The Albanian Prince born in Sandton

The news about the Albanian prince of the Albanian House of Zogu being born in Sandton back in 1982 is not one that many people will have heard.

However, it’s true: Prince Leka II of Albania was ‘technically’ born at Mediclinic Sandton on March 26 that year. The Prince of Albania shared his account of how he came to be born in South Africa.

“My father lived in Spain for 20 years, Egypt for 20 years, and South Africa was kind enough to accept and invite the Albanian royal family, on the condition that we would not deal, or interfere in, politics within the country,” Leka II explained. “The amazing thing, when I was born, the South African prime minister at the time decided that my hospital room would be considered extra-territorial land. So, it was not considered to be a part of South Africa, but like an embassy. It was a kind gesture which allowed me to, technically, be born on Albanian soil.”

In South Africa, Leka II attended St Peter’s College in Sunninghill, Fourways. He and his family had become residents of Randburg at the time. He shared some of his recollections ahead of leaving South Africa for Albania as an adult in 2002.

“I have good memories from my childhood. I remember the simple things. Nobody knows what rugby is in Albania, but I was there watching with everyone else – screaming my head off – when South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” Leka II laughed as he reflected. “I was a normal teenager living in South Africa: very skinny and tall, with braces and pimples. I had a simple life. I never used titles; I went to school as Leka Albania. That was my name at school.”

Leka II spoke about the conditions which led to his family leaving Europe. Leka II’s grandfather, Zog I (Ahmed Muhtar Zogolli) left Albania on April 10, 1939, three days after Mussolini invaded the country with fascist ideology. He travelled with his family through Europe, avoiding travel by sea, due to the dangers of U-boats during the time.

“After the war, we went to Egypt for 20 years, back to France for many years, and then we moved to Spain. From Spain, my family travelled to Zimbabwe, ahead of eventually becoming invited to South Africa,” Leka II explained. “In 2002, the Albanian royal family was officially invited back to Albania by the Albanian parliament.”

Leka II has resided in Albania since then, however, he credits former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk for having influenced his leadership style.

“They have informed my personality in this world,” Leka II concluded. “South Africa influenced me; I went through a period of transition with South Africa: from apartheid to democracy. I got to see how great people made great decisions: Nelson Mandela, and De Klerk on the other side, influenced me tremendously.”

In Albania, Leka II has worked as an advisor to the President of Albania, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to the Minister of Interior. He has also run as the opposition candidate for the presidency.