The successor of King Langalibalele II, Nkosi MJ Radebe’s son was laid to rest at Amahlubi Royal house at kwa-Bhekuzulu on Saturday morning. A 39-year-old heir, Prince Bhekamahlubi Radebe passed away after a short illness in a Pretoria hospital on February 4.
The Prince was taken to Swaziland at the age of three-months, as it is a custom and culture of the Amahlubi for the King’s successor to go into hiding.
The Queen Mother of Swaziland took care of him from the age of 13 all through school level, tertiary education, studying in the United States of America and after he received military training in Swaziland and subsequently became a Lieutenant in Swaziland Army. The Amahlubi have patiently waited for the restoration of their new King.
The late Prince Bhekamahlubi is, according to the succession plan, the eldest son and takes the reigns from his father, however, death stopped that honourable task. It is left with the royal house and the Hlubi nation to go back to the drawing board for another successor. The late Prince Bhekamahlubi was the eldest son, followed by the late Prince Mandlenkosi Radebe and the now surviving Prince Sondezi Radebe.
They are King MJ Radebe’s sons with Queen (Indlovukazi) Phumaphi “uMzamose II” Dlamini from the Swaziland Royal House. They were married in the 1970’s.
The memorial service was attended by many dignitaries from Swaziland, people and mourners from all walks of life, coming from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Eastern Cape, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Scores of people held a night vigil and those who woke-up in the morning to pay their last respects to the courageous Prince of Amahlubi stood firm when he bid them farewell with soft but not frightening, thunder which lasted for few minutes. These are miracles of Amahlubi who are known for rain. It was followed by rain, which lasted for 15 minutes, this came after three days of scorching sun. The late Prince is the direct descendant of King Langalibalele I (this means scorching sun). AmaHlubi are found all over South Africa with over 20 chiefs who pay allegiance to Isilo Langalibalele II. These Hlubis are found in areas like Newcastle, Ladysmith, Estcourt, Ixopo, Hershell, Matatiele, Mt Fletcher, Mt Frere, Qumbu, Tsomo and Rustenburg.
The Langalibalele’s legacy continued into the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In 1990, shortly after his own release from Robben Island Nelson Mandela laid a wreath on Langalibalele’s grave in recognition. In 2005 the amaHlubi people presented a submission to the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims under the Framework Act to recognise Ingonyama Muziwenkosi ka Tatazela ka Siyephu ka Langalibalele, otherwise known as Langalibalele II as King of the amaHlubi. The Amahlubi royal houses have not yet made any statement to the media regarding an individual who is claiming to be the King of Amahlubi in Richards Bay. However, the nation is spitting fire as they are intending to take this issue head-on against the business man who made such claims.
Amahlubi pay last respects to Prince
Prince Bhekamahlubi is, according to the succession plan, the eldest son and takes the reigns from his father, however, death stopped that honourable task
