Within days after being installed as the acting king of the abaThembu, Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo has announced that his first line of business will be a fight to free his jailed father, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
During his colourful coronation ceremony at Bumbane Great Place near Mthatha on Friday, the 24-year-old king and his advisers said he would be leading the #OperationMakabuye campaign to galvanise support and put pressure on the government to free the monarch.
The prince will be opening a trust account to raise money for his father, who will be penniless when he gets out of jail in 11 years.
“As the acting king, Zanelizwe will lead the campaign to free his father. He must work hard to ensure that his father comes back and takes back his throne and leads his people. We will ensure his immediate release,” said amaDlomo elder Chief Zwelodumo Mtirara.
The two projects were officially launched at the coronation.
Azenathi was officially enrobed with a royal leopard skin by his uncles Chief Zwelinzima Ngoza of Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal and Chief Dumisani Zwelenqaba Mgudlwa.
Mtirara Azenathi could not be enrobed with a lion skin gown as it was reserved for his father, who is still the king.
Dalindyebo went to jail last December to serve a 12-year term for kidnapping, arson and defeating the ends of justice. His imprisonment raised national outcry and was criticised by royals and clergy as an attack on traditional leadership and customary law.
Prince Azenathi was tasked with uniting the royal family and create stability among the abaThembu.
AmaDlomo elders and Azenathi are to meet with the victims of Dalindyebo’s crimes in an effort to ask for forgiveness.
“This will be done in the name of the king, the royal family and abaThembu. We will humble ourselves unto them and apologise honestly for the harm that was caused to them by the king,” Mgudlwa said.
Azenathi was warned not to be a law unto himself, but to act as a servant of his father’s people. He was also warned not to behave as if his father were dead and dethroned, but was urged to respect him as the reigning king and to stay away from liquor.
“You must serve with honesty and fear God. Be honest to you father even when he is in prison, and also be honest to the people you will lead. Serve your people with dignity and humility and people will give you the respect you deserve,” said Reverend Phila Magcaba on behalf of IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Buthelezi presented Azenathi with a Nguni skin and other presents.
AbaThembu national executive committee chairman Vusi Mvelase said Bumbane Great Place had remained an ANC home since 1912 when kings were part of the ANC.
Senior ANC leaders and members of factions who supported other candidates for the crown, did not attend. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Pledge to fight for jailed father
During his colourful coronation ceremony at Bumbane Great Place near Mthatha on Friday, the 24-year-old king and his advisers said he would be leading the #OperationMakabuye campaign to galvanise support and put pressure on the government to free the monarch.
The prince will be opening a trust account to raise money for his father, who will be penniless when he gets out of jail in 11 years.
“As the acting king, Zanelizwe will lead the campaign to free his father. He must work hard to ensure that his father comes back and takes back his throne and leads his people. We will ensure his immediate release,” said amaDlomo elder Chief Zwelodumo Mtirara.
The two projects were officially launched at the coronation.
Azenathi was officially enrobed with a royal leopard skin by his uncles Chief Zwelinzima Ngoza of Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal and Chief Dumisani Zwelenqaba Mgudlwa.
Mtirara Azenathi could not be enrobed with a lion skin gown as it was reserved for his father, who is still the king.
Dalindyebo went to jail last December to serve a 12-year term for kidnapping, arson and defeating the ends of justice. His imprisonment raised national outcry and was criticised by royals and clergy as an attack on traditional leadership and customary law.
Prince Azenathi was tasked with uniting the royal family and create stability among the abaThembu.
AmaDlomo elders and Azenathi are to meet with the victims of Dalindyebo’s crimes in an effort to ask for forgiveness.
“This will be done in the name of the king, the royal family and abaThembu. We will humble ourselves unto them and apologise honestly for the harm that was caused to them by the king,” Mgudlwa said.
Azenathi was warned not to be a law unto himself, but to act as a servant of his father’s people. He was also warned not to behave as if his father were dead and dethroned, but was urged to respect him as the reigning king and to stay away from liquor.
“You must serve with honesty and fear God. Be honest to you father even when he is in prison, and also be honest to the people you will lead. Serve your people with dignity and humility and people will give you the respect you deserve,” said Reverend Phila Magcaba on behalf of IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Buthelezi presented Azenathi with a Nguni skin and other presents.
AbaThembu national executive committee chairman Vusi Mvelase said Bumbane Great Place had remained an ANC home since 1912 when kings were part of the ANC.
Senior ANC leaders and members of factions who supported other candidates for the crown, did not attend. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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