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Diturupa to explore legacy of African World War 1 heroes

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A photographic exhibition that captures the traditions which date back to World War 1 when black men who served on the side of the Allied Forces returned to their village, will be on display in the 2018’s Diturupa celebrations.

Diturupa is a dance carnival held annually in December in villages north of Pretoria.

The exhibition, titled ‘Diturupa-relics of a tragic past’ by journalist, photographer and author Lucas Ledwaba, concentrates on the festive spirit of the people of semi-rural village Makapanstad on the north west of Pretoria. It will be hosted in a hall of a primary school in the area from 1-7 December.

It is centred on the spirit of community and cultural activism and is also the first to be held in the area.

Men dancing
Diturupa dance festivities. (Pic: Lucas Ledwaba)

Ledwaba says that people need to tell their stories.

“We cannot wait for people to come from elsewhere and tell our stories. We cannot hide behind a lack of funding as an excuse for not telling our stories. Funding will find us along the way. Let us take charge.”

Ledwaba says that the exhibition is also aimed at showing people the importance of documenting their history.

“It is important that we continue to document our history, from family to community level. One of the reasons we are hosting this exhibition in this community is to make people appreciate the importance of preserving memories and respecting photographs and photography.”

Aspiring photographers and journalists will be given free workshops for the duration of the exhibition.

The exhibition is in collaboration with Matla A Sechaba Community Trust, which organises the annual Diturupa carnival.

Chairperson of the Trust, Eddie Sedibe says that the exhibition is important as it captures how people celebrate the forefathers’ heroics.

“The importance of the exhibition in Makapanstad is to reinforce the culture of Diturupa and showcase the way in which people celebrate the heroics of their forefathers who came back from the war in 1918. This means local people are also part of world history.”

The exhibition coincides with the markings of the end of World War I and the year in which the bell from the SS Mendi was returned to South Africa.

A documentary titled Diturupa-Troupes of War, which was filmed in Makapanstad, will be screened on the opening day of the exhibition.

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