Chief Dakamela and Ntando Ndlovu kaSibasa are in Beijing – China, where they are attending a two-week seminar on the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage.

The two are in China at the invitation of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and are part of a group of 30 representatives from different countries along the Belt and Road Initiative according to the Dakamela Trust.

The seminar focuses on how different countries can protect and pass on their cultural heritage.

As part of the programme, the participants will attend lessons and visit some of China’s well-known heritage sites, including the Great Wall of China and the Palace Museum.

Acvording to the Dakamela Trust in a pessr statement the visit is also about looking at ways in which heritage can benefit communities.
The Trust is particularly interested in how China has developed some of its traditional industries, including porcelain and ceramics, into successful businesses.

The experience has opened discussions around the possibility of developing similar heritage-based industries in Matabeleland, using products such as iMvunulo, iLala products and clay products.
The visit is also going to give Chief Dakamela and Ndlovu an opportunity to share Matabeleland’s culture with people from other parts of the world.

The Dakamela Trust believes that protecting cultural heritage should go together with creating opportunities for people to make a living from their traditions and skills.
The lessons from the programme could therefore be useful not only to communities in koDakamela, but also to the wider Matabeleland region and Zimbabwe.

The Trust said cultural heritage remains an important part of communities and should be protected for future generations.