The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The civil rights organisation AfriForum and the office of iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla today signed a historic mutual recognition and cooperation agreement. iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla is the iNkosi of the AmaBhele kaJamangile traditional community.

This follows after AfriForum and the office of iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla agreed to cooperate in agricultural development and establish a recognition and cooperation agreement during a meeting at Mqokolweni Great Place near Maclear (Nqanqarhu) in the Eastern Cape in December 2021.

“The signing of this agreement is an important step towards developing a sustainable, empowered and prosperous community through the implementation of developmental projects that will benefit the community at large,” says iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla.

“This agreement is a historic step in achieving our vision of creating a future where Afrikaners can continue living meaningfully and peacefully with other communities based on mutual recognition and respect. This step contributes to a future where generations of all cultural communities can live permanently free, safe and prosperous lives at the southern tip of Africa,” says Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum.

The aim of the agreement is to establish and maintain a lasting relationship to promote economic, social and cultural development that may include the following:

cooperation in agricultural development

• promotion of intercultural reconciliation and dialogue
• promotion of community self-sufficiency and self-management
• preservation and safeguarding of cultural identity and heritage
• promotion of mother tongue education
• protection of property rights

The following principles form the basis of the agreement:

• mutual recognition and respect
• peaceful co-existence
• acceptance of each other’s identity, permanency and existence as autonomous cultural communities
• the prerogative of cultural communities to govern their own affairs and establish and maintain their own institutions without interference from the state or any other entity
• respect for the diversity of governing institutions, customs and practices, including those relating to land-use and land-ownership
• freedom of religion and religious and cultural practices

“When studying our history, one discovers that we had ancestors who understood that good relationships between cultural communities are a prerequisite for long-term prosperity. In the forging and formalisation of this relationship, we are drawing from this experience. We believe that the future generations of our communities will thrive if we apply wisdom and cooperate on matters of mutual interest and mutual concern,” says Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Cooperation at AfriForum.

“The signing of this agreement is an important building block in the process of realising our vision to build self-sufficient communities that are accountable to each other whilst prioritising food security and rural development,” says iNkosazana Bhelekazi Mabandla, Head of Royal Diplomatic Services of the Jamangile kaMabandla Royal Family.

Issued AfriForum