BY REGINALD KANYANE 

House of Traditional Leaders was official opened at North West legislature on Thursday. The provincial head of the house of traditional leaders, Kgosi Madoda Zibi said the role of traditional leaders within the community is imperative.

“As leaders within our communities, we need to make sure that the society is organised. We also need to promote unity, security, a strong sense of identity, and social justice. We understand that the house of traditional leaders is key in the societal organisation of many South African communities,” Zibi said.

He said that the traditional leaders are a first line of defence. Zibi said they played an important role when it comes to strengthening democracy.

“The traditional value system is built around uncompetitive wisdom, consensus and participation. The traditional leaders play a father figure within the communities. They must have the community interest at heart. We have some challenges where we experience infightings in other areas, but we believe that will be resolved soon,” Zibi said.

He said they welcome the initiative by the provincial government in supporting the traditional leaders. According to Zibi, that necessary support will make sure that rural economic development is realised.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo said: “The provincial government has embarked on many projects to make sure that they develop rural areas. We are working together with traditional leaders. As the government, we also encourage our councillors to interact with traditional leaders in quest to bring developments.

“We have already supplied laptops to them. Some have received cows, so it is very important to work with them. We will provide our traditional leaders with a capacity building course. They must be able to communicate with us in any medium of communication.”

Mahumapelo said they will make sure that each village has its village developmental plan (VDP).

“Traditional leaders play major role and they will help and guide us. We are highly cultural-traditional province. And we need to enhance our triangular approach through agriculture, culture and tourism. We want to use culture as a component to grow economy.

“The future and current crop must know that there is no way you can exclude traditional leadership. There are people who want to relegate traditional leadership. If we do that, we will be undermining their role,” he said.

-TDN

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