The founder of the Ndebele State, King Mzilikazi died on 9 September 1868, his death is commemorated annually. However, since year 2000, the celebrations have become bigger and are attracting many people including those from South Africa.

A descendant of the late monarch and also founder member of uMthwakazi Heritage Trust, Prince Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo, said the event was important to the nation in that it gives it an opportunity to celebrate its cultural legacy bestowed upon us by our forefathers.

"UMthwakazi nation was built on moral and cultural values of Ubuntu that ensured the survival and growth of the nation.

"Cultural events such as this one (King Mzilikazi's commemoration) reaffirm those values and keeps them alive among us," he said.

UMthwakazi Heritage Trust is an organisation, whose main objective is to cultivate and further cultural interest and knowledge among local people.

Zwide kaLanga urged young people to help elders, who are well versed, with cultural traditions, in organising the events.

"I believe as young people we have an obligation to make use of the cultural knowledge that our elders have. We should harness it and apply it in our day-to-day living. I think this would improve our position as a nation.

"The event is also a ceremony of spiritual wealth creation as it gives us the chance to communicate with the spiritual realm of our forefathers," he said.

Zwide kaLanga said members of all ethnic groups were encouraged to actively participate in the annual commemorations because they are not limited to one tribe.

Arts groups, including those in schools, can also benefit from the event, as they can get to learn about the dances practised in the past and their relevance to society.

Zwide kaLanga said people from all walks of life are invited to partake in the event.

Zwide KaLangaKhumalo Shaya FM Interview

"We do not want to send out official invitations to anyone but we welcome anyone who wants to be part of this event," he said.

"There is no partisan involvement or discrimination, when people look at this event they should see it as a unifying factor for all.

"Just because it has been organised by the Khumalos does not mean it is for them only. Everyone should come and celebrate our culture. It was encouraging that the BaSotho also held a cultural festival, we would like to see this spread to all places," he said.

Zwide kaLanga said he hoped the Government would take into cognisance the need to set aside a day, to celebrate our cultural heritage. The day should have a historical relevance and meaning to the local people.

He pointed out that other countries in southern Africa had reserved days to remember their past.

"In South Africa, 24 September is Tshaka's Day, when the nation remembers the Zulu monarch and the month of September has been set aside as Heritage month. In Malawi, the Ngoni people, who migrated from South Africa, celebrate their entry into that country on 22 September.

"In eastern Zambia, descendants of Zwangendaba, under Chief Mpezini Khumalo hold the annual Inxwala ceremony and the Lozi in western Zambia recognise the rise and fall in levels of the Zambezi River. The Swazis in Swaziland celebrate Inxwala and a host of other cultural events. I believe it would be in the interest of our nation to hold such celebrations too," he said.

Zwide kaLanga also encouraged the corporate world to take an active interest in the event as they could learn a lot from the leadership of King Mzilikazi.

"As a leader, Mzilikazi had several leadership skills and qualities that can apply to our corporate environment and business people can learn one or two things," he said.

King Mzilikazi was a great military leader as well as an able administrator. He ruled for about 40 years and withstood attacks from neighbouring tribes, the British and Afrikaners. He founded the Ndebele (Matebele) kingdom which includes the Nguni, Kalanga, Tonga, Venda, Suthu, Xhosa and other groups . He was born near Mkuze, Zululand and died at Inyathi. Many consider him to be the greatest Southern African military leader after the Zulu king Shaka. He is buried at a place called eNtumbane in Matopo.

Additional reporting by Japhet Dube (The Chronicle)