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‘PRINCE TSHEKEDI WILL BE REMEMBERED‘

By NONDUDUZO KUNENE | 2020-08-06

Prince Tshekedi will be remembered for his love, kindness and humility.

The three words were used by the senior princes to describe the deceased Prince Tshekedi.

The nation and the royal family is once again in mourning following the death of Prince Tshekedi.

The prince succumbed to an unknown illness on Sunday in one of the country’s private clinics. However, a senior member of the royal family mentioned that his death might be related to COVID-19. The news of his demise was confirmed by acting Ludzidzini Governor Lusendvo Fakudze and Prince Masitsela, in separate interviews. The passing of Prince Tshekedi was reported to the Queen Mother on Monday afternoon then on Tuesday morning was reported to the King. He will be laid to rest on Sunday morning ngelisiko lemalangeni.

The deceased prince is former ambassador of Eswatini to Mozambique before he was appointed as Hhohho Regional Administrator in 2014 until 2018. He was succeeded by Princess Tsandzile.

The prince has been known as a humbled and down do earth person filled with wisdom. During his time as Hhohho RA he made headlines when he refused to stay in an eight roomed government house. The prince’s wisdom was even experienced overseas at Vincennes University on the banks of the Wabash River in south western Indiana where he was studying to become an Architect.

Prince Tshekedi at the age of 26 years in an interview with Palladiam Item Newspaper cleared the jungle picture that some people had about Africa, more especially Eswatini. The prince during the interview revealed that students were always asked they have Western clothes in Africa and wanted to know if they can buy shoes in Africa. He mentioned they were even asked if they had telephones.

“People should know if a country has gone to the extent of becoming independent, surely it has telephones," that was the deceased prince’s answers to tat lot of questions they were getting oversees.

Details of his funeral have not been finalised as Fakudze said the media will be notified with due process. According to Prince Masitsela, the death is not only a loss to the royal family but to the whole nation. He added that the passing of his brother had hit him hard, as they both worked hand in hand in national duties. He described the prince as someone who was humble and feared God.

Meanwhile, he said considering the fact that they had lost another prince, Prince Phuzigazi, hardly two months ago, it was very disturbing to lose another member of the royal family.

He said accepting the passing on of someone of Prince Tshekedi’s calibre was not easy. The senior prince said the deceased member of the royal family would be remembered for his love, wisdom and humility. The passing on of Prince Tshekedi comes after the passing on Prince Phinda in May. Meanwhile, last year December Prince Sobandla passed away during the Incwala festivities.

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