We’re burying the King, try to be troublesome, we’ll bury you with him, Gogo Madzimawe playfully warns Bembas
CHIEF Madzimawe of the Ngoni people has taken a light-hearted swipe at his tribal cousins, the Bembas cautioning them that if they misconduct themselves during today’s burial, they will be buried along late Paramount Chief Mphezeni IV.
“We’re planting the King tomorrow, so any mischief tukashangila pamo (we shall plant you together with him),” Gogo Madzimawe remarked before breaking into laughter.
Just days after Chief Madzimawe cautioned Bembas against the indiscriminate smearing of powder on mourners, arguing that tradition does not permit younger people to smear powder on their elders, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu appeared to take a different stance.
In a show of support to his subjects during the mourning period over the past week, the Bemba traditional leader encouraged his subjects to continue smearing powder on Easterners, drawing cheers and laughter from observers.
Mphezeni IV, the Inkosi YamaKosi died at the University Teaching Hospitals-UTH on May 30, 2026. He is scheduled to be buried today at ePhendukeni Palace cattle kraal.