South Africa Mourns as amaNdebele King Makhosonke II Dies at 65

​JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is in mourning following the peaceful passing of His Majesty King Makhosonke II (Enock Makhosonke Mabhena), the revered monarch of the amaNdebele Nation. The King passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the age of 65, bringing a distinguished 40-year reign to a close.

​As the traditional leader of the amaNdebele akwaManala, King Makhosonke II ascended to the throne in 1986. Over four decades, he established himself not only as a vital custodian of Ndebele cultural heritage and language but also as a forward-thinking progressive leader committed to rural development and education.

​Beyond his local duties, His Majesty was a prominent national figure, serving as the inaugural Chairperson of the South African Kings Forum—a coordinating body supported by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

​National Leaders Pay Tribute

​News of the monarch’s passing prompted a wave of tributes from across the country’s political and traditional spectrum. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed profound sadness on behalf of the government and the nation, praising the late King’s impact on contemporary South African society.

​”We will, in due course, pay tribute to the King as a pillar of national unity in diversity and as a champion of development, with education and land restitution as part of his vision,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement issued by the Presidency. “Today we mourn his passing and we stand alongside the amaNdebele in this painful hour.”

​The President extended heartfelt condolences to the Royal Household, particularly to the Queen Consort, Her Majesty Queen Sekhothali, as well as the broader amaNdebele and Basotho nations.

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​Political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), also expressed their grief, highlighting the King’s active humanitarian efforts and his dedication to marginalized communities, vulnerable school children, and university students.

​A Legacy of Education and Upliftment

​While deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of the Nguni-descended amaNdebele people, King Makhosonke II focused heavily on the future. He was a passionate advocate for literacy and the academic development of the isiNdebele language.

​Through his royal foundation, the King personally facilitated higher education opportunities, funding and supporting more than 100 students to achieve bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. He also drove economic empowerment initiatives as the active Chairman of the African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Northern Cape and Mpumalanga Rural Upliftment Trust.

​The King is survived by his wife, Queen Sekhothali Martha Mabhena, a princess of the Kingdom of Lesotho whom he married in October 2019. Queen Sekhothali is widely recognized across the continent for her international advocacy work regarding women’s empowerment and reproductive health rights.

​The Royal Family and traditional authorities are expected to announce the dates and formal arrangements for the official period of mourning and the state funeral in the coming days.