AmaNdebele nation mourns King Makhosonke II after four decades on the throne

King Makhosonke II of the amaNdebele nation has died, the presidency announced yesterday. The monarch, who reigned for four decades, is being remembered for his work in education, land restitution and the preservation of Ndebele culture.

President pays tribute

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the king’s death and described him as a pillar of national unity, a champion of development and a custodian of South Africa’s cultural heritage.

Role and legacy

Born Enock Makhosonke Mabhena, the king served as the traditional leader of the amaNdebele akwaManala. He spent much of his life promoting Ndebele culture, customs and traditional leadership institutions.

Community development and leadership

During his 40-year reign, the king supported initiatives in education, land restitution and socioeconomic development aimed at uplifting communities under his leadership.

Timing and cultural duties

The monarch’s death comes in the middle of the initiation season, with boys in the mountains for the three-year rite of passage to manhood, of which he was the custodian.

Kingship dispute and legal findings

For decades the king was involved in a dispute over the rightful kingship of the amaNdebele. The contest involved the Manala and Ndzundza-Mabhoko royal lineages and questioned whether the amaNdebele should be led by a single king.

In 2008 the Nhlapo Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims concluded that the amaNdebele kingship vested in the Manala lineage and that King Makhosonke II was the rightful leader of the amaNdebele nation. The commission also found that the Ndzundza-Mabhoko house did not constitute a separate kingship.

Service beyond the throne

The king held several public and traditional positions during his life. He served as secretary of the Manala Tribal Authority in 1983 and became a member of the KwaNdebele Legislative Authority in 1984. He later served as deputy chair of the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders and chaired the African Rainbow Minerals Northern Cape and Mpumalanga Rural Upliftment Trust.

Survivors

King Makhosonke II is survived by Queen Sekhothali Martha Mabhena, whom he married in October 2019.