'Khumalo clan to revive Ndebele kingdom'

SOUTH African royals have resolved to facilitate the revival of the Ndebele kingdom and have called on the Khumalo clan in Zimbabwe to put its house in order so that a rightful heir can be annointed.

Speaking during the commemoration of the death of the founding Ndebele monarch, King Mzilikazi Khumalo, at Mhlahlandlela just outside Bulawayo yesterday, Chief Mthayiza Khumalo from Mpumalanga in South Africa, said the Khumalo clan in that country had come together and resolved to assist in reviving the Ndebele kingdom.

The commemorations saw politicians, traditional leaders and traditionalists converge at the venue, which was King Mzilikazi's capital.

Chief Mthayiza said it was a point of concern that while everyone knew that King Mzilikazi founded a kingdom, this kingdom was no longer in existence and there was no one to lead the cultural functions.

"We had a function last year as Khumalo chiefs in South Africa where we all agreed that there was a need for us to note our history and document it. We might be spacious in terms of location but there is a need to sort out our identity.

"It was very unfortunate that back then there was no representation from here but I am glad that today we have finally met. Mzilikazi's nation is in existence here in Zimbabwe but what is the problem? Is it fear, or you cannot agree on the rightful leader? We will intervene as the Khumalo chiefs and ensure that we get rid of this anomally," said Chief Mthayiza.

He said the royal Khumalo family should come together as a matter of urgency, talk to their ancestors and ensure that the kingdom was revived.

"While we could say that Mzilikazi's fleeing from South Africa was unintended, we are essentially proud of him because he developed the Khumalo name and our culture as an African continent-wide recognised brand.

"We are not stopping here because we know there is the royal Khumalo blood in Zambia and Botswana, that will be our next port of call, of course after we fix the problems with regards to reviving your kingdom. It does not make much sense that right now you have a cultural function but there is no cultural leader," he said.

Accompanying Chief Mthayiza was Queen Ndlunkulu Khumalo from KwaZulu-Natal.
Also present at the commemorations that were attended by close to 1 000 people, was Zanu-PF Politburo member, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Deputy President of the Chief's Council, Chief Mshana Khumalo, Chief Malachi Masuku and Chief Nyangazonke Ndiweni.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, Rtd Col Dube said culture was a key component of national development, thus the need for such functions to be supported.

"Culture is something that has to be ever supported, it is non-political and helps in national development. If a nation keeps its culture you are then assured of development . . . that is why as leaders we have to be seen supporting such events," he said.

King Mzilikazi left then Zululand in the 1820s after a fallout with King Tshaka Zulu with less than 500 people and fought his way up to present day western Zimbabwe.

He was able to persuade some tribes in the Transvaal to join his crusade and crossed the Limpopo River before finally settling in this part of the country, establishing his capital at Mhlahlandlela, a recognised historical site and place that has been hosting his commemorations since the year 2000.

The kingdom was never revived after the disappearance of King Lobengula who was being persued by white settlers.