SA to lose 6 apartheid 'royals'

2010-07-29 19:08

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday that South Africa would recognise only half of the nation's traditional kings and queens, in a bid to "correct the wrongs of the past".

The announcement came after a six-year government study into the traditional monarchies, some created by the white-minority apartheid regime as a "divide and conquer" strategy to weaken black leaders.

Seven of the 13 kingships were approved. The other six will end when the incumbent ruler dies, Zuma told reporters.

"The apartheid regime created its own traditional leadership at the expense of authentic leadership in some communities," Zuma said.

"It was how those in charge divided and disunited people," he said. "We urge all communities to accept the findings in the spirit of correcting the wrongs of the past, and as part of the country's nation-building efforts.

Traditional leaders have little real political power, but can act as arbitrators in local disputes and remain important cultural figures.

The decision left in place the Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu of the Xhosa and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, representing South Africa's two biggest ethnic groups.

The successors of the six kingships which will cease to exist when the current ruler dies will be recognised as lower-ranking traditional leaders.

Zuma stressed that the six were not accused of being apartheid collaborators, but said the decision was meant to defuse historical tensions among rival leaders.

"The finding must help all affected communities to begin the path of acceptance, healing and reconciliation," Zuma said.

"We have always been able to find ways of resolving issues, and of accepting even the most difficult of solutions for the good of the country," he said. "We must face the truth, even if it is uncomfortable, and move forward."

- AFP