David Mabuza reaffirms ‘pivotal’ role of traditional leaders

Deputy President David Mabuza says the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders remains an embodiment of South Africa’s collective history, heritage and the common thread of national identity.

In his address at the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders on Thursday, the Deputy President said the House is an important affirmation of the constitutional and democratic dispensation that embeds the leadership role of traditional leaders in society.

“It is an opportunity to reflect, and shape collective action towards resolving complex developmental issues confronting traditional communities,” the Deputy President said.

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In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mabuza said government looks to the partnership with the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership to sharpen its efforts of economic recovery and reconstruction. He has no doubt that with the measures that government is implementing, these challenges will ultimately be overcome.

He said the role of traditional leaders should never be limited only to ceremonial and cultural responsibilities, but should be seen in the broader context of the daily struggles of ordinary people in the search for a better quality of life, access to economic opportunities, improved infrastructure for service delivery, as well as quality health and education outcomes.

Mabuza called on traditional leaders to see themselves as catalysts and agents of change to bring about better development outcomes in areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leadership.

Addressing GBV

The Deputy President told the House that they were meeting at a time when social ills like gender-based violence and femicide, the abuse and violation of the girl-child and ritual killings, especially of people with albinism, continue to confront the nation.

“Let us be clear that acts of gender-based violence undermine all our efforts of building a united and prosperous society. The measure of any nation is how women and children are being treated. We cannot be a society that regresses and has no regard for the rights of women.

“We raise these issues sharply as we do, comfortable that members of this House possess distinct wisdom that is drawn from the people in various makgotla and izimbizo held within their communities,” he said.