AN 'ESWATINI'/ NGUNI VILLAGE FAR AWAY FROM HOME!

 UPCLOSE WITH MAZULU NKOSI VILLAGE IN EASTERN ZAMBIA

Behind Chipata Day Secondary School,in  Chipata District, Eastern region of Zambia,there is a settlement called Kalongola site and service. To the uninitiated, this looks like a simply a name of a settlement without paying much attention to the fact that Kalongola was in fact a person. And this person continues being glorified in the city of Chipata and his tribal area. 

Who was Kalongola?

Kalongola was a renowned builder who was based in the then Town of Chipata. Some of the urban buildings of the city bear his hands. In fact, the first Methodist Church in Chipata which is near Lunkhwanka tavern was opened by Kalongola.

He was of the Nkosi clan whose descendants hailed from present day Swaziland. These joined the Zwangendaba crusade alongside other Swati clans such as the Mgomezulu,Dube Tshongwes, Mdletshe, Dlamini, Nzimas and Khosa just to mention a few.

Kalongola Nkosi's Royal  Swaziland/Nguni Heritage

But whilst Kalongola's unique hands earned him a place in the history of Chipata, few know that he was in fact a respected traditional leader. Kalongola Nkosi is in fact the second Headman Mazulu.

Mazulu village is in the Chiefdom of Inkosi Madzimawe Jele in Eastern Zambia. It was the father of Kalongola, Mazulu Nkosi who should in fact be credited as having established/founded the village of Mazulu.

The village was initially very near the Great East Road, near the areas of Makungwa and Chakanga before moving to the Kapoko area at a place called Choipa. There is a well known dilapidated building, outside it there is an old tractor which is also not functioning. At that same point is where the village was. In fact the many Mango trees there were left by the Nkosis and their people.

From the Kapoko area, the Nkosi again moved, this time further away from the main road. They found a place they liked but it was a land for Headman Mnukwa. They thus asked to be given some land of which headman Mnukwa gave them.

Kalongola Nkosi KaMazulu Nkosi in his base, Chipata.

Mazulu Nkosi Village today!

Today, Mazulu village is neighbored by Mnukwa village, the original custodians of the area.Despite having many children, two sons of Kalongola Nkosi stand out. These are Enock Nkosi and Mzaza Nkosi. Enock Nkosi fathered Chikaduma Nkosi whilst Mzaza fathered Mundilole Maliko Nkosi.

Mundilole Maliko Nkosi in fact served as the Munawa (more of a helper) of headman Nkosi who was mostly away in Chipata.

Most of the common figures of Mazulu village, apart from the ones mentioned, include Prince Thomas Nkosi (who died before his father, Mundilole), Elidah Nkosi, Lozula Nkosi,Mode Nkosi, Emily Nkosi and Dickson Nkosi ( a son of Mundilole who acted as a regent for some time).

Currently, Peter Nkosi reigns as the headman Mazulu. He was officially coronated in 2017, which was a historical moment as it coincided with jubilee celebration for the village as they were marking 50 years since Kalongola took over from his father, Mazulu Nkosi.

Sengelwayo Nkosi, a great grandson of Kalongola Nkosi in his Zulu traditional attire

Izithakazelo zakwa Nkosi, Nkosi Clan Names, Nkosi Clan Praises!

Ndlangamandla,
Mphazima, Mntungwa,
Mawandla kaNdlela,
Nina baseMandlovini,
Mlotshwa, Siwela,
Mphazima kaLanga,
Nina bakwaLanga libomvu, elashis'amabel'ezikhuthali,
Mabuya sezembethe'ugogwane,
Mlotshw’akangakanani, ngoba nasentendeni yesandl'uyahlala,
Wena owaphath'induk'emnyama washay'amanzi, kwavel'udaka,
Nkonjane yenkosi,
Mpangazitha!

Editors Note: The name Lozula, which has been passed on to generations in the Mazulu lineage is however supposed to be Nozula. To 'Zula' is to travel, thus Lozula is Nozula meaning the traveller/the one who travels.

The interactions of the Zwangendaba people with Emaswati can be pointed as the reason for this usage of letter L where there is supposed to be letter N.

Further, Sengelwayo is used as a Name which describes circumstances of how the Child was born...Either the Mother passed away and the child was Breast fed by another Woman or through Cow Milk.

Senga = to Milk

Sengelwayo = Milk for.