By Celani Sikhakhane
- Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII wants Khelobedu recognised nationally, saying the language spoken by her people deserves a place among South Africa’s official languages.
- The Rain Queen has also been visiting villages across Bolobedu to reconnect with communities and listen to the problems people face in their daily lives.
Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII is fighting for something at the heart of her people’s identity: their language.
The young monarch of the Bolobedu Kingdom in Limpopo wants Khelobedu to be recognised as an official South African language.
For Queen Masalanabo, the campaign is about more than words.
It is about culture, history and making sure the language spoken by generations of Balobedu people is given national recognition.
Queen Masalanabo revived her push last year when she addressed an event at the University of South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.
Khelobedu, also known as Lobedu, Khilovedu or Selobedu, is spoken by about one million Balobedu people.
The language is widely used in Limpopo, especially around Bolobedu and in the Greater Tzaneen and Greater Letaba municipal areas.
Queen Masalanabo believes a language spoken by so many people deserves formal recognition.
If her campaign succeeds, Khelobedu would join South Africa’s official languages and give the Balobedu community a stronger voice in the country’s language landscape.
The issue has also reached the highest level of government.
During Queen Masalanabo’s coronation, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about Khelobedu and hinted that its recognition as an official language could be considered.
That gave fresh hope to supporters of the language.
For the Queen, however, her work is not only happening on public stages and at major events.
She has also been spending time with the people she leads.
Last week, Queen Masalanabo visited several villages under the Bolobedu Kingdom.
Her aim was to reconnect with residents and hear directly about the problems affecting their everyday lives.
The visits form part of her efforts to strengthen her relationship with communities and understand their needs.
For a monarch carrying one of Africa’s most unusual royal traditions, that connection with the people is important.
Queen Modjadji VII comes from a royal line known across generations for being led by women.
The Bolobedu royal house has long been associated with the Rain Queens, who are believed to have a sacred connection to rain and the land.
In times of drought, communities traditionally looked to the Rain Queen for blessings of rain.
That role made the monarch more than a political leader.
She also became a deeply respected spiritual figure whose position was closely connected to the survival and wellbeing of the people.
Now Queen Masalanabo is carrying that legacy into a new generation.
Her focus is not only on preserving royal tradition, but also on protecting the language and identity of the Balobedu people.
For many communities, language is one of the strongest links between young people and their history.
Queen Masalanabo’s campaign is therefore also a fight to make sure Khelobedu is not pushed to the side as generations change.
Her message is clear: the language of the Balobedu deserves to be heard, respected and recognised.
And while the final decision on official recognition does not rest with the Queen alone, she is making sure the demand does not disappear.
From university platforms to village visits, Queen Masalanabo is putting Khelobedu at the centre of her reign.
Pictured above: Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII of the Bolobedu Kingdom, who wants Khelobedu recognised as an official South African language.
Image source: Limpopo Provincial Government.
