Sabata Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo

Who was Sabata Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo?

Sabata Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo was the ruler of the Thembu people of South Africa. His rule was marked by conflict with Kaiser Matanzima. This political conflict escalated until Sabata was arrested in 1979 for "subverting the sovereignty of Parliament and the constitutional independence of Transkei, and for violating and injuring the dignity of the State President." Before his arrest Sabata had been described as "somewhat erratic" in habits, but was also respected for having "moral authority" in his resistance of luxuries and criticism of how Kaiser dealt with Apartheid-era South Africa. Sabata left Transkei due to the arrest and ultimately died in exile in Zambia.

His two burials were the subject of an article by Garrey Dennie. In it Dennie described Sabata's first burial as a "tawdry affair" that highlighted the tension between Kaiser and Sabata. Dennie goes on to describe his 1989 reburial as relating to the efforts of Bantu Holomisa to align himself with Dalindyebo's legacy. Among the dignitaries on that day were Bishop Stanley Mogoba and the late Peter Mokaba.