I enjoyed my Emancipation celebration immensely this year. I usually go to the National Park, but I did a bit more this year, including interacting with the African Royal delegation who came to Guyana to celebrate Emancipation with us.

It was an honour to witness the coronation of my friend Eric Phillips as the Chief under Her Royal Majesty, Queen Cynthia Khamulo- Mzilikazi III at the Royal Dinner at Ramada Princess Hotel. His new name is Siphosezulu, meaning “gift from heaven”. The new Chief was also instrumental in making this visit a reality. I am so proud of Dr Hilary Brown, who is now Queen Asianut Acom II  – Asianut means “Spirit of Kindness” and Acom means “Gentle Wisdom”. She was always a queen but now has the official title.

The visiting delegation included:
HRH Queen Ameenata Asaleh II, the Queen of Fulbe in Ashanti Ghana (Sarauniya) and an
Enstooled Queen in the Embo Kingdom. Her passion is to help the African continent develop modern farming, especially cattle ranching. She is also a strong advocate of human/women’s rights, girl-child education, equality, and equity in traditionally closed spaces. In her capacity as the Chairwoman of the Diaspora African Kingdoms Alliance (DAKA), for which she is also a Co-Founder, she leads the organisation in its mission to foster unity, cooperation, and self-determination among Continental and Diaspora African People. DAKA aims to be the voice of African Royalty in the Diaspora.

HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot, Emorimor Iteso is the King of the
Iteso Nation of East Africa. His Kingdom covers Uganda, Eastern
Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. He is the head of the
1,556 Tribes with a population of 17 million Ateker people across the
world who look upon him as their spiritual father. HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot served as the Prime Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) before he took over as the Chairman of the Tribal Council. He has also served as the Prime minister of ICU. HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot also served as the Trade and Communication Minister under Papa Emorimor Osuban. In his capacity as Chairman, he represents the interests of Ateker at home and in the Diaspora. He is a former Mayor of Tororo Town.

Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe Precious Nthibogelang was the youngest in the delegation and impressive. I listened to her share a few times, and she is a bright young lady. She is the daughter of the beautiful Queen Cyntia Puna Khumalo Mzilikazi III. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Analysis and Management and a BSc in Environmental Sciences. This intentional young lady has achieved a lot for her age. She is a former Model United Nations Debate team member to represent South Africa in New York (2004), a former panel member for the launch of the UNICEF: SOWC 2004, a former mentor for first-year students at the University of Pretoria, and Secretary and Founding Director for the Eagles Basketball Institute (EBI), a non-profit company for the development of the Youth through sport. These are just a few of her accomplishments.

Her Royal Highness Princess Tshepi Motloung. HRH Princess Tshepi is the Managing Director of Naledi Ya Tshepi (Pty) Ltd – offering
tailor-made business solutions. Driven by the passion for socio-economic development of marginalised communities, she founded FutureLift Foundation to focus on Community Development in both Rural and peri Urban.Philanthropy Chairperson Breakthrough Centre for Orphaned and Vulnerable. She is Vice President of the SADC AIDO Network International Focuses on the Development of Cultural
Heritage. AIDO has its presence in Cameroon, Ghana, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, Togo,UK, USA, and SA and focuses on the development of Cultural Heritage. AIDO has its presence in Cameroon, Ghana, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, Togo, UK, the, USA and South Africa. Interim Chief Executive Officer, Queen Manthatisi Culture & Heritage. It aims to Research, Document, and Preserve the Batlokoa Nation’s Culture and Heritage.

It was an absolute honour to have met them. The credentials are so many it would take a few of my columns to cover all. I also attended the Emancipation Dinner at State House and the celebration in the National Park.
I had many profound thoughts during this season and thought about meaningful quotes great men like Nelson Mandela shared like “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Let’s ponder on these words as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY