The Royal family of eBuNguni announces a strategic shift towards community-focused initiatives, spearheading projects like the Inkosi Mfekaye Wetlands City amidst ongoing governance challenges
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The heads of the eBuNguni has announced a strategic shift toward community-focused initiatives while awaiting a certificate from the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) that would officially recognise the Royal Family of the eBuNguni Traditional Authority.
The application is currently awaiting a response from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
In light of the ongoing delay, the Royal Family has resolved to redirect its focus toward initiatives aimed at promoting community upliftment.
The Royal Council, together with iNkosi Phumlani kaMfeka, is dedicating its efforts to cultural and economic projects that highlight the heritage of the abeNguni people.
One of the key initiatives is the Inkosi Mfekaye Wetlands City project, which has already attracted interest from potential investors.
The project is intended to serve as a major driver of socio-economic transformation and empowerment within the region, and the royal family says it remains committed to pursuing its vision of shared prosperity despite bureaucratic hurdles.
With the Westernshores Community Trust leading these efforts, the royal family hopes to create an environment of growth and sustainability that respects and uplifts their cultural identity.
The trust’s role includes overseeing land claims and forms part of the Mfeka Family Trust.
According to the Royal Family, correspondence was sent to the Office of the Premier on November 5 thanking the office for its ongoing attention to the application for formal recognition.
“Despite the lack of communication from both the Office of the Premier and the KZN Department of COGTA, the Royal Family remains hopeful that the necessary procedures are being followed as prescribed by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019 and the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2005.
“This optimism reflects our enduring commitment to traditional governance within the community,” the royal family said in a statement.
While awaiting further communication from the Office of the Premier and the provincial COGTA department, the royal family said it remains firmly committed to advancing its community-oriented agenda.
The Royal Family indicated that it is prepared to provide any additional information required to expedite the finalisation of the application and hopes for a prompt and favourable outcome.
Responding to the family’s position, COGTA spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said individuals seeking recognition as traditional leaders must follow the appropriate legal process.
“Anyone who claims to be a traditional leader has to approach the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims. This is the platform on which such claims are ventilated,” Mzila said.
The commission — also known as the Nhlapo Commission — is a statutory body established under the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003 to investigate and resolve disputes concerning the legitimacy of traditional leaders.
Several attempts to obtain comment from the Premier’s spokesperson, Lindelani Mbatha, were unsuccessful.
DAILY NEWS