Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
02/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/20/2026 08:15
Parliament Statement on the Passing of Hosi Nwamitwa II
Parliament, Friday, 20 February 2026-The Presiding Officers of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa join the nation in mourning the passing of Hosi Phylia Tinyiko Lwandlamuni Nwamitwa II - a pioneering traditional leader, constitutional trailblazer and former Member of Parliament whose life embodied the struggle for dignity, equality and justice.
South Africa has lost not only a respected monarch of the Valoyi (Nwamitwa) traditional community near Tzaneen in Limpopo, but also one of the quiet architects of our democratic order. Hosi Nwamitwa II's ascension to the throne in 2008 followed a historic and protracted legal battle after the death of her father, Hosi Fofoza, in 1968. Because he had no son, it was assumed - under the apartheid-era male primogeniture rule - that his firstborn daughter could not inherit the throne.
She challenged this deeply entrenched patriarchal system.
In its landmark judgment of 4 June 2008, the Constitutional Court affirmed her rightful position as Senior Traditional Leader and confirmed that the Constitution restores the dignity and status of women as citizens equal to men. The ruling overturned the exclusionary interpretation of customary succession and aligned traditional leadership with constitutional values of equality and human dignity.
Through her courage, Hosi Nwamitwa II did not merely inherit a throne - she transformed South African jurisprudence. She rewrote the history of traditional leadership and helped dismantle institutional patriarchy within customary law. Her victory ensured that culture and tradition could evolve within the framework of constitutional democracy.
Her reign therefore became a living demonstration that tradition and constitutionalism are not in conflict, but mutually reinforcing when grounded in dignity and equality.
Before ascending to the throne, Hosi Nwamitwa II was part of the generation that shaped democratic South Africa.
She participated in the CODESA negotiations that ushered in the democratic dispensation and contributed to embedding the principles of a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. Her work helped ensure that the rights of women - in rural and urban communities alike - would be recognised as fundamental human rights.
She later served four terms as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly from 1994 to 2009. During this period, she was a committed advocate for women's empowerment, equality before the law and the oversight role of Parliament in protecting vulnerable communities. Her parliamentary contribution reflected her lifelong conviction that democracy must reach ordinary people - workers, rural communities, traditional societies and women whose voices had long been marginalised.
As Hosi from 2008 until her passing, she governed with humility and dignity. She was known as a mediator, educator and community builder who mobilised government, business, faith communities and civil society for development, education and social cohesion. Her leadership bridged two worlds: the constitutional state and traditional authority - demonstrating that both exist to serve the people.
Her life affirmed that leadership is not inherited privilege but public responsibility.
On behalf of Parliament, the Presiding Officers extend heartfelt condolences to the Nwamitwa Royal Family, the Valoyi (Nwamitwa) community, the people of Limpopo Province and the broader traditional leadership fraternity.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
South Africa has lost not only a respected monarch of the Valoyi (Nwamitwa) traditional community near Tzaneen in Limpopo, but also one of the quiet architects of our democratic order. Hosi Nwamitwa II's ascension to the throne in 2008 followed a historic and protracted legal battle after the death of her father, Hosi Fofoza, in 1968. Because he had no son, it was assumed - under the apartheid-era male primogeniture rule - that his firstborn daughter could not inherit the throne.
She challenged this deeply entrenched patriarchal system.
In its landmark judgment of 4 June 2008, the Constitutional Court affirmed her rightful position as Senior Traditional Leader and confirmed that the Constitution restores the dignity and status of women as citizens equal to men. The ruling overturned the exclusionary interpretation of customary succession and aligned traditional leadership with constitutional values of equality and human dignity.
Through her courage, Hosi Nwamitwa II did not merely inherit a throne - she transformed South African jurisprudence. She rewrote the history of traditional leadership and helped dismantle institutional patriarchy within customary law. Her victory ensured that culture and tradition could evolve within the framework of constitutional democracy.
Her reign therefore became a living demonstration that tradition and constitutionalism are not in conflict, but mutually reinforcing when grounded in dignity and equality.
Before ascending to the throne, Hosi Nwamitwa II was part of the generation that shaped democratic South Africa.
She participated in the CODESA negotiations that ushered in the democratic dispensation and contributed to embedding the principles of a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa. Her work helped ensure that the rights of women - in rural and urban communities alike - would be recognised as fundamental human rights.
She later served four terms as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly from 1994 to 2009. During this period, she was a committed advocate for women's empowerment, equality before the law and the oversight role of Parliament in protecting vulnerable communities. Her parliamentary contribution reflected her lifelong conviction that democracy must reach ordinary people - workers, rural communities, traditional societies and women whose voices had long been marginalised.
As Hosi from 2008 until her passing, she governed with humility and dignity. She was known as a mediator, educator and community builder who mobilised government, business, faith communities and civil society for development, education and social cohesion. Her leadership bridged two worlds: the constitutional state and traditional authority - demonstrating that both exist to serve the people.
Her life affirmed that leadership is not inherited privilege but public responsibility.
On behalf of Parliament, the Presiding Officers extend heartfelt condolences to the Nwamitwa Royal Family, the Valoyi (Nwamitwa) community, the people of Limpopo Province and the broader traditional leadership fraternity.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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