Balobedu prince rejects Ramaphosa’s Masalanabo recognition
Prince Lekukela Modjadji, who is Princess Masalanabo Modjadji’s older brother, has rejected President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of her sister as the next Rain Queen of Balobedu nation.
In December 2024, President Ramaphosa announced that he had taken a decision to recognise Masalanabo as the next Rain Queen of the Balobedu. The president indicated that his announcement was prompted by Masanalabo turning 18.
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But in 2021, the Balobedu Royal Council identified Lekukela as the next heir to the throne. Regent Prince Mpapatla Modjadji, the brother to the late Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji, led the council. Both Lekukela and Masalanabo are children of Rain Queen Makobo. The siblings are now fighting for the throne.
“I am not at war with my younger sister, nor do I wish for us to have any animosity towards one another. Despite the efforts of those who are driving a wedge between us,” Prince Lekukela told the media at the Royal House, Limpopo on Monday.
“I can only implore my younger sister to be sober and come back home. So that we deal with our mother‘s legacy accordingly and in the right way.”

PRINCESS MASALANABO RECOGNITION AS THE RAIN QUEEN CREATING TENSIONS WITHIN THE MODJADJI ROYAL HOUSE
“Considering the recent events and the president’s decision that has not only shocked the Royal family but the Balobedu people at large. I felt it necessary to address our people on the recent developments regarding Her late Majesty, my mother’s throne.”
Prince Lekukela also lashed out at Prof Mathole Motshekga, whom he accuses of meddling in royal affairs.
“I was given my mother’s documents and effects. In those documents, I retrieved a letter in which she addressed Prof Motshekga and requested Prof Mathole Motshekga to stay out of our family’s affairs,” Lekukela said.
Meanwhile, princess Masalanabo is set to be inaugurated as the Rain Queen in March this year.