A Limpopo chief, Fhulumani Kutama, was elected unopposed on Thursday as chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders.
He replaces Mpiyezintombi Mzimela, who left the post after the dissolution of the house of traditional leaders in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Kutama, a Venda speaker, was previously deputy chairperson of the house, and had been acting chairperson.
In a statement issued shortly after his election, Kutama committed himself to leading the house ”in a manner that will promote the transformation of the institution of the traditional leadership”.
He said he will also ensure that houses of traditional leaders participate actively in governance, including influencing municipal government ”processes” like ward committees.
African culture will be promoted by ensuring custom and culture are treated with respect ”and not commercialise[d] or used wrongly, like the initiation custom”.
The National House of Traditional Leaders said last week it would appoint a four-member task team to get ”first-hand information” on ongoing problems with traditional circumcision ceremonies.
The resolution followed the deaths of several youths and the hospitalising of dozens more in the Eastern Cape over the past few weeks.
The national house held a major conference, at a reported cost of about R1-million, on circumcision in 2004.
It proposed uniform provincial legislation on circumcision — the Eastern Cape and Limpopo both have circumcision Acts — as well as national legislation. — Sapa