Claimant to disputed kingship dies

PRINCE Masibulele Maseti, one of two claimants to the AmaMpondomise kingship, has died.

Maseti, 33, heir of the Dosini house, died at Knessie Knight Hospital at Sulenkama in Qumbu at about 5pm on Monday.

He had been waiting eight years to ascend to the throne.

His rival, 32-year-old Prince Loyiso Matiwane of Jola house, died in June 2007 after a short illness.

After Loyiso’s death, his younger brother Prince Luzuko Matiwane became the claimant.

The divided AmaMpondomise nation is fighting for the restoration of their kingship. Three men, Maseti before he died and Victor Tonjeni, both of the Dosini house, and Loyiso Matiwane of the Jola house, were claiming to be legitimate heirs to the throne, which was lost in 1904.

AmaMpondomise royal house chairman Rev Sipiwo Tafa, who is of the Dosini clan, said Maseti’s death had left the nation in shock.

“We were looking forward for him ascending the throne as he was the main contender from the side of the Dosini House,” said Tafa.

He said Maseti was the only boy from the father’s house. “But his demise does not mean kingship will be removed from his father’s house.

“He has his elder sister Nonkolosi Maseti, who can be the leader of AmaMpondomise if we want to pursue the claim in that fashion.”

Tafa said Maseti, who contracted pneumonia, was admitted to hospital a week ago.

AmaMpondomise royal council president Peter Madasa, who is of the Jola clan, expressed shock at Maseti’s death.

“The royal sons are dying. Ilanga litshonile, isizwe sidandathekile [the sun has set, the nation is devastated]. He was our brother, our blood. This is. . . a bereavement of all AmaMpondomise.”

Madasa called for government to finalise the throneship claim, “before we all die”.

Tafa said there would be a general meeting on Friday at Ntshongweni Great Place in Qumbu to announce the bereavement. The royal family will sit on Saturday to decide on the funeral arrangements. —