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Maseko Ngoni award JB for bravery

The Maseko Ngoni took pride in the presence of President Joyce Banda at the coronation of 17-year-old Mswati Willard Kanjedza Gomani as Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, to present an award of bravery.

The paramount chief of the Maseko Ngoni clasped his hands and fixed his eyes on Nkosazana Rosemary Malinki as she presented the award to JB on behalf of the royal family at a ceremony held at Lizulu, Ntcheu, on Sunday.

Malinki likened JB’s rise to presidency to the epic of Namlangeni, the wife of Mputa, the Maseko Ngoni supreme leader, who led the Maseko Ngoni soon after they had crossed the Zambezi and passed through the present day Mozambique and Malawi to settle in Songea, Tanzania.

Said Malinki: “You [the President] have exceptional qualities of self-confidence, courage and bravery with unflinching loyalty and dedication to your people.

“In spite of overwhelming challenges that you faced, you continued to openly point out the wrongs done by the previous government, putting yourself at considerable risk.”

She said the President always sided with the victimised despite threats and intimidations.

“Your courageous conduct and the remarkable achievements within the short period you have been president testify to the noble ideals you have long held and fearlessly defended. You remind us of Mama Namlangeni,” said Malinki before handing over a portrait of Namlangeni to Banda.

The colourful coronation at Lizulu once again brought to the fore the need for the preservation of culture.

The Ngonis showed that they are proud of their cultural heritage. They were dressed in traditional regalia and performed traditional dances to perfection. It was also exciting to hear a few Ngoni words in songs and poetry at the ceremony—quite a spectacle in an age when western culture is the in-thing.

“Bayethe Nkosiyethu!” they shouted in unison after the President had finished crowning the chief, bowing their heads in approval of the new chief and it was time for traditional dances and feasting.

During the coronation, the President announced that she is contemplating of having a cultural day where various traditional dances would be performed.

Gomani V succeeds his father, the late Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani IV who died in 2009. Then Mswati was appointed heir to the throne.

He was born at Likuni Hospital in Lilongwe on October 4 1995 as the first child of Alex Kanjedza Willard Gomani and Esther Gomani, nee Mlundira. However, Mswati’s mother passed away on the surgery table during delivery. Consequently, Malinki adopted him. He has since grown in her care and protection.

The mother and father of Mswati tied their holy matrimonial knot at Mlanda CCAP in 1994 and thereafter they celebrated their wedding in Ngoni style at Lizulu, the Maseko Ngoni Headquarters.

Mswati has completed Form IV and his endeavour is to go back to Kamuzu Academy for Form V after his coronation.

The new inkosi’s dream is to study law in preparation for his leadership role as Paramount Chief of the Maseko Ngoni in Malawi.

 

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