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4 February 2009

Gauteng Local Government MEC Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu will deliver a keynote address at the opening of a two days Traditional Leaders Indaba in Boksburg on Thursday, 5 February 2009.

The aim of the two days indaba is to educate stakeholders about policies and acts that regulate and govern the functioning of the traditional leadership.
Under the theme: "Broadening our horizon and bettering the lives of the rural communities, the two days indaba will discuss among other ways to assist traditional leaders to position themselves to play a meaningful role on governance issues on both local and provincial levels."

MEC Mahlangu said it was important to give traditional leaders the recognition they deserve. "Now that Gauteng has two traditional authorities by Chief Mahlangu and Chief Kekana, we have to give them the necessary support they need. I have given an undertaking that as the department responsible for traditional affairs in the province we will give the Amakhosi all the necessary support to ensure that they become functional and sustainable institutions of governance in our province.

"We have developed the Traditional Leaders Framework and Bill that is seeking innovative ways in respect of defining the relationship between local government structures, traditional leaders and traditional communities. We have also facilitated inputs into the bill in consultation with our traditional leaders," Mahlangu said.

The indaba also seek to improve the working relations and ensure that a better co-operation exist between all the institutions of traditional leadership and local government.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 5 February 2009
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Boksburg
Time: 10h00

For more information contact
Mr Themba Sepotokele
Tel: 011 355 5111
Cell: 082 490 9869 or 082 828 7940

Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 February 2009