Thousands of people are expected to attend this year’s King Mzilikazi commemorations at Mhlahlandlela, on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
The commemorations will be held on 4 and 5 September, with the first day dedicated to schoolchildren and the second open to the wider public.
King Mzilikazi kaMatshobane, the founder and first king of the Ndebele nation, died on 5 September 1868.
Bigboy George Sibanda, a member of Mthwakazi kaMzilikazi Cultural Association (MMCA), the event coordinators, said the school programme would help preserve knowledge of King Mzilikazi’s history and culture for future generations.
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“For the two days that we are going to be celebrating King Mzilikazi, on the 4 September is when we are going to have school children who will come and learn about the history and culture of Mzilikazi so that they can pass it on from generation to generation,” said Sibanda.
He said the event would bring together guests and cultural groups from Zimbabwe, South Africa and other countries.
“We are going to have guests from South Africa from the Ndebele tribe, the Xhosa, Khumalo and also guests from Zambia, Malawi and also Tanzania,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda said the school programme would expose children to different cultures, including their food, dances and traditions.
“Children will be learning different cultures, for example, those from the Venda tribe children will be learning how they cook, how they dance and what they eat and also the culture of Suthus will be taught, and those from the Kalanga tribe, Namibian and also Tonga. This will be an educational day,” he said.
The second day, on 5 September, will be open to everyone wishing to attend the commemorations, Sibanda said.
Danisiwe Senda, a director of Mcilo Construction and one of the organisers, said preparations were under way to accommodate the expected crowds.
Mcilo Construction is currently constructing ablution facilities at the site.
The organisers have also sunk a borehole to provide people with water. There are also in the process of constructing a kitchen and eating area.
Senda also appealed to other construction companies from the region to chip in and assist with the construction works.
Popular South African Maskandi musician Khuzani and actress Dawn Thandeka King are among the high-profile guests expected at the event.
“The preparations that we have here in Mhlahlandlela are to accommodate many people. Our guests will be Khuzani, known as Idlamlenze from South Africa, we also have Dawn Thandeka known as MaNgcobo, Mpilo Mabtha who acted in a famous movie called Shaka who acted as Mzilikazi in the movie,” said Senda.
Khuzani will also headline a musical show at a local venue in Bulawayo on September 5. He will perform alongside local Maskandi musician Zwelihle Jele, seasoned poet Lerato Nqindi and Gwanda-based artiste Umfanomsuthu.
Part of the proceeds from the show will be channelled towards the construction of the University of Matobo campus.
Senda added that the organisers hoped the festival would help keep the history of King Mzilikazi alive and called on film makers to produce a movie depicting the life and legacy of King Mzilikazi.
“Our hope and dream in the long run is that there be a continuation of the telenovela Shaka Ilembe with a focus on the story of Mzilikazi, there are a lot of people who can bring it to life,” said Senda.
Senda said the commemorations would also promote cultural values among young people.
“We are also asking for media houses to refocus on culture norms and rules that young people have to abide by because currently we have young children who are indulging in drug abuse, prostitution and stealing, so with them attending this event they can be helped,” he said.
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