Sihlalo weNdlu yoWiso-Mthetho, Mphathiswa weSebe leNtsebenziswano neMicimbi yezeMveli ohloniphekileyo, Mnu Sicelo Shiceka, Sekela-Mphathiswa ohloniphekileyo uYunus Carrim, Malungu eNdlu yoWiso- mthetho, maqabane nabahlobo, mna ndiza kugxininisa kwintatho-nxaxheba yabantu kunye nentsebenziswano neenkokheli zomthonyama.
Ukubandakanyeka koluntu kwinkqubo yentando yesininzi kuyintsika eqinisekisa ukuba intando yesininzi iyakhula kwaye ijonge iimfuno zabantu. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Mr J M MATSHOBA: Chairperson of the National Assembly, hon Minister of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, hon Deputy Minister Yunus Carrim, hon members of the National Assembly, comrades and friends, I will emphasise public participation and co-operation amongst traditional leaders.
Public participation in a democracy is the cornerstone that ensures that democracy develops and it takes into account the needs of the people.]
This process is critically important in ensuring the legitimisation of government based on the will of the people. The basic tenets of public participation include, among other things, the involvement of the people in decision-making structures. This requires public consultation, accountability, accessibility and oversight over elected representatives and government generally. Failure to observe these fundamental principles inevitably leads to erosion of the public's confidence. Imibutho elwela inkululeko ekhokelwa yi-ANC yalulwa ucalu-calulo lobuhlanga nolawulo lwegcuntswana lwabamhlophe. [Political parties, led by the ANC, that were fighting for liberation fought racial discrimination and white minority rule.]
This fight for democracy was inspired by the Freedom Charter, adopted by the real congress of the people in Kliptown in 1955. UMqulu weNkululeko uvula ngomqolo wokuqala othi: "Abantu bayakulawula." [The Freedom Charter begins with a line that says: "The people shall govern."]
The people shall govern.
Le nto ibonakalisa ukuba abantu baya kuthabatha inxaxheba ngobomi babo.
Urhulumente okhokelwa yi-ANC wakhe iziseko zolawulo ezifana neekomiti zamacandelo kwakunye nabantu abangamakhonkco kwezophuhliso, iiCDWs, ezikhoyo emthethweni. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[This shows that the people will participate actively when it comes to issues that affect their lives.
The ANC-led government has built foundations of governance such as committees and there are people who are links in development, CDWs, which are legal.]
It is important that organs of civil society, particularly non-governmental and community-based organisations, as well as members of the community, participate in local government structures. We must draw lessons from and redefine the ward committee system and close any gaps that may arise.
Ukuchongwa kwalamalungu eekomiti zamacandelo kufunwa ukujongwa ngeliso elibanzi, ingakumbi aph' eNtshona Koloni. [The election of committee members needs to be scrutinised, especially here in the Western Cape.]
Allow me to reiterate the point made in the ANC National Executive Committee Lekgotla of January 2010 that ordinary people and local communities must be empowered to play a leadership and developmental role at local level. This approach encourages good citizenship.
Kukho umkhuba ombi ekufuneka urhulumente awuqwalasele kakuhle. Le ngxaki inxulumene nemibutho yabahlali ebizwa nge "ratepayers association" koomasipala. Mininzi imizekelo yale mibutho eyenza imikhuba yokungazihlawuli iinkonzo abazinikwa ngumasipala, endaweni yoko bafake imali yabo kwiTrust Fund. Ngokwenza loo nto imibutho ingene nzulu kwezopolitiko. Umzekelo owaziwayo ngoweMbombela Ratepayers Association, eMpumalanga. Le mikhwa ayikho mthethweni. Eyona nto ibifanele ukuba iyayenza kukucebisa nokukhuthaza amalungu ayo ukuba ahlawule iinkonzo zikamasipala.
Enye indawo efuna ukuqwalaselwa yindima yeenkokheli zomthonyama. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[There is a bad habit that government needs to pay attention to. This problem concerns organisations that are established by residents in various municipalities and these are called "ratepayers associations." There are many examples of these organisations which are engaged in this bad habit of not paying for the municipal services rendered to them, but instead save their money in a trust fund. By so doing these organisations become deeply involved in politics. A well-known example is the Mbombela Ratepayers' Association in Mpumalanga. These actions are illegal. What these organisations are supposed to do is to advise and encourage their members to pay for the municipal services rendered to them.
Another aspect that needs attention is the role of traditional leaders.]
We understand the historic role of the traditional authorities in our struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Makana is one of the torch- bearers. In fact the traditional leaders played a critical role in the formation of the ANC in 1912. There were traditional leaders who led the ANC at a certain point, like iNkosi Albert Luthuli.
Iinkokheli zomthonyama kweli lizwe zinendima ebalulekileyo, kwinkqubela nasekusekeleni oorhulumente basemakhaya. Kunemiceli mingeni phantsi komthetho u-Act 41 of 2003, wokusekwa kwala mabhunga obukhosi. Ukuyilwa kwala mabhunga obukhosi kuneengxaki kuba aphela engayazi indima amakayidlale. Ukanti ke ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Traditional leaders in this country have an important role to play in developing and supporting local government. There are challenges under Act 41 of 2003 regarding the establishment of traditional leaders' councils. The establishment of these councils is problematic because the members do not know the role they must play. However ...]
...the functions of the traditional councils are spelt out clearly in of section 4(1) Act 41 of 2003. These functions were further clarified and strengthened by the passing of two Bills into law last year.
The installation of the dignity of our traditional leaders is of paramount importance in the fourth Parliament.
Kuyacaca ukuba ininzi imfundiso ekufuneka yenziwe kwezi ziseko. [It is obvious that these must be well taught.]
Section 81(3) of the Municipal Structures Act of 1998, further stipulates that:
Before a municipal council takes a decision on any matter directly affecting the area of a traditional authority, the council must give the leader of that authority the opportunity to express a view on that matter.
Traditional authorities are not alternatives to or in opposition to the government of the day, but provide advice on behalf of their communities. The other imperative for traditional leadership at local level is to assist in the issues of moral regeneration and social cohesion.
Umbutho wesizwe kufuneka ungayilibali into yokuba imoto emileyo izalela iinkukhu, ichanyelwe nazizinja; ehambayo ziyayileqa. Le nto ikhumbuze into eyakha yathethwa nguSteve Tshwete xa wayesithi: "Imvula inile, ingca iluhlaza, kukhonya noomofu." [Kwahlekwa.]
Singumbutho wesizwe, i-ANC, siyaluxhasa oluHlahlo-lwabiwo Mali. Ndiyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[The people's party must not forget that a stationary vehicle becomes a breeding ground for chickens, and dogs urinate on it, but they bark at a moving vehicle. This reminds me of a statement that was made by Steve Tshwete when he said; "It has rained, the grass is green and even herefords are bellowing." [Applause.]
The people's party, the ANC, supports this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]]