It’s Kingdom of Mzimba in Malawi – Paramount Chief M’mbelwa

For once, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa of Mzimba has come in the open to ask government to recognize Mzimba as a Kingdom, saying records clearly explain it.

People of Mzimba, through Mzimba Heritage Association (MZIHA), have ever advocated for recognition of Mzimba Kingdom from government but Paramount Chief M’mbelwa was mute on the issue.

However, during the elevation ceremony of Inkosi Mabilabo to Senior Chief last Saturday, the Ngoni Chief dug history open, saying the records clearly show Mzimba as a Kingdom and M’mbelwa as King.

“If you can check in the records, Mzimba is Kingdom and M’mbelwa has always been King. I therefore request government to honour such records.

“As Mzimba we are growing. Some are being elevated to Senior Chiefs and others are hoping to be Paramount. So who shall I become? It is time for government to recognize the Kingdom,” he said.

During his speech, M’mbelwa urged the cultural groupings being formulated to spearhead Ngoni culture to bring development in the district and not division.

The warning came amid interference on the programme by Chairperson for Mabilabo Development Council, Ken Mthunzi, who, during his speech, went off-track and started advising the Senior Chief Mabilabo and requesting developments from government.

Speaking on elevation of Mabilabo, M’mbelwa commended President Mutharika for promoting the former (Mabilabo) to Senior Chief, saying the development had made the people of Mzimba proud.

However, M’mbelwa said elevation of Chiefs should follow hierarchy and be approved by the Chiefs Council for fear of misunderstandings.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa who presided over the ceremony, said government was committed to working with chiefs in spearheading development in the country.

He said that was why the Head of State thought it important to elevate Inkosi Mabilabo to Senior Chief on 9th March, 2017.

Nankhumwa said only through working together among chiefs, communities and government could development continue to flourish in the country.

He said; “We need a chief who is development conscious, a chief who can articulate and strengthen cultural values in the community.

“Senior Chief Mabilabo is one kind of a chief who is development conscious, he leads his people in development project initiatives and promotes cultural values in his area. These are some of the qualifications, hence the elevation of Inkosi Mabilabo to Senior Chief today.”

Nankhumwa further reminded chiefs in the country to desist from corrupt practices and support government of the day to enhance development in their respective areas.

During the ceremony, Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe assured the people of several development projects to take place in the district including construction of roads.

Senior Chief Mabilabo was born on 24th November, 1979. He is number four according to the hierarchy in the family.

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