President Cyril Ramaphosa has heaped praise on the late amaMpondo King Zanozuko Sigcau for his efforts at promoting development in his rural community, saying the traditional leader did not want to see only urban centres enjoying development.
Delivering his eulogy on Tuesday at the funeral at Ndimakude Great Place in the Eastern Cape provincial city of Flagstaff, Ramaphosa said the king was active in promoting the proposed Eastern Seaboard Development Initiative.
The project seeks to establish a mega-city on the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coasts as well as ensuring communities’ investment in their own development, he said.
“He was among those monarchs who were determined that economic development should not be confined only to urban centres in our country only,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “He was one of those leaders who championed the Invest Rural Masterplan, a flagship project promoted by the House of Traditional and Khoisan leaders.”
Scores of people, including traditional leaders, government officials and members of the amaMpondo nation gathered at Ndimakude Great Place to bid farewell to the king.
King Sigcau, who was inaugurated in 2018, passed away on 31 May following a short illness at the young age of 47.
He leaves behind a wife and children.
NM/jn/APA