written by Noluthando Key.

On the 29th of August, the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) North West Chapter, in collaboration with the North West House of Traditional and Kho-San Leaders, convened a seminal seminar to explore a critical aspect of governance in South Africa. The event brought together esteemed traditional leaders, public administration experts, and scholars to deliberate on the vital topic: ‘The place and role of traditional leadership institutions in public administration’. As the country continues to navigate the complexities of modernizing its public administration systems while acknowledging its rich cultural heritage, this seminar provided a timely platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge sharing. This article summarizes the key discussions, insights, and recommendations that emerged from the seminar, highlighting the significance of traditional leadership institutions in enhancing public administration in South Africa governance. Prof. Lusanda Juta, the Chairperson of the North West Chapter Province (SAAPAM) is a renowned expert in Public Policy Studies, Community Engagement and Local Economic Development Municipal Finance, shares the purpose for seminar. According to Prof. Juta “The SAAPAM (NWU Chapter) programme aims to explore traditional and governance issues by focusing on the role of the House of Traditional Leaders in the North West.

It will feature two public policy specialists and NWU students in Public Administration and Local Government. The programme seeks to enhance scholarly discussions on the future of traditional leadership in South Africa, while also promoting the North West House of Traditional Leadership. Traditional leaders play a crucial role in democratic representation and local development but face modern challenges. The programme will assess their responsibilities in public resource management and aims to foster a formal partnership between SAAPAM (NWU) and the House of Traditional Leaders. This partnership could lead to a memorandum of understanding, guiding collaborative efforts to support municipal government, community needs, and traditional leadership goals. Kgosi OTS Maotwe’s presentation addressed a particular aspect of The Role and Evolution of Traditional Authorities in Africa. He furthermore explained why traditional authorities a significant aspect of governance across the African continent have been, with their origins tracing back to the pre-colonial era. These systems, which have persisted through colonial and post-colonial periods, have consistently served as the most immediate form of governance for many communities. Traditional leaders historically fulfilled multifaceted roles as political, military, spiritual, and cultural figures, deeply rooted in societal values. They were crucial in managing and allocating land and natural resources, resolving disputes, and preserving traditions, customs, and culture. Throughout their history, traditional authorities remained powerful and relevant both before and during the establishment of formal state systems. Their governance structures, such as the lekgotla, were central to local affairs, service delivery, and community development, establishing them as vital gateways to their communities.

Dr. Mabutho’s presentation reflected on the Evaluation of Models of Traditional Leadership in the South African Context on the political stage. Dr. Shangase further expressed that the leader of the MKP has proposed adopting a model akin to the British monarchy, referencing King Charles as a template. This comparison, however, overlooks the unique nature of South Africa’s political system, which is both a constitutional and representative democracy. Unlike the British model, which features a constitutional monarch, South Africa lacks a single traditional monarch and instead utilizes a broader term, “traditional leadership,” to encompass its diverse systems. In countries like eSwatini and Lesotho, where a singular monarch exists, the term “traditional monarch” is more fitting. South Africa’s situation is more intricate, involving various traditional leaders across different communities. The simplistic analogy to a constitutional monarchy fails to address how traditional leadership would function within South Africa’s democratic framework. This highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of each country’s historical and political context when discussing models of traditional leadership. Modern constitutional monarchies often coexist with representative democracies, presenting a complex interplay between hereditary and elected systems. A deeper examination of these dynamics is essential for shaping discussions on the role of traditional leadership in South Africa’s evolving democratic landscape. The keynote address by Mr.Shopola provided insight into the future Recommendations for Traditional Leaders in Public Administration. The relationship between traditional leaders and municipal councils has often been fraught with challenges due to gaps in the legal cooperative governance framework, particularly as outlined in Section 41 of the Constitution, which does not explicitly recognize traditional leadership institutions. Traditional leaders are occasionally consulted as stakeholders during processes such as Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) or municipal demarcations, but these consultations often lack substantive impact. Mr. Arthur proceeded to elucidate the following recommendations to improve the effectiveness of traditional leadership in Public Administration, the following recommendations were proposed: Strengthen Legal Recognition, that will aid in advocating for the inclusion of traditional leadership institutions in the legal framework governing cooperative governance. This would ensure that traditional leaders are formally acknowledged and integrated into the public administration process. Enhance Consultation Processes, to move beyond tokenistic consultations by establishing mechanisms for meaningful engagement between traditional leaders and municipal councils. Ensure that their insights and contributions are genuinely considered and integrated into policy and development plans. Leverage Expertise in Rural Development, to recognise the valuable knowledge that traditional leaders possess about rural human settlements and land management. Incorporate their perspectives into development strategies and public administration practices to enhance rural development outcomes. Address Political Dynamics, to assist in navigating the political landscape carefully, acknowledging that political agendas often shape the relationship between traditional and modern governance systems. Advocate for a balanced approach that respects both traditional authority and democratic principles. And, to Promote Collaborative Governance, to foster collaboration between traditional authorities and municipal councils by creating joint committees or working groups. This will facilitate better coordination and address common issues more effectively. By adopting these recommendations, traditional leaders can better align with modern governance structures, enhance their role in public administration, and contribute more effectively to community development and governance.

The future is not a destination, but a direction and it’s time we start moving. The conversation ends here, but the change begins now. As we close this chapter, remember; the pen is mightier than the sword, but only if we choose to write.