The AmaMpondo Kingdom is facing an increasingly public and divisive leadership dispute, with two rival royal houses advancing separate claims to the traditional throne left vacant after the death of King Zanozuko Sigcau in 2022.
On one side, the AmaFaku Royal Family has confirmed that Prince Freeman Dumelani ‘Daluxolo’ Sigcau is the recognised Acting King of the AmaMpondo Nation, backed by a formal gazette issued by the Premier of the Eastern Cape on 4 April 2025. On the other, a faction of the Isilili/Core Royal Family plans to announce a new king at a press briefing scheduled for 10 May 2025 at Hewu Great Place in Flagstaff.
AmaFaku Royal Family Asserts Legal and Customary Authority
In a detailed media statement dated 2 May 2025, the AmaFaku Royal Family stated that Prince Freeman was identified on 2 June 2022 and formally recognised under Section 26 of the Eastern Cape Traditional Leadership and Governance Act. The recognition followed years of consultations and was solidified by Provincial Gazette No. 5389, issued on 4 April 2025.
The family confirmed that legal attempts to challenge this recognition — most notably an urgent application filed by Queen Nobandla Sigcau, mother of the late King Zanozuko — were struck off the court roll with costs on 29 April 2025. As such, they say there is no legal obstacle to Prince Freeman’s kingship.
The AmaFaku Royal Family has also announced an IMBIZO to be held on 15 May 2025 at the Lusikisiki Training College of Education, aimed at addressing the AmaMpondo nation on this recognition and related kingdom matters.
Isilili Royal Family Announces Separate Succession Plan
In contrast, the Isilili (core) Royal Family, which includes houses descending from King Marhelane, has invited the media to a separate press briefing on 10 May 2025 at Hewu Great Place under the leadership of Nkosi Zwelonke Sigcau. The purpose of the event is to announce a successor to the late King Zanozuko Sigcau.
According to the invitation, this succession is being conducted “in accordance with custom, the Traditional Leadership Act, and the 2024 Constitutional Court ruling,” which affirmed that succession should come from King Zanozuko’s lineage. The Isilili faction argues that it is upholding that lineage by identifying a successor from within the houses of Marhelane.
Parallel Structures and Growing Tensions
The AmaFaku Royal Family argues that the emergence of parallel royal houses — including the Isilili Royal Family and a Marhelane-aligned structure — is deeply divisive and unprecedented. In its statement, the family accuses certain figures of “appointing campaign agents” and using funerals, community meetings, and social media to campaign for the throne in a manner deemed “uncustomary and disrespectful.”
They warned: “Ubukumkani/ubukhosi is not a political game or theatre. Only AmaFaku Royal Family is empowered by law and custom to decide kingship matters in AmaMpondo.”
What This Means for the AmaMpondo People
The announcement of two events by two different royal structures—one confirming a recognised Acting King, and another introducing a new successor—has created confusion and tension across Mpondoland.
While the Premier’s office has formally recognised Prince Freeman Sigcau, the 10 May briefing by the Isilili Royal Family may signal a new leadership claim — potentially igniting further division unless addressed through traditional, legal, or governmental processes.
Observers now wait to see whether the outcomes of both the 10 May press briefing and the 15 May IMBIZO will clarify the situation or deepen the crisis.
For official reference:
- Provincial Gazette No. 5389, dated 4 April 2025 – Recognition of Acting King Freeman Dumelani Sigcau
- AmaFaku Royal Family Media Statement, 2 May 2025
- Isilili Royal Family Media Invitation, 30 April 2025
