Johannesburg — THE government plans to ease tensions between elected public officials and traditional leaders on rural development issues.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka said on Friday a traditional leaders' institution would be established to improve consultation and enable these leaders to be "at the centre" of rural development.

Public representatives and traditional leaders have since the restructuring of local government authorities in 1995 fought over the planning, implementation and control of rural development programmes.

"We want traditional leaders to lead their people in terms of food security, and ensure that they participate on programmes of HIV/AIDS education. In all development programmes they must be at the centre," Shiceka said.

Inkosi Mpiyezintombi Mzimela, deputy chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial house of traditional leaders, has welcomed the initiative, saying that even though they had not seen the plan, "it sounds good".

"In meetings we've had with the minister, the things he talks about are very promising. "

Mzimela said without the participation of traditional leaders there would be no rural development. Traditional leaders have been complaining about being undermined by local councilors and not being properly consulted on development matters in their areas. Shiceka said there would be a "policy change" to allow traditional leaders to be part of development and policy making, budgeting, planning and implementation. "We must make sure that this government works with traditional leaders at all levels."

Mzimela said this was encouraging news. However, he said some of their proposals, such as the amendment of the Municipal Systems Act, were still being ignored. The act allows traditional leaders to have 20% representation at a local municipality. "We are saying all traditional councils must be part and parcel of all programmes."

Shiceka said the plan included ensuring equality and uniformity in policy. "In KwaZulu-Natal there is the Ingonyama Trust -- where the king has a final word on that land. In other areas kings or queens don't have the final say."

He said there were also issues such as the lack of respect for women's rights which had to be corrected in some parts of the country.

He also advised kings and chiefs to move with the times by being good time keepers. "If you visit the king, you stay there for a long time. That protocol must change. They must move with the times, they must receive guests on time."