The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has hailed the week-long capacity-building workshop for Amakhosi aimed at strengthening their understanding and implementation of the Traditional Courts Act, No. 9 of 2022.
The workshop, organised by the Department in partnership with the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI), took place at The Balmoral Hotel in Durban and was attended by 56 Amakhosi. The programme provided a crucial platform for dialogue and training on the new legislation, which gives constitutional recognition to traditional courts and brings them in line with democratic values.
Speaking at the session, MEC Buthelezi emphasised the significance of the Traditional Courts Act in affirming indigenous justice systems while aligning them with the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
“The Traditional Courts Act represents a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen traditional justice systems,” said Reverend Buthelezi. “It ensures that traditional courts operate in a manner that upholds our constitutional principles of human dignity, equality, and respect for human rights.
This training is a constitutional responsibility and is also mandated by provincial legislation, including the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, No. 5 of 2005.”
The MEC highlighted that the new legislation moves away from outdated colonial and apartheid-era laws. “This Act provides a modern and equitable framework that respects our customs while protecting the rights of all citizens. Amakhosi are not only cultural leaders but also vital figures in community dispute resolution. This training empowers them with the necessary tools to perform their roles with confidence and integrity.”
The workshop was further enriched by the presence of prominent legal and judicial experts. Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo, the former Acting Judge President of KwaZulu-Natal, delivered a keynote address on the synergy between traditional leadership and the law. The training was also attended by chief magistrates from Pietermaritzburg and Durban, along with their Eastern Cape counterparts, who were present to benchmark the province’s approach to implementing the Act.
Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, a Member of the National Portfolio Committee for CoGTA, also lauded the Department’s initiative, calling the training an essential step towards empowering the institution of traditional leadership within the province.
The Department of CoGTA reaffirms its commitment to supporting traditional leaders and ensuring that customary law continues to play a meaningful role in delivering justice at a community level, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
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