Traditional leaders and Mpumalanga premier meet

The Government’s commitment to improve the socio-economic conditions of communities in rural areas, took centre stage when the premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, and the traditional leadership exchanged views.
Mtshweni-Tsipane met the executive members of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan leaders at Nutting House Lodge last Friday to sharpen their views on government’s intervention measures.

The meeting was a follow-up after a session with the deputy president, David Mabuza. Mtshweni-Tsipane appraised the traditional leadership, led by the chairperson, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena, about road improvement initiatives, land management measures and the allocation of financial support for administration functions.

ALSO READ: Balfour police discover decomposed body of woman in ceiling

She acknowledged the need to improve the state of the roads.
“We have declared war on the potholes on our roads. Through the patchers we bought for the three districts, we are patching potholes in all our roads. We are resolute in our commitment to make the roads in our province efficient and safe,” she said.

Both Mtshweni-Tsipane and the traditional leaders share a common view about the importance of land management for food production. However, Mtshweni-Tsipane expressed concern about the violation of land legislation in the allocation of land by unscrupulous people.
“Supporting farming projects is part of Government’s food security plan.”

“The farm project in the Mantjolo Traditional Council is a case in point, where land was made available. We provided seedlings and farming implements for the realisation of this plan. We are happy that the project produces vegetables and has created job opportunities for the local community. We call on Amakhosi to weed out unscrupulous individuals, whose allocation of land is in conflict with legislative processes,” she said.

ALSO READ: DD Mabuza commits aid for Amakhosi

Recently, the Provincial Government handed over certificates of recognition to Inkhosi Misisizwe Mnisi of the Mantjolo Traditional Council in eNkonjaneni, and Ikosi Thomas Mabena of the Manala Mbhongo Traditional Council in Libangeni.

Mtshweni-Tsipane assured the executive of the house about measures to accelerate the gazette process of recognised traditional leaders.
The premier announced support for the administration functions of the two kings of the Ndebele nation and for the traditional leaders. For the kings, the grant amount will increase from R400 000 to R1m per annum, while traditional leaders will receive an increased amount of R350 000 per annum from R300 000, with effect from the 2023/24 financial year.
Currently, the renovation of eight critical traditional council offices is under way, while 12 new offices will be constructed.