President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) was debated, a week later, in a special sitting in Parliament. The royals used the debate to lobby government to support their Invest Rural masterplan, an NHTL initiative that seeks to drive growth and development in rural areas under traditional leadership. Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu, the Chairperson of the NHTL, presented a copy of the masterplan.
The NHTL wants to see synergy between their Invest Rural masterplan and the government’s District Development Model, to unlock the potential of underdeveloped rural areas, and promote economic development and equality.
NHTL member Princess Moroka said Invest Rural aims to create sustainable development in rural areas under the leadership of royals where people can live in dignity. She hoped the initiative, which is anchored on the objectives of the Economic Recovery Plan, will drastically reduce poverty and create rural entrepreneurship. The NHTL plans to host the inaugural Invest Rural conference in October this year. The conference will be preceded by a countrywide roadshow to promote the idea to rural communities.
The Deputy Chairperson of NHTL, Nkosikazi Nomandla Mhlauli, said Invest Rural will radically change development patterns in rural areas. This will happen through the establishment of industrial parks and skills development facilities. It will also revive dormant factories, especially in the former homeland areas. Nkosikazi Mhlauli also urged government to stop granting mineral exploration rights in rural areas to foreign companies. She asked instead for the rights to be given to rural communities to conduct mining in their own land.
Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, the Deputy President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), expressed concern about rural areas always being poor, underdeveloped and underserviced. He called on government to support the traditional leaders’ initiative to develop rural areas.
Also participating in the debate was Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who called for the amendments of chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution to protect traditional leadership and clarify their powers and functions. “If collaboration between traditional leadership and government is sacrosanct, why fail to create a legislative framework to clarify the powers and functions of traditional leaders,” asked Prince Buthelezi.
Mr Cecil Le Fleur of the National Khoisan Council welcomed the signing into law of the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Bill, which comes into effect on 1 April, saying finally the Khoisan now have a legal instrument for recognition and can participate in all platforms of traditional leadership.
Responding to the debate, President Ramaphosa said the input from traditional leaders confirmed that they put the needs of their communities first, and see themselves as architects of development and growth. “We are now in the final decade towards meeting the aspirations of the National Development Plan, which also includes developing our rural economy. We believe you are well placed to ensure that the district plans are informed by real needs of the people,” said the President.
The President encouraged traditional leaders not to be bystanders; they must be deeply involved in the implementation of the District Development Model. “We are committed to working with traditional leaders to achieve rural development. We need to develop our rural areas to respond to urban migration, so that people don’t leave for the cities for economic opportunities,” President Ramaphosa said.
He also supported the call to finalise the discussion on the powers of traditional leaders, saying this can address a number of challenges. However, he reminded the royals, there are differing views among society on how to define the powers and functions of traditional leaders.
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