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Deputy President Jacob Zuma today, Tuesday 16 November met with representatives of the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders led by Chief Mpiyentombi Mzimela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The meeting took place at the initiative of the traditional leaders.

The delegation presented the Deputy President with a memorandum of requests for the government's attention. The memorandum included a request for a two-day lekgotla-bosberaad with the government to discuss the following:

* the status of the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders
* a ministry of traditional affairs
* relocation of the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders to the offices of the President and Premiers respectively
* remuneration of traditional leaders
* the Municipal Structures Act
* the role of the Demarcation Board in respect of boundaries in traditional areas
* jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters
* powers and functions of local government vis a vis those of traditional leaders.

Deputy President Zuma undertook to discuss the issues raised, with both President Thabo Mbeki and the Ministry of Provincial and Local Government. The Deputy President committed himself to regular meetings with structures of traditional leaders at national and provincial levels . In this regard, the Deputy President stressed the need for co-operative governance and further reiterated his intention to visit all provinces in the New Year to mobilise for an integrated rural development strategy.

For more information contact:

Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Mathula Magubane at 082-371-1315

Issued by the Office of the Presidency
Communications Unit
Office of Deputy President J. Z Zuma
P/Bag X1000
Pretoria
0001
16 November 1999.