THE Rustenburg local municipality and Bakwena ba Mogopa traditional authority this week signed a memorandum of understanding which will see the two of them working closely together.

The traditional authority, under Kgosi Tebogo Mamogale, entered into an understanding that will see both the municipality and the traditional authority helping each other out. Municipality spokesman Thabo Matebesi described the partnership as “historic.”

“We do not have such a relationship with any of the communities in Rustenburg, that is why it's a historic event for us. The Rustenburg local municipality will render services to the communities of Bakwena ba Mogopa and they'll also do the same (provide services to us),” Matebesi said.

He added that both Mamogale and the Rustenburg executive mayor councillor Mpho Khunou have assigned their teams to come up with “action plan” to tackle the issues, such as unemployment, affecting the communities.

“Directors from both his excellency Mamogale and executive mayor Khunou's offices have been tasked to come up with programs to tackle these issues.”

Asked how long they have been given, Matebesi said: “They have been given a month to find out how we can address these issues”.

He said the issues affecting the communities varied. “Unemployment is one of them as most of our youth is unemployed. There are others as well such as adequate housing and roads,” he said.

Refilwe Nkisi of Bakwena ba Mogopa said: “ What’s of importance is that the parties undertake to apply the principle of mutual respect, working together towards a common goal while respecting each party’s area of jurisdiction.

"The Memorandum takes effect and shall remain in force from the 22 October for a period equal to the term of office of the current Rustenburg Local Municipality political administration.”