The appointment of Hosi T.L.P Nwamitwa II in 2002 was characterized by a struggle of succession to the throne. Customarily it was a taboo for a female to rule a clan. It was a prerogative of the male primogeniture. Court cases ensued and culminated at the Constitutional court in 2008 where the principles of human rights enshrined in the Constitution were observed and the rule of democracy was fulfilled. She became the first woman of the Vatsonga nation to become a ruler. A historic event indeed.
The Constitutional Court gave a ruling on Wednesday, 4th June 2008, that Tinyiko Lwandlamuni Phillia N’wamitwa is the Senior Traditional Leader / Hosi of the Valoyi (N’wamitwa) people of the community near Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Hosi N’wamitwa II is a South African woman, who has been going through a lengthy court challenges preferred against her by a member of the royal family, whose claim was mainly that she should not be allowed to reign because she is a woman.
This ruling upholds the decision of the royal family and people of N’wamitwa, further to strengthen the customary position that it is the royal family has the responsibility and authority to confirm Traditional leaders according to the Traditional customary rules of succession.
The ruling is a direct reversal of the Apartheid-created rule of male primogeniture in traditional leadership succession, which used to prescribe that only male descendants of Traditional leaders were entitled to inherit the throne of leadership, a practice which most of the Vatsonga / Machangana people embraced as a sacred position.
The ruling is a confirmation that our democracy restores the dignity and status of women as citizens of no less value to male citizens and affirms that our tradition is respected to the end.
Even before ascending the throne, Hosi N’wamitwa II was involved in many other non-governmental organizations specifically those involving women of all races in South Africa.
Educationally, Hosi N’wamitwa is a post graduate of the University of South Africa and a former Inspector of Education.
In the 1990’s she became involved in politics and took part in the multi-party negotiations at Kempton Park and eventually became an ANC member of Parliament for fifteen (15) years (1994 – 2009).
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