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BuKalanga Movement delinks Kalangas from Ndebeles
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The BuKalanga Liberation Movement (BLM) has expressed outrage at a statement made by Mthuthuki Hikwa during the King Mzilikazi commemoration in the United Kingdom, accusing him of misrepresenting the identity of the Kalanga people.
In an open letter, BLM Secretary General Masimba Mbongolwane Dube condemned Hikwa's claim that BaKalanga are Ndebeles, describing it as a "blatant disregard for the history and identity of the Kalanga people."
"The BaKalanga are not Ndebeles and will never be, whether by association or otherwise," Dube said in the statement. He added that the presence of Ndebele chiefs among the BaKalanga historically disrupted the community's social fabric and stressed the importance of cultural and linguistic liberation.
The BLM official also highlighted the historical significance of Kalanga land, noting that Matebeleland and Midlands are originally BuKalanga territories, with place names reflecting their heritage. He described Hikwa's use of the Ndebele language during the UK event as "a slap in the face to the BaKalanga people."
Dube criticized Hikwa for invoking Chief Hikwa in his remarks, asserting that the chief does not share these views. The statement suggested that Hikwa's comments were opportunistic and disconnected from the broader Kalanga community.
The BLM urged Hikwa to issue a formal apology and public retraction to restore respect and correct the misrepresentation of Kalanga identity.
"The Kalanga kingdom is very much alive, guided by our recognized chiefs, and external claims cannot diminish our heritage," Dube added.
The controversy underscores ongoing sensitivities around cultural identity in Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African region, where historical disputes over land, leadership, and ethnic affiliations remain highly charged topics.
BuKalanga Liberation Movement
Plumtree
Zimbabwe
15 September 2025
The Chairman
BuKalanga Gathering
United Kingdom.
Dear Mthuthuki Hikwa,
We are writing to express our utmost disappointment and disgust at the statement you made during the commemoration day of King Mzilikazi in the UK. Your assertion that BaKalanga are Ndebeles is a blatant disregard for the history and identity of the Kalanga people. We want to make it clear that BaKalanga are not Ndebeles and will never be, whether by association or otherwise.
The presence of Ndebele chiefs in BuKalanga is a stark reminder of how the Ndebeles destroyed the social fabric of BuKalanga and installed their own by way of colonization. Instead of submitting to the Ndebeles, Kalangas like you should be fighting for linguistic and cultural liberation from the Ndebeles and other tribes who have trampled the Kalanga language and culture, condemning it to oblivion.
The Kalanga kingdom is very much alive, and we do not need Ndebele chiefs as we have our own known chiefs. These Ndebele chiefs will be replaced by our own in due course. The BaKalanga are by far the largest group of people in Southern Africa and cannot submit to a minute subgroup of the Nguni people. In fact, it is the Ndebeles who can be Kalanga, as the land called Matebeleland and Midlands is actually BuKalanga. The names of places there are of BuKalanga origin, and are testimony to the fact that it's all BuKalanga land
Your statement is not only a mockery of our great nation but also a betrayal of the very culture and values that you claim to be part of as a Kalanga. If you lack knowledge of what transpired for the Ndebeles to end up where they are today, you should take the time to educate yourself before misleading the masses. Alternatively, if you want to be part of the Ndebeles, you should do so alone and leave the rest of us to our Kalanga identity.
It is sad that you dragged the name of Chief Hikwa into your blundering. We believe Chief Hikwa does not subscribe to your sentiments and has nothing to do with them. Your actions seem like those of a man singing for his supper, reading a choreographed speech.
As a departing shot, we want to inform you that BuKalanga is bigger than what you think, spanning across Southern Africa. It was also paining to observe the Ndebele people welcoming such lies instead of correcting you, not surprising though as it was to their advantage. Your audacity to address the crowd in Ndebele, shunning your own Kalanga language, is a slap in the face to the BaKalanga people.
We feel disrespected, and an apology and retraction would be most welcome.
Sincerely,
Masimba Mbongolwane Dube
Secretary General, BuKalanga Liberation Movement
In an open letter, BLM Secretary General Masimba Mbongolwane Dube condemned Hikwa's claim that BaKalanga are Ndebeles, describing it as a "blatant disregard for the history and identity of the Kalanga people."
"The BaKalanga are not Ndebeles and will never be, whether by association or otherwise," Dube said in the statement. He added that the presence of Ndebele chiefs among the BaKalanga historically disrupted the community's social fabric and stressed the importance of cultural and linguistic liberation.
The BLM official also highlighted the historical significance of Kalanga land, noting that Matebeleland and Midlands are originally BuKalanga territories, with place names reflecting their heritage. He described Hikwa's use of the Ndebele language during the UK event as "a slap in the face to the BaKalanga people."
Dube criticized Hikwa for invoking Chief Hikwa in his remarks, asserting that the chief does not share these views. The statement suggested that Hikwa's comments were opportunistic and disconnected from the broader Kalanga community.
The BLM urged Hikwa to issue a formal apology and public retraction to restore respect and correct the misrepresentation of Kalanga identity.
"The Kalanga kingdom is very much alive, guided by our recognized chiefs, and external claims cannot diminish our heritage," Dube added.
The controversy underscores ongoing sensitivities around cultural identity in Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African region, where historical disputes over land, leadership, and ethnic affiliations remain highly charged topics.
BuKalanga Liberation Movement
Plumtree
Zimbabwe
15 September 2025
BuKalanga Gathering
United Kingdom.
Dear Mthuthuki Hikwa,
We are writing to express our utmost disappointment and disgust at the statement you made during the commemoration day of King Mzilikazi in the UK. Your assertion that BaKalanga are Ndebeles is a blatant disregard for the history and identity of the Kalanga people. We want to make it clear that BaKalanga are not Ndebeles and will never be, whether by association or otherwise.
The presence of Ndebele chiefs in BuKalanga is a stark reminder of how the Ndebeles destroyed the social fabric of BuKalanga and installed their own by way of colonization. Instead of submitting to the Ndebeles, Kalangas like you should be fighting for linguistic and cultural liberation from the Ndebeles and other tribes who have trampled the Kalanga language and culture, condemning it to oblivion.
The Kalanga kingdom is very much alive, and we do not need Ndebele chiefs as we have our own known chiefs. These Ndebele chiefs will be replaced by our own in due course. The BaKalanga are by far the largest group of people in Southern Africa and cannot submit to a minute subgroup of the Nguni people. In fact, it is the Ndebeles who can be Kalanga, as the land called Matebeleland and Midlands is actually BuKalanga. The names of places there are of BuKalanga origin, and are testimony to the fact that it's all BuKalanga land
Your statement is not only a mockery of our great nation but also a betrayal of the very culture and values that you claim to be part of as a Kalanga. If you lack knowledge of what transpired for the Ndebeles to end up where they are today, you should take the time to educate yourself before misleading the masses. Alternatively, if you want to be part of the Ndebeles, you should do so alone and leave the rest of us to our Kalanga identity.
It is sad that you dragged the name of Chief Hikwa into your blundering. We believe Chief Hikwa does not subscribe to your sentiments and has nothing to do with them. Your actions seem like those of a man singing for his supper, reading a choreographed speech.
As a departing shot, we want to inform you that BuKalanga is bigger than what you think, spanning across Southern Africa. It was also paining to observe the Ndebele people welcoming such lies instead of correcting you, not surprising though as it was to their advantage. Your audacity to address the crowd in Ndebele, shunning your own Kalanga language, is a slap in the face to the BaKalanga people.
We feel disrespected, and an apology and retraction would be most welcome.
Sincerely,
Masimba Mbongolwane Dube
Secretary General, BuKalanga Liberation Movement
Source - online
