AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who is a staunch DA member, has accepted an invitation to attend the ANC January 8 statement.
The invite was extended to Dalindyebo on Christmas Eve during a visit to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence.
Dalindyebo, accompanied by a delegation of more than 30 AbaThembu, apologised to Zuma, his family and the AmaNxamalala clan for previous utterances.
“The king has accepted the invitation. However, the king remains a DA member. He is attending the event in his capacity as AbaThembu king. This should not be confused or politicised,” said Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara.
The event will take place in Cape Town on January 10. He will again be accompanied by a delegation.
“The king’s council is apolitical. The king is the king of all AbaThembu, irrespective of their political affiliations,” said Mtirara, who is an ANC councillor.
Dalindyebo was an ANC member and former uMkhonto weSizwe cadre before joining the DA in July 2013.
The king has on numerous occasions lashed out at Zuma, describing him as a “liar”, “thief”, “womaniser” and “Zulu boy”.
Mtirara and one of Zuma’s sons, Sizwe, were among those working behind the scenes to reconcile Dalindyebo and the president.
“Sizwe has now grown up to be a real man among men,” said Zuma after Dalindyebo credited the son for being instrumental in the truce.
Mtirara said while people were working at reconciliation, it would not have been possible were it not for Zuma and Dalindyebo.
“First it was the king telling a church gathering that he has wronged the president and wanted to apologise.”
The AbaThembu entourage to Nkandla was joined by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe and ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize.
Zuma and Dalindyebo spent less than 15 minutes in a private meeting before addressing a crowd.
Dalindyebo said that he was the “prodigal son who has come to apologise to a lovely father”.
“I come here to humble myself for speaking oddly to my president. He has always been a father to me. Love of God will prevail if we forgive each other,” said Dalindyebo.
Zuma accepted the apology. The two hugged, shook hands and shared jokes.
“I have forgiven you, my king, wholeheartedly. In fact, I was never offended. I never responded to your utterance because I respected your position. I was never angered. Creating a strong friendship between AmaNxamalala and AbaThembu is good.”
Zuma said that during his woes as deputy president, Dalindyebo sent a delegation to Nkandla to “cry with me and comfort me”.
“I love the king as he is not afraid of anyone but speaks his mind.”
Dalindyebo gave Zuma two cows. Zuma returned the gesture and gave the king a cow as acceptance of the apology. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Dalindyebo mends fences with Zuma
The invite was extended to Dalindyebo on Christmas Eve during a visit to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence.
Dalindyebo, accompanied by a delegation of more than 30 AbaThembu, apologised to Zuma, his family and the AmaNxamalala clan for previous utterances.
“The king has accepted the invitation. However, the king remains a DA member. He is attending the event in his capacity as AbaThembu king. This should not be confused or politicised,” said Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara.
The event will take place in Cape Town on January 10. He will again be accompanied by a delegation.
“The king’s council is apolitical. The king is the king of all AbaThembu, irrespective of their political affiliations,” said Mtirara, who is an ANC councillor.
Dalindyebo was an ANC member and former uMkhonto weSizwe cadre before joining the DA in July 2013.
The king has on numerous occasions lashed out at Zuma, describing him as a “liar”, “thief”, “womaniser” and “Zulu boy”.
Mtirara and one of Zuma’s sons, Sizwe, were among those working behind the scenes to reconcile Dalindyebo and the president.
“Sizwe has now grown up to be a real man among men,” said Zuma after Dalindyebo credited the son for being instrumental in the truce.
Mtirara said while people were working at reconciliation, it would not have been possible were it not for Zuma and Dalindyebo.
“First it was the king telling a church gathering that he has wronged the president and wanted to apologise.”
The AbaThembu entourage to Nkandla was joined by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe and ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize.
Zuma and Dalindyebo spent less than 15 minutes in a private meeting before addressing a crowd.
Dalindyebo said that he was the “prodigal son who has come to apologise to a lovely father”.
“I come here to humble myself for speaking oddly to my president. He has always been a father to me. Love of God will prevail if we forgive each other,” said Dalindyebo.
Zuma accepted the apology. The two hugged, shook hands and shared jokes.
“I have forgiven you, my king, wholeheartedly. In fact, I was never offended. I never responded to your utterance because I respected your position. I was never angered. Creating a strong friendship between AmaNxamalala and AbaThembu is good.”
Zuma said that during his woes as deputy president, Dalindyebo sent a delegation to Nkandla to “cry with me and comfort me”.
“I love the king as he is not afraid of anyone but speaks his mind.”
Dalindyebo gave Zuma two cows. Zuma returned the gesture and gave the king a cow as acceptance of the apology. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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