TheCongress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) is a South African non-governmental pressure group which was formed in 1987 by some of the traditional leaders of the homeland ofKwaNdebele, with the support of theUnited Democratic Front and theAfrican National Congress. Contralesa helped to form the anti-apartheid front in the homelands, and continues to advocate greater rights for traditional leaders in the country in the post-apartheid era.

It also participates in both national and provincial traditional leaders' gatherings to garner support for legislation from non-Contralesa members.

Contralesa has frequently taken a stance against the recognition of LGBT rights.^[1]

Contralesa members criticised LGBT rights advocate groups for criticising Zulu traditional kingGoodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, and contended that the translation by the journalist recording the statements was inaccurate.^[2]

In 2012, Contralesa, through the NHTL, filed a draft document calling for the removal of LGBT rights from theConstitution of South Africa. The group submitted a proposal to the Constitutional Review Committee of the National Assembly to amend section 9 of the Constitution; the committee, at the time, was chaired bySango Patekile Holomisa MP, who is also president of Contralesa. Holomisa made comments pursuant to Contralesa's attempt.

Contralesa and Holomisa's comments were criticized by theDemocratic Alliance^[3] and constitutional law scholarPierre de Vos.^[4]

• National House of Traditional Leaders

• Contralesa

• Civic and political organisations of South Africa

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata