MNISI CLAN CHIEF PASSES ON

MBABANE - The chief of the Mnisi Clan in Southern Africa has passed on. Bhekumuzi Mnisi died while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

He had been admitted for about two months.
Information gathered was that the late Bhekumuzi, popularly known as Manyovu II, died onTuesday morning.
The news of Bhekumuzi’s death was confirmed by Mephule Mnisi. Mephule was the chief’s right-hand man and he is also a member of the family.
However, Mephule said the family was not yet in a position to comment further as they were still shocked by the death of the chief who was also referred to as King of the Clan in Southern Africa.

The title ‘King’ refers to the chiefs who look after emaSwati who were left on the other side of the border-line demarcating Eswatini and South Africa.

Demarcation

 It is believed that some Eswatini royal kraals form part of Mpumalanga Province and other parts of South Africa after the demarcation line which was aimed at preventing Foot and Mouth disease.

The chiefs are emaSwati and they pay allegiance to His Majesty King Mswati III.  Mephule said the chief would be buried at Enkonjaneni Royal Kraal in the Mpumalanga Province on Saturday. He said a vigil would be held after a memorial service in Nelspruit tomorrow.

The late chief was one of the important people in the Mpumalanga Province as he was an executive member of the Traditional Council (Indlu Yemakhosi).
 He was once a chairman of the Traditional Council. As a result, the news of his death spread in the province after it was aired on Ligwalagwala Frequency Modulation news bulletin the same day he passed on.

Bhekumuzi died while in the process of rebuilding the clan which was divided after the death of Manyovu I. Manyovu I was known for using wasps during Mfecane Wars. He was buried at Mnyamatsini where he had established a homestead. The Mnisi clan was entrusted with the sacred dam at Mantjolo as they were believed to possess rain-making powers in the ancient days.
During his lifetime, the late Bhekumuzi stated that the clan respected the connection between God and water. He said it was for that reason that the clan played a significant role in praying for rain.

“God is the controller of all events. He has the power to stall rain and when He does, people believe there is drought. The Creator has the power to release rain for a good harvest. All the clan prays for is for God to release rains so that emaSwati can get a good harvest,” he once said in an interview.

The late chief had mentioned that the clan always prayed that God did not release excessive rain which turned to be destructive to crops and infrastructure. 
He stated that the surname Mnisi was derived from a verb ‘nisa’ (make rain)  which was why they administered rain.
Some members of the clan were against the appointment of Bhekumuzi, which was, however, approved by His Majesty King Mswati III in 1991.

Confirmed

Acting Ludzidzini Governor Chief Lusendvo Fakudze confirmed having received a report of Bhekumuzi’s death. However, he asked not to comment further as he was yet to report to Their Majesties. During his lifetime, Bhekumuzi believed that his mandate was to unite all the members of the clan in Southern Africa and bring them to Eswatini. As part of his renaissance mission, the late chief had allocated land for the establishment of a new royal kraal at Mantjolo on the outskirt of Mbabane. He named the new royal kraal Jubindaba as it was allocated at the edge of a disputed land.

He also initiated programmes with the aim of empowering members of the clan in Eswatini. The late chief purchased a block making machine and a tractor for a small community with the members of the clan at Shewula.

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