Navy to name ship after King Sekhukhune I

THE SANDF navy has announced plans to name a new state-of-the-art warship after King Sekhukhune, the first of the Bapedi nation, which is largely located in Limpopo.

The announcement was made by representatives of the South African Navy, who had made a courtesy visit to the Bapedi royal palace at Mabe Tjate III in Sekhukhune on Friday. They were received by the Queen Mother Manyaku Thulare.

The launch of the warship is expected to take place in Durban in June.

Speaking to yesterday, the navy’s chief director for maritime strategy, Rear Admiral David Maningi Mkhonto, said the reason for the visit to the royal house was to request permission to use the name of King Sekhukhune I.

“This is an old tradition of the navy, and its an international standard to name our warships after our kings or queens. King Sekhukhune I was outstanding in fighting his wars,” Mkhonto said.

“We already have warships named for some of our kings and queens. We have the SS King Shaka, SS Queen Modjadji, SS Charlotte Maxeke and others. Now we are arranging to launch SS King Sekhukhune,” Mkhonto said.

King Sekhukhune and his kingdom fought two notable wars, called the Sekhukhune wars. In 1876, King Sekhukhune fought successfully against the Afrikaners and their Swazi allies. However, he was defeated by the British in his second war in 1879, and was detained in Pretoria until 1881 and returned to his people, but met his death at the hands of his half-brother.

An official from the Bapedi kingdom said the news made the Bapedi people proud.