On 8 March 2025, princesses from various parts of South Africa will gather in Midrand, Gauteng, to elect their leadership. The date coincides with International Women’s Day, underscoring the commitment of the South African Royal Princesses Network (SAPRN) to unity, empowerment, and positive change within their communities.
The network seeks to create a strong and unified community of princesses from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform for connection, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration on initiatives that promote community upliftment, youth development, rural growth, and women’s empowerment.
SAPRN’s key objectives include:
- Establishing a strong network of South African princesses.
- Raising awareness and tackling issues such as gender-based violence, human and child trafficking, substance abuse, femicide, and child abuse.
- Destigmatizing mental health issues.
- Facilitating leadership workshops, training sessions, and discussions on governance, public administration, and community development.
- Promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth within rural areas.
Since 2019, SAPRN has actively engaged in community and social development initiatives. Moving forward, the network plans to collaborate on projects addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. It will focus on:
- Promoting tourism and youth mentorship.
- Establishing career guidance and education expos in schools.
- Supporting rural development initiatives in agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
- Advocating for women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice.
The princesses will continue working with government bodies, traditional councils, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to celebrate South Africa’s rich and diverse heritage. They also aim to foster unity by balancing tradition and modernity.
On the international stage, SAPRN will strengthen relationships with diplomatic missions and royal houses worldwide, engaging in collaborations of common interest. Their efforts will contribute to preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage by celebrating the nation’s diverse traditions and customs.
The official launch of SAPRN is set to take place in September at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place in Ntabankulu. The network was founded by Princess Stella Sigcau II of the Mpondo Kingdom, a diplomat who has served South Africa in multiple missions, including Thailand, the Republic of Congo, Botswana, and Hong Kong. She is also the founder of the Mpondo Reed Dance (Inkciyo yamaMpondo) and the co-founder of the Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival.
