MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in Mpumalanga, Mr Mandla Msibi has reiterated the department’s position that the appointment of a Chief is a priviledge reserved for royal families and not government. Mr Msibi was addressing a meeting with members of the Siboshwa royal family in Malelane. The meeting is part of Mr Msibi’s commitment made during the Department’s Policy and Budget speech last month to implement the resolutions of the Provincial Committee on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims.
The committee submitted a report with recommendations following extensive consultations with affected royal families plagued by disputes and claims. Mr Msibi appealed to the members of the Siboshwa royal family to meet and appoint a successor to the late Chief Shushu Ngomane of Kamaqhekeza. He said a certificate of recognition will be issued subsequently. “Our responsibility as Cogta is to implement the recommendations of the committee. The first step is to inform the families about the recommendations and allow them to meet and to decide on who the successor should be. The next step is for members of the inner royal family to take a final decision and submit the name to the government for a certificate of recognition to be issued,” Mr Msibi said.
He expressed confidence that members of the Siboshwa royal family will co-operate with each other and support the outcome of their decision moving forward. The MEC is expected to visit other affected royal families for the same objective soon as part of a support to the institution of traditional leadership in Mpumalanga.
Ends.
Issued by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Contact Person: Mr George Mthethwa
Contact Numbers: 013 766 6572 / 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
Facebook: @mpucogta
Twitter: @cogtamp