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Traditional Leadership and Municipal Governance Interface

This course addresses the often tense but essential relationship between municipalities and traditional leadership in rural and peri urban areas. Participants learn the respective roles and powers, how to consult and cooperate on development and land matters, and how to resolve overlaps that stall service delivery. The programme is rooted in the African context where customary authority and municipal governance coexist and must work together for development to succeed.

What you will be able to do

  • Clarify the roles and powers of municipalities and traditional leadership.
  • Navigate customary land tenure in relation to municipal planning and services.
  • Design consultation and participation arrangements with traditional councils.
  • Coordinate development projects across municipal and traditional structures.
  • Resolve overlaps, disputes and jurisdictional tensions constructively.
  • Build cooperative relationships that advance rural service delivery.

Course outline

  1. 01Roles and Powers in Law and Custom
  2. 02Customary Land Tenure and Municipal Planning
  3. 03Consultation with Traditional Councils
  4. 04Coordinating Rural Development Projects
  5. 05Managing Overlaps and Jurisdictional Tension
  6. 06Dispute Resolution and Protocol
  7. 07Building Cooperative Development Relationships

Who should attend

Municipal managers, planners, community services officials and councillors working in areas with traditional leadership, and officials engaging traditional councils.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 18 Aug 2026Accra2US$1,100
24 to 25 Aug 2026Lusaka2US$1,100
31 Aug to 1 Sep 2026Kigali2US$1,100
7 to 8 Sep 2026Nairobi2US$1,100
14 to 15 Sep 2026Durban2R10,000
21 to 22 Sep 2026Johannesburg2R10,000
5 to 6 Oct 2026Mauritius2US$1,100
12 to 13 Oct 2026Dubai2US$1,100
19 to 20 Oct 2026Lagos2US$1,100
26 to 27 Oct 2026Harare2US$1,100
2 to 3 Nov 2026Kampala2US$1,100
9 to 10 Nov 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100
16 to 17 Nov 2026Pretoria2R10,000
23 to 24 Nov 2026Cape Town2R10,000
7 to 8 Dec 2026Online2US$900
14 to 15 Dec 2026Mozambique2US$1,100
21 to 22 Dec 2026Cairo2US$1,100

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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