Newly appointed Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa on Tuesday used his Budget Vote Speech in Parliament to express support to South African traditional leaders, including the Khoi-San community.
He urged the government to join hands and make an impact by turning dysfunctional municipalities around and improve support for institutions of traditional leadership.
The Traditional Affairs department has been allocated a budget that amounts to R187.3 million, which has been reduced by R5.8 million compared to the previous year’s allocation.
Hlabisa recalled that the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership has raised several issues with the government through various engagement platforms during previous administrations.
“Our traditional and Khoi-San leaders also face their own set of challenges which include uneven provision of support and resources to fulfil their roles effectively, challenges in integrating traditional and Khoi-San leadership structures with municipal governance frameworks, and the need to finalise the formal recognition of Khoi-San leaders and to promote respect for the cultural heritage which traditional and Khoi-San leaders are custodians of.
“During the current financial year, the department will continue to support the Commission on Khoi-San Matters (CKSM) to ensure it completes its work and submits recommendations,” he said.
The CKSM was established to handle applications for the recognition of Khoi-San communities and leaders and to submit recommendations to the Ministry.
The Commission has received 124 applications and conducted 62 Applicant Member Investigations (AMIs).
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