On Saturday, March 26, 2022, the Manala Mgibe council held an inauguration of the raving Prince Abram Musa Hlumbane of Katlehong.
The inauguration was held at the Katlehong Arts Center and was attended by kings, princes, princesses, and royal family members from various lands including the Free State (Maluti aphofung) and Zimbabwe. Ward councillors and members of the community also gathered to witness the event.
The event was graced with prayer, along with performances from local poets (praise singers), singers, and Reed dancers.
Chief Mgibe Mabena said the purpose of this event was to inaugurate Prince Hlumbane but also to teach the community about the importance of culture.
“We have decided as the kingdom of Manala Mgibe that we need to inaugurate our king here at Katlehong because we are traditional people who follow their customs, we have realised that there is so much that goes wrong by neglecting our culture,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of traditional leaders and culture because not knowing where you come from makes it harder to know where you are heading.
Land and natural resources were one of the things mentioned at the event, and the importance of returning land to who they believe are rightful owners (traditional leaders and its people).
This has been a special and different occasion as it is not common for these types of events to be held in small towns like Katlehong.
By Simphiwe Khumalo
