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Nqobile Bhebhe in Binga 

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CHIEF Binga was installed at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School yesterday, a day after the historic launch of the national Culture Month in Binga District.

Hundreds of villagers including 88 village heads, the majority of them wearing BaTonga traditional attire thronged Bulawayo Kraal Primary School to witness the ceremony.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka was the guest of honour.

Local Government and Public Works Minister, Cde July Moyo, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo and several local chiefs led by Deputy President of the Chiefs Council Mtshana Khumalo also attended the ceremony.

As Chief Binga, born Grey Sikalelu Muleya was being installed, in keeping with tradition, locals occasionally burst into song and dance.

It reached a crescendo when Minister July Moyo drew closer to the crowd waving the traditional gown, hat, barge and other gear.

Minister Masuka chronicled the history of the Binga Chieftainship. 

He said the BaTonga people subscribe to the matrilineal succession tradition whereby chieftainships revolve around maternal brothers and nephews of the late Chief.

The Binga community is part of the BaTonga tribe which is largely dominant here in Binga District.

“Binga Chieftainship was established when the then Chief Sikalenge decided that his area had become too big and gave an area now under Chief Binga to one Dobola who became the first Chief Binga (that’s where the name Binga originated).

“After the death of Dobola who was the first Chief Binga, the only heir to throne was his sister Mugwegwe, who could not be appointed due to cultural reasons. Her only son Layisi Siamukuti, a nephew to the late Chief (Dobola) was supposed to be appointed Chief,’’ said the Minister.

He said this did not happen because Layisi Siamukuti was still a minor.

Mugwegwe (sister to the chief) then requested Siazuza, the late chief’s distant relative to act as chief. Siazuza was then appointed as Chief Binga.

“It is also alleged that during his reign, Siazuza invited his nephew Siampolompa Chionkolole from Zambia to herd his cattle. After the death of Siazuza, his nephew Chionkolole with the assistance of Reverend Joel contrived to become chief Binga at the expense of Layisi Siamukuti who was the rightful candidate,” said the Minister.

“Layisi Siamukuti was not interested in becoming a chief and therefore never made an issue out of it but his several nephews born to his three sisters Siakatanga, Zembe and Cholobwe were very much interested. Gasta Siakulya the son of Cholobwe then appealed for reversion of the Binga Chieftainship to the rightful people.

“Chionkolole became Chief Binga around 1940 and died in 1994 and in the year 2000 on 05 February Siateya Gasta Siakulya was appointed as Chief Binga and he died on the 6th of June in 2019,” he added.

Minister Masuka applauded the Binga community for striving to uphold their customs by ensuring that the deserving incumbent ascends to the throne.

“This brings sanctity and dignity to the office of the chief. As Government, we expect that after the death of a chief, family members should observe the necessary traditional rituals and peacefully deliberate on the appropriate candidate to take over the vacant chieftainship post.

“The official installation of Muleya Sikalelu Grey as Chief Binga follows his appointment by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe on 29 March 2023.”

Chief Binga was born on July 6, 1950. He went to Bulawayo Kraal School. He was employed at Hwange Colliery in Hwange for 42 years.

He is married to two wives and has eight children and 10 grandchildren.

Chief Binga is taking over from the late Chief Gusta Siakateya Siakulya who died in 2019. 

“The late Chief served his people with integrity, humility, and respect. He initiated tangible development programmes such as construction of schools, establishment of Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation scheme, upholding the customary value of the Tonga people as well as strengthening the regional relations with the Zambian BaTonga counterparts among other things,” added the minister.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo said traditional leaders remain the backbone of the development of the country and it is crucial for them to continue to work hand in hand with the Government to collectively empower and bring development to the people.

Minister Moyo said among the roles of Chief Binga is the promotion and preservation of culture and heritage and the initiation of development in his area of jurisdiction.

“It is therefore crucial to encourage our traditional leadership to continue to work hand in hand with Government to collectively empower and bring development to our people,” said Minister Moyo.

“I am confident that as we have always done, Chief Binga will carry this vision forward and help our beautiful nation attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030 because “intuthuko iqalisa ekhaya”.

Minister Moyo said with Chief Binga being the traditional head of his community, he is expected to safeguard and promote Tonga practices and values.

“Tonga is one of the officially recognised languages in Zimbabwe, and it is a vehicle that has transmitted the Tonga culture and traditions from generation to generation, and should continue as such for the benefit of posterity,” he said.