Select Committee: Department of Cooperative Governance and

Traditional Affairs (Cogta)1 March 2011

National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL): Strategic Plan

2011 – 2013 Presentation

Mandate of the NHTL• NHTL derives its mandate from the Constitution Act,

1996 and National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009

• The Constitution provides for the establishment of the House, determine powers, duties and responsibilities of the House, provide for support to the House by government, provide for the relationship between the House and the provincial houses, provide for the accountability of the House and provide for any other matters connected therewith– The Act provides that the NHTL may advice National

Government and make recommendations related to policy and legislation regarding traditional leadership; the role of traditional leaders, customary law and the customs of communities observing customary law

– The NHTL must form cooperative relations and partnerships with government at national level, institution of higher learning and other related institutions in development and service delivery

Mandate of the NHTL (Cont.)

Furthermore, section 11 of the ) of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act No. 23 of 2009).

Act provides that the NHTL is responsible for :Indigenous knowledge systems, culture and valuesProvision of social cohesiveness Development of national policies and legislation jointly

with key department on issues related to traditional Affairs, and to monitor, the implementation there-off

Sharing information and build capacity to other traditional leaders other than in the house

Vision StatementPromote the development of the RURAL AND

TRADITIONAL communities;Participate in legislative and policy processes;Ensure that the dignity of the institution of

traditional leadership is restored, enhanced and preserved in the Republic South Africa(RSA) and globally;

Develop programs to address its capacity related challenges; and

Promote the preservation of African languages and cultures as in line with section 30 and 31 of the Constitution.

Strategic Priorities for 2011 - 2013

The NHTL will strive towards the achievement of the following key strategic priorities for the period under review.

Improvement of the capacity and capability of the NHTL and Institution to deliver on its Mandate;

Participation in Service delivery and Rural Development;

Participation in legislative and policy development processes relating to traditional affairs;

promoting custodianship of culture, customs, tradition and values by traditional leadership; and

develop and implement a Communication and Marketing Strategy for the national House and Traditional leadership.

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTSLegislative amendments are underway to National House of

Traditional Leaders Act and the Traditional Leadership and

Governance Framework Act be consolidated into a single Act

to–

• ensure an integrated approach in dealing with all matters

involving traditional affairs;

• ensure ease-of-use of the legislation affecting traditional

affairs, which will capacitate practitioners, stakeholders, and

traditional institutions to understand and apply the legislation

in an integrated manner; and

• enhance the uniform manner in which traditional affairs

matters are dealt with across Provinces.

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS (Cont.)

The consolidated Bill will also address gaps and legal uncertainties

identified in the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework

Act and National House Act as follows:

• Composition of a kingship or queenship council, principal

traditional council and traditional council;

• Withdrawal of recognition of traditional leadership;

• Recognition of deputy traditional leaders;

• Dysfunctional councils;

• Location of local houses of traditional leaders;

• Participation of traditional leaders in municipal councils;

• Code of conduct.

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS (Cont.)

• In 2004 Cabinet resolved that that the Department attend to the

issue of the recognition of Khoi-San communities, leadership

and structures.

• Draft White Paper on Khoi-San communities, leadership and

structures which was submitted to Cabinet in March 2009.

• Cabinet directed that the Traditional Leadership and

Governance Framework Act be amended to provide for the

recognition of traditional Khoi-San communities, leadership and

structures.

• Consolidated Bill will include the recognition of traditional Khoi-

San communities, leadership and structures.

CURRENT PROJECTS• The NHTL participates in provincial assessment projects,

assessing the state of governance within the areas of traditional affairs in all provinces excluding the Western Cape

• Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces have been assessed.

• North West and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces will be assessed during March 2011.

• Analysis and reports will be generated to assist the DTA and the NHTL to achieve on their mandate.

• Consider current partnerships and MoUs to achieve the strategic objectives of the NHTL

• Establish effective and efficient networks to strengthen capacity of the NHTL to deliver on its mandate.

PROPOSED INITIATIVESInformed by Traditional Affairs Model

Traditional Systems and Structures

Regulatory/ normative behaviour framework

Governance and leadership on traditional affairs

PoliticalEconomicalSocialTraditional Affairs

Customs transmit culture – values – principles and

ethics (Dynamic & evolve over time)

A C

BD

System Structures Establishment Support

IGR Consultation: •Partnerships•Coordination •etc

Norms and standards – policyCulture not static, it evolves

Part

ners

hip

s a

nd

C

ollab

ora

tion

Norms and standards - policy

PROPOSED INITIATIVES

Culture

Customs

Ethics

Religion

Values

Areas of Collaboration and Partnerships

PROPOSED INITIATIVESThe NHTL will work with and through Provincial HTL

to promote coherence and unity for a purpose. The following will receive attention during the period under review.

Outreach Programmes - NHTL Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to visit provinces for strategic interaction.

Stakeholder Engagement – NHTL Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson plans a high level engagement with three (3) key stakeholders, National Working Committee, the Ruling Party at national level and SALGA. The engagement will provide a platform to share NHTL vision and to define the working relationship to deliver on the mandate.

Consideration of MoUs – Need to re-visit existing MoUs with stakeholders.

PROPOSED INITIATIVES (Cont.)

Strategic Lekgotla with Provincial HTL – Consideration of plans, achievements, challenges, interventions and way forward.

Summit – Arrange stakeholder Summit to build and strengthen traditional leadership as the custodian and champion of traditional affairs.

Building of Institutional Integrity – Availability of tools of trade and appropriate resources.

NHTL providing central and national coordination and strategic leadership.

THE END

THANK YOU