Opinion Piece by the Leader of the Bakgatla Tribe, Kgosi Pilane
The recent 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is a resounding call to action, a blueprint for an era of growth, unity, and transformation. The essential message of the address resonated deeply with me, as a traditional leader: The task of nation-building is not the sole responsibility of government. It is a collective endeavour. Leaders across the land must rise to this opportunity. We must harness the spirit of cooperation to contribute meaningfully to the country’s progress.
Traditional leaders have historically been the custodians of heritage and community cohesion. Despite outward appearances, our roles extend beyond ceremonial duties. We are mediators and development advocates, and we steer the cultural and economic cores of our communities. SONA’s emphasis on growth, poverty reduction, and a capable, ethical state creates fertile ground for us to play a transformative role.
Traditional leaders must be vocal and visible, and assure their communities that growth initiatives align with the developmental aspirations of their communities, and not only urban centres. As the guardians of vast tracts of communal land, we can oversee the development of agricultural projects, eco-tourism, renewable energy initiatives, and small-scale industries. We can ignite economic activities that create jobs and stimulate local economies. This could include the support for hemp and cannabis production in such a way as to completely transform our economies. If a country is to be developed, it has to be a holistic project, and not only an isolated phenomenon that takes place in built-up areas. It would be foolish to ignore the enormous potential of South Africa’s rural districts.
People in my position have a crucial role to play in bridging the gap between national governance and grassroots communities. To that end, I would ask that government take steps to spotlight the importance of traditional leaders, and educate the average citizen about our crucial contribution to the transformation and development of South Africa.
The role of the traditional leader is twofold: We have to drive modern progress by bringing technological development into our communities, but we also have to be wardens of the rich cultural values that have made us who we are. After all, technological advancement and cultural enrichment, along with economic growth, are the tentpoles of a healthy and forward-looking society.
The challenges that were outlined in SONA—from local government inefficiencies to infrastructural deficits—are not abstract to us. Poor service delivery, inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, and the absence of sustainable economic opportunities are realities our community confront directly, and we need to tackle them urgently.
The term “rural economic development” is quite a broad one, and it needs to be broken down into meaningful components to be carefully and individually addressed. We have, for example, the issue of youth empowerment. Currently, young people desert rural areas in large numbers, in the often vain hope of finding their fortunes in the cities. Traditional authorities can, however, help young people find purpose and opportunity within their communities, thus reducing the allure of urban migration and keeping youthful energy within our domain.
We need to find ways that allow youths to contribute meaningfully in rural areas of the country, and a springboard for this is strong education. We must champion the importance of education within our communities, support local schools, and facilitate mentorship programmes. We should also bear in mind that education is not the sole domain of schools. Educational initiatives also need to be extended to the greater community, with residents of our communities learning about the growth possibilities presented, for example, by entrepreneurship and land management.
Underlying all these initiatives, of course, is the need for good health, and traditional leaders must support the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare by advocating health awareness, promoting traditional health practices in harmony with modern medicine, and developing and facilitating access to, healthcare services in remote areas.
Along with physical health go the issues of mental health: Like the rest of South Africa, we grapple with social challenges such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and youth delinquency. Through community initiatives, cultural programmes, and moral leadership, we can influence attitudes and behaviours that promote equality and protect vulnerable groups.
One of the key takeaways from SONA is the commitment to reform local government systems. The proposal to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity is commendable. However, for these reforms to be effective, they must be grounded in the realities of the communities they intend to serve. This is where traditional leaders can be invaluable. We need to ensure that there is ongoing communication, cooperation and collaboration taking place between national and local government, the private sector, civil society, and traditional leadership structures.
The formation of the Government of National Unity has set the tone for an era in which collaboration transcends political divides. Traditional leaders, with our non-partisan standing and deep community roots, can be the glue that binds diverse interests towards a common national purpose. After all, South Africa’s strength lies in its rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. As traditional leaders, we have a duty to promote social cohesion and resolve conflicts. As custodians of the past we also have to be pioneers of South Africa’s future.
All leaders of this land must define a unified goal for a prosperous and resilient South Africa, in a clear and unambiguous fashion. By integrating our energies, we can move forward to build a nation defined by growth, unity, and shared prosperity.
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Author: Sabrina Geromella from Angelfish PR & Events on behalf of Kgosi Pilane.
Mohamed Ali: Mohamed Ali is an award-winning Kenyan investigative journalist and the chief investigations editor for the
Kenya Television Network. He has exposed social ills and corruption in Kenya.
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