Monarchy of Rwizikuru

Mambo of Rwizikuru
File:CoatOfArmsOfRwizikuru.png Emblem of Rwizikuru
Incumbent
File:Munashe2018.jpg
Ngonidzashe III since 21 September, 2019
Details
Heir apparent	Crown Prince Tavonga Ngonidzashe
First monarch	Ngonidzashe I
Formation	1 June, 1968
Residence	Imba yoRudzi, Guta raMambo

Rwizikuru is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Mambo (Rwizi for King), established in 1968 by Izibongo Ngonidzashe after he purged his opponents within the National Salvation Council which governed the country following a coup that removed Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima from the Presidency. His descendants continue to rule over Rwizikuru today as the House of Ngonidzashe.

Until 2020, they served as absolute monarch, serving as both the head of state and head of government of Rwizikuru. Since the passage of the 2020 constitution, the monarch serves as a constitutional monarch, and only as a head of state, with the Mutungamiri serving as head of government.

Rights and duties

According to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, which superseded the Constitution of Rwizikuru in 1968, the Mambo was an absolute monarch, with executive, legislative, and judicial power. Thus, he had the power to appoint and remove officials at His Majesty's pleasure, to institute legislation, and to serve as "the final arbiter" in legal disputes, as well as the right to pardon criminals, without being held accountable to the people.

However, the duties of the monarch, according to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, included allocating resources "for the efficient operation of the Rwizi nation," to "act in a dignified and righteous manner befitting a King," and to allow ordinary people to come to the Mambo to try and get their grievances addressed.

However, under the current Constitution of Rwizikuru, the Mambo's powers were significantly reduced and transferred to the newly-created position of Mutungamiri, although the Mambo still remains the head of state of Rwizikuru. The only powers he still maintains is the right to pardon criminals (excluding those convicted on corruption and heinous crimes), and to legislate matters concerning the ruling House of Ngonidzashe or the line of succession.

In addition, he is obliged to be "a chiefly figure for the Rwizi people," as he is seen to be an important leader of the Rwizi people.

Residence

Imba yo Rudzi on the southern banks of the Chitsvene River, 2016

From the establishment of the monarchy until the completion of the Imba yoRudzi in Guta raMambo, the monarch of Rwizikuru lived and worked at the former Presidential Palace in Port Fitzhubert. However, after the defeat of Rwizikuru in the Mabiifan-Rwizikuran War and the Garamburan War of Independence, Izibongo Ngonidzashe moved the capital to Guta raMambo, with the Imba yoRudzi to serve as the royal residence for the reigning monarch and his children.

Today, the Imba yoRudzi serves as the primary official residence of the Rwizikuran monarchy, although the monarch owns Royal Mohubedu Farm in Mohubedu as a countryside retreat, and still owns the Old Palace Museum, which has operated as a museum dedicated to the political history of Rwizikuru, although currently, it is the temporary official residence of the Mutungamiri until a permanent residence is constructed at Guta raMambo for the Mutungamiri.

List of Rwezikuran monarchs

King	Portrait	Lived	Relationship with predecessor	Ruled from	Ruled until
Mambo Ngonidzashe I Izibongo Ngonidzashe	File:IzibongoNgonidzashe75.jpg	1921-1979	none	1 June, 1968	21 September, 1979
Mambo Ngonidzashe II Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe		1942-	son of Izibongo Ngonidzashe	21 September, 1979	21 September, 2019
Mambo Ngonidzashe III Munashe Ngonidzashe	File:Munashe2018.jpg	1969-	son of Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe	21 September, 2019	incumbent

Line of succession

Main article: Line of succession to the Rwizikuran throne

The line of succession of Rwizikuru is based off of agnatic primogeniture, with females and their descendants excluded from the line of succession. According to the Rwizikuran Basic Law, all male descendants of Munonzwa Ngonidzashe, shall be eligible to succeed to the throne, unless disqualified by the reigning monarch.

• Munonzwa Ngonidzashe (c. 1897-1956)
  • Izibongo Ngonidzashe (1921-1979)
    • Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe (1942-)
      • Munashe Ngonidzashe (1969-)
        • (1) Tavonga Ngonidzashe (1992-)
          • Makomborero Ngonidzashe (2016-)
          • (2) Munyaradzi Ngonidzashe (2018-)
        • (3) Taremekedzwa Ngonidzashe (1998-)
          • (4) Zivai Ngonidzashe (2019-)
        • (5) Taurainashe Ngonidzashe (2001-)
      • (6) Munyai Ngonidzashe (1971-)
        • (7) Bastirai Ngonidzashe (1991-)
          • (8) Dakarai Ngonidzashe (2015-)
          • (9) Kuchema Ngonidzashe (2018-)
          • (10) Munashi Ngonidzashe (2020-)
        • (11) Bhudhi Ngonidzashe (1997-)
          • (12) Kasomo Ngonidzashe (2020-)
      • (13) Takwana Ngonidzashe (1975-)
        • (14) Kuseka Ngonidzashe (1997-)
        • (15) Karikoga Ngonidzashe (2000-)
        • (16) Kudzoka Ngonidzashe (2003-)