Media Advisory

Date: 20 November 2024

KZN LEGISLATURE’S PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT AT ENYOKENI PALACE CULTURAL PRECINCT

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee will conduct an oversight visit at eNyokeni Palace in Nongoma on Friday 22 November 2024.This is part of the committee’s oversight work over the provincial Department of Public Works.

The visit to eNyokeni will begin with the committee meeting which will be held at the Old Legislature Precinct at 9am before moving to eNyokeni in Nongoma to inspect construction progress on the precinct. The precinct includes accommodation and ablution facilities for maidens when they are attending the Reed Dance.

The committee will also visit eNkonjeni hospital in Ulundi which has also been undergoing renovations including upgrading of maternity complex and mothers’ lodge. The committee will be led by Chairperson Honourable Nhlanhla Msimango.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Public Works Portfolio Committee

For more information please contact Committee Media Liaison Practitioner Mr Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532.

Media Statement

Date: 05 November 2024

KZN LEGISLATURE’S HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE SADDENED BY DAMAGE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINS IN UMSUNDUZI MUNICIPALITY

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Chairperson of Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, Dr Andile Biyela, is saddened by the destruction and loss caused by the ongoing torrential rains which have left dozens of families in the Umsunduzi municipality homeless.

More than 10 wards in Umsunduzi municipality were affected by the heavy rains and thunderstorm of the past few days. Areas affected include Swanzwili, eMadamini, Ashdown, Dambuza, Central and Northern areas.

Biyela has however commended the local municipality’s Disaster Management teams for their swift response saying had it not been for their intervention lives could have been lost.

Last night officials from the Human Settlements Department and Umsunduzi’s Disaster Management teams were still assessing the damage caused to various structures including homes, a hospital and a school.

Biyela said the portfolio committee will monitor the developments and the Department of Human Settlements’ intervention.

“Looking at the situation on the ground they maybe families who may have to be moved from their residences because of the extent of the damage. The department and the municipality might have to consider temporal shelter whilst those families are still rebuilding their structures,” said Biyela.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Human Settlements Portfolio Committee

For more information please contact Committee Chairperson Dr Andile Biyela at 0827160661

Media Advisory

Date: 29 October 2024

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE TO HOLD ITS TAKING LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE PROGRAMME IN ILEMBE DISTRICT

From 31 October to 01 November 2024, KZN Legislature will be holding a two-day sitting at Sibusisiwe Hall in Mandeni Local Municipality under ILembe District as part of its flagship programme of Taking the Legislature to the People.

The programme will provide the people of ILembe with an opportunity to engage directly with Members of the Legislature to raise issues relating to service delivery in their communities. This sitting follows the visits of multiparty teams to all local municipalities under ILembe District which took place at the beginning of October to inspect projects that have been implemented by national, provincial and local governments to improve service delivery in ILembe District which were followed by public meetings with communities.

ILembe District was chosen as the recipient district of the 2024 multiparty oversight and the Taking Legislature to the People programme to track progress on the implementation of the NDP priorities by all three spheres of government. The Legislature will also use the programme to provide the people of ILembe with feedback on how government is improving service delivery in the district. The Premier and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) will all participate in the TLTP to provide reports on how the provincial government is implementing service delivery programmes in communities within ILembe District.

Ends

Issued by Communications Unit

KZN Legislature

For more information, contact

Sina Nxumalo

Cell:  0829060449

Wonder Hlongwa

Cell:  082 908 3532

Nomusa Phungula

Cell:  071 851 0085

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