The Role of Women in Traditional Leadership with Special Reference to the Valoyi Tribe

Abstract The social history of life in South Africa depicts women as victims of various kinds of abuse, namely, verbal, emotional, physical and psychological. Women experience abuse at the hands of their partners, employers and tribesmen. They are abused racially, culturally and economically. The male-dominated culture and systems of traditional leadership constitute gender oppression. The inclusion of women in traditional leadership structures should not be seen in the context of transforming the institution of traditional leadership but the development of customary law in line with the Constitution.The aim of this article is to show that women are equally capable of ascending the throne of power by becoming leaders of their respective tribes. With the advent of democracy, the traditional authorities have the authority to develop customary law to uphold the principle of equality, which is enshrined in the Constitution.