Cape
23 October 2006
The Premier of the North West, Edna Molewa, and her Northern Cape
counterpart, Dipuo Peters, met traditional leaders in Kuruman today to brief
them about progress made regarding the incorporation of traditional leaders
from the North West to the Northern Cape.
The two Premiers briefed traditional leaders/ dikgosi about arrangements to
manage the transitional period as well as processes that would ensure a smooth
handover of traditional leaders/ dikgosi from the North West to the Northern
Cape.
The meeting is a sequel to the public undertakings made by the two
provincial governments to ensure that all critical stakeholders are briefed on
the processes as well as the implications of the abolition of cross-boundary
municipalities. The Kgalagadi and Frances Baard District Municipalities used to
straddle both the North West and Northern Cape provinces. Following the
demarcation process and legislative processes, the two District Municipalities
now fall under the Northern Cape. The constitutional amendment that gave effect
to the disestablishment of cross-boundary municipalities was passed in December
last year. The implication is that traditional leaders and their communities
have to be incorporated into the Northern Cape. The majority of these
traditional leaders are mostly from the North West and are situated in the
Moshaweng Local Municipality.
The North West Premier, Edna Molewa, informed traditional leaders that it
would not have been practical to implement transfer immediately. "It is not
possible to do a clean break. You need some transitional arrangements to ensure
smooth and proper hand-over because we are dealing with very complex issues
like staff, assets, systems and budget," said Molewa.
The Northern Cape does not yet have a unit responsible for managing issues
of traditional leadership. The Northern Cape will build the necessary capacity
in the office of the Premier by April 2007 to drive all matters relating to
traditional leadership. The North West has already made an undertaking to
assist the Northern Cape in this regard. Traditional leaders were reminded that
the spirit that guides the interaction between the two provinces on this and
other matters is that "we all belong to one country".
The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dipuo Peters, announced that the
provincial Executive Council has already adopted the Bill on Traditional
Leadership which will be presented to the Legislature in due course. "Once all
the necessary processes and systems have been put in place, the provincial
House of Traditional Leaders would be established," said Peters.
Traditional leaders thanked both Premiers and their respective provincial
governments for having addressed some of the uncertainties regarding the
implications of the new arrangement. They expressed satisfaction with the
progress registered thus far.
Enquires:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Issued by: North West and Northern Cape Provincial Governments
23 October 2006
