THE late King Thandizulu Sigcau protected the Wild Coast from “greedy foreigners” who wanted to mine there, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday.
“Sigcau was known for taking a stand against the mining of the Wild Coast, saying it would destroy endangered species for the short-term commercial profit of greedy foreigners,” said Zuma in a statement.
In 2011, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu withdrew the Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources’ (TEMR) mining rights at Xolobeni, on the Pondoland Coast.
However, in May last year, the company re-applied for a prospecting licence. Sigcau said at the time he was “alarmed the traditional leaders of the affected area have not been correctly approached in terms of custom and tradition and we are only learning about this latest application through other sources”.
Zuma said Sicgau was “a great and admired leader, who worked tirelessly for his people, building traditional institutions and preserving the Mpondo heritage”.
Senior royal houses of the Mpondo nation are calling for the death of King Mpondombini Sigcau to be a catalyst to unite the nation, the royal family and the Faku royal clan.
Condolences have been pouring in since the death of the king on Monday, with many describing him as a humble leader who loved the Mpondo nation and had pride in their colourful customs and culture. He was the son of Botha Sigcau, the first president of the former Transkei homeland.
He was entangled in a kingship dispute with his nephew, King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau, up until his death.
The matter, which is before the Constitutional Court and has divided the Sigcau royal family, Faku royal clan and the nation, started after the death of Mandlonke Sigcau in 1937.
Zanozuko’s senior advisor Prince Phumezile Dinwayo, speaking on behalf of the Mpondo kingdom, said they were saddened by the death of Sigcau.
“We are waiting for the Constitutional Court’s judgment and whichever way the judgment goes, we will advocate unity and development of AmaMpondo. Unity will start by giving Thandizulu a dignified funeral,” said Dinwayo.
“We have respected his constitutional right to challenge the findings of the Nhlapo Commission, which found Zanozuko to be king of AmaMpondo.
“We urge the Sigcau royal family and AmaFaku royal clan to use this difficult time to unite and give AmaMpondo a direction.”
Dinwayo said the feud has weakened the traditional leadership of the Mpondo nation and “left us traditional leaders in dismay, thus negatively affecting the fibre of our heritage and culture”.
“In the new dispensation we were hoping Thandizulu would play an important advisory role to King Zanozuko, who has repeatedly said he holds no grudges against Thandizulu.”
Western Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase’s spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase said: “His death must not be in vain, but used as a bond to unite AmaMpondo and mostly the Faku clan. Unity will be the legacy we will all remember Thandizulu by.”
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said calm should prevail as the nation mourns.
“Thandizulu was a very humble royal and never brought it into disrepute. He was a proponent of peace and unity, proud of his nation. We hope AmaMpondo will deal with such matters internally and in a dignified matter with unity being supreme.”
Contralesa president Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa said the fact Sigcau’s issue was before court proved he fell victim to royal families whose roles were being taken over by Western oriented courts, whose officials were not clear on African law .
“Thandizulu died a sad man, not knowing what the future holds for his nation since the Constitutional Court was yet to make a decision,” he said .
AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu, AmaRharhabe Queen Noloyiso Sandile and AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo also sent condolences, as did Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi .
A burial date is yet to be finalised . with additional reporting by Sapa
King’s death ‘should unite AmaMpondo’
“Sigcau was known for taking a stand against the mining of the Wild Coast, saying it would destroy endangered species for the short-term commercial profit of greedy foreigners,” said Zuma in a statement.
In 2011, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu withdrew the Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources’ (TEMR) mining rights at Xolobeni, on the Pondoland Coast.
However, in May last year, the company re-applied for a prospecting licence. Sigcau said at the time he was “alarmed the traditional leaders of the affected area have not been correctly approached in terms of custom and tradition and we are only learning about this latest application through other sources”.
Zuma said Sicgau was “a great and admired leader, who worked tirelessly for his people, building traditional institutions and preserving the Mpondo heritage”.
Senior royal houses of the Mpondo nation are calling for the death of King Mpondombini Sigcau to be a catalyst to unite the nation, the royal family and the Faku royal clan.
Condolences have been pouring in since the death of the king on Monday, with many describing him as a humble leader who loved the Mpondo nation and had pride in their colourful customs and culture. He was the son of Botha Sigcau, the first president of the former Transkei homeland.
He was entangled in a kingship dispute with his nephew, King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau, up until his death.
The matter, which is before the Constitutional Court and has divided the Sigcau royal family, Faku royal clan and the nation, started after the death of Mandlonke Sigcau in 1937.
Zanozuko’s senior advisor Prince Phumezile Dinwayo, speaking on behalf of the Mpondo kingdom, said they were saddened by the death of Sigcau.
“We are waiting for the Constitutional Court’s judgment and whichever way the judgment goes, we will advocate unity and development of AmaMpondo. Unity will start by giving Thandizulu a dignified funeral,” said Dinwayo.
“We have respected his constitutional right to challenge the findings of the Nhlapo Commission, which found Zanozuko to be king of AmaMpondo.
“We urge the Sigcau royal family and AmaFaku royal clan to use this difficult time to unite and give AmaMpondo a direction.”
Dinwayo said the feud has weakened the traditional leadership of the Mpondo nation and “left us traditional leaders in dismay, thus negatively affecting the fibre of our heritage and culture”.
“In the new dispensation we were hoping Thandizulu would play an important advisory role to King Zanozuko, who has repeatedly said he holds no grudges against Thandizulu.”
Western Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase’s spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase said: “His death must not be in vain, but used as a bond to unite AmaMpondo and mostly the Faku clan. Unity will be the legacy we will all remember Thandizulu by.”
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said calm should prevail as the nation mourns.
“Thandizulu was a very humble royal and never brought it into disrepute. He was a proponent of peace and unity, proud of his nation. We hope AmaMpondo will deal with such matters internally and in a dignified matter with unity being supreme.”
Contralesa president Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa said the fact Sigcau’s issue was before court proved he fell victim to royal families whose roles were being taken over by Western oriented courts, whose officials were not clear on African law .
“Thandizulu died a sad man, not knowing what the future holds for his nation since the Constitutional Court was yet to make a decision,” he said .
AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu, AmaRharhabe Queen Noloyiso Sandile and AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo also sent condolences, as did Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi .
A burial date is yet to be finalised . with additional reporting by Sapa
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