BY
HON PRINCESS PATN BUTHELEZI MPL, MPL, KZN LEGISLATURE
Hon Speaker
The IFP supports the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill.
With regard to the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill, we are satisfied with the manner in which the Bill seeks to clarify the role of kingships and queenships. The recognition establishment of kingship and queenship councils will certainly go a long way in strengthening the capacity of traditional authorities to fulfil their mandates.
I think we will be able to restore the traditional leadership system, and they will in a way play their constitutional role. Remember, they are the umbilical cord of the traditional community and, therefore, there is no way in which they live parallel to the people.
We believe that it is the duty of the Department for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to ensure that councillors and traditional leaders are able to work together harmoniously, because they are serving the same constituency. There is no reason for them to have conflicts, and we believe that we will be able to ensure that we deal with this issue in our lifetime.
We hope that this Bill will also prevent the floodgates of opportunists who have claimed to be kings.
Through these proposed amendments we believe the central role of traditional leadership for rural development is now better appreciated, together with the need to position the institution of traditional leadership to partner with government to accelerate development. Building the institution of traditional leadership, especially its developmental role as part of our governance system, should be our key focus.
The introduction of kingship or queenship councils will also improve the capacity of traditional leaders’ accountability.
I thank you