By Celani Sikhakhane
- The court dismissed Prince Lekukela Modjadji’s bid to remove his sister, confirming her royal authority to sanction both male and female initiation ceremonies in Limpopo.
- The Modjadji Royal Council accuses Cabinet minister Angie Motshekga and her husband of grooming the Queen away from royal life and culture in Limpopo.
No child in the Bolabedu Nation enters adulthood without the Rain Queen’s blessing. The Pretoria High Court has made that clear.
The court dismissed an urgent application by Prince Lekukela Modjadji to remove his sister, Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII, from the throne. In doing so, it upheld her supreme authority over both Moroto, the male initiation ceremony for boys, and Dikhopa, the female initiation ceremony for girls.
This is not a ceremonial role. As Rain Queen, she holds the political and spiritual authority to sanction, suspend or regulate initiation schools across her kingdom. The male surgeons and elders who run the day-to-day initiation camps operate under her directive. Earlier this year, the Balobedu Royal Council suspended male initiation schools on her instruction, to clear the way for her coronation. That power has now been affirmed by the court.
Her brother’s central argument was that she grew up in Johannesburg and does not know Kholobedu culture or language. Queen Masalanabo was raised by her foster father, Dr Mathole Motshekga, a senior ANC figure and husband of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. She received initiation teachings during school holidays, but her upbringing was largely in Gauteng.
The Modjadji Royal Council has publicly accused Angie Motshekga and Dr Motshekga of gatekeeping the Queen and grooming her away from the royal capital. Dr Motshekga responded by instructing attorney Matthews Phosa to prepare defamation lawsuits against the Royal Council, with reports placing the claim at R10-million.
Queen Masalanabo’s recognition was formalised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024. That recognition remains before the High Court.
Pictured above: Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII, whose authority over the Bolabedu Nation’s initiation ceremonies has been upheld by the Pretoria High Court.
Image source: Crowning Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII/ Facebook Page
