‘Vulikhaya’ named king, but there is dissent
Prince Ahlangene Cyprian Sigcawu, the SA ambassador to Malawi, has been proclaimed new AmaXhosa king, succeeding his brother King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu.
The announcement was made by AmaXhosa’s Sigcawu royal family chair Nkosi Dalikhwezi Dondolo at a media briefing at Nqadu Great Place near Willowvale on Friday.
“This is a milestone event in the history of the Xhosa kingdom as it marks the beginning of new era,” said Dondolo.
The new praise name of the 51-year-old king is Vulikhaya.
On Friday morning, a private family ritual was held introducing Ahlangene to his ancestors as the new AmaXhosa king and head of the Sigcawu royal family.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is yet to pronounce on the naming, after he received two communications, one putting forward Ahlangene’s name and another lodging a dispute.
The new king committed himself to unite the family as well as the entire Xhosa nation.
“Yes there were some dissenting voices on my appointment, but now I am focusing on uniting the family. All these are my bothers and sisters and it will not be difficult to sit down with them and have a united, strong family. It is a situation that normally happens in a big family like ours,” Sigcawu said.
He said a big task of leading the nation lay ahead, “but I am very equal to the task and will outdo all challenges if I continue to surround myself with people who have the interest of the nation at heart”.
New leaders in the r royal family were unveiled, with Dondondolo the chair, Nkosikazi Nobakhe Salakuphathwa as his deputy, her husband Nkosi Zanenkululeko Salakuphathwa as treasurer, Princess Sheila Sigcawu as secretary, with her deputy being Nokuphumla Salakuphathwa. Bongisizwe Mtoto is the new royal family spokesperson.
Ahlangene’s ascendancy to the throne has been challenged by a royal family faction led by Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu, which has divided the Sigcawu royal family for 10 months.
Xhanti and his faction is opposed to the naming of Ahlangene. In their letter to Ramaphosa they demanded that president not accept the appointment until all internal avenues were exhausted.
Xhanti said: “As the royal family, we have not yet decided on any name. We have not elected a king nor nominated anybody. Also, Prince Ahlangeni is the head of the right-hand house, not of the entire Sigcawu royal family.”
He said they would not accept Ahlangene as king.