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.

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For more information, contact:

W Canham

Senior Communications Officer:

Media Liaison and Publications

KZN Legislature

033-3557 559/ 0833767299

Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

On 2 April 2018, the country heard the sad news of the passing of struggle stalwart and former Member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She was among the great icons of the liberation struggle who sacrificed everything in the fight against the brutal apartheid state.

In her dedication to the people of South Africa during the darkest days of apartheid and her tenacity to create a society free from racial oppression, she was affectionately referred to as the “Mother of the Nation”.

Mama Winnie is revered by millions of South Africans and her role in our liberation is undeniable. While she was not without flaws, her life must be viewed in the context of the repressive conditions and apartheid brutality at the time.

Mama Winnie was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on 26 September 1936 in the village of Mbongweni in Bizana in the former Transkei. She attended the Shawsbury High School where she matriculated with a first class pass.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared ten days of mourning and a special official funeral. A memorial service will be held for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela on 11 April 2018 at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto and funeral on 14 April 2018 at the Orlando Stadium.

Memorial Service 

The memorial service for Winnie Madikizela Mandela will be held on Wednesday, 11 April 2018,  Orlando Stadium, Soweto.

Funeral Service

The Funeral Service will take place on the Saturday, 14th April 2018, Orlando Stadium, Soweto.  The Burial will take place at Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the National days of mourning from 3rd April to 14th April 2018. In line with this declaration, the National Flag have been flown at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide & at diplomatic missions abroad. This will be observed until the evening of 14 April 2018

Media Accreditation

Members of the media who applied for accreditation for the official memorial service and funeral of the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela are advised to collect their accreditation cards from 08 April 2018 at Nasrec Station.

Each member of the media will be required to personally collect the accreditation card, no mass collection will be allowed.

Details are as follows:

• Day 1: Monday, 9 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
• Day 2: Tuesday, 10 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
• Day 3: Thursday, 12 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg
• Day 4: Friday, 13 April 2018, from 8h30 – 18h00 at Nasrec, Prasa station, Johannesburg

NB: You are required to bring your Identity documents, ID Book, passport and Press Card or letter from the editor when collecting accreditation and also at the event.

Media accreditation enquiries:
Ishmael Selemale
Cell: 061 790 5114

Ireen Magwai
Cell: 082 440 5676

Condolence books

South Africans have been invited to pay their respects to Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela by signing the condolence books which will be placed at various sites across the country.

Condolence books will be placed at:

• International Ports of Entry (airports)
• DIRCO Head Office at the OR Tambo Building in Pretoria
• Parliament
• Tuynhuys
• The Union Buildings
• Department of Arts and Culture
• Department of Communication (GCIS Head office)
• All Provincial Legislatures
• All Premier’s Offices
• Masilonyana Local Municipality offices, Brandfort
• Mbizana Local Municipality
• KSD Local Municipality, Mthatha

The PPP Committee will tomorrow, 19 February 2018, in uMhlathuze Council Chamber Richardsbay hold a meeting with two Khoza clans to find a solution to a disputed tombstone erected in Eshowe.

The two parties involved in the matter are Khoza from Eshowe and Khoza from Ulundi. Both of these groups claim that Inkosi Ntshingwayo KaMahole belong to them. The group from Ulundi are in possession of the family tree in support of their claim.  A petition was therefore received late last year by the Legislature from Mr Zwelabo Khoza requesting the Legislature to intervene in the matter pertaining to the tombstone of the late Inkosi Ntshingwayo KaMahole Khoza.

In a meeting of the 23 January 2018, the PPP Committee led by its Chairperson Hon EV Dube resolved that a meeting has to be convened between the two parties and that the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs should be invited to this meeting. It is anticipated that Cogta will make its representation to this long standing dispute between the two.

Media is welcome to attend.

For more information please contact:

Sina Nxumalo

Manager: Communications

KZN Legislature

Cell: 082 906 0449

nxumalow@kznleg.gov.za

On the 6 February 2018 the Portfolio Committee on Transport led by its Chairperson Hon. Ntombikayise Sibhidla -Saphetha conducted oversight in the Newcastle RTI Offices and Driving license Testing Centre. The inspection covered how the centre functions and interaction with members of the members of the public who use these facilities took place to get the first hand information around treatment they receive, staff conduct, and the facility itself. Members of the Committee were quite happy with what they had seen and applauds the work done for instance to ensure that technology is installed to prevent any corrupt activities that may be associated with drivers’ licencing and bribery.

Later on the day at about 10h00 at the Newcastle Municipal Chamber, the Department of Transport and its MEC, Hon Mxolisi Kaunda delivered the department’s Annual Performance Plan to the Committee, which included amongst other issues the 2017/18 third quarter expenditure and performance report, Update report on the handover of Leaner Transport, report on the Vukuzakhe Turnaround Strategy, a report on uMnambithi Public Transport system. Members were taken through the facility by the senior official in the department Mr Victor Chetty.

Members of the Portfolio Committee concluded their oversight at the RTI offices.

The Chairperson makes a follow up question to Mr Victor Chetty, the Director of the RTI directorate at Head Office.

Mr Chetty demonstrates the effectiveness of technology installed in the Centre.

Hon Duma, a Mmeber of the Committee had his eys tested during this visit and he scored 100% whe was presented with this machine, as he answered all the questions correct.

The Department through its MEC Hon Kaunda tables its reports top the Committee at the Chamber in Newcastle