Makuleke community in mourning after losing leader

Hosi Makuleke passes on.

One of the most well-known traditional leaders Hosi Joas Makuleke has passed on. His son Humphrey Mugakula Makuleke confirmed his father’s death. “He passed on at Polokwane Medi-Clinic last night,” said Humphrey Makuleke. He said that royal family was saddened by the traditional leader’s passing. He said funeral arrangements would be made in due course.

He was the leader of the Makuleke community that was forcibly removed from their ancestral land to make was for the Kruger National Park. The community later achieved a land restitution breakthrough when they won back their land Now they are co-managing the returned land with the park something that has economic spin offs for the community.

The Makuleke community which is based at the Collins Chabane Local Municipality and is bordering on the world renowned Kruger National Park is also known for its unique wetlands. Makuleke has the first Ramsar site owned and co-managed by the community in the world.