Abstract:
The aim of the study was to rethink the role of mahundwane as an educational game for Vhavenda
speaking youth. Since time-immemorial, mahundwane has been an integral part in empowering
the Vhavenda youth for marriage, sexuality education, moral behaviour and other African values.
It has been noted that with the advent of modernisation and lack of documentation, mahundwane
has been abandoned by the majority of Vhavenda youth resulting in many social-ills like teenage
pregnancy and others. The overall objectives were to explore the nature and the process of
mahundwane as an educational game for Vhavenda youth, to identify the teaching acquired during
mahundwane game and to examine the educational value of mahundwane in Vhavenda youth. The
study was founded on the socio-cultural theory and modernisation theory to attain its findings.
This study utilised the qualitative research design. Data collection methods included face-to-face
semi-structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. The study participants were
selected using purposive and snow-balling sampling. To effectively document the nature,
processes and the role of mahundwane in educating the youth, community elders and other
knowledge holders were engaged. This study was of importance in reviving some indigenous
games that are almost extinct. The study recommends an introduction and intensive expansion of
social media technologies, inclusion of the indigenous games into the education curriculum and
introducing copyright and intellectual property rights to effectively address the extinction of
indigenous games and practices.
