Phalaphala FM and Radzambo Cultural Foundation Traditional Dance Competition 2017

His Excellency the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Mr Cyril Ramaphosa;
His Majesty King Toni Peter Mphephu Ramabulana of the Venda Kingdom;
The Honourable Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti;
The Honourable Premier of Limpopo, Mr Stanley Chupu Mathabatha;
Her Worship the Executive Mayor of Vhembe District, Councillor Florence Radzilani;
His Worship the Mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality, Councillor Mushoni Tshifhango;
Station Manager of Phalaphala FM, Mr Freddy Sidiki;
Founder of Radzambo Cultural Foundation, Khosi Livhuwani Matsila;
Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, Professor Alfred Nevhutanda;
Programme Directors, Mr Gabriel Temudzani and Mr Tshililo Nelufule;
Traditional leaders and members of traditional councils;
Honoured guests.

As I observe protocol this afternoon, I am aware that none of this would be possible without the dedicated groups who performed for us today. We are grateful to them, not only for giving us a wonderful performance, but for showcasing through their talent the very best of our culture and traditions.

As a long-serving traditional leader, I am cognisant of the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of Amakhosi and Izinduna to preserve and promote our cultural heritage, so that we might bequeath a rich inheritance on the next generation. There is immeasurable value in coming together for events like this, for few things speak so loudly of our cultural pride.

It is because the institution of traditional leadership is the repository of our cultural heritage that I have fought for so many years for the full recognition of the institution. While the Constitution of a democratic South Africa recognises traditional leadership, we have yet to see a single piece legislation define the role, powers and functions of traditional leaders in the governance of our country.

That, to me, is the unfinished business of our democracy.

I raise this issue on an occasion like this because I believe that the survival of our cultural heritage depends very heavily on the survival and strengthening of the institution of traditional leadership. When the role, powers and functions of traditional leaders are undefined, we remain in dangerous territory, where even our culture and traditions are at risk.

I have spoken about this openly for many years. I raised it with President Mandela, and with his successor, President Mbeki. I raised it with President Motlanthe, and have raised it with President Zuma. Indeed, I have told the President that as long as I am alive, I will never stop asking for government to deal justly with traditional leaders.

So as we stand on the eve of a conference that may well see the Deputy President elected as the new leader of the ruling Party, I want to give him fair warning that he will hear from me about traditional leadership. I continue to hope that this issue will be picked up by a new leadership in our country, so that legislation will finally be enacted that defines where we stand as the custodians of tradition and culture.

Government has let us down as traditional leaders. I used to wonder what our icon President Mandela would say when he stood before his Maker. If you become our next President, Your Excellency, please ponder my words deeply, because you like all of us will have to account before God.

Traditional leaders are not stupid. We understood what it meant when the Municipal Structures Act was passed and Section 81 provided that a certain percentage of us MAY attend Municipal Council meetings, but we may not vote. I wonder what the ruling Party is taking us for as Traditional Leaders. This kind of legislation is an insult to our status and also to our intelligence.

We keep hearing from Government Ministers and spokespersons, from His Excellency the President, and from you yourself Your Excellency, that Traditional Leaders, Amakhosi, Dikgosi and MaHosi must cooperate with municipalities. But HOW, Your Excellency? when we have never been provided with budgets, at any level? Not at the level of the National House of Traditional Leaders, or the Provincial Houses or even for Traditional Councils. Who does the Government think is fooled by this sort of treatment? As long as there is no legislative framework for such cooperation, it will remain a pipe dream.

If you indeed become our President, Your Excellency, think of my words about what you will say before God.

We keep on being asked, “Why do you complain? Because the Constitution recognises the existence of the institution of Traditional Leaders.” But recognises it as what? This should be unpacked vis-à-vis the role, powers and functions of traditional leaders.

When I raised this matter in Parliament during a Presidency Budget Vote, the President obfuscated. I therefore stood up and said that I am saddened that our country is being governed through deception. It is recorded in Hansard for posterity.

I know that what I am saying is not comfortable, and there are no doubt those who will be pleased to see the back of me. So let me speak about that for a moment.

I am sure you will all have heard of my imminent retirement from the presidency of the IFP. For several years I have been wanting to retire from active politics, but at each national conference of our Party our members have asked me to remain. Thus we have been engaged in a leadership transition. I feel comfortable that the time has now come for me to pass the baton of leadership.

That doesn’t mean I will remove myself from politics completely. I have made myself available to play whatever role my Party asks me to play, provided that the Lord continues to grant me good health. But the IFP is ready to grow beyond my time at the helm. While I have served for 42 years, I remain cognisant that this is but one aspect of my service to South Africa. I was a traditional leader before I became President of the IFP, and I will continue as a traditional leader once this chapter closes, and I will be a Traditional Leader right up to the time I go to my grave.

I consider it my highest calling to serve my people.

I therefore serve with pride as a traditional leader, knowing that our customs and traditions are valuable and worth preserving. I will continue my fight to see traditional leadership fully recognised so that our communities can be governed by servant leaders who seek the best for their people. We as traditional leaders are able to provide a great contribution to good governance, not in the shadow of government, but hand in hand, as equal partners.

In this way, our traditional heritage will be honoured for generations to come, and events like this will thrive and prosper.

I thank you.