Two Ndebele throne claimants appeared together at King Mzilikazi Commemorations in Mhlahlandlela on Saturday, showing a public display of unity in which almost a thousand people attended to honour the founding leader of the Ndebele nation.
Bulelani Collins Lobengula Khumalo and Prince Zwide Kalanga Khumalo came to Mhlahlandlela together and posed for pictures at King Mzilikazi’s monument.
The purpose of the gathering was to commemorate the 155th anniversary of King Mzilikazi’s death.
South Africa-based Bulelani claimed to be the legitimate heir to the throne and was crowned king at a private ceremony in 2018, after the government blocked his “coronation” from taking place at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
Peter Zwide Kalanga Khumalo also proclaimed himself King Nyamande Lobengula II, who with the Lobengula family and the Royal Trust declared in May 2023 at a press conference in Bulawayo that the Ndebele nation has no king at the moment because no one has been installed in a customary manner and when the right time comes, the rightful heir would be announced.
The third claimant to the Ndebele Throne, Stanley Raphael Tshuma, who calls himself King Mzilikazi II did not attend the commemorations.
In an interview with CITE, Prince Zwide said he had no qualms with Bulelani as he regarded him as family.
“Bulelani is my child. We are of the same blood, we can’t run away from each other. We are Khumalos, born from the same Lobengula. It’s good for people to see that we are united and not divided over sentiments of who is supposed to be king or wants to be king,” he said.
“We are united by the fact that we are born from one household under Mzilikazi kaMatshobane.”
However, when the two were led to their seats, a large chair was reserved for Bulelani and not for Prince Zwide.
Prince Zwide then opted to sit on an ordinary chair a few seats away from Bulelani, prompting one of the Imbizo to publicly address the issue stating that people were allowed to bring their own chairs for the event.
Nevertheless, the King Mzilikazi Commemorations, according to Prince Zwide, were an important occasion in Zimbabwe’s calendar because Ndebele people had an obligation to congregate and celebrate Mzilikazi, who founded the Ndebele Nation.
“We must also remember that it was Mzilikazi’s wish to unite people and on September 9, we meet to honour what Mzilikazi did in building our nation,” he said.
Prince Zwide was pleased that the yearly event grew in size, demonstrated by the numbers of people that attended.
“When we started this work in 2000, I didn’t believe this event would attract so many people as we see today. This shows people love and yearn to uphold their culture, tradition and language,” he said.
“It is also pleasing to see many children here, as they must learn their tradition and culture to grow the Ndebele nation.”
Prince Zwide stated that cultural preservation was crucial for the Ndebele nation since nations died if such efforts were not made.
“Some nations are swallowed by other nations, so if we don’t enhance our own nation, the nation and culture may die,” the prince remarked, adding that the King Mzillikazi commemorations do not end in Mhlahlandlela but are also celebrated in other parts of the world.
“All countries gather to commemorate their creation. Wherever there are Ndebeles, people gather to remember King Mzilikazi. Ndebele people gathered on September 2 in Ado, Oklahoma, in the United States on the same occasion. More Ndebele people will meet in Witson, England on September 23, 2023 to honour King Mzilikazi. We are celebrating our culture and ubuntu.”
The commemorations were attended by other royal houses from South Africa including Ndlukazi Gcina Zulu, aunt of King Misuzulu from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Thokozani Fana Khumalo represented amaNtungwa chiefs of KZN along with Smangele Khumalo and Zama Khumalo.
Also present were a royal family from Limpopo -Prince Reverend Doctor Nchabeleng, Prince Mogashoa and Prince Nkadimeng Makoko.
There was an esteemed delegation including Michael Ngwang from the Eastern Cape, Dr Themba Dlodlo, Dr Rita Dlodlo and some family members.
Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Chief Mathema of Gwanda, Chief Dakamela of Nkayi and ZAPU leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo were also present.
Guest Speaker and historian Pathisa Nyathi emphasised that it was critical to maintain the history of the Ndebele nation by publishing books that would serve as literature and historical accounts.
“We should by all means aim to write literature that will preserve Ndebele as a language and as Nguni people, strive to make sure that the culture is maintained so that future generations inherit Ndebele culture and language, as intended by King Mziliakazi. Right now we have a book that talks about the people of Pupu and the imbizo, which led to that fight,” he said.
Nyathi also mentioned the Highlanders Football Club, which will celebrate 100 years in 2026, having been formed in 1926 by King Mzilikazi’s great-grandchildren.
He said Rhodes and his brother Albert, whose father was Njube, son of Lobengula, founded the team.
“Njube was one of the three Ndebele princes removed from the country to South Africa (by Cecil John Rhodes) alongside Nguboyenja and Mpezeni to crush the Ndebele kingdom and language,” said the historian.
“Highlanders began as the Lions Club and is Zimbabwe’s oldest football club. In 1936 it became known as the Matabeleland Highlanders Football Club. In 1975 it became Highlanders after Joshua Nkomo’s suggestion to remove Matabeleland,” he said.
