President Cyril Ramaphosa has legally recognised Princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the Queen of the Balobedu Queenship – the only legally recognised Queenship in South Africa.
Queen Modjaji VII – known as the Rain Queen – has been recognised in terms of Section 8(3)(a) and (b), read with Section 12(8)(a) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act.
A statement from the Presidency explained that the Queenship of the Balobedu was recognised in 2016 when Queen Modjadji was just 16 years old and “could not legally ascend the throne”.
Since then, His Royal Highness, Prince Mpapatla Modjadji – the now Queen’s maternal uncle – has held the fort for her as a Regent until she turned 18.
“The Queen has turned 18 and ascends the throne as Queen Modjadji VII of [the] Balobedu nation. In accordance with Section 12(8)(a) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019, as soon as the successor to the position of a queen/king ceases to be a minor, the rightful successor must be recognised by the President as the queen/king.
“A certificate of recognition must be issued after her/his name has been published in the Gazette,” the statement said.
The Presidency described Queen Modjaji VII’s legal recognition as a “new chapter and is a moment of great significance to the rich history of Balobedu Nation”.
“On behalf of government, President Ramaphosa wishes Her Majesty a long and prosperous reign and looks forward to working with Her Majesty and the Royal Family in advancing socio-economic development of people living under the jurisdiction of [the] Balobedu Queenship,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
