Honourable Kings and Queens,
Traditional Leaders,
Members of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
Distinguished guests,
Esteemed members of government, business sector, faith-based organizations, and community representatives
It is a profound honour for me to be here with you today at this crucial Mid-Term Review Imbizo of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders.
I bring warm regards from both my family and ActionSA, and I expresss our commitment to working closely with traditional leadership as partners in our ongoing drive to build a prosperous and inclusive South Africa.
Traditional leaders remain a vital pillar of our country – guardians of culture, custodians of the land, and key agents of social cohesion in our rural and traditional communities. Your role is rooted deeply in history, yet it must respond dynamically to the realities of a modern South Africa and fast changing world.
Since our last engagement, during which we discussed many pressing matters, including local governance, legislative collaboration, and socioeconomic development, I have often reflected on how we, as a nation, must do better to recognize and empower traditional leadership structures.
Governance is the foundation of progress, and it begins at the local-level – where traditional leaders wield enormous influence in their communities. ActionSA envisions a future where traditional leadership and municipal governments operate in genuine partnership, not in parallel or in conflict, as we currently experience.
We advocate for greater integration of traditional governance systems within broader democratically elected local government structures, but mindful of our demographic diversity. This partnership should be formalized so that the unique knowledge and authority of traditional leaders get to help shape service delivery, local development, and land use planning in a transparent way and with accountability.
Furthermore, as we approach future local government elections, ActionSA pledges to work hand-in-hand with traditional leaders across the country to ensure voter education, fair representation, and strengthened collaboration in the governance sphere.
Traditional communities remain disproportionately burdened by poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. Too many rural areas are neglected, with infrastructure deficits, low investment, and limited economic opportunity.
This must change.
The Vision that the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders has embraced – to intensify efforts to promote socioeconomic development – is one that ActionSA fully supports. We must unlock rural potential by catalysing strategic economic activities such as agriculture, agro-processing, and tourism while respecting and preserving cultural heritage.
A critical opportunity is in repurposing abandoned factories and fallow farms. These assets hold immense potential for job creation, skills development, and economic revival. ActionSA commits to working with traditional leaders, government, and the private sector to develop inclusive economic blueprints that will revitalize these areas and lift communities from poverty.
Respect for the rule of law and good governance remain paramount. Traditional leadership must be supported by clear, consistent, and enabling legislation – such as the traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act – to fulfil their constitutional mandate effectively.
ActionSA accepts the invitation to partner with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in constructive legislative collaboration. This includes ensuring the protection of traditional institutions, enhancing their representation, and creating a framework that encourages innovation and development while respecting tradition.
The phenomenon of immigration within Africa has complex implications for traditional communities. ActionSA recognizes the need for balanced policies that respect human rights and foster regional cooperation while protecting the social fabric and resources of traditional areas.
ActionSA is concerned by the influx of illegal foreign nationals, some from far away countries, including those from outside our continent, bringing all manner of foreign traditions and illegality in our rural communities. Rural communities are the most vulnerable and affected by these illegal activities.
We are committed to working with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders to address these challenges through dialogue and policies that promote ‘Africa without borders’ ideals without compromising local security and economic stability.
I would like to make a special plea to all leaders to protect SMME’s in their respective communities to be exclusively reserved for South Africans. I would like to ask you to have the courage to engage all 3 spheres of governments, local, provincial and national, to respect the application of the current laws to protect small businesses in your communities for your local communities. If the current laws do not sufficiently address these needs, work with them to pass appropriate laws to address this challenge.
We are the only country on earth that allows this abnormality to be normal. Let us not allow South Africa to be used as a testing ground at the expense of our local communities.
Our failure to directly confront this practice will collapse our traditional way of life. We have no choice for long-term survival.
We have allowed international drug syndicates to regard South Africa as their playground and, in the process, our youth are the biggest casualties.
Are you as leaders prepared to sit back and watch this devasting acts destroy your communities under your watch?
Meaningful socioeconomic transformation requires collaboration across sectors. I am pleased to note that this imbizo includes engagement with the business community. ActionSA believes that public-private partnerships anchored in respect for traditional leadership can unlock new opportunities for rural development.
We therefore advocate for investment incentives aimed at traditional areas, entrepreneurship programs for youth and women, and infrastructure projects that create sustainable livelihoods.
In closing, ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate ActionSA’s unwavering commitment to working closely with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders. Together, we can co-create solutions that preserve cultural heritage, enhance governance, and drive rural development.
Your role as leaders is critical – not only in advising government, but in being active agents of change and development in your respective communities and in this house. ActionSA is ready to support you in this journey towards a South Africa that honours its past while boldly shaping its future.
1 Personally, I look forward to continued dialogue, partnership, and the realization of a shared vision where traditional leadership and democratic governance thrive hand in hand for the prosperity of all South Africans and our beloved country.
Thank you
National House of Traditional & Khoi-San Leaders Mid-term Review Address 2025
Honourable Kings and Queens,
Traditional Leaders,
Members of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
Distinguished guests,
Esteemed members of government, business sector, faith-based organizations, and community representatives
It is a profound honour for me to be here with you today at this crucial Mid-Term Review Imbizo of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders.
I bring warm regards from both my family and ActionSA, and I expresss our commitment to working closely with traditional leadership as partners in our ongoing drive to build a prosperous and inclusive South Africa.
Traditional leaders remain a vital pillar of our country – guardians of culture, custodians of the land, and key agents of social cohesion in our rural and traditional communities. Your role is rooted deeply in history, yet it must respond dynamically to the realities of a modern South Africa and fast changing world.
Since our last engagement, during which we discussed many pressing matters, including local governance, legislative collaboration, and socioeconomic development, I have often reflected on how we, as a nation, must do better to recognize and empower traditional leadership structures.
Governance is the foundation of progress, and it begins at the local-level – where traditional leaders wield enormous influence in their communities. ActionSA envisions a future where traditional leadership and municipal governments operate in genuine partnership, not in parallel or in conflict, as we currently experience.
We advocate for greater integration of traditional governance systems within broader democratically elected local government structures, but mindful of our demographic diversity. This partnership should be formalized so that the unique knowledge and authority of traditional leaders get to help shape service delivery, local development, and land use planning in a transparent way and with accountability.
Furthermore, as we approach future local government elections, ActionSA pledges to work hand-in-hand with traditional leaders across the country to ensure voter education, fair representation, and strengthened collaboration in the governance sphere.
Traditional communities remain disproportionately burdened by poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. Too many rural areas are neglected, with infrastructure deficits, low investment, and limited economic opportunity.
This must change.
The Vision that the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders has embraced – to intensify efforts to promote socioeconomic development – is one that ActionSA fully supports. We must unlock rural potential by catalysing strategic economic activities such as agriculture, agro-processing, and tourism while respecting and preserving cultural heritage.
A critical opportunity is in repurposing abandoned factories and fallow farms. These assets hold immense potential for job creation, skills development, and economic revival. ActionSA commits to working with traditional leaders, government, and the private sector to develop inclusive economic blueprints that will revitalize these areas and lift communities from poverty.
Respect for the rule of law and good governance remain paramount. Traditional leadership must be supported by clear, consistent, and enabling legislation – such as the traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act – to fulfil their constitutional mandate effectively.
ActionSA accepts the invitation to partner with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in constructive legislative collaboration. This includes ensuring the protection of traditional institutions, enhancing their representation, and creating a framework that encourages innovation and development while respecting tradition.
The phenomenon of immigration within Africa has complex implications for traditional communities. ActionSA recognizes the need for balanced policies that respect human rights and foster regional cooperation while protecting the social fabric and resources of traditional areas.
ActionSA is concerned by the influx of illegal foreign nationals, some from far away countries, including those from outside our continent, bringing all manner of foreign traditions and illegality in our rural communities. Rural communities are the most vulnerable and affected by these illegal activities.
We are committed to working with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders to address these challenges through dialogue and policies that promote ‘Africa without borders’ ideals without compromising local security and economic stability.
I would like to make a special plea to all leaders to protect SMME’s in their respective communities to be exclusively reserved for South Africans. I would like to ask you to have the courage to engage all 3 spheres of governments, local, provincial and national, to respect the application of the current laws to protect small businesses in your communities for your local communities. If the current laws do not sufficiently address these needs, work with them to pass appropriate laws to address this challenge.
We are the only country on earth that allows this abnormality to be normal. Let us not allow South Africa to be used as a testing ground at the expense of our local communities.
Our failure to directly confront this practice will collapse our traditional way of life. We have no choice for long-term survival.
We have allowed international drug syndicates to regard South Africa as their playground and, in the process, our youth are the biggest casualties.
Are you as leaders prepared to sit back and watch this devasting acts destroy your communities under your watch?
Meaningful socioeconomic transformation requires collaboration across sectors. I am pleased to note that this imbizo includes engagement with the business community. ActionSA believes that public-private partnerships anchored in respect for traditional leadership can unlock new opportunities for rural development.
We therefore advocate for investment incentives aimed at traditional areas, entrepreneurship programs for youth and women, and infrastructure projects that create sustainable livelihoods.
In closing, ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate ActionSA’s unwavering commitment to working closely with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders. Together, we can co-create solutions that preserve cultural heritage, enhance governance, and drive rural development.
Your role as leaders is critical – not only in advising government, but in being active agents of change and development in your respective communities and in this house. ActionSA is ready to support you in this journey towards a South Africa that honours its past while boldly shaping its future.
1 Personally, I look forward to continued dialogue, partnership, and the realization of a shared vision where traditional leadership and democratic governance thrive hand in hand for the prosperity of all South Africans and our beloved country.
Thank you