Pretoria - The Modjadji Royal Council has stressed that Princess Masalanabo Modjadji remains the daughter of the Balobedu nation in spite of an ongoing battle for the throne.
The nation has been thrown into the spotlight after the council announced last week it would be hosting a traditional inauguration on October 1 that would pave the way for Prince Lekukela Modjadji to become king.
This would end 200 years of rule by women in the Balobedu nation, which is situated at Khetlhakone Village outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo.
Speaking to Pretoria News at the weekend, the council spokesperson, who also represented the current regent, Prince Mpapatla Modjadji, said the nation still regarded Princess Masalanabo as their daughter and the great aunt of the family and the Balobedu dynasty.
“Princess Masalanabo is and remains our daughter. The Royal Family has already identified her crucial role as Khadikholo (great aunt).
“The two institutions of Vhatanoni (queen consorts) and Dikhadi (royal daughters) are key in our 400-year-old dynasty, which has always recognised the power and agency of women. The nation was, after all, founded by a woman. This was later cemented by the regent, Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji. The nation was founded by a woman and six kings inherited the throne from her and ruled for a period of 200 years, between 1600 and 1800.
The throne was then handed over to six queens, who also ruled from 1800 to 2005. Another 200 years, roughly. There is thus no gender attached to the throne. The powers to identify an heir have always been in the hands of the ruling monarch, the Royal Family and Royal Council.
“We are not changing anything because it is our custom to have a ruler of our nation, a person who knows our values.” Princess Masalanabo, the younger sister to Prince Lekukela, has until recently been expected to become the next rain queen when she turns 18 in January next year.
She was raised by ANC heavyweight Dr Mathole Motshekga, who has taken the matter to court seeking an interdict against the installation of Prince Lekukela.
But the council had labelled Motshekga a divider of the nation, and accused him of using Princess Masalanabo to impose his will on the royal throne. “This man is an outsider and knows nothing about our family dynasty.
“He (Motshekga ) was co-opted by Her Majesty Queen Mokope Modjadji V. He unfortunately started overstepping boundaries allocated to his role as advisor, a role which was limited to select areas. This resulted in his dismissal through an official letter signed by Queen Makobo Modjadji VI a week before her passing in 2005.”
Motshekga also wants the court to order that Princess Masalanabo is the rightful heir. Motshekga could not be reached for comment.
However, he repeatedly rejected Prince Mpapatla’s assertions, claiming in his court papers last year that Bakhoma was a “self-appointed’ regent. The court case continues on October 10.
Pretoria News