Umthetho Cultural Festival will be a double celebration this year as Mzimba Ngonis will be commemorating their king Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V’s 10-year reign.
The festival is scheduled for August 3 at Hora Mountain in Mzimba District.
Mzimba Heritage Association Secretary General Kingsley Jele said celebrating their cultural values alongside commemorating M’mbelwa’s decade on the throne will make the festival unique.
“This will be happening for the first time ever and we just cannot wait for the great day to come. We have been with our king for 10 good years with so much to show for it. He has continued with his late father [Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV]’s great legacy.
“Under our king’s reign, we continue to live as one people with a common goal of promoting our cultural and traditional values at all times,” Jele said.
He said they have also opened up the festival to companies, individuals and organisations that would want to sell their merchandise at the event.
“Umthetho brings together people from all over Mzimba District and many parts of the country. We will also have guests from countries such as Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya,” Jele said.
He said that visitors from other parts of the world have also shown interest in coming and joining them this year.
“So, this will be a great opportunity for business besides the main item on the agenda, which is culture,” Jele said.
Meanwhile, Jele has said preparations for the festival are at an advanced stage, with traditional authorities across the district (Amakhosi) mobilising various items which are being handed over to the organising committee.
Umthetho is one of the top annual cultural festivals in the country.
