Sigcawu gives back in milestone birthday bash

THE Nqadu Great Place, headquarters of the AmaXhosa in rural Willowvale, was a hive of activity at the weekend as royals and hundreds of supporters celebrated King Mpendulo Sigcawu’s 50th birthday.

But instead of being showered with gifts by well-wishers, the monarch turned the tradition around and created a new trend by handing out gifts valued at R1.2-million to some of his needy subjects.

Sigcawu donated 125 wheelchairs he received from Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, as well as 1 000 packets of sanitary towels, school uniforms and 500 pairs of school shoes to pupils in 51 schools in his jurisdiction, which includes Willowvale, Elliotdale, Dutywa and Centane.

Mantuse Nayo, principal of Daluxolo Junior Secondary school in KwaFeni village in Centane, was delighted his school was among those that received shoes and uniforms.

Accepting the donation from the king on behalf of his pupils, Nayo described KwaFeni as one of the most remote and deeply rural areas in the country, where most parents were unemployed and depended on social grants to send their children to school.

“We have 343 pupils this year, and although this [donation] might be a drop in the ocean considering their circumstances, it will do a lot in terms of boosting lives,” he said.

Some pupils were mocked for wearing shoes with holes in them.

“Some just end up staying at home, especially in winter, because they don’t have proper shoes to wear.”

Sigcawu told the Daily Dispatch he wanted to create a legacy and to be remembered for giving instead of receiving gifts. He roped in South African Traditional Music Awards founder, Dumisani Goba to help him.

The result of their collaboration was the creation of the King Zwelonke Legacy Project, and the launch of the King Zwelonke Foundation earlier this year, when a sum of R1.2-million was raised.

The king said many business people were eager to assist. One of the guests, Twelve Apostles Church in Christ leader Caesar Nongqunga said while the state did try to change people’s lives, it fell short and its services did not reach every citizen.

He said Sigcawu should be lauded for helping to change the lives of his own subjects.

He described the king as a humble and respectful person, who had unsurpassable love for his people.

“His respect and love is shown through these wheelchairs. He is not a king who just expects to be showered with gifts, but opted to spend his day giving gifts instead.”

Sigcawu told his guests he had been invited by the Zimbabwean government and the AmaXhosa people living in that country to a birthday celebration for him. He would attend the party there soon. —