Zezuru chief bemoans cultural erosion

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Friday April 26, 2013 00:00

 

MANDUNYANE: The headman of Maseka Ward, commonly known as Ko-Zezuru in Mmandunyane village, Samuel Mooketsi, has expressed concern that their children are shunning their culture and adopting other lifestyles.

The Bazezuru tribe is renowned for their belief and adherence to the word of God. They learn everything in their church and believe the church is the one that moulds their conduct.However, of late the Bazezuru appear to be rapidly gravitating towards cultures of Batswana and the modern social interactions, something which the headman is displeased with.

In an interview with Mmegi, Mooketsi said Bazezuru originally follow the teachings of Johane Masowe Apostle Church of God that originates in Zimbabwe.He explained that immediately after a child is born it is baptised in the church and expected to be raised following the church teachings where they are taught how to behave and how to become a real man or woman.

Mooketsi said as Bazezuru they are well known of good proper behaviour, as well as the only tribe that obeys and follows the same church.He said that they entrust their faith in God and He protects them and heals all their sicknesses and helps them overcome any life obstacles.

'Our children are taught how to behave as women, mothers, and future brides. The boy child is taught how to behave as fathers and husbands-to-be and they were married within the tribe, ' said Mooketsi.He further said in their culture a man is allowed to choose a girl to marry when she reaches her teenage years and this helps to avoid individuals remaining single.

'We are concerned that nowadays our children have relationships with people outside our tribe, have families with them and do not follow our church and cultural teachings,' he said.Mooketsi said in church, elders teach children proper behaviour and prepare them for marriage so that they can be good parents in the future.

He noted that those who disobey the teachings end up ruining their culture. 'In our tribe all woman wear white, get married amongst the tribe and elders teach them how to make a living while still young,' said Mooketsi.He said their boy child used to be taught from childhood to be mechanics, carpenters and builders. Women are mostly involved in crafts' designing and operating small businesses like kiosks or tuck-shops.

The headman also pointed out that government laws which stipulate that every child has the right to education has caused problems in their communities.

'In the past our children did not attend school; we considered it less important as we taught them handiwork which they made a living from. Our children have now started schooling and copying the behaviour of others as they now mix with children from other tribes.

They get involved in alcohol abuse, crime and even have romantic relationship with individuals of other communities, something which is considered taboo in our culture.'  Mooketsi also said in the past they punished children when they misbehaved but nowadays youngsters have rights and punishment is discouraged.

'These days if you mete out corporal punishment on your children they can report you to Childline and action will be taken against you. This makes it difficult to give our children guidance or reprimand them,' he lamented.