Pretoria: The North West has a pool of proficient leaders with a lot to offer the rest of the country, says Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC China Dodovu.

Dodovu said this in reaction to the election of KgosiPontshoMaubane of BakgatlabaMochane as the new Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL).

“Our province is predominately rural and therefore has a significant number of communities that are under traditional leaders.

“We therefore can contribute meaningfully in dealing with the challenges facing institutions of traditional leadership,” he said.

The Maubanestad traditional leader was elected the new chairperson during the inauguration of the fourth NHTL in Pretoria last week. Dodovu said the fact that KgosiMaubane was from the North West was an indication that the province had strong leaders who could do a lot for the country.

Dodovu said the provincial government was committed to prioritising the stabilisation of governance in traditional leadership areas.

“We want to ensure that there is stability and collectivism in our traditional communities as well as resolve disputes which mostly arise as a result of land and mineral resources,” he said.

KgosiMaubane was elected in line with the National House of Traditional Leaders Act and will serve a five-year term. KgoshiSefogoleMakgeru from Limpopo was elected Deputy Chairperson.

The fourth National House of Traditional Leaders will be officially opened by President JacobZuma in Parliament this week.