In an agreement that was hailed as a first for the country, President Thabo Mbeki witnessed on Sunday the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bafokeng nation and two North West municipalities.
The agreement was signed at the Bafokeng conference centre in Phokeng in the North West and was attended by Cabinet ministers and local dignitaries.
The memorandum was signed by the Bafokeng, the Rustenburg local municipality and Bojanala platinum district municipality and all three parties agreed to co-operate in areas such as health, tourism, arts and culture and infrastructural development.
”There is no excuse for anyone not to try and come together and unite strengths and possibilities to change the lives of people for the better,” Mbeki said.
He also challenged the perception that the African National Congress was working against traditional leaders.
”The ANC is an organisation established by the kings of the country, the Bafokeng, the Swazi and others — so how can we become enemies of traditional leaders.”
Bafokeng king designate, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi III, said the agreement marked an important milestone in the attempt to find creative and workable solutions to the challenges facing the country.
”It explicitly stipulates that we commit ourselves to mutual respect across systemic and cultural differences,” he said.
In committing the Bafokeng nation to the agreement, it was hoped that it ”can serve as a model to the entire nation as it navigates uncharted social, economic and political waters”.
In his address, North West premier Popo Molefe said the agreement was a culmination of two years negotiations and provided a framework for development in the region.
He described the ceremony as ”a success story that could have far reaching implications for the way traditional institutions and municipalities work”.
Molefe said he was mindful of policies unfolding in government where the role and functions of traditional leaders in the country were still being resolved.
The Bafokeng nation is considered the wealthiest tribe on the African continent. – Sapa