South Africa’s Chief Bavumile Masango has challenged Ndebele-speaking people in Zimbabwe and South Africa to always maintain strong ties despite the geographical distance.
Reporet by Khanyile Mlotshwa
Addressing over 500 people attending commemorations of Ndebele founder King Mzilikazi Khumalo’s life at a Johannesburg hotel on Saturday, Masango said he initiated cultural visits to Zimbabwe to cement ties with the local people. “I know there are a lot of Masangos in Zimbabwe,” he said. “We are organising with some elders in my clan. We want to go to Zimbabwe and meet with them. We are after pulling together our history as the Masangos.” He said the Ndebele Zimbabweans living in South Africa should not feel “orphaned”, but should work with other Nguni traditional leaders based in South Africa’s commercial capital. “There are a lot of Nguni traditional leaders here (Johannesburg). We should always come together and meet. We are of the same Nguni blood.” King Mzilikazi, who was born around 1790 near Mkuze in Zululand, died on September 9, 1868. Most whites, including David Livingstone, considered him to be the greatest southern African military leader after Zulu King Shaka. Historians Phathisa Nyathi and Sabelo Gatsheni Ndlovu, who were billed to address the gathering, did not turn up. However, Bulawayo model Cynthia Moyo, who was the director of ceremonies, turned up in a long traditional dress made entirely of cow skin. Prince Bulelani Njube Lobengula Khumalo, who was the guest of honour, recounted the painful experience of the Ndebele monarch when Rhodes and his British South Africa Company colonised Matabeleland in 1893. Several groups that included imbube artistes Inkanyezi Zezulu and Amakhosi Amahle, maskandi group Amabhukudwane, and rhumba artiste Vivian, among others, kept the crowd entertained with polished performances that paid tribute to King Mzilikazi.
