Afrikaner and Ndebele organisations sign historic agreement
19 December 2023
The Ndebele organisation Vulamehlo Kusile Organisation (VUKO) and the Afrikaner organisation AfriForum today signed a historic recognition and cooperation agreement during the annual Ingwenyama Nyabela Commemoration at KoNomtjharelo, the historic AmaNdzundza Royal Headquarters close to Roossenekal in Limpopo.
The organisations also announced that they will be collaborating on the preservation of this area with its significant historical and heritage value with the aim of strengthening cultural identity and the promotion of knowledge about history, especially aimed at the youth.
“The signing of this recognition and cooperation agreement in the year that the AmaNdzundza commemorates 140 years since the second war with the erstwhile Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and its allies is significant. We honour our ancestors, who did everything that they could to ensure our existence as a cultural community here in southern Africa. Because of their sacrifices and perseverance we are still here today.
We are, however, not getting stuck in the past; we are using our history and heritage as an inspiration and a foundation to build the future. Cultural communities in southern Africa are facing many challenges. It will be easier to overcome these if we collaborate; that is why we signed this agreement with AfriForum,” says Elias Mahlangu, Board Chairperson of VUKO.