On 9 September 2025, Cannons Creek Independent School hosted nternationally-acclaimed isiXhosa poet, singer, storyteller, actress, and language teacher – Linomtha Nobuhle. She shared with the audience how she came from Transkei at the age of 18 with her mother and siblings, not able to speak English and how she travelled overseas, sharing the importance of isiXhosa through singing, poetry and acting. “This language has worked for me,” said Nobuhle; encouraging the Grade 4-6 pupils to teach isiXhosa one day even if they are not native speakers. Nobuhle spoke about isiXhosa greetings – that they are more than words, that it is a sign of respect, acknowledgement and a way of showing ubuntu.

She demonstrated the three main clicks and then delighted the pupils by singing Miriam Makeba’s ‘Qongqothwane’ (Click Song) followed by ‘Ooxam baxabene’. The pupils sang along and even requested certain songs! This was followed by a feast of traditional isiXhosa foods which the Grade 5s had prepared as they are learning about the theme ‘Siyapheka’ (We are cooking).The dishes on offer were Umngqusho (samp and beans), Umphokoqo (crumbly pap to eat with sour milk – Amasi), Umbona (mealie cob), Umxhaxha (mixture of butternut and mealies), Umfino (mixture of spinach and mealie maize), Ulusu (tripe), Iimbotyi (beans), Isonka samanzi (steam bread), and Ipapa (soft pap).

. Linomtha Nobuhle entertaining and educating the Grade 4-6 pupils about the intricacies and beauty of the isiXhosa language.

. Linomtha Nobuhle demonstrating how isiXhosa people greet people, with Grade 4 pupil Khanyisile Ncwana

Mngcwengi Malson and Linomtha Nobuhle entertaining the audience with their rendition of Miriam Makeba’s ‘Qongqothwane’ (Click Song).

Linomtha Nobuhle watching in amazement and delight as the pupils joined along to sing the songs.

Grade 5 pupil Ronan Potgieter dishing up Ulusu (tripe) for his classmates

Linomtha Nobuhle, Beatrice Nkuna, Mngcwengi Malson wth Cannons Creek isiXhosa teacher Mrs Nomfundi Mbali.

. Grade 4 pupils enjoying their traditional isiXhosa foodstuffs – Shaughan Gay, Imraan Harris, Raaqib Bardien, and Jono Du Plooy.