Bumbane ready for crowning

THE normally quiet Bumbane Great Place, headquarters of the abaThembu nation, will come to life today as thousands of wellwishers stream in to witness the official coronation of their new acting king, Prince Azenathi Zanelizwe Dalindyebo.

Azenathi is the eldest son of jailed abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo, who is currently serving a 12year sentence for crimes including arson, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping.

Bumbane, unoccupied since his incarceration almost a year ago, was opened in October, soon after Azenathi was identified by his faction of the royal family to act as king in the absence of his father.

His coronation today comes a week after the 24-year-old prince tied the knot with Ongezwa Usikhumbule Zwedala, 19, during a traditional royal wedding on November 18.

The coronation was almost derailed as Azenathi’s uncle Prince Mankunku Mthandeni Jongisizwe Dalindyebo attempted to interdict the event, but he withdrew his application in the Grahamstown High Court on Wednesday.

Azenathi also had to go to court to force his stepmother Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo to give him access to Bumbane for both the wedding and the coronation.

Speaking on behalf of the amaDlomo, Chief Dumisani Zanenqaba Mgudlwa said despite all the drama that preceded Azenathi’s enrobing as the acting monarch, “it is now all systems go”.

“Fifteen cattle and 50 sheep will be slaughtered to feed his wellwishers, who are expected to be between 5 000 Mgudlwa.

He said all Eastern Cape kings and queens and even those outside the borders of country were invited.

Azenathi offered an olive branch to his uncle Prince Mankunku and spoke of the importance of unity in the family. “We are not at war with my uncle,” he said.

But the Ngangelizwe royal family chairman, Chief Thanduxolo Mtirara, said they remain steadfast that Mankunku was the acting king and was appointed on October 21. and 10 000,” said