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The award-winning fashion designer, Rich Mnisi had jaws dropping on social media after revealing his 2021 collection and it’s because one of the items costs close to R60 000!  Titled HIYA KAYA 21, a Xitsonga phrase for “We are going home,” the collection celebrates Tsonga people. It consists of Colliding Cities Bomber Jackets, Night Hoodies, Forecast Track  Pants, Wave Blouses and the jaw-dropping item, Xibelani Skirt. Xibelani is a knee-length skirt usually made from wool or a fabric called salempore and it is worn by Tsonga women. Rich Mnisi’s skirt celebrates Tsonga culture, but how is it different? Apart from the fact that it costs R59Read More →

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It is a sad time for Tsonga people as they mourn the passing of one of the biggest Xitsonga Traditional Music pioneers, Samson Mthombeni. Samson Mthombeni was born on 31 August 1945 at N’waxinyama (Ka-Bungeni) and passed away on 5 April 2020 at Elim Hospital. The Khatisa Chavalala Cutural Heritage Foundation says that Mthombeni was among other artists such as General MD Shirinda and Daniel Baloyi who were legends to the origin of the genre their music and contributed to the cultural awakening in the country. In the 80’s, he performed in important venues in the country such as the Jabulani Amphitheatre.   In commemoratingRead More →

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Just before schools broke for the holidays, scholars at SPARK Bramley were pleasantly surprised by a visit from rapper and singer Sho Madjozi, ending the school term on a high! The 27-year-old musician was ‘blown away’ after seeing a video clip on social media of the jubilant rendition of her hit song John Cena, performed by the scholars at their Sparks fly (morning assembly). “I loved the passion of the kids, and wanted to meet them face to face,” she said, describing the school as “an amazing environment that makes learning fun.” Her final words to her star-struck young fans? “Celebrate the things that makeRead More →

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The South African country is known for its diverse cultures, languages and ethnic groups. This is one of the reasons the South African citizens are interested in knowing about each other and sometimes stereotyping one another. If anyone is to tell you that they have never heard anything about another ethnic group, it’s a lie! It’s very simple, the unknown is always fascinating and as far as stereotypes are concerned; it arouses more interest. Stereotypes are defined as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image of a particular type of person or thing, basically a label. Stereotypes may be good or bad and trueRead More →

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Do you ever find yourself googling a list of notable Tsonga dishes in South Africa? Stop typing start driving to N’wa-Falaza situated both at Giyani in Limpopo and Pretoria in Gauteng. At N’wa-Falaza, you’re guaranteed mouth-watering African cuisines and experience either by yourself,  friends or loved ones. Nwa-Falaza is a lifestyle pop-up kitchen offering personlised catering options for small and big groups. This is a seasonal home dining experiences that offers you a unique buffet style breakfast, lunch and late lunch/dinner. If you’re looking to experience Tsonga cuisines, below are the dishes you can choose from: Muhori/Mogodu Matomani/Mopani Worms Manqina/Trotters Mukokoroxi/African Chicken All the dishesRead More →

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Do you know how in the West parents just grab a fairytale book from the bookshelf and read to their children about wonderland until they sleep? Xitsonga people sit around the fire and listen to their grandparents tell stories. Gone are those days when at night; we sat around the fire in the village and listened to our grandmothers pass their wisdom to us, teaching us about their life experiences in order to guide us. In Xitsonga, we call these stories “Mintsheketo” known as folktales in English. Before telling the story, our grandmothers would start by saying: “Garingani wa Garingani” and all of us wouldRead More →

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There’s big difference between how English and indigenous African language people express themselves and just to put a disclaimer; this is not a racist or a tribalist article, it’s just for laughs. For instance, when Africans speak; they are not only verbal about it but also use body language and also mimic sounds to add a few imaginative effects into their expression or story telling. Below are few examples that show how a Xitsonga person and an English speaking person express themselves. English Speaker: Wow! Nice Hair! Xitsonga Speaker: Loyi u rhandza ngopfu swilo wee, se u taku i yini leswinga lukiwa manjhe? A swiRead More →

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We’ve always heard sayings such as “it is impolite to speak with your mouth full” or “never eat off a knife when having a meal,” these are taboos and are predominantly English. Do you know of taboos from other places or people around the world such as Tsonga people? According to yourdictionary.com, the word taboo refers to “an activity that is forbidden or sacred based on religious beliefs or morals. Breaking a taboo is extremely objectionable in society as a whole. Around the world, an act may be taboo in one culture and not in another.” While English people would say “it is taboo,” TsongaRead More →

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Body language is an important form of communication and there are many ways in which our bodies tell us that something is wrong or right with us. However; in some cultures, your body may communicate a certain superstition or something not related to your health. A superstition is an excessively trusting belief in the supernatural. Below are five Xitsonga human body superstitions, their meanings and also their scientific explanation. Sweaty Nose It means you’re stubborn. Having a sweaty nose even when it is cold outside symbolised how stubborn and feisty you are as a person. A sweaty nose indicates a condition called hyperhidrosis, i.e. anRead More →

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Why do we have names? It is for recognition purposes and to also identify one from the other but in Africa, names are a form of a statement. They are either personal stories by parents, a reminder to an individual affected by the birth of a child whereas some names are honorary, symbolic and ancestral – this also applies in Xitsonga culture. As modern and open-minded individuals, we seem not to mind naming our children using names from other ethnic groups. If you’re not Tsonga and would like to give your child a Xitsonga name, below are common unisex names and together with their meanings.Read More →