Media Statement

Date: 30 January 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE’S HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS SESSION IN UTHUKELA DISTRICT

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Human Settlements Portfolio Committee held its annual Stakeholders Engagement Session session in Okhahlamba Local Municipality under the Uthukela District on the 30^th of January.

Hundreds of stakeholders including traditional leaders, local councillors, non-governmental organisations etc attended the engagement session. Senior officials from the Departmetn of Human Settlements made presentations which were later interrogated by members of the portfolio committee led by Hon Dr Andile Biyela.

Members of the public were later given an opportunity raise service delivery matters that affecting their respective areas. A number of issues such as unfinished low cost houses, alleged corruption in the allocation of low cost houses and other issues such as lack of basic services were raised by various stakeholders.

Committee Chairperson Hon Biyela said the committee will follow up on some of the issues raised by the locals to ensure that the department makes necessary interventions.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit

MEDIA STATEMENT
28 JANUARY 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE HOSTS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION IN ILEMBE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

The KwaZulu-Natal legislature’s Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio committee today hosted a highly successful engagement with business leaders, emerging entrepreneurs and government entities in Ilembe District Municipality.

The legislature created the platform to solicit views from key stakeholders on opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, funding initiatives, mentorship programme’s as well as the planned investment initiatives in the district.

The session was also attended by Mayors of KwaDukuza municipality, Maphumulo Municipality and CEOs of all entities that fall under the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

“We have just concluded a highly successful session with several sectors in Ilembe District Municipality. Government entities did not only share economic projects and programme’s that they have but, members of the community and businesspeople were able to make their contributions. Today’s session was part of what we do as the committee before both the budget and the Annual Performance Plan are approved,” said Hon Mafika Mndebele.

Among the opportunities presented today were those found in the Durban Aerotropolis which includes the building of a 21st Century airport city around the King Shaka International Airport. Also shared were opportunities in the tourism sector which are expected to turn KZN into a bustling hub of economic activity.

Aspirant entrepreneurs implored on the department and the portfolio committee to ensure that Operation Vula Fund was accelerated. The fund was initiated by the provincial government to provide adequate financial support towards the development of emerging enterprises.

ISSUED BY THE LEGISLATURE
For interviews: Hon Mafika Mndebele +27 (83) 783-5164

For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe (Legislature) 0823272600

23 January 2025

Media statement

Attention all media:

KZN SPEAKER VISITS SCHOOLS IN ZULULAND DISTRICT AS PART OF THE SCHOOLS AND MONITORING PROGRAMME

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker Hon. NontembekoBoyce and Zululand District champion and MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane have led a delegation that has visited Zamimpilo Special School and Ivungu High School in ward 2 KwaCeza, under uLundi Municipality,as part of the School Functionality and Monitoring Programme.

Hon, Boyce says, “Part of the objectives of the school functionality is to identify and address functionality challenges facing our schooling system; and provide support in addressing the challenges facing specifically poor-performing schools.”

Having listened to various presentations from management of both schools, as well as various other officials, MEC Simelane added that the relationship between the schools and the Department of Health would need to be strengthened, so that the learners’ needs can be better attended to. 

The two-day School Functionality and MonitoringProgramme focuses on monitoring, evaluating and enabling the effective start of teaching and learningsince the first day of schooling. 

Over the years, the concept has evolved broadened its scope and effectiveness. It now incorporates a number of elements, such as school performance, governance and management, parental involvement, scholar transport, school nutrition, health and social development services, infrastructure development and addressing various social ills. It also ropes in officials from various Government Departments, particularly the social cluster, which is made up of Education, Health, and Social Development.

The programme will continue in earnest tomorrow,where members of the Legislature will visit two more schools in Pongola. 

Ends

For more information please contact:

KZN Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Phathisa Mfuyo

Cell: 0731293378/ 0810215111

Email: mfuyop@kznleg.gov.za

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 JANUARY 2025

MEMBERS OF THE KZN LEGISLATURE URGE UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT TO SHARE BEST PRACTICE ON ACHIEVING EXCELLENT MATRIC RESULTS WITH OTHER DISTRICTS

MEMBERS of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature (MPLs) have heaped praises on the Umkhanyakude District for moving from being the worst performing education district to become one of South Africa’s top performing regions during final matric examinations.

Speaking during the first visit to Umkhanyakude since the district was announced as the top-performing district, MPLs described the region’s meteoric rise as a remarkable achievement that should be emulated. UMkhanyakude achieved an overall matric pass rate of 92.8%.

“Not so long ago, this district was number 75 out of 75 districts in the country. Today it is number three in the entire country, and it is also number one in the province. This shows that the district has a well-oiled strategy which is producing handsome dividends,” said MPL Celiwe Madlopha.

She said the legislature had contributed immensely to KwaZulu-Natal’s education stellar performance by providing effective oversight and identifying barriers to effective learning and teaching.

“Members of the legislature are visiting four schools in Umkhanyakude District today and tomorrow as part of the legislature’s School Functionality Monitoring Programme (SFMP). We are, among other things, monitoring infrastructure challenges that our schools face, the delivery of learner support material, the start of lessons, safety and security. The SFMP is our flagship programme that has helped to resolve many challenges in our schools. We appreciate the support we continue to receive from the provincial Executive and the schools governing bodies as we play our oversight role.”

A comprehensive report will be compiled after today and tomorrow’s school visits and it will be presented in the House for adoption and implementation.

ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE

Bongani Tembe:  082 327 2600

Media Statement

Date: 16 January 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE’S PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE WELCOMES ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT’S TOP OFFICIAL IN THE AWARDING OF OVER R1 BILLION TENDERS TO ONE ENTITY

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee has welcomed the decision by the department’s MEC Martin Meyer to criminally charge a former senior departmental official in alleged tender irregularities.

Public Works Department laid criminal charges earlier this week with the SAPS following the dismissal of a top departmental official who is accused of allegedly facilitating awarding of 29 tenders worth over R1 billion to one entity.

Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Nhlanhla Msimango said the committee will be monitoring developments closely because it has a constitutional mandate of exercising oversight over the department and its entities.

“Any allegation of corruption should be investigated thoroughly and those who are alleged to be involved should face the full might of the law,” said Msimango.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Public Works Portfolio Committee

For more information please contact the Committee’s Media Practitioner Mr Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532.