Prince Zwide Khumalo
Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE death of some of the elders who are direct descendents of King Lobengula is becoming a major setback in the revival of the Ndebele monarchy as they pass on with critical information needed in the setting up of the kingdom.
This comes following the death of King Lobengula’s granddaughter, Princess Sibuzo Sodumo Khumalo, daughter to Nyamande and MaThebe, on Saturday.
She was 96.
Princess Khumalo was buried at Athlone Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday.
Family spokesperson Prince Zwide Khumalo said the revival of the Ndebele monarchy hinges on the information provided by the elders and direct descendants of the King.
He bemoaned the death of some of the Khumalo descendents who are knowledge sources and are critical in the monarchy’s revival bid.
Prince Khumalo said the revival of the monarchy is at a research stage which involves consulting the elders.
“The process of the revival of ubukhosi (kingdom) involves a structure that does research. The research teams runs around interviewing some of these elderly people to get details about the monarchy,” he said.
“It’s a disadvantage that the team did not interview her as she has historical information particularly from Nyamande’s house.”
Prince Khumalo said the princess’ death was a sad development as she was a fountain of knowledge that should have been tapped.
He said Princess Khumalo was born in 1919 at Mbembesi Forest Area before moving with her mother and two brothers to Nyandeni area in Matopos after the death of her father in 1929.
Prince Khumalo said all is not lost when it comes to information sources as the princess is survived by a brother who was born in1930 and the last of the elders in the Nyamande family.
The prince said Princess Khumalo got married to the late Henry Malcom Huntley.
He described the late Princess Khumalo as an honest and humble person, who was quick to forgive, never asked for more and smiled through difficult situations.
Prince Zwide said the princess did not like hospitals and was admitted a few times in her lifetime and for over 50 years she did not visit a hospital until this year in September.
“On October 8 in the morning we called an ambulance for her but she was passed away before she could reach hospital,” he said.
She is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
The death of Princess Khumalo follows that of Princess Simoli Khumalo who succumbed to a chronic liver ailment in July this year.
Princess Simoli Khumalo was the eldest daughter of Prince Rhodes Khumalo, son to Prince Njube Khumalo who was one of Lobengula’s sons.