Kaya 959 Reporter
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South African (Contralesa) has initiated a petition to establish a National Ancestors’ Day on May 8, 2022.
It intends to get this day, which coincides with Africa Day and International Africa Month, designated a national holiday in the first week of May.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Gogo Dineo Ndlanzi – African Spiritual teacher, Zolani Mkiva – Secretary general of Contralesa as well as Gogo Nomangungu who is the Secretariat of the Traditional Health Practioners Sector and Founder of Sangoma Diaries.
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The all shared why it was important for Ancestor’s Day to be part of the South African calender.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION:
Contralesa’s general secretary, Zolani Mkiva, said there isn’t a single day in the South African calender tthatt represents us as Africans
“We need to embrace the whole notion of indigenous knowledge systems and make it part and parcel of our daily lives in order to liberate ourselves mentally. We have to take a simple formula that says we must be ourselves when we are approaching challenges.
“We do not have to go outside of Africa to seek wisdom. Many people in our society are miseducated. They think ancestors are demons. This means we have a role to play to re-educate some of our own that are miseducated.” said Mkiva
Mkiva also argued that this is not a religious issue; it is a spiritual issue and that e very African is spiritual.
Even people who do not believe in ancestors, according to Mkiva, should observe their own spirituality, he also said that “we are all a product of those who came before us.



