We, the undersigned, express our profound disapproval of recent public statements made by Zimbabwean government officials, specifically Minister Daniel Garwe and ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, regarding His Majesty King Bulelani Lobengula kaMzilikazi's courtesy visit to the City of Bulawayo.

On 21 April 2025, His Majesty King Bulelani met with Mayor David Coltart and Town Clerk Christopher Dube in a peaceful and respectful engagement aimed at fostering cultural development and honouring the proud history of the Ndebele nation. This visit was not political but rather a dignified cultural pilgrimage rooted in heritage, unity, and identity.

In response, Minister Garwe issued a letter reprimanding the Mayor, and referring to His Majesty as a “charlatan” and “foreign national.” These remarks are not only disrespectful but also a direct affront to the cultural dignity of AmaNdebele, whose traditional leadership structures predate the colonial and post-colonial state.

We affirm the following:

• King Bulelani Lobengula is a direct descendant of King Lobengula and King Mzilikazi and was identified through a rigorous, culturally legitimate process led by traditional leaders and the Khumalo royal family.
• His role is symbolic, cultural, and unifying—not political. He represents the spiritual and ancestral continuity of a nation forcibly dismantled by colonial conquest.
• Recognising traditional leaders is not a crime—it is a commitment to preserving African identity, confronting historical injustice, and restoring the dignity of communities systematically erased.
• King Bulelani’s status as a "foreigner" is a direct result of colonial exile; his ancestors were banished by Cecil Rhodes’ administration, forcing royal descendants into foreign lands. To label him a foreigner today is to reaffirm the legacy of colonial displacement.
• This is not the first time Ndebele people have been publicly demeaned by high-ranking officials. In years past, the then Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Publicity, Monica Mutsvangwa, referred to AmaNdebele as a “righteous minority”, implying their marginality in national affairs. Energy Mutodi, who was her deputy, also made a public statement, shamefully calling  AmaNdebele foreigners in Zimbabwe, a deeply offensive and historically false claim.

·      Such statements are not isolated; they form part of a long-standing pattern of cultural erasure and marginalisation. They are an insult to the memory of King Mzilikazi and King Lobengula and to every Zimbabwean who believes in a united, inclusive society.

What We Are Calling For:  

• An immediate public retraction and apology from Minister Daniel Garwe and Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa for their inflammatory remarks.
• A formal recognition of the cultural and symbolic role of His Majesty King Bulelani Lobengula by local and national institutions.
• The protection of cultural leaders and their right to engage in peaceful, restorative practices in their ancestral homelands.
• A national dialogue on recognising traditional leadership in Zimbabwe, including potential constitutional reforms that respect pre-colonial governance systems.

 ️ “Inkosi yiNkosi ngabantu”

Support this petition to uphold dignity, culture, and unity for Mthwakazi and beyond.

#RespectOurKing #InkosiYiNkosiNgabantu #DefendHeritage #RecogniseBulelani #NdebelePride #CulturalJustice #RestoreDignity #MthwakaziVoices