To celebrate Africa Month, Stoan Seate of the kwaito group Bongo Maffin took part in a conversation about the need to embrace and reclaim African heritage and culture.
The TV presenter, musician and businessman was among five media personalities collaborating with Castle Milk Stout to provide social commentary on modern culture being more dominant and valued in the 21st century, while aspects of African heritage were being lost to modern philosophies.
Poet Lebo Mashile, praise singer Zolani Mkiva, actor Pallance Dladla, web developer Gogo Mayo, and traditional healer and radio and TV personality Ntombee Ngcobo Mzolo joined Seate at the launch of the campaign yesterday.
Ntombi Ngcobo says clan names always has a place in society. @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/MJTqNwS0l3
— Nokuthula Zwane (@Zwane_2Li2Ls) May 23, 2018
Moyo’s Restaurant at Zoo Lake was the venue for the prestigious event, which got under way with a provocative piece that questions whether Africans “have lost it”.
A proud Tswana, Seate said that having the conversation on reclaiming Africa was long overdue.
“We have reduced our heritage to a Heritage Day celebration. I’m shocked that we have sold and exported our cultures abroad. We have seen the controversy around the Zara and Maxhosa designs,” he said.
“We now see Seshoeshoe prints being made in China and sold in South Africa at China City.
“We need to reclaim it and give the authentic, proudly South African version of it back to the world,” Seate said.
#CastleMilkStout #GetItBack Stoan Seate unpacks his views on how his Africanism is often seen as special. @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/VZ0WAU4RpP
— Nokuthula Zwane (@Zwane_2Li2Ls) May 23, 2018
The musician described the Castle Milk Stout campaign as a brave step towards cementing it as a proudly African beverage.
Known for endorsing African pride and excellence, the brand has run several campaigns to highlight African culture, which Seate said he was proud of.
“Along with Batswana we have Bahurutshe, Bakwena and Barolong. I would love to see more of a reference to our culture.
“This comes at a time when we are seeing it in the movies with the Seshoeshoe blanket, and obviously Black Panther is the biggest reference that we have in terms of popular African culture.
“I would love to see them really affect the landscape in a meaningful way in terms of how African culture and heritage is being preserved,” he said.
#GetItBack Mkiva performs at The Moyo Restaurant celebrating Africa month with #CastleMilkStout @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/KjQ2xQTCWL
— Nokuthula Zwane (@Zwane_2Li2Ls) May 23, 2018
Brand manager Keneilwe Pholo said the country was diversely layered, which fit the narrative of “getting Africa back”.
“Our culture as a nation is deeply rooted in being an African first, and the “Get it back” campaign is one of many ways in which Africans can reflect on their origin,” Pholo pointed out.
Seate said he believed Africans were not celebrating Africa Month enough.
“I don’t think we are accessing our heritage enough on a daily basis. Visiting our heritage occasionally diminishes it to just a museum piece,” he said.
Seate added that he was looking forward to the keenly awaited reunion with the original Bongo Maffin band members Thandiswa Mazwai, Jah Seed and Speedy.
Good news for Bongo Maffin fans is that they have just finished recording a single, which they are planning to release in a few months.
“We are working on a documentary to go with the recording of the album, which will be flighted in the spring,” he said.