Mashatile Strengthens Ties with AmaMpondo Kingdom, Pledges Development Support

Addressing His Majesty King Ndlovuyezwe Ndamase and community leaders, Mashatile highlighted the importance of forging stronger partnerships between the state and traditional institutions.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed government’s commitment to traditional leadership and rural development during his working visit to the AmaMpondo aseNyandeni Kingdom. The engagement, held at the Enyandeni Royal Palace, underscored the vital role that traditional authorities play in South Africa’s social cohesion, governance, and service delivery efforts.

Strengthening Government-Traditional Leadership Partnerships

Addressing His Majesty King Ndlovuyezwe Ndamase and community leaders, Mashatile highlighted the importance of forging stronger partnerships between the state and traditional institutions.

“Our government acknowledges the authority of traditional leaders and the role they play in addressing developmental issues within their communities. This visit marks a significant step towards building long-term, sustainable development for the communities of Nyandeni,” Mashatile said.

He stressed that traditional leaders are essential in integrating rural communities into national development agendas, ensuring that no group is left behind in South Africa’s democratic progress.

Community Challenges and Service Delivery Concerns

The Deputy President used the platform to directly address concerns raised by the AmaMpondo community. Among the most pressing issues were:

• Access to water: Both at the Royal Palace and across households in the Nyandeni Municipality.

• Road infrastructure: Calls to upgrade the gravel road leading to the Royal Palace into a tarred or paved road.

• Electricity supply: Persistent energy-related challenges affecting service delivery and quality of life.

“These are actual issues that our communities are facing, and they require immediate attention,” Mashatile said, urging municipalities and government departments to prioritize practical solutions.

Accountability and Inclusive Decision-Making

Mashatile encouraged the Nyandeni Local Municipality to work closely with traditional leaders at every stage of planning and execution. He emphasized that community members must be included in decision-making, implementation, and monitoring to ensure equitable service delivery.

“Together, you must take responsibility for providing, regulating, and maintaining the infrastructure needed for these services, such as managing the water supply, supporting agricultural programmes through tractors and equipment, upgrading roads, and other related tasks,” he said.

He further called for active citizenry, stressing that communities and leaders must remain transparent about challenges while collaborating on solutions.

Tackling Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

A significant portion of Mashatile’s address focused on the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which he described as a pressing national crisis.

“We urge you as a community to speak out against GBV to foster a safer environment for all. This includes challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and advocating for systemic change,” he said.

Mashatile underscored that tackling GBVF requires not only law enforcement interventions but also cultural transformation, with traditional leaders playing a crucial role in shifting harmful social practices and promoting dignity and equality.

Traditional Leadership in South Africa’s Democracy

The Deputy President also used the visit to reaffirm government’s backing for the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019, which empowers traditional institutions to advise government and hold it accountable for community needs.

“This institution not only has a place in the new democracy but also has the potential to transform and contribute significantly to restoring the moral fabric of our society,” he said, describing traditional leadership as both a custodian of heritage and a partner in governance.

A Shared Commitment to Development

Mashatile assured the community that the engagement would not be reduced to what he termed a “mere talk show.” Instead, government and traditional leadership agreed to pursue concrete solutions to the challenges raised, with clear accountability mechanisms to ensure follow-through.

He praised the wisdom of traditional leaders in crafting sustainable solutions and stressed the importance of collaborative governance in uplifting rural communities.

“This engagement is about partnership, about action, and about building a better future for our people,” Mashatile concluded.