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University of Fort Hare news

University of Fort HareRef: https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/ufh-faculty-of-law-and-traditional-leadership-join-forces-to-shape-the-future-of-african-customary-law

Official source

Source domain: ufh.ac.za

Collected on 29 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 29 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This is a news article from the University of Fort Hare (UFH) about a joint initiative between UFH’s Faculty of Law and the Xhosa Royal House to consolidate and reform African Customary Law in South Africa. It describes a roundtable held at the Idutywa Traditional Authority on 23 July, involving academics, historians, traditional leaders, and community members, and outlines plans to prepare a framework document and conduct data collection across the province. The article also discusses issues to be addressed, including the relationship between customary law and the Constitution, curriculum transformation, academic freedom, and matters such as land, equality, initiation practices, and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act.

Facts

Reference

https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/ufh-faculty-of-law-and-traditional-leadership-join-forces-to-shape-the-future-of-african-customary-law

Key Takeaways

  • University of Fort Hare Faculty of Law and Xhosa Royal House initiative
  • Roundtable held at Idutywa Traditional Authority
  • Date of roundtable: Thursday, 23 July
  • Article date: July 29, 2026
  • About 46 graduates deployed to collect data across the province
  • Framework document already prepared detailing steps
  • Customary Law colloquium held in 2025
  • Further issues: Constitution vs customary law, curriculum/syllabus/source-based content, academic freedom
  • Further issues: powers of ward councillors vs traditional leaders, land ownership, equality, initiation practices, Recognition of Customary Marriages Act
  • King Bangilizwe Sigcawu wants other universities and a national platform for kings
  • University of Fort Hare (UFH)
  • Faculty of Law, University of Fort Hare
  • Xhosa Royal House
  • Idutywa Traditional Authority
  • Prof Mzukisi Njontini
  • Prof Nomthandazo Ntlama
  • King Bangilizwe Sigcawu
  • Nkosi Ngwenyathi Dumalisile
  • amaJingqi

Dates

Closing Date

29 July 2026