HHOYI – A call to respect traditional leaders has been made by the MEC responsible for overseeing issues of traditional leaders in the province, Simon Skhosana.
“They should be respected, but they must first demand respect by respecting their people and communities, because it is a two-way street.
“Traditional leaders are our culture’s mobile museums and should be treasured and given the respect they deserve, regardless of their age or history,” called Skhosana.
Coming from one of the regions in Nkangala where the leaders and issues of tribal authorities and laws are still well respected and followed, Skhosana, known for his passion about issues in this respect, said government fully recognised traditional leaders and would continue to support them.
“They will always be relevant in our democracy and still have a big role to play.”
He was speaking during Inkosi Sandile Ngomane’s annual ummelo, held at Hhoyi’s Ngomane tribal kraal.
Addressing his people, Ngomane said, “Traditional leadership positions combined, go beyond the roles of our democratically appointed leaders in the provision of services and infrastructure. This is a fact that must be taken into account when creating policies that involve rural people.
Traditional leaders are not the product of a bygone era and often provide a complement, not a challenge, to our democratically elected representatives.
“Parents should maintain their positions in society and should enforce rules and not be apologetic about being strong willed. Young people today need a very strong hand that will help parents to create a better society and ultimately a better South Africa,” he said.
The Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, represented by its chairman, Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, said the world today had not been accommodating to traditional leaders and like Skhosana, appealed for respect and unity.
“They form a very strong and important foundation that should be praised and respected by our people. They played a major role in the fight against social injustices in the country and continue to do that in our democratic state.
“Today our fight may be different from that of the past, but we will nonetheless make our country a better one for future generations.
“It is in that vein that we would like to advise our children to stop these violent protests and the destruction of the infrastructure. We ask that they focus on peaceful solutions,” he appealed.
