Induna Mafiko makes history with recent appointment
The tribal authority is recognised by the government and Mafiko is very involved in social development.
Mafiko Lembede, 54, is not only a dress designer, interior decorator and caterer, she is also the first female to be appointed as an induna in the history of InKosi Nathi Maphumulo’s clan.
As a mother of three and excelling in a male-dominated society, Mafiko is a perfect example to profile this Women’s Month. She was appointed to head the Mdumezulu area in March 2018 after Induna Walter Makhanya was shot dead in 2011.
“I was on the council and I know everything about tribal law, so the inKosi appointed me. My colleagues accept and support my appointment, but my community hasn’t yet. It doesn’t stop me from doing my work. I want to develop co-ops and our schools. I was born to be a leader.”
Mafiko received a honorary doctorate on 26 November and a honorary professorship on 6 July in theology. She is currently studying leadership skills and has been hailed for her role in various local school governing bodies and her bold, impartial, selfless leadership role.
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She was born in the Mdumezulu area and in the early 1980s when there was no tribal court established yet, joined the development committee. She then worked as a traditional counsellor and for the previous induna. She has been worked for the clan for over 30 years and six years at the tribal court.
She only presides over cases on a Tuesday, which frees up her time to pursue her other business interests. “The inKosi has appointed a security officer in each village. For serious offences such as rape and murder, we inform the police and once a police case is opened we, as the tribal authority, are hands off and we let the police do their work. The police respect our authority and we work closely with all the police stations in the area.”
The tribal authority is recognised by the government and Mafiko is very involved social development, which she is passionate about, and she has been assigned a social worker to assist her.
Something else she is passionate about is being a mother to Ndumiso, 37, Bongekile, 29, and Sasol, 20, who she proudly brags to the SUN is a top soccer player plying his trade in the Eastern Cape.
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She lost her partner many years ago, before they were married and she has never married. “It was so hard being a working mother. I work hard and I would get home so tired, it was an effort to still interact with my children.
I am also a mother to everyone. I do everything I can to assist where I can, from arranging wheelchairs for the disabled to assisting with applications for grants. Poverty is a huge concern in our area, but we are helping where we can.
I am supported by the local government and the municipality, but not enough. We face many challenges, such as resources like tractors and seed for our co-ops. Our sports facilities also need improving.”
Mafiko said she has never felt threatened by being a woman in a power role in a male-dominated society, and everyone at the tribal court respects her authority.
“I have been blessed with five grandchildren, but I have been working so hard that I have yet to see the latest addition to our family, a little boy who was born in Cape Town recently. I don’t remember when last I took a holiday, but I think I need to make time to go and visit my new grandchild soon.”
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