The Matanzima royal family is mourning the death of well-known and popular Eastern Cape traditional leader Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima. He was 79.
Matanzima, who was the brother of former Transkei president King KD Matanzima, died at his Nogate Township home near Cofimvaba on Tuesday morning.
The traditional leader was the provincial chair of the Eastern Cape Moral Regeneration Movement and former chair of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.
Family representative Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima said they were shocked to hear news of his passing.
He said Matanzima had suffered from shortness of breath early on Tuesday morning.
“He was in the bathroom taking a bath to prepare himself to go to the doctor when he collapsed. Efforts to resuscitate him failed and we lost him,” Gwazinamba said.
The family said they were not yet sure of the cause of death.
Matanzima was one of the remaining elders of AbaThembu in both Western Thembuland AbaThembu BaseRhoda and AbaThembu baka Dalindyebo, led by King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo.
The senior house of AbaThembu is led by the Mtirara house of Dalindyebo and the right-hand house is led by the Matanzima royal house.
Matanzima, who was respected by traditional leaders in SA as well as leaders of other sectors including government leaders, was applauded and known for his eloquence.
Acting chair of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Nkosi Langa Mavuso, described him as “a man of integrity, great stature and gravitas”.
“Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima was one of the founding members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders and served the institution for 21 years with aplomb.
He played a big role in the recognition of traditional leadership in the country and harmonised relationships within and with other spheres of leadership in the country.”
Mavuso said the leader championed ethical and moral values “and as such was an automatic choice of leading Moral Regeneration Movement in our province”.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane said a big tree has fallen.
“We are shocked by the passing on of this great elder of the AbaThembu. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the AbaThembu royal family and the entire nation as well as all the people of the province.” he said.
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