Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

A cultural village in Mpumalanga, which is expected to attract a number of tourists during the 2010 soccer World Cup and beyond, is now open.

Situated along the road to Swaziland and Maputo, Mangweni Cultural Village in Mangweni Trust, near Komatipoort, is tipped to attract tourists who want to learn more about South African culture and values. It consists of 13 thatched houses.

The village cost the Nkomazi municipality's Local and Economic Development (Led) more than R1,9 million.

It is the second cultural village of this kind to be built in the Nkomazi area.

"We wanted to open this cultural village before the World Cup to enable our cultural performers to practice more cultural activities for that event and beyond," said Nkomazi municipality's Cynthia Hlophe at the opening last Saturday.

"We want to prove that Nkomazi can make it on reviving the various people's cultures."

Hlophe told Sowetan that many e cultural activities including isibhaca, umtsimba and many other traditional dances would be performed at the centre.

The people themselves will also get an opportunity to be educated about their own cultures.

Accommodation is also available is available for visitors who want to spend time in the area.