Bulawayo– Hundreds matched all over the Bulawayo city centre on Saturday in remembrance of Mzilikazi, the first Ndebele king , only to find themselves in a crowning ceremony.
King Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo was given the headdress and was named the third Ndebele king by chiefs and some of the Ndebele tribe, after more than hundred years since the tribe had their last king.
“It is a historic moment today, I am happy that we are preserving our culture,” said Andile Ndlovu of the Ndebele tribe.
The event was marked by traditional dance, music and poetry, as people celebrated the appointment of the new king.
Mqondisi Moyo, the leader of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), said the event was long overdue and the people welcome their new king.
“This is a dawn of a new era for the people of Mthwakazi. Never again shall they remain fatherless,” the party added in a press release.
There were mixed feelings from members of the public, with some angry that the event was made private, while some welcomed their new king.
One of the residents from Magwegwe, who commented on the issue in conditions of anonymity said, such events should be made known to the public so that we come in huge numbers. He continued and said that the leadership was wrong for not informing everyone about this occasion.
“I just heard about this today (Monday), but I am very happy that we have a new king,” Gugu Sibanda said.
Other sections of the community questioned the role of the king in modern day life, saying they need to be educated about his powers and his relevance.
Khumalo succeeds his great grandfather king Lobhengula who took the reign from his father Mzilikazi. Mzilikazi and his envoy came to Zimbabwe in search of greener pastures in the 1800s, where he later became the first Ndebele king.
