Makobo Modjadji
Makobo Modjadji VI | |
---|---|
Modjadji | |
Father | Unknown |
Mother | Princess Leakhale Maria Modjadji |
Makobo Modjadji VI (Makobo Caroline Modjadji; 22 July 1978 – 12 June 2005) was the sixth in a line of the
Life
Makobo was the daughter of Princess Leakhale Maria Modjadji and was the only Rain Queen to be formally educated. She was crowned Rain Queen in 2003, two years after the death of her grandmother Rain Queen
Although respected for her abilities and lineage, Makobo was seen as too modern to be the next Rain Queen, which may have been why there was such a long delay before she was crowned. Custom dictated that rain queens live reclusive lives, hidden in the royal kraal with their "royal wives". Makobo, however, drove a car, liked to wear jeans and T-shirts, visit nearby discos, watch soap operas and chat on her cell phone.
Modjadji VI also had a boyfriend, David Mogale, who is said to have fathered her second child, daughter Masalanabo. He is the former municipal manager of Greater Letaba Local Municipality. He is also rumoured to have moved into the Royal Compound to live with her. This caused great controversy with the Royal Council, as the Rain Queen is only ever supposed to have sexual relations with nobles who the Royal Council themselves chose.
Death and alleged conspiracy
On 10 June 2005 Makobo was admitted to the Polokwane Medi-Clinic with a then-undisclosed illness; she died two days later at the age of 26. She was buried at the royal cemetery in Ga-Modjadji, Limpopo on 20 June 2005. Only family members attended the funeral service and thousands of mourners gathered outside the cemetery.[4]
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the last Rain Queen's death. Some villagers believe that she died from a broken heart because her lover David Mogale was banished from the queendom by the Royal Council. Mogale himself claims that the Royal Council poisoned Makobo, as they saw her unfit to hold the much-revered position of Rain Queen, and this was the easiest way to have her removed from the throne. Others claim that her royal ancestors had something to do with it because Makobo, her mother and grandmother all passed away in June. Hospital staff believed she died of HIV/AIDS,[5] while others were concerned with the disappearance of Makobo's brother, Mpapatla, last seen on the day of Makobo's death. He returned eventually and was appointed regent for his infant niece, Masalanabo.
A fire broke out in the local chief's house, where Makobo's coffin was being kept, before her funeral.[5] The fire was extinguished before Makobo's coffin suffered any damage, but the event seemed to arouse more suspicions of foul play surrounding Makobo's death.
Officially, Makobo died of
References
- ^ "Masalanabo Modjadji's queenship endorsed". Letaba Herald. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- OCLC 1259012694.
- ^ "The Lovedu Rain Queen". About.com Education. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ^ https://mg.co.za/article/2005-06-20-rain-queen-laid-to-rest/
- ^ ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
External links
- Obituary
- "Rain Queen's mysterious death could signal end of dynasty"
- [1] — * "Women In Power From 2000." South African Balobedu People Crown 'Rain Queen'