The Modjadji Royal Council says it will block Princess Masalanabo Modjadji's coronation as the Balobedu Queen in April. Princess Masalanabo was legally recognised as the tribe's queen when she turned 18 by President Cyril Ramaphosa in December last year. Her uncle Mpapatla Modjadji has been regent to the throne since Masalanabo's mother, Queen Makobo Modjadji, passed away in 2005.

THERE WILL BE NO CORONATION

The Modjadji Royal Council spokesperson Ronnie Moroatshehla said that it is insulting and untrue for people to refer to their dynasty as a Queendom. "I think Modjadji Kingdom is the only one in the country that is gender sensitive. They've dated back to our kingdom from the 1800s, which is ill-informed. From 1600 our Kingdom was ruled by kings. They must do their research, but in the meantime, we will interdict the coronation; it's not going to happen," Moroatshehla said. His statement comes after Masalanabo's elder brother, who is also a contender for the throne, Prince Lekukela, told the media on Monday that they learned about her sister's recognition on social media. "The royal family, along with myself, were made aware of the decision to recognise my younger sister, Princess Masalanabo, as an heir to our mother's throne through social media. This decision was neither communicated to us formally nor did the government have any formal engagements with us to furnish us with reasons for this decision. The decision has left the royal family and the entire Balobedu nation confused," he said. 

TAKING THE MATTER TO COURT

Moroatshehla said they will be taking President Cyril Ramaphosa to task for making an ill-informed decision when he knows nothing about the royal house. "We, as the royal family, have come to a logical conclusion that we are grabbing the bull by its horns and taking this matter to court for reprieve. Traditionally our succession has been a consultative process so that we look into all factors for us to maintain the dignity of our tradition as far as the person who will be the successor." He added that in this case, the decision was unilateral and the royal family wasn't allowed to give their view on the matter. Meanwhile, the queen is being celebrated as the first of the Balobedu queens to pass her matric - making history.