Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, leader of the Maseko Ngoni, is one of the traditional leaders in the forefront when it comes to promoting culture. His coronation on August 5 2012 at the age of 16 remains a momentous occasion. Nation Publications Limited journalist KONDWANI KAMIYALA met the chief at Liswe le Zulu, corrupted as Lizulu, the headquarters of the Maseko Ngoni in Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. Excerpts:
Q:
We are here basically because you are leading in the restoration of trees in your territory. The commemoration of the International Mountain Day (IMD) this year is held at your headquarters, the Nkosini. Please tell us more….
A:
It is great that the commemoration is taking place here this year. It is an honour and pleasure because we have engaged another gear in conserving the environment. This is especially true due to works on Muonekela Hill where we are planting trees. Not only planting trees, but also taking care of the trees. It is the youth in Chibwana Village who initiated this. I am fully involved as I help in sourcing seedlings when they are needed. In the past, the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change provided seedlings.
Q: Is that your duty?
A:
As a chief, I should be there to take care of my people. Taking care of the environment is a must if we are to progress. We all know the importance of trees like giving us fresh air, completing the rain cycle and also avoiding surface run-off, just to mention a few. As a senior chief, I must lead by example. For that matter, involvement of senior chiefs in development endeavours is a must because they pass on the message to subordinate chiefs and it trickles down to the community. I have been a patron of the Ngwenyama Environmental Initiative. I passionately believe that traditional leaders are well-placed to lead in halting land degradation and help conserve trees and forests.
Q: So, how is the Maseko Ngoni kingdom?
A:
We are getting on. You know, much as I am the Ngoni king, I am not a traditional authority as it is the case with others. As a matter of fact, the Nkosini is in T/A Chakhumbira’s area in Ntcheu. Yet, T/A Chakhumbira reports to me. There are over 20 T/As under me. My reign is not solely confined to Malawi, but also in Mozambique, over Angonia. Other chiefs under me are in Tanzania and South Africa.
Q:
Why is it that very few Ngonis here speak a language unique to the people. What is being done?
A:
That is true. Plans are underway to develop a curriculum for the language to be taught. We are standardising everything so that the grammatical rules are followed.
Q
: What plans are there to preserve the Ngoni cultural heritage as well as history?
A:
We want to establish a Ngoni Cultural Village at Nkolimbo where everything about our history and culture will be on display. You know it is at Nkolimbo where we hold the annual Umhlangano and that is where you find the grave of Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani I.
Q:
You took up the throne at 16, very young. How have you been coping?
A:
I must say that I have learnt a lot during this time. The greatest of the lessons I have is that it is my people who matter the most. I remember when I was coming in, I couldn’t address the people. Initially, I was only speaking through my Impis. What I could say in those months could not fill up even a page. I was just whispering to them yes or no. I remember, the first time I was supposed to speak in public, I was just stuttering. Things changed when the Impis cried out to me: Khuruma Ngwenyama. That is to say: Speak out Great Lion.
Q: Don’t you think some of these traditions need to be repudiated?
A:
Not everything about our culture is bad. We must preserve our identity. I remember at some point, some donors wanted us to sign a declaration that as chiefs we were abolishing initiation ceremonies in the country. Their thought was that initiation ceremonies lead to a number of problems. I strongly opposed that thought. I only recommend that boys and girls should be given lessons befitting their age at the initiation ceremonies. You can’t be telling a little girl about how to take care of the husband. We also have to incorporate professionals in these rites of passage.
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