Descendant of King Nghunghunyani dies
Shangaan nation, royal family in deep mourning
Hosi Mpisani Eric Nxumalo of the Amashangane Traditional Council in Mpumalanga, who was the direct descendant of warrior king Nghunghunyani, has died.
Nxumalo passed away on Wednesday after a short illness. He was 62.
His death was announced by the Gaza Kingdom that is fighting for the restoration of the kingdom of their late leader Nghunghunyani, which the late hosi Nxumalo was its heir.
The Gaza Kingdom’s death notice read: “It is with heavy hearts that the Gaza Kingdom announces the untimely death of His Majesty, Bayethe Mpisani Eric Nxumalo. His Majesty Bayethe ME Nxumalo passed away on Wednesday morning after a short illness.
“He was in his 40th year of rule, which made him the longest-serving ruler in the history of the dynasty. The Shangaan nation and the royal family are in deep mourning.”
The Gaza Kingdom said funeral arrangements were still being finalised, and thanked all the people who sent condolences soon after hearing the news.
The son of Hosi Nghunghunyani’s grandson, Mafemani Heavyman Nxumalo, the late Nxumalo, was recognised by the SA government as a senior traditional leader dating back to 1981 when he ascended the throne at the age of 22.
During his time he revived the Gaza Kingdom that was founded by his great-greatgrandfather Soshangana.
Soshangane’s son was king Nghunghunyani’s father. During his reign of conquests, Nghunghunyani was captured by colonialists in 1895 and they took him to Portugal where he was banished and exiled.
“The Lion of Gaza”, as Nghunghunyani was known, was taken to the Island of Terceira in the Azores where he died in 1906.
The name of Nghunghunyani loomed large in anti-colonial and anti-apartheid circles.
Broadcasting from Lusaka, Radio Freedom, of the banned ANC in exile, used to eulogise anti-colonial hero Nghunghunyani alongside others such as Sekhukhune and Makhado in its broadcasts.
A statue of Nghunghunyani was erected in Giyani, the capital of the former Gazankulu homeland, by then Limpopo premier Sello Moloto.
It’s the place where the Gaza
Kingdom holds its annual event, the Nghunghunyani Day, where cultural activities take place.
A member of the family, Hosi Magona, real name Busa Nxumalo, confirmed the death of the direct descendant of “The Lion of Gaza”, as Nghunghunyani was called.
Relaying the message to all Xitsonga-speaking traditional leaders, the chairperson of the Vatsonga Machangana Royal Unity, Hosi Lwandlamuni Nwamitwa, said: “It is with deepest sympathy that we announce the passing on of one of our own, His Royal Majesty
Hosi Nxumalo (Bayethe) of the Amashangane Traditional Council. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
The death of Nxumalo is another tragedy for the Gaza Kingdom after the late king lost his wife Jabulile two months ago. The spokesperson of the Gaza Kingdom, Ernest Nkanyane, who was known by his clan name Mamba, also died last month.
A year ago, the kingdom lost one of its presenters, Xipetani Nkuna, who presented the Gaza Kingdom’s case for kingship at the Nhlapo Commission.