The roles, functions and powers of traditional leaders in cooperative governance in the Vhembe District municipality, in the Limpopo Province, post 1994

Abstract

Traditional leaders, who are located on the periphery of mainstream governance and decision-making in South Africa, play a crucial role in rural areas, where government presence is absent. However, the role, functions and powers of traditional leadership are not clearly defined, even though the South African constitution recognises traditional leaders. Further, what traditional authorities do while exercising their roles, functions, and powers in rural areas overlaps with what has been assigned to local government officials. Some politicians and high-ranking local government officials also view traditional leaders as unelected and unnecessary competitors. Where on the one hand traditional leaders are perceived as undemocratic, on the other they fulfill a necessary role in the democratic state. Local government officials and traditional leaders are compelled to work together for effective cooperative governance to take place in rural South Africa, but how they should do this remains problematic