The royal family of the kingdom of AbaThembu on Thursday welcomed the Mthatha High Court judgment against Winnie Madikizela-Mandela over her late ex-husband’s Qunu home — and issued a plea for the Mandela family to unite by following customary practises.
“We still believe that there was no need for Nkosikazi Nobandla Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to wait to be told by a court of law that Nkosi Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela was indeed a man of integrity who properly applied his mind before he finalised his Will‚” Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara said in a statement.
“We believe that Nkosikazi Nobandla Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Mandela was misled by some members of the family‚” he asserted‚ adding that she had also not received the correct legal advice.
“This matter should have been addressed by the Mandela royal family. If (there was) no agreement‚ (it could have been) elevated to the royal family of the Kingdom of AbaThembu‚” said Mtirara.
He said the judgment would to be used as a frame of reference for learning purposes.
The royal family expressed support for Winnie as Madiba’s former wife and his widow‚ Graca Machel.
“Even though she lost the case in court‚ she remains a member of the Mandela royal family by virtue of her former marriage and the Mandela children that she (gave birth to)‚” Mtirara said of Madikizela-Mandela.
“However‚ she must respect our traditions and the functioning of the traditional royal structures.”
Of Machel‚ Mtirara said: “The royal family would like to reaffirm that Nkosikazi Nosizwe Graca Machel remains a responsible elder of the Mandela family“.
Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela‚ he added‚ “remains a presiding member over all customary matters and he must be respected by all the members of the family“.
Issuing a plea to the Mandela family‚ Mtirara said: “They must remain resilient and avoid following routes which are in transgression of our custom. We want a united Mandela family and we continue to quest for unity in the kingdom of AbaThembu and within our sister royal houses.”
Mandela's wishes should never have been challenged by Winnie - AbaThembu royal family
“We still believe that there was no need for Nkosikazi Nobandla Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to wait to be told by a court of law that Nkosi Dalibhunga Nelson Mandela was indeed a man of integrity who properly applied his mind before he finalised his Will‚” Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara said in a statement.
“We believe that Nkosikazi Nobandla Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Mandela was misled by some members of the family‚” he asserted‚ adding that she had also not received the correct legal advice.
“This matter should have been addressed by the Mandela royal family. If (there was) no agreement‚ (it could have been) elevated to the royal family of the Kingdom of AbaThembu‚” said Mtirara.
He said the judgment would to be used as a frame of reference for learning purposes.
The royal family expressed support for Winnie as Madiba’s former wife and his widow‚ Graca Machel.
“Even though she lost the case in court‚ she remains a member of the Mandela royal family by virtue of her former marriage and the Mandela children that she (gave birth to)‚” Mtirara said of Madikizela-Mandela.
“However‚ she must respect our traditions and the functioning of the traditional royal structures.”
Of Machel‚ Mtirara said: “The royal family would like to reaffirm that Nkosikazi Nosizwe Graca Machel remains a responsible elder of the Mandela family“.
Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela‚ he added‚ “remains a presiding member over all customary matters and he must be respected by all the members of the family“.
Issuing a plea to the Mandela family‚ Mtirara said: “They must remain resilient and avoid following routes which are in transgression of our custom. We want a united Mandela family and we continue to quest for unity in the kingdom of AbaThembu and within our sister royal houses.”
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