Media Statement

For immediate release

Date: 28 October 2024

COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEGAL COSTS BEING INCURRED BY THE KZN DEPARTMENT OF COGTA

The Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature CoGTA Portfolio Committee, Honourable Marlaine Nair, on behalf of the committee, expressed concern following recent media reports about the legal battles involving the KZN CoGTA and councilors from various municipalities.

The chairperson has this to say “There are already serious budget constraints in this department and so the department incurring costs for legal battles is a definite concern.  The purpose of CoGTA is to support and capacitate municipalities. This becomes difficult when relations between the spheres are strained”.

“It is important that municipalities co-operate with the CoGTA Department and the MEC, and that both municipalities and the department work together to strengthen relations and put the people of KZN first. It is important that conflicts and misunderstandings are resolved through mediation and dialogue in an amicable way without ending up in the courts,” said the Honourable Nair.

It is imperative that the budget of the department is spent on improving the lives of our citizens, rather than on legal fees.  The CoGTA Portfolio Committee will raise these important concerns with the MEC and department in our oversight meetings.

Ends

Issued by : CoGTA Committee Chairperson – Hon. Marlaine Nair

Cell:     072 692 8963

MEDIA ADVISORY

 TO:  ALL MEDIA    

28 OCTOBER 2024

SUBJECT: TRIPARITE WOMEN’S CAUCUS SUMMIT TO BE CO-HOSTED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE AND THE DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (DPP)- ‘’EMPOWER HER ‘’ AT THE PREMIER HOTEL – UMHLANGA DURBAN – 30 OCTOBER 2024

The “Empower HER” – a Tripartite Women’s Caucus Summit is a ground-breaking initiative that brings together three prominent women’s legislative caucuses from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province. This unique summit is born out of a shared commitment to advancing women’s rights, empowerment, and political involvement in the region. It aims to create a powerful platform for collaboration, exchange, and joint action to overcome shared challenges and promote gender equality across borders.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the role women play in driving positive social transformation and sustainable development. Women’s caucuses have emerged as powerful advocates for gender equality, human rights, and inclusive governance. These caucuses serve as platforms for women leaders from diverse political backgrounds to come together, strategize, and advocate for policies that address the unique challenges faced by women in society.  The Tripartite Women’s Caucus Summit is inspired by the success of previous exchange visits between the KwaZulu Natal Multi-Party Caucus and the Malawi Women’s Caucus, where candid discussions on challenges and achievements laid the groundwork for further collaboration. It is now time to expand this partnership to other countries and this year it will include the Zimbabwe Women’s Caucus. Leveraging the strengths of all three caucuses will create a united and formidable force for women’s empowerment.

The summit will provide a safe and inclusive space for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and mentorship, empowering young women leaders and inspiring the next generation to break free from traditional gender stereotypes, social, political and economic barriers that hinder women’s ability to not only lead with confidence but lead effectively. Through EmpowerHER, the caucuses seek to pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive society, where women’s voices are amplified, their contributions celebrated, and their rights safeguarded. By consolidating efforts and forming a strong regional alliance, the summit aims to foster sustainable change and lay the foundation for a future where women’s empowerment is at the forefront of the region’s development agenda.

Objectives:

• Create a platform for the Zimbabwe Women’s Caucus, Malawi Women’s Caucus, and KwaZulu Natal Multi-Party Women’s Caucus to share experiences, challenges, and success stories in advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and joint initiatives to amplify the influence and impact of women’s caucuses in the region.
• Develop strategies for enhancing women’s political participation, representation, and leadership in decision-making processes.
• Strengthen partnerships with development partners, civil society organizations, and government institutions to support women’s empowerment initiatives.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE HEREBY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS SUMMIT

Issued by Communications Unit –   KZN Legislature. 

Sina Nxumalo – Senior Manager: Communications – 082 906 0449    –   NXUMALOW@kznleg.gov.za

TO ALL MEDIA

18 September 2024

SUBJECT: MULTIPARTY DELEGATION OF KZN LEGISLATURE MEMBERS TO VISIT ILEMBE DISTRICT AND HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS TO MONITOR SERVICE DELIVERY ON 19 – 20 SEPTEMBER 2024                                             

The Multiparty delegation of Members of KZN Legislature will undertake its oversight role in all local municipalities to assess the state of service delivery in local municipalities under ILembe District and engage with communities on the challenges and obstacles to service delivery in their communities.

Several government projects that have been implemented in ILembe District will be visited which will include, unfinished projects, infrastructure affected by recent floods and completed projects. These are, housing, water infrastructure, bridges, museums, community development centers, farming, roads, schools, community halls etc.

The programme is a frontrunner to the Taking Legislature to the People programme that will take place at the end of October. The Legislature will ultimately call on MECS to account to the citizens at the Taking Legislature to the People programme to be held at the end of October.

Members of the Legislature (MPLs) are divided up into various multiparty teams across the district. Attached is the list of projects and the deployed Members.

The media is invited to cover the visits and media interviews are welcomed.

Issued by Communications Unit
KZN Legislature.

Wesley Canham
Senior Practitioner: Media Liaison

0833767299
Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

MEDIA ALERT
TO ALL MEDIA
7 August 2024
Subject: The Legislature holds 2024 Women’s Parliament Sitting

From 7 to 8 August 2024 in Bergville Indoor Sport Centre Women from political parties represented in the Legislature will engage in Commissions to discuss issues that are of concern to women in general. These issues include opportunities for women in transport and logistics sector, Department of Social Development’s plan to respond to brutal effects of violence against women and its strategies to deal with perpetrators, the SAPS’ intervention plans in dealing with problems of drugs in society, etc.

The Constitution of the Republic places an obligation on the Provincial Legislature to involve all sectors of society in the governance of the province and to give them a platform to raise issues that affect them. This year’s Women’s Parliament takes place under the theme:

“Celebrating 30 years of Democracy: Accelerate Equity and strengthen women Development”.

The Premier of the Province, Members of the Provincial Executive and MPLs will also attend the Sitting to listen to the issues that will be raised by women of KwaZulu-Natal. The Legislature will use the information gained from this sector engagement to enhance its oversight and law-making function.

For more information contact:

Wesley Canham Senior
Practitioner: Media Liaison
0833767299
Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

Media Statement

For immediate release

Date: 15 July 2024

COGTA CHAIRPERSON EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO VICTIMS OF VELD FIRES IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Newly elected chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature COGTA Portfolio Committee, Honourable Marlaine Nair, on behalf of the committee, wishes to express sincere condolences to all victims of the recent veld fires that are ravaging some parts of the province.

“Our condolences go out to the families, friends and colleagues of those fire fighters who tragically lost their lives whilst fighting the runaway veld fires in the Boston area, near Mpophomeni in the Midlands. These were selfless fire fighters who bravely risked their lives to try and contain a fire that would have destroyed neighbouring homes”.

“We also extend our sincere condolences to the families in Eshowe under King Cetshwayo District, who lost their family members from these runaway veld fires that recently hit Umlalazi Municipality especially the rural areas. Also, the loss of life in Kenville informal settlement in Ethekwini as a result of fire that gutted down many informal houses in the area”.

“During this sad time, we pray for comfort and strength to their loved ones. We also keep in our thoughts and prayers those fire fighters that are in critical condition, fighting for their lives. Sincere condolences also go out to all those who have lost family and friends in the devastating fires that have raged across Kwa-Zulu Natal” the chairperson concluded.

As part of COGTA committee’s oversight role, the committee will in the days ahead convene a meeting with the COGTA Department to get a full report on what exactly went wrong and ascertain whether these deaths may have been prevented. It is imperative that every possible measure must be put in place to prevent the loss of life in the future.

Ends

Issued by:

CoGTA Committee Chairperson – Hon. Marlaine Nair

Cell:    072 692 8963

Induction Programme 2024_updated on 05July2024_ 1 Download

MEMBERS OF THE KZN LEGISLATURE
DATE: 05th JULY 2024
Dear Members
SECOND SITTING AND INDUCTION PROGRAMME INFORMATION

I draw the attention of members to the above-mentioned matter.

Honourable Members are advised that the 02nd Sitting of the KZN Legislature will be held next week on Tuesday, 09 July 2024 at the Chamber. Thereafter the Induction programme will continue on Thursday, 11 July and Friday 12 July 2024. All activities will commence at 09h00. Please refer to the attached Legislature Programme for next week.

Members are requested to be seated by 08H50 so that all activities will start timeously.

Members who reside outside the radius of 200kms per single trip and need to be accommodated by the Legislature are requested to kindly alert the Legislature by contacting and communicating accommodation requests to Ms Nokuthula Makhanya on mobile 083 263 3296 or send an email to her on: makhanyan@kznleg.gov.za.

We trust that the Members will find this in order,

Sitting and Induction Programme Information Download

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL, HONOURABLE MR A.T. NTULI

On behalf of the KwaZulu Natal Legislature, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on your inauguration as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. As the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature I salute you on this historic day.

I was humbled to have witnessed your inauguration this morning and subsequently; the appointment of Members of the Executive Council set out below: –
a) Economic development – Musa Zondi (IFP)
b) Cogta – Thulasizwe Buthelezi (IFP)
c) Health – Nomagugu Simelane (ANC)
d) Social Development – Mbali Shinga (NFP)
e) Public Works – Lucas Meyer (DA)
f) Finance – Francois Rogers (DA)
g) Agriculture – Thembeni Madlopha Mthethwa (IFP)
h) Transport and human settlements – Siboniso Duma (ANC)
i) Education – Sipho Hlomuka (ANC)
j) Sports, Arts and Culture – Mntomuhle Khawula (IFP).

I send my heartfelt congratulations to each individual MEC, particularly Honourable MEC for Public Works Lucas Meyer, a renowned activist for the LGBTQIA+ community. I regard this appointment as a practical demonstration of your commitment to hitherto vulnerable groups in our society. This indeed signals a new beginning of unity and inclusivity for the people of our Province. It can only bode well for accountable government, peace, prosperity and accelerated service delivery.

I am further mindful that your inauguration coincides with 30 years of democratic dispensation, and it is equally apt that you have been tasked with a crucial responsibility of leading our government of Provincial Unity.

I am humbled that all the arms of State are properly constituted in our province following the swearing in of all Members of the Legislature on Friday, 14th June, and your inauguration on 18th June supported by our independent judiciary under the leadership of the Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court Judge Thoba Portia Poyo-Dlwati, who has carried her constitutional duties leading to and up to your inauguration with due diligence.
ISISHAYAMTHETHO SAKWAZULU-NATAL
KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINSIALE WETGEWER

As the KZN Legislature, we stand ready to work with you, Premier and the entire executive council in promoting peace and stability in our province whilst upholding our constitutional mandate of robust oversight, effective law-making and participatory democracy.
I am confident that under your leadership, our provincial government is destined to reach even greater heights.
With warmest personal regards.
Hon N.N Boyce
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker