Amakhosi are still relevant – Cebekhulu
Cebekhulu said he was disturbed by those who continue questioning the relevance of traditional leaders in a democratic dispensation.
TRADITIONAL leaders remain the cornerstone of any rural development, and their role and impact in the community cannot be questioned.
This was the feeling of the Head of Obizo Traditional Authority, iNkosi Nsikayezwe Cebekhulu.
He was speaking during the budget presentation of Umbele Development Savings Trust, held last week at Ngwelezane Hall.
Cebekhulu, who is also the Member of the National Assembly said he was disturbed by those who continue questioning the relevance of traditional leaders in a democratic dispensation.
‘As amaKhosi we are still and will always be relevant in our communities whether there are municipal councillors working in our area of jurisdiction or not. What is good about us is that when we talk about development we mean it. We don’t talk about development only to be elected into positions.
‘Today’s event bears testimony of what traditional leaders can do in their quest to unlocking rural development in their communities. It is initiatives such as these that make amaKhosi special.
‘Traditional leaders have demonstrated that they were no longer spectators, but were participants in the fight against unemployment, inequality and poverty. We are confronting these challenges head on,’ he said.
A budget of R450 000 was presented to nine traditional authorities serving under the auspices of Umbele and each traditional authority will receive R50 000 to be used for developmental projects.
They are Ubuka, Obizo, Somopho, Mambuka, Bhejane, Sokhulu, Mhlana, Mbonambi, and Mpukunyoni.
Presenting the budget, Chairperson of Umbele, iNkosi Phiwayinkosi Biyela said he was happy to see his organisation growing and making a difference in people’s lives.
‘The money we are presenting today is part of the incentives we get from bus companies operating in our rural communities. This money must be used to better the lives of our people. We also need to encourage our communities to practice both domestic and commercial farming to completely eradicate poverty,’ he said.
According to Tom Buthelezi, Manager of Umbele, the organisation has since its inception in 2007 assisted rural youth to pursue their tertiary education.
‘The organisation has also been building drought maintaining dams, gardens and has provided water tanks to the needy,’ he said.
The event was also addressed by uThungulu District Municipality Exco Councillor Dr Bhekisisa Mthethwa and uThungulu Community Foundation (UCF) Chief Executive Officer Chris Mkhize.
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