The Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature joins hands with the LGBTQIA+ community, activists, and allies across South Africa in strongly condemning the recent homophobic remarks made by Mr Ngizwe Mchunu. These comments, made in response to a same-sex customary marriage, undermine the dignity and equality of individuals and stand in direct conflict with the values enshrined in our Constitution.

As the Preamble of the Constitution reminds us, South Africa is founded on the principles of human rights, equality, and dignity for all. The Bill of Rights makes it clear that all people are equal before the law and are protected against unfair discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation. It affirms that everyone has inherent dignity, which must be respected and protected, and it safeguards the cultural rights of all South Africans to participate freely in their traditions. This includes the LGBTQIA+ community, who are entitled to honour their heritage, celebrate their love, and live openly without fear or prejudice.

It must be emphasised that culture belongs to all who live it. It is not stagnant, nor does it belong to a select few who seek to exclude others. Love, tradition, and dignity are rights shared equally by all, including same-sex couples.

KwaZulu-Natal has tragically seen some of the most horrific killings of LGBTQIA+ communities in South Africa. Families continue to mourn loved ones who have been brutally targeted simply because of who they are or whom they love. It is against this painful backdrop that Mr Mchunu’s remarks are especially dangerous. His words do not exist in isolation, they fuel an environment of hate, legitimise prejudice, and embolden acts of violence. When public figures spread homophobia, they directly contribute to the culture of fear and the rise of hate crimes that already scar our province.

In fulfilling our constitutional duty, it is important to note that Section 114 of the Constitution states: “The provincial legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial executive organs of state in the province are accountable to it; and to maintain oversight of the exercise of provincial executive authority in the province, including the implementation of legislation.” In line with this provision, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has worked with LGBTQIA+ organisations to fight hate crimes and killings, while advancing inclusivity, equality, and the protection of rights. Through platforms such as the LGBTQIA+ Symposium, we have created spaces for dialogue between government, communities, and civil society to ensure that the voices of LGBTQIA+ communities are heard in shaping laws and policies.

Remarks such as those made by Mr Mchunu are not only divisive but constitute hate speech as defined in law. The recently signed Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 2023 makes it a criminal offence to intentionally publish, propagate, advocate, or communicate words that incite harm, promote hatred, or discriminate against others on the basis of sexual orientation. This law recognises what communities in KwaZulu-Natal already know too well: that hate speech does not end with words, it creates an environment on which hate crimes and killings occur. In a province where LGBTQIA+ lives are already under attack, such speech cannot be tolerated, excused, or dismissed.

We therefore call for accountability and urge institutions such as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for Gender Equality to intervene decisively. The matter must be reported to the SAHRC, which has the mandate to investigate and assist complainants in approaching the Equality Court. The Equality Court, under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, is a vital instrument to hold individuals accountable for acts of hate and to protect the rights of marginalised communities. As part of our constitutional oversight, the Legislature will follow up with these institutions to ensure that action is taken.

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature also supports the demand that Mr Mchunu issue a public apology to the LGBTQIA+ community, undergo sensitivity and inclusivity training, and commit to acts of solidarity and kindness toward queer people. Legal accountability must follow, because constitutional rights cannot be undermined without consequence.

We call on all leaders, traditional leadership, cultural custodians, and our communities to reject hate and stand firm in defence of human rights. True African culture is rooted in ubuntu, humanity, compassion, and respect. Any attempt to weaponise culture against others is a distortion of its true essence.

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature remains committed to protecting the human rights of all citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable to violence and discrimination. Together, we must build a province and a country where dignity, equality, and respect are not negotiable, but guaranteed realities for all.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Phathisa Mfuyo – Media Liaison Officer, KZN Legislature Office of the Speaker
Tel: 081 021 5111

Joined by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mmabatho Tembe, the Speaker highlighted the strong partnership between the two regions, built on trade, investment, and cultural exchange and encouraged greater collaboration in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

Hon. Boyce reminded guests that the Mid-Autumn Festival is a symbol of unity and shared prosperity, reflecting the spirit of connection that continues to strengthen ties between KwaZulu-Natal and China. 

MEDIA STATEMENT

02 October 2025

SCOPA EXPRESSES DISSAPOINTMENT OVER WORSENING AUDIT OUTCOMES IN KZN

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is alarmed by the Auditor-General of South Africa’s (AGSA) 2024/25 audit which reveals worsening governance, financial mismanagement and service delivery failures across several provincial government departments.

In terms of Audit Regression, only six departments received clean audits – down from nine the previous year. Meanwhile, three audits – Ithala Development Finance Corporation, Ithala SOC Ltd and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZN) – remain outstanding.

In terms of Unauthorised, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure, the AGSA report reflected the following;

• Education incurred R521 million in unauthorised expenditure
• Health disclosed R2.34 billion in irregular expenditure, with a further R2.3 billion under assessment and;
• Human Settlements recorded R492 million in irregular expenditure.

Furthermore, 18 Material Irregularities (MIs) were identified, with R280 million in financial losses, with 94% of these only acted upon after AGSA intervention. Notably, KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) failed to resolve a R1.2 billion irregular National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contract that left learners unfed.

In the key area of Procurement Failures, 75% of departments had material procurement findings. Awards were made to suppliers linked to employees and family members, including R64.9 million in related-party contracts. KZN’s departments of Education, Health and Transport were among the worst affected.

Infrastructure Failures fared no better with all 16 audited projects delayed – some by over a decade. A total of R827million in cost overruns and R199 million in fruitless expenditure were recorded. Examples of this dire situation include;

• Dingukwazi School near Pongola, with a 46-month delay on completion with poor workmanship to boot
• Thukela district, where only 15 of 300 houses in the Fitty Park Housing Project have been completed and;
• The Klein Boesman River Bridge in Wembezi, which is four years behind schedule, leaving residents to navigate the bridge with unsafe temporary access.

The AGSA briefing also revealed a serious IT governance collapse with Education having 152 659 learner records without ID numbers and 4 617 deceased learners still on the system. Health, Transport and Public Works and Infrastructure also showed poor IT project execution, outdated systems and cybersecurity risks.

In terms of non–financial performance, service delivery failures were strikingly evident. Despite full budget spend, four departments underperformed as follows:

• Education with 71% of textbooks delivered on time despite a 100% target
• Health with a 57% achievement on district health targets
• Transport with only 50% of infrastructure targets met and;
• Human Settlements with only 30% of housing targets achieved.

Grave concern has been expressed in terms of the state’s liability to handle claims against it by departments such as Transport, Health and Education, amounting to R15billion. In fact, 62% of departments failed to pay creditors within 30 days, resulting in R9billion in accruals.

In light of these findings, KZN SCOPA will be summoning the following departments to appear during the October 2025 hearings:

• Department of Education
• Department of Health
• Department of Transport
• Department of Human Settlements
• Department of Public Works
• Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)
• Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and;
• Department of Social Development

Hearings will focus on audit regressions, unresolved material irregularities, infrastructure failures, and the lack of consequence management.

SCOPA will not allow a culture of impunity to persist and will demand accountability, enforce compliance and ensure that public funds are used to deliver quality services to the people of KZN.

ISSUED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF SCOPA, HONOURABLE TIMOTHY BRAUTESETH

Honourable Brauteseth can be reached on 0837664657

MEDIA STATEMENT

2 October 2025

SOUTH AFRICA HAS AN AGEING POPULATION THAT MUST ALWAYS BE PROTECTED, EMPOWERED AND VALUED, SAYS KZN LEGISLATURE DEPUTY SPEAKER

South Africa has an ageing population which requires better coordinated efforts towards strengthening the capacity of senior citizens to play a more meaningful role in society, KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Deputy Speaker Honourable Mmabatho Tembe said today.

She was speaking during the handover of gardening implements, seeds and seedlings to Imizamo Yabadala Senior Citizens Club, a non-profit organisation comprising of more than 50 senior citizens in Umdoni Municipality. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Senior Citizens Parliament currently taking place in Umzinto Town Hall today.

Tembe said that demography gave an awareness of the fact that the number of people aged 60 and over would double by 2050, and the proportion of the population aged above 60 will rise from about 9.8% in 2022 to 15.4% by 2050.

“These trends tell us that our elderly South Africans will face vulnerabilities such as poverty, food insecurity if we don’t start implementing programmes and policies aimed at ensuring that they are protected and valued. That is why the legislature will continue having social responsibility programmes like the one we have today,” added Tembe.

She said that it was important for senior citizens to be empowered because they face financial hardship as they share their small income with their intergenerational households, adding that some had become primary care givers for orphaned grandchildren due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Deputy Chairperson of Imizamo Yabadala Senior Citizens Club, Mr Khalesakhe Gumede, said that the donation from the legislature would assist their organisation to produce vegetables to feed their families.

“Empowerment and donations enable us to continue being actively involved in passing on society’s knowledge, values and norms from generation to generation. With all our contemporary challenges, young people still look up to us as the repositories of tradition, culture, knowledge and skills. With what we have received today, we will also teach our grandchildren how to farm,” said Mr Gumede.

ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe

MEDIA STATEMENT

1 October 2025

KZN COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE RAISES CONCERNS ON AMAKHOSI PENSION FUND

As Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Legislature’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Portfolio Committee, I recognise the vital role of Amakhosi in our communities and support efforts to ensure their dignity in retirement.

However, the approval of new Amakhosi Pension Fund comes at a time when CoGTA has lost its clean audit, failed to pay creditors on time, and municipalities across KZN are collapsing under financial strain and poor service delivery. Public dissatisfaction is growing as communities continue to face failing water, electricity, roads, and basic governance.

As a committee, we have continually called for greater oversight and stronger support to municipalities but have repeatedly been told that this was not possible due to budget constraints. It is therefore of great concern to us that resources are now being directed to a new initiative of this scale.

The approval of the new Amakhosi Pension Fund raises serious questions. The Committee will raise these matters with the MEC at a special portfolio committee meeting where he has committed to answer all questions relating to traditional leadership.

Our key concerns are as follows:

1. Where is the money coming from?

CoGTA is under austerity and has already taken budget cuts. We need clarity on how this pension and medical scheme will be funded.

2. Is it sustainable?

Traditional leadership wages were once an unfunded mandate, later covered by Treasury. We must not repeat this mistake with another unfunded commitment.

3.    What about municipalities?

Oversight, disaster management, and township rehabilitation are already under-funded. Municipalities are failing, service delivery is collapsing, and communities are increasingly dissatisfied with government’s inability to provide basic services.

4. Audit regression.

The Auditor-General has reported that CoGTA lost its clean audit because it failed to pay creditors within 30 days. If the department cannot manage existing obligations, how will it manage new financial commitments?

5. Transparency.

The Committee requires a full business case: scheme rules, contribution model, medical benefit costs, and the financial forecasts that show whether the fund is affordable in the long term.

The Committee stresses that while it respects Amakhosi and support their welfare, it cannot ignore the reality that municipalities are failing, and service delivery is at an all-time low. Supporting Amakhosi is important, but it cannot be done at the expense of fixing our municipalities, strengthening oversight, and restoring basic services to our people.

ISSUED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTTEE, HONOURABLE MARLAINE NAIR

Honourable Nair can be reached on 0726928963

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
30 SEPTEMBER 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE TO HOST ITS ANNUAL SENIOR CITIZENS PARLIAMENT IN UMDONI MUNICIPALITY

In line with its Constitutional mandate of facilitating public involvement in the legislative and other processes of the Legislature as provided for in Section 118 of the Constitution, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature will host its annual Senior Citizens Parliament in Umdoni Municipality under Ugu District to provide older persons with a platform to raise issues that affect them.

The Senior Citizens Parliament to be held on 02 October 2025 will take place after the United Nations International Day for Older Persons which is celebrated on 01 October the world over.

The Senior Citizens Parliament will be held under the theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being and Our Rights”. Participants in the event are older persons who represent senior citizens from all districts of KZN including the Metro and representatives from all political parties that are represented in the Legislature.

The Senior Citizens Parliament will form commissions that will discuss the following issues that are of interest to older persons:

• Inadequate healthcare facilities for senior citizens.
• Inadequate housing facilities for senior citizens.
• Challenges that are brought by the Social Security Agency.
• How to bridge the gap to reduce the growing digital divide among senior citizens.

The event will be attended by Members of the Legislature, Premier and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) to engage with the delegates and listen to the issues that concern them. The Senior Citizens Parliament will finally adopt a set of resolutions that will be processed and overseen by the relevant Legislature committee and then forwarded to the provincial government for implementation.  

The event is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date:               Thursday, 02 October 2025

Venue:            Umzinto Town Hall, Umdoni Municipality

Time:              9h00

The media is invited to the event.

For more information, please contact Sina Nxumalo, Communications Manager

Cell: 0829060449

ENDS

Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, joined the TVET College Cook-Off Challenge grand finale at La Lucia Ridge.

This exciting event brought together talented culinary students from TVET colleges across South Africa, showcasing their skills and creativity in the kitchen.

Speaker Congratulated Nqolokazi Mciza from King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College in the Eastern Cape, the overall winner of the Cook-Off Challenge beating contestants from other provinces. 

#KZNLegislature #kznmpls #TVETCookOffChallenge 

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Learners from across Ezinqoleni came out in numbers to attend the Speaker’s Social Responsibility Career Exhibition Expo, held at Dlovinga Community Hall. The event brought together government departments, tertiary institutions, private sector companies, and development agencies to provide career guidance and empower young people with knowledge that will help shape their futures.

Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, said: “This programme is critical in shaping the future of our learners. In many of the schools I have visited in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality through the Legislature’s Civic Education Programme, I have seen how some learners still struggle with subject choice — and how many end up choosing subjects that will not serve them when they finish school. Through this initiative, we aim to reach as many high schools as possible, and hopefully make a lasting difference in the lives of our young people.”

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Hon. Zuko Godlimbi, emphasised the link between subject choices and career success. He said: “The choices you make today about which subjects to study will determine the doors that open for you tomorrow. We want you to be deliberate, to think about the future, and to take subjects that will place you in fields where South Africa needs you most. To encourage you further, I am committing to donate 10 laptops to learners who will submit essays explaining the work of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. I look forward to seeing your submissions.”

Also in attendance was Mr Walter Tebogo Letsie, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education in Parliament, who interacted with learners and addressed some of their questions.

The Expo was a collaboration, with institutions such as NSFAS,the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the National Youth Development Agency. Home Affairs also provided on-site services, assisting learners and community members with ID applications.

To close off the event, the Speaker hosted a Civic Education Quiz, where learners competed for prizes that included laptops, tablets, school bags and power banks, further reinforcing the link between knowledge, participation, and empowerment.

Through this programme, the Hon. Boyce continues to demonstrate her commitment to ensuring that rural learners, who often lack career guidance resources, have access to information, opportunities, and role models that can help them thrive in a changing economy. Working with sponsors and partners, the Career Exhibition Expo will be hosted annually, ensuring that learners continue to benefit from this important initiative.

Issued by the Office of the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature

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