ZIKODE! Wenawenge! Ngwenyama! A praise recital that was being sung by hundreds of people on Saturday for the king of the Amangwe, King Ntshosho Zwane II, as he entered Chief Wasi’s homestead during the Annual Amangwe Celebrations held in Matabeleland South Province.
King Ntshosho Zwane II was inaugurated in October last year in Durban.His visit coincided with the annual Amangwe clan cultural celebrations. The Amangwe are found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique.
Clad in a leopard skin cap and matching head gear called umqhele, King Ntshosho Zwane II, accompanied by a royal entourage, finally arrived to see his subjects that had been separated from him for more 180 years.
The monarch travelled from his kingdom in eNtshenteka near Vryheid a coal mining and cattle ranching town in northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and was guest of honour at the celebrations.
Accompanied by local chiefs, Wasi and Mpini amid cheers and ululations from the crowd, King Ntshosho Zwane II made his way into an enclosure outside Chief Wasi’s homestead, where he sat on a chair that was prepared for him.
After being introduced and pictures taken of him, King Ntshosho Zwane II made his way to a tent in Chief Wasi’s homestead where proud dignitaries from Zimbabwe welcomed him.
Governor of Matabeleland South Province Angeline Masuku, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director, Elvas Mari, provincial education director Tumisang Thabela, Reverend Paul Damasane, Pathisa Nyathi and Jamelinqaba Ndiweni, representing the Amangwe clan in Zimbabwe, were part of the dignitaries at the celebrations.
The Amangwe clan from Swaziland led by Themba Zwane were clothed in their traditional Swazi wrap overs and had also made their way to Zimbabwe to be part of the celebrations.
During his keynote speech, King Ntshosho Zwane II gave advice to the youth to keep away from wayward behaviour.
He said the Amangwe people should be united to preserve their culture and heritage.
“Let us be united as long as we are still alive. We should be proud of our culture and guard jealously our heritage as the Mangwes and continue in the spirit of Ubuntu,” said King Ntshosho Zwane II.
He said his wish was to see young women in the Amangwe clan get married and build homes with their husbands.
“I want to bless the Amangwe in Zimbabwe. May all the single women be married and their homes be built on a solid foundation. May the young man in the Amangwe clan rise up and marry and work hard for their families. These are the blessings I leave with you in Zimbabwe,” said King Ntshosho Zwane II.
He urged grandparents to support young couples to build marriages so as to ensure they did not break down.
“Grandparents strengthen these marriages of the young so that they do not break down. You are the only ones who can give advice to the young couples,” said King Ntshosho Zwane II amid cheers and ululations from the crowd.
He said the youth should respect their elders because they know what was best for them.
“Let us respect our elders as they want us to live life to the fullest. Their wise words are a guide for us so that we can avoid diseases such as the deadly HIV and Aids,” said King Ntshosho Zwane II.
He invited all the Amangwe to South Africa, Entshenteka near Vryheid for the international celebrations to be held from 23 to 24 September.
As King Ntshosho said this he returned to his seat amid song and dance that praised him.
Chief Wasi said it was a great honour to have the king at his homestead.
He said the day would be remembered for a long time as a great day for his people.
Governor Masuku said it was great to be a part of culture and Zimbabwe had diverse cul tures.
She said the observance of culture was important and preserving such celebrations helped in preserving it.
Renowned historian Pathisa Nyathi gave a brief history of the link between the Amangwes and the Ndebele kingship.
He said Cikose Ndiweni was King Mzilikazi’s mother hence their link with the Ndebele nation.
“You will find the surnames Ndiweni, Mbambo and Zwane; these people are brothers. That is why you do not find the three marrying each other. This is because of the relationship,” said Nyathi.
The day was filled with song and dance as Bulawayo imbube group Black Umfolosi gave a polished performance with their rendition of Lady Smith Black Mambazo’s song Shosholoza.
Not to be outdone, another Bulawayo group Pelandaba Choir thrilled the crowd when they danced ingquzu.
Praise poets showed the Ndebele linguistic skill as they played with Ndebele words much to the pleasure of King Ntshosho Zwane II and the dignitaries.
This stoy was first published by the Chronicle |
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