E Molewa at opening of House of Traditional Leaders

4 April 2006

The Premier of North West Edna Molewa says she is pleased to note that the
transformation of the traditional leadership in the Province is continuing
apace with the recently passed legislation, allowing for 40% of traditional
councils to be democratically elected as well as the requirement that 1/3 of
these be women.

Premier Molewa was addressing the House of Traditional Leaders during its
official opening on Tuesday, 4 April 2006, in Mafikeng.

She says the Provincial Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2005 is
a paragon of progress and proof to all of us that traditional leadership is now
dynamic and well integrated into the democratic system of governance. “Unlike
the kings, queens and chiefs of the slavery era, our traditional leaders work
for us and we continue to be inspired by their actions in the improvement of
the quality of life of their subjects,” she said.

Molewa says Government will continue to assist and provide an essential
pillar of support to traditional leaders. “We will continue to pay special
attention to capacitating traditional leaders in their roles as guardians and
developers of the community,” she said.

She says a total of R4 million was spent last year on renovating some of the
offices of our traditional leaders. “These offices include the Batlhaku ba ga
Matutu and Bataung ba ga Hlalele. Since the beginning of this programme,
offices have been built in Tlokweng and Gamotlatla, and others renovated in
Batloung ba ga Shole and Bataung ba ga Selale.

“We have received R7 million for the current year to continue with this
critical administrative task of traditional institutions,” she said.

Molewa said the year 2005 also presented government with an opportunity to
audit the institution of traditional leadership to take note of the needs and
challenges facing them. “Critical among these needs and challenges are issues
of a proper organogram, lack of personnel, lack of offices and training for
administration. In this regard, the process of re-organising the administrative
structure in terms of providing additional human and other related resources is
already underway.

“Government this year has therefore endeavoured to continue to assist in
this regard. Each and every year the bond between government and traditional
leaders grow stronger because of these and many other interventions”, she
said.

Molewa says it is very critical that relations between Traditional Leaders
and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) are strengthened
even more.

“I was most heartened to see the cooperation between Government, the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and traditional leaders during last
month’s Local Government Elections. The success and smooth running of our Local
Government Elections owed a great deal to the leadership and cooperation of
traditional leaders, and for that we are most grateful”, she said.

She says the North West Province, has embraced the Accelerated and Shared
Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) with passion, and remains confident
that Dikgosi will add their commitment by playing a meaningful role in their
communities, so that all will work in unison to realise the set objectives of
AsgiSA.

Molewa says few challenges still face the traditional leadership. The first
one of these is to define clearer roles for Bahumagadi because this is
something that has not been done. “I believe there is an opportunity for
Bahumagadi to play not only a motherly but also a developmental role in the
affairs of their communities. We dare not miss that opportunity.

“The Provincial Government will convene a two-day conference of Bahumagadi
in a few weeks to come to dialogue on how together they can integrate
participation of Bahumagadi within broader development matters,” she said.

Molewa says recent events around disputes of Bogosi can also confirm another
critical challenge facing the House. “It is very imperative that the House of
Traditional Leaders play a critical role in resolving any disputes about
chieftaincy and traditional leadership. Our interest as government in this
regard is to see to it that the affairs and welfare of the traditional
communities are well and properly attended to,” she said

Molewa says she is aware that the House is participating in the national
process dealing with the remuneration of traditional leaders. There is
currently a National Commission looking at the matter of remuneration and where
the Chairperson of the House, Kgosi Mabe-Molopyane, is representing the
province in these deliberations.

“We have no doubt that all of those involved in this process will be
successful in finding solutions and would soon advise President Thabo Mbeki on
the issue of remuneration and the general welfare of our traditional leaders.
However, this year we have seen the Gazetting of the new upper limits by the
President, whereby the salaries of our Dikgosi will increase by 5,75% and this
confirms the full time status of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the
House,” she said.

Enquiries: Russel Mamabolo
Medial Relations Manager
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610
E-mail: rmamabolo@nwpg.gov.za

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
4 April 2006