North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Manketsi Tlhape says government has made great strides in improving the functioning of institutions of traditional leadership. Tlhape said this during the official opening of the Ninth Session of the Fifth Term of House of Traditional Leadership with the theme “20 years of moving traditional communities forward”.
MEC Tlhape said “a lot has happened since the inception of a democratic South Africa. A number of policies have been developed to further strengthen and support traditional leaders but also to involve them when planning for development of communities under traditional leadership. The Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003 also provides for amongst others, the recognition of traditional communities and the establishment and recognition of traditional councils. The Department has successfully completed the first traditional council elections recently and is also clamping down on illegal initiation schools while awaiting a bill to regulate the establishment of initiation schools. The Commission on Tribal Disputes has made a lot of progress and is finalizing 48 outstanding cases having dealt with 40 already”.
During the opening session, MEC Tlhape handed over 19 vehicles to Dikgosi, which will be used by the traditional council in making their daily duties easier. “In giving effect to the provision of the Constitution which recognizes the institution, status and role of traditional leadership, the Department continues to provide Dikgosi with the much needed tools of trade. The process has already started with the provision of vehicles, offices, furniture and computers to such offices to ensure the full functioning and improved provision of service by traditional councils”, she said.
The Chairperson of Provincial House of Traditional Leadership Madoda Zibi thanked the government in uplifting the livelihood of the Dikgosi. Since the establishment of House of Traditional Leaders we have seen a lot of changes which made us feel our worth as Dikgosi.
Amongst others, the ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Pontsho Maubane, representatives of Houses of Traditional Leaders from other provinces, representatives from Botswana and Namibia as well as dignitaries from other government departments.
Meanwhile, Oratile Mashaba (10) was awarded a merit certificate by the House of Traditional Leadership for his outstanding performance in the 1200m during the Primary Schools Athletics Championships in Paarl, Western Cape Province. Mashaba who is doing Grade 5 at Sedumedi Primary School received a gold medal for his participation in the race.
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