DENTAL HYGIENIST
royal family and the elders.”
Among his responsibilities, the new king is expected to lead and give guidance to 42 heads of traditional councils, senior traditional leaders and 300 headmen in his jurisdiction.
Delivering a eulogy on behalf of Ramaphosa, Mantashe said the late queen was “not a mother to her children alone, but a mother to the whole AmaRharharbe nation”.
Said Mantashe: “Her home was not enclosed by four walls, but was in the community, among her people.
“Her life has been tragically cut short. But even in death, she continues to impart a positive legacy to our nation.
“We have lost a great leader and a steadfast matriarch of the most noble character.
“She succumbed to the devastating virus that is sweeping across our country. I wish to thank the royal family for disclosing her condition.
“At a time when so many ... live in fear and uncertainty, we have to break any stigma that exists around the coronavirus, so that the ill and the vulnerable can be cared for, loved and supported. “Coronavirus is a very real threat to us all. But becoming infected with this respiratory disease is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it any reason to discriminate against others.
“As a family your actions will serve to encourage respect, tolerance and acceptance, virtues the late queen stood for.”
Mantashe said Sandile was “a woman of valour, from a long and illustrious royal line and was the daughter of the late King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon and the sister of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini”.
When she assumed the throne in 2011, Mantashe said, the time was “the most difficult”.
“It could not have been easy to be elevated to a position of leadership at such a time,” he said.
“She was grief stricken, mourning her husband, and her children were still young. Yet, she clearly understood her duty to her family and to her people.”
In tribute to Queen Sandile, Mantashe said, government would “continue to engage with the National House of Traditional Leaders to overcome outdated cultural practices and laws that are discriminatory towards women and girls”.
Mantashe: “The hallmark of progressive leadership is being able to move with the times.
“By adapting to the demands of modern society, while firmly retaining proud traditions passed down through the centuries, the institution of traditional leadership will continue to thrive and retain the confidence of the people,” said Mantashe.
We have lost a steadfast matriarch of the most noble character