South Africa has announced the abolition of six of its thirteen kingdoms. President Jacob Zuma says they are relics from the Apartheid regime. The successors of the six kings and queens will only be recognised as principal traditional leaders.  

The decision comes after six years of research into the traditional monarchies. According to President Zuma some of them were used by the former Apartheid regime to keep the black population divided among itself. The regime propped up existing political structures in exchange for their support to the government.

Bantustans
The white rulers created nominally independent homelands for various black ethnic groups, the so-called Bantustans - and instated their rulers, but these ‘countries’ were never recognised by any other state. The Bantustans were abolished after the end of Apartheid in 1994.

The six monarchies which are to disappear are not accused of collaborating with the Apartheid regime. Mr Zuma says the move is intended to “Reduce historical tensions between rival leaders”. And it is also an austerity measure: each monarch receives an annual allowance from the state.

Ceremonial
Today’s monarchs have a purely ceremonial role and hold no political power whatsoever. The monarchies which will continue to exist include Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu, who jointly represent the two largest population groups in the country.

King Zwelithini is known for the annual Reed Dance festival, in which thousands of Zulu virgins collect reeds from the river bank and in a long procession present the freshly cut reeds to the king; an event which each September results in many lovely snapshots.

Secession
King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu-clan will also be allowed to stay on his throne. Last year, he caused quite a stir when he called on about half the country – including Johannesburg - to secede from the rest of South Africa.

He made his appeal after he was sentenced to 15 years in jail for involuntary manslaughter, arson and acts of violence. The king has appealed against his sentence. His appeal for secession was ignored by most.