AmaXhosa women to meet Mbete

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete will spend two days in the Eastern Cape meeting the queens and wives of traditional leaders and the King of AmaXhosa, Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu.

The meeting between Mbete and Sigcawu will take place at the king’s Nqadu Great Place in Willlowvale at 10am tomorrow.

Baleka, who is also the ANC national chairwoman, will tonight meet the leadership of Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu (IYA) – a forum of queens and wives of traditional leaders – at a gala dinner in Dutywa.

“We are embarrassed to see what is happening in parliament.

“The dignity of the parliament has degenerated and we have requested the Speaker to meet with us and give clarity on what is really happening there,” said Sigcawu when addressing traditional leaders in Mthatha yesterday.

Parliament’s media specialist Modise Kabeli confirmed the meeting.

“As a custodian of the Xhosa people’s culture and heritage, the king has shown a keen interest in engaging with the three arms of the state to ensure that the nation’s restoration of their heritage and challenges form part of government’s key priority discussions.

“The king, together with traditional leaders and women from the royal households, will host the Speaker to share challenges and daily struggles faced by rural communities,” said Kabeli in a statement.

“The Speaker will use this opportunity to share with the Xhosa Royal Family how parliament functions.”

Sigcawu, a descendent of King Hintsa, is the head of AmaXhosa.

The meeting with the king will be preceded by a gala dinner where Mbete, together with her Eastern Cape Legislature counterpart Noxolo Kiviet, will engage with IYA, an organisation representing women from royal households.

“The purpose will be to discuss the role women can play in the advancement of rural communities,” said Kabeli.