The AbaThembu royal family has restarted the nomination process to replace King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence in East London.
Locked behind closed doors at the Garden Court in Mthatha on Saturday, the different groupings within the royal family again met to discuss the names of preferred candidates.
The names, which have been debated before, included the king’s eldest son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo, his wife Queen Nokwanda and his brother, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo.
The meeting resolved to give all the legitimate structures within the royal family a chance to debate the names of the candidates for acting king.
A resolution was taken to not speak to the media on the matter.
Both family spokesmen Chief Mfundo Mtirara, who chaired the meeting, and Daludumo Mtirara declined to comment when approached by the Dispatch.
However, both confirmed the meeting had taken place and said it was “a huge success”.
A number of royal insiders, who were part of the gathering at the weekend, confirmed the three names were discussed.
Another source said it was unanimously decided that the matter would be referred to the house of Jonguhlanga, Dalindyebo’s late father King Sabata Dalindyebo, for their input.
But their decision would only be a proposal.
In two weeks’ time there will be a bigger meeting of the house of Ngubengcuka, Mtirara and Ndaba.
The descendants of those houses include Mnqanqeni, Joyi, Mandela, Dalindyebo, Matanzima, Jumba, Nkosiyane, Mbekeni and others.
It is at this meeting that a final decision is expected.
Meanwhile, provincial correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said the king was still in hospital.
AbaThembu deliberations over new king continue
Locked behind closed doors at the Garden Court in Mthatha on Saturday, the different groupings within the royal family again met to discuss the names of preferred candidates.
The names, which have been debated before, included the king’s eldest son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo, his wife Queen Nokwanda and his brother, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo.
The meeting resolved to give all the legitimate structures within the royal family a chance to debate the names of the candidates for acting king.
A resolution was taken to not speak to the media on the matter.
Both family spokesmen Chief Mfundo Mtirara, who chaired the meeting, and Daludumo Mtirara declined to comment when approached by the Dispatch.
However, both confirmed the meeting had taken place and said it was “a huge success”.
A number of royal insiders, who were part of the gathering at the weekend, confirmed the three names were discussed.
Another source said it was unanimously decided that the matter would be referred to the house of Jonguhlanga, Dalindyebo’s late father King Sabata Dalindyebo, for their input.
But their decision would only be a proposal.
In two weeks’ time there will be a bigger meeting of the house of Ngubengcuka, Mtirara and Ndaba.
The descendants of those houses include Mnqanqeni, Joyi, Mandela, Dalindyebo, Matanzima, Jumba, Nkosiyane, Mbekeni and others.
It is at this meeting that a final decision is expected.
Meanwhile, provincial correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said the king was still in hospital.
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