Law Academic Presents Research at Customary Law Symposium

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UKZN School of Law academic and Constitutional Law Expert, Professor Nomthandazo Ntlama, presented a paper at the National Symposium on Customary Law the symposium was hosted by Envision International in Pretoria.

The Conference themed: “Developing, Strengthening and Harmonizing Traditional and Modern Institutions and Law”, attracted researchers, academics and representatives of non-governmental organisations who engaged on issues involving customary law.

Ntlama’s paper titled: “The National House of Traditional Leaders Act 22 of 2009 and its Implications for the Institution of Traditional Leadership”, examined the impact of the Act on the functioning of the House of Traditional Leadership.

‘The paper established that although at face value the institution appears to have been granted its autonomous status as a legitimate institution in the regulation of traditional authority, its functioning is subject to micro-management by the Executive because its hierarchical structure has been relegated to the sphere of minimal significance,’ said Ntlama.

Ntlama said participating at the Conference and exchanging knowledge with participants had given her valuable insights.

‘This was a great opportunity to interact with participants not from the academia but other respective fields as it created a platform for constructive criticism and engagement, particularly on the continued remote-controlling of the institution under the name of democracy,’ she added

Thandiwe Jumo