KZN Legislature MPLs conducted multiparty oversight visits in all municipalities under Umgungundlovu District in October ahead of the Taking Legislature to the People scheduled to take place in Umshwathi Municipality at Mpolweni Sport Field on 02 – 03 November 2017.

This innovative programme of the Legislature, enables MPLs to gain first-hand information on the level of service delivery in communities and to hold government to account where there is poor delivery of services.

Citizens have the opportunity to communicate directly with MPLs, Mayors, Councillors and high ranking departmental officials

The Speaker sent Multi-Party delegations to all municipalities in the uMgungundlovu District to listen to the community.

On 5 -6 October, MPLs visited all local municipalities under Umgungundlovu District where public meetings were held with communities to give them an opportunity to raise service delivery concerns. On the next day, MPLs visited various projects and service delivery sites in each municipality to see how communities benefit from them.

Newly developed Tourism centre in Mphophomeni

New museum being built at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site

The Legislature will hold the Taking Legislature to People in Umshwathi municipality to give a report back on the oversight visits and to allow the public to raise further service delivery issues. There will be a sitting of the House where MPLs will debate the oversight report and adopt resolutions to accelerate service delivery in Umgungundlovu District.

MEDIA ALERT

TO ALL MEDIA
DATE: 7 August 2017
SUBJECT: MPLs, MECs, AND DELEGATES MARCH TO VRYHEID POLICE STATION TO MARK THE START OF THE 2017 WOMEN’S PARLIAMENT

The KZN Legislature together with women in the province celebrate the Women’s Month in Vryheid at Mondlo Sports field, Section B on the 10 and 11 August 2017.
Thus, the Annual Women’s Parliament will be held over these two days, under the theme “Women United in Pursuit of Radical Economic Transformation”. It is anticipated that the debate under this theme will be robust as women seek to ensure their participation and ownership of the economy as the country strives for an inclusive economy. “The programme is designed such that women come out of this parliament understanding fully the direction they are supposed to take in order to free themselves from poverty, unemployment and economic inequalities we see in our society”, said Hon VV Tambo, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Quality of Life at the Legislature.

The 10th August will begin with a Peace walk in the streets of Vryheid. This walk is twofold, first, to celebrate the gains of women that were brought about by the Constitution of the Republic. These gains include the laws that were passed since 1994 in support of the rights of women, for example, the Domestic Violence Act, the Maintenance Act, and the Recognition of Customary Marriage Act etc.

Secondly to submit a Petition to the Police station in which Women raise concerns about the discrimination they often suffer in the hands of the police when they try to access SAPS services as victims. This petition will behanded over to the police and the police are expected to respond as a matter of urgency.
This march will be followed by a visit to the Vryheid Prison as delegates of the Women’s Parliament wish to share their celebration with female inmates. A one hour programme has been planned where MECs, MPLs and delegates will interact with female inmates after which the entire delegation will proceed to the first day of the sitting of the Women’s Parliament at Mondlo Sport field, B Section.

Media representatives are invited to these events.

For more information contact:

W Canham
Senior Communications Officer:
Media Liaison and Publications
KZN Legislature
033-3557 559/ 0833767299
Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

The KZN Legislature together with women in the province celebrate the Women’s Month in Vryheid at Mondlo Sports field, Section B on the 10 and 11 August 2017.

Thus, the Annual Women’s Parliament will be held over these two days, under the theme “Women United in Pursuit of Radical Economic Transformation”. It is anticipated that the debate under this theme will be robust as women seek to ensure their participation and ownership of the economy as the country strives for an inclusive economy. “The programme is designed such that women come out of this parliament understanding fully the direction they are supposed to take in order to free themselves from poverty, unemployment and economic inequalities we see in our society”, said Hon VV Tambo, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Quality of Life at the Legislature.

The 10th August will begin with a Peace Walk in the streets of Vryheid, a walk that aims to celebrate the gains of women that were brought about by the Constitution of the Republic. These gains include the laws that were passed since 1994 in support of women, namely, the Domestic Violence Act, the Maintenance Act, and the Recognition of Customary Marriage Act etc. The march will proceed to the Police Station where a Memorandum containing concerns of women will be handed over to the Police.

This march will be followed by a visit to the Vryheid Prison as delegates of the Women’s Parliament wish to share their celebration with female inmates. A one hour programme has been planned where MECs, MPLs and delegates will interact with female inmates after which the entire delegation will proceed to the first day of the sitting of the Women’s Parliament at Mondlo Sport field, B Section.

Media representatives are invited to these events.

For more information contact:
Wesley Canham
Senior Communications Officer:
Media Liaison and Publications
KZN Legislature
033-3557 559/ 0833767299
Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

In this Workers’ Month, the Workers in KwaZulu- Natal will hold their annual Workers’ Parliament in Nombika Sports field in Ndwedwe Local Municipality on the 19 and 20 May 2017. The main focus this year is the celebration of the 20 years of the Constitution. Workers will specifically celebrate what they call are the gains of the working class post 1994. These gains are entrenched in the constitution and these are the rights to strike, the right to form and join a trade union of one’s choice, the right to organise, Entitlement to annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave and Family-responsibility etc. These rights are contained in various Acts which the working class pride themselves of as they are the results of what the workers of this country had fought for. These Acts include the Basic Condition of Employment Act of 1997, Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, The Skills Development Act, Section 23 of the Bill of Rights, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, the Unemployment Fund etc.
These rights are a reminder to workers, that not long ago a south African worker especially non –white, was subjected to various forms of discrimination in the workplace, for example, forced labour, job reservation, migrant labour system etc.

This year the Workers have decided to focus their debates and discussions on the Vulnerable Workers under a theme: “The Struggle for the Control and Ownership of the Economy in favour of Vulnerable Workers is On, as Workers Celebrate 20 years of the Constitution”. The three major Federations in the province, namely, Cosatu, Nactu and Fedusa have jointly embraced the theme and are convinced that discussions around this theme will deliver vulnerable workers from the hardships they face in the workplace. The Federations recalled in a meeting held last week at the Legislature that the exploitation of workers was a feature of life for a South African workers for decades. Apartheid thrived on cheap labour, as workers had to contend with the migrant labour system, passes and influx control, job reservation, and other oppressive laws. Today they celebrate the gains brought about by the scrapping of all apartheid laws in the workplace and society in general. The rights of the workers as entrenched in the constitution are the basis for these celebrations.

The Celebration is set to start off with a march on the 19th May 2017, at 8h30 from Ndwedwe Central Town, and proceed to Nombika Sportsfield. Hundreds of workers are expected to participate in this march, and marchers will display key messages in their placards as they celebrate their constitutional gains. Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) will be part of this march.

Mobilisation of workers across the province has been initiated with Transport made available to ferry workers to the event. Attached is the Programme over the two days of the Workers’ Parliament. Media representatives are invited to cover the event.

End
For more information , contact:
W Canham (Mr)
Senior Communications Officer:
Media Liaison and Publications
KZN Legislature
033-3557 559/ 0833767299
Canhamw@kznleg.gov.za

22 February 2017

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters

From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit

RE: OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KZN LEGISLATURE – ADDRESS BY THE KING AND STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
It’s all systems go for the Official Opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
His Majesty Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini will deliver a keynote address on the 28th February at the Royal Showgrounds.
The King’s address will be followed by the State of the Province Address which will be delivered by Premier Willies Mchunu on Wednesday 1^st of March 2017.
Adding to the glamour and ceremony normally associated with the Official Opening of the Legislature, this year’s event will be characterised by the display of artefacts such as traditional beads, beer pots, shields etc.
This is to assist local craftsman to be able to showcase their workmanship to visitors who will be attending the Official Opening.
Notably, this year instead of having schoolchildren forming a guard of honour for His Majesty, this task will be performed by Zulu maidens and Amabutho on the first day.
Furthermore, His Majesty will be accompanied by his regimen drawn from local and other parts of Nongoma and it will be led by Induna Yezinsizwa, Mr Mgilija.
KZN Legislature endeavours to use this event to put the concept of “Unity in Diversity” into practice through involvement of the people of KwaZulu-Natal as the province remains a remarkable melting pot in the country and it fully subscribes to the notion of equal recognition of cultures.
The two-day event will be broadcast live in various media outlets including community radio stations, mainstream television stations and social media.
Members of the media are invited to attend.
Details of the Official Opening and State of the Province Address are as follows:

Dates : 28 February 2017 and 1st March 2017 (King’s Address and SOPA)
Time   : 9am
Venue : Royal Showgrounds (Pietermaritzburg)

For more information please contact Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532 or Sina Nxumalo 082906 0449.