Keeping royalty and culture alive: Meet SA’s 7 kings and 1 queen

Keeping royalty and culture alive: Meet SA’s 7 kings and 1 queen

South Africa's government officially recognises seven kings and one queen spread throughout the country.

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They help to keep royalty and traditional culture alive in South Africa. Briefly.co.za provides a brief background of each of them below.

1. King Goodwill Zwelithini

King Goodwill Zwelithini. Source: Google
King Goodwill Zwelithini. Source: Google

King Zwelithini is the king of the Zulu, who are mostly found in KwaZulu-Natal. He was born on 14 July, 1948 and officially began his reign in 1968.

However, his coronation was only held in December 1971 because, according to sahistory.com, he had to seek refuge away from the seat of the kingdom to avoid assassination.

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2. King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo

Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Source: EWN
Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Source: EWN

Born in 1964, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo became king of the AbaThembu nation of the Eastern Cape in May 1989.

However, he was reportedly dethroned following his conviction and sentencing to 12 years in jail for fraud in 2015.

As Dispatch Live reported in January, a court dismissed an application by Dalindyebo's brother to overturn the appointment of Azenathi Zanelizwe Dalindyebo as acting king.

3. King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu

King Zwelonke Sigcawu. Source: Google
King Zwelonke Sigcawu. Source: Google

King Zwelonke Sigcawu assumed the throne as king of the Xhosa nation in January 2006. His coronation took place in May 2015.

He was born on 4 April, 1968. In April this year, he turned 50 years old and announced a series of initiatives to reach out to the poor.

4. King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana

King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana (left) pictured with President Cyril Ramaphosa and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi
King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana (left) pictured with President Cyril Ramaphosa and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi

Former president Jacob Zuma recognised Ramabulana as the king of Limpopo's VhaVhenda people in 2012.

This followed Ramabulana's endorsement by Mphephu Royal Council. His cousin, princess Masindi Mphephu, failed in her court bid to challenge his position.

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5. King Makhosonke Enoch Mabena

King Makhosonke Enoch Mabena. Source: Sowetan Live
King Makhosonke Enoch Mabena. Source: Sowetan Live

Former president Thabo Mbeki appointed the Nhlapo Commission in 2004 to investigate the kingship dispute in the AmaNdebele nation.

The Commission found that Makhosonke II is the only legitimate king of Mpumalanga's AmaNdebele. The government subsequently recognised him as such.

6. King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau

King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau. Source: Times Live
King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau. Source: Times Live

The AmaMpondo nation in the Eastern Cape has also been embroiled in a long-running legal tussle over who should be king.

The constitutional court reserved judgement on an appeal brought by Wezizwe Feziwe Sigcau, daughter of the late king Justice Mpondombini Sigcau, in February this year.

This followed the coronation of King Zanozuko Sigcau in January, which went ahead despite the court case.

7. King Thulare Victor Thulare

King Thulare Victor Thulare. Source: Mail&Guardian
King Thulare Victor Thulare. Source: Mail&Guardian

In April this year, the high court in Pretoria declared that Thulare Victor Thulare is the rightful king of Bapedi ba Maroteng.

According to IOL, the court echoed findings by the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes in 2010.

The Commission found that Kgagudi Kenneth Sekhukhune is not the rightful heir. However, Sekhukhune launched a court appeal.

8. Queen Masalanabo Modjadji

Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji pictured with President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year. Source: EWN
Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji pictured with President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year. Source: EWN

Limpopo's Balobedu Rain Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji is just 13 years old, but she led her nation in celebrating their restoration of their queenship status in April this year.

She will succeed her late mother, Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji, once she attains the required age. Former president Jacob Zuma formally recognised the queenship in 2016.

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Source: Briefly News

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