Published: 2 hours ago

Parliament has raised concerns over the government's continued refusal to officially recognise the annual Mzilikazi Day commemorations, despite the event drawing thousands of participants and carrying deep historical and cultural significance.

Mzilikazi Day, held every year on September 9, honours the founding father of the Ndebele Kingdom, King Mzilikazi ka Matshobane, who died in 1868. On Saturday, multitudes gathered at Mhlahlandlela to celebrate his legacy, which dates back to 1823 when he broke away from Shaka Zulu and established the Ndebele Kingdom in present-day Zimbabwe.

Despite the large turnout, government officials were conspicuously absent, including the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe. The absence sparked criticism, particularly as President Emmerson Mnangagwa dispatched a representative to a cultural ceremony in Eswatini on the same day, while ignoring Mzilikazi Day.

Opposition legislator Daniel Molokela condemned the snub, describing it as a disregard for Zimbabwe's cultural identity.

"Despite the fact that the event was a big success, one of the big concerns was that relevant government departments were visible in their absence. The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage were nowhere to be seen. We want to encourage the Government of Zimbabwe to support such traditional and cultural heritage events," Molokela said.

The government has long been at odds with Ndebele King Bulelani Khumalo, a direct descendant of Mzilikazi, and has consistently refused to recognise his kingship. Analysts suggest this tension has contributed to the state's reluctance to formally acknowledge the commemorations.

Molokela stressed that Mzilikazi Day deserves to be embraced as a national event, given its role in uniting people across cultures and generations.

"The event attracted participants from all over Zimbabwe and from the diaspora, especially South Africa. Thousands of people of different ages, from elders to children, men and women, from both rural and urban communities, and from different cultures and languages came together," he said.

"Zimbabwe prides itself in cultural heritage, in national identity and in decolonisation in terms of identity. An event like the one we held on Saturday is something that, as Zimbabweans, we must celebrate. We must encourage all districts, provinces, cultures and languages in Zimbabwe to organise such events so that, as a nation, we can demonstrate that we have moved beyond the colonial system."

Molokela's remarks have reignited debate over the place of Mzilikazi Day in Zimbabwe's national calendar, with growing calls for government recognition of the commemoration.
- NewZimbabwe

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