MAKEWANA INSTALLS KALONGA SOSOLA KINGSHIP

By Lovemore Katanda

The long-awaited coronation of Kalonga Sosola number 9, successor to Kalonga Sosola number 8, finally took place on Saturday, 22 November 2025, at Sosola Village in Traditional Authority Khombedza, Salima District.

At exactly 5 a.m., a delegation from the Msinja Shrine in Lilongwe, led by Makewana, performed the sacred rite of installing Raphael Nowa of Sosola Village as the rightful heir to the Kalonga throne. The predawn ceremony marked the formal restoration of the kingship after years of anticipation.

The installation was witnessed by selected members of the royal family and several traditional leaders, including Senior Chief Kaomba of Kasungu,Senior Chief Chadza of Lilongwe, Senior Chief Dambe, and many others who travelled from across the country to honour the historic event.

Speaking later at Namachete Primary School grounds, the newly installed Kalonga Sosola number 9 called for unity among the Chewa people. He commended the Msinja Shrine delegation, stakeholders, and all individuals who worked tirelessly to ensure the ceremony was a success.

His inaugural address focused on themes of sustainable national development, particularly *environmental conservation, quality education, and the strengthening of local business systems*.

As a traditional leader, His Majesty pledged to champion by-laws that would support climate change mitigation efforts and protect Malawi’s forests.

“Human activities such as charcoal burning and selling are accelerating deforestation. Trees take years to become useful after they are planted,” he said.

On education, Kalonga Sosola #9 urged parents and guardians to prioritise schooling for their children, stressing that keeping children in school is one of the most important responsibilities a parent can fulfil.

The Kalonga further revealed that through the Malawi Chewa Heritage (MACHE) a cultural organisation for Chewa peoplethe community will soon launch Chewa Development Holdings Limited (CDHL). The initiative aims to help local farmers access loans for fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to enhance productivity.

“There is often tension between chiefs and their subjects over the distribution of fertiliser coupons under government subsidy programmes. This new initiative will help close that gap,” he explained.

He also announced that, going forward, the Chewa people will host their cultural festival *within Malawi*, departing from the long-standing tradition of attending the annual Kulamba ceremony in Zambia’s Nkaika.

In his remarks, Senior Chief Chadza, one of the event organisers, emphasised that the title of Kalonga is bestowed strictly by the Sosola royal lineage.

“Let me make it clear that the title of Kalonga is given only by the royal family of Kalonga Sosola not by government or any cultural organisation,” he said.

The colourful ceremony drew various traditional leaders and featured cultural performances including Gule Wamkulu, Chisamba, and Ng’anda, which added vibrancy to the coronation.

Earlier this year, on 23 August, Malawi Chewa Heritage officials led by Kalonga Sosola number 9 held a tombstone unveiling ceremony for *Kalonga Sosola numbe 8, who was killed during the conflicts involving the Chewa, Ngoni and Yao in 1863 at Makhamba in Dedza District. During that event, high priests and priestesses from the Makewana Shrine performed libation rites in honour of the fallen king.

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