Matabele and Afrikaner nations commit to reconciliation at historic event in Potchefstroom
Leaders from the Kingdom of Mthwakazi and Afrikaner representatives came together for a weekend of reconciliation in Potch. Through dialogue, prayer and symbolic gestures, both groups marked the beginning of a renewed journey toward unity and understanding.
Royalty from the Kingdom of Mthwakazi (Matabele) descended on Potchefstroom as part of a reconciliation weekend with Afrikaners on Saturday, May 2.
It was a historic day at the President Pretorius Museum as Prince Hlabezulu Khumalo, a direct sixth-generation descendant of King Mzilikazi, engaged in fellowship and exchanged gifts with Johan Wolfaardt, who represented the Afrikaners.
The exchange of a kierie to the Matabele leadership and a commissioned painting of Andries Hendrik Potgieter to the Afrikaners were further physical examples of the start of the reconciliation journey between both parties.
“As the descendants of King Mzilikazi, we are here to mark the beginning of reconciliation between us and the Afrikaners. The times we live in now have changed. We need to reconcile. It is a process that must be undertaken by us, the descendants of our forefathers. The spiritual part of our reconciliation is through prayer. We don’t see this as just an event, but the starting point for reconciliation between our nations on new terms and contemporary ideas,” stated Prince Khumalo.
“King Mzilikazi and Andries Potgieter sent kieries to one another in their old age as a symbol of peace between both nations. Today, I wish to present a kierie as a symbol to reaffirm that peace treaty. Our ancestors’ blood still flows in our veins. We must learn from their triumphs and their mistakes. This kierie is made from African ebony and ivory because we respect the great elephant. On this day, we have made peace again. We are friends; we are brothers and sisters,” stated Wolfaardt during the handover of the kierie to Prince Khumalo.
Wolfaardt, the curator of the President Pretorius Museum, also took the leaders on a tour of the museum as cultures and history intertwined on a memorable day.
Earlier, leaders from Mthwakazi and a group of Afrikaners gathered at Shofar Church from May 1-2 to discuss and gain insight into the history between both cultures and to pray for repentance regarding the past, where blood had been shed.
Historic incidents include the Battle of Kopjeskraal, the massacre at Liebenbergskoppie, as well as the Battle of Vegkop in 1836, when Afrikaner Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Hendrik Potgieter (founder of Potchefstroom) engaged in battle with King Mzilikazi’s Matabele warriors.
Video: Wouter Pienaar
Simon Brace also spoke on the need for reconciliation and unity, referring to the Biblical model of Daniel and Nehemiah.
The group then walked to the President Pretorius Museum carrying a wooden cross, with singing and chanting to commemorate the occasion.
According to Chief Nkosi Nhlanhlayamangwe, discussions between the Mthwakazi and Afrikaners were initiated through the faith sector.
“There were positive discussions between both nations, which resulted in us meeting here in Potchefstroom. It is important that we find common ground and build together for the future of our people,” he added.
The Matabele nation forms part of the Northern Ndebele in South Africa and is also largely situated in Zimbabwe.
A traditional South African braai was held afterward where further discussions and fellowship took place with good food to seal a memorable event.
