By Celani Sikhakhane
King Zwelibanzi Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the Abathembu Nation has expressed his desire to retire early and have his wife, Queen Nokwanda, take over the throne.
If Queen Nokwanda ascends to the throne, she will be the first female monarch in the history of Abathembu.
King Zwelibanzi, known for his outspoken nature, raised concerns about never having the opportunity to spend time with his family after returning from exile in 1989. A trained member of Mkhonto we Sizwe, the young prince was banished into exile at just 10 years old in 1976.
Among issues discussed by traditional leaders at a special meeting last week at the Nkululekweni royal private residence in Mthatha was the creation or formalisation of a Queen of the Great House, who would give birth to the next king of the Abathembu kingdom.
According to Mthunzi Ngonyama, the king’s spokesperson, the meeting endorsed Nokwanda as the Queen of the Great House of the Abathembu Nation.
“Traditional leaders agreed that they will bring cattle to pay lobola for Queen Nokwanda as a great wife,” he said.
Dalindyebo has been married five times, including marrying two women, Queen Nokwanda and Queen Nolitha, on the same day in 2004.
Nolitha and Nolwazi have since passed away, and the king is divorced from two of his wives, Nocollege and Noluntu.
He is currently living with his appointed senior wife, Nokwanda, who was at the centre of the contest for the throne with the king’s son, Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo, during the king’s incarceration in 2015.
The proposal for Nokwanda to take over the throne has raised questions about traditional succession practices in the Abathembu Nation.
Dalindyebo’s spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.
Pictured above: His Majesty King Zwelibanzi Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo and his wife, Queen Nokwanda, who is tipped to ascend to the throne
Image source: Supplied
