Female amakhosi say they are here to stay despite prejudice
Just 16% of KwaZulu-Natal chiefs are women but they are clearing paths for those to follow
Every Tuesday, Inkosi Thembekile Cele holds court in rural Izingolweni, in the south of KwaZulu-Natal, surrounded by her cabinet and presiding over disputes among her subjects. She became a chief after her husband, Chief Khandalesizwe Cele, passed away eight years ago. Their son and heir to the throne, Simphiwe, was only 12 years old when his father died and was, therefore, too young to take the reins of power. The cases she presides over range from domestic violence, territorial disputes, and accusations of cattle and stock theft, to claims of witchcraft. KwaZulu-Natal has 264 chiefs, and 37 of them — about 16% of the total — are women. Inkosi Cele is one of these female traditional leaders who are breaking the bonds of tradition and taking control of their people’s future. The family decided to appoint Cele to take over as a regent until her son comes of age. She is due to hand over power at the end of 2018. The past eight years have been an eye-opener and a challenge for her, she...
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