Date: 20/02/2009

Source: The Presidency

Title: SA: Motlanthe: Address by the President of South Africa, on the opening of the 2nd session of the National House of Traditional Leaders

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Khosi F P Kutama
Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi P P Maubane
Your Majesties and Royal Highnesses
Chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi from Botswana, Kgosi Puso
Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of provincial houses of traditional leaders
Traditional leaders here present
Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sicelo Shiceka and other ministers present
Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Ms Nomatyala Hangana, and other deputy ministers present
Our Leaders and members of parliament
Religious leaders
Senior government officials and other leaders of our state institutions
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

I feel greatly honoured and privileged to speak to the esteemed traditional leaders of our country on this momentous occasion of the annual opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders.

Allow me from the onset to reiterate the government's recognition of the role and place of the institution of traditional leadership in our country's system of governance. Historically, traditional leaders in South Africa have embodied the cohesion of the communities and the people they lead. Many of our traditional leaders have been at the forefront of the struggle for the national self-determination of South Africa's people.

This year marks the 190th anniversary of the Battle of Grahamstown when Nxele lead his forces against the British Garrison. Nxele was later captured and incarcerated in Robben Island. He did not serve all of his prison term since he escaped and was never seen again.

Today, many traditional leaders continue to work and struggle with the people to find solutions to a myriad of challenges.

In many respects, a large measure of the progress we have made over the past 15 years in building a better life for all is thanks to the contribution that traditional leaders have made. I refer here, among others, to land restitution; access to water, electricity and sanitation; school enrolment; access to social grants; and the housing programme. But as we all know, progress does bring its own challenges. And the accumulated deprivation cannot be eradicated all in one fell swoop.

Of course, there are also weaknesses in this experience and the land reform programme stands out starkly. But I suppose that our honourable Magosi will agree with me that they share in the determination to address these challenges going forward.

The role and place of our traditional leaders in the system of democratic governance are guaranteed in the Constitution and further elaborated in the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance.

Our government has, over the years, developed sound working relations with the National House of Traditional Leaders and we remain committed to strengthening these relations and to do whatever is necessary to enable our traditional leaders to play their role in society.

Last year government made certain undertakings to the National House of Traditional Leaders to enable our traditional leaders more effectively to discharge their duties and lead their communities. I am happy to inform the House that we have made progress in fulfilling those undertakings.

Following Cabinet's approval of the establishment of the Department of Traditional Leadership last year, work has been done to ensure that the department starts functioning from 1 April 2009. The establishment of the department will ensure that matters of traditional leadership are dealt with at the highest level of management within government. This will afford the minister, the president and government as a whole the most senior expert advice and effective mechanisms of implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This will also ensure that government pays immediate attention to any issues that may arise relating to the effective and efficient functioning of the institution of traditional leadership.

The project to develop a framework for the allocation of roles and functions to traditional leadership as required by sections 19 and 20 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act has commenced with the involvement of all relevant government departments and provinces.

The project on skills development and capacity building of the institution of traditional leadership has been finalised and will be rolled out during the next financial year. This will provide the necessary skills and capacity required to enhance the role that traditional leaders ought to play in improving the lives of all our people, especially in rural areas.

In 2008 the National Assembly passed the amendment to the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act and the refinement of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act to enhance and promote the effective and efficient functioning of the institution of traditional leadership. The two Bills are now being finalised by the National Council of Provinces.

Policy development on the Khoi-San communities, including leadership and structures is being processed through the Cabinet system. This will be followed by consultation with the Khoi-San communities and the general public before the policy is finalised. It is hoped that the process will be finalised by the end of 2009. We are confident that this critical initiative will speed up the process of correcting the massive historical injustice that this community suffered under colonialism, including violence of genocidal proportions and suppression of their culture and languages.

Government has also approved and submitted the Traditional Courts Bill to parliament and it is currently before the National Assembly. This Bill, despite its good intentions, has generated great debate within society and raised pertinent issues which need further consideration by our parliament. Historically, traditional leaders are known for their ability to mediate and find solutions to complex problems. I hope that the National House of Traditional Leaders will use this skill to help us resolve the issues raised by this piece of draft legislation.

Parliament has also provided for a role for traditional leaders in the resolution of disputes regarding the inheritance from deceased estates in the Reform of Customary Law of Succession Bill that is about to be passed.

Chairperson

All of these interventions by government are being effected because we genuinely believe that the institution of traditional leadership needs to be strengthened to enable our traditional leaders to discharge their duties in their respective communities. A strong institution of traditional leadership is a key factor in our endeavour to create a better life for all our people, especially in rural areas.

Over the past few years the institution of traditional leadership has gradually been integrated into the democratic governance system. The National House of Traditional Leaders is involved in a number of initiatives including among others, women development, youth development, the fight against HIV and AIDS, cultural tourism and the promotion of indigenous languages and knowledge systems.

The memorandum of understanding signed with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) will improve co-operation between municipalities and traditional councils.

In general there is greater co-operation between government institutions across the three spheres of government and the institution of traditional leadership. This co-operation is important given that both traditional leaders and government are concerned with development and the general improvement of the quality of life of the people.

Poverty eradication remains a high priority of our government and this can only be achieved with the active involvement of our traditional leaders. I am pleased to see that the National House of Traditional Leaders has placed poverty eradication high on its agenda.

As you are all aware, many of our rural areas still face serious challenges of underdevelopment and extreme levels of poverty. Recently there were reports of cholera in some of our provinces. While studies will reveal exactly what the causes of cholera are, we can assume that underdevelopment particularly access to clean running water is a critical factor.

In the next financial year, government will introduce a comprehensive rural development programme. Involvement of our traditional leaders both in the conceptualisation and implementation of this programme will be critical for success. Your knowledge of conditions in our rural area will help us find more appropriate responses to the challenge of rural development.

Chairperson

Let me again underline that the institution of traditional leadership and the leaders themselves are an important pillar of unity and cohesion within communities. This relates to issues of social development to which I earlier referred a responsibility that has become even more critical in the current global and domestic economic environment.

Yet we should also bear in mind that the worth of any society is defined not only in terms of material things. Thus, I am certain we will all agree, the efforts of traditional leaders in building a humane value system; in engendering the spirit of mutual respect and humility; and in the fight against crime and corruption should be enhanced. Among the legacies bequeathed to this generation of leaders is the responsibility to build unity among the African people: for, we know that without this, centuries ago, we were deprived of our sovereignty, our land and our dignity.

Thus it behoves us today to continue the task of exorcising and burying the demon of tribalism and ethnic chauvinism across the length and breadth of our country. But beyond this, it is our responsibility to ensure the unity and advancement of the people of the African continent as a whole.

Last year when some of the foreign nationals were violently attacked in some parts of the country our traditional leaders stepped forward and helped stabilise the situation. You reminded the affected communities that we are one and that we should not tear ourselves apart. Your intervention reaffirmed your role as custodians of the African values and culture. Your skill and your wisdom will continue to be needed to overcome this problem if and when it rears its ugly head.

We are mindful of the fact that culture and African values, like everything else in life, are not static. They are a historical phenomenon and their development is determined by a succession of socioeconomic formations.

Chairperson

The role that our traditional leaders are playing in the consolidation of the African Agenda, one of the key priority programmes of our nation, is greatly appreciated. We are pleased that our traditional leaders have forged strong ties with the traditional leaders from other South African Development Community (SADC) countries in line with our international relations policy.

We also appreciate your work beyond the SADC region. I know that some of you are involved in the important issues of building and strengthening African unity. We are grateful that as you conduct this important work you are guided by our country's foreign policy.

Earlier this month we attended the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. One of the issues discussed was the African Union Government. Our position on this matter is that an African Union government is a long term goal which must be the culmination of a process driven by regional economic communities. In this regard, our efforts should be directed at the strengthening of SADC.

I am happy that those of our traditional leaders who were invited to meetings in Libya and asked to support proposals that had not been sufficiently canvassed across our nation and other nations of our continent, were able to articulate South Africa's position and refused to be party to initiatives that would be contrary to the interests of our country.

As you are all aware, our country's next national and provincial elections will take place on 22 April 2009. The elections are an important instrument of our democratic system as they allow the people to determine who should lead them.

As traditional leaders you have a duty to encourage the people in your communities to take part in the elections. Since you are above party politics you are best placed to promote a climate for free political activity to ensure that all citizens are able to exercise their freedoms without intimidation and violence; and that none of our localities is declared a no go area for anybody, by anybody!

This year, our country will host the FIFA Confederations Cup, bringing football champions from various continents to our country; and serving as a dress rehearsal for the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We do hope that traditional leaders are engaging with soccer authorities and local government on how their communities can benefit from these events including through tourism, the arts, and public viewing areas. And, who knows, a wise word or two whispered into the ears of the administrators, the coach and the players, may just produce wonders in terms of morale, commitment and self-confidence!

I would like to assure the National House that all your concerns and those from various provincial houses about land administration, property tax, administration of justice within traditional authorities as well as the regulation of cultural practices within traditional communities are receiving attention. All the collaborate efforts I have mentioned above bear testimony to our commitment to enhance the partnership, not to undermine the institution of traditional leadership and its role in governing and transforming our communities.

In conclusion, by working with the traditional leaders, government remains true to the slogan that says "alone you run FAST, but together we run FAR!"

I thank you.