As Babukisi launch National Siswati Awards
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
NOKWANE – Live nebuve yingcebo!
This was the theme of yesterday’s inaugural Babukisi National Siswati Awards where the top students in the language were awarded with flight tickets to Johannesburg.
The awards, which were graced by Prince Bandzile as the guest of honour, were held yesterday at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP). The awards saw three students who were the top performers in last year’s external examinations walk away with E2,000 each and free return flight tickets to Johannesburg.
The awards were organised by Babukisi Foundation as championed by Tfobejane Magagula. Babukisi is an organisation that teaches Eswatini culture in schools through experiential learning.
The top students in external examinations were Okuhle Nyatsi from Christ The King Primary School,
Simisa Bethabile Masango from KaBoyce who was the top performer at the JC levels, and Silindokuhle Sandziswa Banele Dlamini who was the top Form Five student, from St Marks High School.
Speaking at the inaugural Babukisi National Siswati Awards yesterday, Prince Bandzile expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the students, as well as his appreciation for the mandate of Babukisi in preserving the culture of Eswatini.
“It is a good thing for these students to go and see other cultures and see how they live, so they understand the importance of taking care of their culture in context,” said Prince Bandzile.
“It is a great day to gather and award these students and applaud the work of Babukisi. This shows we are of one mind when it comes to this. When I found out about this work, it took me back to when I learned the importance of knowing one’s heritage and national identity when was studying abroad,” said Prince Bandzile.
He recounted how he discovered other nationalities embracing their cultures as a lifestyle, even when they were living in other countries.
“This is what we learned we need to do as emaSwati, make our culture a lifestyle,” noted Prince Bandzile.
The Prince revealed he was happy to hear that Siswati is now a passing subject in all schools, as the language was an important part of preserving the cultural heritage of Eswatini.
“It would be good that on Fridays, school-going pupils wear their traditional attire. This is what will encourage them to embrace their culture as a lifestyle, not to mention the beauty of seeing our traditional attire everywhere in towns”, aspired Prince Bandzile.
The Prince also applauded the direction of the Babukisi Foundation, which is now developing programmes to educate children about Eswatini culture.
“It was good to see the cartoons for Eswatini culture because most lessons get passed on through entertainment cartoons,” said the Prince, noting that all countries had animated programming in the style of their own culture.
Prince Bandzile also applauded the fact that while Eswatini develops into a first-world country, the cultural heritage is not left behind.
“We have seen His Majesty the King champion the preservation of the culture of Eswatini, For example, a cultural event was the first major event to unite us after COVID lockdowns, this shows that we are still on the right path,” said the Prince.
“We are gathered here at RSTP because of the King’s visions. We should not develop and leave Siswati behind. We should be careful of what will disturb Siswati,” said the Prince.
In concluding his remarks, Prince Bandzile announced that his wife LaMnisi is contributing E1,000 pocket money for each student for their trip to South Africa. Announcing an additional E1,000 in pocket money for the students and their two companions was Jabulani Nxumalo, who was speaking on behalf of the sponsors and supporters of the Babukisi National Siswati Awards.
The students will fly out this Sunday with the founder of Babukisi babe Tfobejane Magagula.
