King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s imprisonment has placed the House of abaThembu in crisis.
The kingdom is split in two, one side lobbying for his release, the other dedicated to electing an interim king.
Today at 10am the abaThembu are set to converge at Nkululekweni in Mthatha to be informed about the ground covered by the “free-our- king” campaign led by a group of clergy and the king’s wife, Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo. Ousted Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi is expected to attend the meeting.
On Wednesday last week, the royal family met traditional leaders in Mthatha and decided to visit traditional leaders at their magisterial districts to consult on the drama.
“A bigger meeting will be held at Bumbane Great Place at a time to be announced,” said royal family spokesman Chief Daludumo Mtirara.
The “free-our-king” campaign leaders yesterday travelled to KwaZulu-Natal to meet the abaThembu national executive committee headed by Vusi Mvelase. “Today we will meet with all concerned abaThembu to give them feedback on the Union Building march and the planned April 1 Cape Town march,” said spokesman Reverend Dalubuhle Plaatjie.
Plaatjie said 2016 was the 30th anniversary of the death of Dalindyebo’s father King Sabata Dalindyebo, who died in exile in Lusaka.
On Friday, Queen Dalindyebo and the campaign leaders hosted a member of the Qwaqwa royal family.
Prince Tsiame Kenneth Mopeli of the Koena clan and a member of the Batlokoa Traditional Council, was accompanied by Mark Driver, who he said was the tribe’s spiritual leader.
Mopeli said he came to the king’s home to hear for himself about the situation, and pledged to assist.
“This is not an abaThembu matter. It now cuts across cultural divides and is a matter for every kingship in the country,” said Mopeli.
He took a swipe at the media, claiming it made the king “look like a monster”. “Now I have heard the real story. We must all join the campaign to have the king freed.”
Mopeli said he would return home and mobilise support for the king.
The king’s siblings, Prince Madlomandile Dalindyebo and Princess Ndileka Dalindyebo-Dlamini, also attended the meeting.
AbaThembu royal family spokesmen Chief Mfundo Mtirara and Daludumo Mtirara said the royal family was not invited to today’s meeting.
The royal family is waiting for the commission on traditional leadership disputes and claims to hold public hearings to identify an acting king.
The royal family is unable to agree on candidates Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo and his uncle Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo.
Talks on bid to free king today
The kingdom is split in two, one side lobbying for his release, the other dedicated to electing an interim king.
Today at 10am the abaThembu are set to converge at Nkululekweni in Mthatha to be informed about the ground covered by the “free-our- king” campaign led by a group of clergy and the king’s wife, Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo. Ousted Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi is expected to attend the meeting.
On Wednesday last week, the royal family met traditional leaders in Mthatha and decided to visit traditional leaders at their magisterial districts to consult on the drama.
“A bigger meeting will be held at Bumbane Great Place at a time to be announced,” said royal family spokesman Chief Daludumo Mtirara.
The “free-our-king” campaign leaders yesterday travelled to KwaZulu-Natal to meet the abaThembu national executive committee headed by Vusi Mvelase. “Today we will meet with all concerned abaThembu to give them feedback on the Union Building march and the planned April 1 Cape Town march,” said spokesman Reverend Dalubuhle Plaatjie.
Plaatjie said 2016 was the 30th anniversary of the death of Dalindyebo’s father King Sabata Dalindyebo, who died in exile in Lusaka.
On Friday, Queen Dalindyebo and the campaign leaders hosted a member of the Qwaqwa royal family.
Prince Tsiame Kenneth Mopeli of the Koena clan and a member of the Batlokoa Traditional Council, was accompanied by Mark Driver, who he said was the tribe’s spiritual leader.
Mopeli said he came to the king’s home to hear for himself about the situation, and pledged to assist.
“This is not an abaThembu matter. It now cuts across cultural divides and is a matter for every kingship in the country,” said Mopeli.
He took a swipe at the media, claiming it made the king “look like a monster”. “Now I have heard the real story. We must all join the campaign to have the king freed.”
Mopeli said he would return home and mobilise support for the king.
The king’s siblings, Prince Madlomandile Dalindyebo and Princess Ndileka Dalindyebo-Dlamini, also attended the meeting.
AbaThembu royal family spokesmen Chief Mfundo Mtirara and Daludumo Mtirara said the royal family was not invited to today’s meeting.
The royal family is waiting for the commission on traditional leadership disputes and claims to hold public hearings to identify an acting king.
The royal family is unable to agree on candidates Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo and his uncle Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo.
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