Newly elected Kwazulu-Natal Legislature Speaker NN Boyce hosted her first sectoral Youth Parliament in Sibongile Township in Endumeni. She welcomed the delegates, who are the parliamentarians of the Youth Sitting, made up of the youth formations of all the political parties represented in the House.

The Speaker encouraged the delegates to hold constructive and vibrant debates under the Theme: “25 Years of Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”.

The Youth Parliament is held over two days, 14 and 15 June 2019. On the first day, the House received an update from MECs on the implementation of resolutions taken at the previous Youth Sittings.

Other topics covered on day one included:

° Centrality of youth in advancing the
agenda of a de-colonized and free
education system;
° Ocean economy: Is the youth
strategically positioned to seize
opportunities?
° Emulating the youth of 1976: Youth
championing the agenda to build a
crime free society and combating
social ills; and
° Expediting land expropriation process
and skilling the youth to ensure
productive use

The delegates thereafter broke into commissions on Social Transformation
(Health; Social Development; Arts and Culture); Social Transformation Cluster2
(Education, Human Settlements and Sports and Recreation) ; Economic Transformation Cluster (Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Transport; Public Works; Agriculture and Rural Development). ; Governance Cluster (Office of the Premier; Local Government and Traditional Affairs) and the Security Cluster (Community Safety and Liaison).
Commissions were held and the resolutions taken in Commissions are recorded, marking the end of day one.

The second day, 15 June 2019, saw delegates and community members being enlightened on Public Interaction and Petitions Awareness followed by an Address by the Premier, Sihle Zikalala.

The Premier highlighted the strides government has taken in uplifting and promoting youth. He also stated that the KZN Cabinet is in the process of rolling out a R50 Million fund for youth owned companies and that this amount has been increased by a further R20 Million.

The last item on the agenda for the second day is the Youth Parliamentarians Debate under the theme.

“25 Years of Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”

Transport Portfolio Committee takes a closer look at the South Africa/Mozambique Border
Concerns have been raised by Umhlabuyalingana community about the cross-border vehicle theft that is rampant on the border between South Africa and Mozambique. This has prompted the Portfolio Committee on Transport to visit the planned project of the department which seeks to respond to this challenge.

“We are here to see how far and what plans have been established to respond to the cross-border crime as it remains our greatest concern as a Portfolio Committee”, said the chairperson of the Committee, Hon Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.

Briefing the Portfolio Committee, the Department of Transport Project Manager, Mr Ndumiso Ndlovu, assured the Committee that the planned project, namely, the Jersey Barrier, includes the construction of the 8km wall along the border line as an initial construction. Responding to questions from members of the Committee, he emphasised that the project will be labour intensive with about 100 jobs to be created for the local people. Various stakeholders have been taken on board, and these include the local Council, Inkosi, suppliers and other relevant government departments.

It was also comforting for members of the Committee to learn that the Defence Force is present to minimise these crimes. However, it came to light that the Defence Force has numerous challenges in curbing these crimes. These include suspected information leaks to criminals regarding the movement of the members of the defence, flocking of civilians between borders and social activities that take place right in the border between South African and Mozambican civilians, the changing of personnel as Defence rotates the deployed of personnel in that area, the limited numbers of members on the ground as only about 47 to man a distance of 20 km etc.

In view of these challenges, the Portfolio Committee resolved to hold further meetings soon to establish amongst others, where the funding for this massive project will come from as was reported. The meeting will further seek to establish whether the funding is sufficient, and to interrogate other decisions that were taken which by the department, according to the Committee leaves it with more questions to ask.

KZN Women United in Moving South Africa Forward

During the two-day Women’s Parliament held on 7 and 8 August at Vulindlela Stadium in the upper Edendale in Umsunduzi Municipality to commemorate the women’s month, women from all political parties represented in the KZN Legislature were unanimous in the fight against gender-based violence and all forms of women and child abuse.

The Women’s Parliament is an annual programme of the KZN Legislature to celebrate the women’s month and to commemorate the Women’s March of 1956 in which women demonstrated their solidarity across racial lines in a bid to end oppressive laws, in particular, the carrying of discriminatory passes which were forced upon them by the apartheid regime.

The commemoration was combined with the celebration of the centenary of the two struggle icons, Mama Albertina Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, who turn 100 years this year.

Delegates went into commissions to discuss and explore various topics which focused on issues affecting women in a society in which they bear the brunt of all forms of abuse and economic exclusion. Commissions which met on the first day until very late, made several recommendations which were tabled at the plenary the following day and later adopted as resolutions of the Women’s Parliament.

In a period where abuse of women is rife, this year’s Women’s Parliament focused on a range of issues affecting ordinary women. Amongst other issues that were up for discussion included the following:
• Eradicating the scourge of gender-based violence.
• The efficacy of current policies and interventions to combat femicide and abuse in general.
• Focus on child marriages and assessment of South Africa’s international obligations, national laws and cultural practices to protect young girls and deliberated on the effects these marriages have on human rights of young girls.
• Patriarchy within the South African Police Service – fact or fiction? This question was discussed against the background of challenges faced by women when reporting cases of rape or other forms of physical abuse at police stations throughout South Africa.

Women resolved that their economic exclusion in various spheres of society remains a challenge to economic emancipation of women, and they have called upon the government to accelerate Radical Socio-Economic Transformation (RSET).

A discussion which they hoped would contribute to the current question of land redistribution took place in which women called for greater access to, and control over economic resources, including land.

The resolutions adopted by the Women’s Parliament will be forwarded to the provincial government for consideration which may ultimately lead to new legislation passed by the Legislature.

On 7 and 8 August 2018, at Vulindlela Stadium in the upper Edendale under Umsunduzi Municipality, women from all political parties represented in the KZN Legislature will converge for their annual women’s parliament. KZN Women, will again this year, commemorate the Women’s March of 1956 in which women demonstrated their solidarity across racial lines in a bid to end the carrying of permits which they were forced by the apartheid regime.

The commemoration will be combined with the celebration of the centenary of Mama Albertina Sisulu and Nelson Mandela. There are a number of activities planned to mark the centenary of the two struggle icons.

In a period where abuse of women is rife, this year’s parliament will amongst other issues discuss and resolve on 1. eradicating the scourge of gender-based violence, 2. reflect on the efficacy of current policies and interventions to combat femicide and abuse in general, 3. focus on the child marriages and assess South Africa’s international obligations, national laws and cultural practices to protect young girls and deliberate on the effects these marriages have on human rights of young girls. 4. Patriarchy within the South African Police Service – fact or fiction? This is the question they hope to unpack against the background of challenges faced by women when reporting cases of rape or other forms of physical abuse at police stations throughout South Africa.

The Women have also resolved that their economic exclusion in various spheres of society remains a challenge to economic emancipation of women, and they have resolved to include discussion on Radical Socio-Economic Transformation (RSET), a discussion which they hope will explore ideas for women to expand access to, and control over economic resources, including land.

The Women’s Parliament remains one of many Legislature’s strategies to broaden public participation of the women’s sectors in order to achieve the legislature’s constitutional mandate, namely, involving various sectors of society in the legislative processes. Women will also use this opportunity to engage the executive arm of government, and articulate issues that concern them as women in society. These issues are forwarded to government in the form of resolutions which may ultimately lead to new legislation passed by the Legislature.

Media representatives are invited to this event.

For more information contact:

W Canham

Snr Practitioner: Media Liaison & Public Relations

KZN Legislature

Tel.    033-3557 559

Cell.   0833767299

Email: Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

Thousands of women have marched on the streets of the KwaZulu-Natal Capital City, Pietermaritzburg to hand over a memorandum demanding an end to gender based violence. This was the beginning of a month-long activities to fight against gender based violence during the women’s month.

They’re demanding government to establish a comprehensive process to address and reduce women abuse in the country. Some women taking part in Wednesday’s march have recalled their harrowing stories. A woman says she’s attended the march to stand in solidarity with all women, especially victims of gender-based violence.

#kznlegislature #insession #TotalShutDown #OurBodyIsNotYourCrimeScene

“I’m here today to support women, myself and all victims of sexual assaults by men, they are killing us, it’s too much now.” said UKZN SCR Deputy President, she also shared a horrifying story of the female UKZN student that was raped by a male classmate. The marchers said government needs to take more drastic steps to stop the scourge in the country. “We are here because we are seeing the rate of femicide and gender-based violence keeps on increasing. And all we ever get is ‘we condemn’ and ‘enough is enough”.

Women from all walks of life have taken part in Wednesday’s march, many wearing black and red – saying they want to send a strong message that “no means no”. Gender activists and groups around the world have pledged their support for Wednesday’s #TotalShutDown marches against women abuse.

The march brought the City of Pietermaritzburg to a standstill on Wednesday‚ as hundreds of women gathered to raise their voices against the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Among those leading the march was Hon Khoza,,chairperson of Premier and Royal Household Portfolio Committee and the Women’s Caucus, together with other MPLs from different political parties that are represented in the KZN Legislature. Among those in the forefront of the march was Bridget Dlamini a retired Legislature employee and champion of gender issues who is known for fighting against all forms of issues affecting women, children and people with disabilities.
Women marched to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in song‚ some holding hands as others hoisted placards above their head, chanting songs and painful slogans like ‘my body is not your crime scene’ – ‘I refuse to die with my hands up and my legs open’

One of the marshals, Hon. Khoza‚ said she hoped the government would institute a specialized court that will deal exclusively with issues of gender-based violence.

The memorandum of demands was read and handed over to Hon. Meshack Radebe, Deputy Speaker of KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, who also made an undertaking to look into all grievances , demands and proposals of the memorandum and committed government to not only listen but take concomitant action that will end this malpractice in our society. “I appeal again to all victims of gender-based violence to come up and not to be shy for fear of victimization and stigmatization and to speak out so that all the perpetrators will be brought into book”.

He also requested the marchers to observe a moment of silent to honour the passing of Mr Brian Thusi, the husband of Hon. Weziwe Thusi the MEC for Social Development, who passed on after a short illness.

On Friday, and Saturday 18 to 19 May 2018 respectively, the three major Federations in KwaZulu-Natal, COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU will hold the annual Workers’ Parliament at Makhasa Sports and Recreation Centre, KwaMduku in Hluhluwe. Workers’ Parliament is one of the Legislature’s public participation programmes, which allows the Legislature to involve the working class sector in matters of governance in the province. According to the Federations these matters for discussions will include,  challenges in accessing CCMA, the Department of Home Affairs, difficulties and challenges posed by Game Reserves for workers and communities in uMkhanyakude District and these are just a few areas of discussions to feature when various Commissions deliberate on the first day of the sitting of the sitting the Parliament Workers’ Parliament on 18 May.

On the second day, 19 May, intense discussions on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage, (which the Federations claim will engage on in honour of the struggle icons, Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu) will take place under the watchful eye of the Speaker of the day. These discussions will lead to the adoption of resolutions that will be forwarded to relevant Committees of the Legislature for further consideration and processing. A debate will also be held in the Chamber by Political parties when the relevant Committee presents the Workers’ Parliament report to the Legislature. For further processing and implementation of the workers’ resolutions, Members of the Executive Council will receive the report and relevant departments are expected to implement and provide progress report on such implementation to the Legislature. The progress report on implementation of this year’s resolutions will again be tabled in the next year’s Workers’ Parliament in a feedback session to the workers by the Executive. The theme to guide the discussions for this year’s Workers Parliament is: “ Implement the National Minimum Wage, in honour of the Centenary of our Struggle Icons, as we build ethical governance and stimulating economic growth”.

Media is invited to take in both the Commissions and the actual sitting on both days.

                                                                                                                                                                        End

For more information, contact:

W Canham

Senior Communications Officer:

Media Liaison and Publications

KZN Legislature

033-3557 559/ 0833767299

Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za