Ramaphosa reaffirms role of traditional leaders, vows continued reforms

By Akani Nkuna

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the role of traditional leaders in South Africa’s constitutional democracy, saying kings, queens and traditional leaders remain central to community development and nation-building as government continues reforms to address the legacy of apartheid-era interference in traditional leadership structures.

“As much as we are a Republic where democracy thrives and leaders are elected to govern the country, we must respect traditional leadership. We must respect our Kings, Queens and other traditional leaders,” Ramaphosa said.

“As we do that, we will need to develop processes as well as the conditions for them to lead. Remember that apartheid contaminated kingship matters and abused our Kings by removing some and installing others. Now, we are streamlining everything.”

Ramaphosa was speaking on Monday at the ANC’s Chris Hani Region Volunteers Drive at the Qamata Great Palace in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape.

The programme forms part of the party’s