| | Colonialism heralded a transformation that saw (what is now) South Africa's indigenous leaders being subordinated to an alien state. This subordination was deepened by the system of separate development introduced after 1948, which divided Africans along ethnic lines and rendered chieftaincy increasingly dependent. It is therefore scarcely surprising that the advent of democracy has generated intense debate about the role that chiefs should play. This note will argue that traditional leaders should forgo involvement in politics in favour of playing an important cultural role in a democratic South Africa. |
