Some of the monarch’s robust royal opinions

KING Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is known for speaking his mind — and the leader of the Tembu does not seem to care whom he offends. These are some of his memorable lines:

“If you eat out of the dustbins of the Guptas, you are a nonstarter. If you fear to speak out about what is wrong . . . we are not. We are not rushing for the Guptas’ dustbins. You [the ANC] have been corrupted by rich people.” — Taking a swipe at President Jacob Zuma last month during a prayer service for ailing former president Nelson Mandela at Bumbane Great Place.

“I do not ever want to see Shiceka anywhere near this great place.” — To Zuma in 2008 after the late minister Sicelo Shiceka had commented about a smell of dagga in the palace.

“Even Madiba knows about that. I speak about it openly. I do not do it for mischief. If the authorities or the president do not approve, then so be it.” -— Commenting in 2012 about his smoking of dagga, which is illegal.

“I will rule over them until they die. I will remain their king whether they like it or not.” — Said last year when some Tembu chiefs petitioned the government for Dalindyebo’s removal as king because, they said, he brought the nation into disrepute.

“The domination [of the ANC] does amount to a oneparty-state environment.”— On his recent decision to campaign for the Democratic Alliance in the 2014 general elections.