Video
Webinar: Traditional Leadership in South Africa’s Democratic Constitution
28 May 2026
Thirty years after South Africa adopted its democratic Constitution, some of its most difficult questions remain unanswered. One of these is the place of traditional leadership within a constitutional democracy – especially when it comes to land, accountability, and the lived experiences of rural communities.
Despite constitutional recognition, uncertainty about the role and powers of traditional authorities continues to shape how land is governed, how decisions are made, and how rights are experienced on the ground. These unresolved tensions have real consequences, from disputes over land and development to questions about democratic participation and human dignity.
To mark the Constitution’s 30th anniversary, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) hosted a public webinar that brought together critical voices to reflect on what remains unanswered, why it matters, and what must change in the years ahead.
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Mapungubwe landscape and artefact images courtesy of the University of Pretoria Museums and Africa Media Online