Date: 26/05/2003
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Molefe: Opening of North West House of Traditional Leaders
SPEECH BY NORTH WEST PREMIER, DR POPO SIMON MOLEFE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS, 26 May 2003
The Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Motsatsi,
Members of the Executive of the House of Traditional Leaders,
Your Majesties and Royal Highnesses,
Our beloved traditional leaders,
Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I feel deeply honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to speak at this year's official opening of the North West House of Traditional Leaders.
This is indeed a poignant occasion since it is the last opening of this august House before the ten-year anniversary of our democracy. We need therefore to take stock of our performance in the past nine years as we prepare ourselves for the future.
Notwithstanding the many challenges that lie ahead, I am convinced that the future will be qualitatively better than the present as we, together, continue to build on the progress we made to improve the lives of our people since 1994.
The institution of traditional leadership has and continues to play an important role in our society. As the embodiment of the way of life of our people and a custodian of our customs, traditions and cultures; it occupies a special place in the lives of our people.
This is an institution whose values and character are informed by the wisdom and benevolence of the great leaders of our people such as King Hintsa, Makana and Moshoeshoe.
It is an institution, whose values and character are informed by the courage, humility and dignity of Cetshwayo, Sekhukuni, Moilwa Montshioa, Mankuroane, Manotshe, Galeshewe and many other heroic leaders of our people who fought long and bitter wars in defence of the land of their birth.
The institution of traditional leadership occupied the foremost trenches in the struggle against colonial invasion, which sought to subjugate the African way of life and destroy our culture, customs and traditions.
We salute the fighting peasants of Zeerust, Sekhukhuniland, Zululand, the former Transkei and many other parts of our country who fought bravely against an aggressor so mighty and powerful.
On many occasions, and as the enemy suffers one set back after another, these fearless sons and daughters of our country would in all likelihood be rejoicing and saying: "The foe is mighty but retreating to the sound of our marching feet."
Even during the struggle for liberation, traditional leaders fought side by side with the masses of our people. Their contribution to our liberation struggle confirmed that the institution of traditional leadership is indeed progressive in nature and character.
This I can say without fear of contradiction: that the democratic breakthrough in our country was made possible in part by the selfless contribution made by traditional leaders.
As we engage in the strategic task of defending and consolidating our hard earned democracy we will continue to rely on the contribution, wisdom and guidance of traditional leaders as elders in our communities.
Traditional leaders have a duty to put their collective shoulder to the wheel towards the national effort to improve the quality of life of our people, particularly in the rural areas.
On our part as government we have begun a process of finalising some of the progressive policies and legislation that seek to entrench the relevance, role and function of this institution in our democratic system of government.
We do so determined to demonstrate that it is possible for the institution of traditional leadership to flourish within a constitutional democracy.
As we are gathered today, Africans across our continent have just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the heroic Organisation of African Unity. We must take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to African unity and her rebirth.
We must make the point that as Africans we will continue to take an active part in ensuring our liberation, collective progress and development.
Chairperson, in the past nine years, both the provincial government and this august House has had an opportunity to share a number of exciting moments.
These included among others the following:
* The establishment of this very House. Through the leadership of Kgosi Suping and Kgosi Motsatsi who subsequently succeeded him, this House has become an indispensable part of our governance machinery
* The role played by this House in explaining to traditional leaders the new local government dispensation
* We have worked collaboratively in resolving many succession disputes caused by the past system
* Facilitation of the White Paper process on the role and functions of the institution of traditional leadership
* The HIV/AIDS campaign and the establishment of structures such as the Provincial AIDS Council and the Forum of Traditional Leaders on HIV/AIDS that carry out advocacy work
* Being part of the campaign aimed at taking government to the people through the Imbizo/Pitso programmes
* A passionate pursuit of efficient service delivery through the principles of Batho Pele
I am encouraged by the constructive manner in which most traditional leaders in our Province have interacted with the provincial government. This has gone a long way in facilitating the delivery of services particularly to the rural poor.
The good working relations between government and traditional leaders has contributed to the remarkable progress made in areas such as Kgalagadi. We wish to thank the local diKgosi for voluntarily making land available for developmental purposes.
We salute the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg Local Municipality and Bojanala District Council. The signing of the memorandum of understanding by these institutions of our people has presented us with a model for cooperative governance.
We shall monitor the implementation of this memorandum. This we will do because of our understanding that its implementation is crucial to the national effort of building sustainable partnerships between all spheres of government and traditional leaders.
Naturally, as our system of governance evolves and given the complexity of the environment in which we operate, it is possible that mistakes may have been committed. These may have resulted in a situation where relations between government and the institution of traditional leadership are strained.
Let me assure you that these were pains associated with the evolution of our democracy.
I am confident that as we approach the end of the first decade of liberation in our country, the culture of working together between traditional leaders and government is firmly entrenched in our province.
I have no doubt that the institution of traditional leadership will continue to complement and strengthen the work done by all the spheres of government.
We have a common duty to lift from the shoulders of our people the intolerable burden of poverty and underdevelopment.
As government we reaffirm our belief that traditional leaders have an important role to play in the context of our developmental state. In our own province, which is 65% rural, traditional leaders have an even more crucial role to play in bringing about a better life to the rural poor.
It is against this background that we as the provincial government participated actively in the establishment of the national council and provincial house of traditional leaders.
We will continue to support the work done by this august House. This we will do because we understand and appreciate the important role that traditional leaders play in the ongoing effort to banish poverty, ignorance and general want particularly in the rural areas.
We are also aware of the critical role this House plays by giving traditional leaders an organised forum in which they can exchange views on common issues. This House also serves an important function of ensuring that traditional leaders interact in a meaningful way with the governance processes.
Chairperson, as we are gathered here today our national government is in the process of finalising the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance. This process will culminate in the tabling of an Act that will define the role and place of traditional leaders in our evolving democracy.
This Act will contribute towards ensuring that as a nation we retain our culture, customs and traditions while we simultaneously recognise the indispensable role of elected representatives in the creation of a better life for all within a constitutional democracy.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank our traditional leaders for having made their contributions to White Paper process. I have no doubt that your views; suggestions and comments will be taken on board when the Act is tabled.
I would like to reiterate that the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance was not the first attempt by our government to initiate a process of consultation about the role and place of traditional leaders in our democracy.
As you are all aware, consultations on the role and place of traditional leaders began with the publication of the Status Quo report long before the White Paper process.
These processes by our government were intended to give all interested parties ample opportunity to assist in defining the role of traditional leaders in our country.
Soon after the adoption by the National Assembly of the Act, provinces will be expected to draft their own legislation that takes into account the unique conditions prevailing in each province.
Naturally, this legislation by provinces must be in line with the Constitution and be guided by the national Act.
I am confident that when an opportunity for us to draft the provincial legislation arrives; you will be ready to rise to the challenge.
Among others we will be expected to agree on which functions can best be performed by traditional leaders. Understandably, this will be a challenging process. But I am confident that we are all equal to the task.
Next year, our people will celebrate the tenth anniversary of our liberation. Indeed this will be a most important celebration in the lives of our people. They will be celebrating freedom, peace and progress in building a better life for all.
They will be celebrating progress made in building a South African nation at peace with itself.
It is proper that we should celebrate the miracle that our democracy is. This House must define its role in both the preparations for and the actual celebrations.
Equally important is that this House must continue to engage with the legislative review process currently being undertaken in our province. This process seeks to ensure that our provincial legislation is in line with the Constitution of the country.
This House has a duty also to locate its role with the new Provincial Intergovernmental Forum Framework now under discussion. It is imperative also for the House to begin discussion on the impact of the ongoing process to review cross boundary municipalities with a view to ensuring efficient and good governance.
We must also engage in discussion on the role traditional leaders can play in giving meaning to the resolution of the upcoming Growth and Development Summit. We have a common duty to ensure that this Summit yields tangible results that will contribute towards pushing back the boundaries of poverty.
This House must also begin engaging in processes that will ensure that our people are registered for next year's elections. Specifically, I urge this House to come up with ways of ensuring that our people have IDs and that they are ready to vote. This process will also assist efforts aimed at ensuring that those who qualify for government social grants do actually get them.
I wish to thank both the members of the House and the Executive for having dedicated themselves to serving our country with dignity and honour. We will continue to rely on this commitment as we engage in the strategic task of building for our people a future that is qualitatively better than the past.
I also wish to thank staff members, especially in our regions, for the valuable service they are rendering to traditional leaders. I am aware of the difficult conditions under which you are working and limited resources at your disposal.
I wish this House well in its deliberations.
I thank you.
Issued by North West Provincial Government
26 May 2003
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Molefe: Opening of North West House of Traditional Leaders
SPEECH BY NORTH WEST PREMIER, DR POPO SIMON MOLEFE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS, 26 May 2003
The Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Motsatsi,
Members of the Executive of the House of Traditional Leaders,
Your Majesties and Royal Highnesses,
Our beloved traditional leaders,
Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I feel deeply honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to speak at this year's official opening of the North West House of Traditional Leaders.
This is indeed a poignant occasion since it is the last opening of this august House before the ten-year anniversary of our democracy. We need therefore to take stock of our performance in the past nine years as we prepare ourselves for the future.
Notwithstanding the many challenges that lie ahead, I am convinced that the future will be qualitatively better than the present as we, together, continue to build on the progress we made to improve the lives of our people since 1994.
The institution of traditional leadership has and continues to play an important role in our society. As the embodiment of the way of life of our people and a custodian of our customs, traditions and cultures; it occupies a special place in the lives of our people.
This is an institution whose values and character are informed by the wisdom and benevolence of the great leaders of our people such as King Hintsa, Makana and Moshoeshoe.
It is an institution, whose values and character are informed by the courage, humility and dignity of Cetshwayo, Sekhukuni, Moilwa Montshioa, Mankuroane, Manotshe, Galeshewe and many other heroic leaders of our people who fought long and bitter wars in defence of the land of their birth.
The institution of traditional leadership occupied the foremost trenches in the struggle against colonial invasion, which sought to subjugate the African way of life and destroy our culture, customs and traditions.
We salute the fighting peasants of Zeerust, Sekhukhuniland, Zululand, the former Transkei and many other parts of our country who fought bravely against an aggressor so mighty and powerful.
On many occasions, and as the enemy suffers one set back after another, these fearless sons and daughters of our country would in all likelihood be rejoicing and saying: "The foe is mighty but retreating to the sound of our marching feet."
Even during the struggle for liberation, traditional leaders fought side by side with the masses of our people. Their contribution to our liberation struggle confirmed that the institution of traditional leadership is indeed progressive in nature and character.
This I can say without fear of contradiction: that the democratic breakthrough in our country was made possible in part by the selfless contribution made by traditional leaders.
As we engage in the strategic task of defending and consolidating our hard earned democracy we will continue to rely on the contribution, wisdom and guidance of traditional leaders as elders in our communities.
Traditional leaders have a duty to put their collective shoulder to the wheel towards the national effort to improve the quality of life of our people, particularly in the rural areas.
On our part as government we have begun a process of finalising some of the progressive policies and legislation that seek to entrench the relevance, role and function of this institution in our democratic system of government.
We do so determined to demonstrate that it is possible for the institution of traditional leadership to flourish within a constitutional democracy.
As we are gathered today, Africans across our continent have just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the heroic Organisation of African Unity. We must take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to African unity and her rebirth.
We must make the point that as Africans we will continue to take an active part in ensuring our liberation, collective progress and development.
Chairperson, in the past nine years, both the provincial government and this august House has had an opportunity to share a number of exciting moments.
These included among others the following:
* The establishment of this very House. Through the leadership of Kgosi Suping and Kgosi Motsatsi who subsequently succeeded him, this House has become an indispensable part of our governance machinery
* The role played by this House in explaining to traditional leaders the new local government dispensation
* We have worked collaboratively in resolving many succession disputes caused by the past system
* Facilitation of the White Paper process on the role and functions of the institution of traditional leadership
* The HIV/AIDS campaign and the establishment of structures such as the Provincial AIDS Council and the Forum of Traditional Leaders on HIV/AIDS that carry out advocacy work
* Being part of the campaign aimed at taking government to the people through the Imbizo/Pitso programmes
* A passionate pursuit of efficient service delivery through the principles of Batho Pele
I am encouraged by the constructive manner in which most traditional leaders in our Province have interacted with the provincial government. This has gone a long way in facilitating the delivery of services particularly to the rural poor.
The good working relations between government and traditional leaders has contributed to the remarkable progress made in areas such as Kgalagadi. We wish to thank the local diKgosi for voluntarily making land available for developmental purposes.
We salute the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg Local Municipality and Bojanala District Council. The signing of the memorandum of understanding by these institutions of our people has presented us with a model for cooperative governance.
We shall monitor the implementation of this memorandum. This we will do because of our understanding that its implementation is crucial to the national effort of building sustainable partnerships between all spheres of government and traditional leaders.
Naturally, as our system of governance evolves and given the complexity of the environment in which we operate, it is possible that mistakes may have been committed. These may have resulted in a situation where relations between government and the institution of traditional leadership are strained.
Let me assure you that these were pains associated with the evolution of our democracy.
I am confident that as we approach the end of the first decade of liberation in our country, the culture of working together between traditional leaders and government is firmly entrenched in our province.
I have no doubt that the institution of traditional leadership will continue to complement and strengthen the work done by all the spheres of government.
We have a common duty to lift from the shoulders of our people the intolerable burden of poverty and underdevelopment.
As government we reaffirm our belief that traditional leaders have an important role to play in the context of our developmental state. In our own province, which is 65% rural, traditional leaders have an even more crucial role to play in bringing about a better life to the rural poor.
It is against this background that we as the provincial government participated actively in the establishment of the national council and provincial house of traditional leaders.
We will continue to support the work done by this august House. This we will do because we understand and appreciate the important role that traditional leaders play in the ongoing effort to banish poverty, ignorance and general want particularly in the rural areas.
We are also aware of the critical role this House plays by giving traditional leaders an organised forum in which they can exchange views on common issues. This House also serves an important function of ensuring that traditional leaders interact in a meaningful way with the governance processes.
Chairperson, as we are gathered here today our national government is in the process of finalising the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance. This process will culminate in the tabling of an Act that will define the role and place of traditional leaders in our evolving democracy.
This Act will contribute towards ensuring that as a nation we retain our culture, customs and traditions while we simultaneously recognise the indispensable role of elected representatives in the creation of a better life for all within a constitutional democracy.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank our traditional leaders for having made their contributions to White Paper process. I have no doubt that your views; suggestions and comments will be taken on board when the Act is tabled.
I would like to reiterate that the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance was not the first attempt by our government to initiate a process of consultation about the role and place of traditional leaders in our democracy.
As you are all aware, consultations on the role and place of traditional leaders began with the publication of the Status Quo report long before the White Paper process.
These processes by our government were intended to give all interested parties ample opportunity to assist in defining the role of traditional leaders in our country.
Soon after the adoption by the National Assembly of the Act, provinces will be expected to draft their own legislation that takes into account the unique conditions prevailing in each province.
Naturally, this legislation by provinces must be in line with the Constitution and be guided by the national Act.
I am confident that when an opportunity for us to draft the provincial legislation arrives; you will be ready to rise to the challenge.
Among others we will be expected to agree on which functions can best be performed by traditional leaders. Understandably, this will be a challenging process. But I am confident that we are all equal to the task.
Next year, our people will celebrate the tenth anniversary of our liberation. Indeed this will be a most important celebration in the lives of our people. They will be celebrating freedom, peace and progress in building a better life for all.
They will be celebrating progress made in building a South African nation at peace with itself.
It is proper that we should celebrate the miracle that our democracy is. This House must define its role in both the preparations for and the actual celebrations.
Equally important is that this House must continue to engage with the legislative review process currently being undertaken in our province. This process seeks to ensure that our provincial legislation is in line with the Constitution of the country.
This House has a duty also to locate its role with the new Provincial Intergovernmental Forum Framework now under discussion. It is imperative also for the House to begin discussion on the impact of the ongoing process to review cross boundary municipalities with a view to ensuring efficient and good governance.
We must also engage in discussion on the role traditional leaders can play in giving meaning to the resolution of the upcoming Growth and Development Summit. We have a common duty to ensure that this Summit yields tangible results that will contribute towards pushing back the boundaries of poverty.
This House must also begin engaging in processes that will ensure that our people are registered for next year's elections. Specifically, I urge this House to come up with ways of ensuring that our people have IDs and that they are ready to vote. This process will also assist efforts aimed at ensuring that those who qualify for government social grants do actually get them.
I wish to thank both the members of the House and the Executive for having dedicated themselves to serving our country with dignity and honour. We will continue to rely on this commitment as we engage in the strategic task of building for our people a future that is qualitatively better than the past.
I also wish to thank staff members, especially in our regions, for the valuable service they are rendering to traditional leaders. I am aware of the difficult conditions under which you are working and limited resources at your disposal.
I wish this House well in its deliberations.
I thank you.
Issued by North West Provincial Government
26 May 2003
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