The Battle For The Throne

The princess of the Venda nation wants to take her rightful place as their queen, but her uncles believe a woman shouldn’t be a ruler. Princess Masindi Mphephu talks to us.

- Aphiwe Boyce

SHE’S VOWED to fight on in her battle to claim the throne of the Venda nation – even after the Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo dis­missed VhaVenda Princess Masindi Mphephu’s submission to prevent her uncle, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, from being appointed as the new king. Judge Ephraim Makgoba did not give the reasons for his ruling in December, saying he would provide them at a later stage.

Princess Masindi’s application claimed she should be recognised as queen of the VhaVenda, in accordance with VhaVenda customary law and the Constitution. Her case was based on the grounds that she is the only child born of the late Paramount Chief/King Tshimangadzo Mphephu (who ruled under the name Dimbanyika) and Fulufhelo Mphephu, Dimbanyika’s dzekiso (heir­bearing) wife.

If her gender rules her out, the princess contends that her uncle, Charles Mphephu, must wear the crown. He’s the eldest son of Dimbanyika’s father so he’s the male heir with the strongest claim to the title.

THE WANNABE queen says the Mphephu Ramabulana royal family is widely accepted as the custodian of the monarchy of this nation.

The Commission on Tradi­tional Leadership Disputes and Claims confirms this. However, the Commission did not determine the rightful incumbent of the Mphephu Ramabulana monarchy, but rather left that decision to the family.

Back in 2010, President Jacob Zuma acknowledged the Commission’s deter­mination recognising certain monarchies, including “VhaVenda from the lineage of Mphephu Ramabulana”.

According to court papers, the Presi­ dent stated: “The incumbent will be determined by a new commission.”