North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has committed a continued, strengthened support for traditional and Khoi-San leaders in the province, focusing on rural development, service delivery, and resolving leadership disputes.
The promise was made on Thursday at the official opening of the Province’s House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders in Mahikeng.
Mokgosi was accompanied by the Provincial Chairperson of the House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders Kgosi Thari Maotwe and his executive, the legislature speaker, Dr. Desbo Mohono, and members of the provincial executive.
Mokgosi said that his administration will strengthen collaboration with Dikgosi and Khoisan leaders in the regulation of local economic activities.
“This includes ensuring that business operations within traditional areas, particularly within township and informal economies, are conducted with the knowledge, involvement, and consent of traditional leadership,” said Mokgosi.
He reiterated that this intervention is aimed at restoring order, enhancing accountability, and ensuring that local economic development aligns with community priorities and governance structures.
The Premier has confirmed that there’s been a positive trajectory of cooperation and collaboration, including constructive engagement with Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of the Bakgatla ba Kgafela Traditional Authority in Moruleng near Sun City, outside Rustenburg.
He echoed the pronouncements he made during the State of the Province Address, that the government is going to purchase twenty-seven new vehicles for the traditional leaders in the next financial year.
“Over R90 million will be set aside for the refurbishment of the chambers, maintenance of traditional council offices, and construction of new offices of traditional councils that would be identified by the house as priority areas,” pledged the Premier.
Mokgosi highlighted that the government will build on significant strides made in supporting traditional leaders by providing them with essential tools of trade.
“These include mobile phones, laptops, and vehicles, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and enabling leaders to carry out their daily responsibilities with greater ease and effectiveness,” remarked Mokgosi.
He encouraged traditional councils to make optimal use of their monthly grant allocation of R100 000.
“These funds should be strategically utilised to procure additional tools and resources required within council offices, thereby strengthening administrative capacity and ensuring the smooth management of daily operations,” appealed Mokgosi.
Meanwhile, the Premier highlighted that investigations into traditional leadership disputes in the province particularly related to Bakwena ba Modimosana ba Mmatau and Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa in Lehurutshe have been concluded and the report submitted to his office, while investigations relating to Bakwena ba Mogopa in Bethanie, Bahwaduba in Mathibestad and Bahurutshe boo Manyana will be concluded in due course.
