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PRINCESS NGEBETI’S SON CLAIMS AUTHORITY OVER MANTJOLO

16/11/2020 09:34:00 BY SIBUSISO SHANGE

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MALANTI - Princess Ngebeti’s son, Makhosemvelo Mnisi, has declared himself as the rightful person in charge of Mantjolo area.

Mantjolo is a farm, which was given to the Mnisi clan after the discovery of a sacred pool.

It is situated a few kilometres from the capital city. The clan was mandated to safeguard the pool after it was discovered that they had a connection with the water spirit, which is believed to be connected to heavenly bodies.

According to Makhosemvelo, the sacred pool was founded by Prince Dabede’s son in a vision. He claimed that Prince Dabede’s son informed King Sobhuza II that there was a voice calling for unity among the Mnisi people in Southern Africa, including in Eswatini.

“Prince Dabede’s son was directed to Mantjolo where he found the pool. At the time, Princess Ngebeti was constantly ill.

Pool

She was taken to the sacred pool after which she was healed. The King was happy that the princess managed to go to the pool with members of the clan. The princess was married to Mhambi Mnisi. As a result, the King allocated the farm to the Mnisi clan and mandated them to safeguard it,” said Makhosemvelo.

Makhosemvelo was asked if the allocation of the farm to the Mnisi clan had anything to do with the royal kraal. He was also asked if the Mnisi clan was given authority to allocate land to people in the area.

In response, Makhosemvelo couldn’t come out clearly. However, he stated that the clan was warned against monopolising the sacred pool, which he said was aimed at helping the nation. He mentioned that a home for the clan was established so that people could camp before going to the pool for cleansing.

“We have a home for the Mnisi people at Mantjolo. We accommodated some of the Mnisi people who sought refuge in the area. Those people never paid kukhonta cattle when allocated a piece of land because they formed part of the clan. They were never authorised to allocate people land in the area,” he stated.

However, Makhosemvelo stated that they learnt with shock that the people who were accommodated in the area were unlawfully allocating land to outsiders, some were not even members of the clan.

He stated that because the horse had already bolted, he wanted to make sure that all those who were unlawfully allocated land in the area followed the right kukhonta procedure so that they could be fully-fledged residents of the area.

Makhosemvelo stated, however, that he will take charge of Mantjolo while at Malanti, where he is expected to be a chief after the King’s blessings.

“We have a fully-fledged royal kraal at Malanti, where people of Mantjolo get services such as the signing of scholarship forms, approval of marriage under Eswatini Law and Custom among other things. I work with the inner council,” he said.

Some residents confirmed that they got services at Malanti Royal Kraal.

He was asked if people would still acquire land at Mantjolo. In response, Makhosemvelo said his hands were open to anyone interested in acquiring land in the area. However, he stated that they were only allocating plots for temporary structures. This, he claimed, was because the residents of the area were yet to relocate to a farm at Hawane after finalisation of talks with the relevant authorities.

He mentioned that there was a plan to develop and convert Mantjolo into a tourist attraction site, hence the proposed relocation of the residents.

Makhosemvelo couldn’t come out clearly when asked about the kukhonta criteria. In fact, he was asked about the kukhonta fees.

“Hhayi siyakhulumisana, sive wena kutsi utsini,” he said. Worth noting is that Makhosemvelo was quiet during the reign of the Chief of the Mnisi Clan in Southern Africa, Bhekumuzi Mnisi.

Interdict

Bhekumuzi, who assumed the name Manyovu II when appointed chief, made headlines when he obtained a court order to interdict the first settlers of Mantjolo from allocating land to people in the farm. Bhekumuzi made it clear that the land was reserved for the Mnisi people.

He also mentioned that the land was reserved pending development for the benefit of the clan. The chief ordered those who allegedly allocated land to the people to return the kukhonta cattle to the owners.

The new settlers were ordered to vacate the area within 21 days.

There were talks that Bhekumuzi had no jurisdiction over Mantjolo in the Eswatini side since he was from Enkonjaneni Royal Kraal in South Africa. However, nobody challenged him during his lifetime.

The chief believed in unity as per the directive from the voice that appeared to the founder of the pool. As a result, he established committees to deal with issues affecting the Mnisi people in Southern Africa. He also empowered the members of the clan to start income generating projects. When asked about the chief and his initiatives, Makhosemvelo alleged that he was the one who played a vital role in the appointment and installation of Bhekumuzi.

Locked

He claimed that Bhekumuzi was representing emaSwati, who were locked in South Africa during the installation of the borderlines separating the two countries. He further alleged that there was no bloodline in the appointment of Bhekumuzi but was appointed because he had a better understanding of the South African Government.

“Bhekumuzi was part of emaSwati chiefs who look after emaSwati who live in the portion of land belonging to Eswatini in South Africa. He had nothing to do with the Eswatini side just like the other chiefs. I cannot tell why I was so quiet when he started his mission in Eswatini,” he said.

Makhosemvelo further claimed that Bhekumuzi died at a time when he had started challenging his authority in Eswatini.

Worth noting is that Makhosemvelo and his delegation once appeared on Channel YemaSwati challenging the construction of Jubindaba Royal Kraal at Mantjolo.

The royal kraal was launched by Bhekumuzi during an event held in the area. However, Makhosemvelo and his delegation claimed that Bhekumuzi had no jurisdiction to establish a royal kraal in Eswatini. “Jubindaba does not exist. The people of Mantjolo pay tribute to Malanti Royal Kraal,” he said.