The Balobedu Royal Family and Balobedu Royal Council emphasise that the Balobedu Royal Nation only has a queenship and will never endorse a kingship.
Secretary General of the Balobedu Royal Council, Gabriel Rasebotsa during an exclusive interview with the Herald, said that anyone who wishes to place a king onto the throne instead of Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji VII will be undermining the entire Balobedu Royal Nation and their customs and traditions.
All this comes after the ongoing court case between the two factions of the Modjadji Royal Council, which one wants Prince Lekukela Modjadji to be installed on the throne, meanwhile, the other side argues that queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji VII is the rightful candidate to take over the throne and she is automatically the queen since she turned 18 years old in January.
Prince Lekukela Modjadji and queen elect Masalanabo Modjadji VII are the children of Queen Makobo Modjadji, who died in 2005 when Masalanabo Modjadji was an infant. “We don’t have a kingship in Bolobedu, we only have a queenship, and this has been so over 200 years,” he said. Rasebotsa said that the Balobedu Royal Nation would never allow a group of rebels or hooligans who are power-hungry, corrupt, and self-enriching to take over the throne. “Balobedu are peaceful, respectful, and harmonious people,” he says.
According to the Balobedu Royal Family and Balobedu Royal Council, queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII is the leader of the Balobedu Royal Nation and she is known in South Africa, Africa, and the world as a queen. “There is nothing nor anyone who can stand in her way, as the whole world knew that she would take over the queenship when she turned 18,” says Rasebotsa.
“The South African president, His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, together with all his predecessors including Nelson Mandela endorsed the queenship of Modjadji.
In 2018 Ramaphosa also acknowledged her as the queen of the Balobedu Royal Nation. Now that she is 18, she will take the baton to lead,” says Rasebotsa. “’
Furthermore, President Cyril Ramaphosa invited the Balobedu Royal Nation and Bishop BE Lekganyane of ZCC, former President Jacob Zuma, former Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, Premier of Limpopo, Stan Mathabata and Chief Dikgale, Chairperson of Limpopo House Traditional Leaders to witness the occasion.
“On that occasion, the president mentioned that since she is still a minor, her uncle Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji will be a regent until she reaches 18 years,” says Rasebotsa.
“Queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji VII turned 18 years old on 20 January with the following legal implications. Firstly, the regency of her uncle Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji is terminated.
“Secondly, the legal guardianship of Dr Mathole Kherofo Motshekga is terminated.
In addition, in the case of Dr Mathole Motshekga, Mpapatla Modjadji, Prince Lekukela Modjadji died a natural death because the queen is now an adult and not a minor anymore. Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII was not part of the case, Therefore, no court can summon her to appear in court. They must just accept that the case died a natural death,” says Rasebotsa.
“We also want to emphasise that she is ready to take the baton to lead her beautiful Balobedu Royal Nation, Limpopo, South Africa, Africa, and the world.
“Her key focus in developing the Balobedu Royal Nation is in agriculture, education, mining, and textiles and she is also running the Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII Foundation,” said Rasebotsa.
He says that they are now planning to have the coronation on 11 April 2024, which is also the month in which her mother, Queen Makobo Modjadji VI ascended the throne in 2003.
Rasebotsa further outlines that the Balobedu or Vhalodzwi are the descendants of the great emperor of Africa, Monomotapa who came from Sudan then to Zimbabwe, former Rhodesia, and were the first to arrive and ruler of the South of Limpopo to Olifantsriver, Lephelle. The Balobedu Royal Council constitues of the Balobedu Royal Family which comprises seven different families which are Mokoto, Mohale, Modjadji, Mahasha, Modika, Rabothata, and Malematja.
These are the families who make the crucial decisions as the inner circle families. Rasebotsa concludes by appealing to the country, especially women to support and fight for the rights of queen-elect Masalanabo Modjadji VII and to not allow men to belittle them.
Source: Letaba Herald
