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The DA in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes Premier Thami Ntuli’s maiden State of the Province Address (SOPA) which provides a solid framework from which to launch our province into a new period of growth.

The Premier’s address struck the right chord, with many of the initiatives in line with the DA’s election pledges to the people of our province which include;
• The prioritisation of building of a capable, ethical and developmental state;
• The creation of a strong provincial economy to support job creation;
• The reduction of poverty levels and efforts to tackle the high cost of living; and
• The prioritisation of improved service delivery within our communities.

The DA further commends the Premier’s commitment to effective oversight within all areas of government. This includes unannounced inspections at KZN’s Health and Education facilities and municipalities, many of which demand urgent turnaround.

We also welcome new developments within KZN’s cannabis industry. Income-generating initiatives such as this are critical in reviving our provincial economy and creating a positive knock-on effect for citizens. KZN’s agricultural sector as a whole has the potential to be a massive economic driver in KZN and address poverty and unemployment, particularly within our rural areas.

While the Premier’s overarching plans provide a strong support structure, the devil will be in the implementation and ensuring fiscal discipline.

In this regard, the DA’s role has not changed. We will monitor and ensure that government delivers. The fact that we are now part of the government of provincial unity (GPU) gives us the power to do so.

The time has come to do things differently. The DA is very aware of its responsibility to the many citizens who came out and voted for us. We reaffirm our commitment to them to deliver on our promises.

Issued by Francois Rodgers, MPL - Leader of the DA in the KZN Legislature