By Nokuthula Khwela
Torrential rains flooded huge portions of Gauteng on Monday, ushering and signifying a positive omen in African culture, the third edition of Ancestors Day was celebrated with festivities, revelry, and a poignant spiritual reawakening in Muldersdrift, North of Johannesburg, in a partnership between Castle Milk Stout, Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
Castle Milk Stout, in collaboration with the organized leadership of traditional leaders, has championed the campaign to persuade the government to legally recognize Ancestors Day, which is observed on May 8, and to elevate it to the same level of importance as other religious holidays on the national calendar. The mesmerizing and calming live music from Afro-pop sensation Berita and Phila’s captivating beats, Bishop Joshua Maphonga’s rhythmic poetry and engaging presentation on African spirituality, and enchanting intonations from traditional leaders in attendance were all highlights.
The third edition of Ancestors Day, which was marked with the hashtags #AncestorsDay and #ICarryTheirNames, was preceded by the first observance of the day in 2021 and last year.
Says Khwezi Vika, Castle Milk Stout Marketing Manage: “As Castle Milk Stout, one of our primary objectives is to inspire Africans to rediscover and embrace their ancestry, identity and way of life. The campaign for the official realisation of Ancestors Day stems from our quest for self-realisation and affirmation, and a celebration and acknowledgement of those who came before us.”
Gogo Dineo Ndlanzi, one of the country’s top spiritualists and traditional leaders, believes it is inappropriate for Africans in South Africa, the cradle of humanity, to validate the commemoration of Ancestors Day. “The essence of being African is understanding the role that ancestors play in our lives. Ancestors Day is not exclusive to certain group of people, or those practising a particular traditional belief system. In as much as one cannot celebrate Christmas if they are not Christians, Ramadan if they are not Muslims or Diwali if they are not practising Hindus, Ancestors Day is underpinned by the conviction that all religions are anchored in ancestry because they speak of those who lived before us and had a heightened relationship with divinity. So Ancestors Day is a day of unity, of oneness. Africa is a cradle of humankind and therefore we cannot surpass the African identities and ethos that anchor us,” said Ndlanzi.
Ndlanzi’s sentiments were echoed by Zolani Mkiva, Secretary General of CONTRALESA: “Ancestors Day is an instrument that reunites our people with their spirituality, reminds them to celebrate the sacrifices of those who came before them, and instils them with a new found sense of pride in their identity. Our relationship with those who preceded us is not only biological, but is deeply spiritual as well,” says Mkiva.
Mkiva admitted that the process of gaining formal recognition for Ancestors Day would be lengthy and laborious due to the meticulous process of obtaining new legislation adopted through parliament.
“Over the past three years we have done amazing groundwork to lobby our people and all relevant stakeholders to rally behind this lofty initiative. We cultivated the field and created platforms that encouraged people to openly and frankly discuss controversial, yet important conversation in a programme called Black Conversations. We are encouraged by the progress we are making in preserving African culture and spirituality, and of the partnerships we have forged with like-minded partners to raise awareness about Ancestors Day,” Khwezi Vika concludes.
