The Provincial IEC spokesperson, Mathabo Rasengani, says the IEC saw the opportunity to engage communities on matters pertaining to heritage and traditional leadership’s impact on electoral democracy. She says this year's commemoration month in commission is not limited to the current event but all other outreach programmes for the month of September, which are focussed on contact sessions with communities through various platforms. The IEC is hosting its heritage celebration in Thabo Mofutsanyana District, after yesterday’s heritage event hosted in the Xhariep District.

Rasengane says their aim as the IEC is to engage different cultural groups on issues of participation in electoral democracy processes, recognise the fundamental role that traditional leaders play in society, highlight contributions of traditional leadership in various sectors of society, reflect on presentation and participation of traditional leaders in government, and also highlight challenges that traditional leaders face in the country.

She adds that participants on this event include the Free State House of Traditional Leaders (FSHTL), the Department of Social Development, the Office of the Executive Mayor, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Department of Labour, and also the Department of Home Affairs.

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