I cherish the opportunity to interact with ANC councillors in Moses Mabhida Region and the entire Regional Executive Committee.

Today we want to announce our commitment to ensure sustained dedication of all categories of staff in the department of economic development, tourism and entities where I am deployed by the ANC.

It is even more encouraging that we are meeting in a full packed Msunduzi City Hall and I do aknowledge the fact that some of you want me to reflect on my other responsibilities as the Leader of Government Business.

I wish to point out that we continue to use an integrated approach towards service delivery involving all spheres of government.

For too long, some of you as councillors have complained about a silo mentality with government departments working in a fragmented manner and leaving you behind during the planning and delivery of projects.

We are here to commit that this will now be the thing of the past.

In my capacity as the Champion of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in Umgungundluvu District Municipality, we have agreed with senior management in the department and Chief Executive Officers of entities to work with councillors, traditional leaders, religious and other key stakeholders to bring services closer to the people.

I wish to emphasize  the attitude of civil servants as critical in terms of building our nation.

It is our view as the ANC is that it is the integrity and dedication of those who handle public office with honour that will generate the respect and good image for the government and its institutions.

The intellectual capacity, technical qualifications and possession of rare administrative or specialized skills are a prerequisite for an efficient and effective state yet these attributes are meaningless if employed not to accelerate service delivery for the benefit of the people of this province.

I wish to thank all categories of staff in his department at head office, in the districts and entities for doubling their efforts over the past 365 since he assumed office.

As we move forward, the collective conduct of all of us  - starting with myself as a political  head and all categories of staff will help build the nation. We want everyone to pull in the same direction.

We wish to make an undertaking that we will have such open interactions with councillors in other municipalities in order to build public trust and strengthen service delivery.