Zim GBC News | Gender and Community
BULAWAYO – As the dispute over the revival of the Ndebele kingship continues, cultural organization Umthondo Wesizwe is advocating for a traditional spiritual process known as “Inkatho” or the “Lot” to identify the rightful heir among the five competing claimants.
The push for spiritual intervention comes amid deep divisions within the Khumalo clan, with multiple individuals having conducted private coronations despite the government’s refusal to recognize the monarchy, citing constitutional limitations.
Umthondo Wesizwe chairman Ernest Langalitshoni Ncube revealed that his organization has engaged all five claimants, proposing a collective agreement to undergo the traditional selection process.
“Given the current confusion and division regarding the throne, we have come to realise that only conducting a Lot will resolve the impasse and give us the rightful and spiritually anointed King,” Ncube stated in an interview.
The publicly known claimants include Bulelani Khumalo, crowned privately in 2018 in South Africa; Stanely Raphael Tshuma Khumalo from the Hlangabeza house; Peter Zwide Khumalo; and Mcijwana Khumalo.
Ncube reported mixed reactions to the proposal:
“We went to Peter Zwide, and he said the Lot is magic, so he cannot be involved. Bulelani’s representative, Bruce, also told us that they already have the king, and if we want to do the Lot, we can do it, but they are out of it.”
However, Stanely Raphael Khumalo and representatives from the Nkulumane and Albert houses have agreed to participate in the spiritual selection process.
The organization emphasizes that without constitutional recognition, any kingship revival remains incomplete.
“We are asking all those who have since been declared crowned to reverse that, because as far as we are concerned, there is no Ndebele king unless this is confirmed by the Lot process,” Ncube asserted.
Umthondo Wesizwe plans to continue engaging both the Khumalo clan and government structures to advocate for constitutional amendments that would permit the formal establishment of the Ndebele monarchy, followed by the traditional selection of its rightful leader.
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