Mkhosi Jere enthroned as Malawi Ngoni king: Inkosi ya Makosi M’Mbelwa V

Eldest son to Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa 4, Mkhosi Jere on Saturday was officially enthroned as King of Ngoni’s Mmbelwa V at a colourful ceremony attended by State Vice President Saulosi Chilima at Edingeni in Mzimba.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni from Zambia, Inkosi Zulu Gama from Tanzania and Inkosi Gomani of Ntcheu were also in attendance during the event.

The function  started  at 10 o’clock with church service and then the service followed by government official coronation part and then  Ngoni cultural dances.

The function was  marred by confusion over the venue since some people wanted the function to take place at Engalaweni.

Divisions became  so deep between people of Edingeni and those from Engalaweni a development which resulted into shifting of enthronement venue from Engalaweni to Edingeni.

Source familiar  with  Ngoni History says argument of shifting the ceremony from Engalaweni to Edingeni was against the Ngoni Culture and that the in-house fighting which  reached at unprecedented equilibrium with people of Edingeni  accusing each other of snatching  the ceremony from the traditional enthronement Village Engalaweni to Endingeni on argument that all the Mmbelwas were buried at Edingeni headquarters except one who was buried at Mzalangwe in the same district of Mzimba.

In his speech Chilima hailed  the Ngoni of Mzimba for the smooth transition of the M’mbelwa chieftainship and more especially their quest for development.

The Vice President said although President Mutharika really wanted to preside over the ceremony, he was unable to go to Edingeni due to other pressing engagements. He expressed hope that the President will find time to visit the area in due course.

Among other gifts, Chilima presented a donation of K2 million and a cow to the newly crowned chief from President Mutharika, a clear sign of the President’s support to the chieftaincy.

Meanwhile, former  Vice President Khumbo Kachali  appealed for unity amongst the Ngoni.

Speaking in an interview Kachali said wrangles and fighting was retrogressive in this event which is very important among the Ngoni Community.

Father to the crown Prince, died in 2013 following the protracted battle with diabetes at Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre. Born Zwangenda Jere died at the age of 56.

Mkhosi Jere is an eldest son of the three brothers, Mswati and Allan Jere.Before ascending to this position Mkhosi has worked as a bank clerk with First Merchant Bank in Lilongwe. Mkhosi also worked for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) as a data clerk.

He holds a Diploma in Business Management and worked for Merchant Bank in Lilongwe before returning home to ascend to the throne of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa.

Speaking, on behalf of the Mzimba Heritage Association, Reverend Dr. Overtone Mazunda commended the President and other all well wishers, too many to mention,  for their  support during the function.

Ngoni’s gift 

Before  the coronation of M’Mbelwa V, Lilongwe-based Ngoni’s organised a day long social event, where among key issues, discussed and pledged to give the new Ngoni king a gift befitting his stature.

Led by group president, Dr. Mark Lungu, the event dubbed Zwangendaba Ngoni Day, under the MZIHA Lilongwe-Chapter, held last Saturday at the Safari Club at the heart of the city, also saw participants contribute to collections towards the gift.

“It was enjoyable and memorable. Those who came are listed against an update of collections which they made,” said Timothy Shawa, one of the organisers.

During the event, at least thirty people living in Lilongwe, including a good number of ladies for songs and hlombe, offered to attend ingoma dance drills to be performed during the installation of the Inkosi ya Makhosi.

“Nobody will develop Mzimba but ourselves. So we must think beyond just maintaining our heritage,” he added, asking Mzimba people to get hold of the Mzimba Heritage Association (MZIHA) constitution to better understand its objectives.

Other performances performed by the group include Mganda Vimbuza and Ingoma ya Omama.

Siya Phamberi mzimba!—(Additional reporting by Patricia Masinga, Nyasa Times)

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