Mampuru hailed as legendary King who resisted colonialism
by HRH Stella Sigcau
23 February 2023
The Minister of DIRCO, Dr Naledi Pandor delivering her key note address during the Commemoration of the late King Mampuru II held in Mamone, Jane Furse in Limpopo on 28 January 2023, hailed King Mampuru II as one of the great African Kings who resisted colonialism. She said, “former President Dr Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela regarded him as one of the nation’s heroes who was at the forefront of the wars of resistance and spoke of him with respect and admiration.”
She explained that, “the tragic story of this beloved African icon, the son and rightful successor of Malekutu I, and the rightful heir to the Bapedi throne, continues to haunt us 140 years after his horrific murder by hanging in Pretoria prison by the Boer settlers under the auspices of the President of the Boer Republic Paul Kruger on 22 November 1883.”
Pandor said, “The late King Mampuru II was amongst the first liberation icons of South Africa, who fearlessly never recognised the oppressive hut tax law imposed in the 1860’s on African households.” “Mandela included Mampuru’s case among the country’s most famous Political Trials, saying in his memoirs, The Long Walk to Freedom, “There was the case of Mampuru, the rightful heir to the Bapedi throne, who was executed for public violence, revolt and murder of Sekhukhune in 1883, and who gave Commandant General PJ Joubert and his burgers a lesson in mobile warfare.”
According to the Minister, Mampuru, who was the incumbent king of the Bapedi nation at the time, refused to acknowledge and thereby submit to the rule of the new Republican Government and that he killed Sekhukune who was determined to usurp his throne on 13 August 1882. In terms of the State Proclamation of 12 October 1882, General Piet Joubert was ordered to arrest Mampuru Mampuru who was later hung on 22 November 1883.
The event was attended by representatives from the Royal families of South Africa including Swati, Mpondo, Ndebele, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga and Venda. In attendance were also representatives of the institutions of Traditional Leadership who delivered messages of support including Nkosi Lameck Mokoena who is the President of CONTRALESA, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo who is the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau who is the Chairperson of the Alfred Nzo Local House of Traditional Leaders in the Eastern Cape. Founder of the South African Royal Princesses Network Princess Stella SSigcauII and the delegation from the Princesses Network were in attendance.
Dignitaries in attendance who also delivered messages of support included Deputy Minister of Correctional Service, Mr Phathekhile Holomisa, MEC Nakedi-Sibanda Kekana-Sports, Arts and Culture, MEC Rodgers Monama-Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Ms Nontobeko Boyce, Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune Cllr Maleke Mokganyetsi, Mayor of Makhuduthamaga Cllr Minah Bahula, Acting Premier Seaparo Sekwati and Ms Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park.
The guests were treated to Pedi culture and heritage including traditional dances and music. Prince Seraki Mampuru on behalf of King Malekutu IV thanked the guests in attendance.