25 Sep 2024

While the United Congregation Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) heritage walk was meant to celebrate history and culture, it was the traditional games that captured the event’s show in this year’s annual event.

The traditional games such as mhele and the precarious egg and spoon race, provided a vibrant counterpoint to the walks of historical focus, reminding everyone that heritage is not just about preserving the past, but also about carrying its joyful spirit forward.

These games brought forth visions of simpler times when happiness was found in the rhythm of hearty laughter and not in the glow of digital devices.  UCCSA secretary general, Ms Clare Komboni indicated that reviving indigenous games was one way of reconnecting with the positive aspect of history.

“We decided to feature these traditional games in this year’s heritage walk to offer a blast from the past of the games our parents played.

It suggests that by bringing back these traditional games, people can remember and appreciate the valuable elements of their cultural heritage and possibly learn from them in the present context,” said Ms Komboni, indicating that such games were not mere amusements, but vessels of traditional culture, passing down stories and values from one generation to the next.

“On their joyous chaos, they taught children lessons of perseverance and fair play- lessons that no virtual stimulation could ever replicate,” she added. Ms Komboni also said the games, once on the forefront of every village gathering and schoolyard recess, now stood as poignant reminders of a fading legacy.

Speaking at the end of the heritage walk in Francistown Saturday, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi expressed his admiration for the UCCSA, highlighting its popularity and strong ties with the community.

Mr Moatlhodi, who was also the chief walker, praised the congregation for being both with and close to the people. Mr Moatlhodi asserted that the church remained a vital force in the lives of countless individuals, particularly those facing hardship.

He highlighted the church’s ongoing role in positively impacting the lives of many, especially those in need. 

“This church has a strong influence, particularly amongst those struggling with poverty and other challenges, “ he said, adding that UCCSA continued to provide support and guidance to vulnerable members of the community.

Mr Moatlhodi applauded UCCSA for actively shaping the lives of numerous groups, especially those facing difficult times. Reverend Eddie Rantshilo, who is also a resident minister at UCCSA, indicated that the proceeds of the walk would be channelled to charity.

He explained that UCCSA was engaged in various social and economic projects such as Kgodisong Orphanage and Day Care Centre in Kanye and Lephoi Centre for the virtually impaired in Francistown. Kgodisong Orphanage Centre is a pre-school that caters for orphans and needy children who found space at the centre with the assistance of the UCCSA.

While Lephoi has a five-hectare plot that the centre intends to use for skills development where children are taught different skills such as agriculture, especially because some of the children have multiple disabilities.

He promised that next year’s heritage would be bigger and better, regretting that this year’s walk was affected by the chilly weather whilst some of the congregants were engaged with some social activities such as funerals. ENDS