By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Zolile Williams, who serves as the Traditional affairs MEC has opted to distance his department as well as the House of Traditional and Khoisan leaders from the coronation of Igwe Ndigbo Na as King due to him being a foreigner.
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko has been preparing for his coronation as “king” under the title “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London”. The MEC expressed that he was shocked upon hearing of this coronation and has noted that he fully rejects it.
“Any nefarious attempt to defy and undermine the sovereignty of our country will be met with the full might of the law. The act by the Nigerians is an attempt to destabilise and threaten the sovereignty of our country and land ownership” said Williams.
“We call for intervention by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and law enforcement agencies to act with immediate effect” Williams further expressed. Williams noted that the government has official processes in place in order to recognise and install traditional and khoisan leaders in South Africa.
Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, who serves as Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (ECHTKL) has also expressed his rejection of the coronation and noted that he feels “profound indignation and unequivocal condemnation”. He also said that the area fell under the authority of the amaRharhabe kingdom which is currently led by King Sandile.
Gwadiso highlighted that this constitutes as a violation of customary protocols and infringes on the institution of leadership as well as a troubling disregard for constitutional and legislative framework which governs traditional leadership in South Africa.
“This house is particularly concerned that this reckless conduct carries the potential to inflame tensions and jeopardise social cohesion. Traditional leaders in this province and beyond have consistently stood against xenophobia, violence and division. However, actions of this nature are irresponsible and may provoke avoidable conflict if left unaddressed” said Gwadiso.
The ECHTKL have requested a public apology from all parties involved and to terminate this illegitimate claim of “kingship”.
“We re-affirm our unwavering commitment to the protection, preservation and integrity of traditional leadership institutions, as well as to the promotion of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among all communities residing within the republic” said the ECHTKL.
The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, Alexander Temitope Ajayi, has weighed in on the coronation via an interview with NewzRoom Afrika TV and has expressed that Nigeria does not support this coronation, highlighting that Nigeria aims to continue cordial bilateral relations with South Africa.
“To start, I want to say that Nigeria and South Africa have come a long way and we have a very very excellent and cordial relationship. So this has actually manifested in different areas: economic, social and as well as political cooperation as well…So when it comes to an isolated case like this we feel that it’s not called for and it is not something that is in tradition or in tandem with the cultural beliefs and cultural understanding of Nigeria.” said the High Commissioner in the interview.
“I must first say straight that there are rooms for different groups to associate and to fraternise and to also animate their cultural reality but of course that does not presupposes crowning a king and I want to state categorically that he is not a king and I don’t think he purports to represent that and he could not even exercise any authority of kingship anywhere” the Acting High Commissioner said further.