Plans are being set in motion for the election of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Traditional Council on 28 April, following the expiry of the term of office of the then traditional council on 24 September 2010.
Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Paul Sebegoe has set plans in motion for the election of all 56 traditional councils in the province, as well asestablishing a provincial committee to deal with traditional leadership disputes and claims following a host of complaints and infightings among royal families.
Sebegoe had since met with the disgruntled members of the royal family of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela on March 28 at Bojanala District Municipality in Rustenburg to establish first-hand the cause of the tension in the area.
In the meeting, the disgruntled members of the Royal Family of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela called for the immediate removal of the current Kgosi NMJ Pilane, but this was rejected by MEC Sebegoe citing the unfolding process with regard to the establishment of a provincial committee to deal with traditional leadership disputes and claims.
- In the meeting, it was resolved that the verification of the family tree will be performed by the provincial committee to be established in order to deal with traditional leadership disputes and claims in the province.
- The issue regard the mismanagement of the tribe's assets will be looked into by the upcoming traditional council set to be established on 28 April 2011.
The meetings have been paving the way for the process of electing members of new traditional councils as provided for in the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act 2 of 2005 read together with the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003, as emended, as well as trying to find ways to maintain peace and harmony within traditional communities.
“The department is currently in talks with Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa (EISA) to oversee the election of members of the public into new traditional councils. The election of the 60 percent consisting of members of the Royal Family will be supervised by the North West House of Traditional Leaders,” said MEC Sebegoe.
As part of the change, traditional councils will have 60 percent of the members selected by Kgosi (Senior Traditional Leader) and 40 percent by the public. About one-third of the council membership must be women.
Sebegoe urged members of the public to participate in large numbers in these elections. “We want to make sure that there are free and fair elections, as well as adherence to the principles of public participation.”
Enquiries:
Josias Maraba
Cell: 083 675 9629
