- The king says the African National Congress has ignored traditional leaders and let down rural communities.
- He says traditional leaders should lead councils and bring development to the Eastern Cape.
Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo wants traditional leaders to contest the next local government elections as independent candidates.
He says it is time for change because the African National Congress has failed rural communities and ignored traditional leaders.
“We are treated [like] foreigners and passers-by in our own land,” said Dalindyebo.
“It is high time that there is a paradigm shift in the political scene and governance in the Eastern Cape.”
He is calling on other traditional leaders to stand for election.
“We are sick and tired of the ANC. Traditional leaders must take centre stage and lead the municipal councils, and you will see that there will be development in our areas.”
Dalindyebo is not alone in this. He has joined forces with King Zanozuko Ndamase, who left the African National Congress to join the African Transformation Movement.
The two kings visited Hewu Great Place in Flagstaff this week. There, they showed their support for Zanozuko Sigcau as the rightful king of AmaMpondo AseQawukeni and spoke about the need for traditional leaders to stand as independent candidates in the next elections.
Dalindyebo says traditional leaders are open to working with any political party.
AbaThembu royal spokesperson Prince Siphelele Mtirara says this move will not cause conflict with the African National Congress or any other party.
“We will, as traditional leaders, work with all political parties, including the ANC, if such political parties are willing to work with us,” said Mtirara.
He said the idea first came up when Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema visited Dalindyebo in Mthatha earlier this month.
Pictured above: King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo with the EFF’s Marshall Dlamini during a recent visit. Image source: Economic Freedom Fighters
