NOMTITI Cultural Ensemble from Ramosadi Village in Mahikeng, North West heals and helps the community.
The group was started in 2012 by Reginah Disebo Medupe.
Medupe said that she started the traditional music and dance edutainment company to uplift and empower female art practitioners and address gender equality in the creative industry.
"One of the founding pillars of the non-profit company is to preserve culture and to correct the traditional unbalance or unjust practices faced by women and people living with disabilities in our society," Medupe said.
She said that the ensemble's aim is to create jobs through talent development and to address the crises of youth unemployment in Mzansi.
"Every year the company recruits young girls and women between the ages of 12 - 25 years to develop their talents in art. We have 18 members, but the number is expected to grow after winter," she said.
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She said the group reaches out to artist through Lerole la Mphetshane Cultural Festival which it's aim is to revive South African Heritage and Cultures and to uplift the standard of art in rural areas.
Medupe said the festival educates communities in the North West about different components of Setswana traditional song and dance.
Group member Mosetsanagape Lengela (23) said that she feels humbled and honoured to be part of the group.
"This is not just a group but a therapy, work and talent empowerment. I'm blessed and happy that I can classify myself as a member of the group," she said.
Mosetsanagape said Nomtiti Cultural Ensemble is not just a cultural ensemble, but it heals.
Nomtiti Cultural Ensemble won the SATMA's Best Traditional Dance Group in 2018 and 2019.
In 2021 they won Best Traditional Artist/Group of the year at SATMAs.
Medupe said they are planning to release an album in 2023.
