Owen Dhliwayo

Chiefs in Chipinge district have petitioned the Ministry of Local Government against the ordination of Chief Ngungunyana in Chipinge district. The petition raised pertinent questions about the legitimacy of the Ngungunyana chieftainship in Chipinge district.
“Ngungunyana is a Mozambican chieftainship and not Zimbabwean or for Chipinge district. He only raided Ndaus in Chipinge and returned to Bhiyeni (near Maputo) in Mozambique, reads part of the petition.
The petitioning chiefs argue that the installation is in total disregard to traditional boundaries and territories.
“No boundaries have ever been changed to accommodate Ngungunyana at any time. The uninterrupted chieftainship of the Ndau chiefs from 1600AD to the present day speaks clearly that there is no way a Ngungunyana chieftainship can be accommodated in the area,” continues the petition.
The coronation has been been deemed as disregarding the historical legacy and traditions of the Ndau people who have been victims to the killings of Ngungunyana in the Ndau that were both serious and brutal.
Chief Happy Ngungunyana Nxumalo took the throne and ordained as Chief for Chipinge district on the 2nd of August, 2024.
The ordination ceremony was presided over the Minister of State and Devolution for Manicaland, Advocate Misheck Mugadza and graced by several government officials including Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Angeline Gwata, District Development Coordinator, William Mashava, Chipinge East Member of Parliament Lincoln Dhliwayo and Chipinge Central Member of Parliament, Raymore Machingura among other prominent local people from Chipinge.
The ordination ceremony marked the beginning of Happy Ngungunyana Nxumalo as Chief Ngungunyana’s tenure. The newly ordained Chief was presented with a certificate of appointment, a gown and a staff.
Chief Happy Ngungunyana Nxumalo emanates from a family of Kings that include Ngungunyana, Mzila and Soshangane. He currently has four wives and 17 children.
However, Chief Ngungunyana is yet to have defined subjects as the issue of boundary is still to be finalised through consultations with other Chiefs in Chipinge district.
His jurisdiction is likely to affect areas under Chiefs Mapungwana, Musikavanhu and Mutema, and this is a cocktail for confusion and conflict among community members and create conflict with surround Chiefs over boundaries and authority. This uneasy situation is reflected in Chief Mpungu being the only renowned traditional leader to attend the installation ceremony out of seven Chiefs in the district.
Chief Happy Ngungunyana Nxumalo is the first-born son of Thembekaya who is also the first-born son of King Ngungunyana’s first born son Godhidhi