“Respect or Recklessness?”: DA and IFP Split Over Pension Plan for KZN Traditional Leaders

Politics, Tradition and the Price of Honour: KZN Parties Divided Over Amakhosi Pension Fund

KwaZulu-Natal’s new government of provincial unity has hit its first big moral and financial test and it’s not over infrastructure or tenders, but how the province treats its traditional leaders in their old age.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has officially secured approval for the first-ever pension and medical fund tailored for Amakhosi, the hereditary custodians of community leadership.

But while the IFP is celebrating it as justice long overdue, the DA is sounding the alarm, arguing that honouring traditional leaders without financial planning is irresponsible.

CoGTA Calls It a “Historic Milestone”

According to CoGTA, all regulatory hurdles have been cleared, with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) granting formal approval for the fund.

The Amakhosi Legacy Plan includes:

• Retirement savings fund

• Comprehensive medical cover

• Partnership with a commercial bank for sustainability

MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi described it as an act of justice and dignity:

“This is a tangible expression of our respect. Traditional leaders have served our communities for generations, we must ensure their welfare beyond active service.”

DA: “How Can You Fund Pensions When Municipalities Can’t Deliver Water?”

DA MPL and CoGTA portfolio chair Marlaine Nair didn’t dispute the importance of caring for Amakhosi but questioned the timing and financing behind it.

In a sharply worded statement, she reminded the public that:

• CoGTA recently lost its clean audit

• Creditors are unpaid

• Municipal service delivery across KZN is collapsing

“We are constantly told there’s no budget to fix water, electricity or roads. But suddenly there is money for a new pension scheme?”
Marlaine Nair

She warned that without a clear funding model, the province risks repeating past mistakes, referring to how traditional leadership salaries were once an “unfunded mandate” later rescued by Treasury.

IFP Fires Back: “If Politicians Get Benefits, Why Not Amakhosi?”

The IFP, historically aligned with traditional leadership structures, swiftly distanced itself from Nair’s remarks.

In its statement, the party made its position clear:

“If MPs, councillors and mayors get pensions and medical aid, there is no justification to deny the same to Amakhosi.”

To them, this is not just about budgets, it’s about respect.

More Than a Budget Issue, It’s a Cultural Reckoning

This clash reveals a deeper question South Africa has yet to answer:

How do we fairly compensate traditional authority structures in a modern democracy, without breaking municipal budgets?

Traditional leaders still command loyalty in many rural communities. They settle disputes, manage land, and preserve cultural continuity. Yet unlike elected politicians, many retire with nothing.

But critics warn:

“Symbolic justice cannot come at the expense of functional governance. People can’t eat cultural pride.”

What Happens Next?

The portfolio committee plans to challenge the MEC directly, demanding:

• Full financial breakdown of the fund

• Clarity on whether Treasury or CoGTA will foot the long-term bill

• Assurance that service delivery won’t be sacrificed

Until then, the pension fund is both a victory and a gamble.

{Source: IOL}

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