The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Sunday News Reporter
VISITING South African Amangwe King Ntshosho Zwane II has described xenophobia acts being perpetrated by other nationals on the African continent as heinous and defeating the Spirit of Ubuntu.
Speaking through Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna at the Amangwe cultural celebrations held in Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North, yesterday, King Ntshosho Zwane II said it was through the spirit of unity that had seen various ethnic groups co-existing in harmony under the leadership of certain tribesmen prior to the colonial era.
“We don’t condone any acts of xenophobia or hatred against neighbours. There is no reason why we should be fighting one another as Africans. If you look at the past rulers like Matshobana and King Mzilikazi, those leaders had various ethnic groups under their leadership and seldom did they fight each other, thus we don’t condone any form of hatred against one another,” he said.
South Africa has witnessed sporadic xenophobic attacks in provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Last year about 10 people are said to have died from xenophobia attacks while thousands were displaced in South Africa. In his maiden address King Ntshosho Zwane II said a great leader was one who disregarded all social ills and promoted unity among his subjects.
“I won’t be regarded as a fearful leader if I encourage my subjects to steal and harm others,” said King Zwane II.
The Amangwe monarch said it was important for one to be proud and to identify their culture and tradition as this enabled them to create a strong bond with their tribesman.
“The purpose of this gathering is to reunite as the Amangwe and you need to be proud of being an Amangwe and at this time I am the one who is at the reins and I am the one who will make sure I spearhead the search of my tribesman across the Limpopo and those in Swaziland,” he said.
The Swaziland contingent of the Amangwe failed to make the trip for the celebrations in Zimbabwe allegedly in fear of the recent attacks on busses to and from Zimbabwe by unruly crowds in South Africa.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo who was part of the delegates that attended the ceremony expressed satisfaction at the way the Amangwe people were making efforts to retrace and revive their culture and tradition.
Among the guests who attended the ceremony were Chief Bidi and Chief Wasi from Matabeleland South Province, Prince Zwide Kalanga Khumalo and historian Pathisa Nyathi. Over 600 people attended the ceremony, which also marked the ground breaking ceremony for the Amangwe Cultural Centre.
Twitter: @DNsingo
