Xhosa king postpones visit to Zimbabwe

News
A SOUTH African Xhosa king will this year skip his annual visit to the Zimbabwean Xhosa community, saying he has a busy schedule.

A SOUTH African Xhosa king will this year skip his annual visit to the Zimbabwean Xhosa community, saying he has a busy schedule.

Luyanduhlobo Makwati Own Correspondent

King Zwelonke Sigcawu was expected to visit the community two weeks ago, but the ceremony was cancelled and postponed to early next year.

Macleod Tshawe, a prince in the Xhosa dynasty and one of the elders in the Zimbabwean Xhosa community, told Southern Eye that this year they will not host the king as they have done in the past years, because they were informed that the king had a busy schedule.

“We should have hosted our annual function two weeks ago as the Xhosa community living in Zimbabwe, but we could not, as we were advised that the king would not come this year because he has a busy schedule in South Africa and we will be advised of the correct dates early next year,” he explained.

xhosa-children
xhosa-children

“The reason for the king to come to Zimbabwe is for the reunification of the Zimbabwean and South African Xhosa people, who have gone a long way in creating synergies between the two countries.”

The cultural visit is meant to strengthen the historical bond between the Xhosa communities in neighbouring countries.

King Sigcawu was expected to bring Xhosa books, which would be distributed among the Zimbabwean community, following the recognition of the language in Zimbabwe’s new Constitution.

The cultural visits and tours are also meant to develop the Xhosa language and preserve it, since most African communities relied on oral literature to preserve their history.

Related Topics