National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act No. 22 of 2009)11. Powers and duties of House |
| 1) | The powers and duties of the House are— |
| a) | to cooperate with the provincial houses of traditional leaders, to promote— |
| i) | the role of traditional leadership within a democratic constitutional dispensation; |
| ii) | nation building; |
| iii) | peace, stability and cohesiveness of communities; |
| iv) | the preservation of the moral fibre and regeneration of society; |
| v) | the preservation of the culture and traditions of communities; |
| vi) | socio-economic development and service delivery; |
| vii) | the social well-being and welfare of communities; and |
| viii) | the transformation and adaptation of customary law and custom so as to comply with the provisions of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, in particular by— |
| aa) | preventing unfair discrimination; |
| bb) | promoting equality; and |
| cc) | seeking to progressively advance gender representation in the succession to traditional leadership positions; and |
| b) | to enhance co-operation between the House and the various provincial houses with a view to addressing matters of common interest. |
| 2) | The House— |
| a) | must consider Parliamentary Bills referred to it by the Secretary to Parliament in terms of section 18 of the Framework Act; |
| b) | may advise the national government and make recommendations relating to any of the following: |
| i) | Matters relating to policy and legislation regarding traditional leadership; |
| ii) | the role of traditional leaders; |
| iii) | customary law; and |
| iv) | the customs of communities observing a system of customary law; |
| c) | may investigate and make available information on traditional leadership, traditional communities, customary law and customs; |
| d) | must, at the request of a member of National Cabinet, advise him or her in connection with any matter referred to in this section; |
| e) | must be consulted on national government development programmes that affect traditional communities; |
| f) | must complement and support the work of government at national level; |
| g) | must form cooperative relations and partnerships with government at national level in development and service delivery; |
| h) | may participate in international and national programmes geared towards the development of rural communities; |
| i) | may participate in national initiatives meant to monitor, review and evaluate government programmes in rural communities; and |
| j) | must perform tasks as may he determined by a member of the national Cabinet or as may be provided for in national legislation. |