Mr and Miss Indoni Cultural SA winners Africa Ziqubu and Zibuyile Zibane cannot wait to go out and promote their Zulu culture and heritage.
Zibuyile (19) won the Miss Indoni Cultural SA title while Africa (20) won the Mr Indoni Cultural SA title in the traditional beauty pageant held at the Durban ICC on Friday night, 17 December.
They both won a R100 000 bursary. Contestants from 12 Mzansi kingdoms shared the stage to compete and showcase their cultures in the competition.
The event was attended by Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, who encouraged people to celebrate their culture and not undermine other people.
Zibuyile from Pinetown in Durban told SunBuzz she was over the moon to have presented her Zulu culture to the judges.
“It is not like I’m better than others but the thing is that I represented my Zulu culture well and the judges liked it.
“I want to teach other people to recognise their cultures.
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“I want to thank all the people who were behind me for their support and I will start youth community projects to help the youth.
“I learnt many things after I joined Indoni in 2019. I also learnt that even today as I won, I am not better than other tribes,” she said.
Africa, from Msinga in KZN, told SunBuzz that he would teach other people the importance of recognising their cultures.
“People can go far if they recognise their cultures. They can’t go far if they don’t know their roots.
“I’m a performing artist, especially in theatre and I’m an all-rounder. I do music, acting and dance. I joined Indoni in 2019.
“I competed and I was a runner-up and this year I won,” he said.
Pageant founder, Dr Nomcebo Mthembu told SunBuzz that all the contestants were winners because Indoni starts with winter classes where they teach them about their cultures.
“We started Indoni in 2011 after almost 20 years of attempting to do it but failing because it is different from other Western beauty pageants.
“This year, I’m giving my late brother, Jackson Mthembu the award to thank him because he was the one who made me meet relevant people to make my traditional pageant happen.
“We were planning to give him in 2019 but he was late to the event. Then we held it hoping we will give him this year. Unfortunately, he is no more” she said.
Speaking to SunBuzz, Minister Mthethwa said: “Cultures embrace ubuntu, caring, sharing and solidarity. I have attended Indoni schools and I love them. I have seen people being transformed.”
