The battle for the Balobedu throne rages on with plans afoot to inaugurate Prince Lekukela Modjadji as king, just days before a high court hearing in Pretoria to challenge his installation in favour of his younger sister Princess Masalanabo.
The royal council recently announced that it would inaugurate Lekukela as monarch of the prestigious Limpopo dynasty known for their rain-making powers during a ceremony set to happen on October 1.
Lekukela and Masalanabo are the children of the late Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji VI.
The succession battle has been ongoing for years following their mother's death in 2005.
Masalanabo was identified by the Tolo commission on traditional leadership disputes and claims as the rightful heir to the throne and has been officially recognised by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Masalanabo is tipped to take over the reins when she turns 18 next year but the royal council announced in 2021 that Lekukela would be installed as king instead.
This led to Masalanabo’s foster parents Dr Mathole Motshekga and his wife basic education minister Angie Motshekga lodging a high court application to stop Lekukela from ascending the throne.
The case is expected to be heard on October 10. But it seems the royal council has ignored the legal obstacles and forged ahead with plans to install Lekukela as king this coming weekend.
Motshekga’s lawyer Mathews Phosa on Monday told Sowetan he was drafting court papers with the aim to interdict the ceremony, saying that it was illegal.
Phosa said the royal council was served with a cease and desist letter last Friday in a bid to warn them against proceeding with the occasion but they had stubbornly persisted to defy the law.
He said they were blatantly ignoring the fact that the Tolo commission and Ramaphosa had recognised Masalanabo as the rightful heir.
“I ask myself a question, are we not dealing with men who can’t accept that a woman can be queen and rule them? We are dealing with the crisis of patriarchy,” Phosa said.
Spokesperson for the royal council Ronnie Moroatshehla said they would not turn back on their decision. He said the dynasty had been ruled by males dating back to 1600s, adding that gender was never a factor when deciding on the heir.
Moroatshehla said festivities commence on September 30 with dancing and rituals until the inauguration happens.
He said the princess was not prepared to ascend to the throne as she had been raised by the Motshekgas and instructed according to sacred Balobedu customs.
“We will never disown our own, but we believe a time will come when she will realise how abused and misrepresented she has been in the hands of the Motshekgas,” Moroatshehla said.
Motshekga who previously served as an advisor under the last Rain Queen disputed the version of history that men had been at the helm of the crown, adding that women had always ruled the Balobeu people.
He said members of the council were motivated by patriarchy and a disregard for custom. Motshekga added that the succession battle had taken its toll on Masalanabo and her relationship with the family.
“She is a strong girl but you can’t discount the fact that this thing affects her emotionally and affects her school work.
“So what they are doing is a crime against a girl child. They know nothing about the rituals they claim they are protecting,” Motshekga said.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
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