A king without a castle
We embark on a 600km journey through the lush landscape of Giyani to determine why a modern-day Shangaan chief is hell-bent on becoming king. This is the story of the Gaza Kingdom, writes Noni Mokati
IT’S 6AM and the community of Giyani in Limpopo roars to life. Not far from the man-made fires, where women in bright traditional clothing sell their wares, is the Giyani tourism information centre. There stands the statue of ancient Shangaan tribal king Mdungazwe Ngungunyane Nxumalo in all his majesty. Although small in stature, Ngungunyane, displays boldness and power – qualities he has been admired for since his reign in the 1800s.
It’s also the reason that 98-yearold Gabaza Hlungwane feels obliged to visit the statue before she dies. It’s a ritual she repeats whenever she visits Giyani. She clutches her walking stick, steadily moves towards the iron sculpture and lowers her head, silently paying homage and hailing her true king.
She knows the importance of her tradition and the role Ngungunyane played in creating the woman she is today.
Now, 129 years later, the greatgrandson of the man who has been the pride of the Shangaan people is fighting for what he believes is his rightful throne to continue the legacy of the Gaza Kingdom.
For the past seven years, Hosi Mpisane Eric Nxumalo has acquainted himself with the court processes.
Last year he lodged an appeal at the Pretoria High Court to challenge the findings of the Nhlapo Commission, which did not recognise him as king.
In its findings, the commission maintained that there was no proof that the Gaza Kingdom exists in South Africa.
The only other known Gaza Kingdom existed in Mozambique. According to local authorities, the kingdom ended here after Ngungunyane ceded his powers to the Portuguese in 1894. But the nine tribal chiefs in the Greater Giyani District, who now serve under Nxumalo, refuse to accept this.
“As Shangaan people we are disappointed at the manner in which we have been treated and ridiculed by the government of the day. Our wish is to have a king. Our past and present relies on our history. It is vital that this is preserved,” says Nduna (chief) Chudu.
While the Zulu tribe has King Goodwill Zwelithini and the Royal Bafokeng its legacy in North West, the Shangaan chieftaincy is at war with itself. The chiefs believe their history has been distorted and are determined to correct it.
“It’s a shame that we are a people with no leader. Our government is presented with the proof and yet we are disregarded. If Nxumalo is indeed not fit to be our king and the government claims Ngungunyane never reached Limpopo, why was his statue placed here? Why do our people continue to celebrate his life? Why is it that this man has to struggle to prove that he belongs in his rightful place?” asks one of the chiefs, Hosi Nwadzekudzeku.
Nxumalo has lived in Bushbuckridge since the early 1980s. In 1994, Bushbuckridge came under the jurisdiction of Limpopo. But residents of the town and surrounding areas were in a dispute with the government because they wanted to be part of Mpumalanga as Mbombela (Nelspruit) is closer than Polokwane. In 2006, Bushbuckridge was transferred to Mpumalanga.
It’s this point that Samuel Mabunda and Ernest Nkanyani, the would-be king’s advisers, raise. They maintain that Nxumalo’s “kingdom” is not confined to Limpopo.
And so a journey of 200km to the king’s homestead continues.
Unlike Giyani, Thulamahashe has rapidly progressed, as evidenced by the schools, churches and the community’s prosperity.
New Forest is where Nxumalo’s tribal authority office is located. Its two buildings are next to each other. This is where the government at least recognises Nxumalo as a senior traditional leader, even if not as king.
Nxumalo’s chair is placed at the back of the truck and offloaded by strong men to his main office. He appears. “Hail King Nxumalo… the descendant of Ngungunyane,” his men shout in strong voices while others place a leopard skin on his shoulders, ushering him forward. Nxumalo could easily be a modernday king. In one hand he has a smartphone, in the other, the keys to his gold Mercedes-Benz. He wears shiny, expensive, black shoes. His silky shirt and neat beard speak volumes of his lifestyle.
Nxumalo relays his daily challenges, as he grapples with the controversy of his kingship.
“I was 21 when I started as king. There were disputes and family feuds because of my age. Some wanted to serve as regents as I was still young. There were big conflicts and fights. Even lives were lost. At the gate they killed two policemen. A close relative was also killed because of those who were disputing my accession to the throne.
“We have come a long way, but we are still not there. Our claim was based on the law. We went to the Nhlapho Commission.
“The community put together a team to present their case before the commission.
“Tribal councils, people of the bush and everyone in the area made a contribution towards us getting the kingship. The majority of the Shangaan chiefs helped, too.
“We submitted an impeccable presentation. But we didn’t succeed. We will continue to explore all avenues.”
Nxumalo says the Shangaan tribe has become “nothing but a footnote” in South African history.
“We are not taken very seriously. That is part of the reason we are so divided. Even our language is not taken seriously. We are sidelined and not recognised.”
“My wish is that our children should grow up knowing their history.”
He wants to go Portugal to see where his great-grandfather died, and to bring his remains home. But it’s difficult; he needs money. The government has been unable to assist.
About 40km from the Giyani information centre is Magone Village, on the outskirts of Kruger National Park.
This is where Shangaan prime minister Samuel Dickeson Nxumalo lives.
He served as the third and last chief minister of Gazankulu during apartheid, holding office from April 1993 to April 1994.
Dickeson maintains that his nephew had been ordained to be king as a boy. He recalls how the child was removed from his lodgings with his mother and sent to live with his uncle so that he could be trained. Dickeson said that in 1981, when Nxumalo was in Standard 6 (Grade 8), he was the youngest chief to have ever been elected.
“Mpisane is our son. He’s the rightful heir to this throne. What he’s claiming is the culture and heritage of all the Shangaan people. He needs to, and ought to, restore Ngungunyane’s throne for the benefit of today’s generation and those to come.”
Poet John Dryden once said: “Kings fight for empires, mad men for applause.”
Nxumalo, it would seem, is fighting for both.