adminBongani Ndlovu Entertainment Correspondent
AMANGWE people from Matabeleland South have stepped up preparations for the annual Amangwe Cultural celebrations in Swaziland with 20 delegates from Zimbabwe expected to attend. The commemorations, which bring together more than 1,000 people from the clan dotted around southern Africa, will be held in Manzini, south-east of Mbabane from March 28 to 29.
In an interview yesterday, spokesperson of the cultural grouping Nkosilathi Ndiweni said preparations for the event were progressing well with Chief Bidi from Kezi and his mother set to attend the celebrations.
Chief Bidi ascended into the chieftainship last year after his father, Joseph’s death, in 2009.
“I can safely say so far we have 11 people who are going to the celebrations and among them is Chief Bidi and his mother. The delegates will leave for Swaziland on March 27,” he said.
The Bidi chieftaincy’s area of jurisdiction is in the southern part of Matobo. It is bound by Shashane River in the east and Semukwe River in the west.
It stretches from Marinoha Hills in the north where it shares a boundary with Chief Fuyana and ends in the south at Demarcation Line Road, where Chief Malaba’s area starts.
Ndiweni said the festivities were part of strengthening relations by the clan as they were separated from each other for 180 years.
“We want our culture not to die and we encourage all other cultural groups and clans in Zimbabwe to find their roots. This is a good thing as our children will know where we come from and their future will be bright,” he said.
Ndiweni said the gathering will see over 1,000 people from the southern region attending. He said the dates of the Zimbabwean and KwaZulu-Natal celebrations were out.
“The celebrations for Zimbabwe will be held on June 27 to 28 and in KwaZulu-Natal eNtshenteka on November 29,” said Ndiweni.
The Amangwe people are found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique. It is said the Amangwe bore Ndebele king Mzilikazi.
Historians say that King Zwane bore King Mangethe who was a king in the days of Zulu king, Tshaka. King Zwane had a daughter Cikose who was mother to King Mzilikazi.
Online Reporter