In his address at the Gala dinner to honour the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL), which was held at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town on 1 November 2012, Minister Baloyi re-affirmed a need for traditional leaders to have a voice on issues of governance in all spheres of government.
The speech
It has indeed been a splendid first day of November for us who have been bestowed with the responsibility of re-affirming the place and role of traditional leadership in our democracy. The Supreme Being and the powers of nature also gave us a sunny day, thereby affording us an opportunity of celebrating the opening of the House with fanfare. We take this opportunity to thank the President, Dr JG Zuma, for a profound message and marching line that he has today articulated for us.
I have no doubt in my mind that we now know what has to be done in clearing the cobwebs that may still be on our paths as we reposition the institution of traditional leadership for the future ahead. The President has indeed, once again reiterated the age-old tradition of the ruling party, the African National Congress, that recognises, supports and respects traditional leadership.
The ANC is committed to protecting and promoting the institution of traditional leadership as the foundation of our society and the bedrock upon which our democracy stands and is rising, characterised by the world acclaimed separations of Powers.
The characteristics of humility, respect for human rights, collective leadership, accommodation for alternative views and plurality of ideas are some of the positive attributes we inherited from the institution of traditional leadership.
We continue to cherish these values that have been bequeathed to us by our forebears.
The ANC takes the debate to National Conference, What are the issues:
Need for greater clarity with the ANC on the role of Traditional Leadership and the absence of a Commission discussing a paper on traditional affairs, Current System of Communal Land Administration needs to change, Relations between Councillors and Traditional Leaders need to be improve, and L&G and Commission for Religious and Traditional Affairs (CRATA) to meet soon to take issues to conference
Monnasetulo le Batlhomphegi botlhe,
We have today opened the House, during the November month, when most or all other institutions are preparing for closing of business for their festive seasonal break. Many people are wondering as to whether this means that their traditional leaders will remain in their offices during Christmas and the end of the year’s festivities, and begin the year whilst others end theirs.
The entire Houses’ programmes must with immediate effect from January 2013 be aligned with those of Parliament, the provincial legislatures and our municipalities respectively. The need for synergy and synchronisation of our intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance cannot be over emphasised.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims (CTLDC) remains seized with attending to the claims and disputes that were lodged with the Nhlapo Commission. We have to date finalised 26 claims for kingships, out of the over one hundred of the recommended cases
I will be embarking on provincial visits to personally interact directly with all claimants.
This I want to do in order to collectively with the affected claimants chart a common way forward as we reintegrate communities, reconcile the historical rivalries and heal the wounds caused by clan and family feuds over who is the rightful heir to the throne.
Government will assist those whose claims have succeeded to settle in their thrones, and we will defend the decisions of the commission in the courts and elsewhere. In the same vein, we call upon those found not entitled to the throne not to dig their heels in denialism. As we are confident that Commission headed by Ntate Tolo will complete the remaining claims. We are aware of the “Merry-go-round” in the courts of law that delayed the finalisation of Nhlapho cases.
Mutshamiwaxitulu,
The process of developing legislation to formally redefine, locate and affirm the traditional institutions of the Khoi-San communities is at an advanced stage. The Traditional Affairs Bill (TAB) has now been through major government processes and will soon be open for scrutiny by the entire South African public. We will in the meantime be interacting with the Khoi-San through the National Khoi-San Council (NKC) as a coordinating body for these communities.
Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen,
Two statements from President today:
Voices of Traditional Leaders to be heard at all spheres and Traditional Leaders to take resolutions and forward them to Government
I wish you well, and may there be more rains and prosperity for all your people. Have a merry and joyous evening. May you have safe journeys back to your homes.
Our Africanness is our home address
I thank you! Bayede! Pula!
