GRIEVING family of former president Nelson Mandela start arriving in the Eastern Cape tomorrow as ructions in the clan threaten to tear apart the AbaThembu nation.
The Daily Dispatch was told that Mandela’s grandson Mandla would be back to help with his grandfather’s funeral preparations.
Nowhere was this more evident than outside Mandela’s Qunu home on Sunday when a faction working to oust Dalindyebo broke with protocol and “took the opportunity” to thank the world for messages of support in the wake of Mandela’s death last Thursday night. The king, who a day earlier publicly insulted his own wife at a funeral, was away in Johannesburg with the Mandelas.
Mtirara said Mandla ordered him to address the world’s media in a community hall on behalf of the Thembu nation and to express gratitude for global messages of support.
The ploy prompted a sharp response from Dalindyebo’s supporters, who slammed their relatives for being rank opportunists.
Mtirara had said: “This is a great moment to thank you for the support you are showing to the family.
“The family is still up in Johannesburg and they will start coming back to the province this week.
“On behalf of the AbaThembu kingdom, we will constantly brief you with developments but we are not going to get into details on rituals to be performed.”
With him was Mandla’s lawyer, Matthew Mpahlwa, and a senior chief of AbaThembu, Jonginyaniso Mtirara. Mpahlwa’s role was not clear as he swiftly ushered Daludumo Mtirara away after the briefing.
Yesterday Dalindyebo fired back.
Through his spokesman Mfundo Mtirara, the king denied calling a media briefing. “I am the only person authorised to speak to the media. You must remember that there are divisions within the AbaThembu nation. Those people are against the king, do not want him anymore,” said Mfundo. “That was an attempt to make the king angry so that he does not go to the funeral, which will make him look bad.”
Mfundo said the king would return and decide when to address his subjects and the public.
The feud between the Mtiraras over the controversial Dalindyebo has seen them divided in their support of the Mandelas. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za / siyab@dispatch.co.za / lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Royal strife hits Mandelas
The Daily Dispatch was told that Mandela’s grandson Mandla would be back to help with his grandfather’s funeral preparations.
Nowhere was this more evident than outside Mandela’s Qunu home on Sunday when a faction working to oust Dalindyebo broke with protocol and “took the opportunity” to thank the world for messages of support in the wake of Mandela’s death last Thursday night. The king, who a day earlier publicly insulted his own wife at a funeral, was away in Johannesburg with the Mandelas.
Mtirara said Mandla ordered him to address the world’s media in a community hall on behalf of the Thembu nation and to express gratitude for global messages of support.
The ploy prompted a sharp response from Dalindyebo’s supporters, who slammed their relatives for being rank opportunists.
Mtirara had said: “This is a great moment to thank you for the support you are showing to the family.
“The family is still up in Johannesburg and they will start coming back to the province this week.
“On behalf of the AbaThembu kingdom, we will constantly brief you with developments but we are not going to get into details on rituals to be performed.”
With him was Mandla’s lawyer, Matthew Mpahlwa, and a senior chief of AbaThembu, Jonginyaniso Mtirara. Mpahlwa’s role was not clear as he swiftly ushered Daludumo Mtirara away after the briefing.
Yesterday Dalindyebo fired back.
Through his spokesman Mfundo Mtirara, the king denied calling a media briefing. “I am the only person authorised to speak to the media. You must remember that there are divisions within the AbaThembu nation. Those people are against the king, do not want him anymore,” said Mfundo. “That was an attempt to make the king angry so that he does not go to the funeral, which will make him look bad.”
Mfundo said the king would return and decide when to address his subjects and the public.
The feud between the Mtiraras over the controversial Dalindyebo has seen them divided in their support of the Mandelas. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za / siyab@dispatch.co.za / lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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