THIS past weekend AmaHlubi held their 99th annual Isikhumbuzo (remembrance) at KhayaKhulu, Rustenburg- North West province.
Various traditional leaders, Kings & Queens, Chiefs and ordinary folks came in large numbers to celebrate this very auspicious occasion at the sweltering hot Khayakhulu.
Isikhumbuzo is a celebration meant to honour and commemorate the pioneering steps taken by the Amahlubi forbearers lead by Nkosi Shadrack Fuba Zibi who left their place of birth in the Eastern Cape and sort to own land for and by it’s people in Khayakhulu, Rampampaspoort, Welgeval, Welverdiend and Losmecherrie in the platinum province.
Popular figures such as Royal Bafokeng King- Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, the son of the late Zulu King and Chiefs from the NW and EC graced the event, so were Gvt officials, businesspeople and civil servants.
Former Jomo Cosmos FC, Moroka Swallows, and Bafana Bafana midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, who also had a spell in Russia, was in attendance. He’s a farmer in KwaZulu Natal and “enjoying every moment with family”.
Unfortunately, the celebrations did not feature its amaHlubi leader and Professor, Inkosi Madoda Shadrack Zibi, who passed on this year due to ill-health.
His son Lutho Zibi, for the first time, had to hold the fort by conducting the ceremony in the form performing a ritual as per amaHlubi custom, and address the elders and thousands of well-wishers without his father.
Clad in isiXhosa regalia Lutho said the moment was emotional as he had to grow quicker and perform some of the cultural ceremony in the “absence of my pillar” a reference to his father.
As the sunsets- ululations and isiXhosa dance were the order of the day, as elders feasted on meat and galloped traditional beer.
Top image Mdu Mphahlele (From left- Macbeth Sibaya, AmaHlubi’s Lutho Zibi, King Lebone Molotlegi and Zulu King’s son at the Isikhumbuzo celebration at KhayaKhulu, Rustenburg).
