URGENT PETITION FOR PROVINCIAL INTERVENTION

To:
The Honourable Mr Thami Ntuli
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
Office of the Premier
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

Date: 15 September 2026

RE: URGENT REQUEST FOR PROVINCIAL INTERVENTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED RENAMING OF NKANDLA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Honourable Premier,

We, Ubukhosi Bakwa-Shezi eNkandla, under the leadership of Inkosi Bhekisabelo Shezi, respectfully submit this urgent petition concerning the proposed renaming of Nkandla Local Municipality to:

«“INKOSI BHEKIZWE BIYELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.”»

Following extensive consultation with isizwe and amakhosi of the amaChube nation nationwide, Inkosi Bhekisabelo Shezi formally objects to the proposed name.

This matter raises serious concerns regarding historical identity, cultural heritage, traditional leadership, meaningful consultation and social cohesion. We therefore request urgent provincial intervention before the dispute escalates into unnecessary tension between traditional leadership structures and affected communities.

1. HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE CONCERN

Nkandla holds profound historical and cultural significance for the amaChube nation and emaChubeni akwa-Shezi, including its historical association with Inkosi uSigananda kaZokufa Shezi.

The area has also historically provided refuge to various communities during periods of traditional conflict and the apartheid era. Its heritage therefore extends beyond its present administrative boundaries.

We are concerned that adopting a municipal name which fails to adequately recognise this history could contribute to the dilution or marginalisation of amaChube's historical identity, particularly for future generations.

Our objection is therefore fundamentally about the preservation of historical integrity, cultural dignity and indigenous heritage.

2. TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL COHESION

We are further concerned that adopting the proposed name without sufficiently inclusive consultation could create the perception that the historical identity of one traditional leadership structure is being elevated above others within Nkandla.

This may generate unnecessary tension between traditional leaders and communities and undermine longstanding peaceful relations.

We raise this concern strictly as a preventative warning and not as a threat. Our objective is to prevent conflict through early, responsible and lawful intervention.

3. REQUEST FOR URGENT PROVINCIAL INTERVENTION

We respectfully request that Your Honourable Office facilitate a fair, transparent and inclusive process before any final decision is taken.

We specifically request that the Office of the Premier:

1. Formally acknowledge and record this petition and objection;
2. Facilitate an urgent meeting between the Provincial Government, Nkandla Local Municipality, affected traditional leaders and amaChube representatives;
3. Ensure that the extensive consultations with isizwe and amakhosi of the amaChube nation are formally considered;
4. Encourage, where legally permissible, the deferral of any irreversible finalisation of the proposed name until substantive objections have been properly considered;
5. Facilitate a comprehensive historical and heritage assessment of both the proposed name and counter-proposal;
6. Ensure meaningful consultation with all affected traditional leadership structures and communities;
7. Assess the potential implications for traditional relations, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence; and
8. Provide a written response setting out the Provincial Government's intended intervention.

4. FORMAL COUNTER-PROPOSAL

We place before the Provincial Government the following formal counter-proposal:

«“INKOSI USIGANANDA KAZOKUFA SHEZI-EMACHUBENI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.”»

We respectfully request that this proposal receive full historical, cultural and legal consideration as part of the official naming process.

5. APPEAL FOR PREVENTATIVE INTERVENTION

Honourable Premier, we approach your Office before tensions escalate because we believe that timely provincial leadership can prevent unnecessary confrontation.

We do not seek to diminish the history or dignity of any other traditional leader or community. We seek a process that is fair, historically informed, inclusive and respectful of all affected communities.

The historical significance of Nkandla warrants a process that protects its heritage while maintaining peaceful relations between its traditional communities.

6. CONCLUSION

Inkosi Bhekisabelo Shezi and the amaChube community remain committed to a peaceful, lawful and dignified resolution.

We therefore respectfully request your urgent intervention and engagement to ensure that the proposed renaming process is conducted with due regard to:

historical integrity;
traditional dignity;
community participation;
cultural heritage; and
social cohesion.

We respectfully request an urgent written response and engagement with the affected traditional leadership and community representatives.

Yours faithfully,

INKOSI BHEKISABELO SHEZI
For and on behalf of
UBUKHOSI BAKWA-SHEZI eNKANDLA
emaChubeni akwa-Shezi

Attachments:

1. Formal Objection and Counter-Proposal dated 10 September 2026
2. Supporting historical and heritage material
3. Evidence of consultation with isizwe and amakhosi
4. Community representations/petition
5. Proposed counter-name documentationThis is now more suitable as a cover petition to the Premier, with the longer formal objection serving as the principal supporting document.