Mbalekwa now wears the Ndebele crown in eMbalenhle, but ousted Jan won’t relinquish

The Amandebele wakwa-Nzundza Royal House, under the leadership of King Mabhoko III, officially inaugurated Chief Mbalekwa Mahlangu as the new eMbalenhle Chief on February 28.

The inauguration follows a decision by the Mahlangu family of the Sothinabantu clan, one of the royal bloodline families, to remove Jan Mahlangu from the position after complaints from members of the eMbalenhle community.

According to Solomon Mahlangu, Ward 1 councillor and member of the Sothinabantu clan, the family responded after receiving complaints about the conduct of their relative, Jan, who previously served as chief.

“As the Sothinabantu clan, we listen to the community that we serve. They delivered their complaint and we acted,” said Mahlangu.

He said the family appreciates King Mabhoko III for intervening and listening to their concerns.

“Today we are celebrating the inaugural ceremony of my brother, Mbalekwa Mahlangu. We believe he will serve our community with dignity. We also request people to stop spreading wrong information that Mbalekwa does not belong to the chieftaincy bloodline. He forms part of the Sothinabantu bloodline historically,” he added.

Aron Masango, chairperson of the King Mabhoko III Royal House, said the process leading to the inauguration was lengthy and carefully considered.

“We have come a long way to reach this decision. If this is what the community wanted, you now have it,” said Masango.

He urged the eMbalenhle community to preserve their culture and customs and warned against individuals who claim traditional leadership without proper recognition.

“There is a tendency these days where some people call themselves chiefs or kings, and communities follow them because they have money and slaughter cows for them. If someone is called a chief, it is after a ceremony like this,” he said.

Masango stressed that only leaders officially recognised and inaugurated by the Royal House should be acknowledged.

“The chief that we are replacing today is no longer a chief. We appeal to the community of eMbalenhle to stop going to him for any chieftaincy services. If anyone goes to him, they do so at their own risk,” Masango warned.

Masango further raised concerns about individuals allegedly coming from outside South Africa and using money to appoint people as kings, issuing them certificates from their countries.

He said the Royal House is closely monitoring the matter, adding that it remains a challenge despite limited government response. The Royal House has now formally presented Chief Mbalekwa Mahlangu to the community, urging residents to unite behind recognised traditional leadership structures.

Former eMbalenhle chief Jan Mahlangu says he is now serving as a senior chief under King Musi KaNdzundza II, following a dispute with his family that led to his removal as chief under the Ndzundza Mabhoko III Royal House.

Mahlangu said he had long anticipated attempts by some family members to remove him from the chieftaincy.

“I had been targeted for removal as chief by certain members of my family for no apparent reason, and I had prepared myself for that time,” said Mahlangu.

He explained that last year he and members of his family appeared before the Ndzundza Mabhoko III Royal House, where concerns were raised about his leadership and some relatives demanded that he step down as chief.

“King Mabhoko III advised us to go back as the Sothinabantu clan, sit down and resolve our differences, and return with a final decision on whether I would remain chief or not,” he said.

According to Mahlangu, he was also instructed to bring his chieftaincy certificate when they returned to the Royal House.

“At that time, I already sensed that my chieftaincy might be taken away, so I prepared myself by visiting the Musi KaNdzundza Royal House, where I was issued with a senior chief certificate,” he said.

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Mahlangu said his chieftaincy is not a political appointment but one he inherited from his late father, Moses Mahlangu, whom he described as part of the royal bloodline. Following the family’s final decision, Mahlangu said they returned to the Ndzundza Mabhoko Royal House, where the family confirmed that they wanted him removed as chief.

“The king then instructed me to hand over the certificate,” he said.

Despite this, Mahlangu insists that he remains a chief and will continue to serve the community.

“Because I am from the Sothinabantu clan bloodline and inherited my father’s chieftaincy, I will continue to serve the community of Govan Mbeki Municipality as I inherited from my father,” he said.

He added that he is now reporting under the Musi KaNdzundza II Royal House instead of the Ndzundza Mabhoko III Royal House.

“South Africa is a free country where everyone is free to go where he or she can be assisted, and I want to assure the community that my offices are still operational and the services they were receiving are still available. They must know that I am still their chief and their leader,” said Mahlangu.