Pretoria – Traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal will get a chance to expand their financial education and in turn, share their newfound knowledge with their surrounding communities.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on Thursday launched a programme to teach traditional leaders financial management. The initiative is a partnership between the Provincial Treasury and the KwaZulu-Natal Financial Literacy Association (KZNFLA).
The programme, which enjoys King Goodwill Zwelithini’s full support, follows a Rural Development Summit Conference resolution passed in July this year.
During the summit, it was agreed that the KZNFLA will extend its operations to work with all traditional councils throughout the province.
The Royal Household, KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Financial Planning Institute, KZN Consumer Protection and Zimele Developing Community Self-Reliance were also part of the launch of the programme.
Speaking at the event, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini expressed his excitement over the initiative and pledged his support. He said the programme would uplift communities throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
He also urged Amakhosi to embrace the partnership, as it would alleviate the plight of many people who are engulfed by poverty, unemployment and inequality.
"I believe that we need to form a strong alliance amongst the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders executive, Ingonyama Trust and the Provincial Treasury to confront all the issues that affect our community."
The King further asked the provincial government to assist Amakhosi with medical aid and to help with fencing community gardens.
KZN Finance MEC Ina Cronjé said the ever changing economic climate required leaders to start special attention to financial education.
“This is paramount as financial systems and products keep expanding and becoming more complex. As the custodian of public funds, the KwaZulu-Natal Treasury realises the impact that financial education can have on households, emerging entrepreneurs and our young people.
“Sound financial management, whether on a personal level or a public level, makes the difference between opportunities missed and goals achieved. We are looking up to the new modern-day traditional leadership to work with us as we navigate through the new challenges facing our people today, especially the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment,” said Cronjé.
Lindani Dhlomo, who leads the newly established KZNFLA Traditional Leaders Focus Group, said traditional leaders and traditional authorities played an essential role in the day-to-day administration of their areas and the lives of traditional people.
“The institution, status and role of traditional leaders are recognised by the Constitution of the Republic,” said Dhlomo.
The programme will be implemented at district level in various phases, starting with personal financial management and moving to business finance to SMMEs and co-operatives.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism will establish financial co-operatives for traditional councils.
Cebisile Mtshali from Zululand District commended the initiative. Mtshali was part of a group of 102 women from ward 16 in Mtubatuba, who have managed to save R34 974 from 2011. They have been saving R5 weekly.
“We are the kind of women who use what they have to improve their lives and families with assistance from Zimele [a non-profit organisation]. We mobilise our resources to uplift our community through projects that we initiate working together," said Mtshali. – SAnews.gov.za
