Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
national house of traditional leaderslatest news & developments
Anyone can be accused of witchery, but older women in South Africa’s rural areas are the most common victims. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Perils of missing teeth and wrinkles: Will a new law curb witch hunts?

In some rural communities of South Africa, physical signs of ageing such as wrinkled skin and yellowing eyes are taken to mean that person is a witch

Villagers and outsiders welcome returning initiates to Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. (Ayanda Nqeketo)

AmaXhosa of Matatiele say yes to ‘safe’ initiation

Young initiates avoid medical complications thanks to a blend of cultural tradition with health and safety practices

Leaders voice concern at pace of land restitution

The manner and speed in which land restitution claims were being processed remained a concern, the National House of Traditional Leaders said.

What’s wrong with the Traditional Courts Bill

Customary courts are valuable institutions. They provide millions of South Africans access to justice they would not otherwise have. They are more accessible and affordable than…

Mbeki: SA needs to address issue of xenophobia

South Africa needs to address the issue of xenophobia, President Thabo Mbeki said on Wednesday in the National House of Traditional Leaders in Pretoria. ”Much has been mentioned…

Custom allows miniskirts, say traditional leaders

Custom and ethnicity allow young women to wear miniskirts, the National House of Traditional Leaders said on Wednesday in reaction to a recent attack on a woman wearing a short…

Mbeki: Govt committed to role of traditional leaders

The government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the role of traditional leaders in South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday. Addressing the opening…