Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders,
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Honourable Kings, Queens, dikgoshi, amakhosi,
It is a pleasure to be invited by the National House of Traditional Leaders to discuss the fundamental responsibility that we all share �" the improvement of the lives of our people.
I have listened with interest to the debate. It has been enriching and stimulating, and has posed a number of issues that we will need to address.
The deliberations of this House affect the lives of millions of South Africans. We are therefore bound to ensure that we give these matters sufficient attention.
Chairperson,
Kgoshigadi Mothapo is absolutely correct by acknowledging the role played by traditional leaders in the struggle for freedom.
From the moment of colonial occupation, traditional leaders have been at the forefront of the struggle against dispossession, subjugation, oppression and discrimination.
Traditional leaders were central in the creation of the African National Congress in 1912, and have been prominent among the leaders of the different formations of the liberation movement.
Throughout these difficult years, traditional leaders have been taking up the cause of their people, speaking out against the injustices that have been perpetrated against the communities they lead.
Today we celebrate the triumph of these struggles.
Colonialism and apartheid are gone but their legacy remains.
Today our enemies are no longer colonialism and apartheid.
They are unemployment, crime and poverty.
It is this enemy that we must all confront without fear or favour.
If we did not specifically mention issues affecting traditional leadership in the State of the Nation Address, it was not because these matters are any less important to the success of the programme of this government.
We indicated in that address that there were a number of issues that could not be sufficiently covered in the time we had, and that these would be addressed by the relevant ministers.
I am pleased that the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will deal with a number of these issues in his Budget Vote Speech later this week.
Chairperson,
I am pleased that efforts have been made to ensure that traditional leaders and their communities are involved in activities around the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Khosi Kutama, was co-opted to be a member of the host cities forum chaired by Minister Shiceka.
He has attended a number of these meetings on your behalf.
This House further participated in the oversight visit of Parliament to the different stadia.
Some traditional communities are directly involved as hosts.
The Bakgatla Ba Kgafela will provide a training ground for sports persons competing in this event while the Royal Bafokeng will host a number of games in the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.
Taking into account the concerns raised by traditional leadership after the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the host cities have since been requested to cater for traditional leaders during FIFA World Cup games played in the stadia of their jurisdiction and also affording them dignified status in the public viewing areas.
It is our expectation that the host cities will heed to this call.
Chairperson,
I agree with Inkosi Mahlalela (Mlambo II) that we cannot establish structures like houses of traditional leaders and traditional councils and expect them to render effective service to communities without proper support.
I have directed the Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Leadership and of Public Service and Administration to assess the capacity of provinces to support the institution of traditional leadership.
The legislative review process will also focus on the development of the necessary legislation to promote traditional leadership in the provinces.
Funding support from government must respond to a clear programme of service delivery from traditional leaders.
The focus should be people on the ground.
Chairperson,
As you know, the Department of Traditional Affairs was officially gazetted on the 1st of December 2009.
We are committed to sufficiently capacitate this department to undertake its mandate.
It is important that this House take an active interest in the affairs of this department.
Inkosi Mlambo II noted that progress in the implementation of the National Programme of Support has been slow.
We must remember that the National Programme of Support intends to address the following among other things:
• Establishment of the Department of Traditional Affairs;
• Capacity Building on legislation impacting on traditional leadership;
• Review and overhaul of legislation dealing with traditional leadership; and
• Providing infrastructural support to the institution of traditional leadership.
With the Department of Traditional Affairs in place, we should be able to proceed with the implementation of this programme.
Let us work together to ensure that other outstanding issues are resolved expeditiously.
Chairperson, I am pleased to learn from Inkosi Mlambo that the toolkit on legislation impacting on traditional leadership is very useful.
We are going ahead to roll out the toolkit to the remaining provinces without delay.
We will further this year begin to provide training to our traditional councils.
Chairperson,
As Members would be aware, on the matter of remuneration of traditional leaders, the President receives recommendations from the Seriti Commission entrusted to deal with the issues of the remuneration of public office bearers.
I am advised that the Department of Traditional Affairs has discussed your concerns with the Commission on this matter.
The Commission is scheduled to make its recommendations to the President regarding the remuneration and benefits for all levels of traditional leaders and traditional councils, including local houses of traditional leaders, before the end of this year.
Chairperson,
Earlier this year, I asked this House to play a central role in contributing towards development and service delivery in areas under your leadership.
I said this on the basis of the active participation and leadership skills shown by traditional leaders in Limpopo, Free State and Eastern Cape on the pilot projects initiated by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.
These pilot projects have given us a good practical experience on the involvement of traditional leaders in development and making land available for development purposes.
The leadership displayed by traditional leaders in these provinces and their ability to listen and take well-informed decisions is appreciated.
Such interest in the development of communities confirms our belief that by working together we can do more.
Chairperson,
Inkosi Zulu raised the issue of lack of cooperation between traditional councils and municipalities.
This is a cause for concern.
As government, we cannot afford to overlook such an important issue.
If the municipalities are ignoring the law by making it impossible for you to participate effectively in the deliberations of municipalities, we must be informed about such occurrences so that government can intervene.
To deal with this problem, I propose that a summit be held soon involving traditional leaders and municipalities to solve any problems that may affect the relationship between these two important institutions of governance.
We have developed a Local Government Turnaround Strategy to intervene in development and service delivery processes.
Let me make it clear that the Local Government Turnaround Strategy will be implemented together with this leadership and that regular feedback and engagement meetings will take place on this matter.
We need to urgently transform all traditional authorities into traditional councils in terms of the law, capacitate them, monitor their operations and intervene where necessary.
The Department of Traditional Affairs is currently conducting an audit of available resources.
This will help us in channelling resources to structures of traditional leaders efficiently and effectively.
We will be reviewing the Municipal Structures Act of 1998 during this year with the intention of bringing an amendment to deal with any gaps relating to the representation of traditional leaders in municipalities.
It will be critical that this process is informed by the actual experiences of traditional leaders.
Nkosi Zulu, the Department of Traditional Affairs is about to release proposed guidelines on the allocation of roles and delegation of functions to traditional leaders and traditional councils by organs of state in terms of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act.
All the affected Departments will have a chance to align their plans with what the guidelines intend to achieve.
Chairperson,
I agree with Inkosi Mzimela that we must move with some determination to ensure that the Khoi-San leadership is represented in this House, correcting an historical injustice and giving the leadership and communities the recognition they deserve.
The legislative review programme that seeks to come up with a lasting solution to dealing with the legal recognition of the Khoi-San leadership, authority structures and communities in line with international instruments and conventions is on course.
The matter should be discussed further with the Department of Traditional Affairs.
Chairperson,
The Department of Rural Development and Land reform is working on a new and comprehensive land legislation.
The Department is also reviewing the need for the implementing the Communal Property Association Act in traditional communities.
We will make sure that traditional leaders participate in the processes which will lead to a sound policy and legislative framework on land administration.
This is aimed at ensuring a just and lasting solution to land matters in South Africa.
Nkosi Mzimela we are aware of the delays in passing the Traditional Courts Bill.
We are confident that the Bill will go through Parliament this year and will mark the end of the Black Administration Act.
AmaKhosi will henceforth be able to conduct trials in traditional courts.
This will also speed up the process of providing access to restorative justice to all.
Following the passage of the Bill into law, the drafting of regulations and the development of training programmes will start immediately.
Chairperson,
I have received the report of the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims.
As we report on the findings of the commission, we are guided by the need to affirm the dignity of our kings and traditional leaders. We realise that this matter needs to be handled sensitively and responsibly.
In this regard, the National House of Traditional Leaders has an important role to play.
Chairperson,
I have noted concern about the lack of a permanent chamber for the National House of Traditional Leaders.
This is a matter that requires serious attention, both in the immediate term and in the long term.
I have requested the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to engage further with the House on this matter, including if necessary a discussion with Parliament on what assistance they can provide.
Chairperson,
Inkosi Mzimela is raising the very serious, sensitive and complex matter of demarcation of municipal boundaries.
This administration has resolved to address this matter with the communities concerned. The relevant traditional leaders will need to be involved in seeking a resolution of these matters.
In closing, Makgoshi, as custodians of culture the members of this house must have an impact on the broader development of society.
As government, we are ready to be influenced by you for the betterment of our communities and the country as a whole.
I have called for all South Africans to participate in a discussion of our cultures, traditions and customs so that what belongs to us is known and respected by all.
Our Constitution recognises our cultural diversity.
This means that we must all be allowed to observe and practice our culture, just as we create the opportunity for others to observe and practice their culture.
We look to traditional leaders not only to promote the traditional cultural practices of our people, but to advance the democratic environment which they require in order to flourish.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
20 April 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
