Maseko Ngoni fest needs K10m

As days draw closer to the annual Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni Cultural Festival, the organising committee is facing a K10 million deficit.

Organising committee chairperson, Inkosi Makwangwala said yesterday in a telephone interview that they are yet to raise K10 million to meet their K25 million budget.

“There is need for K10 million for us to meet the required budget. We appeal for either material or monetary support from well-wishers,” he said.

The event, slated for September 2, will be held at Gongolo Ground at Nkolimbo Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu, a place where Ingwenyama Chikuse Gomani I was murdered and buried in a battle against the British colonial masters in protest against heavy taxation and conscripting Ngoni warriors in the King’s African Rifles during the First World War.

A brain child of Gomani V, Umhlangano started in 2013.

Inkosi Makwangwala said they expect to host both local and foreign dignitaries, including President Peter Mutharika.

“Paramount chief Zintambira of Mozambique, Inkosi Mpezeni of Zambia, representatives of King Mswati of Swaziland, South African Zulu-Ngoni, Tanzania and Zimbabwe shall be in attendance,” he said.