By OBKENG MAJE
In a significant stride towards transparency and empowerment, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), has concluded a series of handover roadshows marking a historic moment for 96 Traditional Authorities.
The North West MEC for Treasury, Motlalepula Rosho said this initiative started on 16 April in Rustenburg and ended on 2 May 2024 in Molopo/Mahikeng and Ditsobotla areas respectively. Rosho said at the heart of these gatherings, was the dissemination of financial reports pertaining to the D-Account, an initiative emblematic of the 6th administration’s commitment to accountability and development.
“These roadshows unfolded a narrative of empowerment and recognition of the pivotal role traditional leadership plays in the province’s socio-economic fabric. The handover of the D-Account to the Traditional Authorities is befitting of a legacy initiative of the 6th administration of the government that symbolizes a transformative shift in governance dynamics, particularly in the context of traditional authorities.
“The handover of Traditional Councils’ financial reports culminated from a meeting of Traditional Leaders that was hosted by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs that took place on 13 – 14 April 2023 in Rustenburg Sun City, where all the Traditional Leaders in attendance, echoed sentiments of wanting detailed information pertaining to their financial records that were maintained by the Provincial Treasury,” she said.
Rosho said this handover project has been undertaken to de-mystify the misinformation surrounding the “D” account. She said for decades, the call for transparency regarding these accounts was echoed through the corridors of Traditional Councils.
“Now, with the compilation of 29 years’ worth of financial reports spanning from 1994 to March 2023, this aspiration has finally materialized. The architect behind this endeavour, paid homage to the collective vision of past premiers, affirming the shared commitment to realizing this long-awaited dream.
“The receiving of this information from D-account assists Traditional Councils to understand the financial position of their Traditional Councils. The significance of this initiative extends beyond mere financial disclosure but also underscores the profound acknowledgment of traditional leadership’s indispensable contribution to South Africa’s constitutional democracy and community development,” said Rosho.
She said this journey seeks to support and transform traditional council institutions in accordance with constitutional imperatives, restoring their integrity and legitimacy. Rosho said the integral focus of this process is the empowerment of traditional authorities with the information pertaining to the financial income (in flows) and expenses (outflows) that have taken place over 29 years.
“The introduction of the Traditional Khoisan Leadership Act, (TKLA) has brought the positioning of Traditional Leaders into sharp focus, as well as the need to be involved in the financial management affairs of their Traditional councils.
“Traditional Leaders are now positioned as key stakeholders in development endeavours. The D-Account will serve as a catalyst, offering these institutions a platform to engage meaningfully with government at all levels and enter into partnerships that facilitate service delivery,” she said.
The Guardian 