Speaker's notes for Limpopo Premier Mr Sello Moloto at the opening of Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Moletjie Traditional Council, Capricorn District

Your Majesties and Royal Highnesses,
MEC for Local Government and Housing,
Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders Khosi PF Kutama,
Members of the National House of Traditional Leaders Hosi Ngove and Kgoshikgadi Mothapo,
Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Executive members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders,
Chairpersons and members of the Local Houses of Traditional Leaders,
Former members of the house,
Executive Mayor and Mayors,
MPs and MPLs,
Councillors,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Yesterday was the 53rd anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the congress of the people in Kliptown. This document remains to this day a guiding light not only to the African National Congress (ANC) but also to the democratic government and the people it leads.

In one of its opening paragraphs the Freedom Charter declares that South Africa belongs to all who live in it and that our country will never be prosperous or free until all our people live in brotherhood/sisterhood enjoying equal rights and opportunities.

As we commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the adoption of this timeless blueprint, we do so with our heads bowed, ashamed because our country is stained by the flames of hate unleashed by our fellow South Africans upon their compatriots of African descent who live in our country. This is an episode in the life of this nation which should never ever be repeated, given the fact that our country's own liberation was achieved with the blood and sweat of patriots of other countries who sacrificed life and limb to see our people liberated.

It is also by coincident that the opening of this house today takes place at a time when our neighbour Zimbabwe is faced with political uncertainties, arising out of the failure of leadership in that country to reach out to one another for a peaceful political transition.

Whatever happens today as Zimbabwe goes to elections, one thing for sure is that the Zimbabweans need each other to resolve their current political differences. We can only pray as South Africans that this situation does not further deteriorate to a civil war and more violence.

As we have always said in the past, the only imaginable solution to this crisis is for Zimbabweans themselves to engage seriously in a dialogue to help resolve this impasse.

Programme director

The opening of this house today also takes place at a time when the Commission on Traditional Disputes and Claims (popularly known as the Nhlapo Commission) had already made pronouncements on its determination of some Kingship and Queenship in the country. As a provincial government we welcome the determination made by the commission and wish to join the house in congratulating the Sekhukhune Royal family for receiving the recognition of Kingship. In the same breath, we look forward with anticipation to receive the final report on the determination of leadership status for other royal houses in the province.

Programme director

The presence among us here of traditional leaders from Vhembe to Mopani, Capricorn to Sekhukhune and Waterberg, once again attests to the oneness and unity of our people across the province.

This unity can only mean that we have transcended our ethnic differences of the past and now regard our diversity as a fountain of strength, from which to draw wisdom.

There is a growing unanimity across all sectors of our population that in a province such as ours, no development and no fundamental change can ever take place without the input of traditional leaders. Whether the issues relate to moral regeneration, agriculture, tourism or mining, none of these can ever be addressed adequately, without tapping on the rich wisdom of traditional leadership.

For instance, one of the things that distinguish Limpopo from the rest of the country is the diversity of its people and the rich variety of cultural heritage we share. The warmth of our people, their humility and humbleness remain priceless qualities which keep tourists coming back to the province to explore more.

We owe this identity to our traditional leaders and believe that they have a huge responsibility on their shoulders to keep our languages and our cultures alive.

Legislation has opened the doors of opportunity for municipalities and traditional councils to work together in strengthening local economic activities and protecting heritage. It is your role to seize the opportunities that have come with freedom, for the benefit of our province and its people.

Programme director

The House of Traditional Leaders is continuing to evolve with time and we can confidently say that we are beginning to achieve many of the goals which we only dreamt off, some few years ago.

The process of refurbishing and construction of new offices is continuing as planned. We are also finalising the issue of appointment of staff in traditional offices and we hope to complete this process before the end of the year.

We are also continuing to pursue the task of establishing traditional councils as required by the Act and we hope this would have been attended to before the end of the year.

There are also engagements taking place with various formations of traditional leaders on the improvement of their benefits, particularly around the issue of salary increases for Induna's. The house will recall that some of the lower levels of traditional leadership have been on the same salary levels for the past ten years.

Despite the diversity in customs and practices, we think that the house has done exceptionally well in confronting sensitive and difficult issues given the lack of standards and norms on traditional matters. A typical example to this will be how you continue to successfully manage and govern the practice of initiation schools, even when there are obvious cultural differences in approach from the various tribes.

Other positive developments which are in the offing include the imminent passing of the Traditional Courts Bill, whose objective includes the affirmation of the institution of the traditional justice system.

Historically, we always knew that traditional leaders were the ones who had the responsibility to mete out justice. Even today many of our people still continue to report their concerns and disputes to traditional leaders for adjudication.

Therefore, strengthening this judicial arm of traditional authority will obviously help in ensuring that the case burden in the modern courts is significantly reduced. This will no doubt place a heavy responsibility on all of us as government and traditional leaders.

Despite the positive developments that have been taking place, there have also been some challenges that we are continuously dealing with.

One of the challenges we are facing is the recognition and proclamation of what one will regard as new traditional communities and therefore traditional authorities. In the light of the investigation of the Commission on Traditional Leadership, disputes and claims (Nhlapo), some of these areas become too difficult to deal with.

This is because these and all other outstanding policy pronouncements and clarifications have got a direct bearing on the recognition of new traditional communities and various new levels of traditional leadership.

Programme director

However, we are pleased that historically, traditional authorities have been the ones playing an important role in ensuring that our people have access to birth certificates and identity documents. These documents enabled them to access pension grants, foster care and child support grants.

In the same vein we expect your good offices to play their part in reaching out to our communities and encouraging them to register for the upcoming general elections.

Programme director

Finally, it needs to be said that, the institution of traditional leaders is not unique to South Africa or the African continent. In fact all countries of the world have had kings, queens and chiefs at some stage in their development and some developed countries even continue to have them to this day. However, what is common in all of these countries is that they have transformed their institutions as times changed. We too cannot stop the changes from taking place, otherwise we risk being wiped out by history or becoming irrelevant to the people we serve. In other words, we must allow ourselves to be influenced, inasmuch as we have the power to influence others.

A traditional leader is a traditional leader because of heredity and tradition but also because of the people he or she serves.

Whatever the challenges are, we must continue to accord the necessary respect and dignity to the institution of traditional leadership in all its diversified form. Equally, traditional leaders themselves need to conduct their affairs in a more dignified way in order to earn the respect they deserve.

Our government will always depend on your support in carrying out its mandate and obligations especially in the rural communities where the majority of our people come from.

We wish to thank the leadership of the house and all members for affording us this opportunity.

We wish this house fruitful deliberation as it gets on the task of bringing about a better life for all!

I ndlovu ya hina!

Pula!

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
27 June 2008