31 claimants to Ndebele throne

FOLLOWING a recent report by this publication that there were two claimants to the Ndebele kingdom, it turns out more than 30 people have come out in the open claiming to be the real deal.

To be exact, 31 people scattered in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana each claim to be the real heir.

In Zimbabwe, there are reportedly three, namely Mcijwana Khumalo, Stanley Raphael Khumalo and Zwide Khumalo.

Mcijwana Khumalo who claims to have been ordained "King Mzilikazi II" on 4 July 2010 said all the claimants were just causing confusion.

"I do not know why all these people want to cause confusion by claiming to be kings. In total there are 31 King Mzilikazi IIs, but I am the rightful one otherwise the rest are fake.

"In Zimbabwe the fake ones are Zwide Khumalo and Stanley Raphael Tshuma. The other fake kings are found in Botswana and South Africa," he said.

Mcijwana lambasted Stanley Raphael Tshuma for misleading people and claiming to be Hlangabeza's descendant.
"Stanley should be ashamed of himself and stop lying. There is no way he can be Hlangabeza's descendant as he (Hlangabeza) died at the age of 12. At that age Hlangabeza had no son.

"He is a pathetic liar and should stop it. Enough is enough with all the fake kings and their confusion," said Mcijwana.

On the other hand Stanley Raphael Tshuma also believes he is the real King Mzilikazi II.

"I had a vision twice in my sleep where God revealed himself to be using me. God told me he loved his people and had made me their king.

"God has loved his people and has made me their king and that their freedom, welfare, prosperity and that of mine is tied to the restoration of the Matebele Kingdom.

"I am God's choice by His grace and not merit or any qualification," he said.

Stanley also claims that his real surname is Khumalo as his great grandfather Khuhlumba Khumalo adopted the Tshuma surname after fleeing to Botswana as King Lobengula was after his life.

On the other hand, Zwide Khumalo in a written statement said: "Ndebele people should be wary of people who impose themselves as Kings. Most are on the ticket of our erstwhile enemies who are working day and night to destroy our valued institution. Worst of all, they are fundraising for their families using the high value institution.

"I have never made a claim to be a king of the Ndebele. I aggressively spearheaded the revival of the Ndebele Monarch and I continue to do so humbly following the proper procedures and we are nearing the end which will be celebrated by all, few and many that cherish this institution."

Zwide Khumalo also dismissed Mcijwana Khumalo's claims that there was King Shembe who ordains kings saying:

"There is nobody called King Shembe in this world that he talks of and who invited me and him.

"The Shembe I know is a Priest that originated a Zulu worship system that combines Zulu culture and a worship of God the creator."

These revelations leave a lot of questions and one wondering who has their facts right as it seems it's now a game of outdoing each other.