- Kingdom will still be in period of mourning late Paramount Chief Mpezeni
MAYENGO NYIRENDA
Chipata
THE Ncwala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni will not take place next year because the kingdom will still be in the period of mourning late Paramount Chief Mpezeni.And the Ngoni Royal
Establishment is content that all traditions and customs were observed during the burial of Chief Mpezeni IV at Ephendukeni palace on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists at Ephendukeni palace yesterday, Chief Madzimawe said the mourning period will last for a year.
“Consequently, the Ncwala traditional ceremony will not be held next year, as a new paramount chief would not have been installed,” he said.
Chief Madzimawe also said the royal establishment ‘felt no pressure or coercion’ from Government during the funeral proceedings of Chief Mpezeni.
“He (Chief Mpezeni) was accorded respect by the Government through the provision of an official funeral. That in itself is an honour to all of us in the Ngoni establishment,” he said.
Chief Madzimawe said Government worked closely with the royal establishment to ensure no traditional protocols were violated during the burial.
He clarified that every event during the funeral was done according to the royal establishment’s plans.
“You witnessed the unwrapping of the casket to remove the national flag; while it was expected to be done at the gravesite, it was performed beforehand so that our impis (warriors) could take charge.
“People should not misunderstand what happened. There was no interference; everything went according to plan.”
Earlier, Ngoni Royal Establishment spokesperson Chief Mnukwa said many factors will be considered before selecting Chief Mpezeni’s successor.
Once a selection is made, the candidate will be scrutinised before being presented to Paramount Chief M’mbelwa for confirmation and installation.
“Once that is done, a date for the installation will be set by M’mbelwa, but it must occur within the one-year period,” the traditional leader said.
Senior Chief Nzamane dismissed social media reports suggesting that Chief Mishiro of the Ngoni has died.
He called on the law enforcers to arrest people behind the misinformation.
Chief Nzamane thanked traditional leaders from within the country and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for joining the Ngoni to mourn Chief Mpezeni…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
