The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in Mpumalanga has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (HTKL), to
enhance the working relations between the two organisations in the province.

The agreement aims to allow the two offices to collaborate in their respective programmes, which
include educating communities about the role and mandate of the Commission.

The MoU is motivated by the need to promote gender equality and culture in a democratic society,
as well as the application and implementation of indigenous and customary laws within the context
of gender equality, and the promotion of traditional leaders and their roles.

It is also informed by the necessity to eliminate discrimination and all types of gender-based violence
(GBV), as well as the collaborative execution and fulfilment of traditional and Khoi-San leaders’
duties under the Constitution.

The MoU will provide the basis for enhanced cooperation between the CGE and the Mpumalanga
HTKL in an endeavour to achieve gender equality.
Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, HTKL Chairperson and Contralesa Chairperson, Kgoshi
Lameck Mokoena, said the occasion was a historic development in the province.

“The MoU paves the way for the two entities to work together to protect the rights and interest of
our communities in rural and urban areas. We are a province that takes care of the interest of
communities, and we want to call upon other provinces to do the same,” Mokoena said.
Commissioner Lindiwe Ntuli-Tloubatla said the signing of the memorandum will open the way for
the two entities to strengthen their working relationship.

She said the Commission is looking forward to developing a Plan of Action to “enhance our
collaboration and communication, as we are both committed to building constitutional democracy”.
“The significance of the MoU is that it will allow the two entities to support constitutional
democracy to eradicate patriarchy and achieve gender equality, as outlined in section 9(3) of our
Constitution, including the eradication of all forms of harmful cultural and religious practices that
strengthen gender inequality and oppression,” Ntuli-Tloubatla said.