Zuma Highlights Traditional Leaders’ Role in Land Distribution, Fighting Racism and Crime

President Jacob Zuma paid tribute to the significant role South Africa’s traditional leaders can play in the country’s transformation, at the official opening of the Indigenous and Traditional Leaders Indaba today… and said that land distribution will be one of the serious matters on the agenda.

The President quoted freedom fighter Oliver Tambo, who would have turned 100 this year, from a 1980 radio interview in which he compared the black man’s “highest political achievement” (Bantu Community Councils) with the “supreme, superior and almighty whites only parliament”.

Zuma said the country has traversed a long road from that reality… with an inclusive government now that represents all sectors, and with traditional leadership enshrined in the Constitution… as South Africa recognises the importance of traditional leaders for many communities.

Zuma said the challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality continues – with a stagnant global economy and South Africa’s own slow economic transformation.

“Regardless of progress made in the past few years, black people are still left behind with regards to the ownership and control of the economy.”

Zuma said this is therefore the reason for radical socio-economic change. He pledged enhanced support for small businesses and smallholder farmers; as well as support for a revival of township and rural enterprises… and said he is keen for traditional leaders to be engaged in the radical socio-economic programme, particularly in rural areas.

He said the Indaba will include discussions on land redistribution… which cannot be compromised.

“I have advised traditional leaders that they must appoint Attorneys to handle the issues of land and they indicated that the National House was engaging the Black Lawyers Association to assist.

“Equally, it is the duty of our people to lodge land claims, but only where they have proof, not the whole of South Africa.

“Traditional leaders can be very helpful in this regard because their predecessors and forefathers fought land wars.

“What is discouraging is that over 90% of claims are currently settled through financial compensation. This practice perpetuates the dispossession that we are trying to solve. We urge those who obtain land to utilise it and not resell it.

“Let me also take this opportunity to emphasise that government rejects land grabs or the unlawful occupation of land.

“The land question must be resolved within the ambit of the Constitution and the law. The governing party, the ANC will discuss this critical matter at the coming policy conference next month.”

The Indaba will also include discussions on the wealth “underneath our land” – “Our people must benefit from the minerals extracted from the belly of the earth in their country.

“We cannot be one of Africa’s largest economies, yet our people remain poor, while our country is rich in minerals. Some communities already benefit from being enriched with minerals. Lessons can be gleaned from those projects, for example in the North West.”

Zuma emphasised the importance of traditional leaders in helping the country instil “unity, social cohesion and nation building” and value systems such as Ubuntu.

The President said: “Our country has been engulfed by horrific violence against women and children, which goes against Ubuntu and the respect for human life, dignity and human rights.

“Government has declared all crimes against women and children as priority crimes. Women and children have a right to freedom of movement and security in the country and must not live in fear.

“We appeal to our traditional leaders to prioritise the fight against crimes against women and children, and crime in general and to work with communities and the police to make our communities safer.”

He also asked the traditional leaders to help tackle “the serious problem of racism which still exists in our country”.

He said: “We want to see unity, respect and tolerance amongst all our people, black and white. All South Africans must be treated with dignity and respect, be they farm workers, factory workers, domestic workers or professionals. Nobody should be subjected to the dehumanization of racism.”

The event – at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg – is being held under the theme “Unity in Diversity – Together moving South Africa foward for an inclusive prosperous future”.