Abstract
This study investigated the extent of engaging the traditional leaders in the management of the municipality with regard to the municipality’s equitable service provision motive. In the study, a qualitative study was adopted and exploratory design was applied to find solutions to the problems of the study. Municipal employees were selected using a purposive sampling method and data collected using online interviews. Data were analysed using Atlas-ti software (version 8.2). Results revealed that traditional leaders are the most revered people by the residents and could be engaged adequately by the municipal employees to assist in the management of service provision. Municipal employees further confirm that traditional leaders facilitate social cohesion by representing the municipality at the local context and could sufficiently handle the service provision issues. All participants affirm that municipal management could be enhanced by embarking on adequate collaboration by both municipal employees, as well as the traditional leaders who do understand the fundamental problems and challenges facing the local residents. The study recommends that the local municipal management should strategically engage the traditional leaders and specify their tasks in order to enhance the service provision motive of the municipalities as stated in the constitution of South Africa.