admin
The son-in-law, Nicholas Sibanda from Lupane, is based in Manchester and married Ndlovu’s sister Siduduziwe who is also based in the UK.
Ndlovu’s homestead is in the Gwabila area under Chief Vezi Maduna’s jurisdiction in Matabeleland South province. The day was punctuated with song, dance and praise poetry.
Umkhathi Theatre was also part of the proceedings and their traditional dances delighted the villagers.
Jeys Marabini performed in front of about 400 people who had gathered at the homestead to celebrate with the Mjayeli family.
Local councillors and headmen were also part of the festivities.
The day began with the son-in-law’s party arriving at about 11am and Umkhathi Theatre provided song and dance as a way of introducing them to the crowd.
They sang Ndebele folk songs and performed isitshikitsha as the son-in-law entered the homestead. Villagers grabbed the opportunity to join in, amid ululations, cheers and dance.
As Sibanda entered the gate with his family and wife, he was met by Mjayeli and the Ndlovu clan with old women ululating and clapping their hands. He was then led to the tent where he was introduced formally to the family.
After that Sibanda was asked to accompany the Ndlovu clan to the kraal to choose a beast for slaughter. Umkhathi did what they know best. They again led the crowd in isitshikitsha, with some people joining them during the journey to the kraal, about 30 metres from the homestead.
When the guests arrived, Sibanda was asked to choose a beast from the 12 beasts in the kraal. He chose a heavily built one horned ox and was asked what its fate was.
He said: “Kayihlatshwe idliwe khathesi. Ngizathatha uphondo.”
Ndlovu said he would give him the thigh. After that the people were led back to the homestead by Umkhathi Theatre.
In an hour the ox had been slaughtered, skinned and chopped into pieces and was waiting to be cooked.
Jeys Marabini took over and belted tune after tune that kept the villagers up on their feet singing and dancing.
His set was started at 2pm and ended at 5pm, much to the delight of the crowd, who commended him and the Ndlovu family for bringing their son to perform for them.
Jeys lives about 10km away from the Ndlovu homestead in the Nyoni area. He played songs from his new album Jeys at 40 such as Selimathunzi, Yamitha Kanjani, Ukhulu and Ukufa.
He took people down memory lane when he played Emarabini. He also played songs from the album, Izenzo such as Julia and Mafikizolo. Jeys’ dancers performed isitshikitsha, intshomane, ijuba and ihosana.
Jeys composed a song called Wesilo Mqamulamithi in honour of Ndlovu, who in 2010 levelled a 10km stretch of road for the villagers.
On the day Ndlovu donated desks and chairs for 56 pupils who learn at Gwabila Primary School.
He said the school furniture was for those pupils who wanted to sit for their Grade Seven exams.
“Education is the key and so as part of our social responsibility programme we decided to donate desks and chairs that can sit 56 children to Gwabila Primary School. This school I learnt at and look at me now because of education,” he said amid cheers from the crowd.
Umkhathi Theatre performed a Setswana dance, setapa, with aplomb. Their dance was enjoyed by even the elderly in the crowd who were full of praise for them.
“Abantwana laba bayagida, ngamagabazi. UJeys laye leziginci zakhe kumnandi, ilanga leli ngijabulile kakhulu,” said Gogo MaNcube. Three beasts were slaughtered during the day and people were seen going home with plastic bags full of meat.
Online Reporter