Traditional leaders on Wednesday rejected the government’s latest proposals on traditional leadership and accused the government of using them ”as instruments of control”.
”When you look at the White Paper (on Traditional Leadership and Governance) you see the role of traditional leaders (is) supportive in nature,” said Mpiyezinthombi Mzimela, chairman of the national House of Traditional Leaders.
”We should participate as equal partners with all statutory bodies.”
The white paper, a preliminary draft that precedes a piece of legislation, was adopted by the cabinet earlier this month. The new law will seek to define the role of traditional leadership and to transform it in line with the Constitution, government spokesmen have said recently.
The government was not keen to give traditional leaders a prominent role when dealing with social and development issues, Mzimela complained.
”The apartheid regime recognised that traditional leaders are capable of managing their own affairs, but (the apartheid government) was perverse.
”As a result of this historical injustice, traditional leaders have not been able to carry out their development programmes,” Mzimela said.
He was speaking at the opening of the annual conference of Traditional Leaders of Southern Africa.
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa was scheduled to address the opening of the annual conference at 10am, but by midday he had not arrived. – Sapa