Khuzani, Dawn Thandeka King expected in Bulawayo today ahead of King Mzilikazi commemorations

Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]

South African Maskandi musician Khuzani Mpungose and award-winning actress Dawn Thandeka King are expected to arrive at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo this afternoon at 12pm, ahead of the much-anticipated main event of the King Mzilikazi Commemorations, set for September 5.

Khuzani will be accompanied by his band and dancers (Amagida Ngoma), as the South African star joins a host of prominent personalities expected to grace this year’s commemorations.

Another celebrity guest, Mpilo Mbatha, who portrayed King Mzilikazi in the popular television drama Shaka iLembe, is expected to arrive in Bulawayo at 4pm.

One of the event organisers, Danisiwe Senda, said Khuzani and King will embark on a tour of Bulawayo this afternoon as part of efforts to build excitement ahead of the main event.

The two celebrities will visit several locations in the city centre before proceeding to Mhlahlandlela, where the first day of the commemorations is taking place.

The opening day features a youth educational programme that is expected to bring together hundreds of schoolchildren.

“Khuzani and King are arriving this afternoon in Bulawayo at 12pm. Mpilo Mbatha will arrive at 4pm. As a way of announcing their arrival, we will make a mini-tour in the city centre. Places we will visit include The Market Place, the Joshua Nkomo Statue as well as the Main TM Hyper rank,” he said.

Senda said the celebrity guests will also visit a local radio station for interviews before heading to Mhlahlandlela, where they are expected to surprise the schoolchildren taking part in the youth educational programme.

“They will proceed to a local radio station for interviews, before they go to Mhlahlandlela. We want them to surprise the schoolchildren there, who are part of the youth educational programme that marks the first day of the King Mzilikazi Commemorations,” she said.

The arrival of the South African entertainers and Mbatha is expected to add further excitement to the commemorations, which celebrate the legacy of King Mzilikazi and his contribution to the history and culture of the Ndebele people.

The main commemorations will take place on September 5, with Khuzani set to headline the Maskandi Music Festival at a local joint in Bulawayo.