Hundreds gather to remember Gadade!

Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni at the Gadadi Commemorations.   

Gadadi must be a cultural village: Chief Ndiweni

CHIEF Nhlanhla Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna has reiterated calls for Gadadi, to become a cultural village to teach locals and give tourists an experience of the Ndebele tradition.

Gadadi is the place of the last battle between King Lobengula’s troops and the British where the former fought bravely but perished to the latter armed with the Maxim gun in November 1, 1893.

Making his official speech to hundreds of people who had attended the commemorations last Saturday, Chief Ndiweni said the battle of Gadadi was important, one that showed a glimpse of history but spoke volumes about the bravery of troops -Imbizo under King Lobengula’s command.

It is reported that about 6 000 soldiers perished at Gadadi and marked the disintegration of Lobengula’s kingdom.

“The Gadadi battle should be a lasting legacy, we should not take it lightly. This recognition calls for us to work together and honour the Imbizo and maintain our history,” he said.

Chief Ndiweni said Gadadi site should be turned into a cultural village, where people can go to anytime during the year, not only during the commemorations.

“The year 2016 should be one with a difference, there should be a construction here, isakhiwo esikhulu. The site should should reflect cultural work and be able to provide programmes for people. There should be entrepreneurial programmes people should learn something from Gadadi it must have camps for youth. Continuos activities should run all year round and this place should not be underutilised,” he said.

The chief said places such as Gadadi should be used for social engineering, where people are taught about their tradition an uphold certain norms.

“We should turn Gadadi and Ntabazinduna into an area of magnitude. There must be social engineering and this place must change people in certain ways. Zimbabwe is a nation of nations. This is a critical issue that some people don’t want to accept. We can’t talk of development or progress if people don’t feel at home.

“I like the truth and that’s why you often read about what I say in the press. This is not political it is cultural but we have to understand this country is a nation of nations. I am not making any insults neither am I wrong. Nations come across nations… my biggest wish is to unite and work together,” he said.

Chief Ndiweni noted locals should work more and limit talk otherwise they might become laughing stock of others.“We should show what we mean by action. There is no office in Zimbabwe that has money but we have to support ourselves. We can develop this place, if we play around there will be nothing visible but talk,” he said.During the commemorations, people also visited graves of the British soldiers who also died during that battle.The graves are are located about 5 kilometres off Harare road – Ntabazinduna turn .Cultural groups such as Matojeni Cultural Society, Mthwakzi KaMzilikazi Cultural Association, Ibutho lengqama and Web of Love Arts, were in attendance to share their contributions made towards upholding culture.

Organisations – Mthwakazi Supreme Council, Mthwakazi Liberation Front, Mthwakazi Republic Party gave solidarity messages calling for the restoration of Mthwakazi and fair opportunities for locals.Traditionalists, culturalists, historians, authors and villagers also attended the cultural do, which was marked by recitals and traditional rites.Mafuyana Primary School provided entertainment for the guests.In September at the Mzilikazi commemorations in Mhlahlandlela, Chief Vezi Maduna of Insiza also said a monument must be placed at Gadadi, to signify and show relevance of the historic battle where King Lobengula’s brave troops fought with white settler