Authored by: Captain SA | SA Rainbow News
Pretoria | 7 August 2026
The voices of the next generation took centre stage at Freedom Park in Pretoria as the Kamoraleng Heritage Institute, in partnership with Freedom Park, hosted a Cultural Heritage Education and Storytelling Programme under the theme “Wena o mang? — Who Am I?”
#SARainbowNews #KamoralengHeritageInstitute #FreedomPark #CulturalHeritage
The programme brought together learners between the ages of 8 and 15 from schools across Gauteng to celebrate identity, culture and indigenous knowledge through poetry, praise poetry, storytelling and educational presentations — with a strong emphasis on the use and preservation of mother-tongue languages.
#MotherTongue #IndigenousKnowledge #AfricanHeritage #YouthDevelopment
LANGUAGE AS IDENTITY
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Molatelo Develd Monyai, Founder and CEO of the Kamoraleng Heritage Institute, spoke on the importance of “Preserving Identity Through Language.”
Monyai emphasised the central role played by mothers and grandmothers in nurturing language, culture and identity. He reminded the audience that “a nation that forgets its language loses its compass.”
#LanguageIsIdentity #AfricanLanguages #HeritageEducation #CulturalPride
Drawing on the Sepedi proverb “Mmago ngwana o swara thipa ka bogaleng”, meaning that a mother will endure great hardship to protect her child, Monyai reflected on the historic role of mothers in protecting not only their families but also cultural identity and indigenous languages from erasure.
Monyai also served as the Programme Director for the day.
#Sepedi #MotherTongueEducation #AfricanCulture #CulturalPreservation
YOUNG VOICES STEAL THE SHOW
The highlight of the programme was the impressive contribution of the young learners, who demonstrated that South Africa’s heritage remains alive in the voices, knowledge and creativity of its children.
#YouthVoices #FutureLeaders #YoungSouthAfrica #HeritageChampions
Imbongi Mbali Dlamini of Eqinisweni Secondary School delivered a powerful piece centred on love and redemption, while Faith Chauke, also from Eqinisweni Secondary School, addressed themes of peace, unity and prosperity.
#Poetry #Storytelling #YouthTalent #PeaceAndUnity
Makungu Shishenge, an eight-year-old learner from Ebony Park Primary School, left the audience impressed with his historical knowledge. In addition to his performance, Makungu demonstrated remarkable knowledge by reciting biographical information about historical figures including Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel.
#ThomasSankara #NelsonMandela #SamoraMachel #HistoryEducation
Learners from Ebony Park Primary School — Khaviso Mathevoni, Vukona Mathebula and Ntsako Maluleke, aged 13 — also delivered interactive speeches. Ten-year-old Ntsako Maluleke further impressed the audience by sharing her knowledge of the six colours represented on the South African national flag.
#EbonyParkPrimary #LearnerAchievement #SouthAfricanHeritage #Education
A JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE AT FREEDOM PARK
Following lunch, the learners embarked on a guided heritage tour of Freedom Park, where they explored some of the site’s significant historical and spiritual landmarks.
#FreedomPark #HeritageTour #History #Remembrance
The tour included the //hapo Museum and Wall of Names, where learners were introduced to South Africa’s history and the stories of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. They also visited Isivivane, a sacred memorial space, as well as the Sanctuary and Amphitheatre, gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of Freedom Park as a place of remembrance, healing and nation-building.
#WallOfNames #Isivivane #HapoMuseum #AfricanHistory
The experience gave the young participants an opportunity to connect classroom learning with historical spaces, while encouraging them to appreciate the sacrifices, struggles and cultural heritage that shaped South Africa.
#RememberThePast #LearnFromHistory #NationBuilding #SocialCohesion
BUILDING TOWARDS SPAIN 2026
The programme forms part of the Kamoraleng Heritage Institute’s broader mandate to preserve, promote and strengthen indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.
#Kamoraleng #IndigenousKnowledgeSystems #HeritageMatters #AfricaRising
The initiative also comes at an important time for Monyai, who is scheduled to travel to Alicante, Spain, later this month to receive an international honour at the Clevenard Global Awards. Current reporting confirms that Monyai has been recognised as a South African heritage champion and is seeking support to make the international journey possible.
#ClevenardGlobalAwards #AlicanteSpain #SouthAfricanHeritage #GlobalRecognition
Despite the challenges surrounding the planned international trip, Monyai expressed pride in the young participants and their commitment to learning, celebrating and preserving their heritage.
#YouthEmpowerment #CulturalLeadership #HeritageEducation #FutureOfAfrica
“By preserving the mother tongue, we safeguard our ultimate freedom,” said Monyai. “Today, the children showed us that our future is secure because they know who they are.”
#PreserveOurLanguages #KnowYourIdentity #OurHeritageOurFuture #AfricanYouth
The programme concluded with a celebration of culture, identity and knowledge, with the words:
“Ke a leboga. Makuande! Pula!”
#KeALeboga #Makuande #Pula #AfricanHeritage
FOR TOUR BOOKING AND ENQUIRIES
Mr Marope Lawrence Mpya
PR & Media Officer
Kamoraleng Heritage Institute
📞 084 957 2906
📧 lawrencempya@gmail.com
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