Traditional leaders in Matabeleland and the royal Khumalo family crowned the new King of the ‘Ndebele nation in a secret ceremony.
Chief Ndiweni, who attended the ceremony revealed that Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo, who is 33-years-old, went through a series of rites held across seven days before he was installed as king on September 28.

The coronation was originally set to be held on March 3, but Local Government Minister July Moyo had stated that it was illegal.

The high court said they could not set aside Moyo’s order because there was “no relevant constitutional provisions for the coronation of a King in Zimbabwe.”

The royal family and traditional leaders insisted their demands were constitutional and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Last Saturday, the new King was introduced to a carefully selected group at Mhlahlandlela, 22km outside Bulawayo on Old Gwanda Road during annual commemorations of Ndebele nation founder, King Mzilikazi.

Chief Ndiweni told the gathered people to chant “Bayethe!” (Hail to the King) as a way of announcing the King’s presence.

“I’m happy to reveal to you that we now have a King. We installed Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo on Friday, September 28, at 6.15PM. Please spread the word that the nation of Matshobana is now up, alive and well,” Chief Ndiweni said to loud cheers.

“This is an aspiration we had early on in the year when we witnessed a travesty of justice whereby our choice of a monarch was interdicted and yet at that very same time there were actually two reigning monarchs in Zimbabwe, Peter Zwide Khumalo and Stanley Raphael Khumalo,” he said.

Both Zwide and Stanely have declared themselves King, claiming to be the rightful heirs of the Ndebele throne. But chiefs in Matabeleland and a large majority of the Khumalo royal family – including those in South Africa – have embraced Bulelani.

Chief Ndiweni said they had to conduct the ceremony in secrecy to stop government authorities from causing disruption.