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The amaXhosa royal house is shrouded in sorrow as it mourns the deaths of four royal family members, including a father and son, who will be laid to rest in three different places in Willowvale and Dutywa villages on Saturday.
They all died of natural causes between July 2 and 6.
Sigcawu royal house spokesperson Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu described the loss as a devastating blow.
“This is an unprecedented and sorrowful time for our royal family,” Sigcawu said.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of these four critical members of our royal house.
“It’s the first time in recent history that we’ll be burying so many royal family members in one day at three different funeral services.
“May the memories of our beloved members live on, and may their legacy continue to inspire us.
“The four royals were from critical houses of the ruling royal house, and their passing has devastated the entire amaXhosa royal house, the Gcaleka lineage in particular.”
The dead include Nkosikazi Busisiwe Nolusapho Mgwebi, 66, who had been a headwoman of the Mhlahlane administrative area in Willowvale, and acting for her husband, a senior royal family member and decorated retired SANDF Major-General Derrick Mgwebi.
Mgwebi is the uncle of amaXhosa King Ahlangene Sigcawu.
Nkosikazi Mgwebi will be remembered for her tireless work as a gender activist, community developer and cultural promoter.
She died on July 2 and will be buried at Mhlahlane Great Place in Willowvale on Saturday, with a memorial service for her on Friday at Komkhulu-kuloThandela village in Willowvale.
“Nkosikazi Nolusapho was a pillar of strength in our community, and her dedication to empowering women and promoting our cultural heritage will be deeply missed.
“As a princess of AmaQwathi, born from the Mqikela royal family, she brought honour and dignity to our royal house through her selfless service,” Sigcawu said.
Mgwebi, who married Nolusapho in 1981, paid tribute to his beloved wife.
“She was my rock, my partner, and my best friend. I am going to miss her dearly, but I take comfort from the fact she lived a full and meaningful life, serving our community and our royal family with dedication and passion.”
Sigcawu said the former schoolteacher was known for her tireless work in promoting girls’ education and women’s rights.
“Her legacy will be remembered for generations to come. As a gender activist, community developer, and education advocate, she dedicated her life to empowering others.
“Her dedication to empowering women and promoting our cultural heritage will be deeply missed.”
She had been working as a teacher and in environment affairs before taking over as headman in 2005.
The other deceased royals are Prince Luthando Bangilizwe Sigcawu, 69, who died on Saturday, and his son Prince Asanda Sigcawu, 40, who died on Monday.
They will be buried together at Chizela village in Dutywa.
Princess Sizeka Sayi Tinga, 72, will be laid to rest at Ntlahlane village in Willowvale on the same day.
“This is so sad that we will be burying a father and a son the same day, this is one of the hardest things for the family to comprehend,” Sigcawu said.
“Princess Sizeka and Prince Bangilizwe died at the time the royal house is running short of elderly members guiding the family and being a fount of knowledge on royal matters and heritage.”
Because of prior commitments to royal activities, the royal family agreed all the funerals would be held this Saturday, with royal family members divided into three delegations to attend the different services.
“It’s the first time we’ve had so many deaths and burials at once. We pray that such a tragic series of events will not happen again,” Sigcawu said.
AmaXhosa King Ahlangene Sigcawu has been leading delegations of the royal family to visit the bereaved families and deploying other members to certain responsibilities to ensure the funerals are prepared according to royal protocols.
Daily Dispatch
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