The head of the Twelve Apostles’ Church in Christ has spoken in support of having a man rule the AmaMpondo nation.
Chief Apostle Dr Caesar Nongqunga said letting a woman ascend to a royal throne would spell disaster for a kingship as there would be no successor bearing the monarch’s name.
Speaking at the enthronement of AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau at Ndimakude Great Place near Flagstaff on Friday, Nongqunga said primogeniture – allowing the eldest son to inherit – within kingship could not be perceived as discrimination against women; rather it should be seen as helping keep the bloodline of that particular royal family intact.
Zanozuko’s kingship is disputed by Regent-Queen MaSobhuza Lombekiso Sigcau, who believes her daughter, Princess Wezizwe Sigcau, is the legitimate heir to the throne of the AmaMpondo.
MaSobhuza, who distanced herself from the enthronement, is to meet Zanozuko at the Constitutional Court on February 20, where the matter of the sovereignty of the AmaMpondo nation will be heard.
The AmaMpondo are a divided nation, with some supporting MaSobhuza’s move to have her daughter appointed as the head of AmaMpondo kingdom, since her father King Mpondombini Thandizulu Sigcau died without a male heir.
Others believe that Nkosi Nzululwazi Jongilanga Sigcau, Mpondombini’s nephew, is next in line in the house of King Botha Sigcau.
But others support Zanozuko, who is the descendant of Nelson Sigcau, a half-brother of Botha’s.
The 80-year-old sovereignty row between the AmaMpondo rulers – the Sigcaus of the Faku royal clan – began when King Mandlonke died without a male heir in 1937.
The rivalry became nasty in 2010 after the Nhlapo Commission made Zanozuko the legitimate king, stripping Mpondombini of his royal status and thus MaSobhuza of her claim. The matter has been in court since then.
No kings or queens, nor anyone from Contralesa or the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, and no government leaders – except Ingquza Hill mayor Pat Mdingi – attended the coronation.
The enrobing of Zanozuko with a lion skin was conducted by Nongqunga and Voices United Church head Bishop Joseph Sigqibo Kobo and other priests, but not by AmaFaku royals as would normally be the case.
“Other royal honours and rituals to be conducted by the AmaFaku have to wait until the finalisation of the court matter,” said Zanozuko’s spokesman Prince Mzwandile Maraqana.
In his speech Zanozuko called for peace and unity among AmaMpondo. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
King of disunited EC nation enthroned
Chief Apostle Dr Caesar Nongqunga said letting a woman ascend to a royal throne would spell disaster for a kingship as there would be no successor bearing the monarch’s name.
Speaking at the enthronement of AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau at Ndimakude Great Place near Flagstaff on Friday, Nongqunga said primogeniture – allowing the eldest son to inherit – within kingship could not be perceived as discrimination against women; rather it should be seen as helping keep the bloodline of that particular royal family intact.
Zanozuko’s kingship is disputed by Regent-Queen MaSobhuza Lombekiso Sigcau, who believes her daughter, Princess Wezizwe Sigcau, is the legitimate heir to the throne of the AmaMpondo.
MaSobhuza, who distanced herself from the enthronement, is to meet Zanozuko at the Constitutional Court on February 20, where the matter of the sovereignty of the AmaMpondo nation will be heard.
The AmaMpondo are a divided nation, with some supporting MaSobhuza’s move to have her daughter appointed as the head of AmaMpondo kingdom, since her father King Mpondombini Thandizulu Sigcau died without a male heir.
Others believe that Nkosi Nzululwazi Jongilanga Sigcau, Mpondombini’s nephew, is next in line in the house of King Botha Sigcau.
But others support Zanozuko, who is the descendant of Nelson Sigcau, a half-brother of Botha’s.
The 80-year-old sovereignty row between the AmaMpondo rulers – the Sigcaus of the Faku royal clan – began when King Mandlonke died without a male heir in 1937.
The rivalry became nasty in 2010 after the Nhlapo Commission made Zanozuko the legitimate king, stripping Mpondombini of his royal status and thus MaSobhuza of her claim. The matter has been in court since then.
No kings or queens, nor anyone from Contralesa or the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, and no government leaders – except Ingquza Hill mayor Pat Mdingi – attended the coronation.
The enrobing of Zanozuko with a lion skin was conducted by Nongqunga and Voices United Church head Bishop Joseph Sigqibo Kobo and other priests, but not by AmaFaku royals as would normally be the case.
“Other royal honours and rituals to be conducted by the AmaFaku have to wait until the finalisation of the court matter,” said Zanozuko’s spokesman Prince Mzwandile Maraqana.
In his speech Zanozuko called for peace and unity among AmaMpondo. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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