LIMPOPO MIRROR
26 July 2013 23 By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho
By Phathutshedzo Luvhengo
Preserving culture through modern fashion Bible Society brings churches together If a local clothing designer can have her way, traditional attire will soon adorn the catwalks of the fashion world and beautiful models will display the traditional colours of the Venda and Tsonga culture. Ms Phophi Mudau believes she can modernise the style of traditional attire. She reckons that most young people perceive cultural clothes as dull, but if it is designed in a new style, using cultural fabric, it revives their clothing. The 27-year-old fashion stylist from Matanda village in Nzhelele, who is currently staying in Makhado (Louis Trichardt), creates most of her western-style clothes by using traditional materials. According to Phophi, it all started off as a hobby, but within two years it has grown into a fully fledged business. “My dream is to put my traditional outfits on the catwalks, work with people from Europe, and promote the Venda and Tsonga culture,” she said. After completing her degree in mining and surveying at the University of Venda, Phophi couldn’t secure employment. “I struggled to get a job. I then started to do people’s shopping and folded their wardrobe. I then started repairing and making changes to their old clothes and charged them for the service,” she said. Today, most of her clothing is used in graduation ceremonies, at social gatherings and weddings. “For the most part, modern fashion doesn’t accommodate traditional attire, but if traditional fabrics are used to manufacture modern clothes,
they appeal to most communities, local, national and international,” Phophi added.
The Bible Society of South Af rica in Limpopo strengthened their relationship with church es at an event held at the True Worship Christian Church Midoroni in the Kutama area on Sunday. The historic event attracted about 2 000 people, some of whom came from as far afield as Musina and Mutale. The Bible Society’s liaison officer, Rev Norman Ligege, indicated that the society is making an impact in the lives of many individuals within different communities when they donate Bibles. He further revealed that their helping, warm arm also reaches those who are incarcerated in prisons. “We have budgeted R760 000 for inmates, so that we can supply
Bibles for free,” Ligege said. “They need to read the Word of God to change their wrongful thinking and minds. They might get to know God and what God wants of them.” Chief Vele Kutama assured the gathering that the traditional council will not be supplying approval letters for any new liquor businesses in the area. He said more crimes are committed or even caused by people who walk drunk at night. “Kutama will have more churches than bottle stores,” said Vho-Kutama. Vhembe District Municipality’s acting executive mayor, Cllr Rapson Rambuwani, said it was imperative for the government to strengthen its relations with organisations that promote morality in society. “We also take
this opportunity to urge the community members who don’t have ID books to apply for new ones, so that they can also excise their democratic right to vote during next year’s general elections,” said Rambuwani. Apostle Alpheus Mudau of True Worship Christian Centre expressed his appreciation towards the efforts made by different churches to unify the churches. “We are truly humbled to be hosting so many churches and their leaders. This is a step forward in building the church of Christ,” said Mudau. The Bible Society’s Rev Feli Mokoena requested the churches to make financial contributions towards the society’s project of providing a Bible to every household.
Ms Kharidzhe Carol wears clothes designed and made by Phophi Mudau.
In the photo are (from left to right) Dean Enos Rannditsheni, Bishop George Ramatshimbila, Rev Timothy Xaba, Rev Feli Mokoena, Cllr Rapson Rambuwana (Vhembe District Municipality), Chief Vho-Vele Kutama, Rev Norman Legege and Apostle Alpheus Mudau. Photo supplied Education
National Science Week around the corner Ms Phophi Mudau at her home, sewing modern clothes by using traditional Venda and Tsonga fabrics. Municipal News
Community hall nearing completion The R4,1 million community hall at Madimbo village is nearing completion. With all the brickwork already com pleted, contractors will soon start work on the roofing of the structure to give it a final attractive look. The project includes a fence, a municipal client centre (pay point) and offices with ablution facilities. The hall will seat 300 people. The hall project came about after the local communities indicated it as one of their basic needs during the past integrated development plan (IDP) meet-
ings. The facility is situated on the same land where the Madimbo Thusong Service Centre is built. A jubilant local community member, John Mulaudzi (46), said: “We are very happy to have this community hall here because this will make our life easier. Words alone cannot express our gratitude.” Mayor Carol Phiri said the full significance of what the community hall represented extended far beyond its walls and, indeed, across the municipal boundaries. “It is inspiring to see
The Madimbo community hall is nearing completion.
This year’s National Science Week - organised by SAASTA (South African Agency for Science and Technology Ad vancement) under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), will run from 27 July until 4 August. National Science Week, an initiative of the DST, is a countrywide celebration of science involving various stakeholders and other role players conducting science-based activities during the week. National Science Week is run in all nine provinces simultaneously at multiple sites per
province. The Soutpansberg Astronomy Club (SAC) will be at various public venues and schools in Polokwane, Musina, Thohoyandou, Giyani, Elim as well as Makhado (Louis Trichardt), promoting science and astronomy during the course of the week. The venues and dates that the SAC will be visiting are 27 July (Polokwane, Mall of the North), 28 July (Polokwane, Sterkloop), 29 July (Giyani, Muyexe High School), 30 July (Elim Mall), 31 July (Thohoyandou, Spar), 1 August (Litshovhu High and Makhado Show Grounds), 2 Au-
gust (Makhado Show), 3 August (Polokwane, Savannah Mall in conjunction with University of Limpopo) and 4 August (Musina, Great North Road Plaza). The theme for 2013 is “Celebrating scientific areas in which South Africa has a competitive edge”. The main topics to be conveyed are astronomy, mathematics, indigenous knowledge, marine sciences, palaeontology and South African inventions. For more information, contact Kos Coronaios at elephantcastle@lantic.net or on 079 148 4934.
that the work of improving life in our communities remains in very capable hands. For what we truly celebrate is not this building, but how this building in turn serves as a centre to bring the help this community so desperately needs. As we commission the construction of this project, we honour the spirit of patriotism and efficient service delivery to our people.” She said the community hall would play a particularly important role in the lives of the local people. “In essence, the location of this community hall will add value to the residents of Madimbo and the surrounding villages. We will continue to deliver better services to our people in order to address the past inequality of the people of this country.” She urged the community of Madimbo and the surrounding villages to look after the facility and make good use of it as soon as it is completed. Pupils from Mitchell House, pictured during the 2012 Science Week in Polokwane. Photo supplied.