Story by Tarirai Madhuyu
ZIMBABWE joins the rest of Africa to celebrate Africa Day through indigenous games as a way of promoting and preserving Africa’s cultural history.
Africa Day celebrations were held in style in Hatcliffe suburb of Harare this Saturday, with ZANU PF Harare Province incorporating indigenous games such as nhodo, pada and rakaraka to promote and preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
Speaking on the sidelines of the celebrations, event organisers revealed that indigenous games are fast fading away hence giving them the special attention on Africa Day.
“This year’s celebrations are unique in that we are celebrating it through our indeginous games. We shall also play dramas which will teach children on the dangers of child marriages and kugarwa nhaka.We would want our kids to know their rights to know their rights especially girls,” said Viva Network Hatcliff chairperson, Pastor Mary Kambi.
“We have realised that idegenous games are fast fading, therefore we have decided to bring them. Our indeginous games promote unity, team work and peace amongst members of the community. We would also want to promote these games so that we can also compete them at national and international levels. The games are also there to safeguard our kids from drug and substance abuse,” noted Sydney Charakupa, Founder Visio Sports Youth Centre.
ZANU PF Harare Provincial Chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa said Africa Day holds a deeper significance for ordinary people as it represents a celebration of identity, heritage and the struggles of the African people.
“We would want to bear in mind the need to enhance our idegenous day hance this initiative.As Africans, we are identified by our practices, our food and our culture.We are following Amai’s footsteps in safeguarding our kids from drugs and substance.We are very happy that even those from the Ministry of Sports are here present to see what needs to be worked on,” he said.
Africa Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 which latter became the African Union (AU) in 2002.
