Opinion / Columnist
Are we now 100% certain that King Lobengula 'died'? - Part 1
23 Nov 2015 at 09:53hrs | Views
Ukukhothama kweNkosi ngumbiko oqakathekileyo kakhulu esizweni! Kukanti lombiko wemfa nje wona asifuni kuzwa ngawo noma sikwazi ngokuphelele uyeza ngelinye lamalanga.
Now, the question l have still seeks to get new answers to exceedingly over a century old question. I can't remain completely silent to raise such a pertinent question especially within the context of the restoration of the Ndebele kingdom or Matabele nationhood. Consequently, this may be considered as my formal participation in the ongoing public debate that seems to have gained significant momentum, although am fully aware some may choose to trivialise my approach or the structure of the question itself.
As someone who also has royal blood from the paramount chief clan, indunankulu yesizwe, I have absolutely nothing against the essence of re-establishing a Matabele kingdomship, except probably my strong reservations or fears of a restoration to absolute monarchy. Otherwise, such a level may not necessarily be in the best interest of modern nations. Inasmuch as there may still be some examples or reasons for absoluteness, there are numerous others against a restoration to such a level.
Lest history repeats itself with another Ntabazinduna fiasco, we have to sound a word of caution or share some vital wisdom to such a crucial matter to mitigate sources of new conflicts in the future which usually cost many lives. We should be seen to have truly learnt the right lessons from our own history, or simply condemn it to mere folklore. Therefore, my contribution seeks to understand the levels of compromise we might have reached at this emotional point, for our kingdom is still truly riddled with catch-22 situations we can't wish away or ignore.
A nation founded on assumptions no matter how basic or critical is still not desirable to me. We still need a strong balancing act between satisfying the long wait of the people for a new king on the throne, and being merely taken as desperate for such a king, if not its kingdom.
However, the context of my points of discussion is deliberately premised on the current state of the last king and the true accurate size of the throne to be restored. For over a century we have known King Lobengula to have "disappeared" (wanyamalala), our world's best kept secret we can't betray. Even now none has declared him dead! Or maybe it's just myself who missed such an important announcement. Through the passage of history, a number of other people have also "disappeared" as such an evil system seem to have been perfected.
Although it may not be necessary to mention other recent incidents in the same sentence with the discussion of such a mighty, fearless, intelligent and extraordinary King, but we have it still fresh in memory the latest ukunyamalala of Dzamara, not to mention the Malaysian mystery and Nigeria's version of circumstances to those girls. And who knows how many more are yet to disappear in the country of Zimbabwe alone? So, the Ndebele nation might be now in a priviledged position to have discovered new unconventional wisdom to assist in settling the worried living spirits when such an evil system strikes.
My greatest concern is ukuthi sesizabona ilanga liphuma elinye lingakatshoni! Izinduna zakudala, including the paramount chief uKhondwane Ndiweni, the corrupted version of his name being "Gundwane", (who was in rank of present day "Prime Minister") tried to rely on such an ukunyamalala theory on King Mzilikazi and it failed dismally, and their fate is well documented in the archives. Therefore, the paradox is that should we coronate a new king into the throne, we ultimately confirm King Lobengula "dead"! Another critical ironic perspective would be that our Ndebele nation has been a victim of the ukunyamalala explanation as some mere conspiracy theory. One may still ask was it a cover-up for the colonial system, or just long state of denial by the people?
Or, at least do we now know which chameleon ultimately swallowed our beloved "fly"? What if it vomits the king alive like biblical Jonah someday? Just to stretch and capture fully the people's imagination! If we are only 99% certain, that one-percentage benefit of doubt deficit will continue to haunt us and instead be a mpukane esiwele yafela elizweni lochago loluju (fly that spoils the land of milk and honey)! Are we satisfied we have unbiased historians who have correctly applied the principles of pure historical analysis on this matter? Such an exhaustive consideration is worthy in order to reach a beyond reasonable doubt status of facts to build a strong foundation of the desired Matabele kingdom. By the way, is it a restoration of old kingdom or establishment of a new kingdom? Watch out for the second part of the point of discussion dear reader!
This vital discussion point is from MTHOKOZISI NDIWENI in his personal capacity. He may be contacted on ndixam@gmail.com
Now, the question l have still seeks to get new answers to exceedingly over a century old question. I can't remain completely silent to raise such a pertinent question especially within the context of the restoration of the Ndebele kingdom or Matabele nationhood. Consequently, this may be considered as my formal participation in the ongoing public debate that seems to have gained significant momentum, although am fully aware some may choose to trivialise my approach or the structure of the question itself.
As someone who also has royal blood from the paramount chief clan, indunankulu yesizwe, I have absolutely nothing against the essence of re-establishing a Matabele kingdomship, except probably my strong reservations or fears of a restoration to absolute monarchy. Otherwise, such a level may not necessarily be in the best interest of modern nations. Inasmuch as there may still be some examples or reasons for absoluteness, there are numerous others against a restoration to such a level.
Lest history repeats itself with another Ntabazinduna fiasco, we have to sound a word of caution or share some vital wisdom to such a crucial matter to mitigate sources of new conflicts in the future which usually cost many lives. We should be seen to have truly learnt the right lessons from our own history, or simply condemn it to mere folklore. Therefore, my contribution seeks to understand the levels of compromise we might have reached at this emotional point, for our kingdom is still truly riddled with catch-22 situations we can't wish away or ignore.
A nation founded on assumptions no matter how basic or critical is still not desirable to me. We still need a strong balancing act between satisfying the long wait of the people for a new king on the throne, and being merely taken as desperate for such a king, if not its kingdom.
However, the context of my points of discussion is deliberately premised on the current state of the last king and the true accurate size of the throne to be restored. For over a century we have known King Lobengula to have "disappeared" (wanyamalala), our world's best kept secret we can't betray. Even now none has declared him dead! Or maybe it's just myself who missed such an important announcement. Through the passage of history, a number of other people have also "disappeared" as such an evil system seem to have been perfected.
Although it may not be necessary to mention other recent incidents in the same sentence with the discussion of such a mighty, fearless, intelligent and extraordinary King, but we have it still fresh in memory the latest ukunyamalala of Dzamara, not to mention the Malaysian mystery and Nigeria's version of circumstances to those girls. And who knows how many more are yet to disappear in the country of Zimbabwe alone? So, the Ndebele nation might be now in a priviledged position to have discovered new unconventional wisdom to assist in settling the worried living spirits when such an evil system strikes.
My greatest concern is ukuthi sesizabona ilanga liphuma elinye lingakatshoni! Izinduna zakudala, including the paramount chief uKhondwane Ndiweni, the corrupted version of his name being "Gundwane", (who was in rank of present day "Prime Minister") tried to rely on such an ukunyamalala theory on King Mzilikazi and it failed dismally, and their fate is well documented in the archives. Therefore, the paradox is that should we coronate a new king into the throne, we ultimately confirm King Lobengula "dead"! Another critical ironic perspective would be that our Ndebele nation has been a victim of the ukunyamalala explanation as some mere conspiracy theory. One may still ask was it a cover-up for the colonial system, or just long state of denial by the people?
Or, at least do we now know which chameleon ultimately swallowed our beloved "fly"? What if it vomits the king alive like biblical Jonah someday? Just to stretch and capture fully the people's imagination! If we are only 99% certain, that one-percentage benefit of doubt deficit will continue to haunt us and instead be a mpukane esiwele yafela elizweni lochago loluju (fly that spoils the land of milk and honey)! Are we satisfied we have unbiased historians who have correctly applied the principles of pure historical analysis on this matter? Such an exhaustive consideration is worthy in order to reach a beyond reasonable doubt status of facts to build a strong foundation of the desired Matabele kingdom. By the way, is it a restoration of old kingdom or establishment of a new kingdom? Watch out for the second part of the point of discussion dear reader!
This vital discussion point is from MTHOKOZISI NDIWENI in his personal capacity. He may be contacted on ndixam@gmail.com
Source - Mthokozisi Ndiweni
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