Democracy Compromised: Chiefs and the Politics of the Land in South Africa

Democracy Compromised is about traditional authorities (chiefs of various ranks) in a democracy. The book addresses mainly two integrally related questions. First, how despite their role in the apartheid state, traditional authorities have not only survived, but have won unprecedented powers in rural governance in South Africa's democracy, and, secondly, how they derive their authority. It argues that chieftaincy has always been contested and that it has throughout its history since the advent of colonialism been dependent on the support of the state. The role of traditional authorities in the land allocation process is central to our understanding, not only of their survival, but on how they derived their authority. The book will be of particular interest to academics, researchers, students, activists and policy makers.

This book argues that the promulgation of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework and Communal Land Rights Acts runs the risk of compromising South Africa's democracy. The acts establish traditional councils with land administration powers. These structures are dominated by unelected members.