WHEN AmaMpondo King Ndamase Ndamase gave his traditional leadership an ultimatum last month to find brides his brother, Prince Dakhile Sizakele Ndamase, was first to heed the call.

Dakhile, one of the oldest and most eligible bachelors in the kingdom, has found his bride.

The 43-year-old chief, who descends from King Ndamase's second house, will wed maKwena Malebo of Alexandra township in Johannesburg on November 5.

The wedding will take place at the maMpondomiseni Great Place near Libode, Eastern Cape, and will be the second maMpondomise royal nuptials in two months.

In September the king married his sweetheart of three years, Tina Tolibadi, in a wedding that attracted the who's who of the country.

His brother's wedding is expected to be no different since a host of dignitaries have been invited. Multitudes of the Mpondomise public are also expected to celebrate with the royal couple.

Dakhile said: "After the king's advice I decided to accede to the call to get a bride. I am happy that I made this decision because I believe marriage dignifies a man and his nation.

"I was encouraged by the king's wisdom and definition of today's manhood. I hope the wedding will inspire other men in the monarchy."

The monarchy boasts more than two million subjects and has 40 chiefs and 96 headmen. It stretches from Port St Johns to Mthatha River in Mthatha.

But not everyone is happy with the royal men's choice of brides. Some local ladies accuse the royal men of overlooking ladies from their own tribe.

Dakhile defended their choice, saying they were marrying for love and building relations with other tribes.

"Marrying outside the tribe as royalty helps build relationships with other tribes. This is not new. It is something that was done by our ancestors," he said.