By Celani Sikhakhane
- Inkosi Ntobeko Msingaphantsi says he left UKZN before graduating because the amaBhaca leadership fight made him fear for his life.
- Msingaphantsi is fighting KZN Cogta’s recognition of Xolani Zulu, while Cogta says Zulu is the rightful traditional leader.
Inkosi Ntobeko Msingaphantsi says he quit his UKZN studies because he feared for his life.
Msingaphantsi, from the amaBhaca clan in uMzimkhulu on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, was studying public administration at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He said he left the course because of the fight over the amaBhaca throne.
“I had to quit my studies at UKZN for the safety of my life,” said Msingaphantsi.
Msingaphantsi is fighting KZN Cogta’s recognition of Xolani Zulu as the traditional leader of the amaBhaca clan.
He says Zulu has no right to the throne because Zulu’s father was a headman, not a senior traditional leader.
Msingaphantsi says he is the rightful traditional leader of the clan. He says he is being pushed off the throne in broad daylight and has vowed to fight until the end.
Zulu insists that he is the rightful leader.
Reports say the dispute has divided Mfulamhle village, where some residents now fall under different headmen serving Msingaphantsi and Zulu.
Msingaphantsi recently met his traditional council on Workers’ Day to discuss appointing a traditional prime minister for the amaBhaca.
He was meant to graduate this year with other traditional leaders who studied the same UKZN course.
UKZN says 47 amakhosi completed the year-long Leadership and Good Governance Programme, run with KZN Cogta. The programme trains traditional leaders in governance, land administration and financial management.
Public reports say Cogta argues that Msingaphantsi’s time as regent has ended and that Zulu’s recognition followed proper processes. Msingaphantsi disputes this.
Cogta is standing by its decision to recognise Zulu as the traditional leader of the amaBhaca.
Pictured above: Inkosi Ntobeko Msingaphantsi, who says he quit UKZN because of the amaBhaca throne dispute.
Image source: Umzimkhulu Local Municipality
