We should reflect and imagine the future together, planning how we are going to tackle our current problems, said Ayanda Nondlwana, speaking at the 200 years of Grahamstown Roadshow at Dr Zuma Drive Market Square on Saturday.
We should reflect and imagine the future together, planning how we are going to tackle our current problems, said Ayanda Nondlwana, speaking at the 200 years of Grahamstown Roadshow at Dr Zuma Drive Market Square on Saturday.
This year is Grahamstown's bicentenary and the city has opted to acknowledge its controversial history by reflecting on its past and imagining a different kind of future for it, rather than conventional celebrations.
The event was well attended by local poets, a comedian, a hip-hop artist, actors and local dancers, residents, and also the dancers from out side Grahamstown.
Nondlwana talked about the hero after whom the municipality was named, Makana, known as Makanda ka-Nxele.
We shouldn't be complaining instead of planning the future together, he said. He said this was the time for the youth to start engaging in politics and stand up for their rights.
Then comedian and poet, Tsepiso Nzayo, took to the stage, reciting a poem about the way things used to be in the township. He said he was old school and started his 10-minute stand-up routine, saying the name Gwede Mantashe sounded like the name of a Xhosa medicine.
Siyazama Cultural Group, from Fort Beaufort, took to the stage with traditional dance paving the way for local hip-hop artists. They danced to the songs of Shwi and Mtekane.
One of the members of the audience said the event should also go into Joza.
We want this 200-year Roadshow to travel the Grahamstown areas and promote the history of our past, he said. He thanked organiser Ivy Madyo for bringing such an initiative to the township.
I don't understand why they launched the project in Grahamstown East from the beginning, he said.
Lonwabo Njilo Gwente and Sfiso Dezz Mhlabeni, from Fingo Village, performed the tracks from their début album, Ubuncwane Besingqi.
The performance was about the socio-political situation and the problems which the youth are facing.
Siyabonga Yafele, who is known as Spose, performed his piece about freedom and hip hop. We started this music on the streets performing for underdeveloped communities, he said.
According to Madyo, the event was very successful and attendance was good.
I hope this will not be the end of it, said Madyo. He thanked the participants, Makana Municipality and the supporters.
