Sekhukhune graduating initiates receive warm welcoming
Sekhukhune
The Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), Cllr Minah Bahula, has on Saturday 13 July, actively criss-crossed the district to welcome the initiates who have recently returned home after spending four weeks on the mountains.
The mayor’s initiative was an integral part of a rich cultural tradition which reflects community’s values and heritage.
During the graduations, the executive mayor emphasized the significance of this tradition, stating: “Welcoming the initiates back into the community is a cherished cultural practice. It is encouraging to see all the initiates return well and healthy after weeks in the mountains. This tradition strengthens our community bonds and reinforces our cultural identity.”
Bahula encouraged all communities to embrace and uphold this cultural practices and urged everyone to remain well-behaved and respectful as the celebrations continue.
“Our culture is our pride. Let us celebrate with dignity and respect, ensuring that our traditions are passed on to future generations,” she said.
Other government leaders across different parts of the district have also joined in the celebrations demonstrating a united front in preserving and strengthening this tradition.
In one of the homecoming celebrations, Executive Mayor Bahula, joined Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Mayor, Cllr David Tladi welcomed over three hundred and fifty initiates around Tafelkop area to remain committed to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage, while supporting the socio-economic development of the youth and communities.
The Babina Tshwene ba ga Tala has also welcomed close to 500 initiates as part of graduation ceremonies in the district municipality.
The Sekhukhune House of Traditional Leaders Association, led by Kgoši Ngwato’a Molo Maila, has announced that cultural practices have been successfully preserved, and they are pleased to report that no deaths were recorded throughout the district. The association will soon convene a meeting to reflect on these practices and discuss a way forward.