Royals won’t attend funeral

THE Abathembu Royal Clan has expressed mixed emotions on the death of Queen Elizabeth.

While there would be no one from the clan attending her funeral, Prince Langalibalele Mthunzi Ngonyama, spokesperson for King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo, said they wished for peace to prevail.

“The current king has never met the queen. However, there was once a visit to the British Kingdom by our late King Dalindyebo during the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.

“The current King of the Abathembu nation, Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo, feels the great loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, even whilst we are still colonised from the 18th century to this period (21st century) under the current dispensation.

“Being colonised changed our lives in many harmful ways,” said Ngonyama.

Ngonyama said the wounds of African kings were still bleeding.

“From being leaders of nations that had clear areas of jurisdiction and authority to decide on our affairs, to being servants of the British Emperor, left many African nations headless. Through it all, though, the God that we serve won’t allow us to keep grudges beyond death,” said Ngonyama.