AmaXhosa King urges royals to end feud

AMAXHOSA King Mpendulo Sigcawu has called for peace and unity in the feuding Makinana royal family of the AmaNdlambe tribe.

Sigcawu was speaking at the enrobing and inauguration of AmaNdlambe head Chief Andile Mdibanisi Makinana at Fort Murray Great Place in Berlin over the weekend.

The event has been mired in controversy. Makinana is said to not be on speaking terms with his mother Nowongile and siblings Mvuzo, Luthando, Nolukhanyo and Sisonke. As a result, they did not attended his enrobing.

The feud has spread to the entire AmaNdlambe tribe and AmaRharhabe kingdom.

Sigcawu urged the Makinana royal family to reconcile with AmaRharhabe Queen Noloyiso Sandile, saying it was impacting negatively on the harmony of Xhosa houses and the Tshawe dynasty.

The Sigcawus, Sandiles and Makinanas are close relatives.

In terms of tradition, Queen Sandile would have officiated over proceedings. However, the monarch last week imposed a prohibitory royal decree, which the AmaNdlambe tribe defied.

The queen and her council and more than 40 traditional leaders snubbed the event, with Makinana’s uncle, Chief Mxolisi Makinana, stepping in to officiate.

Sigcawu said that he refused to be part of those assisting or officiating in the enrobing.

“You know that the queen [Sandile] is not here. I do not want to take a job which is not mine and make it mine.

“Mhlanganisi, you have a big responsibility ahead of you to unite with your family and AmaNdlambe as a tribe. Your infighting as a family is causing a problem to all Xhosa houses.

“Talk to your mother and siblings and solve the matter amicably. If that step fails, call your uncles. If that too fails, seek assistance and guidance from AmaRharhabe Great Place. As a leader, be a unifying figure and agent of peace.”

Makinana’s uncles, aunts and other royal members were present at the event, as were Sigcawu, cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, senior government officials, church leaders, MPs and municipal councillors.

Contralesa’s secretary-general, Chief Xolile Ndevu, provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, provincial secretary Chief Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo and Contralesa women and youth wing leaders were also in attendance.

Xasa handed over a certificate of recognition of Makinana’s chieftainship.

Questions were also raised about why the event was held in Fort Murray and not Tshabo Great Place, from where Makinana’s late father Chief Daliwe Makinana had ruled for many years.

Family spokesman Prince Mxolisi Makinana expressed shock that there was a fuss that the event was held in Fort Murray.

“Tshabo has been the great place since 1927. But our great place is moved from this place to another due to need.

“Fort Murray is a new great place of AmaNdlambe,” said Makinana. —