The late Nduna Ndhlovu Gatjeni boya benyatsi was like a father to the whole village of Steenbok, who lost their great warthog with his passing. He will be remembered for uniting the community through indigenous knowledge workshops. With his help we managed to engage with our community and build capacity and a shared vision.
He was a member of EarthLore, the Mpumalanga water caucus and MEJCON SA – all focussed helping to organise and strengthen the community of Steenbok to improve their quality of life, well-being and capacity to be seed and food sustainable and sovereign.
Mashudu Takalani who is responsible for facilitating EarthLore’s work with the Steenbok community developed a deep affection and respect for Nduna Ndhlovu, who was both a leader and an elder who really cared about Nature. He would always take a lead when it came to defending the rights of the river that once flowed strongly through the community and the surrounding forest.
When there were issues related to reviving traditional practices, Nduna Ndhlovu would say: “Leave it to me. I will invite other leaders and put them on the same page with what has been discussed.”
Mashudu remembers how, in February 2022, he brought his aunties to support the revival of traditional practices. This was a very clever move because they are strong women and they managed to influence the other Ndunas, who were not going to argue with these powerful women.
For a long time, Nduna Ndhlovu had been worried that, because of the harsh droughts in the area with climate change and the degradation of the Eskombeni River, farmers do not have traditional seeds anymore. He remembered how well sorghum used to grow in the area in the past and he looking forward to it growing again in his community and the seed doing well again and being multiplied, in place of the hybrid/GMO maize that farmers were encouraged to grow by the agricultural extension officers who also supplied dangerous chemical fertilisers and pesticides. These crops failed year after year, leaving many families hungry.
Method Gundidza, EarthLore’s director, praised Nduna Ndhlovu for “creating a comfortable home for all traditional healers and environmental activists in Steenbok as he pursued his undying love of the whole sum of his land and community.’
Thank you and deep gratitude for all you have done Nduna Ndhlovu. You are sorely missed. May your soul rest in peace.
