Commemoration of Kinga Tshaka's day has always been a big issue among the ZULUs. The whole town of Stanger, kwaDukuza vibrated into action as scores of people thronged the Stadium where Umtane 'Silo made a beautiful address. Various regiments poured in from different directions begiya, besina all under the leadership of their respective amaGosa (regiment leaders). Those of us who have never seen a whole nation clad in original traditional Zulu attire, I implore on you to create a mental picture of the stories we used to hear of izimpi zabokhokho bethu. Most probably this may in a way create a near vivid picture of what I am attempting to elucidate here. It was barely a few minutes that people were getting settled that an old man, jumping to the podium as if possessed gave a clearly long, beautiful rendition of izibongo zenkosi, umtane Silosamabandla uGoodwill Zwelithini. The whole stadium was by then dead silent as if suggesting that this man must go kill them with his brutal intelligence and wit displayed in his seriousness in commiting all these big high sounding words and phrases to memory.This was another chapter to the Zulu nation. I then asked one of the Zulus who was sitting next to me for explanations to a lot of things, I was surprised to note how much respect and love the Zulus have for their king. He started to explain to me, the significance of these praises. Surely I got a good lesson, as someone who did Ndebele/Zulu at A'level, I remembered how we used to refer to them as Zulu Praise poems. We also used to say they tend to depict the history of a nation, the particular political discourse that king has pursued his polices and the possible future. In this case apart from confirming that, I further noted that they denote the pride of the Zulu nation, which in this case implies that everyone who submits to the King is a 'Child of heaven', as the King Tshaka is said to have constantly taught that he was building a nation in which all who belonged were to be referred to as 'the Chiildren of heaven' (Abantwana baseZulwini).
A lot of Zulu dignitaries were present, these include Chief Gatsha Buthelezi, Former Deputy President Jacob KaMsholozi Zuma and many more significant and eminent persons. The media was also present. The lesson, I learnt was that despite the fact of differences in political affiliations among those Zulu dignitaries who were present they all identify with one nation, Zulu nation. They all submit to one traditional upbringing which binds them together and to the Zulu King. They were all clad in massive traditional Zulu regalia. This was further evidenced during the time of singing of old Zulu songs, AMAHUBO. My guide also explained that these 'AMAHUBO' were regarded as the most important part/session in any commemoration day. This was indeed noticed. The singing of AMAHUBO is the time when everyone pays homage to the departed Zulu ancestors in general, particularly the ingonyama, ilembe eleqa manye amalembe ngokukhalipha' uTshaka kaSenzangakhona. During this session therefore the King together with Buthelezi led a procession which was marked by ukugiya as they moved forward and backwards.Being assisted by the young virgin girls dressed in 'imisinsi'(very short skirts covering the waste only), with bare breasts. Interestingly, Buthelezi is the only one who knows all amahubo having been taught by Princess Magogo, his mother. And so he was constantly correcting us as he led the Zulu nation in singing. Buthelezi, a verocious speaker, praise poet and singer had his day, because one of his major attributes boarders around his love for Zulu tradition, especially, ukucula (singing).
After the singing of amaHubo Buthelezi led again the entourage back to the high table. This was then followed by ukugiya kwamabutho (regiments) besilwa ngemizaca (sticks). Another issue to note was the massive chant of 'Bayethe wena weSilo' at intervals,led by Buthelezi again with his reverbarating voice. I must admit, Buthelezi is now aging, he still has the spirit but it is dying. Zulus are aware of that, they are also suggesting that his final momemnt of departure form this earth will be a great loss to the Zulu nation, because it might herald a lot of things as they turn into a new chapter.
Bakwethu yiyo le indaba yami. It was a great day. As one who hails from kwaMzilikazi, I had a lot to learn and admire. I admired the very fact that the Zulus still have a monarchy. Atleast these colonisers were not as mischievious as the British in our case, who sought to destroy completely our monarchy. They even didnot bother to help restore what they destroyed, ubuntu bethu. The Zulus are proud to celebrate uMkhosi weNkosi yabo uTshaka as the founding father of their nation, atleast they can afford to do this under the guidance of a King. This is not so with the Ndebele anymore. We nolonger have a King. Amahubo have since been lost. As one of those who were present kuMkhosi weNkosi iSilo samabandla uMzilikazi kaMatshobana, kaMangethe kaLanga, I noticed a lot of differences in what I witnessed here yesterday. However, in my discussion with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, the Queen iNdovukazi umaMathe and Buthelezi's aide I implore on you all who shall bother to read this piece of writing to help uMthwakazi herself redefine and forge links with Zululand. This is possible. I will be meeting the King in the next couple of weeks, not as a representative of the Ndebele but as one of the concerned descendants of the Zulus who are now based in Zimbabwe. The meeitng is still being organised. Bayethe lina bakaMalandela.Ngiyabonga
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