‘HAUNTED’ BY TV MTETWA’S BAN

PIGG’S PEAK – Mbutfuyandzindza Shongwe was once a familiar face at national events but today, he literally moves from pillar to post, just like his name suggests.

In fact, Shongwe had a specific duty to perform during events such as incwala.
His role was to start songs and for this reason, he was always only metres away from His Majesty the King.

In his own words, he would often be so physically close to the King he could even hear a whisper but this changed after he was ordered by the then Ludzidzini Governor Timothy ‘TV’ Mtetwa to stay away.
This was after he was accused of starting a song which was viewed as not right for Their Majesties.

Respond

Today, Shongwe cannot respond to the famous call of ‘uyezwa na!’ because he claimed he was not allowed to attend national events.
He said he was surprised when he was accused of starting the song because he did not compose any song.
He said the incident happened during the incwala ceremony in 2015.

Shongwe said he had first received a call ordering him to wait where he was; with an emphatic order that he should not move.
He then said Mtetwa arrived with others and they then discussed the issue regarding the song. Shongwe said he was not given many details about the incident but was advised that the song was viewed as inappropriate for the King.

The details of the song will not be repeated.
Shongwe said it was during this time that he was ordered never to set foot near the King.
He said after this, he has not been able to attend national events in fear that he could be punished.
“I cannot defy this order but I just want to know what I did wrong,” he said.

Patriotic

Shongwe said he did not know any other life other than the one he had known throughout his life, that of being a patriotic liSwati and responding to all calls of national events.
He said his major concern was that the song, which he referred to as ‘umgubho’ was not his composition but that it was a collective effort by many members of the regiments.

Shongwe said his banishment from national events was literally killing him.
The current acting governor of Ludzidzini, Lusendvo Fakudze, when reached for comment, said he knew Shongwe.
Fakudze said he was also surprised to notice that Shongwe was no longer attending national events.

He said since the pronouncement had been made by Mtetwa who was deceased, it was difficult for him to respond.
However, he added that it was also not possible to make decisions on matters that touched on Their Majesties.
“I do not have such authority,” Fakudze said.

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