Online Reporter
Lobhengula Khumalo was the last king of the Ndebele state. The monarchy collapsed after the epic Anglo-Ndebele war of 1893/4. The founder of the multi-ethnic Ndebele state was King Mzilikazi the son of Matshobana.
As at 2021 there are three top contenders who claim to have succeed King Lobhengula with the aim to revive the Ndebele monarchy after over a century of its collapse.
The first contender is Stanely Raphael Khumalo (originally Tshuma) who had a private ordination ceremony in 2017 after the public ceremony in Bulawayo was blocked.
Stanely Raphael Khumalo was ordained as King Mzilikazi II. He traces his roots to King Lobhengula’s brother Hlangabeza.
The next contender is Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo who was ordained as King Nyamande Lobhengula II in February 2018. He claims to be a descendent of Nyamande, Lobhengula’s son before he was coronated King in 1870.
The third contender is from the Eastern Cape in South Africa. His name is Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo. His highly publicised coronation in March 2018 was blocked by the Bulawayo High Court after an urgent application by Peter Zwide KaLanga Khumalo.
He was later coronated that year in a private ceremony by the Khumalos and some chiefs from Matabeleland after undergoing 7 days of traditional rites and kingship ordination ceremonies.
Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo has been very visible in various public events in Matabeleland. He has attended funerals of top politicians, met with Highlanderd football club and attended the King Mzilikazi annual celebrations in his capacity as King of the Ndebele.
He has also been well received by various traditional leaders and kings in the SADC region.
Colin Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo is a descendant of King Lobhengula’s son, Njube, who together with his brothers Nguboyenja and Mphezeni were moved to Eastern Cape by Cecil Rhodes at the collapse of King Lobengula’s kingdom.
Prince Njube had two sons Albert and Rhodes. Bulelani is a descendant of Rhodes, heir to the King Mzilikazi throne.
He is the son of Humphrey Lobhengula Khumalo, the son of Patrick Lobhengula Khumalo, the son of Rhodes Lobhengula Khumalo, the son of Prince Njube.
