The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, today led a consultation with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) on the Draft White Paper on Local Government Review.

The consultation was attended by COGTA Deputy Ministers Rev. Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe and Dr Namane Dickson Masemola; the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (NHTKL), Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo; members of the NHTKL Executive Committee, leaders of Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, representatives of CONTRALESA and ROLESA, senior government officials, academics and traditional and Khoisan leaders from across the country.

The engagement forms part of COGTA’s commitment to ensuring that the review process is inclusive, participatory and responsive to the realities facing communities across South Africa, particularly in rural areas where traditional and Khoi-San leaders remain a critical interface between government and communities.

Minister Hlabisa thanked the NHTKL, led by Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, for its continued partnership and constructive engagement on matters affecting local governance, rural development and traditional leadership.

He said the review presents an opportunity to strengthen local governance by incorporating the perspectives, experiences and institutional knowledge of traditional and Khoisan leaders, whose role remains critical in bringing government closer to the people. While acknowledging that some proposals may require constitutional or legislative amendments beyond the scope of the White Paper review, the Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute to the review process

Deputy Minister Rev. Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe described the consultation as a historic milestone, noting that the Draft White Paper includes, for the first time, a dedicated chapter on traditional and Khoi-San leadership. He highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation between municipalities and traditional leadership institutions, while addressing issues such as representation, land tenure, spatial planning and the inclusion of Khoi-San communities.

Deputy Minister Dr Namane Dickson Masemola provided an update on the Draft White Paper on Local Government Review, which has been underway for nearly two years. He noted that the consolidated Draft White Paper was published for public comment on 7 May 2026, with submissions closing on 28 May 2026.

The review process included extensive public consultations and stakeholder engagements, resulting in 266 submissions that were consolidated into 65 policy proposals across 11 chapters. The proposals seek to address key local government challenges, including weak municipal performance, declining public trust, governance and leadership shortcomings, financial constraints, misaligned powers and functions, political and administrative instability, and weak accountability.

“The objective of this review is to ensure that local government evolves to meet current and future challenges and is better positioned to serve communities effectively over the next 30 to 40 years,” said Deputy Minister Dr Masemola.

The consultation concluded with agreement that inputs from traditional and Khoisan leaders will inform the next phase of the review process, with issues to be addressed through the Draft White Paper, legislative reforms or broader constitutional and policy processes.

COGTA will develop a framework to guide implementation and continue engagements with National Treasury on the municipal funding model. Participants also agreed on the development of a formal compact between municipalities and traditional and Khoisan leadership institutions to strengthen cooperation, clarify roles and responsibilities, and enhance participation in local governance.

The final White Paper is expected to provide greater clarity on the constitutional and legislative role of traditional and Khoisan leadership, including intergovernmental relations, municipal decision-making, land tenure security, planning and financing. The Department will continue consulting stakeholders, including institutions of higher learning, before submitting the revised Draft White Paper to Cabinet.

Ends –

For media enquiries, contact:

Ms Pearl Maseko-Binqose
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of CoGTA
Tel: +27 (82) 772 1709

Mr Legadima Leso
Head of Communications, CoGTA
Tel: +27 (66) 479 9904

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Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)