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Kalangas rejects claims of subservience to Ndebele Kingdom
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The Kalanga Language and Culture Development Association (KLCDA) has dismissed as "reckless and misleading" claims that the BaKalanga people are subservient to the Ndebele kingdom.
The response comes after a video surfaced of Mthuthuki Hikwa speaking at the King Mzilikazi Day commemorations in the United Kingdom. In his remarks, Hikwa said: "As the Bukalanga nation we are part of the Ndebele or Mthwakazi nation. We don't dissociate ourselves, we are just part and parcel of the Ndebele or Mthwakazi, whatever you are comfortable with." He further claimed that the Kalanga people submit to Ndebele chiefs.
In a strongly worded statement, the KLCDA distanced itself from Hikwa's comments, saying they do not reflect the position of the BaKalanga.
"To the best of our knowledge, he holds no traditional leadership role, nor any formal role within the Hikwa chieftaincy. His statements were therefore personal and must not be misconstrued as representing the position of BaKalanga," the association said.
The group emphasised that the Kalanga people are an autonomous community with no obligation to any monarch.
"Without fear of contradiction, the KLCDA states clearly and unambiguously that BaKalanga are not subservient to the Ndebele/Mthwakazi in any of its manifestations. Our autonomy and dignity as BaKalanga are not negotiable," the statement read.
While underscoring its openness to cross-cultural cooperation, the association stressed that participation by BaKalanga would always be "on the basis of self-respect, mutual respect and dignity, never subservience."
The response comes after a video surfaced of Mthuthuki Hikwa speaking at the King Mzilikazi Day commemorations in the United Kingdom. In his remarks, Hikwa said: "As the Bukalanga nation we are part of the Ndebele or Mthwakazi nation. We don't dissociate ourselves, we are just part and parcel of the Ndebele or Mthwakazi, whatever you are comfortable with." He further claimed that the Kalanga people submit to Ndebele chiefs.
"To the best of our knowledge, he holds no traditional leadership role, nor any formal role within the Hikwa chieftaincy. His statements were therefore personal and must not be misconstrued as representing the position of BaKalanga," the association said.
The group emphasised that the Kalanga people are an autonomous community with no obligation to any monarch.
"Without fear of contradiction, the KLCDA states clearly and unambiguously that BaKalanga are not subservient to the Ndebele/Mthwakazi in any of its manifestations. Our autonomy and dignity as BaKalanga are not negotiable," the statement read.
While underscoring its openness to cross-cultural cooperation, the association stressed that participation by BaKalanga would always be "on the basis of self-respect, mutual respect and dignity, never subservience."
Source - Cite
