The journey begins in the city of Durban but its roots are deeply entrenched in every region of KwaZulu-Natal. The course runs northwards: through the fertile greenery of the North Coast sugar-belt and meanders through the kingdom's majestic wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. It takes its beautiful young passengers through the valleys and crests of the rolling hills of northern Zululand, back over a century to the epic clashes between frontiers, cultures and climates. It is the most vibrant and dignified cultural celebration in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and it is here at KwaNyokeni Palace, Nongoma that the Zulu monarch, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill KaBhekuzulu, will unify the royal house with the Zulu nation.
Traditionally, the royal reed dance is symbolic of purity, fertility and the union of mutual respect between the royal bloodline and the people of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a cultural rite of passage for young girls as they approach womanhood and a time of gracious celebration, but the king also uses the opportunity to engage and educate the Zulu nation on topical matters and concerns. In more recent times, the king has used this forum to speak out about values, ethics and morality and, over the last few years, has focused on sexual morality. The festival bespeaks purity and self-respect and most importantly, sexual abstinence until marriage, from a well-respected cultural perspective. The principles of Star School, which advocate sexual abstinence through the ethos "AIDS-free, that's me", correlate with the message spread through Umkhosi woMhlanga. The Thanda Foundation is proud to announce that we have been given an opportunity to engage with the youth of Zululand at this year's reed dance festival. Founder and owner Dan Olofsson will give a short address after which Swedish band Triple & Touch will perform their song, "Abstinence is cool". Furthermore, the Foundation has allocated two taxis per community to assist with transport to and from the festivities.
To date, the success of Star School has seen its implementation in 42 schools in KwaZulu-Natal and a further 10 in Namibia were enrolled this September. Plans have also been made to extend the project into another 20 schools in the Umkhanyakude district. Star School's success emanates from the empowerment it affords young people and purports an improved sense of self esteem through a process called 'mental vaccination'. A progress report released in 2006 revealed that 90% of the learners investigated in grade 8 and grade 9 had chosen to abstain completely from sexual activity. Parents of these learners intimated that many of the younger generation had opted to partake in the Umkhosi woMhlanga the annual reed dance. Thanda Foundation believes that, through hard work, education and with the support of His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu, significant progress can be made in the fight against the HIV/AIDS virus.
Acknowledgment to KwaZulu-Natal Tourism's website (http://www.kzn.org.za/kzn/news/283.xml) for background information on 'Umkhosi Womhlanga'
For more information about the Star School initiative, please contact the Marketing & Reservations Office:
Tel: +27(0)11 469-5082
Fax: +27(0)11 469-5086
E-mail: Victoria.smith@thanda.co.za
www.starschool.co.za
Traditionally, the royal reed dance is symbolic of purity, fertility and the union of mutual respect between the royal bloodline and the people of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a cultural rite of passage for young girls as they approach womanhood and a time of gracious celebration, but the king also uses the opportunity to engage and educate the Zulu nation on topical matters and concerns. In more recent times, the king has used this forum to speak out about values, ethics and morality and, over the last few years, has focused on sexual morality. The festival bespeaks purity and self-respect and most importantly, sexual abstinence until marriage, from a well-respected cultural perspective. The principles of Star School, which advocate sexual abstinence through the ethos "AIDS-free, that's me", correlate with the message spread through Umkhosi woMhlanga. The Thanda Foundation is proud to announce that we have been given an opportunity to engage with the youth of Zululand at this year's reed dance festival. Founder and owner Dan Olofsson will give a short address after which Swedish band Triple & Touch will perform their song, "Abstinence is cool". Furthermore, the Foundation has allocated two taxis per community to assist with transport to and from the festivities.
To date, the success of Star School has seen its implementation in 42 schools in KwaZulu-Natal and a further 10 in Namibia were enrolled this September. Plans have also been made to extend the project into another 20 schools in the Umkhanyakude district. Star School's success emanates from the empowerment it affords young people and purports an improved sense of self esteem through a process called 'mental vaccination'. A progress report released in 2006 revealed that 90% of the learners investigated in grade 8 and grade 9 had chosen to abstain completely from sexual activity. Parents of these learners intimated that many of the younger generation had opted to partake in the Umkhosi woMhlanga the annual reed dance. Thanda Foundation believes that, through hard work, education and with the support of His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu, significant progress can be made in the fight against the HIV/AIDS virus.
Acknowledgment to KwaZulu-Natal Tourism's website (http://www.kzn.org.za/kzn/news/283.xml) for background information on 'Umkhosi Womhlanga'
For more information about the Star School initiative, please contact the Marketing & Reservations Office:
Tel: +27(0)11 469-5082
Fax: +27(0)11 469-5086
E-mail: Victoria.smith@thanda.co.za
www.starschool.co.za