South African society is under threat because it seems to be experiencing a value dilemma, North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise said in calling on all traditional leaders to play a pivotal role in promoting social cohesion and building sustainable communities.
In her address to inaugurate new members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders for a new five-year term in Mahikeng on Friday, Premier Modise said that our modern society is becoming increasingly more unstable, belligerent, lawless, self-centred, violent, undisciplined and permissive, with these trends being more apparent among the younger generation.
In acknowledging that the province has been noticing an increase of series of unprecedented incidents, such as murder, rape, especially amongst the women and children, the Premier assured traditional leaders that the provincial government is determined to fight this plague and ensure the safety of the communities.
Modise encouraged Dikgosi to be part of mobilising communities against drug abuse, gender-based violence, and the abuse of children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
She urged traditional leaders to ensure that the matter of moral regeneration become central to their interactions with communities.
“All of us must be seen towards building a moral and caring society, conscious of its obligations to uphold the core values of respect for human rights, human dignity and the enjoyment of human liberties guaranteed by our constitution,” she emphasised.
She stressed that traditional leaders must do everything they can to combat all the ills that are affecting the country like issues of race, economy, and many other matters.
In calling on all traditional leaders to play a pivotal role in promoting social cohesion and building sustainable communities, the Premier said that all traditional leaders can assist in building united communities in the province.
“Social cohesion is underpinned by the existence of shared moral values, social practices and a strong sense of unity within communities. It is critical that traditional leaders contribute to bringing about peace and harmony within communities they lead,” she said.
Earlier this month, the department of Sports Arts and Culture held the social cohesion summit to try and find what the problem with South African society is.
The summit was held under the theme “what it means to be a proud South African”.
Premier Modise reminded the house that the summit was informed by what is happening on day to day basis were many people have turned their backs from the important elements of Ubuntu, compassion, and solidarity.
The North West province for the last years have been challenged by the conflicts in the communities where the mines are located.
The Provincial government have had series of meetings to try and resolve the matters including infighting in the royal houses, were the chieftaincy is been.
The Premier told traditional leaders that the infighting within the royal houses delays government in signing the proper certificate for the rightful heir.
She emphasised that the house of traditional leaders need to continue to play a tremendous role in conflict resolutions pertaining to land and mineral resources, chieftaincy, succession, criminal and civil cases as well as adding meaningful inputs in the administration of the local government system.
“Traditional leaders should provide leadership in ensuring that communities utilise available land productively to increase agricultural output and enhance food security.
The government will continue to provide support. It is critical that traditional leaders assist in ensuring that government resources are properly utilised to reach intended beneficiaries,” she cited.
The new chairperson of the House Kgosi Madoda Zibi of Amahlubi in Khayakhulu said the house is faced with a mammoth task of ensuring stability in different traditional councils and ensure mutual relations with government. “No one has the intelligence to lead the community or the nation on his own. As the executive we will need the support of government, local houses of traditional leadership and communities to succeed”, he said.
Kgosi Zibi also thanked the government for giving different traditional leaders the recognition they deserve after they were reduced to almost nothing by the previous regime.
In his message of support to the members, MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, China Dodovu said that the new leadership house should elevate the house into majestic heights and assist government in achieving its developmental goals.
“The department will create and ensure sustainable and viable institutions of Traditional Leadership in the province. As a department responsible for traditional affairs in the province, we need to forge partnerships and work together with traditional leaders to further enhance our developmental objectives and foster service delivery in rural communities” said Dodovu
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South Africa facing value dilemma-Premier Thandi Modise
Province
