29 March 2007
The lives of North West traditional leaders and their rural communities are
soon to change for the better. This emerged during the keynote address by North
West Premier, Edna Molewa, at the official opening of the House of Traditional
Leaders in Mafikeng yesterday.
Traditional leaders in the province are now driving beautiful Nissan cars
purchased at a retail price, thanks to a partnership between the North West
Provincial Government and car manufacturing company. Already nine traditional
leaders have collected their cars while others have placed their orders. This
deal is of its own kind in our country. "This demonstrates that our partnership
with the corporate world is also starting to bear fruits for our traditional
leaders."
The provincial government has set aside R34 million to address the needs of
traditional leaders. This will include stipend for traditional councillors,
payment of salaries for traditional council's staff, administrative support
(payment of telephones, stationary, electricity) as well as operation of local
houses of traditional leaders.
In addition, a total amount of R14 million has been committed for the
refurbishment and construction of traditional council offices since 2004.
Currently a total of six offices have been completed and four are under
construction. "To make these offices functional, we also set aside funds to
provide furniture to these offices. To date, all newly built offices have
benefited from this programme," explained Molewa. During the current year, more
than 27 offices are going to benefit from this programme.
In addition, an additional amount of R27 million has been set aside for the
building of 10 more offices which have been identified in consultation with
traditional leaders. These include amongst others, Barolong ba ga Makgobi and
Barolong ba ga Molefe.
The provincial government will also work with traditional leaders to improve
good governance, performance and accountability, and to empower them to make
meaningful inputs into community development processes such as Integrated
Development Plans (IDPs). The province will soon finalise legislation on
traditional initiation schools which will regulate this cultural practice
within the context of a constitutional democracy.
"This demonstrates that there is no contradiction between the institutions
of traditional leadership and our constitutional democracy," said Molewa.
For further enquiries, contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson: North West Provincial Government
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
29 March 2007
