Traditional leadership demands action on rural neglect in upcoming National Budget
The Loteni Road in the Himeville small village/town situated in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg of the KwaZulu-Natal province. . Picture: Supplied by Kwanalu
This was said by Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, leader of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela tribe ahead of the third budget to be presented by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana next week.
The upcoming National Budget must also directly address the structural neglect of rural communities and formally incorporate traditional leadership into South Africa's long-term development planning.
Kgosi Pilane said it was vital that the national budget goes beyond macroeconomic targets to focus on foundational infrastructure that enables local economies to grow.
'Government must understand that infrastructure is the cornerstone of economic development. No investor will consider establishing operations in a community without roads, electricity or water. The continued failure to address these basic needs perpetuates poverty and undermines national growth.'
According to the traditional institution's website, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela tribe resides in the North West Province under the jurisdiction of the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the vicinity of Sun City.
Its tribal capital is the village of Moruleng, some three kilometres from Bakgatla Gate on the edge of the Pilanesberg National Park.
It is said to comprise 32 villages spread across an area of 160 000 hectares in the Bojanala District and Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
In Vote 42 on Land Reform and Rural Development published by the National Treasury recently, the document said the purpose of this vote was to provide equitable access to land, integrated rural development, sustainable agriculture and food security for all.
It added that the mandate of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development is to facilitate equitable access to land, promote comprehensive rural development and address the historical injustices of land dispossession by implementing land restitution programmes and supporting sustainable livelihoods across rural areas.
The Vote said the Rural Development Programme's purpose is to facilitate rural development strategies for socioeconomic growth. It added that it must also promote an integrated and inclusive rural economy through the coordination and implementation of rural development strategies over the medium term.
Subprogrammes include include the National Rural Youth Service Corps provides social organisation, youth development and economic upliftment in rural areas.
Another one is the Rural Infrastructure Development facilitates infrastructure development in rural areas, and the Technology Research and Development develops and adapts innovative and appropriate technologies in rural areas.
The vote said Rural Development Coordination facilitates, coordinates and supports the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting on rural development initiatives and programmes implemented by departments in all spheres of government, in line with the integrated rural development sector strategy and comprehensive rural development programme, to ensure access to socioeconomic development services.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Joburg's Project Lokisa: A bold move to recover R61 billion in municipal debt
The City of Johannesburg has launched Project Lokisa in an attempt to recover billions of rand it is owed by businesses, government, and residents. Image: Cara Viereckl / Independent Newspapers The City of Johannesburg is intensifying its efforts to reduce its nearly R61 billion consumer debt by targeting the municipality's worst defaulters. Project Lokisa will be an aggressive debt recovery focusing on the city's biggest defaulters, particularly large electricity and water consumers with properties valued above R100 million, high-valued residential properties valued at more than R5m, businesses, government departments, and state-owned entities. According to the National Treasury's latest available figures, as of the end of December last year, the country's eight metropolitan municipalities were owed more than R206bn, with households responsible for about R154bn, businesses almost R43bn while the debt owed by organs of state stood at R7.73bn. In total, municipal consumer debt across the country was just over R405bn, with households about 72% (or R291.1bn) and the government 5.6% (R22.7bn). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ This week, the City of Joburg announced the launch of Project Lokisa, which means to fix or sort out, and the municipality described it as a multifaceted approach aiming to claw back the money owed for municipal services by the worst defaulters. The large scale and bold reform also aims to improve revenue recovery and ensure the municipality's financial sustainability. Acting group head of revenue and shared Malope Ramagaga said Project Lokisa will encompass the implementation of large-scale disconnection operations across the city, targeting mostly worst defaulters, with an intense focus on illegal connections and the constant monitoring of the impact of disconnection on customers. Ramagaga also indicated that under Project Lokisa, changes will be introduced to the process of issuing clearance certificates when owners sell their properties. He said this was to ensure that the municipality does not lose money owed for municipal services by the seller when they finally put their property on sale. 'A clearance certificate will be provided to the transferring attorney and the customer with a notice of the total amount owing above 90 days. Attorneys will be given notice to sign an acknowledgment of debt, which will authorise direct payment to the city from the sale proceeds,' Ramagaga explained. The municipality has urged all property owners and businesses to settle their outstanding accounts or alternatively make payment arrangements to avoid disconnections and legal action.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
What employers really look for when hiring young people
Discover the key factors that employers consider when hiring young talent, beyond just experience. This guide offers insights into how young job seekers can enhance their profiles and increase their chances of landing their dream job. Image: File photo. It's Youth Month, and while we're focused on all things young people, it's hard to ignore the mammoth-sized elephant in the room: unemployment. With youth unemployment now sitting at a staggering 45.5% (Stats SA - F2025:Q1) – and no clear plans in May's National Budget on how this will be tackled as a nation, you'd be forgiven for feeling somewhat despondent. This has led to many young people pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours, which shows proactivity and determination, he says. However, our research shows that more school or college graduates want to join a reputable company where they'll be able to learn from their colleagues and leaders, rather than try to start their own business. Yet, their concern is that they don't have the necessary experience to secure a job. But if you're a young person looking to get a foot on the rung of the corporate ladder, you'll be pleased to hear that it's not all about experience, he says. Companies know that most young people are just starting in their careers, and so, while some experience is certainly valuable, it's not always a deal breaker. Here are six things companies look at – aside from experience – when recruiting, and what you can do to boost your chances of snatching up that dream job. 1. Credit record – Many employers, especially in the financial services, sales, and retail sectors, check your credit record as part of their hiring process. It's not just about whether you're in debt, but about how responsibly you manage your money. A clean credit history demonstrates that you're reliable and trustworthy, especially for roles that involve handling cash or sensitive data. Start by checking your credit record regularly and taking steps to pay off debt or resolve judgments. 2. Qualifications – Degrees and diplomas are valuable, but they're not the only things that count. Accredited short courses, online certifications, and vocational and industry-specific training can also boost your profile, especially if they show you're proactive about your learning. Don't underestimate the power of ongoing education, even if it's outside traditional institutions. 3. References – References provide an employer with real-world validation of who you are and how you work. A good reference – from a teacher, mentor, internship supervisor, or previous employer – can speak volumes about your character, work ethic, and reliability. Think ahead: build strong relationships, ask for permission before listing someone, and give them a heads-up if they might be contacted. 4. Volunteering experience – Volunteering is more than just giving your time – it's a powerful way to demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and dedication. Employers love to see candidates who take initiative and contribute to their communities. Whether it's tutoring, helping at a food drive, or working with a youth group, volunteering shows that you're dependable, proactive, and willing to learn. It also gives you experience to talk about in interviews, especially if you're still building your CV. 5. Social media presence – Your online profile tells a story – make sure it's one you're proud of. Employers often review candidates' social media accounts to get a sense of personality, professionalism, and whether you'll be a good cultural fit. That doesn't mean deleting everything, but it does mean thinking before you post. Are your platforms public or private? Do they reflect your values and goals? A good online presence can even work in your favour – showcasing your interests, talents, or creative projects. 6. Soft skills – Your attitude, communication style, and how you solve problems are just as important as your qualifications. Employers want people who can work well in a team, adapt under pressure, are proactive problem-solvers, take feedback and stay motivated. These 'soft skills' are often the deciding factor between equally-matched candidates. Practice active listening, build confidence in speaking clearly and respectfully, and stay open to learning. How you show up every day says a lot about your potential. In a world where everyone's chasing experience, the reality is that It's not just about ticking boxes – it's about showing up with purpose. We believe in realising dreams with (YOU)th in power – because your future starts with how you show up today. * Mahlangu is the youth employment specialist at Momentum Group Foundation. PERSONAL FINANCE
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
‘Real people drawing fraudulent salaries' — crackdown looms on public sector ghost employees
It's time to end this 'orchestrated form of systemic corruption' draining state resources, says the chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration says public sector workers should report in person to prove they're not ghost employees. 'A data audit alone is not enough. We are calling on this process to begin with physical in-person human verification audits for all government employees underpinned by biometric identification. Every person drawing a public salary must appear in person and be verified,' said committee chairperson Jan de Villiers (Democratic Alliance) in a governance cluster press conference in Parliament on Monday. 'The public has the right to know the names on the payroll correspond to individuals who really exist and who serve the public.' Read more: Ghost employees who haunt payrolls are a major occupational fraud hazard Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, in his Budget tabled last month, announced sweeping expenditure reviews of more than R300-billion in government spending since 2013, 'with the aim of identifying duplications, waste and inefficiencies'. Godongwana said the data-driven initiative would cross-reference administrative datasets to 'identify ghost workers and other anomalies across government departments'. De Villiers said the portfolio committee, following Godongwana's announcement in his Budget, had convened on 28 May to interrogate the 'persistent and deeply corrosive problem' of ghost workers in the public sector. He said the National Treasury could not tackle this challenge alone — it required a joint, coordinated strategy, which was now under way between the Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). 'We will reconvene with the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury in the third quarter of 2025 to receive a full progress report on the implementation of the joint ghost worker audit strategy. This should include details on the scope of these audits, preliminary findings and proposed enforcement measures,' said De Villiers. 'Orchestrated form of systemic corruption' Ghost employee fraud is among South Africa's most persistent public sector challenges. However, the total number of ghost workers — individuals who are fraudulently added to an organisation's payroll but do not actually work there — is unclear. In 2021, the government launched Project Ziveze to investigate and verify all Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) employees after material irregularities were uncovered within Prasa's ICT and payroll systems, indicating that there could be about 3,000 phantom workers. A preliminary report in November 2022 revealed that 1,480 employees could not be verified, while 1,000 others had resigned, Daily Maverick's Suné Payne reported. The agency is estimated to have saved about R200-million through the verification project. Last year, the Auditor-General of South Africa uncovered R6.4-million being paid to 'deceased and terminated' employees. The Public Servants Association (PSA) described this as a 'shocking misuse of public funds' and a 'gross violation of financial accountability'. And in May 2025, the Sunday Times reported that the Gauteng Department of Health had frozen the salaries of 230 employees who could not be verified. These are a handful of the reported cases of ghost employees. 'These are not invisible names on paper. Real people are drawing fraudulent salaries, and fraudulent money is being siphoned into the pockets of corrupt criminals,' said De Villiers. He said the department had disclosed that inserting a ghost employee into the payroll system 'requires collusion because at least three officials need to work together to create a ghost worker. This means that we are dealing not with random lapses in judgment, but with embedded criminal syndicates operating in our public institutions.' He added that the issue of ghost workers was 'not merely a payroll anomaly. It is a deliberate and orchestrated form of systemic corruption. It is organised crime within the state. And as a portfolio committee, tasked with oversight in the public service, the time for half-measures and talk shops is over. 'Let us be clear, the phenomenon of ghost workers is not an issue of administrative error. There are real people creating these ghost workers, reaping the benefits of siphoning taxpayer money into their coffers. 'Every ghost worker represents a post that could've been filled by a qualified graduate, a dedicated nurse, a teacher at a rural school or a social worker supporting the vulnerable. Every fraudulent salary paid is a step backwards in the fight for a professional, ethical and responsive state.' Widespread phenomenon De Villiers did not know how many ghost workers there were in the public service, but suggested, when looking at the known instances of ghost employees, 'that there are thousands'. He said the DPSA had confirmed before Parliament that ghost workers were present across all three spheres of government, including national, provincial and local governments, as well as government agencies and state-owned enterprises. 'The reality is every single department, state agency, level of government and state-owned enterprise that we have, probably has ghost workers on their payroll.' PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka told Daily Maverick on Monday that the organisation supported a physical audit of ghost workers who 'rob' the public sector of its capacity to provide services to the public. 'The problem is widespread throughout the public sector — government departments, municipalities [and] government entities. The cleaning must happen across the sector,' said Maleka. In addition to calling for a physical audit, De Villiers said the committee would 'push for disciplinary and criminal action to follow every detection of ghost workers. 'We don't know how many ghost workers there are, we don't know who's involved, and not enough people have been arrested so far, to be quite frank. 'I am not aware, as committee chairperson, of a single person who has been arrested thus far in terms of the creation of ghost workers,' he said. De Villiers added that South Africa's ghost worker phenomenon was not only made possible by fraud, but by 'outdated and fragmented administrative processes and systems'. Daily Maverick contacted the National Treasury and the DPSA with queries. Comment will be added once received. DM
