Issued by the Office of the Presidency
Parliament, 8 May 2000
Honourable Chairperson
Your Majesties, the Kings of our people
Amakhosi, Magoshi, Mahosi
Honourable Ministers
Honourable Members of Parliament
Honourable Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
It has been just over six years since South Africa celebrated its first democratic elections for national and provincial governments. Local government elections in 1995 and 1996 and a general election last year have consolidated our new democracy. As you are well aware a new system of local government will come into effect after the local government elections later this year. Gradually our constitutional framework is taking shape.
Our democratic system is not something that was cast in stone. It is something that is constantly evolving.
In developing and deepening our democracy, we are attempting to develop democratic institutions that take into account our history and our culture.
Prior to the arrival of the colonialists on our shores, we had traditional systems of government in place in most parts of our country. As colonisation advanced, these traditional societies were either systematically destroyed or subjugated and their lands seized. In this context, Traditional leaders played a key role in the struggle against colonialism. Many suffered untold hardship and made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember Maqoma, Cetshwayo, Sekhukhuni, Langalibalele and Bhambatha amongst others, national heroes.
As the colonialists were unable to eradicate traditional leadership systems, they instead found ways to systematically weaken the institution. Traditional leaders were forced to become of the colonial local government administration.
They were however isolated in their tribal areas, reporting only to the local magistrate. Meetings of traditional leaders on a scale broader than the district were forbidden. This resulted in traditional leaders seeing local issues as the be all and end all and loosing focus on issues of national importance. It was in this way that the government of the day was able to divide and rule.
This isolation ensured that they did not interact and raise issues affecting their situation as an institution in a collective manner.
Prior to 1994, the various constitutions of South Africa made no reference to or provision for the traditional leadership system. They provided no avenues for traditional leaders to take up their issues at a national government level. They were therefore restricted to taking their issues up with the local magistrate and writing letters and making appeals to national government when this did not work. Traditional leaders were almost reduced to being civil servants.
Our new freedom that we achieved in 1994 is all encompassing. We recognise the importance of traditional leaders. For the first time the constitution - the supreme law of the land - recognises the institution of traditional leadership. It provides avenues, through the provincial and national houses, for direct interaction with the national and provincial executives and legislatures.
The objectives of the National House of Traditional Leaders, as you are well aware, are primarily to promote the role of traditional leadership within a democratic constitutional dispensation. The House has the further task of enhancing unity and understanding between traditional communities and co-operation between the National House and the various provincial houses.
In performing its functions, this House is tasked with advising government on various issues relating to traditional leaders and conducting their own investigations into these matters.
In this way Traditional Leaders are given the opportunity to play a role in the administration of the country. The opportunity to advise on matters affecting Traditional Leaders is now a right and not a privilege as it was in the past. It brings them together and back into the mainstream away from the small corners to which they had been confined. It brings back dignity and respect.
They now have the opportunity to come together in this House which is representative of traditional leaders in the provinces and speak with one voice. They are able to share their views in a collective manner and engage the government in a structured manner.
As we open the National House of Traditional Leaders, the question we need to ask ourselves whether Traditional Leaders have made the most use of this change? Are some of our traditional leaders still trapped into the old system seeing themselves as separate from government and not part of it? This system gives you the chance to engage government and make suggestions as to what government should do. You are an integral part of the system of government in our country.
This House and the provincial houses need to make full use of the opportunities provided to it by our constitutional dispensation.
Is this House discussing sufficiently and rigorously, legislation affecting traditional issues that is before Parliament? Is Parliament briefed about discussions in this House?
This House needs to fully perform the functions expected of it. It needs to do this so that all people can appreciate its relevance and importance in modern day South Africa.
In debating these issues we need to accept that social life is dynamic. We are constantly changing, developing new ideas and new traditions. We must not be afraid of this. We need to see change as something positive.
We need to take that which is good from our traditions and cultures and incorporate that which will improve our lives. This is not a new phenomenon. It is something that has been happening for as long as humans have been in existence.
I wish you well in your deliberations.