Date: 23/04/2004
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: P Molefe: Dissolution of North West House of Traditional Leaders
SPEECH BY MEC VILAKAZI ON BEHALF OF PREMIER POPO MOLEFE ON THE OCCASION OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE NORTH WEST HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS, 23 April 2004
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders
Our beloved traditional leaders
Honoured guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed an honour for me to represent the outgoing Premier of the North West Province, Dr Popo Simon Molefe, on this important occasion of the dissolution of the current session of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
Dr Molefe would have loved to be part of this historic occasion but due to other pressing engagements he could not join us. He has however asked me to convey his best wishes to this gathering.
He has also expressed his profound appreciation for the guidance and support the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders has given to him as Premier of the North West.
Chairperson, we are gathered here today on the eve of the tenth anniversary of our freedom and shortly after our country's third democratic elections.
It is therefore fitting that we use this occasion to reflect and pay tribute to the work of the House of Traditional Leaders since its inception.
We wish to salute our traditional leaders for the role they played in creation of an environment conducive for free and fair elections to be held in our country and province.
On this historic day, we must reaffirm the institution of tradition leadership as an important pillar of our democratic system.
We must make a solemn commitment to defend this institution and ensure that it remains true custodian of our heritage, values, customs and traditions.
We must also reaffirm the institution of traditional leadership as a progressive force for the betterment of the lives of our people - a force that made an indelible contribution to our struggle for liberation.
In this regard, we are reminded of many acts of bravery by heroes such as King Shaka, Kgosi Montshiwa, King Moshoeshoe, Mme Mmanthatisi and many others who led their people in defence of the land of their ancestors.
Following the attainment of our liberation in 1994, the institution of traditional leadership has played an important role in defending and consolidating our democratic gains.
It has remained a key component of our ongoing effort to reconstruct and develop our country in a manner that broadens access to better life for all.
In many ways, the establishment of the House of Traditional Leadership was an acknowledgement, by our government, of the important role the institution of traditional leadership can play in defending and consolidating our democratic gains.
Throughout its existence, the House served as a crucial platform for government to consult with traditional leaders. It provided that vital link between government and traditional leaders.
With notable success, the House has played the role of overseeing government programmes on issues affecting traditional leaders and rural communities.
It has endeavoured to ensure that issues affecting the institution of traditional leadership are placed high on the government's list of priorities.
Through its work, the House of Traditional Leaders has given concrete meaning to our understanding that the institution of traditional leadership has an important role to play in strengthening our democratic order.
We salute the House for its work in influencing and enriching number of government legislation such as the Communal Land Rights Bill, which affect our people in the rural areas.
Equally, we appreciate the role the House has played in drafting of the national legislation defining role and functions of traditional leaders within our democratic system.
This legislation has gone a long way towards ensuring that institution of traditional leadership continues to be one of the cornerstones of our democratic order.
It has also ensured that, relations between traditional leaders and all structures of government are improved in order to facilitate accelerated delivery of service to our people, particularly those in the rural areas.
On this historic day we also pay tribute to the role the House has played in the creation of partnerships between government and traditional leaders to tackle key challenges such as HIV /AIDS and sustainable rural development.
In the North West Province, we are proud of the healthy relationship that exists between all structures of government, particularly at local government level, and traditional leaders.
As a provincial government we acknowledge the fact that the House has worked under very difficult conditions. Resources were not sufficient, for instance transport, offices, etc. We acknowledge that this remains a challenge. The provincial government is willing and prepared to address these challenges. The House is aware that we have already started to address some of the challenges. These include the building and renovations of tribal offices in various parts of our province. This includes offices in Batloung ba ga Shole, Bataung ba ga Selale and Batlokwa ba ga Bogatsu and Bafokeng ba ga Motlatla.
In addition, government has ensured that all traditional leaders are remunerated in accordance with regulations governing the remuneration of public representatives. This was never the case prior to 1994.
These interventions have gone a long way in debunking the myth that the democratic government has turned a blind eye to the plight of traditional leaders.
As we confront the challenges of the second decade of freedom, we look forward to the contribution of the House of Traditional Leaders.
In particular we look forward to the contribution of traditional leaders in the ongoing fight against poverty and unemployment particularly in our rural areas.
We also expect the next session of this House to pay serious attention to the process of drafting provincial legislation that will clearly outline the powers and functions of traditional leaders.
Naturally this legislation must be in line with national legislation governing the role and functions of traditional leaders while taking into account the unique nature of our province.
Let us march together in unity towards the second decade of freedom. This we must do because our experience over the past ten years of democratic rule has taught us that; it is only through collective action that we can overcome the challenges we face.
I thank you.
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
23 April 2004
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: P Molefe: Dissolution of North West House of Traditional Leaders
SPEECH BY MEC VILAKAZI ON BEHALF OF PREMIER POPO MOLEFE ON THE OCCASION OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE NORTH WEST HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS, 23 April 2004
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders
Our beloved traditional leaders
Honoured guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed an honour for me to represent the outgoing Premier of the North West Province, Dr Popo Simon Molefe, on this important occasion of the dissolution of the current session of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
Dr Molefe would have loved to be part of this historic occasion but due to other pressing engagements he could not join us. He has however asked me to convey his best wishes to this gathering.
He has also expressed his profound appreciation for the guidance and support the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders has given to him as Premier of the North West.
Chairperson, we are gathered here today on the eve of the tenth anniversary of our freedom and shortly after our country's third democratic elections.
It is therefore fitting that we use this occasion to reflect and pay tribute to the work of the House of Traditional Leaders since its inception.
We wish to salute our traditional leaders for the role they played in creation of an environment conducive for free and fair elections to be held in our country and province.
On this historic day, we must reaffirm the institution of tradition leadership as an important pillar of our democratic system.
We must make a solemn commitment to defend this institution and ensure that it remains true custodian of our heritage, values, customs and traditions.
We must also reaffirm the institution of traditional leadership as a progressive force for the betterment of the lives of our people - a force that made an indelible contribution to our struggle for liberation.
In this regard, we are reminded of many acts of bravery by heroes such as King Shaka, Kgosi Montshiwa, King Moshoeshoe, Mme Mmanthatisi and many others who led their people in defence of the land of their ancestors.
Following the attainment of our liberation in 1994, the institution of traditional leadership has played an important role in defending and consolidating our democratic gains.
It has remained a key component of our ongoing effort to reconstruct and develop our country in a manner that broadens access to better life for all.
In many ways, the establishment of the House of Traditional Leadership was an acknowledgement, by our government, of the important role the institution of traditional leadership can play in defending and consolidating our democratic gains.
Throughout its existence, the House served as a crucial platform for government to consult with traditional leaders. It provided that vital link between government and traditional leaders.
With notable success, the House has played the role of overseeing government programmes on issues affecting traditional leaders and rural communities.
It has endeavoured to ensure that issues affecting the institution of traditional leadership are placed high on the government's list of priorities.
Through its work, the House of Traditional Leaders has given concrete meaning to our understanding that the institution of traditional leadership has an important role to play in strengthening our democratic order.
We salute the House for its work in influencing and enriching number of government legislation such as the Communal Land Rights Bill, which affect our people in the rural areas.
Equally, we appreciate the role the House has played in drafting of the national legislation defining role and functions of traditional leaders within our democratic system.
This legislation has gone a long way towards ensuring that institution of traditional leadership continues to be one of the cornerstones of our democratic order.
It has also ensured that, relations between traditional leaders and all structures of government are improved in order to facilitate accelerated delivery of service to our people, particularly those in the rural areas.
On this historic day we also pay tribute to the role the House has played in the creation of partnerships between government and traditional leaders to tackle key challenges such as HIV /AIDS and sustainable rural development.
In the North West Province, we are proud of the healthy relationship that exists between all structures of government, particularly at local government level, and traditional leaders.
As a provincial government we acknowledge the fact that the House has worked under very difficult conditions. Resources were not sufficient, for instance transport, offices, etc. We acknowledge that this remains a challenge. The provincial government is willing and prepared to address these challenges. The House is aware that we have already started to address some of the challenges. These include the building and renovations of tribal offices in various parts of our province. This includes offices in Batloung ba ga Shole, Bataung ba ga Selale and Batlokwa ba ga Bogatsu and Bafokeng ba ga Motlatla.
In addition, government has ensured that all traditional leaders are remunerated in accordance with regulations governing the remuneration of public representatives. This was never the case prior to 1994.
These interventions have gone a long way in debunking the myth that the democratic government has turned a blind eye to the plight of traditional leaders.
As we confront the challenges of the second decade of freedom, we look forward to the contribution of the House of Traditional Leaders.
In particular we look forward to the contribution of traditional leaders in the ongoing fight against poverty and unemployment particularly in our rural areas.
We also expect the next session of this House to pay serious attention to the process of drafting provincial legislation that will clearly outline the powers and functions of traditional leaders.
Naturally this legislation must be in line with national legislation governing the role and functions of traditional leaders while taking into account the unique nature of our province.
Let us march together in unity towards the second decade of freedom. This we must do because our experience over the past ten years of democratic rule has taught us that; it is only through collective action that we can overcome the challenges we face.
I thank you.
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
23 April 2004
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