Maseti to contend for AmaMpondomise throne
A third candidate, who had withdrawn, has announced he is back in
Amid a royal rumpus over succession to the throne in a newly restored South African kingdom, one of AmaMpondomise's two factions has identified a woman as crown princess of the nation.
AmaMpondomise are divided between two royal clans – the Dosini and Jola (Phahlo) royal houses, each claiming to be the legitimate house to bear the heir to the throne.
Now Ntombenkonzo Maseti’s name has been put forward. It is the second time an Eastern Cape woman has been supported to ascend to a throne, but AmaXhosa princess NomaXhosa Sigcawu failed to displace her nephew, King Mpendulo Sigcawu.
During the AmaMpondomise meeting organised by the Dosini house at Maseti's Ntshongweni village near Qumbu on Thursday, the royal family announced its decision to nominate Maseti, 44, as the crown princess.
Dosini spokesperson Simphiwe Molosi said it did not matter that Maseti was a woman, as she was from the most senior house in Dosini, which was the “great house” of AmaMpondomise. “This is not against our culture and it is in line with the constitution of South Africa, which states that women should ascend to any position they can legitimately occupy.
“We should not discriminate against women and label them as illegitimate.
“She is a legitimate and capable person to lead and unite AmaMpondomise.”
While others, including those from the Phahlo royal family, said according to their history and custom AmaMpondomise had never had a queen, Molosi said it was not a mistake that Maseti was identified.
Her nomination came shortly after the Phahlo royal family identified Nkosi Luzuko Matiwane as king-designate.
Both houses are still consulting extensively ahead of submitting the respective royal families' resolutions to President Cyril Ramaphosa and premier Oscar Mabuyane.
Maseti was identified after the death of her younger brother, Masibulele Maseti, who was a kingship claimant.
Matiwane became a claimant after the death of his elder brother, Loyiso Matiwane.
Vic Tonjeni, of Dosini House, who was a contender but later withdrew to support Masibulele, this week announced that he was back in the race.
The succession battle regained momentum shortly after Mthatha judge Richard Brooks delivered a groundbreaking judgment on May 16 which restored and reinstated a kingship that was withdrawn in 1904, when King Mhlontlo was declared a commoner by British colonial authorities.
This is not against our culture. Women should ascend to any position