The election of Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of Bakgatla Ba-KgafelanTraditional Council as the Deputy President of the Congress of Traditional Leadership of South Africa (Contralesa) should be celebrated as a recognition of the potential and invaluable contribution that traditional leadership from the North West Province could make towards restoring the dignity of the institution of traditional leadership, Premier Thandi Modise said on Wednesday.
Premier Modise said that the election of Kgosi Pilane at the helm of Contralesa over the weekend follows the election of Kgosi Phopolo Pontsho Maubane from the province as the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leadership until August 2006.
"We wish to congratulate Kgosi Pilane and the leadership collective of the executive committee elected to serve with him and wish them the best in their mission to unite traditional leaders and restore the dignity of the institution of traditional leadership," said Premier Modise.
The Premier said that she is confident that Contralesa had made the right choice in electing Kgosi Setlamorago Thobejane to take the reins from the outgone President Advocate Patekile Holomisa who had served the organisation for 23 years.
"We concur with Contralesa that Kgosi Thobejane has the necessary skill and diverse experience to steer the ship as he had been instrumental in addressing challenges facing traditional institutions, initiation schools, language, culture as well as the preservation indigenous knowledge systems during his tenure as general secretary under Inkosi Holomisa," added Modise.
Other elected members who were elected into the Executive Committee are general secretary Xolile Ndevu, assistant general secretary Pinky Mota, treasurer Gambani Mabena and Zolani Mkiva as national organiser.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
