At the opening of the fourth session of the House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, attention turned to the ongoing delay in granting Khoi and San representatives permanent seats within the provincial body.
Though the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019 established a legal framework for recognizing Khoi and San leadership structures, these leaders continue to participate in provincial proceedings as invited guests rather than as full, voting members. The session commenced with traditional dancers welcoming dignitaries, highlighting the cultural heritage at the heart of the discussion.
Several Khoi-San representatives voiced measured hope during the proceedings. While acknowledging that formal inclusion has taken longer than anticipated, one leader pointed to the Premier’s outreach as a positive step: “We would like this to have happened a long time ago. But at least the Premier has started with something to get us together with the other traditional leaders as Khoi and San.”
The route to permanent representation depends on the findings of a commission mandated to assess and verify claims to royal leadership status among Khoi and San communities. Once this body delivers its recommendations, the Premier will be positioned to act on implementing structural changes within the provincial house.
Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul addressed attendees, underscoring that collaboration between government and traditional leadership remains essential. Saul noted that traditional leaders are instrumental in tackling the social and economic issues affecting local communities, reinforcing the value of their formal integration into provincial governance structures.
As the session concluded, participants agreed that while the 2019 Act marked a critical milestone, achieving equitable representation requires the commission’s timely work, followed by decisive implementation. For now, Khoi and San leaders continue to contribute as guests, awaiting the procedural steps that will secure their permanent place at the table.