Sithandiwe Velaphi

Twenty-three traditional leaders across the province will be inaugurated as members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders today in Bisho.

The traditional leaders were elected at various constituencies, starting from Mngqesha Great Place in the former Ciskei to Pondoland in the eastern part of the province.

Local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, said the names of the leaders were gazetted on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet will preside over the nomination of leadership to various positions, including the chairperson and the executive, while Eastern Cape judge president Themba Sangoni will swear in the new members.

Qoboshiyane said a key role of the House of Traditional Leaders was to advise and make proposals to the provincial legislature and provincial government in respect of any matter relating to traditional councils, indigenous law, traditions, customs and culture of traditional communities in the province.

"On Wednesday I signed the notice of elected members from 12 constituencies together with representatives of kings and queens.

"The elections were conducted in line with the rules for nomination and election of members to the House of Traditional Leaders act," Qoboshiyane said.

Chief Xolile Ndevu, provincial secretary of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, said: "Traditional leaders in the house are to help the government fulfil its mandate of delivering services to rural people."

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