CONTRALESA & Castle Milk Stout to launch Ancestors Day
Sithi “siyavuma” after several weeks of a public outcry for a day that celebrates and honours African spirituality – it’s finally happening. Renowned cultural activist and Poet Laureate HRH, Zolani Mkiva and The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) are to officially launch Ancestors Day. This inaugural commemoration has been set for the 8th of May and will see South Africans from all walks of life encouraged to celebrate and observe African spirituality and its role in our lives’ through ceremonies and rituals that honour the ancestors.
In addition to this amazing news, Castle Milk Stout which has been a champion for preserving African tradition, will partner up with HRH Zolani Mkiva and CONTRALESA to make this important day a reality.
“The inaugural Ancestors Day is the beginning of a meaningful movement by stakeholders within the Institution of Traditional Leadership and the African heritage community. It is a collective initiative by Castle Milk Stout and HRH Zolani Mkiva, who recognised that our national calendar and commemorations exclude African spirituality. This day will serve as a means to remind Africans to reflect on the role that ancestors play in our lives, while also lobbying the relevant stakeholders to ensure that this will also become part of the national calendar.” Said HRH, Zolani Mkiva.
With Castle Milk Stout now on board, Brand Director, Kudzi Mathibire has expressed her excitement leading up to the 8th of May. “As a brand that aims to preserve African culture, heritage and tradition, we understand the importance of preserving our country and continent’s culture, building pride and savouring the richness of who we are. We encourage everyone to take part by pouring some Castle Milk Stout down for the ancestors.”
HRH Mkiva also urged South Africans at home not to be discouraged by the inability to gather at major venues but to rather gather responsibly as families and use this day as an opportunity to educate and impart cultural learnings especially to the younger generation to ensure that our culture and traditions are observed for years to come.
The inaugural ceremony will take place at the Mathibela Royal Palace in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province, where various traditional leaders and heritage practitioners will come together under strict COVID-19 protocols to observe the day.
Consumers can showcase how they honour their ancestors by sharing on social media using the hashtag #AncestorsDay and follow @CastleMilkStoutSA for more information.
