Subjects of and sympathisers with the AmaMpondomise monarchy have a chance on Friday to wine and dine with royalty, but at a price.
The AmaMpondomise kingdom wants to raise more than R1m to fund its programmes, starting with a fundraising dinner to be held at Dan’s Lodge in Mthatha.
Those who want to attend can pay up to R30,000 for a table and rub shoulders with AmaMpondomise King Luzuko Zwelozuko Matiwane.
Table prices are charged based on the proximity to the king.
Prices are categorised as Premium, which is the closest to the King, Gold, which goes for R20,000, and silver for R10,000.
Individuals pay R5,000.
According to royal spokesperson Nkosi Phakamisa Zwelethu Tyali, the kingdom wants to raise R1m or more.
The aim is to fund programmes of the kingdom, some which are meant to foster unity and reconciliation in the nation which was formally recognised only in 2019.
It was stripped of its status by the British colonial government in 1904 after King Mhlontlo was accused of killing white Qumbu magistrate Hamilton Hope and two white police officers during the Mpondomise Revolt of 1880-81.
Now Matiwane, in his bid to rebuild the nation, will be using the proceeds from the fundraising to fund programmes related to cultural preservation, heritage, community development and sustainable growth.
Tyali said: “The gala dinner aims to bring together the AmaMpondomise community and their friends to celebrate our traditions, promote unity and raise funds for the kingdom’s developmental programmes.
“Aligned with the kingdom’s strategic plan, funds raised by the gala dinner will contribute to the sustainable growth and wellbeing of the AmaMpondomise.”
He said they would also implement programmes to promote health, economic growth, social cohesion and education.
Tyali said part of the aim with the gala dinner would be to educate people about the history of their land, which had been occupied by different tribes after it was stripped of its status.
“The colonialists invaded AmaMpondomise land and labelled the AmaMpondomise as rebels.
“They declared that land as no-man’s land and put in certain black people or tribes as a buffer between the whites and AmaMpondomise to assist whites in the land invasion battles.
“Now, those people continue to believe that they occupied what was called a no-man’s land and refuse to pay allegiance to AmaMpondomise kingship.
“That land was stolen from black people who were not supporting the white minority rule,” Tyali said.
He said that had created distrust in various tribes within the kingdom and created unnecessary animosity.
“As part of reconciliation, the kingdom has decided to have the gala dinner so that we can educate ourselves on how we can foster social cohesion and reconciliation among ourselves as the kingdom.
“This will help in our developmental agendas and assist in creating social cohesion,” Tyali said.
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