Royal anger hits African National Congress campaign trail

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Princess Itumeleng Moerane confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa during an African National Congress campaign visit, accusing the government of failing to resolve the Bapo Ba Mogale chieftaincy dispute.

• Traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces are also demanding recognition of their kingdoms as election campaigning intensifies.

The African National Congress is finding that election campaigning in traditional communities is no longer an easy task.

Across several provinces, frustrated royal families are using campaign visits to demand answers over long-running disputes about kingships and chieftaincies.

The latest confrontation unfolded in Bapong, North West, where Princess Itumeleng Moerane publicly stopped President Cyril Ramaphosa from entering the Bapo Ba Mogale royal homestead during an African National Congress campaign visit.

The princess accused the government of failing to resolve the royal succession dispute and governance problems that have divided the royal family for years.

Although she later apologised to the President, the incident shone a spotlight on unresolved traditional leadership battles that continue to divide communities across South Africa.

The Bapo Ba Mogale dispute has dragged on since 2012.

Former North West Premier Thandi Modise previously said the conflict was linked to disputes over mineral wealth in the area.

In the Free State, supporters of the late Bakholokoe leader Letsitsa Moloi the Third have also accused African National Congress leaders of interfering in traditional leadership matters.

They claim political leaders influenced decisions on who should be recognised as the rightful traditional leader.

Moloi, who was buried this past weekend, spent years fighting for official recognition before his death.

Some African National Congress leaders disputed his claim, saying he did not come from the recognised royal house.

His supporters believe politics delayed justice for their community.

The anger is not limited to the North West and the Free State.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Mthimkhulu Kingdom is still fighting for official recognition as the province’s second monarchy, with its own budget and administrative powers.

The late Prince Melizwe Dlamini of eNhlangwini also declared parts of the South Coast a no-go area for African National Congress politicians after his kingship application to the Nhlapo Commission was rejected.

These disputes have become increasingly visible as political parties campaign ahead of the local government elections.

Many traditional leaders say they are tired of waiting for the government to resolve succession battles that have dragged on for years.

For some communities, the issue is no longer just about politics.

It is about identity, recognition and respect for traditional leadership.

As election campaigning gathers momentum, the African National Congress now faces growing pressure from royal families who want long-standing disputes settled instead of more political promises.

Pictured above: Princess Itumeleng Moerane blocking African National Congress leaders.

Image source: Instagram.