Villagers in Nkayi have been urged to return to their cultural roots amid growing concerns that local traditions are being eroded by Western influence and the dominance of the English language.
Speaking during the Imiklomelo kaDakamela 2026 Cultural Festival held on Saturday, residents said many people, particularly young people, are gradually abandoning their culture, language and traditional beliefs.
Bhekinkosi Msimanga said many people now feel more comfortable speaking English than their mother tongue, adding that local culture is slowly fading within communities.
“We are living in a time when our children are no longer confident enough to speak their mother tongue. Even at home, families are communicating in English, and our traditional language is being pushed aside,” said Msimanga.
He added that the festival is not only about language, but also about identity.
“When a person loses their language, they also lose their culture, their values and their way of life. That is why gatherings such as this festival are important — they remind us of who we are and where we come from. We must take pride in our culture and teach it to the younger generation before it disappears completely,” he said.
Effort Tshuma also expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of Western culture, saying it has affected how people dress, speak and worship.
“Everything now seems westernised, from the way we dress to the way we think. We are slowly forgetting our traditional ways of doing things, including our cultural practices and even our religion,” said Tshuma.
He said that in the past, communities held strong beliefs and respected their traditions, but many have since turned away from them.
“This festival is an opportunity to relearn what we have lost, to reconnect with our roots and restore the dignity of our culture. If we do not act now, future generations will not know where they come from,” he said.
Another resident, Silent Moyo, said the festival is not only about celebration, but also about rebuilding and preserving culture for future generations.
“This event is not just about singing and dancing; it is about restoring what has been lost over time. We want our people to remember their traditions, their language and their beliefs,” said Moyo.
He added that many young people have grown up without a clear understanding of their cultural background because of the strong influence of foreign cultures.
“Through this festival, we are trying to restore that sense of belonging and identity. We want to revive our traditional religion, our respect for elders and our cultural values. Culture is the foundation of any community, and without it, we lose direction,” Moyo said.
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