Reconciliation is a buzzword that has been bandied about in South Africa for decades.
We've had the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was an attempt to deal with the atrocities of the apartheid era, and we've had the so-called "rainbow nation" ideal, which was meant to symbolize the unity of all South Africans.
But has reconciliation really been achieved? Or is it still a work in progress?
The case of King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu nation is a complex one that raises important questions about reconciliation.
On the one hand, Dalindyebo is a convicted criminal who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault, and arson.
On the other hand, he is also a traditional leader who has a large following among his people.
The question is: can a convicted criminal be a legitimate traditional leader? Or is there a line that cannot be crossed?
The ANC has a long history of working with traditional leaders.
In fact, the ANC was instrumental in the establishment of the Ingonyama Trust, which is a body that administers land on behalf of traditional leaders.
However, the ANC's relationship with traditional leaders has not always been smooth.
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of traditional leaders being accused of corruption and human rights abuses.
The case of King Dalindyebo is a particularly difficult one for the ANC, as he is a member of the party.
The ANC has condemned Dalindyebo's actions, but it has also said that it respects the traditional authority of the AbaThembu people.
This raises the question of whether the ANC is putting reconciliation ahead of justice.
Ultimately, the question of whether King Dalindyebo can be a legitimate traditional leader is a complex one that has no easy answers.
The ANC will have to weigh the need for justice against the need for reconciliation.
It is a difficult balancing act, but it is one that the ANC must get right if it is to truly achieve reconciliation in South Africa.
As for King Dalindyebo himself, he has said that he is "a man of peace" and that he wants to "work with the government to build a better future for all South Africans."
Whether or not he can be a force for good remains to be seen.
But one thing is for sure: the case of King Dalindyebo is a reminder that reconciliation is not a simple process.
It is a journey that will take time, effort, and compromise.
But it is a journey that is worth taking.
Because in the end, reconciliation is the only way to build a truly just and equitable society.