PREMIER'S REMARKS
His Excellency Ingwenyama Makhosoke
His Royal Highness Ingwenyama Mayisha 11
Members of the House of traditional leaders
Honourable Members of the provincial government
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you most humbly for having invited us to speak to you.
Today's meeting is testimony of government's promise to be in daily and respected contact with the people. A promise that we will be a government that listens and learns from the people and their leaders.
Over the past six years we have felt a new Patriotism amongst our people. A patriotism that is making itself felt among citizens who care for one another; citizens who build one another; citizens driven by a new morality in the public and private sectors.
Many years ago our forefathers fought pitched battles over these very plains in defence of encroaching colonialism and land theft.
Despite being out-gunned they laid down their lives so you and me could be free. They laid down their lives in defence of their dignity, their land and their freedom.
It was here, on these very plains, that the enemy applied the scorched earth policy in a bid to drive our forefathers from their strongholds in the caves, valleys and meadows of this beautiful land.
Today we meet, as descendants of those valiant fighters, in a different setting, in a different era, to plan for peace and not war; to promote unity and not division; to forge a common nationhood and not exclusive privilege.
We meet to assert the humanity of persons one to the other; to seek unity and reconciliation; to set shoulders to the wheel in building a better life for all. I feel truly humbled to have been allowed to sit at the feet of my elders, learning from them.
We are mindful that the journey to where we are today has not been easy. But all of us persevered because we knew that what we had set out on was the right road.
In our province we have already set pointers to the kind of co-operation we want between traditional leaders, the province, district and local councils. We have started to address unity across ethnic lines.
The district councils and the House of Traditional Leaders in the province have submitted concrete plans about representation; a plan that will bring traditional leaders fully into the socio-political life of the nation, and to ensure complementarily rather than competition between elected and traditional authorities.
But there are challenges ahead. What are these challenges, you may ask.
Indeed, because we are meant to be leaders of the people, our challenges cannot be different from those that the people face. Foremost amongst our tasks as a nation is to mobilise the people for reconstruction and development. As the people were their own liberators, so should they become active agents in changing their lives for the better.
As leaders, we need to be vigilant in ensuring that the diversity which is our strength is never again used to divide us.
Fundamental to our unity is the mutual respect for the rich variety of our languages and cultures. While the constitution recognises rights in this regard and proposes institutions to promote them, this will have little effect without the involvement of traditional leaders.
Perhaps more difficult than most, is to find the best ways in which our elected structures of local government and traditional leaders can work together for the good of their communities.
This is a crucial area for reconstruction and development, and a resolution of outstanding differences and conflictual matters is of the greatest importance.
Our experience has shown that with goodwill and a commitment to the interests of the community as a whole, even the most difficult problems can be overcome and mutually beneficial solutions found.
All these tasks will demand infrastructure and resources, and Government commits itself to providing these, within available resources.
We are aware that you are worried about payment to traditional leaders. A number of issues need to be looked at:
Are we dealing with the rightful heir to the throne?
How do we deal with a situation where apartheid toppled the rightful leader and
installed its own choice?
We need to clearly define the role, functions and duties of traditional leaders. You will agree with me that it is not right that we still use Acts like the Black Administration Act of 1927; the KwaNdebele Traditional Authorities Act, the Bophuthatswana Traditional Authorities Act and other old apartheid acts in dealing with you, our leaders.
I am sure you will agree with me that we need to resolve the chieftaincy disputes which are a legacy of apartheid. You are aware of the dispute in the Bakgatla Be Seabe, Litho; Phungutsha; BaKgatla Bamaloka etc. These are issues that will need your wise counsel.
These are over and above social development issues affecting your people. Water, crime, the country is in the hands of the people. Let us roll up our sleeves and get down to work.
Thank You.