10 March 2026

Media Advisory

The Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee will undertake an oversight visit to three sites in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality. This is part of the committee’s oversight exercise over the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and its entities.

The three sites are: Owen Sithole Agricultural College, Fresh Produce Agri-Hub and Arms Don Trading (Vegetable Nursery).
• At Owen Sithole Agricultural College, the committee will be going there to assess the status quo of the infrastructure upgrades. These include upgrading the existing sewer system, electrical reticulation, and installing new boreholes and generators to ensure the proper functioning of the college.
• The committee will visit this site to assess the status of the Fresh Produce Agric-Hub, including the progress and challenges that have been experienced so far.
• Arms Don Trading is a small-scale nursery specialising in vegetables, indigenous plants, and fruit trees, located in the Macekane area under Inkosi Mthembu. It produces vegetable seedlings. However, due to the sensitive nature of these seedlings, the farmer applied for and secured funding to construct tunnels where they will be cultivated. Currently, the service provider is on-site, overseeing the construction and erection of four greenhouses. The committee will visit the site to evaluate the progress.

Details of the visit are as follows:
Date: 11 March 2026
Time: 9 am
Venue: Owen Sithole Agricultural College
Ends
Issued by KZN Legislature Communications Unit.
For more information and interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Communications Practitioner, Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532

KZN LEGISLATURE COMMEMORATES COMMONWEALTH DAY

On Monday the 09^th of March, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature will join the rest of the Commonwealth in recognising Commonwealth Day.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday in March by the 56 member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 2026, Commonwealth Day will be observed on Monday, 9 March 2026, across all Commonwealth countries.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is: “Unlocking Opportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”

The day provides an opportunity for member countries to reflect on collective progress and strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit. The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature joins the global Commonwealth community in commemorating Commonwealth Day, reaffirming our shared commitment to democracy, cooperation, development and inclusive prosperity. Furthermore, as an Institution that upholds democratic principles and public participation, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is well-positioned to commemorate this day by promoting civic awareness, youth engagement and international solidarity.

The day will be marked by the display of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) flags, the display of Commonwealth books in the Chamber foyer, and the playing of the Commonwealth Anthem on KZN Legislature TV screens.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit

For more information, please contact Mr. Sina Nxumalo at 0829060449

DEBATE ON THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS

Media Advisory

Members of the KZN Legislature will be debating the State of the Province Address (SOPA) which was delivered by Premier Hon Thami Ntuli last Friday.

SOPA debate is a critical, legally mandated legislative function where opposition and governing parties analyse, critique and challenge the Premier’s policy priorities fostering accountability, ensuring oversight of government performance and shapes the province’s political and economic direction for the upcoming year.

Details of this year’s SOPA debate are as follows:

Date: 03 March 2026

Time: 09am

Venue: Pietermaritzburg City Hall

Ends

Issued by KZN Legislature Communications Unit

For more information please contact Sina Nxumalo at 082 906 0449

Date: 01 March 2026

To: All Media

TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR TRAVELLERS IMPACTED BY UAE AIRPSPACE CLOSURE

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) notes ongoing global flight disruptions due to the evolving situation in the Middle East and the continued closure of United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace.
Travellers scheduled to depart from South African airports to the Middle East and UAE are advised not to proceed to airport precincts until they have confirmed their flight status with their respective airline.
For rebooking and assistance, customers may contact:

•Emirates – www.emirates.com | +971 600 555 555
•Qatar Airways – www.qatarairways.com | +974 4144 5555 or +44 3309 127 416

South African citizens stranded in affected areas should contact the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the nearest South African mission:
Tel: +27 12 351 1000
Email: CICC@dirco.gov.za

Or contact the nearest South African mission.

ACSA continues to monitor developments in coordination with aviation stakeholders. We acknowledge the frustration and anxiety caused by these disruptions and extend our support to all affected travellers.
Travellers are strongly advised to rely on information from official sources. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

//ENDS//

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Ofentse Dijoe
ACSA Group Spokesperson
0727988486

Mediadesk@airports.co.za
Issued by Airports Company South Africa

Short Programme (English & isiZulu) – Download