The newly installed traditional leader of Lwamondo Ha Gelebe Tshishushuru, Ndivhuwo Gelebe (37), was urged to humble himself and respect his subjects in order to earn their respect.
These words were spoken during his inauguration ceremony, which filled a vacancy left when his father, Vhamusanda Vho Tshimangadzo Solomon Gelebe, passed away in 2012.
The ceremony, held at the Tshishushuru Sports Grounds on Saturday, 27 September, was attended by community members, traditional leaders, ward councillors, Lwamondo Royal Council members, the Lwamondo Territorial Council, the Lwamondo Pastors Forum, and many members of the ZCC.
The formal installation rites were performed by Lwamondo senior traditional leader Thovhele Calvin Nelwamondo. During the ceremony, the new leader was given a new name and will henceforth be known as Vhamusanda Vho Talifhani. His personal assistant, or ndumi, is Lucky Nḓou, while Nṱungufhadzeni Gelebe was named Khadzi.
In his words of encouragement, Vhokhotsimunene Vho Mugowathavha Sidemere urged the villagers to support the newly installed leader fully.
"As we swear you in, we expect a certain degree of leadership characterised by humility and respect. Do not frequent places where your subjects are drinking liquor as you will lose respect. If you find people fighting on the road, you simply pass and, if that needs your attention, the parties involved will report the case to you. If you cannot handle it, you refer the parties to higher authority. And if you fail to perform your duties, we will be left with no option but to send 'baboons' to remove you. As a royal, I believe you know what this means," he said jokingly.
Thovhele Calvin Nelwamondo praised the Gelebe family for taking the bold step of filling the vacancy after so many years. He also commended them for inviting other traditional leaders from neighbouring houses, saying this fostered good relations and community cohesion. Guests were entertained by traditional dances during the ceremony.