Inkosi Ya Makhosi M'mbelwa V (born 2 June 1979) is the reigning[1] King of the Ngoni and Tumbuka people in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania.[2] M'mbelwa V is the fifth surviving son of the great-grandfather King Zwangendaba Jele and Queen Munene of the Nzima clan of present-day Eswatini.[3] M'mbelwa V inherited his father's kingdom when he passed away in February 2013 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Malawi's commercial city, Blantyre, where he was diagnosed with diabetes attack and hypertension.[4][5][6][7] During his death, he was 56 years old.[5][8][9] M'mbelwa V's headquarters is in Edingeni, Mzimba.[8][10] He is married to Inkosikazi M'mbelwa V.[11][12][13] During COVID-19 in 2020, he instructed the government to avoid mass gatherings of people.[14]

Inkosi Ya Makhosi M'mbelwa V
Inkosi Ya Makhosi M'mbelwa V
King of the Ngoni Nation
Reign2 June 2013 – present
Coronation3 July 2013
PredecessorM'mbelwa IV
Born (1985-06-02) 2 June 1985 (age 38)
Edingeni, Mzimba, Malawi
Spouse
  • Queen Jere
Issue
Names
Mbalekelwa Chimpempo M'mbelwa V Jele
Regnal name
M'mbelwa
HouseHouse of M'mbelwa
FatherKing M'mbelwa IV
MotherDindani Lukhele
ReligionChurch of Central Africa Presbyterian

Background edit

Early life edit

M'mbelwa V was born in Mzimba district on 2 June 1985. His father the late King M'mbelwa IV passed away in February 2013.[9][5] He holds a Diploma.[8] In 2017, M'Mbelwa proposed the Malawi government to recognize Mzimba district as a kingdom controlled district to preserve the power hierarchy. This was due to tension that rose from other group of people known as the Friends of Mabilabo who wanted to have another Ngoni paramount chief within the district.[15] Senior Chief Mabilabo claimed to have never heard of such news for the call for the paramount chief in his area.[15]

M'mbelwa District Council (Mzimba) ward councillors who were pushing for the division of Mzimba criticised M'mbelwa for prioritising kingdom talk, as the district need to be split into two for easy development programs. Fumu Mdolo who brought news to King M'Mbelwa about splitting the district said the idea was dividing the district, and not the kingdom.[15]

Origin of Ngoni Kings edit

The origins of the Ngoni can be traked down in South Africa in the early years of the nineteenth century. The first contact of M'Mbelwa kings with the Livingstonia Church mission in Malawi was in the early 1878. This was the time when had they left South Africa due to tribal wars with the Zulu king.[16]

Chronology of Ngoni kings edit

M'mbelwa I edit

Mbelwa I was the son of Zwangendaba, who at the time, married a Swazi woman, Munene. He was born at Mabili in Malawi in 1840. At the age of 5, he lost his father and after a succession dispute following his fathers death, his supporters went back to Malawi where they stay.[16][17]

References edit

  1. ^ Online, Nation (2022-06-01). "Queen M'Mbelwa V coronation July 2". The Nation Online. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ^ "Inkosi ya Makhosi M'mbelwa joins men's guild - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  3. ^ "Inkosi M'mbelwa wishes Mutharika 'best of luck' in bid for final term as Malawi leader - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2018-08-12. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  4. ^ Agency (MANA), Malawi News (2018-04-20). "M'mbelwa tells Ngoni chiefs to prepare for smooth succession". The Maravi Post. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ^ a b c "M'mbelwa IV state funeral draws mixed reactions - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2013-02-14. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  6. ^ Mkandawire, Mwayi (2022-04-30). "The university you promised is yet to be constructed, M'mbelwa tells Chakwera Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  7. ^ Kasalika, Johnny (2013-02-13). "Focus on Inkosi Yamakosi M'mbelwa IV's funeral". The Nation Online. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  8. ^ a b c MALAWI, FACE OF (2013-02-13). "Rest In Peace Inkosi Ya Makosi Mbelwa IV (His Biography)". Face of Malawi. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  9. ^ a b "Malawi's Paramount Ngoni chief M'mbelwa dies: Tributes pour in - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  10. ^ "M'mbelwa V hails Mutharika for tangible development projects - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  11. ^ "First Lady advises Inkosikazi M'Mbelwa V to be ngoni culture custodian - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  12. ^ Ufulu (2018-04-23). "Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa bans 'violent' parties; road to 2019". The Maravi Post. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  13. ^ "Coronation of queen Inkosikazi Mbelwa V of Jele Ngoni people, Malawi - THE AFRICAN ROYAL FAMILIES". theafricanroyalfamilies.com. 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  14. ^ Mkandawire, Mwayi (2020-03-16). "Coronavirus: M'mbelwa urges Mutharika to ban mass gatherings Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  15. ^ a b c Singini, George (2017-05-22). "M'mbelwa wants throne protected". The Nation Online. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  16. ^ a b "M'mbelwa Kingdom, Jele Ngoni of Malawi - THE AFRICAN ROYAL FAMILIES". theafricanroyalfamilies.com. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  17. ^ "NOTABLE WIVES AND ROYAL SONS OF NGUNI KING, M'MBELWA I - Wap.org.ng". wap.org.ng. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
Regnal titles
Preceded by
M'mbelwa IV
King of Ngoni
2013–present
Incumbent
Heir:
M'mbelwa VI