The Hikwa Clan will celebrate the restoration of the Hikwa chieftaincy in Dombodema in Plumtree in April after the Rhodesian government abolished it in the 1950s.
Adelaide Tshuma, 79 years old, a retired nurse, will be installed as Chief Hikwa on April 3, 2024, at Dombodema High School grounds in Plumtree.
The Hikwa chieftainship was dethroned by the colonial regime, which then imposed Ndebele chiefs in Bulilima and Mangwe, areas which are predominantly Kalanga territories.
“I am the first incoming chief taking over my grandfather’s chieftainship -Chief Hikwa who was demoted from his title during the white settle regime in the 1950s,” Tshuma confirmed in an interview with CITE.
Tshuma noted her installation would also uplift members of the Kalanga community, who had been lamenting that the Hikwa chieftainship restoration was long overdue because members of the community had no traditional leadership to represent them, contributing to a decline of their cultural beliefs.
She added that the restoration of the chieftainship came as a result of the Hikwa Clan who sought and engaged authorities to restore it.
“The clan claimed their chieftainship and I as the incoming Chief Hikwa have opened the way for not only the family but the community as well,” said the incoming chief.
“ I am now an elderly person and I have to fix this cultural and traditional path so that the younger generation can also benefit and not face challenges. I know my history and this restoration was overdue.”
Since Tshuma is the firstborn in a polygamous family, she said there was no contest or conflict with her assuming the role of chief.
“Of all my siblings, I was seen as the suitable choice as I also know history. Looking at our family tree, I was the first choice and should there be anyone who may want to come in, there is a line of who is next and all that is set by the family tree,” she said.
The incoming chief went on to say that she would work hard to lead and represent the community while also promoting their culture.
“If I, due to my advancing age, see that I can no longer do my role, I will report to the family and there are also government procedures to follow. But I promise to lead and represent the community well,” Tshuma said
Tshuma stated she has been a nurse for nearly 45 years and is no stranger to serving communities.
“I worked in Zambia during the regime days and post-independence I served at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). Leading to my retirement, I was now based in Plumtree District,” she said.
On the family front, the incoming chief said she now has two children as the others have died.
“I had six children in total – three boys and three girls. My husband also passed away 31 years ago,” she said.
Tshuma also mentioned that she was related to the renowned Dr Lawton Hikwa, the late Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Science at the National University of Science and Technology, also a political analyst, who died in 2015.
“Dr Lawton Hikwa was my younger brother, as he was a son to my father’s young brother,” said the incoming chief.
