President Jacob Zuma on Saturday paid tribute to the former chairman of the National House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Impiyezintombi Mzimela, who died on Christmas day.
“On behalf of government and all the people of South Africa, we would like to convey our deepest words of condolence to the family, ubuKhosi bonke bakwaMzimela and the entire traditional leadership in our country for the loss of this leader.
“May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma said in a statement.
Mzimela died after having been hospitalised for the last few weeks.
On Friday, the Inkatha Freedom Party said Mzimela had fought to defend the role of traditional leaders within the government structures.
IFP chairman Blessed Gwala also said that Mzimela had served as a member of the KZN provincial legislature as well as a school principal.
KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Friday said that Mzimela was a man of integrity who helped develop institutions of traditional leadership in post-apartheid South Africa. SAPA
1 comment
It is a sad loss for his family and friends. However, the institution of the House of Traditional Leaders forces those who pay taxes to fund the tribal structures of post-Apartheid South Africa. Traditional leaders should be funded by the private money of those who follow them. The same applies to the traditional leaders of Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, football clubs and other social structures. They are a drain on the Treasury and should be axed from government funding. The money could be better spent on education, health, transport etc.