Opinion / Letters
Raphael Khumalo can be the king if he so wishes
23 Aug 2017 at 14:35hrs | Views
Dear Editor,
The Khumalo house has rightly argued that the prerogative to chose the next Ndebele King squarely rests with them. This argument cannot be faulted from both a historical and cultural perspective. The Great Ndebele King ULobhengula waMawaba whose full military exploits have been distorted by those who harbour ill-will against Mthwakazi bravely fought colonists through both diplomacy and military means. His greatness is unsurpassed. We have seen clowns declared heroes by other clowns but King Lobhengula remains a history with no equal in Africa. A subject for another day as our history has been kidnapped for political posture.
I am no admirer of Stanley Raphael Khumalo the self-proclaimed Ndebele King. My major problem is his ill-advised attempts to taint the legacy of King Lobhengula. Such an approach is repugnant and symptomatic of mediocrity dressed in kingly robes. The new King must build on the legacy of King Lobhengula and Mthwakazi must be mindful of those who seek to rubbish the contribution and standing of this Great King. Who was never captured and therefore never defeated.
I, however, agree with Stanley that at the present moment the throne is vacant. Therefore it is available for the taking by whoever dares. How can it be that only the Khumalos can claim an exclusive right to the throne? This exclusive right ended when they lost the throne. They have been quiet for a long time and since the King belongs to Mthwakazi, it must be the final voice of Mthwakazi that stands. The Khumalos can impose a King on Mthwakazi. My view, therefore, is that whoever captures the throne by whatever means becomes the King and from there we can follow the tradition of Inkosi izala inkosi. Shaka did not rise through the Inkosi izala inkosi tradition. He saw an opportunity and grabbed it. The Great King Elephant Mzilikazi did not rise through the inkosi izala inkosi tradition but saw an opportunity to claim the throne and did just that. Inkosi yinkosi ngabantu and so the throne is there for the taking by whoever dares and has a vision.
Yours faithfully,
N. Sibanda
The Khumalo house has rightly argued that the prerogative to chose the next Ndebele King squarely rests with them. This argument cannot be faulted from both a historical and cultural perspective. The Great Ndebele King ULobhengula waMawaba whose full military exploits have been distorted by those who harbour ill-will against Mthwakazi bravely fought colonists through both diplomacy and military means. His greatness is unsurpassed. We have seen clowns declared heroes by other clowns but King Lobhengula remains a history with no equal in Africa. A subject for another day as our history has been kidnapped for political posture.
I, however, agree with Stanley that at the present moment the throne is vacant. Therefore it is available for the taking by whoever dares. How can it be that only the Khumalos can claim an exclusive right to the throne? This exclusive right ended when they lost the throne. They have been quiet for a long time and since the King belongs to Mthwakazi, it must be the final voice of Mthwakazi that stands. The Khumalos can impose a King on Mthwakazi. My view, therefore, is that whoever captures the throne by whatever means becomes the King and from there we can follow the tradition of Inkosi izala inkosi. Shaka did not rise through the Inkosi izala inkosi tradition. He saw an opportunity and grabbed it. The Great King Elephant Mzilikazi did not rise through the inkosi izala inkosi tradition but saw an opportunity to claim the throne and did just that. Inkosi yinkosi ngabantu and so the throne is there for the taking by whoever dares and has a vision.
Yours faithfully,
N. Sibanda
Source - N. Sibanda
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