Manhattan Hotel, Tshwane, 14 December, 2006
Your Majesties and Royal Highnesses,
Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders,
Chairpersons and members of the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am grateful to the National House of Traditional Leaders for this opportunity to address your Annual Conference. We are meeting here at this Conference because together we have a national responsibility to work together to achieve the noble objective of a better life for all our people.
This is a national task that demands true leadership, partnership and commitment from all of us to respect the fundamental interests of all our people.
The esteemed members of the National House know how much I and the rest of the National Cabinet are inspired by the historic position taken by our traditional leaders to work together in harmony with our elected leaders to serve the people of South Africa.
I am certain that the masses of our people are happy that, in terms of our relations, we have progressed far beyond the turf battles in which we engaged in the years that have passed, as we grappled with the challenge to respond to the situation new to all of us, created by the establishment of our democracy.
As we work together in the years ahead, which include this Conference, within the context of an agreed agenda, I have no doubt that each one of us, and the constituencies we represent, will find just cause further to refine the institutional setting within which we work. This should not frighten any among us, or cause undue concern.
Together we must accept that our shared experience as we work together will continue to serve as a good teacher, whose lessons we will have to assess and accept together, informed by the realisation that what unites us is a common commitment to work as servants of our people.
Now that we have reached the stage that we have in the evolution of our relationship, as elected and traditional institutions, we must take the important decision that we must implement all the programmes on which we have already agreed, avoiding the temptation always to start new battles about one thing or another, or to resurrect old and dead conflicts.
I am convinced that none of us will gain absolutely nothing from continuing to wage battles and wars that are distinguished only by the fact that they are battles and wars that we fought, once upon a time.
The institution of traditional leadership occupies a unique and important place in our country. It is this unique and important role that makes our traditional leaders such critical players in the reconstruction and development of our country.
Elected government and the institution of Traditional Leadership share a common objective informed by the commitment to serve the people and work with these masses for their overall development.
The finalisation and publication of the White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance, the coming into operation of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act of 2003 (the Framework Act) and the promulgation of the Provincial laws emanating from the national Framework Act concluded a significant phase of a long-term process intended to ensure that the institution of traditional leadership takes its place as an active participant in our system of democratic governance.
With the policy, legislative and programmatic framework now in operation, the platform therefore exists for the institution of traditional leadership to participate in the formulation and implementation of the programmes of the national, provincial and local spheres of government, work in partnerships with the elected governments, and contribute significantly to fighting poverty and achieving sustainable livelihoods for the millions of our people who live in the communal rural areas.
The Constitution as well as our national and provincial legislation form the basis for the transformation of the institution of traditional leadership in accordance with the constitutional principles of democracy and equality, the creation of partnerships that are aimed at development and the participation of traditional leaders in the processes of democratic governance.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and express our since appreciation for the commitment of our traditional leaders throughout the country to forge, with the rest of government, a sustainable partnership for the successful development of our country.
Equally, all structures of elected government are committed to work with our traditional leaders to strengthen this partnership.
During this year, several meetings between the National House of Traditional Leaders and the Presidency have taken place. Most recently and for the first time, the National House met with the National Cabinet to examine the progress and challenges facing our partnership, and discuss a national programme of support for our traditional leaders.
As we take forward the outcomes of that meeting and what will emerge from this Conference, it is important that both the traditional leaders and the elected governments should prepare adequately for serious and involved collaboration.
As we are aware, among other things the provisions of the new legal framework require the transformation of the structures of the institution of traditional leadership to provide for the representation and participation of women in their own right, as well as provide for a democratically elected component of these structures.
At least one third of members of these structures should be women. These structures include traditional councils at local level and houses of traditional leaders at district, provincial and national levels.
Embracing democratic principles, change and extending full participation to women, membership of the youth and the disabled will make the institution of traditional leadership further relevant to all members of society especially during this transformation phase of this institution and our country. I am convinced that as a consequence of all this, our people will more deeply appreciate and increase their support for the institution of traditional leadership.
Houses of traditional leaders at local, district, provincial and national levels, will serve as the engine of the strategic partnership with our elected structures of government. Accordingly, our traditional structures must play, together with the different spheres of government, a critical role in the implementation of laws and programmes that impact on communities within the jurisdiction of institutions of traditional leadership.
Indeed, to enable our institution of traditional leadership to discharge its mandate properly, our national government has set up an all-inclusive task team to work on a government-wide national programme of support to deal with medium to long-term issues of government support for our traditional leaders.
This programme outlines key areas of strategic intervention and support for the whole institution, including individual traditional leaders, traditional councils and local, provincial and national houses.
The programme also seeks to ensure that the legislation governing the institution is correctly implemented. Further, the programme deals with issues that address the manner in which government as a whole will provide meaningful support to the institution of traditional leadership, as well as giving clarity on the specific arm of government that would implement programmes and projects flowing from Schedule 4 of the Constitution.
During the course of the discussions on this national support programme questions arose as to how far individual Ministries and Departments have gone with regard to the assignment of functions to the level of the institutions of traditional leadership.
It may also be possible that National Departments, other than those envisaged in the Framework Act, may have developed programmes relating to, or involving, the institution of traditional leadership.
Such programmes will be integrated in the national support programme for the purpose of proper coordination. I am glad to announce that most of the government departments, whose work impacts on our communal areas, are on board with regard to this process. Hence, during this Conference, the relevant Ministers will share their views with you on this crucial topic.
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, our traditional leaders:
The following strategic priorities have been identified for intervention through the national programme of support, signifying that we will:
Clearly, the strategic priorities listed above seek to give effect to government's support of the institution of traditional leadership, as contemplated in our Constitution and legislation. Again, various pieces of legislation further refer to the role of traditional leadership in supporting all spheres of government in service delivery and development.
Our national support programme therefore seeks to highlight the main areas of strategic focus in ensuring that all structures within the institution of traditional leadership are fully functional and effective with regard to their role in terms of service delivery and the sustained development of our communities.
In this regard, the main focus areas of this programme for implementation in 2007 will be the following:
In discharging its role of coordination and management of this constitutionally concurrent function, the Department of Provincial and Local Government and other national government departments will work closely with the provinces, to ensure the effective implementation of this programme, and give advice and support to the institution of traditional leadership, with a view to promoting a coherent approach towards the transformation of the institution, the optimal use of resources and its positive contribution to service delivery and development.
This programme of support has already been presented to and supported by the Local Government MinMec and Cabinet. To finalise the development of the programme, further consultations will take place in the New Year with all traditional leaders and other role-players.
In closing, I would like to emphasise that it is the firm resolve of government to help transform as well as give all necessary support to the institution of traditional leadership, as well as accelerate the involvement of our traditional leaders and institutions in government programmes and initiatives.
I believe that this Conference will achieve the goals it has itself, as espoused in the theme of the Conference. I am also convinced that the achievement of these goals will contribute to the realisation of the goal of a better life for all, especially the millions of our people in rural South Africa.
On behalf of our government and in my own name, I wish you success in your deliberations during this important Conference.
As I end, I would also like to wish everybody present a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and urge you to respect and propagate the message to Arrive Alive!
I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention.