SA Zulu king confirms Umthetho attendance
South African Zulu King, His Majesty MisuZulu ka Zwelithini is expected to arrive in the country this morning to grace the climax of this year’s Umthetho Cultural Festival at Hora Heritage Centre in Mzimba.
Umthetho Cultural Festival spokesperson Kingsley Jere said in an interview yesterday that logistical issues that threatened the king’s travel from South Africa were later ironed out.
According to him, President Lazarus Chakwera, His Majesty Inkosi ya Makhosi Zulu Gama from Tanzania, Zimbabwe’s Inkosi Gumbi and Zulu king, His Majesty MisuZulu ka Zwelithini are expected to join His Majesty Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V in the celebration.
He said the climax of the festival is a visit to the gravesite of M’mbelwa I at Mzalangwe, to pay homage to the fallen Ngoni leader who is considered the father of the Jere Ngoni.
“We go to his grave to pay homage and thank him for keeping his kingdom safe. After that ceremony, we consider that he has bestowed his blessings upon us and we go ahead with the event,” said Jere.
Umthetho Cultural Festival aims at preserving the cultural heritage of the Jere Ngonis, including isuZulu language and Ingoma dances.
On Thursday and yesterday, the festival was mainly characterised by traditional dances such as ingoma and mganda with dance troops availing themselves from across the country.
When our reporters arrived at the venue yesterday, local and international participants were still recovering from a long night of drinks and traditional dances.
