After several weeks of a public outcry for a day that celebrates and honours African spirituality, Africa’s number one stout beer Castle Milk Stout, which has positioned itself as a preserver of African culture and tradition, has announced that it will partner with renowned cultural activist and Poet Laureate HRH, Zolani Mkiva and The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) to officially launch Ancestors Day. This inaugural commemoration has been set for the 8th of May and will see South Africans from all walks of life encouraged to celebrate and observe African spirituality and its role in our lives’ through ceremonies and rituals that honour the ancestors.
To launch and celebrate this historic event, CONTRALESA has called upon all South Africans to mark this day as an opportunity to honour the Ancestors and their role in African spirituality. The inaugural ceremony will take place at the Mathibela Royal Palace in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province, where various traditional leaders and heritage practitioners will come together under strict COVID-19 protocols to observe the day.
“The inaugural Ancestors Day is the beginning of a meaningful movement by stakeholders within the Institution of Traditional Leadership and the African heritage community. It is a collective initiative by Castle Milk Stout and HRH Zolani Mkiva, who recognised that our national calendar and commemorations exclude African spirituality. This day will serve as a means to remind Africans to reflect on the role that ancestors play in our lives, while also lobbying the relevant stakeholders to ensure that this will also become part of the national calendar.” Said HRH, Zolani Mkiva.
HRH Mkiva also urged South Africans at home not to be discouraged by the inability to gather at major venues but to rather gather responsibly as families and use this day as an opportunity to educate and impart cultural learnings especially to the younger generation to ensure that our culture and traditions are observed for years to come.
“Castle Milk Stout is proud to partner with CONTRALESA in creating Ancestors Day. This initiative inspires us to embrace our heritage and challenges us to be proud of who we are and where we come from,” said Kudzi Mathibire, Castle Milk Stout Brand Director. “As a brand that aims to preserve African culture, heritage and tradition, we understand the importance of preserving our country and continent’s culture, building pride and savouring the richness of who we are, therefore when we saw CONTRALESA’s call for such a day, we jumped at the opportunity as this is very close to our brand purpose, We encourage everyone to take part by pouring some Castle Milk Stout down for the ancestors” concluded Kudzi Mathibire.
Consumers can showcase how they honour their ancestors by sharing on social media using the hashtag #AncestorsDay, while they can also keep up to date with festivities from across South Africa by following @CastleMilkStoutSA.
In support of Ancestors Day, Castle Milk Stout will be giving away one free 750ml RB with every two 500ml six packs purchased during the month of April so that you can pour out your first sip in honour of your ancestors.