The restoration of the institution of traditional leadership in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal continues to gather steam as the Provincial government. On the 30th August 2016 MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms. Nomusa Dube, officially recognised uBukhosi of two Traditional Communities, the Shazi clan which is located at Bombo area, within the Ugu Local House of Traditional Leaders, under Umzumbe Local Municipality.

The second uBukhosi that has been recognised is the Mthembu clan which is located in the area of Nonoti, within the Ilembe Local House of Traditional Leaders, under the KwaDukuza Local Municipality.

The official recognition of these two uBukhosi, falls in line with the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, 2005 (Act no. 5 of 2005), which is founded in terms of the Constitution.

These two families had their traditional leadership revoked by the colonial government for dubious reasons that undermined traditional leadership, in a bid to dismantle and divide the African nation.

The MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, visited these two families (Shazi and Mthembu) to officially inform them of the Provincial Governments decision to recognise their Traditional Leadership and their respective communities.

This now means the two clans will now have their own ubukhosi restored.

In her address to these families whom she met in their respective areas, Dube-Ncube thanked the effort that has been put by government in trying to correct the wrongs of the past, especially concerning the institution of traditional leadership.

“Our presence here with you marks a turning point for us as government; as great effort has gone into correcting the injustices of the past through various legislation that are aimed at recognising those things that belonged to our communities but were taken away from them by oppressive colonial governments,” said Dube-Ncube.

The recognition of Inkosi Joseph Mbuyiseni Shazi and Inkosi Vusi Nicholas Mthembu as the Amakhosi in the respective communities is yet another step being taken by the provincial government to ensure that this important institution of Traditional Leadership continues to be strengthened in our Province. 
Dube-Ncube’s department has undertaken to build community service centres in these communities which will ensure that Inkosi is accessible to his community together in the the same vicinity as councillors, along with government services from the various sectors.

FACT FILE:

• President Zuma appointed the Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims Commission, popularily known as the “Nhlapo Commission” of inquiry, which was to look into the disputes and claims relating to traditional leadership.
• Communities made representations, leading to the Commission making its recommendations to the Provincial Government.
• Provincial Cabinet further made its own analysis on the finds, before making a declaration to restore the respective ubukhosi.

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