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Present: Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe

THOUSANDS of mourners came to pay their last respects to AbaThembu Queen NoMoscow Dalindeybo, senior wife of late AbaThembu King Sabata Dalindyebo, at her funeral on Sunday.

Mourners included Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi, Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, Local Government and Traditional Affairs Minister Mlibo Qoboshiyane, King Mpendulo Sigcawu, AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Sigcau and Western Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase.

But the queen's son, King Buyelakhaya Dalindyebo, was not present at the funeral.

It was unclear why he had not attended.

The funeral was declared an official provincial event by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and the South African flag flew at half-mast.

The kings in attendance raised concerns about unequal treatment they received from the government.

Queen NoMoscow died on June 14 at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha after suffering from renal failure. She was 73.

Controversy around the funeral began last week when King Buyelakhaya Dalindyebo rejected state aid for the rite.

The offer was made by Kiviet who, with a Bhisho delegation that included Qoboshiyane and legislature speaker Fikile Xasa, visited the king to offer their condolences.

During the meeting, Dalindyebo vowed to reject assistance from President Jacob Zuma if it were made.

"Zuma must not even send one of his puppets to me. The messenger might get shot. I warn you all," Dalindyebo was quoted as saying then.

"We cannot allow the government to make the fallacy that it recognised her, no. When NoMoscow was still alive she never enjoyed benefits as a queen.

"The government showed no respect for her as a royal. She died like a commoner and poor."

Dalindyebo also refused to discuss his funeral plans with the delegation.

Dalindyebo is no stranger to controversy after he failed to attend his wife Nolwazi's burial last year in what was assumed to have been a protest against the state's inadequate contribution to her funeral.

Comments

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Tue May 21 18:14:59 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 25, 2012

Mdala

These kings are a big furse not only to gov but to the community they pretend to lead, same as bed bugs (blood suckers)
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Jun 25, 2012

lindsay

well the south african government recognise only one king Zwelithini and others are not recognised maybe we are all Zulus in South Africa .
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Jun 25, 2012

malemaforpresident

eish lin we share the same sentiment
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Jun 25, 2012

Dikmol

I understand King Dalindyebos point. This government is very very disorganised and pathetic.
Aintlik, based on what the king has said, what were they doing at the Queens funeral? Aningityele...what? Why was the flag even raised at half mast because clearly they never recognised her.
The Anc government is an opportunist.
As for those who questions our culture and its set up, like the existence of kings and queens, i say you are a Coconut who doesnt even know yourself. Stop worshipping Queen Elizabeth and find yourself, your true identity besides being a pathetic coconut.
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Jun 25, 2012

ThirdEye

He is using her mother's funeral to hold government at ransom, what a way of protesting.
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Jun 25, 2012

Hail

Where are we going as a nation? if you do not know the balance of in life is a big problem. What is this thing with the flag to fly low? Who suppose to have a state funeral and who is not? They show her the love and respect when she is no more but they failed to do that when she was alive.
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Jun 25, 2012

MarryMe

Like so many crazy people I am sure he is conviced that his mother is a Witch or As a king he has a Sangoma that advises him not to attend funerals as they make him impure.
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Jun 25, 2012

Sompisi

@lindsay - Zulu's got nothing to do with this thread

@ MarryMe - If your sangoma advises the King that way to me She/He is a Thwasa, as Isilo (King) uhlanjululwa ngenyongo yeNyathi - as the Zulu saying goes "nasihlanza okwenyongo yenyathi"

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Jun 25, 2012

tumzangwana

government ga se yone fela e treatang batho e kare diskroplaap when they are alive but when that said person dies ba iketsa diskoonpamper talking smack about how they helped that person when he/she was going through a tough time. they cant recognise and acknowledge a person when she is alive but when that person dies ba tlhaga ba siane ba bua maaka jaaka batho ba o tholang ba bua maaka ka moswi ko tebellong.
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Jun 25, 2012

Mzanzibar

NoMoscow....ncncncncncncnc
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