NDEBELE King Bulelani has received a huge endorsement that could put to rest a raging debate on the rightful owner of the throne when he got a rousing ovation from people attending the late King Mzilikazi’s commemorations at Mhlahlandlela last week.
Several people have claimed the Ndebele kingship, with Stanely Raphael Khumalo Tshuma, Peter Zwide Khumalo and Mcijwana Khumalo also claiming to be title holders, but on Saturday, only Bulelani was received with the crowd shouting “Bayethe” to him, a Ndebele term which means “hail the King”.
King Mzilikazi died on September 5, 1868.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart paid tribute to King Mzilikazi and said the city owes its existence to the monarch after he set up his kingdom in the country’s second largest city.
He said the late king has not been honoured enough.
Bulawayo Residents Association chairperson Winos Dube paid tribute to the king and said it was an important event to revive the Ndebele culture
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“This is something that we need to take seriously. We need to respect our culture as people. Bulawayo was established after King Mzilikazi. Roads leading to his grave should be upgraded to become a tourist attraction,” Dube said.
“Our thrust is to see unity. Mzilikazi Day clashed with Mambo’s Day in Esigodini. Why should this happen? We think cultural events should bring us together rather than divide us.”
He said intermarriages had become common, hence people should embrace each other.
Nkulumane MP Desire Moyo said they were happy to see Coltart gracing the occasion.
“There is no reverse on this day. It should be declared a public holiday to honour the king. The Constitution should be amended to accommodate this.
“The process needs to be co-ordinated. Representatives from across the board should come together and draw a thin line between politics and culture,” Moyo said.
He said people coming from South Africa come in their numbers in their regalia while accompanying the king.
President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, said there were succession wars involving a number of claimants such as Peter Zwide Kalanga Khumalo and Stanley Raphael Khumalo, which he said should be dealt with.
“It is a good thing to celebrate, but it is something that is not recognised by the Constitution. The Constitution should be amended and that needs collaboration between traditional leaders and the politicians to amend it in Parliament,” Chief Khumalo said.
“They once pushed it during Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constitution Select Committee, but it was never adopted, so they need to push it to have a Ndebele king.”