The Department of Provincial and Local Government (the dplg) held a working session on Wednesday, 5 March 2008 with the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) to outline the details of their working together to improve service delivery in communities.
The NHTL led by its chairperson Kgosi Kutama joined the department for a breakfast meeting to discuss among other things, their continued role in service delivery.
'Traditional Leaders must continue to be involved in development programmes of government to ensure speedy service delivery' said Kgosi Kutama.
They were welcomed by the Director-General of the dplg Ms Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela who emphasised the importance of the engagement between the two institutions.
This engagement follows the opening of the house in February this year by President Thabo Mbeki.
'The opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders and the debate of the President’s speech by this house on 2 April 2008 provide us with an opportunity that we must use optimally to discuss and agree on how we will work together to advance the programme of government', said Msengana-Ndlela.
The purpose of the working session is to:
- Share information on the programmes that the dplg and the NHTL are currently undertaking
- Identify areas of strategic co-operation and forging of partnerships between the dplg and the institution of traditional leadership with regard to planning and the execution of programmes
- Begin to jointly work on the programme to enhance the involvement of the institution of traditional leadership in service delivery and development
- Identify the priorities for 2008/09 and beyond in order to address the specific areas of joint co-operation and synergistic partnerships for constant engagement
The department already supports the house of traditional leadership to improve governance, performance and accountability. It also has implemented a capacity building programme to promote and enhance the involvement of the structures within the institution in the development processes of their communities.
The Director-General also refered the NHTL to the apex of priorities announced by President Mbeki during his State of The Nation Address.
She said the working session must look at among others Project 14, which focuses on the implementation of special social cohesion campaign.
She also made reference to Project 8, which pays particular focus on the War on Poverty.
'Apex priorities give us together, opportunity to focus on issues that will allow our institutions to make the intended impact in our communities.'
