The African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday in the spirit of sustaining constant communication, it would hold continuous engagements with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) on issues that affect them.

The party said in preparation for the upcoming national dialogue, it will work with Contralesa in all provinces on inputs regarding the role of traditional leaders in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Last week the ANC said members of the GNU would soon host a national dialogue with the aim of getting consensus amongst South Africans as to some of the priority areas for the seventh administration.

The national dialogue process will seek to develop a national social compact that enables the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan.

The Statement of Intent (SOl) signed by ten political parties commits the GNU parties "to an all-inclusive national dialogue process with parties, civil society, labour, business and other sectors”.

According to the ANC, ten out of 18 parties with seats in the National Assembly have signed the SOI – ANC, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance; GOOD; Pan Africanist Congress of Azania; Freedom Front Plus; United Democratic Movement; Rise Mzansi and Al Jama-ah.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC noted that Contralesa had already put together a Working Group on the role of traditional leaders in the GNU.

At the meeting between ANC and Contralesa leaders at Luthuli House, held on Monday, the party reaffirmed that Contralesa was an important stakeholder that had been an integral part of the work of the ANC and society.

“The African National Congress appreciates the continued relationship with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa which brings together traditional authorities who identify broadly with the liberation movement,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.

She noted that in the spirit of organisational renewal, the ANC recommitted to working with traditional leaders in the interest of the movement and country at large.

Contralesa further committed themselves to encourage all political parties to embrace the “good faith intentions of the ANC” on the formation of the GNU in the national interest, the party said.