This is what kings, queens and traditional leaders get paid in South Africa in 2024

By Government Staff Writer

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially declared the salaries and allowances of traditional leaders and members of traditional houses for 2024.

According to the recommendations, traditional leaders and members of traditional houses will receive a 2.5% remuneration increase.

This will take a king or queen’s salary up to just under R1.4 million a year.

The Department of Traditional Affairs is responsible for overseeing traditional affairs and supporting the development of traditional communities in South Africa.

The South African government said the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) seeks to promote the role of traditional leadership within the country and act as an advisory board to the national government.

There are provincial houses of traditional leaders in seven provinces in South Africa, in addition to the national house – including in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the North West.

Traditional leaders are typically more involved on a very local level, specifically in the strategy for rural development, with several pieces of legislation in place to ensure their necessary contribution to societal progress.

Traditional councils can further be involved in development matters and are allowed to enter into partnerships and service-delivery agreements with the government in all spheres.

South Africa’s latest gazetted remuneration covers a wide range of roles varied between full and part-time positions in both national and provincial houses of traditional leaders.

Recognised kings and queens are permitted to collect an annual salary as determined by the president and based on recommendations by the Independent Commission for Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.

Note: NHTL = National House of Traditional Leaders | PHTL = Provincial House of Traditional Leaders

Part-time members are also allowed to be paid sitting allowances ranging from R1,415 to R2,028 per sitting.

In addition to the sitting allowances, part-time members are also entitled to their salaries as traditional leaders as well as subsistence costs, transport costs and for their attendance to official meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences.

A King’s salary

South Africa has eight officially recognised kings, who all draw the top salaries for traditional leaders, along with the other benefits that come with the title.

Fringe benefits are typically given to all traditional leaders by their respective provincial governments.

However, there is no specific information available on the benefits each province provides to their kings as this differs from province to province.

In 2010, the South African government only recognised six official kings in the country. All other kingships are expected to end with the passing of their incumbent rulers, with successors being recognised by relevant premiers as “principal traditional leaders” (earning salaries of close to R1.3 million).

The current rulers are:

• King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has been recognised as the king of the amaZulu Kingship.
• King Vulikhaya kaXolilizwe is the current king of the amaXhosa people.
• King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi is the reigning king of the AbaThembu kingdom.
• King Enock Makhosoke II Mabhena is the reigning king of the amaNdebele nation.

There are two succession battles ongoing:

• Late King Thulare Victor Thulare was the king of the BaPedi kingdom. He passed in 2021 due to complications with Covid-19. A succession battle is happening in the courts and within the royal family involving the late king’s mother and his son.
• Late King Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau was the king of the amaMpondo kingdom. He passed in 2022 following a period of illness. Depending on the outcome of a years-long succession battle, also in the courts, between his son and his daughter, the kingdom may have a king or queen.

This is how a king’s salary has changed over the last nine years.