Highlanders visit graves of founder members

Lovemore Dube in Grahamstown, South Africa
HIGHLANDERS FC yesterday began a process of honouring its founding fathers by visiting the graves of Rhodes Lobengula Khumalo who is buried next to his father Njube at Fingo Location here. The club sent a delegation led by board member Luke Mnkandla who is chairman of the Bosso@90 Celebrations, chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede and recently elected vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya.

To give it the cultural significance the tour deserved Prince Peter Zwide KaLanga Khumalo was made part of the delegation and was accompanied by two traditional chiefs, Chiefs Nyangazonke of Kezi who is a Senator and Khulumani Mathema of Wenlock in Gwanda. They were joined by Dr Odillo Ndiweni of the Bidi chieftancy of Kezi who is resident in Alicetown.

Mnkandla said in line with activities to mark the club’s 90th anniversary it was resolved that there be a process of recognising and honouring the club’s founders.
“This trip was of historical and cultural significance hence we had Khumalo descendants and chiefs as part of the delegation. We have started with Rhodes Lobengula as he is the furthest of the founding fathers. Plans are in place to visit the grave of his elder brother in Gwatemba and other players like Nsele Hlabangana, Charlton Ngcebetsha and Kwekwe to mention a few of the very first club players,” said Mnkandla.

Highlanders was founded in February 1926 by the two Khumalo brothers who had been exposed to the sport while in college in South Africa.
The aim was to bring people together as well as whiling up time by the urbane Khumalo brothers who had found the family atmosphere at Lonely Mine where they usually visited during holidays very dull.

Since then Highlanders FC has been a way of life drawing support from all ethnic groups of Zimbabwe in line with the founding principles of the nation by King Mzilikazi.
In Grahamstown yesterday, the travelling Highlanders delegation who were also boosted by another Khumalo, Bulelani of the Mangwana house, witnessed a historical presentation done by numerous speakers who included Sizwe Mda the chief executive officer of the Lobengula Foundation, Zwide KaLanga, Bulelani and Gumede.

Thereafter there was a tour of the graves outside Luvuyo Hall. Zwide Ka Langa narrated how they had asked the South African government not to build the hall on top of the graves. Eventually they were not desecrated, a development that he said they were grateful for as it showed the respect accorded to the Ndebele monarchy.
In his address Mda said the place had been a football field and as youngsters they had grown up not knowing whose graves they belonged to.

“We grew up here and we did not know whose graves they were for. Eventually we got to know because of the respect the place was being accorded even by the apartheid regime. When the hall was built they respected the graves and only three are clear as to who they belong to. We will engage nearby Rhodes University, council and government to identify others as both Rhodes and his father Njube had helpers who died while here and were buried at the same place.

“So those that are buried here are Njube Alban the father of Rhodes who we understand was part of those that formed Highlanders. There is also the grave of Nondini — the wife of Rhodes too among the three where tombstones were enacted,” said Mda.

He said the land on which the graves are was donated by the Anglican Church. Mda alluded to the fact that King Lobengula was Lo Obegula because he grew up a sickling with his real name having been Jantu Khumalo.

Rhodes died on 16 January 1937 the year the club changed to Matabeleland Highlanders from the previous name of Lions.
After the visit to the graves there was a tour of the house Rhodes lived in which like the community hall, the Lobengula Foundation wants to turn into a heritage site and museum which will contribute to the Makana and foundation coffers.

Zwide KaLanga said they had successfully lobbied the Government not to interfere with the graves. He said he was among the Zimbabwean delegation that was present when the three tombstones were unveiled. He narrated the relationship between Highlanders and Ndebele Royalty which he said was the cornerstone of the club’s heritage. He said it was noble for the club to have taken that route of visiting Grahamstown to pay homage.

“There would not have been better honour and recognition than for Highlanders than for them to come here. They did well to consult with the family which then delegated me to travel with them and in line with our culture we have the chiefs here with us,” said Zwide KaLanga.

Gumede challenged the players to rise to the challenge and bring honours this year to mark the significance of the 90th anniversary and the visit of the grave of one of the club’s founders. The Highlanders delegation left Grahamstown by road yesterday evening and are expected in Bulawayo tomorrow night.