Ainslie, Andrew, and Thembela Kepe. “Understanding the resurgence of traditional authorities in post-apartheid South Africa.” Journal of Southern African Studies 42, no. 1 (2016): 19-33.

The article explores the changing status of traditional authorities in the Eastern Cape Province over the 20 years since 1994. It also examines the resurgence of the chiefs in relation to the consolidation of democratic processes and of emergent, neo-patrimonial modes of government. It briefly considers the role of traditional authorities in three key and closely related spheres, namely the institution of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, the question of how gender is handled by and within traditional institutions, and the continuing challenges of land administration and development in rural areas. Ainsile and Kepe conclude that in all these spheres, and in the face of real opposition, the voice and influence of traditional authorities have emerged stronger than ever. The authors suggest that, as traditional authorities are drawn deeper into governance and have to play a formal role in addressing a myriad of institutional challenges, new questions should be asked about the status and influence of traditional authorities, and their substantive contribution to democracy in South Africa.