Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo made his first public address at the annual King Mzilikazi commemorations since his contested claim to the Ndebele throne emerged in 2018, in a symbolic appearance that could signal an attempt to reassert his place in the kingdom’s unresolved succession debate.
Bulelani, who was warmly received by the crowd at Mhlahlandlela on Saturday, spoke only briefly but was introduced in a manner that underscored the continuing support he enjoys among sections of the Ndebele community.
As he prepared to address the gathering, members of the ibutho broke into song, saluting him:
“Ikhona inkosi yezwe lonke,” they sang.
“UBulelani Lobengula yinkosi yezwe lonke.”
“Isilo sikaMatshobane.”
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The reception provided a striking backdrop to Bulelani’s first public remarks at the commemorations since the succession dispute erupted eight years ago.
“This is an important event for Mzilikazi, our founder,” Bulelani said, before reciting Mzilikazi’s praise names.
Appearing to respond to criticism directed at him on social media, he said: “On social media they say I don’t know culture, but I am here, Bulelani Lobengula.”
He then urged those gathered to conduct themselves in a manner that respected Ndebele culture and set an example for future generations.
“Please let us respect the nation, let us conduct ourselves properly, set an example for our children and future generations,” he said.
“Mthwakazi omuhle, this is our collective responsibility to uphold culture. How we conduct ourselves as Mthwakazi is crucial. I hope you are proud of your actions.”
Bulelani also called for greater attendance at the annual commemorations, saying the numbers should “double, triple” in coming years, while thanking the women who prepared food and the men involved in organising the event.
“I am not making a speech, but I wanted to say a few remarks,” he said before ending with further praise names for King Mzilikazi.
His appearance comes at a potentially significant moment for the Ndebele monarchy.
The long-running legal battle over the succession ended on 20 July 2026 when Prince, Dr Peter Zwide KaLanga Khumalo withdrew his High Court challenge against the coronation of Bulelani Collen Lobengula Khumalo.
The case, heard under HC657/18 before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa, had been running since 2018, when Zwide challenged Chief Mathema, then chairperson of the Crown Council, the Royal Crown Trust and Bulelani’s installation.
Zwide had argued he was the rightful heir through the Nyamande royal house and sought a declaration recognising him as the legitimate heir to the Ndebele throne.
While the withdrawal brought the eight-year legal battle to an end, it did not settle the question of who should occupy the Ndebele throne.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/khumalo-
Instead, the succession question has returned to the Khumalo royal family and traditional leadership structures.
That unresolved position was reinforced last month when representatives of five of King Lobengula’s royal houses, Mhlambi, Mthinthiwa, Njube, Nyamande and Tshakalisa, said the Ndebele people currently have no legitimate king.
In a statement following a family meeting held in Bulawayo on 16 August, 2026 the King Lobengula family representatives said the process of identifying the rightful Crown Prince was still underway and must follow established Ndebele customary processes and the correct order of succession.
The Sidojiwe House was not represented at the meeting.
“The family was clear and unequivocal that the identification and presentation of the rightful and legitimate Crown Prince is the responsibility of the King Lobengula Family and must be conducted strictly in accordance with Ndebele customary processes and a correct order of succession,” the family said.
“This is not a matter to be determined by media pronouncements or the actions of individuals acting without the authority or mandate of the family.”
The family said it had continued working on the succession question despite years of litigation and public disagreements.
“The process is well underway to finality. Currently, the Ndebele people have no legitimate King. The King Lobengula family has not seconded anyone to be a King,” it said.
Against this backdrop, Bulelani’s decision to speak at the Mzilikazi commemorations carries significance beyond the brief remarks themselves.
The annual gathering is held in honour of King Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele kingdom and Bulelani’s ancestor, making it one of the most symbolically important settings in which the contested succession can play out.
For some observers, his appearance could represent an effort to reconnect himself publicly with the Ndebele nation and the historical institution he has sought to lead.
Critical studies scholar, Dr Khanyile Mlotshwa, said the gathering appeared to be contributing to the gradual consolidation of Ndebele identity around Bulelani.
“I suspect slowly, but surely, the Ndebele nation is getting coalesced around one centre, which is him,” he said.
Dr Mlotshwa viewed the development within the broader history of the disruption of Ndebele kingship during the colonial period.
“In a historical sense, the nation is travelling back to that time when the White settlers destroyed Ndebele kingship, to re-group,” said the academic.
Dr Mlotshwa said the moment could represent a revival of an institution that had remained largely symbolic for decades.
“Just a few years back, so much about Ndebele people has been symbolic, including leadership. It is exciting that we are living at a time of the resurrection of Ndebele kingship,” he said.
However, Dr Mlotshwa cautioned that the significance of Bulelani’s emergence would ultimately depend on what those around him did with the opportunity.
“It is my hope that those around him do have a vision, a plan to move the people forward and regain all this lost time,” he said.
Bulelani’s appearance also came as the commemorations drew royal and traditional delegations from across southern Africa, reinforcing Mzilikazi’s enduring regional legacy.
Delegations from South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia attended the event, including representatives linked to Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s royal house.
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