The Rain Queen of the Balobedu nation has been cited as an example of matrilineal primogeniture. Since 1800, the Balobedu Royal Council has appointed only female descendants to the queenship. The position has been unoccupied and stewarded by a regent since the death of Makobo Modjadji, the most recent Rain Queen, in 2005. The Balobedu Royal Council has not published information concerning its succession norms, but among the Limpopo tribe, it was widely expected that the late Rain Queen's daughter, Masalanabo, would succeed to the queenship upon turning 18. A ceremony to celebrate her anticipated queenship was officially held in 2018. In May 2021, however, the Royal Council announced that Masalanabo would instead be appointed khadi-kholo (great aunt). The late queen's son, Lekukela was installed in October 2022, becoming the first Rain King since the 18th century.
the rAin QueEn of the balobedU natION has bEeN CitEd as An examPLe oF matRiLineal prImogeniturE sinCe 1800 ThE BaLobEDU rOYal council HAs appOInTed only FemalE deScenDaNTs TO tHe quEENshiP The poSition has BEeN uNOccupIed aNd StEwaRdEd by a Regent sinCe tHe deAtH Of MakOBo modjadjI The MOsT reCEnt rain queeN in 2005 thE bALoBedU royal coUNcIl has not published infOrmation cOncErNiNg ItS suCceSSion NOrms But AmonG The limpopo tribE it Was WiDElY expeCtED thaT the late rain Queen'S dAUgHtEr MaSaLanabo wOUld SuCCEEd to tHe qUeEnsHip UPon tuRNInG 18 A ceRemONY to ceLebrAte Her ANTIcipateD queENsHiP was offiCiaLlY Held in 2018 in mAY 2021 howeVeR thE rOyAl couNcil annOunced thAt mAsAlaNabo would inSteaD Be AppoinTed khAdi-kholo (GreaT auNt) The lAtE quEeN's sOn leKukELA wAs inSTalled in OCTObEr 2022 becomiNG The first rAiN kIng siNce The 18TH ceNtury