Mohlakeng Hostel comes alive in a colourful celebration of Heritage Day
Thabo Motlhabi
“Culture, music, and Ubuntu take centre stage as hostel dwellers showcase their roots.”
Mohlakeng Hostel was transformed into a vibrant celebration of culture and community spirit on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The gathering of hostel dwellers, cultural groups, and special guests marked the celebration of Heritage Day.
Hosted by Mohlakeng hostel chairperson Ndona Emmanuel Wesi. The annual celebration brought people from different cultural backgrounds to showcase traditional dances, music, singing and colourful practices.
Cultural groups that performed during the ceremony:
* Omama Bamqugo
* Amagumba Club Dance
* Bhodlumlili
* Inhlala Ba Izondo
* Tsonga Girls
* Qwathe
*Mtubatuba Black Tigers
* Condom
* Nosipho
* Letsego
* Ezematyali
* Inkazimulo
* Moruti
* Amapiano
* Ibuyambo
* Former Mayor of Rand-West Local Municipality: Thomas Seshoka
The event celebrated South Africa’s diversity while promoting unity, respect and the spirit of Ubuntu.
Chairperson of Mohlakeng Hostel, Emmanuel Wesi, explained the gathering was about bringing communities together and ensuring that cultural traditions are passed on to the future generations:
“This is an annual ceremony, and we collaborate with other hostels in the West Rand to celebrate the month of Heritage in our different ways. We ask the Department of Sport, Culture and Recreation to acknowledge this annual celebration happening at our hostel, and we also ask our municipality to come join and celebrate together.”
Our culture must never be forgotten.
The commemoration came at a time when hostel dwellers continued to raise concerns about their living conditions, including service delivery challenges, damaged toilets and floors, leaking community taps, sanitation and electricity problems and deteriorating infrastructure.
A Celebration of Diversity
Throughout the day, cultural groups took to the open dusty space at the hostel to showcase their talents through traditional dances, music and singing. Their colourful attire and performances reflected the many cultures which form part of the broader community.
For hostel dwellers, the celebration was more than entertainment; it was an opportunity to preserve traditions, celebrate identity and teach young generations about their roots.
As the music played and traditional dance filled the hostel’s dusty grounds, Mohlakeng residents demonstrated that despite the challenges they face, culture remains a powerful source of pride, identity and unity.
Despite these challenges, hostel dwellers chose to put their difficulties aside for the day and celebrate their heritage with pride.
The commemoration also served as a reminder of the important role that Mohlakeng Hostel has played in the history and development of Randfontein communities.
Mohlakeng Hostel Secretary, Morupa Hamilton, expressed disappointment that repeated correspondence to the Rand-West City Local Municipality Mayor requesting acknowledgement and support for the event had allegedly gone unanswered:
“Our youth should be proud of their culture. It seems as if our young people have lost hope; if it were possible, this initiative would have to be celebrated every time. This ceremony should be a Randfontein initiative, not only for hostel dwellers. I have written countless letters to our mayor to acknowledge our ceremony, and we asked for his assistance to make this campaign a success, but my requests have fallen to death’s ears. I’m very disappointed in him for failing us all these years. I hope from now on, he will take us seriously.”
A former mayor praised hostel contributions to the struggle of Randfontein:
“Former Mayor of Randfontein Thomas Seshoka praised the ceremony and reflected on the historic contributions of the hostel to the local communities.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, special guests, councillor candidates, community members and hostel dwellers were entertained by cultural group dancers.