By LULAMILE FENI
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s son Azenathi’s chances of acting in his father’s position were dealt a heavy blow yesterday.
This was after all but two of the royal houses within the AbaThembu royal family threw their weight behind Dalindyebo’s brother Prince Mthandeni Mankunku as the best person to act as king.
The view was also unanimously affirmed by the Matanzima royal family which has kept its views on the succession private, since the row over the throne erupted in 2012.
The statements were made when the Commission for Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims led by Bagudi Tolo held a public hearing in Mthatha where at least two Ngangelizwe royal houses – Mtirara and Mnqanqeni, as well as the Matanzima house– participated, all supporting Mankunku.
It was not immediately clear why other houses, such as Joyi and Mandela, did not participate.
The royal family is divided between three names – Mthandeni, Azenathi and Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo – to act in Dalindyebo’s place.
The Matanzima delegation, consisting of King Dalimvula Simbonga Mtanzima, his uncle Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima and Chief Gwazinamba Mtanzima, all said Mankunku, according to AbaThembu custom, was the right candidate.
“It will be advisable that King Zwelibanzi’s son, Prince Azenathi, not enter this race as this can jeopardise his future aspirations and chances. At the moment, he must let his uncle act in this position,” Ngangomhlaba said.
Earlier in the day, Dalindyebo’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi on instruction of the king, lodged an objection against the hearing
“The gathering is illegal. The king was not even invited to it and all this is about the throne he is currently occupying,” Notyesi said.
He added the legitimacy of the royal family was still sub judice as it was still a matter of review before the Mthatha High Court.
“So it will be premature to say this meeting is in the interest of the royal family.”
Notyesi, who also represented Winnie Mandikizela-Mandela in her Qunu property application, attacked the legitimacy of the commission.
“The matter is suppose to be heard by five commissioners, but now you are three. Also your mandate as the commission expired and was extended to only deal with kingship and royal issues of Limpopo, not the Eastern Cape’s AbaThembu monarchy,” he said.
He added that the commission was supposed to have been appointed by the state president, not by a cabinet minister.
But AbaThembu royal family acting spokesman Chief Mfundo Mtirara said the commission had been invited by the AbaThembu royal family after it reached a deadlock in choosing between Mthandeni and Azenathi.
“So the commission is here because of our invite,” Mtirara said. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Blow to chance of king’s son getting top job
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s son Azenathi’s chances of acting in his father’s position were dealt a heavy blow yesterday.
This was after all but two of the royal houses within the AbaThembu royal family threw their weight behind Dalindyebo’s brother Prince Mthandeni Mankunku as the best person to act as king.
The view was also unanimously affirmed by the Matanzima royal family which has kept its views on the succession private, since the row over the throne erupted in 2012.
The statements were made when the Commission for Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims led by Bagudi Tolo held a public hearing in Mthatha where at least two Ngangelizwe royal houses – Mtirara and Mnqanqeni, as well as the Matanzima house– participated, all supporting Mankunku.
It was not immediately clear why other houses, such as Joyi and Mandela, did not participate.
The royal family is divided between three names – Mthandeni, Azenathi and Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo – to act in Dalindyebo’s place.
The Matanzima delegation, consisting of King Dalimvula Simbonga Mtanzima, his uncle Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima and Chief Gwazinamba Mtanzima, all said Mankunku, according to AbaThembu custom, was the right candidate.
“It will be advisable that King Zwelibanzi’s son, Prince Azenathi, not enter this race as this can jeopardise his future aspirations and chances. At the moment, he must let his uncle act in this position,” Ngangomhlaba said.
Earlier in the day, Dalindyebo’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi on instruction of the king, lodged an objection against the hearing
“The gathering is illegal. The king was not even invited to it and all this is about the throne he is currently occupying,” Notyesi said.
He added the legitimacy of the royal family was still sub judice as it was still a matter of review before the Mthatha High Court.
“So it will be premature to say this meeting is in the interest of the royal family.”
Notyesi, who also represented Winnie Mandikizela-Mandela in her Qunu property application, attacked the legitimacy of the commission.
“The matter is suppose to be heard by five commissioners, but now you are three. Also your mandate as the commission expired and was extended to only deal with kingship and royal issues of Limpopo, not the Eastern Cape’s AbaThembu monarchy,” he said.
He added that the commission was supposed to have been appointed by the state president, not by a cabinet minister.
But AbaThembu royal family acting spokesman Chief Mfundo Mtirara said the commission had been invited by the AbaThembu royal family after it reached a deadlock in choosing between Mthandeni and Azenathi.
“So the commission is here because of our invite,” Mtirara said. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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