Update: Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB)

The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) was passed by the National Assembly on 26 February 2019 with amendments proposed by the National Council of Provinces. The Bill will now be sent to the President to sign into law.  The TKLB will replace the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act and the National House of Traditional Leaders Act and will give overdue recognition to the Khoi and San communities.  However, this Bill also poses a serious threat to rural democracy for South Africa’s rural citizens in the former Bantustans. The TKLB will give traditional leaders undemocratic powers that are undue both in terms of customary law and the Constitution and will affect over 17 million people that live in the former Bantustans. Clause 24 of the Bill will allow traditional councils to enter into partnerships or agreements with third parties without obtaining the consent of the community whose land rights will be affected by such deals. This poses a serious danger to citizenship and property rights of those living in rural areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders.

Please join the Stop the Bantustans Bill Campaign to stop the TKLB from becoming law by signing the petition at https://stopthebantustanbills.org