It has been a long journey for the AmaHlubi nation in their quest to be accorded a kingship status in KwaZulu-Natal.
The clan, whose indlunkulu (royal homestead) is in the village of eMaHlutshini, a few kilometres from Escourt on the KwaZulu-Natal far midlands, is adamant that the court will rule in its favour, saying its claim is legitimate.
The court matter was delayed when Covid-19 hit local shores early in 2020.
Jobe Radebe, spokesperson for AmaHlubi, told Sunday World that the clan’s lawyers have already made representation to the court and are now waiting for the confirmation of the date for resumption of the matter.
“We are going to court soon because our lawyers and those of the state were required to make their submissions before a court date can be granted,” said Radebe.
“What we want is for the matter to be settled as quickly as possible so that we can continue with other important things of uniting AmaHlubi throughout the country. We want to solidify our culture, identity and also ensure that our language is recognised as an official language.”
Radebe insisted that AmaHlubi are not competing with AmaZulu as the only recognised kingship in KwaZulu-Natal, saying all they want is what was stolen from them by colonial forces.
AmaHlubi aspirant monarch, Muziwenkosi Johannes Radebe, also known as Langalibalele II, approached a high court in Gauteng in a bid to dismiss the findings of the 2009 Nhlapo Commission.
In its findings the commission, chaired by professor Thandabantu Nhlapo, dismissed the claim that AmaHlubi have an independent king.
Former president Thabo Mbeki appointed the panel in 2004 to resolve disputes on paramountcies and chieftainships. The panel concluded that only seven monarchs existed in South Africa and that others had to forfeit their statuses upon the deaths of the incumbents.
Retired academic and Zulu history expert, professor Jabulani Maphalala, said AmaHlubi have no basis to ask for their kingship to be restored.
“Before Shaka conquered the various tribes, there were many chiefs each ruling their own clan. They were subsequently dissolved to form one powerful kingdom under the command of Shaka. AmaHlubi even had a regiment known as iziyendane, which was incorporated into Shaka’s army,” said Maphalala.
Maphalalala added that by the time that Dlomo was killed, who is considered the true heir of the AmaHlubi throne, the AmaHlubi had already lost their independence and seceded their territory to build one big nation called AmaZulu.
In the court papers, AmaHlubi contend that they are the oldest nation, older than AmaXhosa and AmaZulu. They also say they were the first occupants of what is now known as KwaZulu-Natal.
AmaHlubi also want land under several tribal trusts in KwaZulu-Natal to be returned to them. This includes land currently under the Ingonyama Trust, whose sole trustee is AmaZulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini.
AmaHlubi further claim to have a population of more than 3-million people scattered across the country, including 30 chiefs who pay their allegiance to Langalibalele II.
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