Programme Director

Your Excellency Deputy President Paul Mashatile

Premier Mxolisi Dukwana

Your Worship, the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro

Chairperson of the NHTKL, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo

All Kings and Marena a Maholo

All Cabinet Ministers present

Deputy Ministers of COGTA, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe and Mr Parks Tau

MEC of COGHSTA in the Free State, Mr Ketso Makume

Deputy Chairpersons of the National and Provincial Houses

President of CONTRALESA, Kgoshi Mokoena

President of ROLESA, Ikosi S Mabhena

Chairperson of the NKC, Mr Cecil le Fleur

Magoshi ka moka

Representatives of Business

Directors-General

Other officials

Esteemed guests

Members of the media

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning

Kgosi Seatlholo, thank you for convening us in this fashion, as different stakeholders, to deeply reflect on the progress made on issues traditional and Khoi-san leaders have been raising with the government, and to share experiences with developers on how best we can use communal land for development purposes. I must particularly applaud the House on the proactive partnership approach they are taking to address issues faced by our communities, a partnership approach which involves all spheres of government as well as non-governmental role players such as those that will be presenting on land development later in today’s programme.

Kgosi Seatlholo le Magoshi ka moka, I have noticed with appreciation how the institution of traditional leadership has joined hands with us as we roll out the Presidential DDM Izimbizo programme to engage with our communities throughout the country. I have noticed with appreciation how you answered the call from Minister Motsoaledi to work with the government to address the challenges of international migration that our country faces. I have noticed with appreciation how you have steered processes culminating in the signing of an MoU with SALGA to help improve working relations with municipal councillors at a local level. Deputy President, these are just some of the examples of the proactive partnership approach which the institution of traditional and Khoi-san leadership is taking.

The establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on issues raised by traditional and Khoi-san leaders represents an important partnership platform through which to work together as we seek to find solutions to the challenges facing our country. Initially, and perhaps as can be expected with any newborn baby, progress in the work of the IMTT was rather slow. But we believe much better progress will be reported today. Without pre-empting the contents of the reports that are going to be presented, we have seen several provinces taking the issue of tools of trade and grants to Traditional Councils forward. We have, for example, seen progress on the issue of the payment of Izinduna in KZN, and in the enactment of the Traditional Courts Act.

Even in other areas where implementation is taking time because of the policy and legislative spade work that needs to be done, there are no clear processes in place to take this work forward. These include land reform and policy on the benefits of traditional and Khoi-san leaders. Even following the setback, we experienced when the Traditional and Khoi-san Leadership Act was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court (which invalidity was suspended for a period of 24 months), we believe we now have a clear process on what needs to be done following consultations with the Portfolio Committee on COGTA.

The re-introduction of this legislation in Parliament will also provide an opportunity for all of us to address the concerns raised about Section 81 of the Municipal Structures Act, which as Magoshi would know, was repealed by the Traditional and Khoi-san Leadership Act when it was introduced a new Section 81 of the Act. I can therefore say, Programme Director, that there is progress in some areas. I am equally confident that even in those areas where more work still needs to be done, this work will certainly be done as we move forward together.

As I said earlier, we will hear more from individual Workstreams, and I would not want to go into the details of their reports. We are pleased that His Excellency the Deputy President is here with us as the Chairperson of the IMTT to ensure that we take stock of progress together and advise one another on the way forward. Therefore, Programme Director, please allow me to introduce the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile, who is the 9^th Deputy President in the democratic era. He was appointed Deputy President on 6 March 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Mashatile is not new in government. Among other positions he held in government, Deputy President Mashatile was the Minister of Arts and Culture between 2010 and 2014, and from 2014 to 2016 as the Chairperson of Parliament’s Appropriations Committee. In the Province of Gauteng, he served as MEC of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Safety and Security, Finance and Economic Affairs, Human Settlements and COGTA, and as Premier from 2008 to 2009.

Today, Deputy President Mashatile brings his vast experience, wisdom, and dedication to our collective efforts. Without further ado, I kindly invite Deputy President Mashatile to the stage to address us and further guide us in our discussions.

I thank you.