Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi Mphezeni Kwazwangendaba IV of Zambia was laid to rest on Tuesday following his death last week at the age of 75.
The mood at his ePhendukeni Royal Kraal in Chipata, Zambia was sombre as expected. It is a stark contrast to the jubilant atmosphere that filled the same venue months ago during what has now become the late chief’s final appearance at the uNcwala ceremony. The only similarity lies in the numbers, as thousands from across the region continue to gather to pay their last respects to a man widely regarded as a cultural stalwart of the Ngoni people.
“Mphezeni, being the eldest of our three Ngwenyamas [the others being Gomani V and M’mbelwa V], was a father to all of us—a unifying figure. His demise is devastating,” Inkosi Mpando Khwinda, who is leading a delegation representing Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani V of Maseko Ngoni at the funeral.
Mpando is accompanied by Senior Chief Inkosi Makwangwala Ndau and Inkosi Masasa both from Ntcheu with Senior Chief iNkosi Chamthunya Hlabathi of Balaka completing the delegation.
“It is a great honour to be accorded this responsibility. I received the appointment with deep humility,” Mpando said of his selection to lead the delegation, which also includes several Ngoma associations.
Earlier on Monday, Ngoni chiefs from Malawi’s Central Region, who travelled to Chipata for the funeral, paid a courtesy call on Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V of the Ngoni Jere at the Royal Palace to convey their condolences. Among them were Inkosi Msaka M’mbelwa, usually misspelt and mispronounced as Msakambewa, Inkosi Mponela and Inkosi Chiwere Ndhlovu, all from Dowa.
Since the death of Mphezeni—born David Njengambazo Jere—on May 30, M’mbelwa has assumed a central role in the mourning process, in line with Ngoni tradition.
Although the late king is survived by his immediate family, cultural norms designate M’mbelwa V as the official chief mourner.
“This is because he is Mphezeni ’s direct younger brother and holds the most senior counterpart royal seat in Ngoni tradition,” explained Kandi Padambo, Secretary General of the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust.
Historically, the Mphezeni and M’mbelwa lineages are closely intertwined as they both trace their ancestry to the founding Ngoni leader, Zwangendaba Jere.
In fact, it was the late Paramount Chief M’mbelwa III who officiated the installation of iNkosi ya Makhosi Mpezeni IV in 1982, at a colourful ceremony witnessed by Zambia’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda. M’mbelwa then did the honours to his nephew.
Recently, this same bond was evident when a high-powered delegation of Zambia-based Ngoni chiefs, accompanied by government officials, travelled to Mzimba to formally inform M’mbelwa of Mphezeni ’s passing. The delegation was led by Inkosi Saili, one of the late king’s trusted advisers.
In keeping with Ngoni customs, news of a paramount chief’s death must be delivered in person to the closest royal counterpart. In this case, that responsibility affirmed M’mbelwa’s role in leading the mourning process and overseeing the cultural transition.
A statement by the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust echoed this relationship, noting that:
“The late Inkosi YamaKhosi Mpezeni, whose reign began in 1982, upheld the centuries-old close and brotherly ties between the Maseko Ngoni and Jele Ngoni. He maintained strong and frequent interactions with the late iziNgwenyama Amakhosi AmaKhosi Gomani III and Gomani IV,” reads the statement.
Similarly, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V, who is serving as chief mourner, lamented the loss of “an elder brother”, describing the late Ngwenyama as a monarch whose influence transcended geographical boundaries.
“He was a bridge that kept the Ngoni people of Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania united in spirit and tradition,” he said, reminding many that while borders divide land, they can never divide heritage.
