The Mzimba Heritage Association and Maseko Ngoni Heritage say the M’mbelwa and Gomani institutions existed long before Malawi became a republic, challenging the government’s warning against kingdoms and kingships.
Their position follows a warning from the Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development that Malawian law does not provide for the creation or recognition of kingdoms and kingships.
The government’s position has since triggered debate over the place of traditional monarchies in Malawi’s constitutional and customary framework.
In their joint statement, two organizations say the institutions of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V of the Zwangendaba Jele Ngonis and Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V of the Maseko Ngonis are legitimate traditional institutions rooted in customary law and history.
They argue that the existence of the two monarchies should not be interpreted as an attempt to create independent states or undermine Malawi’s sovereignty.
According to the organisations, the Ngoni kingdoms were established long before colonial rule and have continued to perform cultural, customary and community functions.
The groups further contend that Malawi’s status as a unitary republic does not automatically invalidate traditional institutions that are grounded in the customary laws and historical traditions of their respective communities.
The organizations cited Section 200 of the 1994 Constitution, which they say recognizes customary law within Malawi’s legal framework, provided it does not conflict with the Constitution.
They therefore argue that any debate over the status of traditional monarchies should consider the specific customary laws and historical traditions governing the communities concerned.
The organizations also reject the suggestion that titles such as Inkosi ya Makhosi and Ngwenyama automatically imply claims to sovereign authority over territories separate from Malawi.
They say the traditional institutions operate within the Republic of Malawi and should not be confused with the creation of separate political entities.
The Mzimba Heritage Association and Maseko Ngoni Heritage serve as the institutional secretariats of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V and Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, respectively.
