Africa-Press – Eswatini. Patron of Babukisi Foundation, Prince Bandzile has urged young people to take pride in culture and traditions.
He said this was the only identity that separated Emaswati from other nationalities.
He said much as the country was evolving with technology coming into play, this must not stop the nation from knowing and celebrating who they are as a nation.
He was speaking at Swazi National High School yesterday during one of the foundation’s school visits, where they educate pupils about Eswatini culture and tradition.
The foundation’s slogan is ‘Knowledge, nationhood is wealth.’ The prince said he had travelled and lived in first world countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he discovered that the people there take pride in their culture.
“Even road signs are written in their language, which shows that they pride themselves in their language. Even when they are in meeting, you will never hear them communicating in English, but they stick to their mother tongue,” he said.
Prince Bandzile said the nation must not allow development to take away culture and traditions because it is the one thing that unites Emaswati. He said as Babukisi, their role was to educate the nation, especially young people in schools about the importance of knowing and observing local culture.
“I am happy that you are all clad in your traditional attire, you look exceptionally beautiful.
“Our culture teaches and promotes respect, which I am observing among you all. What impresses me is that you have also been educated on the importance of kwetfula which is a sign of paying allegiance and showing appreciation something which also attracts blessings for the giver,” he said.
The prince also commended the nation for coming out in their numbers to participate, in the recently ended national events, including the 55th double celebration and reed dance.
He said the numbers and the beauty of the ceremonies was impressive and proved that Emaswati love their King and country.
Meanwhile, the school Head teacher Brian Dlamini thanked the Prince and the foundation for the interaction stating that the children had benefitted a lot.
He said such lessons would enhance the quality of results in the Siswati language.
He informed the prince that his visit to the school was a blessing and endorsement of what the foundation is doing.
Dlamini said initially the school was meant for children from the royal family and those around royalty, hence his coming was more of a home-coming.
“We believe this will not be the last visit because for you this is home. We feel proud and blessed for this visit because the school has special holding rooms for members of the Royal family, which is proof that you belong here,” he said.
The school, through Tibiyo Vilakati, who is a board member, presented two goats as a token of appreciation to the prince for his visit to the school.
He said the goats would be accompanied by traditional dishes, (imigcwembe) at a later stage since culturally, a prince feeds from special dishes which they have to provide since they have gifted the prince with meat.
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