elect a new chairperson
13 July 2006
The National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) held a special sitting
today, 13 July 2006, in Pretoria to elect the chairperson as per the
requirements of the Act of the National House of Traditional Leaders, 1997 (Act
no 10 of 1997) as amended.
Khosi Fhumulani Peter Kutama was unanimously (unopposed) elected as the new
Chairperson of the NHTL. Khosi Kutama was the Deputy Chairperson of the
National House and the Acting Chairperson since the position became vacant on
the 29 June 2006.
Since Khosi Kutama was a Deputy Chairperson prior to his election to the
position of the Chairperson, Morena Matheadira Francis Mopeli was elected as
the Deputy Chairperson of the NHTL. Morena Mopeli competed the position with
Kgosi SV Suping and the votes were nine for Morena Mopeli and six for Kgosi
Suping and therefore Morena Mopeli was declared duly elected Deputy Chairperson
of the National House of Traditional Leaders.
The two leaders committed themselves to lead the NHTL in a manner that will
promote the transformation of the institution of the traditional leadership.
They promised to create a sound working relationship with the provincial houses
(internal organisation) and all stakeholders in order to achieve the objects of
the Act of the house. They further indicated that they will ensure that the
following is achieved:
* Enhancing co-operation between the houses of traditional leaders.
* This will be done through constant consultation between the provincial
houses of traditional leaders and national house in order to attend to any
challenges facing traditional leaders and their communities.
* Providing an assistance and advice on the establishment of the local
houses of traditional leaders.
* Ensure that the houses of traditional leaders participate actively in
governance including influencing the municipal government processes like ward
committees, Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and other processes.
* Influence and establish sound working relationship with government
departments and other stakeholders like the commissions etc.
* Participate in crime fighting and prevention in partnership with the South
African Police Service (SAPS) and all agencies that aims at fighting crime.
* Participate in government activities like planning, joint programs
etc.
* Promoting the African culture.
* This will be done through ensuring that our custom and culture are treated
with respect and not commercialise or used wrongly like the initiation custom,
the NHTL has established a task team headed by Kgosi Dikgale, Prince Makaula
and the Secretary of the NHTL, Mr Sithole, to investigate and report on the
deaths, injuries, assaults, management and any misuse of the culture for self
enrichment or abuse of human rights.
* Promote the African languages and ensure that all languages are treated
equally in this instance we will partner with the commission on culture,
religion and linguistic communities in order to protect our languages and
advance them.
* Promotion of respect and human dignity (ubuntu).
* Establish partnership with any organisation that intends to work for the
advancement of the traditional communities in development.
The NHTL congratulates the two traditional leaders for being elected into
these demanding positions
Issued by: National House of Traditional Leaders
13 July 2006
