23 January 2025

Media statement

Attention all media:

KZN SPEAKER VISITS SCHOOLS IN ZULULAND DISTRICT AS PART OF THE SCHOOLS AND MONITORING PROGRAMME

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker Hon. NontembekoBoyce and Zululand District champion and MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane have led a delegation that has visited Zamimpilo Special School and Ivungu High School in ward 2 KwaCeza, under uLundi Municipality,as part of the School Functionality and Monitoring Programme.

Hon, Boyce says, “Part of the objectives of the school functionality is to identify and address functionality challenges facing our schooling system; and provide support in addressing the challenges facing specifically poor-performing schools.”

Having listened to various presentations from management of both schools, as well as various other officials, MEC Simelane added that the relationship between the schools and the Department of Health would need to be strengthened, so that the learners’ needs can be better attended to. 

The two-day School Functionality and MonitoringProgramme focuses on monitoring, evaluating and enabling the effective start of teaching and learningsince the first day of schooling. 

Over the years, the concept has evolved broadened its scope and effectiveness. It now incorporates a number of elements, such as school performance, governance and management, parental involvement, scholar transport, school nutrition, health and social development services, infrastructure development and addressing various social ills. It also ropes in officials from various Government Departments, particularly the social cluster, which is made up of Education, Health, and Social Development.

The programme will continue in earnest tomorrow,where members of the Legislature will visit two more schools in Pongola. 

Ends

For more information please contact:

KZN Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Phathisa Mfuyo

Cell: 0731293378/ 0810215111

Email: mfuyop@kznleg.gov.za

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 JANUARY 2025

MEMBERS OF THE KZN LEGISLATURE URGE UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT TO SHARE BEST PRACTICE ON ACHIEVING EXCELLENT MATRIC RESULTS WITH OTHER DISTRICTS

MEMBERS of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature (MPLs) have heaped praises on the Umkhanyakude District for moving from being the worst performing education district to become one of South Africa’s top performing regions during final matric examinations.

Speaking during the first visit to Umkhanyakude since the district was announced as the top-performing district, MPLs described the region’s meteoric rise as a remarkable achievement that should be emulated. UMkhanyakude achieved an overall matric pass rate of 92.8%.

“Not so long ago, this district was number 75 out of 75 districts in the country. Today it is number three in the entire country, and it is also number one in the province. This shows that the district has a well-oiled strategy which is producing handsome dividends,” said MPL Celiwe Madlopha.

She said the legislature had contributed immensely to KwaZulu-Natal’s education stellar performance by providing effective oversight and identifying barriers to effective learning and teaching.

“Members of the legislature are visiting four schools in Umkhanyakude District today and tomorrow as part of the legislature’s School Functionality Monitoring Programme (SFMP). We are, among other things, monitoring infrastructure challenges that our schools face, the delivery of learner support material, the start of lessons, safety and security. The SFMP is our flagship programme that has helped to resolve many challenges in our schools. We appreciate the support we continue to receive from the provincial Executive and the schools governing bodies as we play our oversight role.”

A comprehensive report will be compiled after today and tomorrow’s school visits and it will be presented in the House for adoption and implementation.

ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE

Bongani Tembe:  082 327 2600

Media Statement

Date: 16 January 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE’S PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE WELCOMES ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT’S TOP OFFICIAL IN THE AWARDING OF OVER R1 BILLION TENDERS TO ONE ENTITY

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee has welcomed the decision by the department’s MEC Martin Meyer to criminally charge a former senior departmental official in alleged tender irregularities.

Public Works Department laid criminal charges earlier this week with the SAPS following the dismissal of a top departmental official who is accused of allegedly facilitating awarding of 29 tenders worth over R1 billion to one entity.

Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Nhlanhla Msimango said the committee will be monitoring developments closely because it has a constitutional mandate of exercising oversight over the department and its entities.

“Any allegation of corruption should be investigated thoroughly and those who are alleged to be involved should face the full might of the law,” said Msimango.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Public Works Portfolio Committee

For more information please contact the Committee’s Media Practitioner Mr Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532.

SUBJECT: COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO HOST A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE BHAMBANANA HALL IN JOZINI MUNICIPALITY, MKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT ON FRIDAY, 17 JANUARY 2025

The Stakeholder Engagement Session will take place at the eBhambanana Hall in eJozini Municipality which falls under the Mkhanyakude District and will receive reports and presentations from Senior Management Officials of the KZN Department of COGTA.

The KZN Legislature COGTA Portfolio Committee is holding this session to facilitate briefings on the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and 2025/26 Budgets of the KZN Department of COGTA offering members of the public a platform to receive representations on the KZN COGTA Departments plans for 2025/26 and then make inputs which the Committee may utilise when it engages with the Officials of the Department as part of its oversight over the KZN COGTA Department which will report on the following items:

(1) Draft 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan; and

(2) Draft 2025/26 Budget

The Stakeholder Engagement Session hosted by the Chairperson and Members of the COGTA Portfolio Committee seeks to expand on the Public Participation mandate of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature via the COGTA Portfolio Committee and members of the media are invited to attend on 17 January 2025 at the Bhambanana Hall in eJozini LM.

Alternatively, you will be able to watch the entire proceedings LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kwazulu-natallegislature1610 beginning at 10H00

Issued by Communications Unit –   KZN Legislature.   Sina Nxumalo: Senior Manager, Communication Services, 0829060449   –   nxumalow@kznleg.gov.za

SUBJECT: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO HOST A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE ENHLALAKAHLE HALL IN EMVOTI MUNICIPALITY ON THURSDAY, 16 JANUARY 2025

The Stakeholder Engagement Session will take place at the eNhlalakahle Hall in eMvoti Municipality which falls under the Umzinyathi District and will receive reports and presentations from Senior Management Officials of the KZN Department of Social Development.

The KZN Legislature Social Development Portfolio Committee is holding this session to facilitate briefings on the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and 2025/26 Budgets of the KZN Department of Social Development offering members of the public a platform to receive representations on the KZN Social Development Departments plans for 2025/26 and then make inputs which the Committee may utilise when it engages with the Officials of the Department as part of its oversight over the KZN Social Development Department which will report on the following items:

(1) Draft 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan; and
(2) Draft 2025/26 Budget

The Stakeholder Engagement Session hosted by the Chairperson and Members of the Social Development Portfolio Committee seeks to expand on the Public Participation mandate of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature via the Social Development Portfolio Committee and members of the media are invited to attend on 16 January 2025 at the ENhlalakahle Hall in eMvoti.

Alternatively you will be able to watch the entire proceedings LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kwazulu-natallegislature1610 beginning at 10H00

Issued by Communications Unit – KZN Legislature. Muhammad Ismail: Communications Officer: 0829083327 – ismailm@kznleg.gov.za