Our first Traditional talent competition has been our greatest pride and joy, starting it with just an idea (no funds, no resources) and watching the team working day and night for the dreams of our traditional artists come true has been a wonderful experience to be part of. and the event was a success.
The idea came from a reality that times are hard and the youth become the most victims as the future of humanity lies on the decisions they make. And from where we are standing in the villages things are not looking good, from dropping out of school, drug abuse on both genders, teenage pregnancy, child headed homes, poverty, gender based violence, unruly behavior both at school and home, and overall blanket of anxiety that seem to cover all it was evident that something ought to be done. And we (EC Spotlight Media) took it upon ourselves to bring this awareness to the youth in a way that speak to them and a language they understood: Being active and be rewarded for it.
We had to look deep within as to what has changed? What have we forgotten that worked for us, that our parents did and is lacking on the era of our children? The era of our parenting? All the answers pointed to one direction and that was OUR TRADITION that we left behind. Those who were raised by Tradition will agree that:
Tradition to us means a way of life backed by immersed wisdom that had carried our forefathers who paved a way for us.
Tradition has kept families grounded, No family or individual is an Island .
Tradition has created a stable and unanimous discipline and lifestyle that has produced leaders from our villages all the way to parliament,
Tradition has been nutrition and health, as it brought forth the type of food suitable for children both boy and girl, young man and woman up to an elderly person and those did not just prevent early maturity but rather encouraged self mastery simultaneously. as one elder that raised me would say “That which you are NOT to do in public DO NOT do it even when alone”. This automatically prevented drug use and teenage drinking and pregnancy and all of these are the ailments of our society today just because Tradition has been neglected and often seen as backward.
Knowing all of this to be true and more that we did not mention here across different traditions and cultures, we just couldn’t allow ourselves to go to sleep while we are watching our children destroy themselves because they lack knowledge.
We took it upon ourselves to bring this to their attention and what better way than to motivate them by hosting a Traditional talent showcasing event, aiming at fun and active lifestyle while educating them on the above as well as on social media use and monetization while still grounded in Tradition. and EC Traditional Talent competition was born.
We hope to reach as many artists as they are a voice often forgotten and yet carry a rhythm so strong and a message that speaks to the heart and soul, from your Poets (Imbongi), Music (ukombela) Dance (Umxhentso) Story telling and Drama (Amabali)., from all tribes and cultures and from all ages the SPOTLIGHT is on you.
We have been privileged to have taken the idea to Traditional leader Chief Ngwekazi from Peddie who has been with us from day one uttering words of wisdom and awareness on the importance of youth knowing and being involved in matters of traditional leadership he shared this and more on our event.