THE annual Troop Festival will never be the same again.
Simon Mputla, leader and founder of the Matebeleng Springbok Troop in Makapanstad in North West, died on 2 December after a short illness.
The 74-year-old man got a troop send-off at his funeral, which was attended by troop members.
They are among the best performers at the annual festival.
Drums and trumpets were heard at the funeral ceremony at home and at the Makapanstad Cemetery, where he was buried on Saturday.
Even rival troops came to bid farewell to the master who had kept the tradition alive.
A member of the troop said Simon raised them.
“The old man was strict but we are who we today because of him,” he said.
“He really liked disciplined and hard-working people.
“If you were lazy you could not live with him.
“I joined the troop as a young man back in the day and I grew in it.
This year more troops are expected to take each other on at the Mohlabaneng grounds in Makapanstad on 26 December.
Awards for performing teams include:
Best Traditionally Dressed Troop
Best Cultural Troop ) Best Performing Troop.