King excited by fatherhood
Azenathi’s wife expecting first child in April
ACTING Abathembu King Azenathi Dalindyebo will soon be a father. Azenathi, who was installed as the acting monarch on November 25, confirmed to the Saturday Dispatch that his wife Usikhumbulile Ongezwa Dalindyebo, who has just turned 20, was expected to deliver a baby before Easter.
Her pregnancy has been a heavily guarded secret since the couple tied the knot on November 19.
The media-shy and soft-spoken Usikhumbulile said she was happy to be carrying a child.
“I imagine that tiny body, the scream and the smile. I now enjoy those nice kicks. This is an amazing experience for both myself and my husband. My husband is very happy that he will be father and I am sure we will be good parents for our child,” said Usikhumbulile.
Azenathi and his equally excited mother, Queen Nocollege Dalindyebo, said they had already informed his father, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who is serving a 12-year jail term in East London.
He is said to have expressed delight at hearing the news he would be a grandfather for the first time.
“Upon receiving the news he was just as ecstatic as I was, so much so that he has even given a name to his unborn grandchild,” said Azenathi.
But the 24-year-old acting king and his wife would not reveal what the name was, saying it would be revealed after the birth of the child.
Queen Nocollege also expressed her delight at being a first-time grandmother as Azenathi is her only child and King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s eldest sister, Princess Komkom Linda Dalindyebo, could also not hide her excitement.
“Remember we will be first-time parents and both my father and my mother will also be first time grandparents,” said Azenathi.
“While we are anxiously waiting for the child’s arrival my parents are also waiting in awe for the birth of their first grandchild. Everybody is happy, very happy,” he said.
Both Azenathi and Usikhumbulile are university students.
The pregnancy was kept a closely guarded secret until December 28 when Usikhumbulile had a babyshower at her mother-in-law’s Port Alfred house. “It is blessing that the family is growing bigger and we hope that the baby will add value to our family,” said Queen Nocollege.
The parents said they still did not know the child’s gender.
“While we will welcome with both hands any gift from God, irrespective of gender, it is naturally a wish of every man, especially a royal, to have a first-born child to be a son, his heir,” said Azenathi “But we will be grateful even if it is a girl.”
He said he was more than ready to be father. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za