CREDO’S LEGACY LIVES ON

               CREDO’S LEGACY LIVES ON

By Kabelo Selebogo

Credo Mutwa's tombstone front view . Photo : Kabelo Selebogo

Scores of traditional healers, indigenous knowledge systems practitioners and cultural activists from different parts of the country on Saturday. July 23 gathered in Kuruman, Magojaneng Village, for the unveiling of the tombstone of a sanusi, Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa.

The renowned traditional healer was born on July 21, 1921 and died on March 25, 2020 at the age of 98.

Before he departed, Mutwa performed a traditional cleansing ceremony in 2018 at Lotlamoreng Dam Cultural Village in Mahikeng where he stayed.

In the same year, the historian, prophet, cultural and heritage activist, was presented with Usiba Award by the national Department of Arts and Culture for his contribution to indigenous knowledge and preservation of heritage.

Virginia Mutwa, Credo Mutwa's wife standing on Credo's tombstone after unveiling of Credo Mutwa's tombstone in Kuruman. Photo : Kabelo Selebogo

Mutwa was a man of many talents and well-known as a High Sanusi who predicted a number of national and international events such as the Soweto Uprising of 1976, the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, and the conflict between the US and Iran.

Credo was a prolific author whose works enlightened readers about customs, African legends, traditions and religious beliefs.

Mutwa wrote Indaba My Children, Woman of Four Paths: The Story of a Strange Black Woman in South Africa, Let Not My Country Die and Zulu Shaman: Dreams, Prophesies and Mysteries, among others.

The unveiling of the tombstone of the sculptor, sage, astronomer, storyteller, builder, playwright and painter was through a collaboration between the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR) together with the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

ACSR spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe, said: “The North West Province, in particular Mahikeng, was so fortunate to have someone of Credo’s calibre who turned it into a prominent Cultural Village.  With his enormous artworks of sculptures, he left a footprint that will never fade.”

Left to right : Virginia Mutwa (Credo Mutwa's wife) and Makhosi Vulamasango Nozipho Mutwa (Credo Mutwa's daughter) at the unveiling of the tombstone for Credo Mutwa. Photo : Kabelo Selebogo

“The unveiling of the tombstone is to show the people where Baba is sleeping and to celebrate his life and times,” said Credo Mutwa’s daughter, Makhosi Vulamasango Nozipho Mutwa.

Rutendo Ngara, Chairperson of the Credo Mutwa’s Foundation described him as a “man with many faces, a polymath, an institution, teacher, healer, artist, community builder, environmentalist, conservationist and astronomer”.