19 July 2002
Chairperson,
The Minister for Provincial and Local Government,
The Deputy Minister of Education,
The Premier of the Western Cape and MECs present,
Your Majesties, Kings and Queens,
Your Royal Highnesses, Princes and Princesses,
All traditional leaders present
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I truly appreciate the honour and opportunity bestowed upon me to address the National House of Traditional Leaders on this important occasion of its inauguration for its second term.
Let me begin by congratulating and welcoming new Members of the House, as well as re-elected Members. I wish you well in all your plans and activities, as well as in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.
As we inaugurate this House today, we do so mindful of the enormous responsibilities facing all of us, which include addressing poverty, under-development, hunger and disease, which originate from decades of colonialism and national oppression.
The inauguration of this House, therefore serves as a reminder to all of us, of the important role that traditional leaders have played, and should continue to play, in the national task of improving the quality of life of all South Africans, and meeting all the challenges that still face our nation.
Fellow South Africans, this meeting takes place during a crucial period, as only last week, we witnessed the historic gathering of the continent's leadership to found the African Union (AU), which replaced the Organisation of African Unity, (OAU).
While welcoming the AU, we also need to salute the OAU in achieving its objectives of unity in diversity in the continent, and for the role it played in liberating Africa from all vestiges of colonialism. The AU has the task of leading Africa as it faces challenges such as the eradication of poverty, conflict, underdevelopment, economic marginalisation, degradation and disease.
Through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), which is a programme of the AU, we believe Africa is now on course to begin addressing these priorities in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
NEPAD is a comprehensive programme aimed at removing Africa from its development stagnation, poverty, conflicts and other challenges.
The fact that it was conceptualised and developed by African Heads of State and they are actively involved in its implementation, makes it a unique programme. However, there is recognition that governments require the participation of all sectors of civil society in the continent to ensure that the objectives of NEPAD become a reality.
We therefore look forward to robust interaction about NEPAD among members of this House. Traditional leaders can add enormous value to the programme, particularly in ensuring that while we forge ahead, we do not lose what it is that make us who we are, that we do not lose our African heritage and identity.
I must add, ladies and gentlemen, that we are fortunate in the sense that already; our policies and programmes are influenced, to a large extent, by some of our timeless traditional principles and good values. The principle of governance through consultation and participation of the people, is a good example of the foresight of African traditional societies.
Compatriots, it is our firm conviction that traditional leaders are the custodians of traditional values, standards and customs. For this reason, we wish to extend an invitation to traditional leaders to play a pivotal role in the unfolding process of the moral regeneration of our nation.
As you would be aware, the Moral Regeneration Movement was launched in April this year. It has provided a mechanism for all sectors to come together, to revive respect for all the good values that are enshrined in our Constitution, and those, which have kept our communities together over centuries. These include values such as respect, integrity, honesty and others.
The Movement was formed in response to the manifestations of moral decay in our society which included lack of respect for the next person, lack of respect for human life and property, abuse of alcohol and drugs, abuse of women and children, including infants, the brazen breaking of the law and corruption. More than 1 300 delegates gathered in Pretoria from all over the country to discuss how to bring about a society that cares and that has ubuntu.
In our rural communities, traditional leaders are better placed to play a key role in driving this movement forward. We therefore hope to see active participation by traditional leaders at all levels, and in every corner of our country.
The process of establishing this movement in every province is under way, and this will provide opportunities for participation at every level.
Ladies and gentlemen, one of the major principles underpinning the implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development is the involvement of communities and traditional leaders.
It is our belief that with traditional leaders being part of this process, opportunities for socio-economic development will be better explored for the benefit of communities in a sustainable manner. Although the role of traditional leaders has not yet been formally outlined in terms of legislation, your participation in development is essential in many respects, including assisting in areas such as land claims disputes, land allocation to communities as well as development planning.
The Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy Document approved by Cabinet affirms the roles outlined above, and the challenge is to develop partnerships, which will turn this vision into a reality.
There is reported progress in areas where there has been active participation of traditional leaders. The nodes in which traditional leaders are involved include the Kgalagadi Node in the Northern Cape/North West provinces, where traditional leaders are part of the political forum, and the Alfred Nzo Municipality, where interventions by traditional leaders have helped to resolve conflict between various communities and stakeholders. The importance of working together between traditional leaders and government therefore cannot be over-emphasised.
Distinguished members of the House, as you are aware, Government has embarked on a process of developing a White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance.
The issues that are dealt with in the White Paper include:
As you are also aware, Government set up a Special Cabinet Committee in March last year, to address the request by traditional leaders that their powers be clearly defined.
The members of this Committee, are the Ministers of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney Mufamadi, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, Justice and Constitutional Development, Dr Penuel Maduna, and the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Mr Joe Matthews. The Committee has not yet issued the final report on its deliberations.
Distinguished guests, let me use this opportunity to reiterate how honoured I am to have the opportunity of interacting with you today.
Let me also restate that as government, we are of the view that the institution of traditional leadership has a vital role to play in governance and development, and that it is crucial that we find ways and means of working together for the common good of our country and its people.
We therefore look forward to working with members of this House to chart the way forward, as we, together, preserve and build this institution as a part of the system of governance in this country.
I Thank You