Eastern Cape Royal Kingdoms Unite in Defence of AmaMpondo Sovereignty

In a powerful demonstration of unity and cultural resilience, three of the Eastern Cape’s most prominent Royal Houses have declared their collective opposition to what they describe as increasing state interference in traditional leadership affairs. The joint statement followed a visit by King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu Kingdom to the AmaMpondo aseQaukeni Great Place on Tuesday, 27 May 2025. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the AmaMpondo aseNyandeni Kingdom, as the royal houses aligned their support behind King Silosohlanga kaDakhile Sigcau.

The statement, issued during Africa Day commemorations, described recent developments affecting the AmaMpondo aseQaukeni Kingdom as unacceptable, including court decisions and political interference that undermine customary succession processes. The traditional leaders stressed that their authority predates the formation of the South African state and rejected any attempts to impose state-approved leadership over their ancestral systems. The statement emphasized that “a threat to one throne is a threat to all,” as the group warned of broader consequences for traditional leadership structures across the country.

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The Royal Houses strongly criticised what they described as a “post-democratic state” that fails to recognise the spiritual and cultural legitimacy of traditional kingdoms. They described the continuous political and legal interventions as acts of “cultural and spiritual genocide” and reaffirmed their position as independent institutions that do not require validation from state structures.

In a significant move toward strengthening their institutions, the Royal Houses announced plans to professionalize traditional leadership by establishing departments within their kingdoms. These departments will be staffed by qualified individuals drawn from local communities and are intended to enhance traditional governance capacity in executive, legislative and judicial areas. The royal families also committed to restoring dignity and structure to their administrations, saying they will no longer allow their institutions to be marginalised or mischaracterised.

The summit also highlighted several critical societal issues facing their communities. Among them are the continued rise of gender-based violence and femicide, unresolved crimes such as the murder of Walter Sisulu University student Sisonke Mbolekwa, and what they described as failures by the justice system to serve the people. The leaders also noted growing levels of crime in rural areas, alarming youth unemployment, lack of economic opportunities, and poor infrastructure in many parts of their jurisdictions.

The gathering closed with the Royal Houses promising to finalise and release a list of resolutions and a united plan of action addressing governance, local elections, land reform, and broader African integration. They emphasised that traditional kingdoms are not relics of the past but remain central to the fabric of African governance.

The joint statement concluded with a bold assertion: “We are not orphans of this country. We are heirs of intact nations led by proud kingdoms. We are not begging to be included; we are organising to lead.”

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