The Modjadji Royal Council in Limpopo has resolved to inaugurate a 24-year-old prince Lekukela Modjadji as the next ruler of the Balobedu nation.
Balobedu are known to be led by Modjadji queens who are famous for rainmaking custom. The nation had not had a male monarch in 200 years.
The decision to appoint Prince Lekukela as king was taken on Saturday at the royal headquarters at Khetlhakoni after regent Mpapatla Modjadji, also male, announced that he will be stepping down from the position he held for the past 16 years.
Sowetan understands that the announcement comes after the Rain Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji voluntarily chose to remain under the care of ANC MP Mathole Motshekga this month.
Lekukela is the elder brother to Masalanabo and first son of the late Rain Queen Makhobo Modjadji, who died after a short illness in 2005.
Mpapatla confirmed to Sowetan that he has decided to step down, adding that the royal council has chosen Lekukela to be the king of Balobedu nation.
”I announced my decision and council accepted my resignation. I stepped down because I need to focus on my position as the senior royal council official and my role will be to guide the incoming king,” he said.
Mpapatla also added that Prince Lekukela will be inaugurated in October 2022 when he will be 25 years old.
“He has just completed his LLB degree with the University of Limpopo and the council will be there to support and guide him," he said.
Mpapatla added he held this position knowing very well it was not his and that his duty has always been to "raise the elect till they are fit to resume their birth right responsibility".
According to a royal council member, who wished not to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, the council chose Lekukukela because Masalanabo voluntarily opted to remain under the care of Motshekga when she was asked about her preferred future by the Randburg children’s court earlier this month.
“Masalanabo is our child and we will never abandon her, but we need her closer to home so she can learn her culture and tradition. We didn’t take this decision to spite her, however the council felt we should let her be and install her brother instead,” he said.
Motshekga couldn’t be reached on his cellphone and didn’t respond to Sowetan questions on whether he will challenge the decision or not.
The royal council spokesperson Phethole Mampeule said the council accepted the Mpapatla's request to step down as regent.
“The regent gave us a lengthy report on his leadership throughout his tenure and challenges thereof. He then asked to step down and we accepted because Prince Lekukela is old enough to ascend to the position,” Mampeule said.
He said the royal council is yet to inform the government and its chiefs of the decision. He added that the decision to install a male monarch was not new in the Modjadji royal family.
“The last king of Balobedu nation was king Mokoto or Mugodo who chose his daughter Maselekwane to become the first Rain Queen,” he said.
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