Legal cleansing of the Njelele Shrine set for Saturday

Matabeleland South CHIEFS and spirit mediums have stepped up preparations for the cleansing of the Njelele Shrine in Matobo District and hundreds of people are expected to attend the ceremony on Saturday.
Chiefs from Matabeleland South set Saturday as the cleansing day for the shrine following the holding of "illegal" rituals at the place by a group of war veterans, which forced the traditional leaders to order its closure. Traditionalists have warned that unless addressed appropriately the unsanctioned visits were likely to lead to famine, disease and increased frequency of natural disasters to the province and the entire region.
In an interview yesterday, Chief Malachi Masuku of Matobo under whose jurisdiction Njelele is situated, said all logistics were in place for the successful holding of the ceremony.
"We have done a lot in preparing for the cleansing ceremony at the weekend. All chiefs from Matabeleland have been notified about the event. As we speak village heads are at the shrine with the spirit mediums and rain makers (ihosana) to finalise preparations," said Chief Masuku.
"This is a very important activity and we expect hundreds of people to come.
Bona ukuthi umkhathi umi njani (you can see what is happening in the skies). It shows that something great is going to take place.
"We have enough food to feed everyone. We have also organised beef and some game meat from nearby Matopo National Park. I will also be visiting the shrine tomorrow to assess the preparations."
Another local chief, Chief Nyangazonke Ndiweni also said preparations for the ceremony were at an advanced stage. "We are moving on with our preparations and everything is in place," said Chief Nyangazonke.
When Chronicle visited Njelele yesterday afternoon the shrine keeper, Mr Solifa Ncube (81) popularly known as Khulu Thobela and his family said they expected the spirit mediums and hosannas to arrive last night and this morning.
Khulu Thobela said the chiefs had already delivered grain, imithombo and other ingredients needed to brew beer.
Last week, Chief Malaba, who chairs the provincial chiefs' council, said the cleansing of the shrine was a necessity in order to appease the ancestors.
He said chiefs from the region, traditional healers and spirit mediums will collectively participate in the ceremony.
Matabeleland South acting provincial administrator Mr Midard Khumalo yesterday applauded chiefs from the province for taking a firm stand to protect cultural values.
"From the Government side we are aware of the ceremony and we have been invited. What the chiefs are doing is commendable. I think at this stage we all hope the ceremony will help correct konke obesokonakele and ensure that the place is clean," said Mr Khumalo.
"We commend the unity that the chiefs have shown in this matter. This affirms their authority as custodians of our culture. It will even show others how these things should be handled."
There has been concern that Njelele Shrine has been defiled after a group of about 568 people, repeatedly forced its way into the shrine and conducted unsanctioned rituals without the knowledge and approval of local chiefs.
The development has been roundly condemned by war veterans, politicians and chiefs who described the visits as provocative and bent on corrupting the country's cultural fabric. The defilement of the shrine has reportedlydeprived hundreds of people who travel from all over the world of blessings from the rock as they are told that they cannot proceed to the rock.