Thank you very much, hon Chairperson and hon members, now that I'm visible. I should start by saying yes; government is making progress in addressing the concerns raised by traditional leaders regarding the provision of tools of trade. The department has undertaken the following activities in this regard: One, the development of a
framework for the provisioning of enabling resources for traditional leaders which was approved by the Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Ministers and Ministers and Members of Executive Councils Meeting, Minmec, in 2013. Various provinces are currently providing some of the tools of trade, provided for in the aforementioned framework, but at varying levels leading to inconsistencies across provinces.
Secondly, to address the inconsistencies on the provision of tools of trade across provinces, the department is currently reviewing the 2013 framework and has developed a draft handbook for traditional leaders. Consultation processes on the draft handbook with the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, provinces and other relevant departments are currently underway. The department has planned to finalise this consultation processes before the end of 2019-20 financial year. Thank you very much.