In an effort to elevate the status of AmaKhosi that are based in the uMzimkhulu area (which, until recently, fell outside of KwaZulu-Natal borders), the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal has embarked on a process of assisting these traditional leaders to reclaim their correct traditional status and be on par with all other AmaKhosi in KwaZulu-Natal.
Today, Thursday 3 November 2011, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Hon Nomusa Dube, has met with 10 traditional leaders from the Umzimkhulu area. The objective of the meeting was to explain to these esteemed traditional leaders the re-evaluation process and its vision in terms of the Constitution of the Republic.
Given that the uMzimkhulu area previously fell under the Eastern Cape until March 2006 when it was incorporated into KwaZulu-Natal in terms of the erstwhile redetermination of municipal boundaries, the objective now is to ensure that the traditional leadership of uMzimkhulu stands in alignment with, and is elevated where applicable to the same status as, that of all amakhosi of KwaZulu-Natal and that all of these amakhosi are functioning on the basis of the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act number 5 of 2005.
“For instance, you will find that some of the traditional leaders in uMzimkhulu were appointed under the former Transkei laws as headman or headwomen or chairpersons, which does not apply in terms of the afore-said KwaZulu-Natal Act. But after they will have made these representations, one might in fact qualify to become a fully fledged inkosi.
This has implications on the remuneration they receive, among other things privileges. We are opening up an opportunity for all these traditional leaders to make new applications to re-enforce their status,” says MEC Dube.
“This process will, in addition, help eradicate any potential disputes as well as ensure that due status and dignity is afforded to each traditional leader,” the MEC says.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Government continues to work towards full democratisation, strengthening and supporting of the Institution of Traditional Leadership in the province, in keeping with the Constitution of the democratic Republic of South Africa and related legislative framework, both at national and provincial levels of government.”
Enquiries:
Vernon Mchunu
Cell: 082 474 1882
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
New bid to elevate status of uMzimkhulu AmaKhosi
Province
