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Durban: Ahead of the national Human Rights Day scheduled to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on the 21st March, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has assembled a “Think-Tank” which has been mandated to drive robust intellectual debates on matters that relates to indigenous knowledge, heritage and social cohesion.  The Premier will officially open the two-day “Think Tank Symposium” on the 16th March at 9h00 at Sibaya Casino.

“As we embark on our journey of building a stronger province, we need to preserve the indigenous knowledge and our history which was largely neglected by past governments who feared the inspirational value of such knowledge for the oppressed communities.

Undermining indigenous knowledge and our history was in a way the continuation of the denial of the dignity of indigenous people and trampling on the pride, heritage and symbols that defined the indigenous people. We are determined to restore and preserve this pride and heritage for future generations.”

Cutting edge research and discussions papers will be presented by the best contemporary thinkers such as Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Professor Raymoth Vika Gabela, Professor Nceba Gqaleni, Mr Yacoob Abba Oma, Dr Peter Neville Rule, Professor Jabulani Maphalala, Dr Mpilo Pearl Sithole, Mr Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya, Professor Otty Nxumalo, Dr Ntabiseng Taole, Mr Khwezi KaMpumlwana and  Ms Jane Mufamadi.

Provincial Aids Council Sitting at Greys Hospital on 16th March at 13h00

Pietermaritzburg: KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Provincial Council on Aids has convened a meeting of the council scheduled to take place on the 16 March at 13h00 at Greys Hospital, Pietermaritzburg. On top of the agenda is the presentation on the pending medical trials on the HIV vaccine.

Last week, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, the Director of the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa announced that trials will be conducted at the Caprisa eThekwini Clinic, the HIV prevention units in Isipingo and Verulam, as well as Qhakaza Mbokodo Research Centre in Ladysmith.

“This meeting will also assess the state of readiness as we are scheduled to host the International AIDS Conference in July.

We accordingly dedicate this conference to our beloved Tata Madiba. Inspired by his spirit and dedication, we want to state to the people of this country and the world that we are ready. We promise to host the most successful ever HIV AIDS conference giving delegates the opportunity to shape efforts that will strengthen a global fight against this pandemic.”

Leomat Construction BBBEE Launch and Dinner on 17th March at 18h00

Richards Bay: KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has reiterated his commitment to strengthening the partnership between government and the private sector. On the 17th March, the Premier will attend the dinner organized by Leomat Construction Pty Ltd. Leomat’s companies have been graded according to the BBBEE Construction Charter. The company’s BBBEE focus has extended into exploring black economic empowerment deals such as an employee share-scheme.

This potential broad-based black empowerment transaction will give employees an equity interest in the company.

“As government we will always be available to support efforts aimed at fast-tracking the entry of people from previously disadvantaged communities into the mainstream economy. We want the majority of our people to benefit from the government driven infrastructure development that is currently underway across the province.”

Premier’s Coordinating Forum at 9h00 on the 18th March in Mayville

Durban: KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu will meet with mayors from across the province under the auspices of the Premier’s Co-ordinating Forum. The meeting will take place at the 9h00 at the Ilembe Conference Centre, Department of Public Works, 1 J Sapper Avenue, 455A Jan Smuts Highway, Mayville, Durban

In his inaugural speech in May 2014, the Premier made an undertaking to work with Mayors across the province to ensure that both provincial and local spheres of government move forward prudently in building a sustainable future.

“On the 18th March I will be meeting with mayors as part of efforts aimed at ensuring that we put all our resources to better the lives of our people. Issues under discussion will include results of Community Satisfaction Survey, drought and water shortage, status on the provision electricity including the state of readiness for the local government elections.”

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier