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28 March 2008

Chairperson of this distinguished House of Traditional Leaders, Morena Mopeli
The National Chairperson, Morena Kutama
Honourable Traditional Leaders from Lesotho
Honourable Members of this House
Honourable Provincial Members of the Traditional Councils
Members of the Executive Council
Respective Executive Mayors, Mayors and Councillors
Ladies and gentlemen

Chairperson, I feel truly humbled to be afforded the opportunity to address the official opening of this distinguished House. Allow me to extend a warm welcome to Marena a Lesotho; we are sincerely honoured to have you amongst us today. Let me hasten to commend our Traditional Leaders for the deep concern they have displayed with regard to the development of our people and their communities.
As government we have always emphasised that the Traditional Leadership has a crucial role to play in a democratic South Africa.

We acknowledge the foundation that has been laid down by our forefathers and great visionaries such as Moshoeshoe, Moroka, Montshiwa, etc. The provision of the establishment of the House of Traditional Leaders in the Constitution gave an expression to government's commitment to involve traditional leaders in the democratic processes.

In his address during the opening session of the National House of Traditional Leaders last month, President Thabo Mbeki reaffirmed government's steadfastness to protect and strengthen the role of Traditional Leaders. He conceded that there are some challenges revolving around the implementation of legislation and programmes across the country and that some work is being undertaken to tackle some of the challenges.

Chairperson, the reason why we are placing a high premium on strengthening the role of the traditional leaders is that we are convinced that all of us can do more to create a better life for all our people, and that all of us should be actively and directly involved in forging a people's contract to create work and fight poverty.

In the perspective of "business unusual" we are in essence saying we cannot ignore traditional leadership in working towards attaining the objectives of reducing unemployment and eradicating poverty. As the custodian of customs, traditions and values, the Traditional Leadership institution has distinguished itself as a willing and capable participant in the ongoing effort to improve the lives of our people.

It is therefore imperative for members of this House to reaffirm the Traditional Leadership as a progressive force for the betterment of the lives of our people, particularly those in rural areas. Our people look upon this House to take forward, with even more vigour and determination, the struggle against poverty.

Our people expect members of this Honourable House to be their voice in government and to ensure that the benefits of our liberation are deepened and expanded. They are willing to work with you within the context of a people's contract in order to ensure that government policies and interventions have the maximum desired impact in the shortest possible time.

I firmly believe that you are fully aware of the genuine expectations of our people whose fulfilment is not negotiable. As the provincial government we remain confident that; present in this House are South Africans of impeccable integrity who are ready and able to champion the interests of our people.

We are confident that Members of this House will work together with our people and the provincial government to ensure that we reach the goals we have set for ourselves. Honourable members; you are leaders because of the people and you are at the centre of driving development in your communities hence we see you as active agents in the acceleration of service delivery.

We see you playing a meaningful role in mobilising the communities and encouraging them to participate in local economic development initiatives. You are well placed to support fight against the scourge of HIV and AIDS and to convey messages of distigmatisation of the disease.

The youth are looking up to you for the provision of recreational facilities. You can reduce the levels of crime by forming partnerships with other stakeholders. Chairperson, with all the socio-economic challenges that our country is experiencing, indeed the role of traditional leaders in the new dispensation is beyond measure.

Honourable members; we cannot over emphasise the need for cooperative governance between the traditional leaders and the municipalities. This finds expression in the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Act 41 of 2003 which seeks to restore the dignity of this institution by integrating it to governance.

Your role in the formulation of the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) of the municipalities is essential. You need to ensure that the needs of the people find resonance in the IDPs. It goes without saying that traditional leaders must become actively involved in the development of strategies and processes relating to the development in their areas.

As the Provincial government, we remain committed to ensuring that the House enjoys the necessary support it requires to perform its tasks. We doing this because we are clear in our minds that it is only when we work with our Traditional Leaders that we will be able to guarantee sustainable development, particularly in the rural parts of our province.

Our experience over the years has taught us that it is mostly in those areas where there is co-operation between Traditional Authorities and government where the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the lives of our people is smooth and has maximum impact.

I wish to take this opportunity to applaud the Chairperson, Morena Matheadira Mopeli for his passion in driving the co-operative governance matters. The steps that the Free State House of Traditional leaders have taken in working with municipalities should indeed be commended.

Whilst this institution is ensuring that there is enhanced service delivery to rural areas, I also challenge you to also uphold democratic values by involving women in the administration of traditional councils.

This is imperative since the Framework Act on Traditional Leadership and Governance prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender and upholds and defends the rights of women and further makes a provision for women to form part of the traditional council.

Honourable members; as the President has already indicated, government is tackling the challenges facing the traditional leadership and with regard to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of traditional leaders, a bill to this effect will be tabled in Parliament at the end of May.

Furthermore Honourable members; the Framework Act on Traditional Leaders will be refined during the course of this year to deal with issues of the efficient functioning of the Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims Commission. Equally, an announcement will be made in due course with regard to the well-being of traditional leaders.

Government remains committed to ensuring that all sectors of our society participate meaningfully in programmes aimed at development. We therefore urge members of this House to become involved in the implementation of the provincial government's programme of action, as it is a responsibility of every sector, to ensure the improvement of the quality of life of all our people.

I am confident that we will continue to work together in promoting partnerships with other stakeholders for the benefit of rural communities and that your participation in both national and provincial programmes geared towards rural development will remain intact.

Chairperson; honourable members; allow me to conclude by reassuring this House that the provincial government will work hard to restore and entrench the dignity and authority of our traditional leadership that was corroded by many years of colonialism and apartheid.

We see no contradiction in our democratic system of governance that incorporates traditional leadership. We will therefore continue to work together to improve the lives of all our people. There is no doubt in my mind about the support we will continue to draw from the Institution of Traditional Leadership as we together build a Province and a country that truly belongs to all.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
28 March 2008