Audrey Skhosana 17, Crowned Indoni Miss Cultural 2017/18 ??

It was all things beautiful at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) as twelve Nguni tribes represented by young girls and accompanied by their chaperons, went head-to-head at the 2017/18, Indoni competition.

After all The rigorous activities showcased at the event from traditional attire, poetry and questions from the judges, 17yr old Audrey Kozwana Skhosana was crowned, and took the Indoni Miss Cultural title to Ndebele.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa said: “Somebody thought about this thing, an individual; Dr Mthembu. We are all here today because of somebody who dreamt. We are challenging South Africans to dream and dream big.”

Whoever said tradition and culture were “not glamorous” must not have seen when all different South African Nguni tribes met to showcase at a cultural extravaganza like Indoni Miss Cultural.

“There is no reason whatsoever for Africans to hate each other, we’ve got to love each other. South African wealth and the whole of the continent is not what you see as the mineral wealth. There is only one wealth on this continent, in fact for the entire globe and that wealth is heritage.

He went on to say that Indoni Miss Cultural is very much in line with the South African Constitution and it must be protected at all costs for it to continue with the grooming of young women in this country.

The winner of the competition, Audrey Skhosana, giving her address, said “she felt honoured that she won and was too happy for words. She added that she desperately wanted the crown to go to Ndebele and she also advised young girls to wake up and smell the coffee, and take part in the Indoni festival.”

Dr Nomcebo Mthembu, founder of Indoni, said she was impressed by the questions the girls were asked during the competition.

“We need to ask ourselves why society keeps quiet when women bleach their skin.

“What message are we sending when we call black women beautiful for putting on weaves?” said Mthembu.

She said people needed to be proud of their culture because it defines who they are.

Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa applauded Mthembu for forming Indoni and urged MECs to support her.

He said preserving indigenous cultures is very important.

Our languages are slowly becoming extinct and our children don’t even know their mother tongues.

“I blame their parents for not teaching children about their roots.

“There’s nothing wrong with enrolling your children in a Model C school so they can receive a better education.

“But the mistake we make is extending this mindset into our homes.

“I visit Sipho and he tell me not to address Themba in Zulu because he doesn’t understand the language.

“You’ll probably be asking yourself how that is possible when the parents are Zulu-speaking,” she said.

The winner, Audrey Skhosana, walked away with R100 000 cash which will go towards her education.