Two families in the Eastern Cape celebrated Heritage Day in style by hosting homecoming celebrations for their sons who underwent traditional initiation in June.
Mxolisi Hoboyi and Thembekile Mzantsi delayed homecoming celebrations for their sons to hold them on Heritage Day to honour the heritage of their respective families, clans and nations.
Hoboyi is from the Mhaga clan of AmaMpondomise and is involved in the mining business.
Mzantsi, from the Xaba clan of AmaHlubi, is a senior manager in the Eastern Cape provincial legislature.
Hoboyi’s celebration was for his son, Luvuyo, his first-born, while Mzantsi celebrated his last-born son, Lathitha.
AmaMpondomise King Luzuko Zwelozuko Matiwane attended the Hoboyi celebration in Mbutho village, but AmaHlubi King Muziwenkosi Langalibalele Hadebe missed the Mzantsi celebration due to bad weather.
Hadebe has always attended celebrations with the Mzantsi family.
Mzantsi, who celebrated the homecoming at Ziphunzana, outside Mthatha, had his son undergo the rite with 24 other young men in Qumbu.
Giving words of wisdom, Matiwane urged Luvuyo to be patriotic and proud of himself and of being one of AmaMpondomise men.
“Be focused on education and your education must assist in developing your family, economy and the whole country. “Be a man of good standing,” Matiwane said.
Mzantsi said: “I am happy that all three of my sons underwent the rite under Hlubu culture.
“My home is the AmaMpondomise land but I am doing my ritual according to AmaHlubi. Hence we have traditional leaders of AmaHlubi attending.”
Hoboyi said he was happy for his son.
“September is Heritage Month and we see it as most suitable to celebrate my son’s first coming,” Hoboyi said.
“It is exciting and humbling that we have a king and deputy minister, not only attending umgidi, but also sharing words of wisdom with the young; that is a blessing to the young men.”
Hoboyi and Mzantsi told their sons that education was key and they must avoid alcohol, drug abuse and crime, including rape and gender-based violence.
They both praised the work done by the traditional surgeons and nurses looking after their sons, ensuring that they came back home healthy and strong.
DispatchLIVE
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