A Critical Discussion of the Law Regarding the Recognition of Traditional Leaders and the Role of the Royal Families in South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a16683

Keywords:

Traditional leadership, hereditary succession, royal family

Abstract

Traditional leadership is constitutionally entrenched in section 212 of the South African Constitution, 1996. As it is the oldest form of government in the country, there is always curiosity pertaining to matters of traditional leadership. The place of traditional leadership in a democracy, where leaders are elected, is also debatable. However, the recent events in traditional communities, including the death of certain notable traditional leaders and the legal tussles that engulfed their nations following their deaths, have sparked an interest in the law regarding the recognition of traditional leaders. This article, therefore, critically discusses the law regarding the appointment of traditional leaders. It discusses the statutory law and the customary law of hereditary succession, as well as the role of royal families in governance. It also considers some contentious issues, such as the succession of people born out of wedlock and of women into positions of traditional leadership.

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Author Biography

  • Siyabonga Sibisi, University of the Witwatersrand

    LLB LLM (UKZN), Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

References

Bibliography

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Black Administration Act 38 of 1927

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Proc 38 in GG 43981 of 11 December 2020

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Published

29-04-2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Sibisi, S. (2025). A Critical Discussion of the Law Regarding the Recognition of Traditional Leaders and the Role of the Royal Families in South Africa. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 28, (Published on 29 April 2025) pp 1-27. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a16683

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