Chief Mpezeni makes way to Mtenguleni Nc’wala traditional ceremony

PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people yesterday made a triumphantly entry into Mtenguleni from his Ephendukeni Palace in Luangeni ahead of tomorrow’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony.

Business in Chipata town came to a standstill as scores lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the highest Ngoni Chief in Zambia who was driven in an open-roof vehicle.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni was accompanied by several Ngoni warriors driven in trucks alongside him as he raised his hands to the crowd that greeted him in a rare sunny day of the border town.

Taxis and other private motorists also joined the convoy soon after he passed around 16:00 hours to give him a symbolic send off to the historical headquarters of the Ngoni people.

Security was tight as police officers as well as traffic officers provided an escort to the paramount chief as he veered through the Umodzi High Way.

“It is already a great experience for me, I have already liked the procession and I believe it will be even greater on Saturday,” said Florence Mambwe one of the Lusaka residents that have that have travelled to witness the annual event.

The Ngoni ‘king’ would spend the whole day today at Laweni, a seclusion dormitory where he would be briefed on various developments by his subject chiefs.

He would also reflect on various as well as meet different dignatries ahead of the ceremony tomorrow.

N’cwala national organising committee chairperson Noel Nkhoma said the this year’s ceremony is set to go in the history book as the first ceremony attended by two foreign heads of states.

Malawian President Peter Wa Mutharika and and his counterpart for Mozambique Felipe Nyusi are expected to join President Edgar Lungu at the ceremony.

“All is set and we expect that the number will increase this year, and we have increased the facilities at the arena and at Laweni,” Mr Nkhoma said.

“We have medical facilities that will be stationed at the main arena from today (yesterday) until the end of the ceremony to attend to those who would need medical attention.”