As part of the Speaker’s Social Responsibility Programme, Honourable Nontembeko Boyce, Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, visited St Martin De Porres Comprehensive School in Port Shepstone, a special needs school for deaf and intellectually disabled children . The visit formed part of the Legislature’s ongoing efforts to promote civic awareness and empower young people through education.

Speaker Boyce led an engaging Civic Education session, where learners explored their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society. She encouraged the learners to see themselves as active citizens with the power to contribute to change. “Your voice matters, and being informed is the first step to shaping your future,” she said.

To make the session more interactive, the Speaker held a fun and educational general knowledge quiz, where pupils  participated and showcased their knowledge. Learners who answered questions correctly received small gifts and tokens of appreciation, adding excitement to the day.

Chairperson of the Ugu Disability Forum Sindi Cebisa, expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s continued support to the disability sector. She emphasised the importance of inclusion and respect for children with disabilities, stating, “Every child deserves to be treated equally, with dignity and kindness. No one should be left behind.”

The visit left a lasting impression on the school, reminding the learners that their voices matter and their presence is valued in South Africa’s democratic journey.

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Caption 

KZN Legislature Speaker’s Civic Voter Education programme at St Martin De Porres Comprehensive School in Port Shepstone.

Delegates urge the Government to Create Employment and Economic Opportunities for the Youth During the Youth Parliament Held at Bulwer Hall

During the Youth Parliament dialogue at the Bulwer Hall in the Dr  Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality, the delegates raised various issues that affect them in the presence of the KZN Legislature Members and Members of the Executive Council for their attention in order to address them.

The delegates made calls to the provincial government to be equipped with relevant skills that respond to the economy of the country. They decried the limited job opportunities that are available in the province.

The delegates called on the government to invest in skills development for the youth and create economic opportunities that target young people. Government should incorporate entrepreneurship skills in the school curriculum to enable the youth to participate meaningfully in the economy and there should be a curriculum review to address the skills shortage that are needed by the youth to participate in the economy.

The youth should get equal access to health care regardless of their economic status.

Chairperson of Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. Sizophila Mkhize, joined the Sivananda World Peace Foundation in celebrating the 11th International Yoga Day. The event took place at the Durban Amphitheatre , bringing together yoga enthusiasts and community members in the spirit of peace, health, and unity.

The celebration highlighted the importance of physical well-being, mental clarity, and cultural harmony, with participation open to all.

#InternationalYogaDay2025

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In a momentous celebration of advocacy, visibility, and excellence, the 1st eThekwini Pride Recognition Awards took place at the iconic Ushaka Marine Aquarium, bringing together changemakers and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community under the theme: “Honouring Excellence, Visibility, and Advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ Community.”

Among the evening’s distinguished honourees was the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, who received the prestigious “Voice for Inclusion Award.” This accolade celebrates individuals whose voices extend beyond private advocacy, resonating in policy-making arenas and shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.

Hon. Boyce has demonstrated unwavering commitment to justice, diversity, and representation. Through her leadership, she has consistently used her platform to champion LGBTQIA+ rights, influence progressive policies, and ensure that inclusion is not just an aspiration but a reality in governance. Her dedication to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices at the highest levels of government exemplifies the very spirit of the Voice for Inclusion Award.

The event marked a significant milestone in Durban’s Pride history, celebrating not only the resilience and brilliance of the LGBTQIA+ community, but also the leaders who stand beside them in solidarity

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Caption 

Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, was honoured with the prestigious Voice for Inclusion Award at the inaugural eThekwini Pride Recognition Awards, held at uShaka Marine Aquarium in Durban. 

11 June 2025

Good morning, Honourable Members, and colleagues.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to today’s meeting of the Ethics, Privileges and Contempt Committee. Thank you all for availing yourselves to continue the important work of upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency in the Legislature.

As public representatives, the ethical standards we uphold set the tone not only for the functioning of this Legislature, but also for how we are perceived by the people we serve. The mandate of this Committee is central to ensuring that our work is guided by clear principles, fairness, and a genuine commitment to ethical conduct.

Today’s meeting is an opportunity for us to focus on our broader priorities around ethical governance and capacity-building. In an evolving political and social environment, the challenges we face are complex. For that reason, we must constantly assess how well-prepared we are, not just to respond to ethical misconduct but to prevent them through education, support, and proactive leadership.

Our key priorities involve us reviewing at how to strengthen ethical governance across the Legislature. This includes identifying areas of risk, ensuring consistent application of the Code of Conduct, and reviewing how we can better support Members in dealing with ethical dilemmas before they escalate.

Secondly, we need to focus on ethics training and knowledge-building. Our work must be supported by clear guidance, practical tools, and continuous learning. Ethics cannot be something we revisit only in times of crisis; it must be an integral part of how we lead, engage, and make decisions.

Thirdly, we must reflect on the role of this Committee in shaping a culture of integrity and principled leadership. That includes setting an example as Members of this committee, and ensuring our processes are fair, transparent, and aligned with the highest standards of accountability.

Finally, this is also a time to set our agenda going forward, to align on key focus areas for the months ahead, and to identify opportunities for outreach, collaboration, and stronger internal support systems that reinforce ethical behaviour at all levels.

Honourable Members, the work of this Committee is more than compliance, it is about protecting the public trust and affirming the values upon which our democracy is built.

I encourage open engagement, critical reflection, and shared ownership of the outcomes we seek to achieve. With your commitment, I am confident that we can continue to advance a strong, principled, and ethical institution.

Thank you once again for your participation, Honourable Members, I trust that today’s session will be informative, practical, and empowering. Let us approach this workshop with openness and a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you once again for your presence and active participation. I now invite our facilitator to take us into the session.

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Premier, Community Safety and Liaison Portfolio Committee holds Public Hearings on the Public Service Amendment Bill and Public Administration Management Amendment Bill

Today, 10 June 2025, the Premier, Community Safety and Liaison Portfolio Committee is holding the third public hearing on the Public Service Amendment Bill and the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill at the Old Legislative Assembly Chamber in Ulundi. The first public hearing was held in a hybrid mode where Members of the committee and certain stakeholders attended the hearing physically in the Legislature Chamber in Pietermaritzburg while other stakeholders, and the public participated in the public hearing on our virtual platform. The second public hearing was conducted virtually in which committee Members, and all stakeholders participated in the hearing on our virtual platform.

The Public Service Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Public Service Act, 1994 to provide for the devolution of administrative powers from executive authorities to heads of departments, and to enhance and strengthen the role of the Director-General in the Presidency to support the President. The Public Administration Management Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Public Administration Management Act, 2014 so as to provide for the transfer and secondment of employees, to provide for the clarification regarding the prohibition against employees conducting business with organs of state, to provide for the National School of Government to be constituted as a national department, and to provide for the removal of employment disparities across the public administration, and to provide for the determination of conditions of service with financial implications.

At the conclusion of the public hearings, the Premier, Community Safety and Liaison Committee will consider all submissions received from the public and stakeholders and formulate a report that will be presented to the Legislature Sitting where a final Negotiating Mandate of the KZN Legislature on the Bills will be adopted for presentation to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town. At the NCOP Sitting where the final Negotiating Mandates from all provinces will be considered and debated, the two Bills may be passed and then referred to the National Assembly for final passing into the laws of the country.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06 June 2025

KZN SPEAKERS FORUM LAUNCHED TO EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEEPEN DEMOCRACY

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature today officially launched the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Speakers Forum, a strategic platform designed to foster collaboration, enhance oversight, and build stronger links between the provincial legislature and municipal councils across the province.

Speaking at the launch, the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, hailed the establishment of the Forum as a “landmark moment” in the province’s democratic journey and a vital step toward a more responsive and accountable system of governance.

“This Forum represents a shared commitment to honest leadership, collaborative oversight, and better service delivery,” said Hon. Boyce. “Our people don’t see separate spheres of government; they just want results. This Forum helps us move forward, together.”

The establishment of a Speakers Forum is not a new concept; it revitalises work initiated under former Speaker Peggy Nkonyeni and Deputy Speaker Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, and later advanced by Speaker Lydia Johnson during the fourth and fifth legislative terms. Today’s launch continues the relationships they built towards the end of the fifth term and throughout the sixth.

“Our engagements carried over from previous Provincial Executive Councils have always been dignified, grounded in mutual trust and respect. None of us studied specifically to be public representatives, we succeed through the capable, professional, and dedicated technical teams at SALGA and the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature,” said Hon. Boyce.

She extended heartfelt thanks to SALGA KwaZulu-Natal for its ongoing partnership and commitment to working with the Legislature in pursuit of accountable, ethical governance.

Objectives of the Forum

Modelled on the National Parliament Speakers Forum, the provincial body will provide a platform for municipal Speakers to:

• Share oversight strategies and capacity-building resources,
• Strengthen inter-governmental relations between councils and the Legislature,
• Address service-delivery challenges through coordinated responses,
• Exchange knowledge, skills, and governance strategies,
• Align Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) with legislative priorities.

Hon. Boyce urged all municipal Speakers to embrace the Forum fully, emphasising collective ownership and participatory leadership. “This is not just a Legislature-led initiative, but a collaborative journey for everyone who believes in ethical, effective governance. We may come from different municipalities, but we are united by purpose. Let this Forum be a space where we support and uplift each other. In that unity, we find real power to change people’s lives.”

The Forum is expected to convene regularly and contribute to broader national oversight mechanisms, serving as a proactive and structured platform that strengthens legislative leadership and supports service delivery in communities throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

ENDS

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