Chief Ndiweni joins Nguni nations for historic Inxwala ceremony in Zambia

Exiled Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni attended the sacred Inxwala ceremony in Chipata, Zambia, joining Nguni traditional leaders and communities gathered from across Southern Africa for the important cultural event. The ceremony, held in eastern Zambia near the border with Malawi was convened by the Nguni monarch Chief Mphezeni. “The Inxwala ceremony can traditionally only be called by a reigning monarch, symbolising the king’s role as the spiritual intermediary between the people and their ancestors.

Delegations travelled from across the region including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia, reflecting the enduring cultural links of Nguni-descended communities across Southern Africa,” said Chief Ndiweni in an interview with CITE. Among the monarchs who attended was king Bulelani kaLobengula from Zimbabwe. King Bulelani travelled from Johannesburg, flying to Lilongwe before continuing his journey to Chipata.

Upon arrival in Malawi, Chief Ndiweni said King Bulelani was welcomed by local kings before being given a vehicle and a driver for the final leg of his journey. The road trip from Lilongwe to Chipata is approximately 150 kilometres and took about three hours to complete. Chief Ndiweni said he attended the ceremony with the full blessing of Makhosonke II Mabhena, formally known as His Royal Majesty Ingwenyama Makhosonke II Mabhena of KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga.

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He travelled with the king’s prince as part of the royal entourage. Ndiweni said the two monarchs, Mabhena and Bulelani share a long-standing relationship and know each other well, reflecting the strong ties between Ndebele royal houses across the region. Despite internal political debates surrounding traditional leadership in Zimbabwe, Ndiweni emphasised that King Bulelani’s presence at the ceremony demonstrated his enduring role within the broader Nguni royal network. Chief Ndiweni said King Bulelani’s participation affirmed that he remains an important figure within the broader Nguni traditional leadership structures.

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