Umtubatuba Local Municipality: I wish to pause and pay tribute to the Mayor of Umtubatuba Local Municipality Cllr Thobelani Ncamphalala, Inkosi L S Mkhwanazi and other stakeholders for working together to ensure local economic development. 

Sod-Turning – Tourism Centre and SMME Facility: I have accepted an invitation to be part of the sod-turning ceremony which paves the way for the construction of a Tourism Centre and SMME Facility. I have joined the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka who is also be part of this engagement. About R 28 million has been set aside for this facility – in a partnership involving provincial government and the municipality.

Launch of Kwa-You Access Road: We will also launch this important transport infrastructure with a budget of about R5 million. 

It is true that local government is where tourism happens. Therefore I agree with the assertion that local government is best placed to create a memorable experience for tourists. The construction of the two facilities will help to harness the potential of tourism and make it an important sector in terms of achieving positive transformation and rural development.

100 Houses – Operation Sukuma Sakhe: Today, as Human Settlements, we will introduce a contractor that will build 100 houses in Ward 8 in Umtubatuba. Known as Mfekayi Operation Sukuma Sakhe Intervention Housing Project, today’s event marks the beginning of the addition to the first 500 houses that were launched by former MEC Peggy Nkonyeni last year.

We remain committed to ensure speed in the delivery of human settlements. Our main focus remains those who live in abject poverty and those in deep rural areas. We have set aside about R13 million for this project we are launching today. In total, more than R60 million has been injected into Mfekayi Operation Sukuma Sakhe Intervenion Housing which has created thousands of jobs for local unemployed people.

Youth Empowerment Meeting today: Considering that June is Youth Month, today I am scheduled to have interaction with youth managers in the departments of Human Settlements and. We remain committed to unlocking opportunities for young people. In particular, we want to skill and empower young people to become drivers of job creation in various sectors of our economy as we reconstruct and transform economy. This is a clear directive from the Premier Sihle Zikalala and the entire executive council. We wait in anticipation for the June 16 celebrations to be addressed by the President Cyril Ramaphosa at Harry Gwala Stadium.

Wednesday, 09 June 2021

Meeting of the Executive Council: I am scheduled to attend the meeting of the executive council chaired by the Premier Sihle Zikala. I appreciate guidance that I always receive from the members of the executive council. Importantly, the focus of provincial government on an integrated has really strengthened service delivery. We have accordingly discouraged a silo mentality in both departments (Human Settlements and Public Works) and now focusing on the inter-departmental collaboration in order to make a maximum impact.

Meeting with Organized Labour: I have tasked my office to co-ordinate a meeting with NEHAWU. Since my deployment to this portfolio, I have undertaken to work with all stakeholders in order to strengthen service delivery. My meeting with organized labour is to ensure ongoing discussion around a common agenda, that of securing a brighter and prosperous future for the workers and the people of this province. 

Briefing on the Human Settlements Portfolio Committee: Ahead of my appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, I will receive a briefing from officials in the department. We remain determined to speed-up the delivery of human settlements across all corners of the province.

Friday, 11 June 2021

Human Settlements Portfolio Committee: On Friday morning, I am scheduled to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. I wish to once again express my appreciation to the honourable Members. It is indeed an honour to appear before a vibrant and energetic portfolio committee. I value the guidance and also appreciate the oversight role they are playing as lawmakers. I will seek to present concrete plans that are aimed at quickening the tempo towards service delivery and job creation.

Saturday, 12 June 2021

Handover of title deeds at uMngeni Local Municipality: I will be joined by local leadership and local communities this coming Saturday. We commit to ensure the eradication of the title deeds backlog on government-subsidised housing and the promotion of security of tenure is a Medium Term Strategic Framework priority. We remain focused on fast tracking the issuing of title deeds not only to facilitate homeowners’ entry into the economy but also to provide dignity of full ownership. We have issued 981 title deeds through the Title Deeds Restoration Programme in 2020/21. We have committed to issue 10 949 Title Deeds during this financial year.

Sunday, 13 June 2021

Handover of title deeds at Alfred Duma Local Municipality: I will also be joined by local leadership and local communities in this municipality named after the struggle stalwart.

Issued by the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Jomo Sibiya