Silo Sethu, Bayede, Wena Wendlovu!!

NdunaNkulu KaZulu, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi;

Abantwana BaseNdlunkulu;

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs;

The Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal;

Deputy Ministers;

Members of the Provincial Executive Council;

All Traditional Leaders present, and Izinduna.

1. We appreciate being welcomed to come and enjoy the shade of the presence of His Majesty. We are indeed humbled, and privileged to be given such an invaluable opportunity to come and pay homage to the custodian of our greatest Zulu Kingdom.

2. Once again, we would like to congratulate His Majesty on his ascension to the throne. Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne marks a watershed event in the AmaZulu's rich, world acclaimed history, and customary observance.

3. Moving forward, we would like to convey our well wishes to His Majesty to execute his traditional obligations with humility, dignity, and to the benefit of our historically marginalised traditional communities.

4. Your Majesty, we deemed it appropriate to physically present ourselves before you to announce our presence in your magnificent Kingdom before we engage in a dialogue with Traditional and Khoisan Leaders in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, which is scheduled for tomorrow in Durban.

5. Silo sethu, these engagements are part of the government's efforts to join hands with Traditional and Khoisan Leaders to address broader challenges confronting the Institution of Traditional Leadership.

6. More importantly, it is to strengthen our social compact and collaborative efforts between government, civil society formations, inter-faith, and traditional leaders to fight against poverty, inequality, unemployment, social ills, diseases, illiteracy, and underdevelopment, amongst others.

7. We are here to listen to challenges that you might be facing as leaders of our society and; working together, to find lasting solutions to challenges confronting our communities.

8. His Majesty will agree with us that the Institution of Traditional Leadership as the custodian of our culture and customs play a significant role in the preservation of our customs, heritage, and largely, in the development of our traditional communities.

9. We are pleased to observe that OkaNdaba continues to embrace the all-important traditional customs, and rituals, like Umkhosi WoMhlanga that was revived by our departed Isilo uMdlokombane. May His Majesty’s soul continue to be with us as we build this nation.

10. This is but one traditional ceremony, which contributes to our call for increased social cohesion and moral regeneration within our communities.

11. The culture of the great Zulu Nation displays itself through generosity, solidarity, compassion, and other similar traits. This shows that AmaZulu are more community-oriented than individualistic.
 
Your Majesty.

12. Traditional Leaders have united communities, continue to strengthen the social fabric, and have always defended the way of life of our people as entrenched in the constitution.

13. Since your ascension to the throne, we have taken great satisfaction in the fact that His Majesty has repeatedly emphasized the need to maintain peace and unity as a nation.

14. Through your conduct, His Majesty has given the people of our nation an excellent example of great leadership, and we hereby appeal to His Majesty to continue working hard to bring everyone together for the benefit our communities.

15. Your Majesty, the leadership that you provide for our nation is an indispensable asset in the development of a society that is democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, cohesive, unified, and successful, and in which every one of us is able to realize our full potential.

16. We are grateful that, since taking over the rule of this magnificent Kingdom, you have demonstrated a desire to continue working with us as the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has done in resolving challenges affecting traditional communities.

17. You have taken up the mantle of a leader and are guiding the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of the country out of the clutches of numerous societal ills.

18. Our government remain committed to finding lasting solutions to problems such as sexual and domestic violence, the mistreatment of children, illegal substances and drug use, immoral behaviours, criminality, HIV/AIDS and TB.

19. As a government, we will continue to collaborate with you and iNdlunkulu in the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as we did with the departed Isilo.

20. The late Isilo Samabandla was honoured for his outstanding leadership role in our communities, as well as his contribution towards the social welfare of the vulnerable communities, the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty, hunger, and all social ills in our communities.

21. Indeed, we honour and recognise that our King did all this important work to improve the lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal, and by extension to all South African people.

22. In his spirit, we must continue to fight until we have zero infections, and we must confront uncomfortable truths on prevailing socio-economic challenges facing our nation.

Your Majesty,

23. Regarding the contentious matter of land that is under Traditional Leadership and as part of our land tenure system, we are considering various options, and the land under Ingonyama Trust is one of these systems of land tenure. 

24. These would be finalised by Cabinet, and will considered alongside the resolutions of the Communal Land Summit which was held in May this year.

25. We continue to serve as the first line of defence for our land, which is traditionally held by the black indigenous people.

26. We will continue to work towards the goal of achieving the growth and sustainability of rural communities by developing policy and legislative reforms, which will guarantee that land tenure rights are secured, ownership of property is transferred from the state to the people, and settlement support is provided to those communities who are legally entitled to it.

Your Majesty,

27. We remain committed to ensuring that our land reform programme delivers to the aspirations of ordinary people.

28. It is imperative that access to land be prioritized as a crucial asset for rural development and economic transformation in order for the land that is held in the custodianship of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders to be exploited for agricultural purposes in a way that is both productive and profitable.

29. We strongly encourage the people who have been given the land to start cultivating it.

30. To guarantee that people who are granted land are able to utilise it productively, government is prepared to provide assistance in the form of support and resource allocations.

Your Majesty,

31. We must join forces to create job opportunities and upskill the youth in order for them to survive in this competitive labour market.

32. As government, we believe and trust that with your support we will be able to develop programmes to redress or bring solutions to an ever-increasing challenge of youth unemployment.

33. We looking forward to strengthening our collaborative efforts with the Institution of Traditional Leadership, and Indlunkulu kaZulu. We hereby pledge our support to your leadership, and guidance to the entire Zulu Nation, and the people of South Africa.

34. Sinohambo olude olusihlalele, kodwa siyaqiniseka ukuthi ngokubambisana nezinhlaka zobuHoli beNdabuko, sizobhekana nazo zonke izinselelo esibhekene nazo ukuze sithuthukise imiphakathi eyakhele izindawo zaMakhosi, siphinde silethe izindingo-ngqangi ezizoletha impilo engcono emiphakathini yakithi.

I thank you,

Wena WeNdlovu, Bayede!!

Our host, Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of Mpumalanga Province, and other members of the Provincial Executive Council who are here today;
Deputy Ministers Obed Bapela and Mcebisi Skwatsha;
The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Nkosikazi Mhlauli, Ah! NoSandi!
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Mokoena;
All Traditional Leaders present;
Mayors present here today;
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being able to join us today.
 
Premier, thank you for welcoming us to your vibrant province, rich in history, culture, magnificent wildlife, majestic mountains, beautiful forests, and bright skies.
 
Without your help and effort, this crucial interaction with Traditional and Khoi-San leaders would not have been possible.
 
In addition, we would like to thank you, our revered Amakhosi nama Khosikazi, for taking time out from your busy schedules to participate in today's discussion.
 
Your dedication to overcoming complicated development issues facing traditional communities and leaders inspires us.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
HERITAGE MONTH
 
We are holding this gathering during the month-long celebration of our nation's heritage. Several activities are being held to commemorate our history and the cultural heritage of our people, including the traditions and languages of which we are very proud.
 
This month also offers us a great opportunity to remember our nation's history of liberation, which resulted in the drafting of our Constitution.
 
As a result of traditional liberation leadership, communities have been unified and the social fabric has been strengthened, while our people's way of life has been preserved.
 
Your leadership as Traditional and Khoisan leaders is essential to our country's development of a cohesive, unified, and prosperous society that is democratic, non-racial, and non-sexist in nature.
 
CURRENT CHALLENGES IN OUR COUNTRY
 
We can attain these aspirations if we confront the difficulties that continue to undermine our social fabric.
 
Some of these societal challenges include unemployment, HIV/AIDS and TB, and inequality, and not having enough water for homes and farming.
 
We must also address the issue of limited access to information and communication technology services in rural communities.
 
To achieve this, intentional and targeted investments in rural infrastructure networks are required to provide people with access to clean water and sanitation, electricity, and roads that link them to places of employment, schools, and hospitals.
 
While the government is making progress on resolving some of the concerns, there are still issues that are in the process of being reviewed and processed.
 
As government, we are committed to responding quickly to any problems or concerns so that we can find sustainable solutions.
 
As part of this commitment, the President has set up the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, which is led by the Deputy President and given the responsibility of coordinating the government's response to the problems traditional leaders face across the country. 
 
Traditional leadership, as an institution located in the rural areas has a role to play in collaborating with government to resolve these challenges, including social ills of gender-based violence, child abuse, crime, substance abuse and others.
 
As traditional leaders, you should promote democratic governance and the values of an open and democratic society; progressively advance gender equality within the institutions of traditional leadership; and promote freedom and human dignity.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
As we have gathered here today, we are aware of the challenges that you as Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, are facing. What we can promise is that we will keep working hard with you to resolve these challenges.
 
We have learned from various provincial engagements and dialogues, including the one we had last week in the North West Province that your challenges as Traditional and Khoi-San leaders correlate across geographical areas.
 
We have also been criticised for taking too long to put in place measures to help the traditional communities address your challenges. We admit that we might not have acted quickly enough on some of the issues you have raised.
 
We have heard your demand to accelerate the execution of the necessary measures so that rural areas can catch up to the rest of the nation in terms of development.
 
Regarding land tenure and administration, we are all aware that this is a complicated subject for those who reside in or seek to invest in traditional regions.
 
This issue was also raised during the Communal Land Administration and Tenure Reform Summit in May this year. The Summit was successful in adopting resolutions that will go a long way towards the development of appropriate land reform legislation and policies.
 
We will continue to strive to achieve the development and sustainability of rural communities by ensuring that land rights are provided and that ownership is transferred from the state to rightful owners.
 
Additionally, we will focus more on improving inclusive land use management, building infrastructure, and providing targeted aid to rural populations.
 
It is critical to prioritise access to land as a crucial asset for rural development and economic transformation, so that the land held in trust by Traditional and Khoi-San leaders may be effectively used for agricultural, human settlements, and industrial development.
 
Together with Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, our government will make sure that ordinary people benefit from commercial land use and the extraction of natural resources in traditional communities.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
PROGRESS REPORT AND REFLECTIONS
 
The ongoing interactions between the government and traditional leaders in efforts to address obstacles that limit development in rural communities have highlighted the need for a closer working partnership between the government and traditional leaders at all levels.
 
As a government, we will continue working with traditional leaders to find solutions to problems that affect rural areas. 
 
In this regard, we are making some progress, and during the course of the day, you will hear more when the progress report on government’s coordinated response on matters raised by Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders is presented. 
 
As we move along the path to development, we need to make sure the decisions we take today and beyond are put into action.
 
We must ensure that there is alignment in the resolution of the issues raised by the respective leaders.
 
We hope your involvement today will help solve rural issues. As partners, we should work to unite the rural communities and South Africa as a country.
 
Thank you very much.

Our host, the Premier of North West Province, Rre Kaobitsa Maape and Members of the Provincial Executive Council present here today;
 
Deputy Ministers Obed Bapela and Mcebisi Skwatsha;
 
The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Nkosikazi Mhlauli, Ah! NoSandi!
 
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi O.T.S. Maotwe;
 
All Traditional Leaders present;
 
Mayors present here today;
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
1.   We take this time to appreciate your presence at today’s engagement in the province of Bokone Bophirima.
 
2.   Our sincere thanks go out to you Premier for always welcoming us warmly in your beautiful and vibrant province that is rich in history, culture and wildlife.
 
3.   Thank you for investing energy and dedication to support and facilitate this important engagement with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in this province.
 
4.   You have been consistent in your commitment of working with the national sphere of government whenever we join efforts with this province, focusing on bringing solutions to the province’s communities.
 
5.   In addition, we would like to thank you, our revered Dikgosi le Dikgosigadi for taking time out from your busy schedules to participate in today's discussion. We are encouraged by your persistence in resolving complex developmental issues confronting traditional communities and the traditional leadership sector.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
HERITAGE MONTH
 
6.   This meeting is taking place at the backdrop of Heritage Month in our country. During this month, various events and cultural activities take place throughout the country to celebrate our rich history and diverse cultures, including our traditions and languages in which we take enormous pride.
 
7.   It is through this month that we foster greater social cohesion and a shared national identity.
 
8.   The celebration of Heritage Month has created a conducive environment for all people to embrace and celebrate our inheritance from our forebears.
 
9.   In addition, this month is an opportune time to celebrate the hard-fought liberation heritage of our country. The liberation has also led to the birth of our Constitution.
 
10. Throughout our cultural history, traditional leadership has served as a custodian of our culture, customs, origins, and histories.
 
11. Moreover, Traditional Leaders have united communities, strengthened
 
the social fabric, and defended the way of life of the people as entrenched in our Constitution.
 
12. Traditional Leaders remain a powerful force in our democratic
 
 governance system across all spheres of government.
 
13.  As leaders, you remain a vital resource in our country in building a  democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, cohesive, united and prosperous  society where all of us realise our full potential.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
CURRENT CHALLENGES IN OUR COUNTRY
 
14. In line with realising these aspirations, we must continue to work together to address the myriad of challenges that continue to threaten the social fabric of our society. 
 
15. These challenges include unemployment, poverty, pervasive inequality, inadequate access to socio-economic and cultural
 
 infrastructure and services, and a lack of access to water for both households and agricultural development.
 
16. Historically, rural communities face isolation and have inadequate access to Information and Communication Technology services and infrastructure, often in sectors like education, health, and agriculture.
 
17. We need to attend to rural communities that remain underdeveloped and lack proper infrastructure.
 
18. To do this, deliberate and targeted investments in rural infrastructure networks are needed to give people access to clean water and sanitation services, electricity, and roads that connect people to places of work, schools, and hospitals.
 
19. It is general knowledge that traditional leaders have, over the course of time, brought up concerns for consideration by the government across a number of different areas of developmental work.
 
20. These issues have included the need for financial resources to enhance the capacity of traditional leadership institutions and structures to carry out their missions.
 
21. While the government is making progress on resolving some of the concerns at this time, there are still issues that are in the process of being reviewed and processed.
 
22. As a government, we remain committed to moving with speed in attending to any of the challenges or issues of concern in order to find lasting and sustainable solutions.
 
23.  As part of this commitment, the President established the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, which is being led by the Deputy President and tasked with overseeing the coordinated approach and response of the government to challenges that are affecting traditional leaders across the country.
 
24. Traditional leadership, as an institution located in the rural areas has a role to play in resolving these challenges, including social ills of gender-based violence, child abuse, crime, substance abuse and others.
 
25. Whereas Traditional Leaders and their ability to lead their communities is borne of experiences of the people, where there is no special training required, the evolution of modern societies, demands that certain skills be acquired to enable us to lead this country into a prosperous one.
 
26. Such skills and training, will equip us to understand dictates of the modern society that is characterised by technology and other forms of artificial intelligence. Therefore, we must work together to bring much needed change in our rural communities. 
 
27. In this regard, government stands ready to provide training where necessary, that would capacitate our institution and to enable Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders to fulfil their mandate.
 
28. As government, we believe and trust that with support of traditional leadership we will be able to develop programmes to redress or bring solution to any predicament.
 
29.  As we have gathered here today, we are aware of the challenges that you as Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders are facing. What we can promise you is that we will continue to work tirelessly in collaboration with yourselves towards the resolution of these challenges. 
 
30.   We have realised, through various provincial engagements and dialogues that your challenges as Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, correlate across geographical areas.
 
31. One thing that remains a concern is the high HIV infection rate, especially among adolescent girls and young women. Since last year, we have conducted a number of engagements with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, in collaboration with the South African National AIDS Council as part of our country’s integrated response to Covid-19, HIV, and TB.
 
32. As a country, we have made significant progress in responding to Covid-19, and continue to address HIV and TB in a multi-sectoral approach. We thank all Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders for the level of determination demonstrated in the fight against these pandemics.
 
33. However, it is not time to drop our guard. We must continue working together to fight these pandemics until we have zero new infection in our communities. We must continue to communicate to the youth, positive and empowering messages of safe sex and a healthy living as part of our prevention efforts.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
34. Issues that have been raised by yourselves as Traditional Leaders, include advancing land ownership, tenure rights and fast-tracking socio-economic development of rural communities; advancing  infrastructure investment and skills development in rural communities; promoting unity, social cohesion and nation building in rural communities; as well as fast-tracking the finalisation of policy, legislative and constitutional matters.
 
35. With regard to land administration and tenure, we are all aware that it is a thorny issue to people who live or seek to invest in areas under the authority of Traditional authorities.
 
36. This again emerged as a matter of robust debate during the Communal Land Administration and Tenure Reform Summit held in May this year.
 
37. The Summit succeeded in adopting resolutions that will go a long way
 
towards the development of appropriate policies and legislation related to land reform.
 
PROGRESS REPORT AND REFLECTIONS
 
38. The ongoing engagements between Government and Traditional Leaders on efforts of resolving challenges that impede development in rural communities, have brought to the fore the need for a closer working relationship between Government and Traditional Leaders across all levels.
 
39. In this regard, a range of mechanisms have been adopted, including the establishment, by President Ramaphosa, of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Matters Raised by Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as on-going dialogues and outreach engagements with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, such as the one we having here today.
 
40. In this regard, we are making some progress, and during the course of the day, you will hear more when the progress report on  government-coordinated response is presented.
 
41. We do appreciate that while issues faced by Traditional Leaders may have certain commonalities, there are some peculiar issues found in respective provinces, hence our visit here today so that we can solicit further input, and generate ideas on how we can jointly have solutions that are sustainable. 
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
42. We will continue to strive to achieve the development and sustainability of rural communities by ensuring that land rights are provided and that ownership is transferred from the state to rightful owners.        
43. We will also be paying more attention to agricultural development, infrastructure development, improved and inclusive land use management, and targeted assistance to communities in rural areas.
 
44. It is important to prioritise access to land as a critical asset for rural development and economic transformation, so that the land held under the custodianship of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders can be productively utilized for agriculture, human settlements and industrial development.
 
45. In partnership with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, the Government will ensure that ordinary people benefit from the commercial land use and extraction of natural resources on land owned by traditional communities.
 
Esteemed traditional leaders,
 
46. As Government, we will continue to engage with traditional leadership in order to address issues of concern to this sector and to rural communities.
 
47. As we move forward on the path of development, we need to ensure that the decisions taken are implemented. We must ensure that there is alignment in the resolution of the issues raised by respective leaders.
 
48. It is our hope that your active participation today will contribute to addressing prevailing challenges facing our rural communities.
 
49. Our efforts should be unified as partners to build a unified South Africa.
 
Thank you

Ministers,
 
Deputy Ministers,
 
Premiers,
 
MECs in attendance,
 
Deputy Chairpersons, Mr. Ntshalintshali and Ms. Mayekiso, Members of the Human Resource Development Council,
 
The principal of Sedibeng TVET College, Dr. George Mothapo, and the leadership of the College in attendance,
 
Ladies and Gentlemen
  
We are pleased to have all of you at this Human Resource Development Council meeting at Sedibeng TVET College in Vereeniging.
  
This is the first time we are physically meeting since the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions and of the new term of this council.
 
It is humbling to see the level of commitment by Council members towards making the work of this body a success, more especially in the current turbulent economic times, as we collectively seek innovative solutions to skills development for the economy and future of work. 
  
This meeting is important in charting a way forward as our country is on a path of recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, nearly 150,000 children in South Africa were orphaned as a result of COVID-19 associated deaths.
 
The devastating effects of the pandemic disrupted economic activities and their value chains, leading to the closure of many businesses, thereby resulting in massive job losses and the loss of livelihoods.
 
More specifically, COVID-19 brought to the surface the harsh realities of the need to change, and adapt to new ways of doing business, including the adoption of virtual technological platforms, and digitalisation of business processes and interactions. 
  
Suddenly, the global society was confronted with the task of delivering knowledge and skills sets in a short time in order for nations to survive.
 
Vaccine shortages, inadequate hospital equipment and supplies, limited logistics and distribution capabilities, and skills shortages in critical areas necessitated and spurred urgent interventions at global and domestic levels.
  
Across all key sectors of the economy and social endeavour, there was a need to adapt to new demands in terms of additional personnel and skills, research and vaccines development, digital connectivity, as well as the introduction of alternative platforms to deliver education, health and public services in general.
 
Equally, this evolving nature of doing business has set in motion the shifting content of skills and capabilities needed to build, and grow  a sustain modern economy.
  
It requires a quick paradigm shift and reorientation to realign the content of our curriculum offerings and skills development programmes so that we can respond to the demands of industry and the economy.
 
Within the overall context of the evolving Fourth Industrial Revolution, our National Digital and Future Skills Strategy provides a critical framework for inclusive partnerships between industry, labour, higher education institutions and society to imagine and build a new set of skills and capabilities for our country.
 
From the foundations of basic education to tertiary levels, key resources and infrastructure must be provided to accelerate the provision of relevant and appropriate skills.
 
Our focus as Council should be rooted on strategies that will see an increase in productivity and the realisation of skills that are necessary for our country to become a knowledge and skills-based economy.
 
That is why we are encouraged by what we have seen on this campus, where the world of old knowledge collides with new cutting-edge research and technology in disciplines like Mechatronics, and where this institution is at the forefront of its introduction for our skills revolution.
 
This combination of mechanical engineering, electronics and computer systems will definitely go a long way in developing the skills that we require as country in our effort of re-industrialisation toward growing our economy.
 
We applaud the leadership of this College, the principal for such innovation, and we hope it will inspire other institutions to follow suit in looking at other similar initiatives to expand and diversify our skills base.
 
We are also encouraged by partnerships that this College has entered into with industry players to ensure that it aligns and tailors its training and skills offering to industry needs. 

As the Council, we need to ensure that all our TVET colleges have strategic partnerships with industry players across all economic sectors.
 
This will enable experiential learning, placement, entrepreneurship development and employment opportunities for all our students that are produced in the TVET College system.
 
 
COVID-19 challenges: Economic Stagnation and Unemployment
 
We must address the socio-economic challenges we are facing in order to ensure sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion.
 
Stats SA says the country’s unemployment rate stood at 33.9 percent in the second quarter of the year, with almost 12.3 million of our people who jobless.
 
Most concerning is that 35.7 percent of youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are classified as not being in employment, education, or training.
  
The story that these statistics depict is very concerning as we note that 39.3 percent of black women are unemployed and therefore vulnerable.
 
In part, our ability to reverse rising levels of unemployment and poverty depends on our progress in delivering training and skills development programmes that will address the challenges of the moment.
 
Apart from those in the schooling and training system, the reality is that we have an unsustainably high number of young people who are unemployed. Something drastic needs to happen.
 
Therefore, as the Council, we need to put measures in place to ensure that those who have lost employment and learning opportunities are able to bounce back through a package of skills development interventions that will create viable options in life.
 
What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that certain jobs may not come back as we know them. Therefore, we need to work with industry to design targeted skills programmes that will facilitate the absorption of youth into entrepreneurship and employment.
 
Many a time, we keep deliberating on our challenges, and we also make undertakings to change course, but very little is done to implement all the good resolutions that we take to change the situation.
 
You will remember that we had a Council Summit and took a number of resolutions to change our fortunes.
 
This meeting should reflect on the progress we have made, bearing in mind the dire state of the economy and hardships that are an outcome of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

 
Interventions to rebuild our economy and job creation
 
To this end, as we finalise our programme of action today, we should:
 
Reflect on whether the work of this Council will produce skills that are appropriate for citizens to thrive in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
 
Reflect on how the Council develops targeted and progressive delivery of key outcomes that can be measured over the term of the  existence of this Council;
 
Instead of trying to do everything, we should reflect on how we prioritise and select a portfolio of interrelated national ‘high impact’ interventions or projects to deliver tangible results for our country;
 
More critically, we need to be clear about how we mobilise requisite financial resources from government and the private sector to jointly drive these initiatives; and
How do we ensure that the HRDC strategy responds to the current job seekers and those pursuing entrepreneurship?
 
Therefore, the programme of action should lead to the realisation of a better environment for learning and training. With proper education and training, we can move forward as a country.
 

Improving schooling throughput
 
Equally so, we can move our country forward if we urgently intervene to address the challenges that are facing the basic education sector. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an unfortunate increase in school dropouts.
 
The fact that approximately 750 000 students did not return to school due to the pandemic should be of great concern to all of us as a Council. These increasing dropout rates, compound the already high number of young people that are not in education, employment, and training.
 
Furthermore, COVID-19 has highlighted the issue of the digital divide in our society. While other schools in affluent areas were able to continue learning during COVID-19, those who have no access to ICT have been disadvantaged, thus lagging behind, hence our call for the mobilisation of requisite resources from the government and private sector to jointly drive these initiatives.
 
In line with the vision of our National Digital and Future Skills Strategy, let us ensure that the South African community becomes digitally adaptive, to ensure digital inclusivity for future generations.
 
This will be possible if we establish an education and skills development ecosystem that provides South Africans with the required skills to create and participate in the digital economy.
 
We must bridge the digital inequality gap in our country, especially amongst unskilled and low-income citizens, among whom women and girl children represent the majority.
 
If we are to win the war against poverty, we must find ways to keep our children in school so that they can gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be active participants in the economy.
 
The Council must continue to reverberate a message that says, "Education is the only way that we are going to transform our society." It unlocks doors to greener pastures and locks the doors to crime, substance abuse, and many ailments that are negatively affecting our communities.
 
With the time that we have remaining for our term as members of this Council, let us recognise our collective responsibility as partners to work more diligently towards the realisation of the goals as outlined in the strategy, and we are not going to fail our people.
 
I thank you

Premier of the Free State Province, Ms Sisi Ntombela,
Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli,
Morena e Moholo Montoeli Mota,
Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Nkosikazi Mhlauli, Ah! NoSandi!
Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Morena Neo Mopeli,
Marena le Mafumahadi,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha,
Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Obed Bapela,
Members of the Provincial Executive Council,
Mayors present,
Senior Government Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 
We wish to take this opportunity to convey our sincere word of appreciation to you Premier Ntombela, for your warm words of welcome to this beautiful city of Mangaung, here in the Free State province.
 
Thank you for hosting this critical engagement with traditional leaders to deliberate on a range of issues affecting the standing and leadership role of traditional in development and service delivery. We also acknowledge your leadership role in fostering partnerships between the provincial government and traditional leadership institutions in the Province to ensure that the quality of lives of traditional communities are improved.
 
We thank all our revered traditional leaders for availing themselves to participate in today’s discussions. Traditional leaders are a vital cog in our democratic governance system across all spheres of government.
 
They remain central to the tasks of building safe and cohesive communities, and ensuring that our history, culture, languages, and heritage are celebrated and preserved for generations to come.
 
In the face of social ills confronting our communities, traditional leaders have an essential leadership role to play in working with government to deepen a culture of human rights for all. As leaders, you have a critical role to play in reversing the scourge of crime, gender-based violence and substance abuse within communities.
 
Working together with traditional leadership institutions, government is able to develop programmes that are responsive to challenges of unemployment, poverty and lack of key services in rural communities.
 
We must address underdevelopment and infrastructure deficits in rural communities. This requires deliberate and targeted investments in rural infrastructure networks to provide access to water and sanitation, electricity and roads that connect communities to workplaces, schools and health facilities.
 
It is common knowledge that traditional leaders have, over time, raised issues for consideration by government across a number of developmental aspects, including financial resources to build capacity of traditional leadership institutions and structures to execute their mandates. Some of the issues are currently being implemented by government, whereas others remain in the pipeline for resolution and action.
 
At the highest level of government, there is a commitment to act with a sense of urgency in resolving a number of issues that traditional leaders have raised. As part of this commitment, the President established the Inter-Ministerial Task Team chaired by the Deputy President to oversee government’s coordinated approach and response to issues affecting traditional leaders throughout the country.
 
The dialogue held with traditional leaders after the opening of the National House early this year laid an important foundation for our ongoing engagements with traditional leaders in all provinces.
 
Today’s reports and inputs will reflect on progress made on the composite list of priority issues that were raised with government. We will provide updates on progress made by various work streams established to pursue and resolve some of the sector-specific issues.
 
More importantly, we need to isolate some of the province-specific issues and map out a way to foster communication and collaboration between traditional leaders and government, including improved working relations between municipalities and institutions of traditional leadership at local levels.  
 
Among many other issues, land reform remains a critical national intervention to reverse the legacy of land dispossession, and advance restorative justice. We are committed to working with traditional leaders to expand land access beyond what is currently available, and make sure that our land reform programmes achieve the desired transformative goals in an orderly and Constitutionally-defined manner.
 
Today’s engagement occurs just two months after we held the Summit on Communal Land Administration and Tenure Reform.
 
We will reflect on the broad outcomes of this Summit in terms of how it proposes some of the key actions around communal land administration and tenure reforms. Our task today is to make inputs and enrich reports so that lasting solutions are carefully crafted.
 
We are here to engage and take your views on board to shape the future development of our traditional communities. Traditional leaders must see themselves as agents of change.
 
We look forward to your active participation and engagement as we seek solutions to prevailing challenges that confront our rural communities.  
 
I thank you.

Programme Director,
Premier of the Free State Province, Ms Sisi Ntombela,
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Thoko Didiza, 
Members of the Free State Executive Council,
Director-General, Mr Kopung Ralikontsane and other Senior Officials,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dumelang.  

The role of women in society

We thank you Premier Ntombela for the invitation to us to join the people of the Free State province on this launch of the provincial women’s month. This month gives us an opportunity to honestly reflect on progress we have made in the struggle for the total emancipation of women, and deepening gender equality.

It also allows us to envision and shape new solutions to resolve social challenges confronting society, and women in particular, so that we ensure gender equality is achieved.

We take pride in being part of this dialogue, which is meant to create an opportunity of sharing insights, ideas, and experiences on the issues that are critical for the development of our society, especially women. 

We also take time to celebrate the leadership contribution of women in the struggle for liberation to build a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society. 

It was during this month 66 years ago, at the height of apartheid rule, when the powerful voices of 20 000 women reverberated through the streets of Pretoria marching in defiance against a brutal regime that sought to use discriminatory pass laws to undermine their dignity.

Their efforts took our country a step further towards building an equal society. Their chant “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” symbolised the courage, strength, and resilience of these brave women in the fight for freedom and the emancipation of all women.

Because of their bravery, we have moved from a history where women suffered oppression based on their gender to one where gender equality is a constitutional imperative. 

Today women enjoy the same rights as their male counterparts. We shall always be indebted to them and remain inspired in the fight to make our nation better.

It is now in the hands of women of our generation to carry their legacy and strive to overcome our challenges. That is why we condemn in strongest terms, any acts of violence and abuse against women. 

The freedoms we attained in 1994, are for every South African irrespective of race, gender and ethnicity.  It is unacceptable that one in five women have experienced violence at the hands of their partners, and that women are raped and killed at the hands of men.

We are saddened by the recently reported acts of rape and criminality perpetrated against women and young girls in many parts of our country. Gender-based violence has no place in our society.

As communities, we should stand and work together to get rid of this moral decay in our society. 

We celebrate every woman who has had to grab the sharpest end of the knife to make sacrifices, endure hardships, raise children, and make a contribution to the development of our society.

Without doubt, women have always been the backbone of our society.


A Dialogue for solutions 

For any society to thrive, it must empower women across all facets of development, and ensure that women and girl children have access to quality education, health and economic opportunities for self-advancement.

We are delighted that our dialogue today will centre around how we create an enabling environment for the meaningful participation of women in agriculture to contribute to economic growth, employment and food security. 

It behoves us to address artificial barriers that engender the exclusion of women from the agricultural sector across the entire value chain. 

We must enhance our practical measures and interventions to provide holistic support to women farmers in order increase agricultural production and impact on economic growth, food security and employment. 

Our integrated support to women in this sector must unlock land availability, mechanisation support, funding, training, access to markets and the introduction of new technologies for modern farming. 

As government, we will continue to make resources available to support women farmers. 

We must therefore invest more in providing training, research and technological innovation to support those wanting to enter the agricultural sector. 

We must encourage young people to enrol in agriculture colleges and universities to acquire necessary skills. We must do more to support black women farmers and young girls in order to capacitate them to unleash their potential. 

We are aware that access to funding poses a major challenge. For those women looking to start a business in the agricultural sector, it is even more of a challenge, with many struggling to gain access to financial assistance to start their enterprises because they often have no assets to put up as necessary surety. 

We need to ensure that we work with the private sector to develop, and make available innovative financing instruments to support farmers. In this dialogue, government will be able to share some of the funding opportunities available to support women farmers.

In terms of key infrastructure required for successful agriculture, government will continue to assist with the provision of bulk water and irrigation infrastructure, as well as logistics and storage infrastructure. 


Accelerating Land Reform to Benefit Women

As we celebrate this women’s month, we must also be cognisant of challenges such as food insecurity. The main threat to food security are increasing food prices, increasing demand for food, and limitations of farming land availability. 

Access to land for current and prospective women farmers remains one of the key priorities of government’s land reform programme. Government has introduced proactive measures to ensure that beneficiary selection criteria focus on enhancing women ownership of land

When women own the land, they make it productive; families tend to be better fed, better educated, and healthier.

We have already commenced with the allocation of state owned land to beneficiaries in need of agricultural land. Through our Land Reform Programme, we are re-allocating the land to the landless, labour tenants, farm workers, and emerging farmers for productive uses to improve their livelihoods and quality of life.

As government, we will continue to collaborate across the three spheres to coordinate our support better, and ensure that all post-settlement programmes are well coordinated, integrated and effective.

We do this because we know that the productive utilisation of land in communal areas is key to effective rural development. In the main, agriculture sustains economic activities and livelihoods in rural communities. We must find ways to support agricultural enterprises to drive the agenda of rural development

It is for this reason that we must have dialogues such as this, in order to chart a way forward on how we can increase agricultural productivity by broadening the participation of more women in farming.

We must all come together and follow the example of African Farmers Association of South Africa to accelerate agrarian reform and to bring the marginalised poor into the economic mainstream.

While guaranteeing the long-term viability of the agricultural sector in South Africa, AFASA has achieved noteworthy strides in commercializing the nation's emerging agricultural sector and facilitating the meaningful engagement of black people in mainstream commercial agribusiness. 

We need to develop strategies on how we can ensure a better legal framework that will ensure access and equity in the distribution of land for farming. 

On our part as government, we will continue to accelerate land reform to drive socio-economic transformation and redress past imbalances in land ownership.

By working together, through dialogue and collaboration, we will be able to transform this sector and our communities for the better. 

As we grow agriculture and promote rural development, we have enjoined partnerships with traditional leaders to find ways of investing in rural infrastructure and service delivery. We will work with traditional leaders to ensure that women farmers are adequately supported.

We promise that, as part of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Traditional Leadership, we will visit the Province again to engage with traditional leaders on various matters of concern. 


Integrated Support to Small Scale Farmers and Cooperatives

To address the challenges of hunger, unemployment, poverty and inequality, we need to support small scale farms, particularly women-owned farms. 

There is much evidence in the economic literature that small-scale farms play a crucial role in the functioning of any economy as creators of jobs.

Our nation's history is full of instances when the support given to white-owned small businesses by the previous administration helped a number of businesses grow into well-known enterprises. In the same category, we have agricultural cooperatives that have developed into well-known companies both domestically and abroad.

This indicates that the people are not simply disinterested in improving their lot in life and raising themselves up by their own bootstraps. Instead, it indicates that they require assistance in order to give life to their ideas and so contribute to the growth of our economy and the creation of jobs for the unemployed.

We need young women farmers to receive necessary training and support to become commercial farmers. It is possible. It can be done.

When more women use available land productively, our country produces more for both domestic and international export markets. Government has programmes to support farmers with the necessary production capacity to supply external markets. We will continue to open channels for local farmers to supply international markets

Equally, our domestic market has opportunities for increased participation by all farmers, and women farmers in particular.

Unlocking economic opportunities through government nutrition programs in schools, hospitals, and correctional centres is one of the important initiatives to increase the participation of women. This will allow the agriculture sector to expand and support cooperatives and small-scale farming enterprises.

This will motivate these agricultural women to take the lead in producing and supplying the government with fresh produce and related commodities. More prospects for job creation result from the expansion of such support, which gives individuals looking for work hope.

We commend the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that through conditional Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme have prioritised women-targeted projects and funded them for the financial year 2022/23. 

The handover of agricultural support packages to women farmers today is a hope we need to give to women. 

It is a hope that our society needs to prosper. 

It is what we all need to do to support and empower women. 

Through this programme we are increasing the creation of wealth in the communal and farming communities. We are reducing poverty and hunger.

We are committed to walking this journey with you by ensuring that the work you do is effectively supported. 

I thank you.

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms. Thembi Siweya, will lead a Food Parcel Donation Drive and a campaign against Gender-Based Violence at Phokoane Community Hall in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality and Moses Mabotha Hall, Apel in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The Food Parcel Drive and campaign against Gender-Based Violence are part of commemorating Women’s Month. 
 
South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day. This year’s Women Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”.  The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030. 
 
During the Drive and campaign against Gender-Based Violence, Deputy Minster Siweya will engage with citizen on dialogue about Gender-Based Violence. Women’s Month allows us to measure how far we have come in transforming society, mainly the transformation of unequal power relations between women and men. While also focusing on and addressing gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, structural oppression, and creating a conducive environment which enables women to take control of their lives.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Day 1: 19 August 2022
Venue: Phokoane Community Hall, Ward 3, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo Province
Time: 10H00
 
Day 2: 22 August 2022
Venue: Seokodibeng Community Hall, Fetakgomo-Tubatseh Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality in the Limpopo Province
Time: 10h00
 
For confirmation, kindly contact Mr Pfumelani Mayimele at 065 660 3839 or email Pfumelani@dpme.gov.za.
 
Follow us on twitter @dpmeofficial / @ThembiSiweya/ Facebook: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation


Enquiries: Mr Phetole Rampedi at 082 890 8366 or email Phetole@dpme.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria 

Newly crowned Miss South Africa, Ndavi Nokeri, will be welcomed officially as an ambassador of Brand South Africa by the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Thembi Siweya. The Ministry in The Presidency has oversight responsibility over the Brand South Africa. 

Deputy Minister Siweya will be joined by representatives of the Brand South Africa Board, management and several stakeholders who are contributing in the promotion of South Africa’s brand. 

Ms Nokeri joins over 200 distinguished South Africans who have been recognised and endorsed as ambassadors in the promotion of the nation brand. The Brand South Africa Ambassador concept is part of the broader Play Your Part programme which seeks to encourage active citizenry and mobilise South Africans to conduct themselves in a manner that enhance the country’s brand. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the official welcoming of Ms Ndavi Nokeri as the Brand SA ambassador as follows: 

Date: Monday, 15 August 2022
Time: 08h00
Venue: East Wing, Union Buildings, Pretoria

Members of the media are advised to send confirmations in advance together with their ID numbers for access to the Union Buildings.

For confirmation, kindly contact Mr Pfumelani Mayimele at 065 660 3839 or email Pfumelani@dpme.gov.za 


Media enquiries: Mr Phetole Rampedi at 082 890 8366 or email Phetole@dpme.gov.za  

Follow us on twitter @dpmeofficial / @ThembiSiweya/ Facebook: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Issued by: The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, will lead a Gender-Based Violence and Food Parcel Donation Drive at Lulekani Community Hall in Lulekani Village, Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province on 08 August 2022. The drive  is part of commemorating Women’s Month. 
 
South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day. This year’s Women Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”.  The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030. 
 
During the drive, Deputy Minster Siweya will engage with citizen on dialogue about Gender-Based Violence. Women’s Month allows us to measure how far we have come in transforming society, mainly the transformation of unequal power relations between women and men. While also focusing on and addressing gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, structural oppression, and creating a conducive environment which enables women to take control of their lives. 
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: 08 August 2022
Venue: Lulekani Community Hall in Lulekani Village, Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province
Time: 10h00 
 
For confirmation, kindly contact Mr Pfumelani Mayimele at 065 660 3839 or email Pfumelani@dpme.gov.za.
 
Follow us on twitter @dpmeofficial / @ThembiSiweya/ Facebook: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
 

Enquiries: Mr Phetole Rampedi at 082 890 8366 or email Phetole@dpme.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency 
Presidency 

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, will lead a Gender-Based Violence and Food Parcel Donation Drive at Jabulani Old Age Home and Care Givers in Pretoria North, Gauteng Province on 04 August 2022. The drive  is part of commemorating Women’s Month. 
 
South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day. This year’s Women Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”.  The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.
 
During the drive, Deputy Minster Siweya will engage with citizen on dialogue about Gender-Based Violence. Women’s Month allows us to measure how far we have come in transforming society, mainly the transformation of unequal power relations between women and men. While also focusing on and addressing gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, structural oppression, and creating a conducive environment which enables women to take control of their lives.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: 04 August 2022
Venue: Jabulani Old Age Home and Care Givers, Pretoria North, Gauteng Province
Time: 10h00 
 
For confirmation, kindly contact Mr Pfumelani Mayimele at 065 660 3839 or email Pfumelani@dpme.gov.za
 
Follow us on twitter @dpmeofficial / @ThembiSiweya/ Facebook: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
 
 
Enquiries: Mr Phetole Rampedi at 082 890 8366 or email Phetole@dpme.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency 
Presidency