opening ceremony of Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Giyani Legislative
Chambers, Giyani, Mopani District
17 March 2006
Honourable chairperson of the House;
Honourable Members of the House of Traditional Leaders;
Honourable Chairperson of the National House;
Esteemed Queens and Kings, here present;
Esteemed Traditional Leaders of our Province, Magoshi, Tihosi, Mahosi;
Executive Mayors and Mayors of Municipalities;
Representatives of the National House and of other Provincial Houses here
present;
MPs and MPLs;
Honourable councillors;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen
Todayâs august opening of the House of the Traditional Leaders takes place
just a few days after the holding of our country second democratic local
elections. We are proud to have witnessed the positive outcomes of these
elections, for which our Traditional Leaders played no small part in their
success. On behalf of government and the people of our Province, we therefore
wish to take this opportunity to salute all our traditional leaders who played
a role in this successful electoral process. It is therefore both an opportune
moment and a privilege for us to take part in these important proceedings that
provide both the space and possibilities for charting new beginnings in the
affairs of Local government and traditional leadership in our Province and
country as a whole. The renewal of the mandate of our countryâs Local
government sphere creates yet another opportunity for our traditional
institutions and leaders to continuously position themselves in our ongoing
efforts to develop our communities.
Government is pleased to see an increased number of traditional leaders who
stood in political party lists and won seats as councillors in their own right.
This shows the amount of confidence our people continue to have in the quality
of leadership provided by our traditional leaders. Whilst we are encouraged by
this development, we also wish to reiterate the importance of your
participation in the newly elected municipal councils in your ex-efficion
capacity. As in the past, our people expect you to continue playing a uniting
role in strengthening these councils in our endeavour to speed up the fight
against the scourge of poverty and unemployment. As government we would
continue to rely on your wise counsel in dealing with challenges of service
delivery and local government backlogs, particularly in the rural areas which
are home to more than 70% of our people.
It is for this reason that we will continue to give the necessary prominence
and support to local government sphere, particularly Ward committees which are
the bedrock of communityâs aspirations at a local level. We have stated many a
time that there is a need to strengthen this sphere of governance since it has
the responsibility to deliver the bulk of services, which are essential for the
daily survival of our people.
Therefore, the daunting task of providing free basic services such as water
and electricity would only become possible when there is continuous support and
guidance from our traditional leaders.
Honourable Chairperson
We are satisfied with the process of passing the two legislations, which are
meant to give meaning and effect to the Traditional Governance and Leadership
Framework Act. The process of launching Local Houses of Traditional leaders and
the respective councils will start this year. We trust that the delays we are
currently experiencing regarding the gazetting of the two Acts will soon be
addressed. Our belief is that the Local Houses of Traditional leaders will
become power engines of fast-tracking development in each of the five district
municipalities of our Province. There is no doubt that the new dispensation
will obviously strengthen the influence of traditional leaders in
municipalities and contribute towards a vibrant Local government sphere that
benefits all our people. The inauguration of new traditional councils on the
other hand, will ensure that there is enhanced transparency, credibility and
community ownership in the decisions taken by our traditional authorities.
Honourable Chairperson
As government, we obviously take pride in the milestones reached on the
appointment and remuneration of Headmen. As announced during the State of the
Province Address, last year we succeeded in appointing 1888 Headmen in the
Province. This is a significant increase from the previous figure of 1646
Headmen appointed. However, in our interactions with traditional leaders early
this year, we learned that contrary to our official records, that all headmen
are being remunerated, it appears that there are still some headmen that are
still not being remunerated, especially in the Sekhukhune area.
We commit ourselves to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible.
Similarly, the concern raised during our interactions by some traditional
leaders with regard to land matters and mineral rights is being attended to.
You would have noticed that the President talked about these matter, that is
the eminent reviewal of land policy, in his opening of Parliament address early
this year. We are certain that the specific concerns raised by traditional
leaders in this regard would obviously be taken on board when the reviewal of
land reform policy takes place this year. We believe that this House is also in
a better position to advise us accordingly on the particular cause of action we
need to take on these matters.
Honourable Chairperson
With regard to the claims and disputes, we are pleased that the Nhlapho
Commission has started its work in Bolobedu, Vhembe and Sekhukhune Districts
and we believe that the amount of work covered thus far, is sufficient to give
us hope that the outstanding claims and disputes will be amicably resolved
sooner than anticipated. On our part we intend complementing these efforts by
acquiring an information technology (IT) related system that will minimise and
streamline the processes of succession claims and disputes. The system we are
contemplating will be able to electronically preserve both the genealogy and
the history of our traditional leadership and authorities, thereby ensuring
that proper records related to these matters are safely maintained.
With regard to the headmen that have already been appointed, government will
soon be implementing a tailor-made programme aimed at empowering them to take
part in the development of their people and the Province as whole.
Honourable Chairperson
In keeping with the undertaking made last year when we opened this House, we
are happy to report that phenomenal progress is being registered with regard to
renovations and refurbishment of Traditional Authority offices in the Province.
We are informed that some Traditional Authority offices have already been
renovated or refurbished whilst others are still undergoing the process. There
are strong indications that those that are remaining will be catered for during
this MTEF (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) period and beyond.
We have stated before that these offices will be provided with modern
facilities and IT connectivity that will enable them to link with Head Office
and other stakeholders in and around Limpopo and throughout the country.
Services to be rendered from these points will be beneficial to the people as
government departments and other agencies will be given office space to render
essential services in the same premises.
As circumcision season approaches, you will once again be called upon to
provide decisive leadership in preserving this cultural practice of tradition.
We trust that there are enough lessons to draw from past experiences in this
regard. Our hope is that, like in all other years, this yearâs programme will
be well managed both from the side of traditional leaders and surgeons in
particular.
Honourable Chairperson
As we conclude, allow us to take this opportunity to join members of the
House in bidding farewell to some of our esteemed traditional leaders who
departed us during the cause of last year. In this regard we wish to pay homage
to the memory of Queen Modjadji of Modjadi Traditional Authority, Kgoshi Lebogo
of Bahanwa Traditional Authority, Kgoshi Lebogo of Kibi Traditional Authority,
Khosi Vho Mugivhi of Ha-Mutsha Traditional Authority, Hosi Hlongoane Madonsi of
Madonsi Traditional Authority, Kgoshi Mogoboya of Mogoboya Traditional
Authority and Kgoshigadi Nchabeleng of the Nchabeleng Traditional Authority.
These leaders were a source of inspiration to members of this House and our
people as a whole. The Provincial Government is honoured to have worked with
them and trusts that the House of Traditional leaders will ensure that
everything is done to preserve their memories and legacies.
It is our honour and privilege to declare this session of the Limpopo House
of Traditional Leaders officially open.
I thank you!
Inkomu!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
17 March 2006
