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OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) council speaker, Ntandokazi Capa, says weak relations between the district municipality and traditional leaders were slowing the pace of service delivery in some communities.
Capa was speaking during a two-day traditional leadership summit her office hosted at Dan’s Country Lodge under the Nyandeni Local Municipality, on April 3 and 4.
The summit was intended to forge close working relations between the district municipality and the institution of traditional leadership.
Capa said there were instances where government projects on land under traditional leaders had stalled due to disputes between the district municipality and the traditional leader in charge of the land.
“There are many rural water projects that have been delayed under the OR Tambo District Municipality where, in some instances, people want compensation when such projects protrude into their piece of land, and those disputes could be easily resolved when we have good working relations with traditional leaders in those areas,” said Capa.
She further said that good working relations between the municipality and traditional leaders will lead to economic development in communities.
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) provincial chairperson, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, echoed Capa’s sentiments on the importance of close working relations between government and the institution of traditional leadership.
“Government and traditional leaders should work like head and neck, as one needs the other to function. Traditional leaders should have a budget, as the government of the day does, to implement projects in communities where they lead,” said Nonkonyana.
He further said that traditional leaders were not happy with headmen not being paid a salary or stipend, whereas ward councillors and ward committee members were getting paid by government.
Eastern Cape Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, in a virtual address at the summit, said government was working on a policy that will see traditional leaders paid gratuity allowances when they die or resign from their positions.
Williams further announced that headmen will soon get cellphone allowances from government.
Eastern Cape premier, Oscar Mabuyane, who also addressed the last day of the summit, said that his administration has made several strides to develop and support the institution of traditional leadership.
“Our administration has diligently worked towards the recognition of traditional communities, ensuring they are provided with the support needed to thrive. By establishing and recognising traditional councils, we have laid a foundation for effective governance and administration within conventional leadership structures.
“Our efforts have been focused on building capacities, offering support, and ensuring that traditional councils function as pillars of governance, culture, and development in their respective communities.
“Moreover, the establishment of the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims, alongside providing a code of conduct, has been instrumental in promoting integrity, accountability, and resolution of disputes within the traditional leadership framework.
“These initiatives reflect our dedication to transforming the institution of conventional leadership to align with constitutional imperatives, thereby restoring its integrity and legitimacy,” said Mabuyane.
