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Policy & Advocacy

Policy Grounded in Tradition, Backed by Evidence.

South Africa’s National House of Traditional Leaders exists to advise on laws and policies, but its impact depends on having strong research and clear advocacy. RACC provides that support — giving kings and councils the data, analysis, and voice they need to influence legislation and ensure policies respect tradition and strengthen communities.

RACC gives kings and councils the data, analysis, and voice they need to influence legislation and ensure policies respect tradition and strengthen communities.

Overview Policy & Advocacy

Traditional Authority in Lawmaking

South Africa’s Constitution recognises traditional leadership, and the National House of Traditional Leaders advises Parliament on laws affecting custom, culture, and communities. Yet without strong research and advocacy, their influence often remains symbolic rather than practical.

Current Regulatory Environment

In Africa, businesses already need government licences from government agencies or commissions like the CIPC or SARS — but none of these prove a company’s commitment to traditional values, community reinvestment, or cultural integrity. The Royal Charter fills that gap, restoring an ancient practice under African leadership

A Royal Charter is symbolic permission to trade — a covenant with traditional leaders that sets your business apart, opens doors to 18 million loyal consumers under South Africa’s 13 royal houses, and proves your commitment to community and culture.

RACC manages the Charter system on behalf of royal leaders. We ensure every certified business is properly vetted, accountable, and trusted by both communities and consumers.

Current Issues: Why We Need the Royal Charter

A Royal Charter is a covenant of recognition and blessing from traditional leaders.

1. Policies That Overlook Rural Life

Many laws are written in Pretoria and Cape Town, far from the lived experience of rural communities. Too often, policies focus on urban priorities while villages face broken water systems, underfunded schools, and neglected infrastructure.

RACC supports Policy & Advocacy by::

Bridging the gap: Gathering local experiences and translating them into policy recommendations.

Evidence building: Producing research that shows how national policy decisions affect rural communities.

Policy engagement: Ensuring traditional leaders present this evidence directly to lawmakers.

Major Cases:

Water & sanitation policy: Many rural areas remain unconnected despite government promises.

Healthcare rollouts: Clinics in villages underfunded compared to city hospitals.

Transport planning: No inclusion of rural rail and road links that connect communities to economic hubs.

2. No Clear Cultural Lens in Policy

Laws and policies are often written in technical or economic terms, with little space for cultural values or customary law. This leaves royal leaders struggling to show why heritage and community practices matter in shaping fair policies.

Problematic Gaps in the Current System

Culture sidelined: Customary law and traditional practice rarely feature in official policy documents.

Loss of identity: Policies risk erasing the unique role of traditional leadership in governance.

Disconnect with people: Communities see policies that don’t reflect their way of life, weakening trust in government.

RACC Responds: We translate cultural values into policy language that lawmakers understand. By producing research, case studies, and submissions, we ensure tradition is not ignored but woven into national debates and legislation.

3. No Accountability in Implementation

Unenforced commitments: Policies name traditional leaders but exclude them from real decision-making.

Broken delivery: Laws promise services for rural communities, but budgets and projects stall.

No feedback loop: Communities lack a clear way to report when government fails to honour policies.

How RACC Is Involved

RACC helps royal leaders monitor how laws are applied in practice.

We support councils with research, tracking tools, and advocacy campaigns to hold government accountable, ensuring that policies move from paper to real change for communities.