Amakhosi Legacy Plan rolls out medical aid and pension perks for traditional leaders
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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Public Service Commission expands its mandate to local government
Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi says the Public Service Commission will work to institutionalise core values in local government by promoting ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and enhanced service delivery. Image: Supplied Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi has outlined the process to be followed by the Public Service Commission to extend its mandate to the local government sphere. This occurs as the Public Service Commission Amendment Bill is being processed in Parliament. 'Over the next two and a half years, the Public Service Commission will work to institutionalise core values in local government, promoting ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and enhanced service delivery. "By the end of the seventh administration, we expect to have made significant progress in institutionalising these values across all spheres of government, including state-owned entities,' Buthelezi said. The Public Service Amendment Bill was first introduced in Parliament in October 2023 and lapsed at the end of the sixth administration in May 2024. It was revived at the start of this administration in July 2024 and was referred to the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee. The amendment bill has since been passed by the National Assembly in March and was transmitted to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. Buthelezi said the recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Amendment Bill by the National Assembly marked a significant milestone in their commitment to strengthening the role of the commission in affirming its independence as a vital constitutional safeguard for promoting an ethical value system and good governance. 'The bill aims to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it establishes a secretariat for the commission, enabling it to function as an independent and impartial constitutional body. This enhancement will support the commission in effectively fulfilling its mandate across the entire public administration, including local government and public entities,' he said. Buthelezi also said the bill sought to improve the efficiency and impact of the commission by legally obligating Members of the Executive to act on the recommendations the commission issued after conducting investigations. 'This measure is key as we collectively build a capable, ethical, and developmental state where accountability is the standard for all of us.' Buthelezi said they were strengthening the role of the Public Service Commission in the appointment of key people such as directors-general, deputy directors-general, CEOs of state-owned entities, board members, and other senior positions. 'The Public Service Commission has established a preliminary database of technical experts to participate in high-level selection committees for appointing top executives in the public sector. This database will be refined further, and a Good Practice Guide for Executive Recruitment will be developed.' He also said the progress made with the processing of the bill so far was a significant step towards the achievement of the objectives as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address.


The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga ANC mourns DD Mabuza's passing: ‘A great tree has fallen'
The Mpumalanga ANC spokesperson, Sasekani Manzini, said members were shocked by the unexpected news of the passing of the former deputy president, David Dabede Mabuza. He passed away on Thursday, July 3. Manzini added that Mabuza's death reminded them of the words of the first president of the ANC Youth League, Cde Anton Lembede, who said: 'No man outside the lunatic asylum can shamelessly maintain that present leaders are immortal. They must, when the hour strikes, inexorably bow down to fate and die, for, there's no armour against fate. Death lays his icy hands on kings.' ALSO READ: David Mabuza's death a blow to nation, Mpumalanga 'We are struggling, because we are acutely aware that Mabuza did not fear death. He demonstrated this fearlessness when he joined the Azanian Student Organisation in his youth, later serving as its secretary from 1984 to 1985 – during an era when death was often the price that activists paid. 'He was committed to social justice and firmly believed that education is one of the most valuable tools to achieve it. He pursued education as a career, obtaining a National Teachers' Diploma in 1985, after which he became a mathematics teacher and later, a school principal,' Manzini said. According to Manzini, Mabuza's commitment to improving access to and the quality of education extended far beyond the classroom. He served as: • Co-ordinator of the National Education Crisis Committee (1987-1989), • Chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa (1986-1988), • Treasurer of the Foundation for Education with Production (1986-1990), and • Chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (1988-1991). He also served as Mpumalanga's first MEC of education in post-apartheid South Africa, and later formed a foundation that helped many underprivileged learners gain access to higher education. ALSO READ: Department intensifies measures to address labour unrest in Nkomazi 'The ANC in Mpumalanga says, 'uwile umuthi omkhulu' – another great tree has fallen! We appreciate the immeasurable contribution that Mabuza made in building a better life for all, especially here in Mpumalanga.' He played an integral role in the machinery of South Africa's democratic government, serving in multiple capacities: • MEC for housing (1999-2001), • Member of Parliament (2001-2004), • Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature (2004-2007), • Deputy chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga (2005-2008), • MEC for roads and transport (2007-2008), • MEC for agriculture and land administration (2008-2009), • Chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga (2008-2017), • Premier of Mpumalanga (2009-2018), • Deputy president of the ANC (2017-2022), and • Member of the ANC's National Executive Committee from 2007 onwards. 'Mabuza earned his seat among the great galaxy of ANC leaders who did all in their power to ensure the party remains a dominant political force in South Africa. He earned this through service,' Manzini concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Mabuza's final farewell: Memorial arrangements underway
Memorial arrangements are yet to be announced following the death of former Deputy President David Mabuza. Condolences have poured in for the former Premier and Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Mpumalanga. Mabuza passed away after a short illness at a Johannesburg hospital on Thursday, 3 July. President Cyril Ramaphosa is among those who have expressed sadness at the news. He extended his condolences to Mabuza's family, friends, and the people of Mpumalanga. Ramaphosa said Mabuza deserves recognition for his deep commitment to the liberation struggle. 'We are saddened today by the loss of a leader who was grounded in activism at the early stages of his political career and who came to lead our nation and shape South Africa's engagement with our continental compatriots and the international community,' said the president. Ramaphosa said that details regarding the official honours with which the country will pay its final respects to Mabuza are still to be announced. According to the Presidency's Official Funeral Policy Manual, a State Funeral Category 2 is designated for former Deputy Presidents. The manual also states that the National Flag shall fly at half-mast throughout the country until the evening of the burial or cremation. Mabuza's political journey began at an early age. He served as secretary of the Azanian Students' Organisation and was later elected chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa. He also served as co-ordinator of the National Education Crisis Committee and chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union. Mabuza's political home remained the African National Congress (ANC). During his tenure as the country's deputy president, he chaired the cabinet committees on governance, state capacity and institutional development, as well as justice, crime prevention and security. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news