Pretoria -
President Jacob Zuma should consider appointing two traditional leaders to his Cabinet, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) said on Wednesday.
This decision was adopted at the organisation's national summit in Kempton Park, Contralesa official Zolani Mkiva said.
“(The) meeting called on President Zuma to urgently and seriously consider the appointment of at least two traditional leaders to his Cabinet in order to ensure that this sector, like others, is fairly represented in the executive.”
At the meeting, Contralesa also, among other things, voiced its long-held opposition to same-sex marriages. People attracted to partners of the same sex were urged to consult traditional healers, diviners, family and community elders.
It reiterated its support for polygamy.
“We fully support polygamy as one of our African marriage regimes, on condition that the man is capable of supporting all of his wives and children on an equal basis,” said Mkiva.
Contralesa leaders from all nine provinces attended the two-day conference. Its national executive resolved that land should be returned “to its rightful owners”. It believed that the best way to address the land question was state ownership on behalf of all people.
“The dependence by our people on social grants from the state is as unsustainable as it is undesirable. It takes away the people's dignity as human beings,” said Mkiva.
Contralesa was disturbed by the levels of poverty endured by mineworkers and people living in mining areas.
It raised concern about corruption in the public and private sectors.
“It results in failure by government to provide services as basic as the provision of water and electricity, the building of schools, clinics and passable roads in poor communities,” Mkiva said.
Contralesa urged the ANC's leaders to ensure the outcome of its Mangaung elective conference created “an environment necessary for unity, stability and continuity of all gains made in the new dispensation since 1994”.
Mkiva said Contralesa resolved to canvass for the election of a minimum of four traditional leaders, who were ANC members, to the party's national executive committee. - Sapa