Zwelonke Sigcawu

Zwelonke Mpendulo Calvin Sigcawu
Xhosa Kings (Gcaleka & Rharhabe)
Reign1 January 2006 –14 November 2019
Coronation15 May 2015[1]
PredecessorXolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu
SuccessorAhlangene Sigcawu
Born(1968-04-04)4 April 1968
Willowvale, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Died14 November 2019(2019-11-14) (aged 51)
Names
Zwelonke Calvin Mpendulo Sigcawu
HouseHouse of Phalo
FatherXolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu
MotherNozamile Sigcawu

King Zwelonke kaXolilizwe (Mpendulo Calvin Sigcawu; 4 April 1968 – 14 November 2019) was a South African royal and King of the Xhosa people.[2] He became king on 1 January 2006. Zwelonke was born at Nqadu Great Palace in Willowvale in the Eastern Cape[3] to Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu and Nozamile.

King Zwelonke Sigcawu had been king of the AmaXhosa since the death of his father, King Xolilizwe Sigcawu, in 2005.[4]

Death and funeral

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On the evening of 11 November 2019, the king was rushed to hospital in Mthatha by ambulance.[5] King Zwelonke died in the early hours of 14 November 2019 at the age of 51. No cause of death was provided.[5]

He was given a state funeral on the 29 November 2019 and together with royal funeral and at Nqadu Great Place, Willowvale, his funeral was attended by high profile politicians Former President Thabo Mbeki who made keynote speech as an elder, President Cyril Ramaphosa made eulogy, Premier of the Eastern Cape Oscar Mabuyane, General Bantu Holomisa, Julius Malema and many others and the royal houses of AmaRharhabe, amaZulu, amaNdebele, abaThembu, and many others.[citation needed]

Regnal titles
Preceded by King of the Xhosa Kingdom
2006–2019
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ "AmaXhosa king's coronation celebrations begin". eNCA. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  2. ^ Phaliso, Sandiso (21 October 2009). "Royal spat over claims to Xhosa kingship". City Press. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  3. ^ Evans, Jenni (14 November 2019). "'Unfortunately we lost him this morning' - shock after amaXhosa king dies". News24. 24.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. ^ "LIVE: First Coronation of AmaXhosa King in 50 years". eNCA. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b "AmaXhosa king dies aged 51". MSN. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2020.