We continue to reflect and celebrate our heritage during the month of September and today on #TheSitDownParenting we take a moment to introspect, learn and unlearn patterns and attitudes that impact on our children not knowing enough about their cultures, values, identity and language.

How deliberate are you in instilling cultural values in your child as well as speaking your home language in your household?
Jessica Mbangeni is a South African Imbongi, singer and businesswoman and she helps us with tools to introduce in our households to promote our cultures and laguages.

JESSICA MBANGENI

Jessica Mbangeni is the custodian of the African heritage, the daughter of the amaXhosa tribe and the pride of Africa. She was born and raised in Ngqamakhwe, in the Eastern Cape. It was her grandmothers storytelling which was always fused with traditional Xhosa singing, that played an important role in her career as a praise poet – imbongi.

Mbangeni is South Africa’s only female Imbongi – and is currently making waves with a slate of high-profile live performances that have cemented her global reputation as one of the country’s most gifted creative talents. The fact that she stands alone in a cultural terrain dominated by men is something that spurs on this Eastern Cape-raised woman.

Some of her career highlights include performing at the prestigious 46664 concert in Cape Town and the South African President, Thabo Mbeki’s second inauguration in 2004.