Traditional leaders and traditional councils have an active and important role to play in local government development programmes and service delivery. The Traditional Leadership and governance Framework Act (No 41 of 2003), recognises tribal authorities as traditional councils with important functions linked to local government.

In April 2010 the Department of Traditional Affairs was established to give support to the national house of traditional leaders; the commission on the disputes and claims (that hears disputes on kingship and traditional leadership); and the commission for the promotion and protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities. Provincial committees are in the process of being finalised and all claims and disputes about categories of traditional leadership below the kingships, have been received and investigations have begun.