Issued by Ministry for Provincial and Local Government
17 May 2000
The President, Mr Thabo Mbeki and the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney Mufamadi met two delegations of traditional leaders in Pretoria on the 16th of May 2000.
The first delegation consisted of representatives from both the National House of Traditional Leaders and their counterparts from the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders; representatives of CONTRALESA as well as representatives of the Bafokeng Royal Nation. The second delegation was made up of traditional leaders from Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Both delegations raised concerns about the ongoing demarcation process and its impact on areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leadership as well as their role in local governance.
The delegations were assured that there is no intention on the side of National government to weaken the position of traditional leadership in the country. On the contrary, the Government has embarked on a process to define more clearly the role, functions, powers and authorities of traditional leaders in the form of a Discussion Document launched by the Department of Provincial and Local Government in April this year. This Document provides all traditional leaders with a basis to meaningfully deal with their concerns in a holistic manner as well as contribute to policy development on these issues.
Government further committed itself to speed up the process of consultation on this document to ensure that:
1. A common understanding of the role and function of the institution of traditional leadership is finally achieved.
2. Existing laws are reviewed and should they be found to be inconsistent with this understanding, they will be repealed or amended.
3. The process of establishing new municipalities proceeds smoothly with the support of all South Africans including traditional leaders.
To ensure that the above is achieved, all delegations committed themselves to ensure that they participate fully in the deliberations within the Discussion Document and to ensure that communities within areas of their jurisdictions are also encouraged to make inputs.
It is important that all these issues are resolved as soon as possible so that the sphere of local governance can play a role of bringing development and providing basic services to all our people.
For More Information Contact:
Freddy Pilusa, Acting Media Liaison Officer(012)334 0681
Cell: 082 498 2001