Former President Jacob Zuma called for a radical shift in South Africa’s governance structure during a recent gathering at his Nkandla homestead in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Zuma passionately advocated for the abolition of the existing “western” judicial system and the establishment of a constitutional framework that would restore and elevate the authority of traditional leaders, known as amakhosi. Expressing his views to traditional leaders and members of the All African Alliance Movement (AAAM), Zuma criticized the historical impact of colonialism on traditional leadership and suggested a return to a system where amakhosi hold sovereign authority with central executive powers.

Zuma argued that amakhosi ruled the land peacefully until the colonial period, asserting that colonizers understood traditional leaders as the rightful “owners” of the land. According to Zuma, the confiscation of land during colonization stripped amakhosi of their power and authority. He lamented the imposition of Roman-Dutch law, which, in his view, marginalized traditional leaders and handed over control to white men and a select group of politicians.

“When we got our freedom, we should have taken back the land and reinstalled the authority of traditional leadership like in other countries where there are amakhosi as heads of state and a government that serves under them,” Zuma declared.

He emphasized that amakhosi should have the final say on matters affecting their communities, expressing disappointment that they are often not consulted when new laws are passed in parliament.

Zuma also criticized the proliferation of small political parties among black communities, arguing that this was a deliberate strategy by white individuals to divide black votes. He contended that true unity among black citizens could be a potent force for change and progress. Despite endorsing the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Zuma questioned the formation of numerous small parties, suggesting they perpetuated division and weakened the collective strength of the majority.

In a pointed critique of current President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma called for the ability to remove a president before the end of their term if they fail to satisfy the public. He urged an end to the limit on the number of terms a president can serve, asserting that the focus should be on performance rather than fixed terms. Zuma used the Phala Phala saga as an example, suggesting that Ramaphosa’s alleged wrongdoings were being shielded by his party and the judiciary.

“Why keep someone who is failing us? We have to replace him now. We are poor, unemployed, and living in darkness [but] we’re holding on to the Roman-Dutch law that says he must finish his term,” Zuma argued.

Jacob Zuma’s recent call for the overhaul of South Africa’s judicial system and the empowerment of traditional leaders has sparked significant debate. While some view his proposals as a necessary return to indigenous governance, others express concerns about potential implications for democracy and the rule of law. As the nation prepares for upcoming elections, Zuma’s influence and the resonance of his ideas among traditional leaders may shape the discourse around South Africa’s future governance structure. The tension between modern democratic principles and the desire to restore traditional authority remains a complex issue that warrants careful consideration and further public discourse.