A SOUTH AFRICAN author, life teacher and alumnus of Vista and Wits universities, Nthebe Molope, has sparked a wave of support and reflection with the release of his new book titled King Mzilikazi Ka Matshobane: The Brave Warrior Who Defied Shaka, Defended the Land and Confronted Colonial Forces.
The launch, held at Bulawayo’s Large City Hall last week, drew a crowd of eager readers who quickly snapped up every copy available, signalling a deep hunger for authentic African narratives.
He said the book was more than a biography, “a protest against historical injustice”, challenging the long-standing distortions of King Mzilikazi’s legacy, which were largely shaped by white missionaries, traders and colonial writers.
These accounts, he argues, have slanted the truth and buried the significance of a man who played a pivotal role in shaping southern Africa history.
“I wrote this book as a way of protesting why the history of a man who contributed so much to southern Africa history is so ignored and greatly discredited,” Molope said, “Thus, I was correcting the narrative.”
Determined to reclaim the story, Molope blended oral traditions, praise poetry and first-hand research from traditional royal houses and descendants of key historical figures.
He revealed that the decision to write in English was deliberate, as he wanted to confront the misrepresentations directly and ensure that the truth reached both local and international audiences.
“There are even some black people who have written wrong things about the king, translating the English versions to our local ones, which is very wrong, so I aimed at writing the right narrative, for everyone to get the right information in a neutral language,” Molope said.
The book traces King Mzilikazi’s expansive journey across southern Africa, his defiance of Zulu king Shaka and his resistance against colonial forces.
It also explores the reign of his son, King Lobengula, offering a sweeping view of the Ndebele royal lineage and its enduring legacy.
Thabo Mpyane, speaking at the launch, echoed Molope’s sentiments and praised the book’s timing.
“People are tired of hearing our history told by those who’ve never set foot in Africa, we are not going to keep quiet; we will speak for our kingdoms, our elders and restore their dignity and eternity,” he said.
The event marked not just the unveiling of a book, but the beginning of a movement, one that seeks to restore truth, honour African leadership and ensure that the legacy of King Mzilikazi is remembered with the respect it deserves.
“We can never quote using Zoom or quote using Journal. Some of you will be confused because you know nothing about that history, but to cover everybody, the Bible establishes one key principle which is divine authority where God ordains authorities and this divine authority is under force,” Mpyane said.
He challenged the crowd saying people can never submit to a man that does not submit to anyone as in recognition of God’s sovereignty, Kings govern with humility and integrity.
“You can never submit to a man that does not submit to anyone, nor listen to a man that does not listen to anyone; and never allow yourself to be advised by a man or a woman who does not have an advice, this is one of the reasons why our youth today, our generation, they are lost because they undermine the elders.
“They undermine the wisdom of our ancestors today, as you look at our traditional leaders, they are regarded as nobodies. People disregard them. The children, these young ones, don’t respect them anymore.”
Mpyane further advised those under the kingdom of Mzilikazi to not undermine leadership as the African traditional leaders are needed by all means possible.
Mpyane is recognised as a multifaceted leader in spiritual leadership, diplomacy and entrepreneurship, holding the titles of Eminent Peace Ambassador and Global Diplomat.
He is also the founder and senior prophet of Revival in Christ Ministries, the founder of the Ricm & Thabo Mpyane Foundation and the Thabo Mpyane Foundation, and the founder and president of the Sovereign Congress of African Leaders.
Meanwhile, Nkayi traditional leader Chief Dakamela challenged the crowd on the contribution they made to the remembrance of Mzilikazi.
“Molope could not have managed to cater for us all as readers and how we take the information he has provided us with but this is how he wants the world to know his narrative,” Dakamela said.
“Mzilikazi is not ours only, but he has an impact in seven other countries. We should then appreciate people who come to help us with that as our King Mzilikazi taught us to be united and be of one voice.”