Pretoria - The battle for the Balobedu royal throne in Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo has intensified, after regent Mpapatla Modjadji announced in a letter to the Balobedu nation last week that there would be a coronation ceremony to crown Prince Lekukela Modjadji.
The announcement is in defiance of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recognised Princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the legitimate heir to the throne in 2018. Princess Masalanabo is the younger sister to Prince Lekukela, and both are children of late Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji, who died after a short illness in June 2005.
Princess Masalanabo was adopted and raised by ANC stalwart Mathole Motshekga, who last year took the matter to court, for the Balobedu nation to recognise Princess Masalanabo as the incoming queen at her coming of age on January 20.
In 2019, the Modjadji royal family accused Motshekga, who was the queendom’s legal adviser at the time, of turning Princess Masalanabo against them in a bid to “hijack” the throne.
The letter to the Balobedu nation, seen by the Pretoria News and signed by Mpapatla, states that Prince Lekukela’s coronation will take place in Bolobedu on October 1.
A translation of the letter, in part, reads: “We hereby inform you that we are proceeding with the coronation of King Lekukela Modjadji on October 1, 2022. Those who want to participate in the coronation are advised to contact their headmen or the Modjadji Traditional Council in Khethlakoni.”
This is in parallel to the planned coronation of Princess Masalanabo expected to take place in January next year when she turns 18, which is the age requirement for her to be installed as the Rain Queen.
The Pretoria News can reveal that the Balobedu Royal Council met in Modjadjiskloof on September 14 to consider a report of the Maolwe royal family regarding the coronation of Queen Masalanabo.
An insider told the publication that the council was “shocked” to learn that Mpapatla was planning to install Prince Lekukela as king. The source said: “The council was shocked to learn that the self-proclaimed Modjadji Royal Council has decided to go ahead with coronation of Prince Lekukela Modjadji, the brother of the queen-elect Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII, despite the court process under way to legally and customary clarify the succession matter and affirm the Queenship of Balobedu.”
The source, who is close to Motshekga, argues that the kingship was abandoned towards the 1800s, and that from 1800 to date the nation was led by Rain Queens on a permanent basis and not as an option.
“The decision of this self-proclaimed Modjadji Royal Council is irregular and illegal because it was taken without participation and consonance of senior houses of the Royal House.
“Secondly, there is no vacancy for kingship in Balobedu, there will never be, as the only position is that of Queen Modjadji. Thirdly, the self-proclaimed royal council has no authority to change the Queenship to a Kingdom as any such a change would require a review of the decision of the president (Ramaphosa) to recognise Queen Masalanabo among other avenues.
“To the best of our knowledge, the president has not reviewed Queen Masalanabo’s position as the undisputed Queen of the Balobedu Royal Nation.”
He said in preparation for her inauguration when she turned 18 on January 20, 2023, the Balobedu Royal Council will hold the annual prayers (Mophaso) at Maulwe Royal Court to thank the royal ancestors for the rains and fertility of the ploughing field and to thank them for the security and safety of the “Queen-elect”.
He added that the Balobedu Royal Council decided to request the office of the premier and president to instruct the self-proclaimed Modjadji Royal Council to halt the “illegal” activities of a king as it is contrary to the will of the people of the Balobedu nation.
The source said the royal council had already instructed its lawyers to apply for an interdict to stop the inauguration.
The upcoming coronation of Prince Lekukela comes in the middle of a legal process that is currently under way to ascertain who is the rightful heir.
The court case has been set for October 10.
The legal challenge involves the Modjadji Royal Council’s decision to nominate the heir apparent brother to rule over the Balobedu nation.
In May last year, the council announced Prince Lekukela Modjadji as heir to the throne following a lengthy squabble. There was a mixed reaction to this, with some saying that the appointment of Prince Lekukela would bring to an end South Africa’s only female monarchy, while others said they welcomed his appointment.
Princess Masalanabo was widely expected to be the Balobedu nation’s next Rain Queen when she attained the age of 18.
Pretoria News