Ndebele Kingdom on agenda as regional monarchs meet

THE Khumalo clan, who are descendants of King Lobengula, are in consultation with other Nguni monarchs on ways to revive the Ndebele State.

The revival of the Ndebele kingdom has stirred controversy with some people claiming heirship to the throne without royal roots. Members of the royal family have said they are working with regional monarchs who have similar traditions to revive the Ndebele monarch.

Yesterday, Nguni monarchs from across Southern Africa converged in Malawi for a three-day event to discuss issues related to culture and climate change.

The event named Umthetho is hosted by Inkosi ya Makhosi M'mbelwa of Ngunis and seeks to bring together Nguni monarchs who were forced into migration in the 1800s due to Mfecane.

Mfecane was caused by shortage of land and resources in what is now called South Africa resulting in ethnic wars which saw weaker groups migrating north.

This resulted in groups led by King Mzilikazi moving and settling in Zimbabwe where he formed the Ndebele State while other groups moved further north.

The event is being graced by monarchs from South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania among other countries which were occupied by Nguni groups.

King Lobengula Royal Family's Trust spokesperson Prince Zwide Khumalo has also been invited to the event.

He said the gathering of the Ngunis was important as it would help them map the way forward in the revival of the Ndebele monarch.

"This invitation has great lessons for UMthwakazi as we get to the apex of reviving our Ndebele monarch. It provides the international exposure that the house that will be leading in the monarch structure, King Lobengula's, needs to have," said Mr Khumalo.  "Whilst the house with the heir to the throne has been identified and there are many princes to choose a king from, this interaction with other Nguni monarchs will assist in crafting our monarch structure which will be critical as it will determine the roles required."

He said as plans for the revival of the Ndebele monarch gather momentum, those from the royal family are consulting on the best way to set up structures.  "Traditional leadership is pillared on consultation, accountability, the collective ethic and inspiration of the people. All these are lessons for us to learn from a gathering such as Umthetho which I am attending in Malawi," Mr Khumalo said.

He said the event was significant as it marks the coming together of Nguni people whose related ancestors were separated due to Umfecane migrations of the early 1800s.

Mr Khumalo said the Nguni tribes still share a lot of traditions although some groups have lost the Nguni language due to intermarriages.