KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HON. NONTEMBEKO BOYCE SPEAKER OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE KZN PROVINCIAL SPEAKERS FORUM
6 June 2025

Programme Director,
Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Mmabatho Tembe,

Chairperson of SALGA in KwaZulu-Natal, Cllr Xolani Dube
Esteemed Speakers of our municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal,
Honourable Members,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning.

It is truly a heartfelt honour to stand before you today on this very special occasion, the official re-launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Speakers Forum. This is a moment is a testimony of how much we can achieve when we work together to achieve our shared aspirations as leaders for the benefit of our communities.

As Speakers, coming from different municipalities with different contexts from urban and rural areas. But what binds us is far greater than what separates us. First, we bound by shared history of South Africa and her people who endured difficulties and divisions but resolved to work together to come out of the ugly past and forge forward in unity and brotherhood. Are we not the generations that owe their being to the heroic Ilembe, Isilo sakwaDukuza who’s leadership was deeply entrenched in bringing the African children together and thus giving birth to uZulu omnyama ondlela zimhlophe isizwe esakhelwe ebuhlakanini nasekukhalipheni kukaMkabayi. Yebo ubuhle bezintaba zoThukela nezimpophoma zazo ezigeleza amanzi abika impilo ngokugeleza imifula equka  uMfolozi, UThukela, Umzimkhulu,  uMthamvuna eningizimu, uMkhomazi omanzi asawoti ngoba eyikhaya lezinye  izinhlanzi ezisengcupheni yokushabalala  emhlabeni.

We are bound together by the plight of the people whose hopes and dreams were shattered with the closure of the home industries, factories, and retailers that they sold their labour to in areas in the Midlands Meanders, KwaSithebe, Marburg, Ladysmith, and other areas. Together we call home the beautiful province that is also home to the lime producing stones of Oribi, the Sibhudu and kwaXolo caves and the majestic Sani Pass. A province of three world heritage sites, Isimangaliso Wetlands, Drankensberg mountains and Sibhudu caves. So, we are here today because we further bound by our individual consciousness to serve the people of our province by enacting transformative laws causing the delivery of services by executives in a transparent and ethical manner for the benefit of the citizens.

We are striving for the fulfilment of the constitutional mandate bestowed upon us when we responded to the call of being Speakers and Deputy Speakers in the provincial and local spheres. We are therefore here because we have been called and answered to a call that is better walked in company of others and because we care about what happens beyond the chambers of this legislature and our council chambers.

The idea then behind this Forum is simple, we need each other. No Speaker should feel isolated, nor council should have to navigate complex challenges alone. Through this Forum, we are saying: let us support one another, let’s learn from one another, and let’s stand together as leaders for the greater good of our province.

We are also drawing inspiration from the National Parliament Speakers Forum, where we have seen the real value of bringing Speakers together, not just to talk, but to act. To share solutions, raise concerns, and build a network of trust and cooperation. That same spirit is what we are bringing here to KwaZulu-Natal.

This Forum gives us a chance as KwaZulu-Natal legislators and overseers to ensure that our oversight and law-making initiatives through Councils and the Legislature is moving in the same direction. Because our communities do not care where a service comes from, they expect service delivery. They do not care who fixes the road, who installs the tap, or who makes sure the clinic is working, they just want it done. And they want us, as their leaders, to pull in the same direction. With all those expectations the local government as a sphere in which service delivery is the first point of call for our communities.

That is why I want to encourage you, fellow Speakers, to take full ownership of this forum. This is not just a Legislature project, it belongs to all of us. Let us use it to strengthen our oversight and law-making work and to confront challenges that are troubling our communities. Let us use it to build relationships that go beyond titles and reach into real collaboration and understanding of the responsibilities of our positions. It calls me and the Deputy Speaker to not hide behind the fact that people will call the Hon. Premier and his executive when they do not receive expected services, nor should Municipal Speakers hide the Honourable Mayors in municipalities. It calls us to action at material times and be worried when our leadership is not seen as part of the ecosystem of service delivery, for we know that maybe because we don’t rise to the occasion in terms of our responsibilities of oversight.

We must not always escape by thinking we have lesser responsibilities than the executives for we do not, we have equal responsibilities and space enough for us to dance to the tune of accountability, ethics, and oversight through involving the public. In this Forum we must learn from each because our capabilities and strategies need constant finesse.

The establishment of Speakers Forum is not a new concept; it is the resuscitation of the work started during the time of former Speaker Peggy Nkonyeni and Deputy Speaker Mtholephi Mthimkhulu which continued to the time of Speaker Lydia Johnson in fourth and fifth legislature terms. This is a continuation of their work and relationships they formed that laid dormant towards the end of the fifth term and the sixth term.

I must declare that this day may not have been possible without the wisdom, strategy, and commitment from the Legislature Deputy Speaker Hon. Mmabatho Tembe and SALGA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council led by the Mayor of Newcastle, His Worship, Cllr Dube. The engagements we had were carried over from the previous PECs that preceded them, and all our engagements had always been dignified based on mutual trust and respect. Of course, you all know that all of us as public representatives never studied to be where we are it is only through the capable, professional, and dedicated technical teams at SALGA and the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

The engagements we held assisted us to come with a list of objectives in order for us not to be tempted to act outside the mandates of Chapters 6 and 7 of constitution which regulates the scope for provincial legislatures and municipal councils, respectively. This is premised in Chapter 3 which defines the expected cooperative nature of the government and governance of the Republic of South Africa with particular emphasis paid to Section 41 (h) ( i-iv), that enjoins to the principles of our cooperation based on “mutual trust and good faith” .

The result has been agreement based on achieving the following objectives:

• To exchange knowledge, skills, and views on strategies to strengthen good governance and deepen democracy.

• Build a stronger link between councils and the provincial Legislature,
• Share what works, and help each other through,
• Speak with one voice on issues that affect our communities,
• And find ways to make our oversight and law-making work not only robust but meaningful.

And I also want to say this: we are not always going to agree. That is okay. But if we stay rooted in our shared values, accountability, service, and respect for our communities, we will always find our way forward. This I am certain of because we are born out of struggle, sacrifice, and triumph of our forefathers. We are a generation that have a history deeply intertwined by the success of our people at iSandlwana , we see no obstacle larger than our cause because through the sacrifices of Isilo uDinizulu, izimfundiso zeSilo uZwelithini kaBhekuZulu, imikhuleko nokuqhubeka kokufundiswa isilo uMisuzulu uNomthebe osesihlalweni. Yes, we are the generation that did not only learn from the struggles and sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi, Inkosi Albert Luthuli but the one that is charged with continuation of foundation laid by our democratic forebears Dr Frene Ginwala our National Assembly founding Speaker and Dr Gideon HS Mdlalose, uNyanda. Their work and that of Speakers that followed must finished by this generation in order for the incoming leaders to focus on oversight of the future the one dealing with impact and efficacy of the oversight mechanisms in a fully capable and ethical environment.

To all the Speakers, let me once again thank you for joining us, not just physically, but with heart. Your presence here tells me that this Forum has the potential to become something truly transformative, remember that there’s no KwaZulu-Natal Speaker’s Forum without you.

To my colleagues at the Legislature, the Deputy Speaker, Chairperson of Committees, Chief Whip, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Deputy Chief Whip, Secretary Ms Naidoo, and her team among them the three Executive Managers and the Manager in the Office of the Speaker who helped bring this initiative to life thank you. To the Chairperson of SALGA, His Worship Mayor Dube, the PEC of SALGA, the Administration of SALGA led by Mr Madlala, Sishi, Hlokohloko thank you for proving that together we can do more.

Let us walk this journey together. And let us never lose sight of who we are doing it for, the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Thank you.

This year, as the world reflects on progress and persisting challenges, it is important to acknowledge the powerful role of women leaders in driving health policy reform, especially Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, whose work in South Africa has left a lasting legacy.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma served as South Africa’s Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999. During her tenure, she was instrumental in introducing and championing legislation that significantly restricted tobacco use in public spaces facing strong resistance from tobacco companies.

The Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993, though initially passed before she assumed office, was strengthened under her leadership through strongamendments and regulations. Dr Dlamini Zuma ensured the enforcement of smoking bans in public places, restrictions on tobacco advertising, and the mandatory inclusion of health warnings on packaging. Her firm stance on tobacco control made her a formidable advocate for public health on the African continent.

Dr Dlamini Zuma’s contribution is more than a case study in effective policy making, it is a testament to the transformative power of women’s leadership in government. Her work shows how women leaders bringstrategic thinking to governance, often championing issues that directly impact families and communities. In South Africa, Dr Dlamini Zuma’s efforts not only helped reduce exposure to harmful tobacco smoke but also paved way for prioritizing public well-being over corporate interests.

The measures championed by Dr Dlamini Zuma continue to influence South Africa’s tobacco control landscape. Her work paved the way for later laws, such as the proposed Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which seeks to strengthen existing regulations to include modern tobacco products.

In a world where tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death, her contributions remain profoundly relevant. By aligning national health policies with WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, she positioned South Africa as a continental leader in tobacco regulation.

As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day, let us honour not only the strides made in reducing tobacco use but also the leadership that made it possible. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s legacy exemplifies how women in positions of power can drive meaningful, life-saving change. Her work is a reminder that empowering women in leadership is not just a matter of equity, it’s essential for building healthier communities. 

The Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Mmabatho Tembe, together with Hon. Andile Biyela and Hon. Mongezi Twala, has officially concluded participation in the exchange seminar titled “Exchange of Experiences on Modernizing National Governance and Professionalization of the State between China and South Africa.”

The seminar took place in Beijing from 7 May to 27 May 2025, and formed part of a strategic partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and South Africa’s National School of Government (NSG).

The programme aimed to foster mutual learning between South African and Chinese institutions, focusing on innovations in governance, administrative reform, and the professionalization of public service.

The 25th May marks the commemoration of Africa Day across the African continent. Every year, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature commemorates Africa Day which marks the birth of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was founded on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia to free the continent from the bondage of colonialism and to forge the unity and solidarity amongst African states. The OAU is a forerunner of the now African Union (AU), which South Africa is a full member. This year Africa Day is commemorated under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.

The KZN Legislature will be commemorating Africa Day at its Legislature precinct through various activities including displays of African flags, books, magazines, posters and other material that reflect the history of the African continent and the struggles waged by African countries to free themselves from the yokes of colonialism and oppression from external forces of imperialism.

Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Mmabatho Tembe, along with Hon. Andile Biyela and Hon. Mongezi Twala, is currently attending a strategic exchange and sharing session in Tianjin City, China. This engagement brings together various stakeholders from the private sector and forms part of a broader exchange programme being hosted in Beijing.

The delegation is participating in a seminar themed “Exchange of Experiences on Modernizing National Governance and Professionalization of the State between China and South Africa.” The initiative is designed to promote mutual learning and cooperation between the two nations, with a focus on effective governance practices and institutional development.

This strategic initiative is a result of a growing partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and South Africa’s National School of Government (NSG), aimed at strengthening state capacity through international collaboration.

The exchange programme started on the 7 May and will end on the 27 May 2025.

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As part of the programme, Speaker Boyce is delivering a presentation on “Enacting Complementary Legislation that Supports the Implementation of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.” Her contribution underscores the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive governance and the advancement of women’s rights across the continent.

This high-level workshop brings together women parliamentarians from across Africa to engage on critical strategies and legislative measures aimed at achieving gender parity and empowering women in the African continent.

Caption: 

Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, at  the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Africa Regional Sensitisation Workshop held at the Parliamentary Building in Kigali, Rwanda.

The KZN Legislature continues to provide the labour sector with a platform to raise issues that affect them. To this effect, the Legislature gathered at its annual Workers Parliament event on 16 May 2025 as part of the Workers Month to bear testimony to this commitment.

The historical sacrifices of Workers were celebrated in Darnacol in Amajuba District on the 16 May 2025. The Legislature describes this year’s Workers Parliament as another huge success. This parliament saw a gathering of three major Federations in the Province, FEDUSA, NACTU, and COSATU.

The 80 delegates parliament held under the theme  Unite for Jobs, Reject Austerity, Build an Economy for All, kicked off on the 15 May where four Commissions discussing various topics or issues that affect the working class were deliberated on, and these were Challenges, Compliance, and Opportunities for Worker Empowerment with a special focus on Current energy and mining challenges, Pillars of the Mining Charter, specifically the beneficiation and workers’ conditions, Mining rights and community impact: Spotlight on Dannhauser. Strengthening Compliance and Justice for Workers in KZN, OHSA compliance and investigations, Ballito, SAPPI/FARMUSA fatalities, and exploitation and undocumented foreign workers and the Employer accountability and intervention strategies. These were amongst many other issues discussed.

The parliament ended on the 16 May 2025 with resolutions to address the above challenges. “Indeed, we were able to reflect on the challenges facing our workers, and we made a clarion call through the  resolutions to our government to intervene where necessary to improve working conditions of the working class. We look forward to next year as the Premier will deliver on the milestone his government will have gone to implement the resolutions”, said Cosatu Provincial Secretary, Edwin Mkhize.