THE government does not recognise the recent coronation of South Africa-based Bulelani Lobengula as the new Ndebele king, a Cabinet minister has said.
A faction of the royal Khumalo family, last Saturday, defied a High Court order and unveiled Bulelani as the new Ndebele king.
He was initially set to be sworn-in in March this year during a traditional ceremony at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The event was stopped after another claimant to the throne, Peter Zwide-Kalanga Khumalo, secured a High Court interdict barring the event.
Local Government minister July Moyo on Friday maintained that there was no such a post as Ndebele king in the Constitution.
“Government is not aware that there is now a new Ndebele king,” he said.
“In any case, the constitution of Zimbabwe does not provide for such a structure. We will not recognise that.”
Even so, Ntabazinduna ‘Chief’, Felix Nhlanhlayemangwe Khayisa Ndiweni, declared Bulelani as the official monarch of the five houses of the Khumalos.
He was speaking during King Mzilikazi commemorations at Mhlahlandlela on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
Ndiweni criticised the High Court for banning installation of Bulelani in March.
However, Bulelani’s rival, Peter Zwide-Kalanga Khumalo has questioned the involvement of Ndiweni in the installation process, arguing that he is not the real chief.
Ndiweni is embroiled in a bitter chieftainship wrangle with his brother Thambo who is based in the United Kingdom.
Ndiweni, who also used to live in the UK for about 40 years, returned home a few years ago and claimed the chieftainship following his father’s death.
Anonymous
Viva Ndebele kingdom
Mboni
But the Ndebele people never said they wanted Government recognition. This is a cultural issue and the Constitution already recognises African people’s cultures. It doesnt matter that it doesnt explicitly say it recognises Kings and Queens. Almost all Black African Zimbabweans, indeed any other Zimbabwean have various cultural practices that they live by that are not explicitly described in the Constitution. They have never sought government recognition. Even the African ancestral leadership of our African society is not explicitly recognised by Government, but it continues to exist. I have never seen anywhere in the Zim Constitution where the Shona “BIRA” or “Marriage in the wrong Season” are explicitly stated. And I dont think the Shona people have ever asked Government to recognise that. But they nevertheless perform these cultural practices!
Phunyukabemphethe
But the Ndebele people never said they wanted Government recognition. This is a cultural issue and the Constitution already recognises African people’s cultures. It doesnt matter that it doesnt explicitly say it recognises Kings and Queens. Almost all Black African Zimbabweans, indeed any other Zimbabwean have various cultural practices that they live by that are not explicitly described in the Constitution. They have never sought government recognition. Even the African ancestral leadership of our African society is not explicitly recognised by Government, but it continues to exist. I have never seen anywhere in the Zim Constitution where the Shona “BIRA” or “Marriage in the wrong Season” are explicitly stated. And I dont think the Shona people have ever asked Government to recognise that. But they nevertheless perform these cultural practices!
Hasha
The ultimate aim is to be on govt payroll. So govt recognition will be sought at a later date. Its obvious.
Hasha
A kingdom established by right of conquest. A kingdom that has similarities with the British Queen’s crafted Rhodesia.