Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. OVER 5 000 people are expected to attend this year’s Gadade celebrations in Mbembesi meant to remember a group of brave Ndebele warriors who fought vigorously against the British South Africa Company’s efforts to colonise the southern part of this country in 1893.
The clash, now known as the Battle of Imbembesi, was a turning point in the First Matabele War and has become a symbol of Ndebele pride and resilience.
The celebrations are set for today at the Gadade Battlefield Memorial Site in Mbembesi.
In a notice, organisers of the event, Umhlahlo Wesizwe SikaMthwakazi and other stakeholders involved in the organising of the Gadade, hailed all those who have contributed towards the event.
“We write to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have contributed to the upcoming Gadade 2025 event, taking place this Saturday November 8,” the notice reads.
“Your unwavering support and dedication have been the driving force behind our progress and we are thrilled to report that the event is shaping up to be a grand success.”
The organisers said they were pleased to inform the stakeholders that arrangements were progress well, with only a few loose ends requiring attention.
“Our estimates suggest that we are expecting a turnout of between 4 000 and 5 000 attendees, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the event is meticulously planned and executed.
“In terms of logistics, we are pleased to report that the food arrangements are almost adequate, thanks to the generosity of our stakeholders.
“However, we urgently still require an additional US$650 to cover the shortfall for isitshebo (relish), a crucial component of our traditional festivities.”
They urged people to join hands and show the world what they are capable of.
“Let us demonstrate our resilience, our strength, and our unwavering dedication.
“We humbly appeal to the nation to come together and rally behind together in these final few days leading up to the event.
“We urge all stakeholders and well-wishers to contribute generously towards bridging the shortfall and ensuring that our event is a grand success.
“You can directly donate a beast, a goat, chickens or even money to purchase from a butchery.”
The remembered amabutho (soldiers) came from the Imbizo, Ameva, iSiziba, iHlathi, iNsukamini and Ingubo regiments and the battle took place at Gadade, 50km from Bulawayo along Harare Road.
The celebrations run under the theme Honouring the Brave, Preserving our Heritage, the event calls for remembrance, pride and unity.
An estimated 6 000 Ndebele soldiers perished in the battle, which also claimed the lives of some white soldiers, whose graves remain in Mbembesi.
The war led to King Lobengula realising that his capital, KoBulawayo was vulnerable before burning it down than allowing the enemy to destroy it before he fled northwards.
This battle marked the collapse of the Ndebele Kingdom, which today the Khumalos are fighting to revive with the help of the Ndebele communities.
In the current efforts to revive the Ndebele Kingship, there has been several claimants, namely Bulelani Khumalo, who was crowned in 2018 at a private venue after government blocked his public coronation; Stanley Raphael Khumalo, who was also crowned at a private venue after government disrupted his public coronation; Peter Zwide Khumalo and Mcijwana Khumalo, who have not yet been crowned.
The matrix in the kingship has created controversy and divisions in the Khumalos.
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