HHOYI – A call to respect traditional leaders has been made by the MEC responsible for overseeing issues of traditional leaders in the province, Mr Simon Skhosana.
“Traditional leaders should be respected, but they must first demand respect by respecting their people and communities, because respect 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 traditional leaders and issues of tribal authorities and laws are still well respected and followed, Skhosana, known for his passion about issues of traditional leaders said government respects and fully recognises traditional leaders and will continue to support them.
“The local government will continue to serve and support local people through traditional leaders, because we know that they (traditional leaders) will always be relevant in our democracy and still have a big role to play in our democratic state,” went on Skhosana.
He was speaking during the Inkosi Sandile Ngomane’s annual Ummelo, held at Hhoyi’s Ngomane’s tribal kraal.
Addressing his people, Ngomane had this to say, “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 polices that involve rural people. Traditional leaders are not the product of a by-gone 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. The young people today need a very strong hand that will help parents to create a better society and ultimately create a better South Africa,” he said.
The provincial house of Traditional Leaders, represented by its chairperson, Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, said the world today hasn’t been accommodating to traditional leaders and just like Skhosana, appealed for respect and unity.
“Traditional leaders form a very strong and important foundation that should be praised and worshipped by our people. Traditional leaders 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 are none-the-less continuing to fight a different fight that will make our country a better one for our future generations. It is in thats breath that we would like to advise our children to stop these violent protests and destroying of their infrastructure.We ask that they focus on peaceful solutions,” appealed Mokoena.
