Policy & Advocacy
Policy Grounded in Tradition, Backed by Evidence.
South Africa’s National House of Traditional Leaders advises on laws and policies, but its impact depends on strong research and advocacy. RACC provides this support equipping kings and councils with evidence and analysis to influence legislation and ensure policies respect tradition and strengthen communities.
Custom and community belong in every law.
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.
RACC supports Policy & Advocacy by:
Research: Providing data and impact studies that strengthen traditional leaders’ submissions.
Advisory support: Helping kings and councils prepare responses to draft laws and policies.
Coordination: Linking traditional leaders with civil society and business allies to amplify their message..
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.
A New Approach
RACC helps move traditional leadership from symbolic recognition to practical influence by creating platforms for engagement between traditional leaders, lawmakers, and civil society. This work is made possible through the support of civil society.
1. Policies That Overlook Rural Life
South Africa’s Constitution recognises traditional leadership, and Provincial and National Houses of Traditional Leaders provide advice to government on laws affecting rural communities. Yet these institutions often operate with limited research capacity, coordination support, and access to broader civil-society networks.
How RACC Supports Policy & Advocacy:
Supporting the Houses of Traditional Leaders: Providing research, coordination and advisory support that strengthens their engagement with government and Parliament.
Evidence building: Documenting how national policies affect rural communities and local development.
Policy engagement: Helping connect traditional leaders, civil society and business partners to amplify rural perspectives.
"RACC exists to strengthen this ecosystem by helping translate community realities into credible research, coordinated engagement, and practical policy input" - Kgosi Selabi Masibi
2. No Clear Cultural Lens in Policy
Communities want laws that recognise their leadership systems, cultural practices, and social structures. National policy must meaningfull reflect of customary governance and traditional leaders.
Gaps in the Current System
Customary governance: Customary law must receive more meaningful consideration in policy.
Cultural context: Policies risk weakening the role of traditional governance in maintaining stability.
Reduced public trust: When laws feel disconnected from cultural realities, communities struggle to see themselves reflected in national decision-making.
RACC helps ensure customary governance is recognised and understood in national policy.
3. Accountability in Implementation
Even when supportive laws exist, communities often see little change on the ground. The challenge is no longer policy creation, but ensuring commitments translate into real delivery.
Gaps in the Current System
Limited oversight: Traditional leaders are often recognised in policy but excluded from ongoing implementation processes.
Delivery gaps: Services promised to rural communities can stall due to budget constraints, coordination failures, or slow execution.
Feedback loop: Communities often lack structured channels to report when commitments are not fulfilled.
RACC supports traditional leaders with tools, research, and advocacy to monitor implementation and strengthen accountability.
The Future of Community Rights
When tradition guides the law, people live better
How You Can Take Part
If you care about how customary communities work and grow, there’s a place for you here.
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RACC National Office, 468 Berea Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria
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Royal Authority for Commerce and Charters NPC (2025/19518508) is the official implementation agency of ROLESA.
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