Deputy President Mashatile to engage with Traditional Leadership in Limpopo

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Matters of Traditional Leadership, will on Friday, 12 June 2026, undertake a visit to the Limpopo Province to engage with Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership.

Scheduled to take place at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, the engagement forms part of the ongoing efforts by Government to strengthen cooperation with the institution of Traditional Leadership and to advance the implementation of resolutions aimed at improving the lives of rural communities.

The Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Matters of Traditional Leadership was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February 2022 to coordinate Government interventions and address concerns raised by Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. 

The work of the Task Team is organised into five strategic workstreams focusing on land reform and rural development; institutional support and capacity building; social cohesion and nation-building; infrastructure development and skills enhancement; as well as legislative and constitutional matters affecting the institution of traditional leadership.

Tomorrow's engagement will, amongst others, provide an opportunity for Government, led Deputy President Mashatile, to reflect on progress achieved and discuss remaining challenges in relation to:

- Advancing land ownership, tenure rights and socio-economic development in rural communities;

- Strengthening institutional support and funding for Traditional leadership structures;

- Finalisation and implementation of the Handbook for Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership;

- Review of legislative and policy matters affecting traditional leadership, including the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill, the Communal Land Tenure Bill and associated regulations;

- Traditional leaders' participation in local government structures and matters relating to Section 81 of the Municipal Structures Act;

- Safe customary initiation practices and the implementation of the Customary Initiation Act.

Deputy President Mashatile will reaffirm Government's commitment to work closely with Traditional Leaders as critical partners in development, social cohesion, nation-building and democratic governance.

The engagement will also acknowledge progress made by the Limpopo Provincial Government in supporting the institution of Traditional Leadership, including the provision of tools of trade, construction and refurbishment of Traditional Council offices, support to Traditional Councils, implementation of customary initiation programmes and efforts to resolve Traditional Leadership disputes where they exist.

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso; Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe; Deputy Minister Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala; the Premier of Limpopo Province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba; Members of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council; Mayors; the leadership of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders; the Limpopo Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders; as well as senior Government officials.

Details of the engagement are as follows:

Date: Friday, 12 June 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: The Ranch Hotel, Limpopo Province

For more information and accreditation, please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Dexter Mohale on 082 902 1545.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria