Is Bulelani Khumalo's crown dividing Zimbabwe or uniting a forgotten nation?
South African-born Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo's recent visit to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe was seen by many as a cultural homecoming.
However, not everyone shared the sentiment. Some Zimbabwean government officials lashed out after the city's mayor, David Coltart, recognised him as king of the Ndebele people.
The 41-year-old Bulelani Khumalo was born in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in South Africa. In September 2018, traditional leaders in Matabeleland and the Khumalo family crowned him as the new King of the Northern Ndebele nation.
The Zimbabwe local government minister, Daniel Garwe, expressed his disapproval of the Ndebele Kingdom.
He wrote a letter to Coltart stating that the country's constitution does not recognise a Ndebele Kingdom. Garwe clarified that the constitution recognises only chiefs, headmen, and village heads.
'As you may be aware, the government of Zimbabwe has over the years incessantly denounced and dissociated itself from a self-proclaimed 'King' Bulelani who illegally claims to be the legitimate heir to the now defunct throne of King Lobengula,' reads the letter.
'The ministry would like to advise you, as the mayor of the City of Bulawayo and any other functionary of the City of Bulawayo, to desist from entertaining this charlatan self-styled 'King' Bulelani, as such behaviour is not only criminal but has the negative effect of misleading the general public.'
The controversy also saw Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa critising the Bulawayo mayor for meeting Khumalo.
He stated that Coltart is part of 'a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state.'
'His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa is committed to providing working capital for the people of Zimbabwe,' Mutsvangwa stated. 'But the mayor is too busy playing politics to notice the industrial revival already underway.'
Civil society group Ibhetshu LikaZulu has clarified that Khumalo's presence has nothing to do with politics. The Ibhetshu likaZulu secretary general, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said Khumalo's presence is rather a cultural and historical matter.
'Mr Mutsvangwa's statement that this meeting is part of a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state is not only malicious, but also a dangerous distortion of both historical truth and present reality,' he said.
The Office of King Bulelani Lobengula Mzilikazi, which is based in South Africa, has issued a public statement in response to Khumalo's visit.
'We respectfully urge public officials to exercise caution, decorum, and cultural sensitivity when speaking on matters of heritage and traditional leadership,' reads part of the press release.
'Dismissive language or threats of arrest directed at a traditional and cultural figure, whose mission is reconciliation, unity, and empowerment, does not reflect the spirit of Ubuntu or the values enshrined in Pan-Africanism.'
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