Organisers of the Queen Loziba commemorations say the cultural event will also serve as a platform to tackle the growing problem of drug and alcohol abuse among young people.
The inaugural event, held on Saturday, featured side activities aimed at addressing substance abuse, with community elders engaging directly with young people.
Vuyo Mpofu, chairperson of the Queen Loziba Thebe Development Trust, told CITE that the initiative sought to combine cultural preservation with social intervention.
“We can all agree that drug and substance abuse is a social ill that has destroyed our nation,” Mpofu said. “At this cultural event, we shall have a moment where we sit down with the young people, girls and boys alike, and have the elders of the community talk to them about the traditional way of behaving and carrying themselves around.”
He added that the trust was working with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to reinforce values of responsibility and respect.
Mpofu also said the commemorations would give attention to both boys and girls. Elderly women would engage with young girls on cultural expectations, particularly around marriage.
“The daughter of Queen Loziba was traditionally married, and her dowry was a hefty 100 herd of cattle,” he said. “If our elder and leader that we are celebrating today had so much respect for the culture of marriage, why can’t we follow those footsteps? This is what the Loziba commemorations is trying to achieve, to take a holistic approach to teaching culture and tradition in our society.”
Local headman Effort Hadebe also voiced concern over substance abuse, calling on authorities to act decisively.
“We are deeply disturbed by the behaviour of our children of late. Their love for illicit substances is worrying,” he said. “Just as we were by the gravesite honouring the Queen, members of the police force had to pull aside a young man who was disorderly due to intoxication.”
Hadebe urged police and schools to take a firmer stance. “Long back we used to know that schools and police would discipline such people, but of late the police release them prematurely and the schools do not do justice either. We need to work together to end this problem.”
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today