INKOSI Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, KZN, was painted in all sort of colours on Friday, 16 December, as girls and boys celebrated culture through their attires, singing and dance.
This happened during the Indoni Mr and Miss Cultural South Africa event.
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The cultural pageant, founded by Dr Nomcebo Mthembu, is hosted annually and supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Young culture enthusiasts represented 12 tribes, which they call kingdoms.
This year Smangele Tikana and Tobelani Ntlanyana, who represented AmaMpondo, were crowned Miss and Mr Indoni 2022.
Vhugala Mphaphili from Venda kingdom walked away with the People’s Choice Award, while Khaya Tshetu of the Xhosa kingdom was crowned Mr Ubuntu.
The late Ukhozi FM station manager, Bhodloza Nzimande, was also honoured for promoting culture and traditional music through radio.
Dr Mthembu said that projects like Indoni can make an impact in African leadership.
“Africa needs to be led by Africans. It’s projects like Indoni that can promote that,” said Mthembu.
She revealed that after the hardships she went through this year, she is happy that Indoni finally happened.
“I went through the fire this year, but I didn’t burn. There’s a favour in the fire. Sometimes you’d think you are suffering, not knowing that you are being done a favour,” said Mthembu.
She also presented a special award to the Limpopo kingdom.
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“Limpopo has three kingdoms, but this shows that we can unite even if there’s diversity,” said Mthembu.
The academic graduates who are involved in Indoni were also revealed.
Those who obtained certificates, diplomas and degrees from different tertiary institutions were given the spotlight at the ceremony.
“Being proud of your culture and embracing it doesn’t mean you are uneducated. Indoni also promotes education. We are celebrating excellence in academics,” said Mthembu.
From the ICC, the people who attended the event headed to Richmond for a cultural parade.
Mthembu further revealed that Indoni has built a cultural village in Richmond, where different cultures are exhibited.
Below are the kingdoms and the youngsters who represented them as the finalists of 2022:
Zulu Kingdom
S’bongakonke Mnyandu
S’mangele Mngoma
Mpondo Kingdom
Tobelani Ntlanyana
Smangele Tikana
Swati Kingdom
Lungelo Zikalala
Sihle Mdluli
Pedi Kingdom
Magau Monyela
Nchabeleng Ntsweletau
Xhosa Kingdom
Mikhaya Tshetu
Yenzokuhle Bhusakwe
Sotho Kingdom
Let Lotto Mofokeng
Fokosi Mathetsuoa
Venda Kigdom
Ramutsindela Khumbudzo
Vhugala Mphaphuli
KhoiSanKingdom
Deron Frans
Annamie Shangara
Tswana Kingdom
Mfati Keabetswe
Monyai Refilwe
Thembu Kingdom
Ntando Desemela
Andisiwe Vingqi
Tsonga Kingdom
Rhulani Makaringe
Wendy Mabunda
Ndebele Kingdom
Siyabonga Kabini
Zinhle Motha
