Professor Lulu Mmakola, Acting Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UL, has been appointed to the Limpopo Arts and Culture Council (LACC) Heritage and Culture Sector and will chair the Capricorn District Division for a three-year term. Photo: By Malatji Monyelegwete
By Malatji Monyelegwete – malatji.monyelegwete@ul.ac.za
In an era where modern lifestyles and globalisation increasingly blur traditional identities, Professor Lulu Mmakola, Acting Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Limpopo (UL), has been appointed to lead initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Limpopo’s rich cultural heritage
Professor Mmakola will serve as a member of the Limpopo Arts and Culture Council (LACC) under the Heritage and Culture Sector, and will chair the Capricorn District Division for a three-year term. Her appointment marks a significant step towards strengthening the province’s cultural and creative industries while fostering unity through heritage.
Her key responsibilities include promoting social cohesion through arts and culture, preserving Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), and encouraging collaboration amongst royal houses, communities, and UL. Through these initiatives, she aims to ensure that Limpopo’s heritage is celebrated and remains for future generations.
“My role is to create safe and inclusive spaces that build cultural and intercultural competencies among both local and international students,” Prof Mmakola explained. “This work contributes to global peace and aligns with Pan-African and decolonial perspectives that honour our unique ways of knowing and being.”
Her plans involve using culture as a vehicle for social change, particularly in combating gender-based violence by promoting positive masculinities and fostering dialogue. She also aims to document and archive liberation stories, providing students with practical opportunities to engage with heritage and considers it as a potential career path.
“Culture and heritage are not merely about the past,” she stated. “They are the foundations of identity, unity, and economic empowerment. By integrating cultural skills into development initiatives, we can help reduce youth unemployment and build stronger communities.”
Prof Mmakola further highlighted the need to recognise modern expressions of heritage such as Lekompo music, which blends African rhythms with house, hip-hop, and kwaito, as evidence of the evolving nature of heritage.
However, she cautioned that society’s growing neglect of culture, fuelled by capitalism and materialism, undermines social values. “Many believe that if culture doesn’t put food on the table, it’s useless,” she noted. “But culture nourishes the soul; it heals, unites, and reminds us of who we are.”
Kgošigadi Shapo Johanna Raphahlelo, Chairperson of the LACC Heritage and Culture Sector, commended the appointment, describing Prof Mmakola as a visionary and committed leader. “She demonstrates strong leadership, deep understanding, and a genuine passion for cultural development. We look forward to her valuable contributions and continued collaboration with both UL and the broader LACC community,” she said.
Through her new role, Prof Mmakola hopes to redefine heritage not as a relic of the past, but as a living, dynamic force that connects generations, strengthens identity, and fosters peace and sustainable development.