ISSUES IN FOCUS - Traditional leaders

The ACDP supports the institution of traditional leadership and their system of government for the rural areas provided that the system does not violate our Christian values.

We do so because we share certain fundamental values. Together we believe in the promotion of traditional family values, culture, social coherence and national identity. However, we disagree with the institution in some respects, for example where the institution denies women a right to succession and property rights.

The ACDP believe that when the institution is intact we will hear less of crime in the rural areas. We will hear less of housebreakings, thefts, murders and rapes that have become so prevalent in these areas.

We cannot as we often do, talk about the need to promote the use of indigenous knowledge, arts and culture, promotion of African languages and cultural tourism and at the same time destroy or undermine an institution that is the custodian and reservoir of these values.

The ACDP has called for the freedom of the institution from government control that has marred it since colonial times and apartheid. This democratic government must refrain from following the ugly path of the past governments of manipulating the institution for party political purposes.

The ACDP calls for a complete restoration of the institution because of its inherent value to the lives of many South Africans.

Lastly we call upon the traditional leaders themselves to desist from participating in party politics whilst at the same time serving as traditional leaders as this dual role in our view is repugnant to the duty of traditional leaders of uniting their subjects.
http://www.acdp.org.za/index.php?page=issue2