By: Zethu Gweva
The opening address of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders took place at Bhisho on Thursday to discourse the significance of peace amidst kings.
Talking about what gives royalty an appealing image, Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana said the government used to elect kings instead of the traditional council then came to a consensus that kings are for the people.
“We have agreed with government that the proper structure which has the powers to designate a king are people from the royal family,” said Nonkonyana.
He added that if there is a feud amongst the royal family after the king dies, an intervention from external bodies would be pivotal in resolving such matters.
Nonkonyana expounded that the traditional council has been attending a number of court cases which has given kings a bad name. He made an example of one of their Kings, Nkosi Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo who is currently incarcerated.
“We can not talk about things that concern chieftaincy with the government if we are quarrelling between ourselves, because if we fight amongst ourselves there will be no progress,” he said.
As the country approaches the fourth industrial revolution, Nonkonyana said chieftaincy will have to still be in existence, he added that they have sent 20 kings to the University of Fort Hare where they are being taught about leadership skills.
“Although we have sent 20 kings to university it is not enough. We want the programme to continue, because chieftaincy is the only thing that is going to secure our people’s freedom in South Africa and what better way of doing it, if not through educating our leaders,” said Nonkonyana.
Nonkonyana pleaded with all royal families to avoid feuds amongst themselves and cases that lead to court.