Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening the role of traditional leaders, saying they remain a vital pillar of governance and social cohesion, particularly in rural communities.
The Deputy President delivered the virtual keynote address at the Eastern Cape Traditional Leaders’ Summit held at the East London International Convention Centre, on Tuesday.
The two-day summit, which brings together traditional leaders, government officials and other stakeholders, is aimed at addressing challenges facing traditional leadership institutions and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between government and traditional authorities.
Mashatile said traditional leaders continue to play a significant role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting social cohesion and supporting development in communities.
“Government will never render traditional leaders irrelevant. On the contrary, we recognise that traditional leadership remains a vital pillar of governance, particularly in rural communities,” he said.
He noted that traditional leaders historically served as the centre of governance in African societies, long before colonial rule, resolving disputes and guiding communities through systems rooted in trust and service.
The Deputy President said South Africa’s democratic order recognises the importance of traditional leadership through constitutional provisions that affirm the institution and its role in society.
Legislative frameworks, such as the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, have aligned traditional leadership with democratic principles, enabling traditional councils to work alongside municipalities within the system of cooperative governance.
Mashatile said government has taken steps to restore the dignity and recognition of traditional leadership, including the establishment of platforms such as the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, and Provincial and Local houses.
“Platforms such as the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as Provincial and Local Houses, ensure that traditional leaders participate in shaping policies that affect rural communities.
“Through these structures, traditional leaders have consistently raised critical issues including land rights, socio-economic development, institutional capacity, infrastructure support, policy reforms, and social cohesion,” he said.
Mashatile also highlighted the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Matters of Traditional Leadership in 2022 to address issues raised by traditional leaders.
The task team focuses on advancing land rights and socio-economic development, strengthening traditional institutions, investing in infrastructure and skills, promoting nation-building and unity, and finalising policy and legislative reforms.
The Deputy President urged traditional leaders to work closely with municipalities and provincial governments to address service delivery challenges and mobilise communities to protect public infrastructure such as schools, clinics and water systems.
He further called on traditional leaders to take an active role in tackling social challenges such as gender-based violence, substance abuse and youth unemployment.
“Our government has classified gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster to strengthen coordination in addressing this crisis. But legislation alone cannot change behaviour. Community leadership is essential in challenging harmful attitudes and practices that perpetuate violence,” he said.
Mashatile also emphasised the role of traditional leaders as custodians of communal land, saying the responsible management of land could unlock opportunities for agriculture, job creation and food security in rural communities.
Government initiatives such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus have already created more than 2.5 million employment and livelihood opportunities, many benefiting young people in rural areas.
Mashatile also encouraged traditional leaders to actively participate in the ongoing National Dialogue process, noting that traditional and Khoi-San leaders are represented in the Eminent Persons Group and the National Dialogue Steering Committee.
The summit continues until Wednesday and is expected to produce practical recommendations to strengthen cooperation between government and traditional leadership for the benefit of communities under traditional authorities. – SAnews.gov.za
