Times Of Swaziland: ‘SCORPION’ VICTIM OF OLD POLITICAL RIVALRY

‘SCORPION’ VICTIM OF OLD POLITICAL RIVALRY
================================================================================
Sabelo Gabs Nxumalo on 05/04/2022 08:04:00


Many years ago I happened to attend a meeting which was to try and resolve a
festering conflict between the late Chief Madzanga Ndwandwe and the late Chief
Mdvuba Magagula over the control of land in and around Madlangempisi.
This was a high powered meeting convened by His Majesty King Mswati III and
national advisory councils (emabandla) at Lozitha Palace. The deliberations from
representatives of both sides were long and the King listened attentively
throughout all the presentations. At the end of all the speakers, His Majesty
then informed the gathering that this matter had been resolved by King Sobhuza
II and that he would not attempt to change anything from that judgement. He
asked that we all listen to a recording by the King on this matter. As we set in
silence and anticipation, the familiar voice of King Sobhuza II suddenly echoed
from loud speakers throughout the building.
The elderly men among us were taken aback in nostalgic shock and found
themselves blasting out his traditional praises which were quickly rebuked by
security personnel in the house to silence. King Sobhuza II narrated the events
that led to the Magagula Clan losing control of the Madlangempisi land. This
would lead to a long drown ouy hate for the monarchy through generations. The
King basically told the story that the Magagula Clan harassed a group of
travellers on the way to King Mswati II, carrying buganu as tribute. King Mswati
II, who had expanded his kingdom from Witbank (Emalahleni), taking parts of the
Kruger National Park all the way down to Jozini and Ngwavuma, was livid.
Basically, present day Mpumalanga was his. On hearing of this insolence from his
royal residence in present day White River, South Africa, it is said he was so
furious that he promised total distraction of the Magagula Clan on his return.
Madzanga Ndwandwe arrival
Madzanga I, the son of Zwide, had arrived in Eswatini after the defeat and death
of his father, King Zwide of the Ndwandwe Kingdom. He had been received with
great hospitality by the Magagula Clan who were the original natives of the land
even before emaSwati and the Dlamini dynasty. It is said they were of Sotho
origin, hence their salutation ‘Suthu’. The Usuthu River had been named by
them. The Ndwandwe’s Prince Madzanga I and his people had been given land by
King Mswati II as they were his uncles through Queen mother (Indlovukazi)
Thandile Ndwandwe (daughter to Zwide) his mother and he had asked them to stay
at a place he named Bulandzeni, saying he was bringing back (kulandza) his
mother’s home which had been destroyed by King Shaka of the Zulus.
On hearing of the pending distraction of his kind hosts, the Magagulas, King
Sobhuza II said Madzanga I immediately took the Magagula Clan leader to King
Mswati II’s royal palace, threw him at the feet of the King and covered him
with his own body, and said; “You will have to kill me first, Your Majesty,
before you kill him and his people.” King Mswati II was moved by his uncle’s
compassion and ordered that they be ‘dead’ to him and their land will be
under the Ndwandwes  and they will remain only as tindvuna. This would be the
case until his death and future kings gave back most of the land such that we
now have the late Chief Malamulela Magagula controlling vast Magagula land again
but not all.
Madlangempisi political hot spot
Madlangempisi has remained a very sensitive political hot spot over the years
because of this history. The antimonarchy and anti-Dlamini sentiments remained
very strong. Most of the political parties trace their origins back to
Madlangempisi. The June 2021 uprising has put Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso
‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo under great pressure by the highly politicised youth to
take a stand against the monarchy, claiming this is the will of the people. You
are with us or against us was the slogan. His picture with the King might have
broken the camel’s back. He has weathered the storm carrying a very big
political constituency with a population of more than 28 000 and having won with
a convincing 1 084 majority votes to his closest rival. However, political
rivalry for future elections still exists and anything to undermine the
incumbent is possible.
SNAT connection
Madlangempisi has one of the strongest SNAT branches in the country. This again
brings in a strong political element as we all know the sentiments of the
teachers union towards the monarchy. The recent unrest has had an even greater
stress towards the local MP. This political climate has also affected negatively
relationships even within the Nxumalo family and close relatives who are
affiliated with various organisations. The MP has to juggle these relationships
while staying focused and working for the majority.
MP Scorpion the man
This is a self-made businessman/politician who was recovering from the loss of
his wife (best friend) only five years ago and was on his way to recovery. His
children have lost everything again, having lost their mother and now losing
their home with everything inside including all their most important documents,
memories, clothing and everything imaginable in one cruel act. His business has
suffered the loss of his partner and CEO, his CFO to COVID-19 complications and
recently his mechanic to a car accident, who was also a brother. To make matters
worse copper thieves broke into the business and stripped the machinery of
copper wiring rendering it useless. However, he has been able to fight his way
back and the company will be ready for operations soon in time for the sugar
mill opening.
Conclusion
The Magagulas and the Nxumalos, with all that has been said, have lived together
peacefully with a very close relationship for decades. The generations have
intermarried and there is no family that does not have relations with one or the
other surname. However, the antimonarchy sentiments which have spread throughout
all the various surnames at Madlangempisi are disturbing. It has found fertile
ground for all political parties calling for change. The brutality of the attack
on the home of the MP has served to put fear and take away our freedom of
expression. Ordinary emaSwati will not be able to freely express themselves at
the dialogue. This is the death of the call for real democracy and the entry of
new forceful dictatorship. septembereswatini@gmail.com