Royal Leaders of South Africa (ROLESA) and AfriForum inked a collaboration pact in Centurion, spotlighting community self-reliance and empowerment, particularly for rural cultural groups. Their partnership aims to secure land currently under state custodianship for royal communities, ensuring its transfer to these communities.

AfriForum's Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation Barend Uys:

“It is encouraging to be part of a growing network of cultural communities and organisations that are committed to collaborate based on mutual recognition and respect to ensure that the future generations of cultural communities live in harmony and prosperity. The beautifully complex society at the southern tip of Africa with all its peoples, cultures and languages requires an approach that fits this reality. The community network that is taking shape on grassroots level that is based on community federalism is a good match for our complex reality that will enable cultural communities to cocreate lasting solutions to our shared challenges and serve our shared interests,”

Prince Manene Tabane, ROLESA's National Organiser, expressed optimism about the agreement:

“We are delighted that we formalised our relationship with AfriForum today. We are convinced that good relations and cooperation between different cultural communities are a key part of the solution to shared challenges and creating the future we want for the children of the cultural communities in the country. We believe that this partnership will play an important role in creating a better way to develop royal communities economically and socially.”

The agreement focuses on preserving cultural identity, promoting self-sufficiency, fostering intercultural dialogue, and advocating for mother language education. Key principles include mutual respect, peaceful co-existence, and the autonomy of cultural communities in governing their affairs and land use practices.

ROLESA, founded in November 2022, aims to address challenges facing royal leaders and rural areas, aligning with the pact's goals of cultural preservation and community empowerment.

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