Amangwe reunites

The ceremony brought to an end the Annual Amangwe International Celebrations on Sunday.

 

The ceremony was held at the base of Itshe likaMangethe and was in front of about 600 people who made the steep climb.

Amangwe Zimbabwean representative, Jamelinqaba Mbambo, had the bile of a bull poured (ukucitha inyongo) on his head, his right hand shoulder, arm, hand, knee, and foot.

He was called by King Ntshosho Zwane II.

This was done by Busizwe Zwane from endlunkulu, bringing an end to 180 years of separation from their ancestors and brothers.

Before that King Ntshosho Zwane II had the same done to him as a way to bless the celebrations and accept the blessings of the ancestors.

Incense was burnt and everyone had to inhale it (ukuhotsha imphepha) to receive blessings of wealth, children, marriage and good health from the ancestors.

The day’s main celebrations began thereafter as the crowd followed the king down the slope while singing and dancing.

King Ntshosho Zwane II took time to take pictures with his subjects while stockpiles of meat were grilled. Litres and litres of traditional beer flowed and people danced to traditional songs.

The Amangwe clan travelled from as far as Swaziland, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State and Zimbabwe.

In his keynote address, King Ntshosho Zwane II, said the deck chair he was given as a present in Zimbabwe would be used in his royal house, to be built in the area soon.

“When I went to Zimbabwe I was given this lovely deck chair I am sitting on. As a gesture of their gift this deck chair will be used in the royal house that will be built here,” said King Ntshosho Zwane II.

He lauded the Zimbabwe delegation for their hospitality when he visited them in June.

King Ntshosho Zwane II said knowing one’s origin was important so as to unite the clan.

“Amangwe are gathered here to make our origins known and unite the clan. The nation of Amangwe will move forward and the Zwanes, Mbambos, Ndiwenis, Hudlas, Cebekhulus, Nseles and Lindas will not intermarry, because they will know each other,” said King Ntshosho.

Representative of the 40 Amangwe from Zimbabwe, Nkosinathi Ndiweni, said culture was the backbone of any nation.

He said for that reason the Amangwe in South Africa should work closely with the Government of Zimbabwe.

“When the king visited us in June, the occasion was attended by the Governor of Matabeleland South Angeline Masuku. This shows that our Government supports ukuvuselela amasiko and Amangwe in South Africa should work with them,” said Ndiweni.

The mayoress of Zululand, Nkosikazi Zanele Msibi Magwaza was represented by the speaker of Zululand District Municipality, Mpiyakhe Alson Hlatshwayo.

Entertainment was provided by a four-member female group called Zwane Sisters who showed their nimble-footedness as they danced isitshikitsha. Praise poets such as Halufu Zwane led the crowd in singing praise songs (izangelo) for past kings such as Zwane, Mangethe, Mafu and Ntshosho.

Celebrations ended late into the night.

South Africa is celebrating Heritage Week which ended on Monday.

Meanwhile, contrary to media reports that Chief Bidi of Matobo district travelled with the delegation, it was the chief’s younger brother Fredrick Ndiweni who travelled with them.

Chief Bidi died on 26 May 2009 and was buried at his homestead and a new chief is yet to be installed.