PRESIDENTS’ STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS   ANALYSIS IN RELATION TO IMPLICATIONS FOR TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS PROF MC NWAILA

INTRODUCTION The Department has a mandate to Support all sectors of traditional affairs. It also has a mandate to promote Social Cohesion, culture and heritage within the traditional, cultural, religious and linguistic communities including the Khoi and the San. Issues raised by the President during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 14 February 2013 have implications for the Department and in particular, the institution of traditional, Khoi and San leadership and Interfaith Sector.

Background The President in the SONA indicated that “... this programme of action will be implemented differently as activities of departments must be aligned with the National Development Plan.” The implication of this is that DTA, including its entities, as part of government should translate the relevant SONA thrusts into activities of the Department and the entities in 2013/14 Annual Performance Plan (APP) as well as in the 2013/14 – 2015/16 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTEF) period. The following are SONA thrusts to be considered by the Department and its entities.

INFRASTRUCTURE SONA THRUST: “The infrastructure development programme has been a valuable source of learning for government. In the year ahead, we will fast-track many of the projects that the PICC has announced.” The highest unemployment level is prevalent at rural areas among women and children. Traditional leadership by supporting these SONA programmes and working in collaboration with government within their communities will eventually benefit their communities. The Department is in the process of profiling the 829 traditional councils starting with the 78 prioritized traditional councils in 2013/2014

INFRASTRUCTURE CONT.... Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 Plans The Department when profiling the traditional councils will also gather information on infrastructure projects, local people employed or participating in these projects and to determine traditional leaders’ involvement in the whole process.

TOURISM (IDENTIFICATION OF HERITAGE SITES AND HISTORICAL LAND MARKS) SONA THRUST: “We identified tourism as one of our job drivers”. Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 Plans During the profiling of traditional councils, the Department will also include assessment of tourism opportunities in each profiled traditional council and engage the Department of Tourism on the matter. The Department will support traditional, Khoi and San leadership to work with government to develop tourism activities in their communities as part of job creation and rural development.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT SONA THRUST: “The Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment has been approved by Cabinet for public comment. The Bill criminalises practices that have adverse effects on women and girls. It also legislates the 50/50 policy position with regard to the representation of women in decision making structures.” Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 and MTEF Plans 50/50 gender representation on the all decision making structures necessitates that the institution of traditional leadership work towards implementing this in all its structures. The Traditional Leadership Governance Framework Act (TLGFA) provides for 30% women representation on traditional structures. The Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment will necessitate an amendment of the Framework Act. This amendment can be considered during Traditional Affairs Bill review process. The Department to support the National House of Traditional Leaders to make inputs in the Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment As part of the Empowerment programme focussing on legislation impacting on traditional leadership which will be rolled out in 2013/2014, these gender equality issues will be discussed and the implications thereof.

EDUCATION ON UPWARD SPIRAL SONA THRUSTS: “We congratulate the 2012..... top grade 12 learner, Miss Madikgetho Komane, from Sekhukhune district, Limpopo...” This learner comes from a traditional community in Limpopo Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 Plans The Department will gather information from STATS SA and the Department of Basic Education to examine the general performance of learners in traditional, Khoi and San communities. The information gathered will be shared with the traditional and khoi and san structures to ensure that they continue to play a critical role in the development of their communities. The Department intends to introduce a bursary scheme for top matriculants in traditional communities.

HIV AND AIDS SONA THRUST: “Given the high co-infection rate between HIV and TB, we have integrated these services. Diseases of lifestyle are on an alarming increase. We have to combat and to lower the levels of smoking, harmful effects of alcohol, poor diets and obesity.” Almost 21 million people live in rural areas and under the traditional leadership. The role of traditional leadership is critical in ensuring that the moral fibre and health of communities remains intact in terms of the cultural values. Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 and MTEF Plans The issues of diseases of life style and HIV and Aids will form part of the Traditional leadership Empowerment Programme Toolkit to be rolled out in 2013/14. The Department of Health will be invited to address the empowerment programme toolkit workshops on these matters.

SOCIAL COHESION SONA THRUST: In the year 2012, we focused on preserving and promoting our country’s cultural heritage with particular emphasis on our liberation heritage. In the implementation of our programme we will work with our Social Cohesion Advocates, eminent South Africans drawn from a variety of sectors within our society.” Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 and MTEF Plans DTA will continue with a project on uniting the different structures of the Khoi and San communities working together with the National Khoi San Council. The Khoi San Council membership has been increased from 21 to 30 to address representivity across the five different communities. In 2013/14, an audit of Heritage sites and commemoration days of traditional, cultural, religious and linguistic communities will be conducted to ensure that heritage sites are restored working in collaboration with all key stakeholders.

SOCIAL COHESION CONT... Implications for the Department’s 2013/14 and MTEF Plans Establishment of Provincial Interfaith Chapters. Promotion of culture and self identity through cultural events which have been identified for 2013/14. Furthermore, the DTA working with relevant government agencies should coordinate Heritage Preservation, access to sites on privately owned farms as well as identification and integration of the Khoi and San heritage sites.

CONCLUSION These SONA thrusts will be incorporated in the DTA Draft 2013/14 Annual Performance Plan and 2013/14 – 2015/16 MTEF Strategic Plan.

Thank you!!!!!!!!