Cogta MEC paves the way for pension fund and medical aid for Amakhosi
The pension fund will be administered by Standard Bank while Bonitas will manage the medical aid.
At a launch in Ulundi on Thursday, Buthelezi said the Amakhosi in the province had complained for years of not receiving proper funding and benefits.
'This initiative is going to bring back the dignity of Amakhosi who have been marginalised by the government for many years,' said Buthelezi.
He said he was aware his department would receive criticism from some quarters for wasting money on improving conditions for Amakhosi.
'I know many people are asking what is the job of Amakhosi in our communities and when we invest in them, they always accuse us of wasting money,' said Buthelezi.
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IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Amakhosi Legacy Plan rolls out medical aid and pension perks for traditional leaders
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, unveiled the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, where all KwaZulu-Natal Amakhosi will gain access to Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and investments. Image: Supplied In a landmark development for traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal, a new initiative aimed at uplifting Amakhosi was unveiled this week. The 'Amakhosi Legacy Plan' is set to transform the way traditional leaders function within society by prioritising their welfare with benefits akin to those enjoyed by Members of Parliament and Councillors. The launch was officiated by Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), who highlighted the significance of this initiative during a gathering at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. 'This initiative aims to provide Amakhosi with peace of mind, ensuring they can build a lasting legacy for their families and retire securely,' MEC Buthelezi stated, underlining the plan's focus on security and dignity for traditional leaders and their families. Under the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, all Amakhosi in the province will benefit from access to essential services including Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and various investment opportunities. This comprehensive programme is crafted to ensure that traditional leaders receive the necessary support throughout their lives, with a strong emphasis on providing security even after retirement. Buthelezi further mentioned that this ambitious programme is not just for the Amakhosi; the rollout will subsequently extend to Traditional Council Secretaries and Izinduna, thereby encompassing a broader spectrum of traditional leadership across KwaZulu-Natal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Chairperson for the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MEC on behalf of the Amakhosi. He described the unveiling of the Amakhosi Legacy Plan as a significant breakthrough for the community of traditional leaders, reflecting a noticeable change since Buthelezi's appointment. 'We have seen tangible improvements and a series of practical programmes aimed at uplifting and empowering Amakhosi,' he noted appreciatively. During the event, MEC Buthelezi also introduced representatives from Standard Bank, the financial institution facilitating these essential packages. He took the opportunity to thank the bank's management and staff for their commitment to developing suitable products tailored to the needs of the Amakhosi. In addition to this monumental plan, MEC Buthelezi concluded the meeting by distributing laptops, printers, and data cards to Amakhosi participating in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Programme. This educational initiative aims to enhance their skills in Leadership, Governance, and Administration—further empowering traditional leaders to fulfil their roles more effectively. IOL
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Cogta MEC paves the way for pension fund and medical aid for Amakhosi
KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has launched a pension fund and medical aid scheme for Amakhosi. The pension fund will be administered by Standard Bank while Bonitas will manage the medical aid. At a launch in Ulundi on Thursday, Buthelezi said the Amakhosi in the province had complained for years of not receiving proper funding and benefits. 'This initiative is going to bring back the dignity of Amakhosi who have been marginalised by the government for many years,' said Buthelezi. He said he was aware his department would receive criticism from some quarters for wasting money on improving conditions for Amakhosi. 'I know many people are asking what is the job of Amakhosi in our communities and when we invest in them, they always accuse us of wasting money,' said Buthelezi.
