More harmony among Kutama royals

The hatchet has partly been buried in the fight for leadership in the Kutama royal family, and most members are confident that the different parties can work together under the leadership of Chief Prince Vele Kutama.

A few weeks ago, the Thohoyandou High Court was asked to rule on a dispute concerning the chieftainship.  The decision in 2013 of the Kutama royal council to appoint Vele Kutama as chief was challenged by the son of the late Chief Peter Kutama, Mpho Andropov Kutama, and his uncle, Aifheli Andries Kutama. They argued that Mpho Kutama, as the only surviving son of the late chief, should have been next in line for the kingship.

Judge NF Kgomo disagreed with them and ruled that children born from a wife other than the Dzekiso wife are not in line for succession. Mpho Kutama’s father, Khosi Fhumulani Peter Kutama, refused to marry a Dzekiso wife and instead married someone from a different lineage, namely Martha Kutama.

The judge ruled that Prince Vele Kutama was the correct choice, because “He is the most senior of the living Dzekiso sons of a recognised chief.”

The court ruling was welcomed by the the Kutama Royal Family and their spokesperson, Vhamusanda Vho-Ntanganedzeni Progress Kutama, said it favoured both parties because the court could not appoint a chief. Aifheli Andries Kutama afterwards commented that they might opt to appeal and have the case reviewed.

The past weekend, things changed and Andries Kutama openly apologised to the Kutama Royal Council for bringing the house in disrepute. He promised to work together with the other family members in their endeavours to lead the community.

Vhamusanda Vho-Ntanganedzeni Progress Kutama said that those opposing them had again learnt the lesson that a chieftainship cannot be installed by a court. “A chieftainship is not something that can be inherited. It is the property of the royal family, who act as its custodians,” he said.

He also encouraged disgruntled members to rather sit around a table and solve problems amicably. “We welcome the decision taken by vho-Andries and his group that they still want to be part of the family and rule the community as a unit,” he said.

Date:10 April 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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