SA King Zwane II jets in for Amangwe cultural celebration

AMANGWE King Ntshosho Zwane II arrived in Bulawayo from South Africa yesterday ahead of the annual Amangwe Cultural celebration at Chief Khayisa Ndiweni's area in Ntabazinduna today.

The King, whose Air Zimbabwe flight was delayed by four hours, was accompanied by a 12-member delegation which was welcomed by traditional dance group Thandanani Women's Ensemble who sang and danced for them.

Also welcoming the King was the Amangwe local committee that comprised of spokesperson Sithembile Mbambo, Secretary Ntombisibili Ndiweni, vice chairperson Busisiwe Mbambo, treasurer Sibusisiwe Mbambo and ex officio Jamelinqaba Mbambo and Dr Sipho Zwane.

Speaking after touching down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, King Ntshosho Zwane II was upbeat about his visit to the country.

"This Umgubho (cultural celebration) is part of ways to bring together the nation of Amangwe that was separated over 180 years ago. I'm looking forward to meeting my kinsmen and discussing how we can help each other teach the cultures of our tribe," said the King. After the pleasantries at the airport, King Ntshosho Zwane II was taken for dinner in Hillside where he was met by the committee chairman Nkosinathi Ndiweni.

Plans to have the King visit Amagugu International Cultural Centre were cancelled yesterday due to the flight delay.

Today the King will give a key note address in Ntabazinduna at the annual celebrations themed Imvuselelo Yamangwe (The revival of Amagwe Culture).

Thandanani Women's Ensemble, Black Tiger, Ezimnyama, Khaya Arts, Amalanda Amhlophe, Amangwe Traditional Dancers and Ntabazinduna Cultural group will be part of the entertainment.

"We're excited that the day has finally come and we're looking forward to the day. Those who want to get to the venue have to travel along Harare road until they get to Nhlambabaloyi turn off on the left. They drive straight along the dust road, past the shops until they get to Chief Khayisa's homestead. The signs will lead to the location at the gum tree plantation."

The Amangwe clan, which uses the Ndiweni, Mbambo and Zwane surnames, is spread across southern parts of Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.

King Ntshosho Zwane II, who was installed in 2000, reunited with his subjects that had been separated from him for more 180 years in 2012.

The Amangwe celebrations started in 2011 at Sizane High School in Bulawayo with King Ntshosho Zwane gracing the 2012 event held at Chief Wasi Ndiweni's homestead in Macingwana village, Plumtree.

In 2013, the celebrations were in Kezi at Chief Nyangazonke's homestead when King Ntshosho Zwane II from South Africa failed to make the trip to Zimbabwe due to the ill health of former South African President Nelson Mandela. In 2014, the celebrations were back in Bulawayo at Amakhosi Township Square Cultural centre and that was the last time the King came to Zimbabwe.

It is believed that the founding Ndebele King, Mzilikazi Khumalo, was born of Nompethu KaZwide, daughter of Chief Zwide of the Ndwandwe people.

However, a lot of evidence has been presented, including the large number of Amangwe chiefs in his nation, that Mzilikazi could have been born of Cikose Ndiweni of the Amangwe ethnic group.

In Ndebele history, it is argued that Mzilikazi, a chief at the time, was assisted by his mother's people, Amangwe, to the throne of the Ndebele nation.