On December 8 last year Numsa’s Ekurhuleni locals, the Jack Charles Bezuidenhout and Sedibeng regions gathered at the Germiston Sports Complex to celebrate a cultural event before the year came to an end.

The day started with the singing of the National Anthem “Nkosi Sikel’iAfrika” sung by the Gauteng Cultural Choir.

Vusi Hlatshwayo, a regional deputy chairperson gave a welcoming speech and called on all the regional and local office-bearers to join him in drinking umqombothi to open the ceremony.

The keynote address was given by Oupa Ralake, of the Jack Charles Bezuidenhout Region, who asked all cultural activists to follow the example of the famous Sibongile Myeza, known as Maklabishi. She formed a theatre group called Sweet Desire in 1989, after which she was involved in groups such as The Mbongintwini Youth Movement.

This focuses on youth activities such as dancing, gospel singing, acting, crafting shoes and bags. Maklabishi was part of the group that performed a play at Numsa’s national congress.

Oupa said his intentions were to search for talent among young people with potential skills, so that they can develop and become stars of the future.

He gave the example of Mawu shop steward, Dunlop shop stewards and poets Themba Qubula and ML Hlatswayo, who topped the speakers’ list at May Day rallies, general meetings and strike meetings.

Elderly people were invited from Dukathole Squatter Camp near Germiston and were given food parcels provided by the Gauteng Cultural Group. The presents were given as a reminder that we are a caring society and it is our way of life.

The people who received them are grannies that take care of the kids that the Cultural Group adopted last year.

Soccer games were also played. The results were as follows: Dan Kubheka 3, Ladlokova 1; Dan Kubheka 6, Gauteng Cultural Group 2.

Mosena Sebola is Numsa volunteer