Inkosi Shinga named provincial chairperson
Umzumbe's Inkosi Rubert Sifiso Shinga was elected and sworn in in Durban last week.
The election of Inkosi Rubert Sifiso Shinga of Umzumbe as the new chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, was welcomed by many.
Inkosi Shinga who took over from Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza was elected and sworn in, in Durban last week. The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Deputy Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, Justice Thoba Poyo-Dhlwathi.
The newly elected chairperson thanked amakhosi for bestowing confidence and faith in him and his new leadership collective. Inkosi Shinga called on amakhosi to unite in the common pursuit of interests that are at the heart of the communities they lead. “This election is very humbling, as amakhosi, you have entrusted us with serving amakhosi and the interest of our communities” said Shinga.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Martin Meyer, welcomed the election of Inkosi Shinga as the provincial chairperson.
Meyer said the DA recognises and respects the role and importance of traditional leaders in the province.
He added that the party also understands that traditional leadership plays a critical role in the fight against social ills as well as working hand-in-hand with local government to provide service delivery in rural communities.
“The DA in KZN congratulates Inkosi Shinga and the entire new structure and wishes them well in their new responsibilities. The DA is willing to work together with all legitimate leadership structures in our society to ensure that the lives of our people are improved,” said Meyer.
Congratulating the new leadership, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said the Constitution placed importance and dignity on traditional leaders which apartheid never did.
Zikalala added that the elections were a testament to the fact that democracy is alive and well within the institution of traditional leadership in the province.
The Premier said Chapter 12 of the Constitution of South Africa signed into law in 1996 spells out the role and importance of traditional leadership.
“Informed by the supreme law of the land, the National Framework Act on Traditional Leadership and Governance Act was promulgated in 2003. This legislation was the bedrock on which the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act no 5 of 2005 is founded,” said Zikalala.
He added that they recently witnessed the process of re-establishment of the House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in the province in line with the law. Zikalala said the process is part of the journey to restore the legitimacy of the institution of traditional leaders enjoyed prior to the distortions introduced by colonial and apartheid regimes.
“One cannot over-emphasize the importance of this institution in social cohesion and nation building. We look up to it to provide leadership in uniting the people of KwaZulu-Natal, deepening peace, fighting social ills, and defeating the shameful scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. We must also work together to address the rife killing of traditional leaders, amakhosi and izinduna. We will continue working with the newly constituted House to ensure that all planned interventions are continued until perpetrators are arrested” said Zikalala.
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