Politics

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – Japan’s First Lady, Yoshiko Ishiba, led Inkhosikati LaMatsebula and several spouses of African leaders to the historic Sankeien Garden and Yokohama Strawberry Park for a strawberry-picking experience.

Among the first ladies were Angola’s Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, Kenya’s Rachel Ruto, Mozambique’s Gupta Candane Chapo, Cameroon’s Felicite Nelly Ngoute, Burundi’s Angelina Ndayishimiye and Dr Max Malumango, spouse of Zambia’s Vice President, among others.

Accompanying Inkhosikati was Princess Siphila, the Queen Mother of the Ndzundza Mabhoko clan of Ndebele, a sister to His Majesty the King, who wore a South African Ndebele-inspired outfit.

At Sankeien Garden, Inkhosikati enjoyed a Noh theatre performance of ‘The Feather Mantle’, a tale of a fisherman, Hakuryo, who finds a celestial maiden’s robe on a pine branch.

When she pleads for its return to ascend to heaven, he agrees on the condition that she performs a celestial dance, which she does gracefully, portraying the Palace of the Moon, before vanishing into the mist beyond Mount Fuji.

Inkhosikati and the first ladies were taught to play Noh drums and sing, guided by professional musicians.

Noh, recognised as the world’s oldest theatrical tradition and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage, features distinctive masks believed to hold spiritual power, influencing the performer’s appearance and inner state.

First Lady Ishiba hosted lunch, introducing the spouses to an excerpt of the Japanese tea ceremony, Sado, where they tasted authentic Matcha tea.

Inkhosikati and the first ladies then visited Yokohama Strawberry Park to pick strawberries.

Unique to the park, strawberries are carefully grown by individuals with disabilities, guided by cultivation experts.

Inkhosikati LaMatsebula, Princess Siphila and the first ladies enjoyed picking and tasting the fresh, juicy fruit.

Opened in April 2022, the park aims to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities, fostering their independence and societal participation. It promotes an inclusive, equitable environment, assessing individuals daily to assign tasks suited to their physical conditions.

More news on His Majesty and Inkhosikati’s trip can be found in our publication.

Inkhosikati LaMatsebula together with the other first ladies engaged in the harvesting of the strawberries. (Pic: Simon Shabangu - State Photographer)