EC accused of disregarding its princesses

Royal NomaXhosa Sigcawu speaks out at women’s event

Royal princesses in the Eastern Cape vented their anger over the weekend for allegedly “being discriminated against, stifled, disregarded, not recognised or respected by other royals” including their family members, communities and the government.

This emerged at the inaugural launch of AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu Legacy’s Inzalabantu women empowerment initiative to celebrate Women’s Month and to mark the beginning of Heritage Month.

The event was held at Sigcawu’s Nqadu Great Place near Willowvale.

AmaXhosa Princess NomaXhosa Sigcawu (the king’s aunt) told the gathering that local princesses, irrespective of whether they were descendents of respected kings, were only recognised if they married into other royal families and became queens.

“Royal princes are respected and recognised by all traditional structures, communities and the government, and are empowered, nurtured and moulded on royal, leadership and administrative matters.

“This while princesses are ignored and rendered useless and of no significance in royalty,” Princess Sigcawu said. The Inzalabantu initiative, organised by Nandi Mtsokoba, aimed to educate, celebrate and honour all women.

It also addressed challenges faced by royal widows.

“While royal houses in the Eastern Cape stifle and disregard their princesses, in royal houses somewhere else, they are held in high esteem and an environment is created for them to prove their capabilities on royal matters and community development programmes.

“We are forced to live in the shadows of our brothers and nephews,” she said.

The princess accused the provincial House of Traditional Leaders, local houses of traditional leaders and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) of “serving the needs of men and disregarding princesses”.

Contralesa provincial secretary Nkosi Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo said the issues raised by princess Sigcawu would be addressed accordingly, as princesses were entitled to the honour they deserved.

The National House of Traditional Leaders’ Nkosi Khulile Mkhatshwa expressed disap- pointment on hearing Eastern Cape princesses being disregarded.

“In other provinces it is not the case. We need to respect all our royals,” she said.

She donated walking sticks, sanitary towels, bath soaps, face cloths and other gifts to the King Zwelonke Development Legacy project that seeks to assist the needy.

King Hintsa TVET College principal Noluthando Balfour, speaking about problems faced by women, called for women to start developing themselves.

“We must move away from the syndrome of pulling each other down, and instead, we as women must support each other and build a formidable women leadership,” she said.

“We must break the chain of stereotypes. We must never undermine ourselves as women.”

AbaThembu Queen Usikhumbulile Dalindyebo also called upon other queens and wives of traditional leaders to shine the torch for the development of women in their areas of jurisdiction.

“As mothers of the nation, we must make it our responsibility to fight poverty and unemployment, and instill skills that boosts self-confidence among women, young and old,” Queen Dalindyebo said.

Among artists who performed at the event were award-winning poet Jessica Mbangeni, gospel great Lusanda Mcinga and the Sikhonathi Women Cultural Group.

● See pictures on page 10 that were

Princesses are ignored, rendered useless and of no significance