'Ndebele monarchy won't affect Zim political processes'

A direct descendant of King Mzilikazi, Prince Zwide kaLanga Khumalo, has said the restoration of the Ndebele monarchy would neither hinder nor affect political processes in the country.

Speaking to The Zimbabwe Mail on the sidelines of the annual King Mzilikazi commemorations held at Mhlahlandlela, 22km south of Bulawayo, Khumalo said politicians should not worry that  modern democratic governance structures would be affected by the re-introduction of the monarchy.

"It is pertinent to remind the politicians that the powers they wield today were originally held  by kings," he said.

"It is  essential for government and politicians to understand that the monarchy will not affect political processes and politicians should not worry about the coming in of a Ndebele King," Khumalo said.

"They should understand that there are certain functions  of the Ndebele that cannot function when there is no king, which is why we want to restore the monarchy."

The Ndebele kingdom ceased to exist following the controversial disappearance of King Lobengula in December 1893.

Khumalo, who is the grandson of Nyamande, Lobengula's first-born son, said the resuscitation of the monarchy would not compete, but rather complement modern democratic governance structures.

"Competition between traditional leadership and contemporary government must not negate need for  proper cultural identity. The two systems must, therefore, complement each other and not compete," he said.

Khumalo said the delay in crowning a king for the Ndebele kingdom was due to the processes required to install the king.

"The descendants of King Lobengula are there and all that is left is to identify who among them should be king, based on what happened when he disappeared.

"Records of the lineage are there and I know that fights will not ensue within the family because of the system of identifying an heir to the throne. The king will be of royal blood in the lineage of King Mzilikazi and Lobengula," he said.

Speaking at the same event, Kezi chief,  Nyangazonke Ndiweni, said Ndebele culture was not strong  because there was no king.

"As chiefs we will not be able to do everything because we need a king who will help us restore our culture," he said.