20 Aug 2018

Razi Original Pantsolas Association coordinator Raymond Makwatse says Mapantsula throughout the country are trying hard to shred the negative perception which has been associated with them for years.

Among the notable perceptions are that Mapantsula are associated with societal ills such as thieving, pick-pocketing and street fighting.

Pantsula is a tradition and started as a highly energetic dance form that originated in the black townships of South Africa during the apartheid era.

It developed into a form of social commentary for black South Africans and spread to neighbouring countries like Botswana. It has undergone several transformations with the country’s changing political landscape.

However, Makwatse who also seat in the disciplinary committee of the National Pantsulas Association said true Mapantsula were part of the society and dismissed thieving, crime and all negative perception associated with Mapantsula.

“We have realised that people are afraid of us, but that should not be the case. We are loving people,” he said after they donated P1 000 to South East Sports Association for the Disabled (SESAD) recently. 

Makwatse said they raised the money through raising funds for SESAD due to their benevolent nature.

He said one of the aim of the pantsulas association is to work with relevant stakeholders to fight crime, gender based violence, ill character and social ills. 

He said the association had branches in most parts of the country and they were working for a sole purpose of crime free society. 

Makwatse also added that they existed to ensure that the community members lived in peace and assist ed government in its efforts of combating  drugs and alcohol abuse.

He stated that if the problem of ill bahaviour  is left unattended, it will results in leadership vacuum in the community.

Further, he advised the community to report their members who displayed  wayward behavior to the organisation leadership. ENDS