Langalakhe Mabena
THE retirement and relocation of arts guru Cont Mhlanga (pictured above) from Bulawayo to Lupane the capital of Matabeleland North has resulted in the growth of the arts and culture industry in that society.
One of the treasured cultural gatherings in Lupane is the Pupu-Tshangani Carnival, an annually held ceremony in the month of June in commemoration of the demise of the last King of the Ndebele State, King Lobengula.
The ceremony which started in 2016 is practised in the correct geographical and historical setting which is the Tshangani River where King Lobengula crossed with over 2 000 followers running away from the pursuit of Patrick Forbes and Cecil John Rhodes troops in 1893.
As the carnival practices the events and wars which took place in that era, Cont Mhlanga who is currently the arts patron of the Matabeleland North province schools breaks down the idea and activities of the carnival.



