AmaMpondo Royal Family led by the core houses “isilili” constituted of the houses of King Marhelane have triumphed once again in defending custom and AmaMpondo Royal family in a matter that was brought to Mthatha High Court by Prince Dumelani Sigcau and his faction.
King Marhelane from whom these houses descend, descended from the great house of King Sigcau kaMqikela. King Mqikela who was born of the great House of King Faku from his great wife Queen MaManci of Amanci Chieftaincy.
Defending the Royal family in this matter case no 3848/2022 were Queen Nobandla Sigcau, Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau and Princess Stella Sigcau II who were respondents no 6,7,8 respectively.
Since 2022 they have been at loggerheads with Prince Dumelani Sigcau and his faction which wanted him to be uncustomarilly recognised as Acting and for their association to be recognised as the Royal family that has the mandate to appoint Acting Kings or Acting Queens in the Mpondo Kingdom as well as successors.
They also sought for the court to declare the Mndende Commission null and void. Mndende Commission had determined in 2024 that they did not constitute the Royal family. This matter was thrown off the roll at Mthatha High Court on 12 February 2025 and has been removed from the motion court roll of 25 March 2025.
This comes at a time when the Royal family is working on the steps towards reconciliation after a difficult time of court battles and Commissions, and conflict due to Kingship succession.The Kingship succession matter was settled at the Constitutional Court in 2024 and deliberated that the recognised and last gazetted King was the late King Zanozuko Sigcau.
The reconciliation will provide steps towards healing past divisions, platform for dialogue and charting a united way forward for the kingdom, commitment to unity, peace, and progress in Mpondo Kingdom as well as towards the development and prosperity of the Amampondo kingdom.
The Amampondo Royal Family remains committed to a bright future, marked by peace, development, prosperity, unity, and progress in the Kingdom.
Talks have also commenced regarding the Commemoration of King Faku which is expected to be an annual event. King Faku currently lies at Qaukeni including Kings Mqikela, Sigcau, Marhelane, Mandlonke, Jongilizwe and Thandizulu.
The commemoration is also essential to honouring Mpondo Kingdom’s greatest Kings, this to also foster unity within the Kingdom, promote, and protect the rich cultural heritage of the Amampondo people as well as to contribute to economic, cultural and tourism development in the Mpondo Kingdom.
Integral is also the pursuance of initiatives that drive economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards for Amampondo people.
