IT'S a Saturday morning, and King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is preparing to go to a funeral in the nearby village.

He would not speak to Sowetan but welcomes our speaking to his counsellors.

Though we planned to interview the king we are not disappointed since all the information we need is richly provided by his aides.

Dalindyebo, 46, is a father of five. His eldest son is 17 and the youngest is a four-month-old daughter.

He also has five wives but his home has is occupied by more than 20 people.

Ahhh Zwelibanzi, as Dalindyebo is affectionately known by the Thembus, is in a hurry. He has just returned from a jog in the hilly area.

"He jogs every morning to keep healthy and fit," says one of the counselors, Nkosi Phedulwazi Mhlontlo .

Mhlontlo says the king spends his weekends attending events in the villages.

"He loves his people. If he is not attending a funeral its a wedding or umgidi."

Dalindyebo also spends time with his livestock or working in the garden. He loves children and enjoys driving himself.

Nkosi Jongisizwe Ndzambule says the king is accessible to the community.

"He does not want special attention and he treats everyone equally," he says.

Ndzambule says the king shares the palace with his three brothers, three sisters and their families.

He has also taken in the three Ngubenani children.

"Their mother, Nowinase Ngubenani, was killed and her home destroyed by people who opposed her being a chief after their father passed away," he says.

According to his councillors Dalindyebo has been instrumental in ensuring that schools in the area are looked after.

Dalindyebo solicited sponsorship for a local school that included 60 computers and a generator worth R25000. He has a help desk dedicated to the community.