Makobo Modjadji VI, the late Rain Queen of the Balobedu nation in Limpopo must be turning in her grave with her queendom torn apart, pitting her biological children against each other through court battles.The month of October will go down in the history of this nation as a watershed moment, in which tribal skirmishes cast the spotlight in the courts of law.
FIGHTING FOR THE THRONE
The soap opera plays out with sibling rivalry between Prince Lekukela and Princess Masalanabo, the children of the Makobo who died on 12 June 2005 under mysterious circumstances. Amid all legal wrangling, the traditional installation of Prince Lekukela Modjadji as the king of the Balobedu continued at Khetlhakoni Royal Palace in Modjadjiskloof, outside Tzaneen recently. The sacred traditional rites proceeded after the Pretoria High Court dismissed an urgent application to interdict the installation ceremony. The application was brought by ANC MP Mathole Motshekga who is the foster parent of Masalanabo.
RULING WELCOMED
The Royal Council has welcomed the ruling, contending that Masalanabo hasn't been raised and guided according to the ways of the Balobedu and would not be fit to be queen. Motshekga has also lodged a case to challenge the Royal Council's selection of Lekukela as king. "Masalanabo was first appointed by [former] president Jacob Zuma as the successor and the Tolo Commission and she's also recognised by the current president,' said Motshekga.
MOTSHEKGA A SELF APPOINTED FOSTER PARENT
On September 30 Judge CJ van der Westheizen found Motshekga has no right to represent Masalanabo, adding that he was a self-appointed foster parent. The court also ruled that Motshekga had no locus standi to act on behalf of Masalanabo because the recent decision of the children's court offered him no such rights. Villagers from the Balobedu Kingdom have expressed mixed reactions to the installation of the king-elect, Lekukela, some saying they welcome the installation, while others still expect Masalanabo to take over from her late mother.
ENDING A 200 YEAR OLD TRADITION
Masalanabo was tipped to take over as Queen Modjadji the 7th, once she turned 18. However, last year in May, the Royal Council announced Lekukela as heir to the throne, a move which has since evoked legal battles. Prince Mpapatla Modjadji of the Balobedu Royal Council, who also represents the current regent, said the [Balobedu] nation still regards Masalanabo as their daughter and great aunt of the dynasty. Ronnie Moroatshehla, the council spokesperson said they are waiting for the coronation of the king-elect as the king of Balobedu. Moroatshehla says they will be communicating with the Presidency and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs for them to determine the official day of coronation."The royal council has decided Prince Lekukela must be King. He is the king-elect and there is no way Princess Masalanabo can take over from her brother' said Moroatshehla. The decision to install Lekukela to the throne will end a 200-year-old tradition of the nation being rule by women renowned for their rain-making powers.
