featured – The Ulwazi Programme

Akuselona leli kheli – Chief Albert Luthuli

Njengoba kukhunjulwa uSuku lwamaLungelo Abantu ngoMgqibelo owedlule kubonakale njengesikhathi esifanele ukukhuluma ngoChief Albert Luthuli, ongomunye owabamba iqhaza eliqavile emkhankasweni wokulwa namaphasi oholele embhikishweni waseSharpeville owawungoMashi 1960. Yize wayengekho ngosuku lokudutshulwa kwabantu eSharpeville (wayengyfakazi ePitoli), njengoMongameli Jikelele we-ANC kwakunguLuthuli owethula ‘Year of the Pass’ – umkhankaso kazwelonke okwakuhloswe ngawo ukuqeda umthetho wamapasi. Kepha yize ayebambe iqhaza … Read more

Zulu Musical Instruments: Umakhweyana

Dizu Plaatjies demonstrating the umakhweyana

While the wooden bow is most often thought of as a weapon, there’s some debate as to whether it was first used for hunting, or instead as a musical instrument, as in the case of the umakhweyana. Also referred to as ugubu or umqangala in isiZulu, most people believe that the musical bow originates from the Khoisan, … Read more

The Mfecane Wars

In Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, the former South African president talks about the AmaMfengu, people that was formed from groupings that were broken up and dispersed by King Shaka and his armies during the Mfecane wars. The name ‘Mfengu‘ translates to ‘wanderers’ and is a reference to how the AmaMfengu came to be; although today the group have largely … Read more

Princess Mkabayi Kajama, an Early Zulu Feminist

The story of the Zulu princess, Mkabayi Kajama, reads like a tale of great feminism. Born a twin, it was expected that Mkabayi’s father, King Jama, would kill either her or her sister, Mmama. It was believed that bad luck would follow should both twins be allowed to live, and the community was upset at the King’s refusal to kill one … Read more

Amasi, Nelson Mandela’s Favourite Drink

Last Saturday marked the 27th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, after he had spent 27 years incarcerated. In honour of Madiba we thought that we would talk about one of his favourite drinks, amasi. Amasi, or maas, is a drink made from fermented milk. Some people believe that this traditional Zulu drink came about … Read more

A Zulu Engagement ‘Ring’

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the different stages involved in a Zulu wedding, and with today being Valentines Day it seemed only appropriate that we should continue our theme of love, and look at something that happens right at the beginning of a relationship between a Zulu boy and girl – the exchange … Read more