WESTERN Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase yesterday led members of the royal family to Nelson Mandela’s home in Qunu where they handed over an ox as a gift.
The gift was to thank Mandela for assisting members of the royal family to further their education.
Ndamase, who at age 30 is the youngest king in the Eastern Cape, was accompanied by his mother Queen Bhongolwethu Ndamase, grandmother Queen Gcinizizwe Ndamase, cousin and spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase.
Prince Mlamli said both the king and his cousin, Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase, were put through tertiary education thanks to Mandela who organised bursaries for them to study.
“I still remember that Madiba came home to Nyandeni Great Place and asked how the young crown prince was doing,” said Prince Mlamli.
After being told that they had not received a response from the school they had applied to, Kearsney College, Mandela intervened.
He called the school and in less than 15 minutes, had secured a place for the then future king.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, the king said that he was thankful for what Madiba had done for him and his family. “This ox is just a mere token of appreciation for the assistance that Madiba gave not only me, but for the entire family because it was not only me who he assisted in ensuring that we get the best education,” said King Ndamase.
Mandela secured him a bursary to study from Grade 9 until matric and then his tertiary education.
“He had done so much to help us,” said the king.
Prince Mlamli said in the case of Prince Mlimandlela, he approached General Bantu Holomisa to facilitate a meeting with Madiba for financial assistance.
Also speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Holomisa said: “I had to work hard and assist Mlimandlela and facilitated a meeting between Mlimandlela and Madiba.
“Madiba agreed to assist him.”— lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
King hands over ox to Madiba family
The gift was to thank Mandela for assisting members of the royal family to further their education.
Ndamase, who at age 30 is the youngest king in the Eastern Cape, was accompanied by his mother Queen Bhongolwethu Ndamase, grandmother Queen Gcinizizwe Ndamase, cousin and spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase.
Prince Mlamli said both the king and his cousin, Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase, were put through tertiary education thanks to Mandela who organised bursaries for them to study.
“I still remember that Madiba came home to Nyandeni Great Place and asked how the young crown prince was doing,” said Prince Mlamli.
After being told that they had not received a response from the school they had applied to, Kearsney College, Mandela intervened.
He called the school and in less than 15 minutes, had secured a place for the then future king.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, the king said that he was thankful for what Madiba had done for him and his family. “This ox is just a mere token of appreciation for the assistance that Madiba gave not only me, but for the entire family because it was not only me who he assisted in ensuring that we get the best education,” said King Ndamase.
Mandela secured him a bursary to study from Grade 9 until matric and then his tertiary education.
“He had done so much to help us,” said the king.
Prince Mlamli said in the case of Prince Mlimandlela, he approached General Bantu Holomisa to facilitate a meeting with Madiba for financial assistance.
Also speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Holomisa said: “I had to work hard and assist Mlimandlela and facilitated a meeting between Mlimandlela and Madiba.
“Madiba agreed to assist him.”— lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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