ntantala, from Sumbida Small Holding Farm in Rwantsinu village, expressed her excitement about the initiative, highlighting its potential to promote local talent and drive community development.
Key points
- Municipalities should invest in local talent to drive youth development, food security, and job creation.
- The Ilifa LoMbhashe Festival serves as a model for rural development through heritage preservation.
- Local creatives benefit from initiatives like the Ilifa Lombhashe Festival, which provides a platform for showcasing their talents.
