Ndamase crowned in front of thousands
President Ramaphosa absent after being threatened with interdict
There was pomp and ceremony, but drama too, when Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndlovuyezwe Ndamase was crowned before a crowd of 10,000 at Nyandeni Great Place near Libode on Wednesday.
Royals and government leaders speaking at the coronation called for the monarch to show leadership by forging unity and creating peace and stability among the leading royal houses of AmaMpondo.
Premier Phumulo Masualle, national house of traditional leaders chair Nkosi Sipho Mahlangu and Eastern Cape house of traditional leaders Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana said there could be no development and peace if the royal houses were at each others’ throats.
The absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, traditional affairs minister Zweli Mkhizwe and his deputy Obed Bapela was loud at the governmentfunded event after the president was threatened with an interdict by AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcawu.
But the event continued, with thousands of people travelling on horseback, on foot and on bicycles across the rolling hills of Mpondoland to witness the coronation and enrobing.
Others arrived in luxury cars from within South Africa and beyond the borders.
AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Tyelovuyu Sigcau and Eastern Mpondoland acting King MaSobhuza Sigcau – who is in a bitter wrangle with Zanozuko over the sovereignty of AmaMpondo – also did not attend.
King Ndamase, speaking to subjects, judges, bishops and kings and queens, called for unity.
“I commit myself to the development of AmaMpondo and assisting wherever I can.
“We are faced with a high rate of unemployed and this means we must attract investors so that we create more jobs.”
Ndamase said Mpondoland had a rich heritage and prided itself on tourism areas like Port St Johns but the high number of unemployed concerned him.
“In Port St Johns there are 55,0000 people – but 53,000 are unemployed. Something must be done.”
The king said he had travelled the world to tout investors and had attracted China.
“Some are here today, and we hope this will be of assistance to the people. We need more development. I must work hard for the development of AmaMpondo as they look to me for assistance.”
Masualle, national house of traditional leaders chair Nkosi Sipho Mahlangu, and Eastern Cape house of traditional leaders Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana called for unity and peace.
Because Zanozuko did not attend, King Ndmase’s brother, on behalf of the royal family, officially enrobed King Ndamase with his royal gown made from a lion skin.
Prayers were delivered by Anglican Church of Southern Africa Presiding Bishop Ziphesihle Msiwa, Anglican Bishop Nkosinathi Ndwandwe and Methodist bishops Andile Mbethe and DD Daluba.
King Ndamase urged people to work the land and contribute to food security in South Africa. He committed himself to serving his nation with humility and dedicated himself to taking the nation to greater heights.
The king said he would embark on moral regeneration, education and agriculture projects.
He was sworn in by Eastern Cape deputy judge president Zamani Nhlangulela Themba Sangoni.
Masualle and Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa symbolically handed over to Ndamase a certificate of recognition, which he received from former president Jacob Zuma in November 2010.
Masualle said: “We appreciate the role of traditional leaders in promoting national unity. We will work with his majesty in implementing accelerated service delivery.”
Xasa said Ramaphosa could not attend the event after he received the letter from Zanozuko threatening to interdict him if he did.
Xasa said there had been a closed-door meeting between Zanozuko and Ndamase in an effort to try to broker a truce.
“We had a meeting in Pretoria and one in Port St Johns, and we thought that the two royals had found each other. But the meetings will continue as we work towards unity,” said Xasa.
Xasa revealed that about R15m was spent on the ceremony.
Ndamase’s brother Nkosi Ntandoyesizwe urged the royal family and AmaMpondo not to be angry that the president and Mkhize did not attend.
“They have been trying hard to have this happen, and all this is state-funded. But what could they say if one of ours was hellbent on making sure it did not happen?”
What could they say if one of ours was hellbent on making sure it did not happen?
Nkosi Ntandoyesizwel Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndlovuyezwe Ndamase’s brother