Eastern Seaboard Development Summit Empowers Traditional Leaders in Regional Growth

Inaugural Eastern Seaboard Development Summit Strengthens Traditional Leadership's Role in Regional Growth

The inaugural Eastern Seaboard Development (ESD) Traditional Leaders’ Summit, held in the Eastern Seaboard region, marked a major step forward in promoting traditional leadership participation in the region’s economic and infrastructure development. The event took place from March 23 to 24, 2025, bringing together prominent figures such as Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe and Dr. Namane Dickson Masemola, as well as House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (NHTKL) Chairperson, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo. In addition, Eastern Cape CoGTA MEC Zolile Williams joined the proceedings alongside a host of traditional leaders, municipal representatives, and key stakeholders from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The Eastern Seaboard Development initiative focuses on the coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, aiming to harness the region’s economic potential through strategic infrastructure development, improved governance, and active involvement of traditional leadership in local economic growth. The summit’s key purpose was to strengthen the role of traditional leaders in the planning and execution of the ESD programme, ensuring they have a say in shaping the future of their communities.

The two-day summit provided a valuable platform to address the evolving role of traditional leadership within the broader framework of regional development. During the sessions, stakeholders discussed how to enhance traditional leaders' participation in the ESD planning phase, reviewing concerns raised during previous consultations and outlining how these leaders could be integrated into planning and governance structures.

One of the summit’s central topics was the issue of land acquisition, land use rights, and forging partnerships with investors to guarantee secure land tenure and meaningful engagement between stakeholders. Ensuring that the interests of traditional leaders are prioritized in land-use decisions is vital for the long-term sustainability of the ESD initiative, as it will empower communities and promote inclusive growth.

Furthermore, the summit sought to align the Eastern Seaboard Development Programme with broader rural development strategies, such as the Invest Rural Masterplan, which aims to create a more sustainable and thriving rural economy. Through discussions on Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), the summit acknowledged the complexities surrounding land management and the need to better involve traditional leaders in decision-making processes related to these laws.

To ensure the effective participation of traditional leaders in the ESD programme, the summit also focused on capacity-building initiatives. Traditional leaders will need support and empowerment to fully engage in economic development matters and play a pivotal role in managing resources, investment projects, and governance structures.

The Eastern Seaboard region has already made notable progress in its development journey. Officially designated under SPLUMA in June 2022, the region’s development gained momentum with the creation of a Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF). This framework has undergone extensive public consultations to ensure that it is inclusive and aligns with the needs and aspirations of local communities. It will serve as the blueprint for both government and private sector investment, with a clear focus on sustainable, long-term growth.

The success of the summit and ongoing discussions signals a promising future for the ESD initiative. As the programme moves into its implementation phase, the next steps will include further consultations with stakeholders, consolidating existing projects, and mobilizing the necessary resources to bring the vision to life. Traditional leadership, through its involvement in planning and governance, is expected to play a crucial role in steering the region’s growth, ensuring that economic development benefits all communities, particularly in the rural and coastal areas.

Through collaborative efforts, the Eastern Seaboard Development programme is poised to transform the region into a beacon of inclusive growth, while traditional leaders will continue to shape the course of development in ways that align with their communities' unique needs and cultural heritage.