Johannesburg - Ubungoma Festival took off on an exciting trajectory this past weekend at Constitution Hill, where local celebrities and music lovers all gathered in celebration of this age-old ceremony of traditional healers chanting, singing and dancing.
The extravaganza was hosted by iZangoma zodumo breakout star Makgotso Lee-Ann Mokopo, who is affectionately known as Dr Maweni or Gogo Maweni.
Maweni highlighted that she initiated Ubungoma festival to honour Ubungoma and also give people a platform where they can embrace who they truly are.
During the festival, people witnessed art, music and entertainment intertwine with African spirituality.
Popular music stars such as Numfundo Moh, Aubrey Qwana, Qwabe Twins, Anzo, Mthandeni, Sjava, DJ Lamiez, Blaq Diamond, Yazo, Mzukulu, Lerato Kganyago and Jobe London. Mnqobi as well as Mscosmo we're also part of this event and gave the audience stellar performances throughout the day and night.
Gogo Maweni, Somizi and Gogo Skhotheni also made appearances while the affair was buzzing with enjoyment and fun.
Those that engaged with The Star, opened up about the essence of the extravaganza revealing that they hope to see it getting bigger in a few years to come.
The Star spoke to Leadership Mkhulu who was one of the businesses at the event and unpacked what Ubungoma meant to him.
“Everything that our great grandfathers did, and anyone who can do anything in terms of healing, in terms of reading, it is something that our great grandfathers, did before. So there is nothing new that this generation will do. The only thing new that stands out that we should do is to integrate Bungoma into the 4th Industrial Revolution. We need to come up with things the world had never seen before,” said Leadership Mkhulu.
Vuyo Mavuso who was showcasing her African designs also shares the importance of the event.
“People believe in themselves and I believe in my business and I believe that I can do anything that a client wants. So for me, Ubungoma is like part of my life. I just do anything because they are human beings and they are aunties and moms. In every family, you'll find that there is a sangoma.” said Mavuso.
“I was so excited, you can see the designs that I have in those sangoma fabrics. So it was like when I received that invite from Constitution Hill, I think they knew that I would fit perfectly for this event so even for me I was so excited,” she shared.
We also spoke with Lelo Mnwana the owner of Lelo’s range who sells jewellery and resides in Soweto.
“I was invited to this event, it's my first time attending it. I love my brand because I feel like it goes very well with the event. It's all about ancestry and heritage. I feel like it is a nice platform for me to be here.”
She further spoke about her business and said, “ This is Lelo’s range, I am doing brass and copper because it is a healing metal and its good for your blood circulation.” said Mnwana
The Star