KZN LEGISLATURE MEMBERS VISIT SCHOOLS TO MONITOR THEIR FUNCTIONALITY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE 2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR YEAR

This week KZN MPLs are conducting oversight visits throughout the province to assess whether teaching and learning is taking place in a safe and conducive environment in public schools across the province.

The visits are taking place amid the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the government to delay the opening of schools for more than a month.

The visits, which enter the second day, have so far discovered that, most public schools have opened in a safe and conducive environment where teaching and learning is taking place smoothly.

Members are interacting with various stakeholders including teacher unions, department official, school governing bodies and members of the community to get their views on the challenges that are experienced by schools since the academic year officially started on February 15.

A comprehensive report on these oversight visits will be compiled and presented to the Speaker which will finally be debated in the House by all political parties represented in the Legislature. This forms part of the oversight processes of the Legislature to ensure the delivery of quality education in our province.

MEDIA STATEMENT
17 JANUARY 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF MR BHEKUYISE MUNTUKAYISE NTULI

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE MOURNS THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF ITS MEMBER AND MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE MEC, MR BHEKUYISE MUNTUKAYISE NTULI

Yesterday , 16 January 2021 we learned with deep shock the news of the untimely passing of KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Member, Mr Bhekuyise Muntukayise Ntuli. He passed away at a Durban hospital yesterday evening due to COVID-19 related complications. He had been unwell for some time.

Affectionately known by his clan name “Mphemba”, served as a member of National Parliament of South Africa from 1999 to 2003 before joining the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature during the 4th term where he served as a member of the Transport Portfolio Committee and Chairperson of the Community Safety and Liaison Portfolio Committee. Mr Ntuli was sworn in to the position of MEC in September 2019. Throughout his life in politics, he has been a humble, loyal, dedicated, hard-working and exemplary servant of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

He was a seasoned politician and a union activist. He held Primary Teachers Certificate from eMadadeni College; a degree in Management from UCT Graduate School of Business; a Certificate in Leadership from Wits University; and Post–graduate Diploma in Research, Strategic Diplomacy and Transitional Justice from University of Johannesburg.

Mr Ntuli’s rare qualities of being a peacemaker even under difficult circumstances earned him respect among his peers. This is not surprising because throughout his life, he performed extraordinary deeds in various structures and domains he served in.

In recognising his leadership qualities, his organisation, the ANC, elected him to serve as the Chairperson of the ANC in the Musa Dladla Region for more than 15 years. He served for more than 20 years as a member and leader of the ANC sub–committee on Peace and Stability.
Despite his tasks and responsibilities being complex and sensitive in nature, he tackled them with calmness. Passionate for peace in the province he had begun to implement a number of programmes that were aimed at reversing the tide of Gender-Based Violence, Taxi Violence, and reducing the carnage on the province’s roads. He has consistently displayed exceptional leadership and wisdom, with his passing, our legislature and indeed the entire country has lost an upright leader, a deep thinker, and a true servant of the people. We pray for comfort in this hour of grief.

On behalf of the legislature community, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Ntuli family, his friends, the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the organisation he represented in the Legislature, the African National Congress. May his revolutionary soul rest in peace.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE SPEAKER MS NONTEMBEKO BOYCE
For more information contact:
Nomusa Phungula
Office of the Speaker Media Liaison
071 851 0085/ 072 294 7237

18 November 2020
Embargo: For Immediate Release
Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters
From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit

RE: KZN LEGISLATURE’S AGRICULTURE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CALLS ON FARMING COMMUNITIES TO BE VIGILANT AGAINST BRUCELLA BACTERIA

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has warned communities living in areas where there has been an outbreak of brucella bacteria to be vigilant when dealing with suspicious animals.

Brucella Bacteria is an animal-borne disease which causes abortion, infertility, reduced milk production and weakened joints in bovine animals and infected people.

Brucellosis is primarily a cattle disease but may affect most other mammals, including humans. Humans who are at risk of contracting the disease are people who work with animals such veterinarians, farmers, farm workers and abattoir employees.

The Portfolio Committee has noted the intervention of the provincial department of Agriculture and Rural Development which has embarked on a campaign to vaccinate animals in affected districts and educate communities affected by the bacteria.

“Agriculture has been identified as a key driver in ensuring food security and radical economic development in the province. We need to work together to deal with anything which seeks to threaten our agricultural potential such as the Brucella bacteria. We urge our communities to co-operate with departmental officials and attend information sharing sessions so that they understand the bacteria and know how to identify its symptoms,” said Committee Chairperson Honourable Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.

The portfolio committee will monitor the department’s intervention strategies as part of its oversight exercise on the department.

The committee also sends out its deepest sympathies to the farmers who have lost their livestock.
“We understand that most farmers are dependent on this livestock for their livelihood. It is for this reason that we appeal to the farmers to co-operate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development so that they will be familiar with protocols to be followed to minimise the impact of this outbreak,’ said Sibhidla-Saphetha.

Ends
Issued by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Hon NN Sibhidla-Saphetha Cell No: 0833013622.
For media inquiries please contact Committee Media Officer Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532

08 November 2020
Embargo: For Immediate Release
Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters
From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit

PASSING AWAY OF PRINCE LETHUKUTHULA ZULU

The KZN Legislature has learned with shock and sadness of the passing on of Prince Lethukuthula Zulu, the eldest son of His Majesty Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Her Majesty Queen Sibongile MaDlamini.
The KZN Legislature would like to convey the deepest condolences to His Majesty Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Her Majesty Queen Sibongile MaDlamini and the entire Zulu Royal Family.
KZN Legislature has a very good relationship with the Zulu Royal Family which has spanned several decades.
It is through this relationship that His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini annually delivers an address to the legislature marking the beginning of the legislature calendar.
Members and officials of the KZN Legislature will keep the Zulu Royal Family in their prayers through this difficult period.
Ends
Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit
For more information please contact Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532