/ 27 January 2006

Prince named as new Xhosa king

Prince Zwelonke Sigcawu was named on Friday as the new king of the Xhosa kingdom at Willowvale in Eastern Cape, the Xhosa royal house said.

Sigcawu succeeds his late father, King Xolilizwe Sigcawu, who died in Pretoria last year after suffering a long illness.

The late Sigcawu had five wives. He fell ill and died in Pretoria late last year.

The Xhosa nation has two kingdoms, the AmaGcaleka, east of the Kei River, and the AmaRharhabe to the west.

Sigcawu headed the AmaGcaleka kingdom from Nqadu Great Place in Willowvale.

Gcaleka was the son of King Phalo, the last absolute ruler of the Xhosa nation, who died more than 200 years ago. — Sapa