Question NW1681 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
12 September 2016 - NW1681
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether his department recognises the Ndebele amaNzunza as a (a) tribe and/or (b) nation; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) Whether his department recognises that there is a difference between the Ndebele Manala and amaNzunza cultural groups; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Why is the Ndebele amaNzunza not recognised as a kingdom by the Government?
Reply:
- Yes, the government recognised the Ndebele amaNzunza as a kingship community (traditional community) and not a nation. The Department acknowledge the people of South Africa as a Nation composed of different communities including amaNzunza. AmaNzunza have their recognised senior traditional leaders who are under their king. AmaNzunza as a community separate from any other community were in existence for over five hundred years and have been recognised as such.
- Yes, the government does recognise that there are differences between amaNzunza and amaNala. The two are not cultural groups but communities, any cultural groups from each will depict the community thus there will be a difference. The Honourable Member is requested to note that each community has its own king and follows their own customs and customary laws and their traditions differ like initiation schools differ in terms of regiments naming and the number of regiments, lobola cattle etc.
- The Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 (Act No. 41 of 2003) does not make provisions for the recognition of kingdoms in the Republic of South Africa. The Act makes provision for the recognition of kingships and kings of which amaNzunza have been recognised as such.