New traditional leader welcomed

Eastern Cape traditional leaders have welcomed the appointment of Nkosi Thandabantu Ntabozuko Gwebindlala as the new deputy director-general for the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs.

His appointment was announced by Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa at the Eastern Cape traditional leaders summit at the Mpekweni Beach Resort near Port Alfred last week.

Gwebindlala, born in Elliotdale and of the AmaBomvana nation, has about 20 years’ experience as a senior government administrator in both the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. He has not yet ruled his traditional community, but his mother, Nkosikazi Nobangile Gwebindlala, has been acting for him since 1979.

Xasa said Gwebindlala’s appointment had nothing to do with him being of royal blood. “We appointed a capable, knowledgeable and dedicated civil servant. Gwebindlala has a good track record as government administrator,” said Xasa.

Gwebindlala is one of the young traditional leaders who benefited from the Nelson Mandela quest to academically equip traditional leaders in SA and fund their studies. His appointment has been applauded by leaders of both the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) and the Eastern Cape Houses of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL).

The chairperson of Contralesa and ECHTL, Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana, said: “We’re very pleased with the appointment of Ntabozuko [Gwebindlala’s praise name]. As traditional leaders we always believed our affairs can be best administered by one of our own.”