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News - Date: 18 April 2003
MODJADJI - April 11, 2003 will go down as one of the biggest days in the annals of the history of Balobedu. This is the day when Queen Makobo Caroline Modjadji the VI was officially enthroned. For the first time in the history of the Balobedu traditional leadership, the coronation of the new Queen, the only one in the country, attracted the attention of a multitude of people from all walks of life.
These included church leaders, traditional leaders, political leaders, government leaders, traditional leaders and business people, as well as the general public. The function can better be described as a revival of African Renaissance considering the manner in which people were dressed, traditional attire from people of all colours. Almost all media was represented, including international correspondents.
The image of the new Queen was clearly confirmed when all guests, including Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, who was sitting next to her, Thovhele Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, who enthroned the Rain Queen, ZCC leader Edward Barnabas Lekganyane, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Chief Phathekile Holomisa, Bridget Mabandla, Patrice Motsepe and others, went down on their knees when the Queen stood from her chair, moving to the podium where Mphephu, her cousin, wrapped her in a Leopard skin as part of the ritual.
As another sign of the importance of the function, which was prepared since the beginning of February, there was a very light shower, when the coronation took place.
Mr MC Mampeule, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the Balobedu were proud to be the torchbearers who recognised the rights of women from the old ages. We are one nation before all else. This is a great heritage to all of us irrespective of race or gender. We believe to be a Molobedu is not a contradiction and we will always be proud of our culture and ourselves. This is the reason why we have been watered freely in all these years," said Mampeule. The programme was delayed for about eight minutes, when ANC Women’s League President Winnie Madikizela-Mandela arrived at exactly 10:50. There were ululations and praises of her name while others were heard saying, "here comes another Queen."
Thovhele Mphephu, who also donated a big drum to the Queen, urged her to be ready for the challenges of leading the people in the new dispensation. Messages of support also came from Hosi Mlungisi Ntsanwisi, Holomisa, Ngobe and Ingwenyama Maisha III. Ngobe urged the Queen to work with government and the business community for the development of her community. She was advised to fight poverty and respect her people.
Different traditional dances were also performed.
Makobo succeeds her grandmother Mogobe who was enthroned in 1982. Mogobe, who was Modjadji V, passed away two years back after a short illness. Makobo qualified to be the Queen after her mother Princess Maria Modjadji died two days before Modjadji V.
To confirm the importance of the function, more than thirty cattle were slaughtered for this function, which is said to be the beginning of big things to come from Ga-Modjadji.
Although many of the Venda chiefs attended the function, including Chief Musiiwa Mphaphuli and Mphephu, there was no sign of Khosikhulu Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase
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