Chief Lukuluba Chieftainship Restored After Colonial Rule Downgrade

Somabhula — The installation of Substantive Chief Lukuluba on Friday, October 9, 2926, formally restored a traditional leadership institution downgraded to headmanship by the colonial regime in 1945, bringing an eight-decade loss of status to a close.
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Chief Lukuluba, born Steven Joseph Sayi, was officially installed at Somabhula Secondary School by Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, following his appointment by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on February 7, 2026.

The historic occasion places renewed responsibility on the newly recognised chief to represent his people, safeguard cultural heritage and spearhead local development efforts.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Ncube highlighted that the resuscitation of the Lukuluba Chieftainship underscores the integration of traditional leadership into Zimbabwe’s broader governance framework.

​“This installation ceremony, which follows the resuscitation of the Lukuluba Chieftainship, previously downgraded to headmanship by the white colonial regime in 1945, demonstrates the integration of traditional authority with the devolved governance and development architecture of communities in Zimbabwe,” Minister Ncube said.

Congratulating the new leader, the Lukuluba clan and the broader community, Honourable Ncube urged Chief Lukuluba to work in tandem with government institutions and stakeholders to address critical socio-economic needs.

“To Chief Lukuluba, as you embark on this noble journey, I urge you to uphold the principles of integrity, accountability and service to your people,” Hon. Ncube said.

“Work closely with government and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing your community, particularly in the areas of education, health and economic development," he said.

Chief Lukuluba brings extensive experience in education and social welfare to the chieftainship.

Born in Kwekwe on May 28, 1964, he earned a Diploma in Education from Mkoba Teachers College and a Diploma in Special Needs Education from Bulawayo's United College of Education.

He holds a BSc Honours in Special Education from Zimbabwe Open University, a BSc Honours in Social Work from the University of Lincoln (UK), and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education from the University of Northampton.

He is currently pursuing doctoral studies.

His career includes 15 years as an educator and 18 years as a social worker in the United Kingdom.

Villagers said his professional background equips him for a role that extends beyond customary affairs to include community advocacy, dispute resolution and local administration.

Hon. Ncube outlined the legal and administrative framework governing traditional leaders, referencing Section 264 of the Constitution on devolution and Section 282 on the functions of traditional authorities, alongside statutory acts covering rural district councils, communal lands, civil protection and environmental management.

He also pointed to ongoing government initiatives aimed at upgrading the working conditions of traditional leaders, including vehicle distribution, road rehabilitation, access to clean water and the electrification of chiefs’ homesteads.

For the Somabhula community, the ceremony marked the long-awaited resolution of a historical grievance.

Family Spokesperson Moses Sayi, addressing attendees on behalf of the family, expressed profound gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Government for officially restoring the Lukuluba chieftainship after more than eight decades of hiatus.

Sayi described the installation as an emotional milestone for both the family and the broader community, whose traditional institution was stripped of its status and downgraded under colonial rule in 1945.

He noted that the restoration has finally brought an end to a painful era during which the community was deprived of its rightful ancestral legacy and traditional governance structure.

​“Just imagine, Lukuluba was left 81 years behind, but today he is here, standing alongside other chiefs,” Sayi said.

He praised President Mnangagwa for directly addressing the community’s longstanding grievances, emphasising that the official appointment turned what once felt like an unattainable dream into reality.

“I would like to thank our President Mnangagwa. He is a President who listens to the people, and I mean every word of it,” he added.

Reflecting on his personal dedication to the cause, Sayi recalled serving on the chieftainship committee for 26 years, stating that witnessing the final installation was deeply moving.

He cited the President’s national ethos of "leaving no one and no place behind," asserting that the restoration officially reintegrated a historically marginalised traditional authority back into the country's recognised leadership framework.

Adding a notable piece of family history, Sayi mentioned that President Mnangagwa shares familial ties with the Lukuluba family, though he did not elaborate on the specific ancestral link during his speech.