The funeral for the late founder member of Sivuyile Nonzame Traditional Dancers, Nomalungelo Bonga (69), will be hosted at Mthatha Stadium in Mthatha on July 21.
Even though she was born at the Mampondomiseni Administrative Area in Ngqeleni, she spent her entire adult life as a resident of King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality.
This was confirmed by her daughter, Luleka Bonga, stating that they will remember her kindness and that she was very firm in family values. Luleka described her mother as somebody who used to put the community members first.
“She started this group in 1976 with the aim of installing the Regeneration Movement. She was helped by the leaders from the Roman Catholic Church, who took her to be trained as a professional nurse at Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital in Mthatha. She started her group while she was working as a nurse in this hospital,” said Luleka.
She added that her mother taught them to be united, and to ensure that they do not involve people from outside when they have problems.
According to her, she taught them to be friends and to be united all the time.
“She loved the community very much, but we never had a problem with that, even though it was consuming our time sometimes. We knew that she was doing what was in her heart.”
She said that her mother was a pioneer that championed the establishment of Sivuyile Traditional Dance within the nursing fraternity that was affiliated to Transkei Traditional Music Association (TRATMA). She mobilised all the traditional artists in the then Transkei.
Luleka said her mother was contracted by the Department of Arts and Culture to co-ordinate a Special Development Initiative (SDI), and she led Sivuyile in a number of high-profile events including the release of the late former president, Nelson Mandela, and in his Inauguration, the Inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki, Umkhosi Womhlanga, and more.
“She led Sivuyile Traditional Dancers in an inauguration of the first Eastern Cape Premier, Raymond Mhlaba. She led a province-wide Spatial Development Initiative whose primary function was scouting cultural artists that can represent our province. Her Sivuyile Traditional Dancers were amongst the groups that participated in the reburial of the late King Sabatha Dalindyebo. Among the countries she performed in are France, Brazil, Germany Mexico, Bulgaria, Philippines, Malaysia and Madagascar.”
Mayor of King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani, expressed sadness following the news of the passing of the founder for Sivuyile Nonzame Traditional Dancers.
Bonga passed on July 6, after a short illness. Her funeral service will be held at Mthatha Stadium in Mthatha on July 21.
According to the mayoral speaker, Olwethu Mabovula, Bonga was one of the most celebrated traditional dancers in performing art in the Eastern Cape province, and the country.
“She was the co-founder of the Sivuyile Nonzame Traditional Dancers, which in 2016 was nominated for the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMAs). She said her dance group took centre stage at many provincial and national events.
“It was among groups that participated in the reburial of the late King Sabata Dalindyebo, whilst at the same time she led a group of artists to welcome the remains of the late Sarah Baartman. Among her accolades, she was an accredited trainer by the then University of Transkei (UNITRA), now the Walter Sisulu University (WSU), under the faculty of music.
Nelani said their thoughts are with her family, who adored her and she was also adored by many as their mother.
He also visited the family, and was accompanied by the speaker from KSD Council, Councillor Siyo-Sokutu, members of the Mayoral Committee and councillors from this municipality.
“Bonga will forever be remembered as one of those heroines who flew high the flag of KSD, and selflessly shared her talent with the rest of the nation, and showcased our culture effortlessly and beautifully.
“We would like to further send our condolences on behalf of the whole community from KSD. We join the rest in expressing our admiration for a woman who had dedicated herself to keeping our tradition alive through the promotion of Arts and Culture. Through traditional music and dance she won the respect and hearts of many in the province as she mobilised all traditional artists from the then Transkei and led her group into the inauguration of the first democratically-elected premier in the Eastern Cape, Raymond Mhlaba,” said Nelani.
