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The Provincial Executive Committee of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal had its ordinary meeting yesterday – 7th November to discuss, with a high level of urgency, critical matters that will enable this province to leapfrog stages of socio-economic development.

Whilst the ANC, as a governing party, has made tremendous progress since ascending to power, the fact of the matter is that the devastating effects of COVID-19 will continue to be felt by thousands of people in various corners of the province.

The significant global economic contraction has caused immense destruction and a great deal of instability in the labour markets worldwide. 

In South Africa, the pandemic came at a difficult time as the country’s economy was already on a downward trajectory, and it led to a further increase in our unemployment rate.

In KZN, many people have been condemned to deep rural areas and townships with no means of survival.

The PEC notes that on the other hand, the truth of the matter is that those who have been previously marginalized, cannot wait any longer for what belongs to them.  

They are looking up to the ANC as the only party that must lift them out of poverty by creating access to socio-economic opportunities.

It is for these reasons that PEC held progressive and robust engagements in a manner that will help usher in a new era of socio-economic prosperity.

Rollout of digital infrastructure (e-Government) to strengthen service delivery

The PEC has mandated the Premier, Cde Nomusa Dube-Ncube to accelerate the rollout of digital infrastructure as part of the 4th Industrial Revolution. As the ANC, we want at least 80% of the people of this province have affordable internet.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, it is not easy to imagine the next 20 years without the effective use of technology in our everyday lives. Access to digital economy for the youth, women and the people of this province in general must be accelerated.

Critically, we want the ANC government in this province to use a cutting edge technology as part of improving service delivery across all government departments.

Recent Priorities of the PEC

The PEC discussed and agreed on the need to intensify programmes focusing on the rollout of basic services across all corners of the province.

It is true that many communities are without adequate access to water and electricity as a result of ageing infrastructure and recent devastating floods.

The PEC generally agree that the focus of KZN government and all municipalities to create a leading economy would be constrained unless all spheres of government can ensure water security and sustainable energy provision. 

The success of government’s programme aimed at stimulating agriculture sector and ensuring food security is dependent on the provision of water and electricity.

Importantly, the general delivery of better health for all of our people will be guaranteed if there is an adequate provision of water and electricity.

The PEC understands that municipalities and government departments presides over multi-billion Rand worth of development projects whose beneficiaries wait expectantly for their lives to improve.

These projects include the provision of services such as housing, water, energy, healthcare, roads, and community facilities.

In recent times, dissatisfaction with service delivery has resulted in protests from communities who are disgruntled with the pace of delivery.

The PEC welcomed a report on ensuring ongoing monitoring of these projects for the benefit of communities.

Infrastructure Development as part of Job creation

As the PEC, we have also spent considerable amount of time reflecting on opportunities presented by the development of socio-economic infrastructure.  The MEC has mandated its deployees in all spheres of government to intensify the roll out socio-economic infrastructure as a catalyst for the province’s economic recovery. 

The overall infrastructure budget over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework of the ANC government in KZN amounts to R18.6 billion, R19 billion and R18.7 billion across all 14 government departments.

The PEC has taken a decision to ensure that there is direct focus on entrepreneurship development which is important to the economic and social development of KwaZulu-Natal as we rebuild our province.

The ANC government in KZN has been mandated to ensure that emerging entrepreneurs are assisted to enter the entire value chain of the built industry.  We want them to be the creators of wealth and ensure massive employment of people across all corners of the province.

ANC-government to present a comprehensive plan focusing on job creation for the youth and interventions for child headed households

The ANC-government in this province has been tasked by the ANC PEC with the responsibility of cushioning vulnerable members of society against rising food prices and the impact of rampant load shedding.

Flowing from above, a comprehensive plan will be presented in the next PEC meeting to detail a package of interventions to focusing on job creation for the youth and interventions to assist child headed households.

The sharp increase in energy and food prices globally, resulted in inflation spikes domestically. The items that contributed significantly to the rise in inflation include transport driven by fuel and food prices. High food prices fall heaviest on the most vulnerable population groups.

Since Covid-19, people have lost jobs, and companies delayed investments. It is the vulnerable members of society – especially the youth that are hardest hit.

Government Garage Hubs -  development of automotive repair sector as part of revitalization of  township and rural economies.

The provincial chair Cde Siboniso Duma in his capacity as MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has been given a green light by the PEC to move with speed to assist emerging entrepreneurs that are involved in the automotive industry. 

In particular, the focus is on the establishment of Government Garage Hubs throughout the corners for the repair of government fleet of all government departments. The PEC notes that in the past, a resolution was adopted regarding this important project but little has been done to enhance meaningful participation of historically disadvantaged individuals in automotive repair sector.

Over the years this industry has had a profound and wide-ranging effect on the city and suburban communities. The ANC PEC wants the impact of the sector to be felt in the township and rural communities through the repair of government fleet.

Communities to access economic opportunities offered by Cannabis sector

Linked to the above, the PEC has also mandated Cde Siboniso Duma to accelerate assistance for rural communities that are interested to grow marijuana for medicinal use. This province must be positioned as a leading exporter of cannabis.

Communities must be educated about process around obtaining farming licences, how to secure and ensure fencing land for Cannabis. Other areas that are critical includes  resident funnel system, lighting, approvals from relevant authorities.

The PEC believes that the cannabis industry could be used to stimulate agriculture and many other sectors. Moving forward, the focus of the ANC government is ordinary communities in rural areas, because they have a long history of growing and consuming cannabis - though they have been doing it ­ illegally. This has always been the position – and still the position of the ANC in KZN.

 ANC Provincial Integrity Commission

The PEC discussed and agreed on the need to strengthen the Integrity Committee. We wish to inform ANC rank and file about the members of the committee that we have appointed.

Cde Sipho Magwaza – Convenor

Cde  Willies Mchunu

Cde Sipho Gcabashe

Cde Weziwe Thusi

Previous ANC conferences have taken a strong stand and instructed all structures to root out corruption, expose it and speak out against it at all times.  This is how the idea of forming the Integrity Committee as an additional arsenal in weeding out the corrupt elements within the ranks and in society in general.

ANC leaders across all structures are expected to subject themselves before this committee.

It will pay a special focus on the performance of ANC deployed leaders in relation to servicing delivery.

Apart from conducting life style audits, where necessary, the Integrity Committee will create channels to encourage members to report any forms of corruption and give support to the initiatives ANC government has already created in this regard.  This demonstrate our commitment towards clean and good governance.

A new level of consciousness must emphasize that where corruption is concerned, it is an offense against community, government as well as in the party in which strong actions will follow as soon as the party becomes aware.

ANC plan for by-elections

The PEC received a report on the performance of the ANC in the recent by-elections and election management plans moving forward.

Of particular importance is the wrong narrative that seeks to create the impression that the ANC’s performance in recent by-elections has been declining. This is incorrect.

The fact of the matter is that the ANC has only lost one Ward (Mandlankala - Ward 12) in a by-election in Umhlathuze Local Municipality with opposition political parties retaining their wards in other by-elections.

Critically, the PEC noted and acknowledged reports of the violation of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act (27 of 2000) and its associated regulations by Inkatha Freedom Party’s  representatives.

According to the Act, it is an offence to vote in a ward in which a voter is not registered or resident.

The ANC has taken a decision to deal decisively with buying of councillors and online cheating by registering ghost residents – the only tactics used by the IFP in its bid to win by-elections and ultimately govern municipalities in KZN.

In this regard, a Provincial Election Committee has been appointed with a full time Election Co-ordinator Cde Bheki Mtolo. Other members are:-

Cde Bheki Sibiya – Provincial Election Manager

Cde Lindo Madlala – Provincial Election Officer

Cde Buhle Ndlovu – Provincial Election Administrator

In addition, Cde Super Zuma, Cde Ravi Pillay, Cde Cyril Xaba and Cde John Jeffrey have been appointed to augment the work of this Provincial Election Committee as PEC members.

Managing Coalitions

The ANC notes and appreciates expressed interest by other political parties to work with the ANC. It should be noted that our inability to gain the majority in some municipalities necessitated a coalition partnership with other political parties.

We wish to report that we are working very well to strengthen relations with National Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters, African Peoples Movement (APEMO) and African Transformation Movement (ATM)

Motion of no confidence

The ANC remains concerned by maladministration which is hampering service delivery in various municipalities that are governed by Inkatha Freedom Party.

The PEC is supporting ANC regions and deployees in councils to pass votes on no confidence in the Office Bearers in the following municipalities:-

eMadlangeni Local Municipality

Dannhauser Local Municipality

Amajuba District Municipality

KwaMaphumulo Local Municipality

We are full aware of IFP tactics and delays in ensuring the sitting of council meetings in order to ensure that their office bearers are voted out of office.

Our message is clear - the IFP office Bearers can run for now but cannot hide forever.

Coronation of His Majesty ISILO Misuzulu ka Zwelithini

The leadership of the ANC is encouraged by the display of unity during the Coronation of His Majesty Isilo Samabandla Misuzulu ka Zwelithini at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

We pay tribute to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, leaders of society and all other role-players who ensured the success of that historic day.

Importantly, the PEC is inspired by the wise counsel it continue to receive from His Majesty.

We note the commitment shown by His Majesty to ensure that land under Ingonyama Trust is used solely for the benefit of his people and not for the benefit of a few individuals or privately owned entities.

For instance, there is an urgent need to build houses following devastating floods and in addition, land is required to build factories and other catalytic projects for the benefits of communities.

It should be remembered that months ago, the ANC committed to work with His Majesty and Ingonyama Trust Board to ensure the management of land for the benefit of indigenous people of KwaZulu-Natal – who the majority are black Africans.

In this regard, the PEC received and a welcomed a report on the fruitful meeting involving ANC officials and Ingonyama Trust Board led by the chair Jerome Ngwenya.

It is estimated that a third of KZN’s total land cover is under the custodianship of the Ingonyama Trust. This land is categorized as predominantly rural in context and which covers areas where high poverty levels prevail. There is vast tracks of land in semi-urban areas.

The ANC believes that it is therefore imperative to channel new development opportunities to these relatively under developed areas by opening access to land for development and to support rural and township communities to become active partners in the development of their land.

The PEC notes that Ingonyama Trust Board has done a lot of work to delineate land belonging to various communities and has it accurately mapped on the Geographic Positioning System. This makes planning much easier.

There are towns and townships that are located in land under the control of Ingonyama Trust Board that need the municipality and Ingonyama Trust Board to align plans and fulfill their mandates and responsibilities laid down in law for the benefit of communities.

In the meeting of the ANC officials and Ingonyama Trust Board, it was agreed that legal processes should be speeded up to ensure that identified land is handed over to municipalities for the purposes of development.

Part of the agreement is also to resolve obstructions to the passing of freehold land ownership to persons in the former black townships.

This will not only substantially increase the value of such properties, but it will also provide owners with a form of collateral and assist many previously disadvantaged occupants to become active role players in the property market and our economy.

Our focus as the ANC and Ingonyama Trust Board, is to ensure that the close to 3.3 million hectares of the land held in communal ownership in this Province can be protected, in a manner that will not impede access to this land for economic development purposes, nor in a manner that will prevent the current occupants of this land to gain full benefit from this valuable asset.

The PEC welcomed the fact that it has also been resolved that the work of government departments - its agencies and the trust board is  streamlined. This will help create certainty for potential investors who must partner with local communities for the purpose of their own development. It should not be more complicated to do business in our province than it is in other provinces.

Through this process the PEC is hopeful that ANC-Government and Ingonyama Trust Board will be able to proceed with the formalisation of planning and promoting security of tenure in key rural service development nodes such as Manguzi, Jozini, Hlabisa, Tugela Ferry, Dududu, King Cetshwayo, uThukela, Mbumbulu, KwaMashu and many more other areas.

Critically, the PEC welcomed plans and efforts to encourage discussions between municipalities and Ingonyama Trust Board. These must be held on regular and structured basis to facilitate rural and township development and resolve matters of rates and levies and the obligations that flow from such.

Meeting with Provincial House of Traditional Leadership

The PEC welcomed a report on the meeting with the Provincial House of Traditional Leadership.

This meeting arises from our view as the ANC that since time immemorial the institution of traditional leadership was always progressive in nature and character.  It was the forces of colonialism and imperialism that undermined the progressiveness of the institution of traditional leadership instead of harnessing it.

As the ANC we have a firm belief that the institution of traditional leadership can contribute immensely in promoting ensuring socio-economic prosperity throughout the corners of this province.

The PEC is pleased with commitment on the part of the  Provincial House of Traditional Leadership to work with the ANC and ANC-led government on key priority areas.

A healthy synergistic relationship between traditional leaders and elected councilors is a necessary condition in order to achieve sustainable service delivery in areas under Amakhosi. 

The ANC has identified basic services like electricity, water and housing. For municipalities to render services effectively and efficiently, they require the partnership and the co-operation of Amakhosi within their areas of jurisdiction.

What councilors and traditional leaders have to do is to uphold the law at all times, to support one another and to integrate their plans and strategies. Councillors should also participate actively in traditional gatherings.  

Participation, it must always be borne in mind, is a two-way process.  Councillors and traditional leaders must always be seen to be fully supportive of the country’s constitutional and legal framework. 

This is in line with the principles of co-operative governance.

In addition the ANC commits to ensure a greater progress in providing amakhosi with tools of trade so that they can play their developmental role effectively.  

We want the institution of traditional leadership to be to contribute their expertise and leadership for faster socio-economic growth in communities. 

Launch of 16 Days of Activism

The PEC remains concerned about continuing abuse of women and children in South Africa and in KZN. To this end, the PEC has assembled a committee to plan the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against the Abuse of Women and Children.

The launch will take place on the 25th November 2022 in Victoria Mxenge Hall in Umlazi in eThekwini Region.

As the ANC we are making a call that community leaders especially men, must double their efforts and build strong family structures.  We want to reiterate that family structures are the first lines of protection and the source for defensive justice. This role is invaluable.

We say relatives and neighbours must not collude with perpetrators of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and other crimes committed indoors for fear of disgracing families.  

An abuser will never stop his actions if not confronted. Instead he will enter into an enabling environment if the behaviour goes unpunished. Sooner or later they will turn on those who witnessed their crime and never took decisive action.

ANC KZN’s approach towards the ANC National Conference

Our approach towards this conference is simple - whatever we do as members of the ANC, leaders and structures of the ANC, we must preserve the integrity and the originality of the African National Congress.

This conference is a mere five days event. There will be the ANC after the national conference. We must not behave as if at the national conference it will be the end of life.

We call upon all genuine – loyal and committed members of the ANC and all our structures, that their conduct must display their a high level of loyalty to the ANC and the people of South Africa.

In this, we take counsel from the Holly Bible – 1 Kings 3: 16 – 28.

“One day two prostitutes came to Solomon and stood before the king. One of the women said, “Sir, this woman and I live in the same house. We were both pregnant and ready to give birth to our babies. I had my baby while she was there with me.

Three days later she also gave birth to her baby. There was no one else in the house with us, just the two of us. One night while this woman was asleep with her baby, the baby died. That night while I was asleep, she took my son from my bed and carried him to her bed. Then she put the dead baby in my bed. In the morning I woke up and was about to feed the baby when I saw he was dead.

When I looked at him more closely, I saw that he was not my baby.” But the other woman said, “No! The dead baby is yours, and the one still alive is mine!” But the first woman said, “No, you are wrong! The dead baby is yours! The one that is still alive is mine.” So the two women argued in front of the king. Then King Solomon said, “Each of you says that the living baby is your own and that the dead baby belongs to the other woman.”

Then King Solomon sent his servant to get a sword. He told the servant, “Cut the living baby in two and give one half of the baby to each woman.” The second woman said, “Yes, cut him in two. Then neither of us will have him.” But the first woman, the real mother, loved her son and said to the king, “Please, sir, don’t kill the baby! Give him to her.”

Then King Solomon said, “Stop, don’t kill the baby. Give him to this woman. She is the real mother.” The people of Israel respected the king when they heard about this decision. They saw he had the wisdom of God to make the right decisions”.

Therefore, our conduct and daily behaviour and utterances must not be wanting to cut the ANC into two. But keep it alive.

And only those who are genuine, loyal, honest and committed to the ideals of the ANC, will do everything in their power that the ANC is kept alive and not cut into two.

Lastly, on Thursday the 10th of November 2022, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal under the strict supervision of the Electoral Commission, led by Cde Kgalema Motlanthe, will open Nomination Boxes at the Provincial officer Headquarters.

This a  process to be administered by an appointed independent Elexions Agency  - in the presence of regional observers. The process will be transparent, open and all qualifying branches which have successfully held their BGMs and qualified – their nominations will be counted manually, one-by-one – transparent and will be consolidated.

The person who has received the majority of nominations, per each of the top six positions, will be deemed duly being nominated as the Provincial Nominee of KwaZulu-Natal in line with Rule 12 of the ANC Constitution which is the supreme guiding document of our glorious movement.  And the top 200 names for additional members will be duly nominated as provincial nominees.

I thank you

Issued by the ANC PEC in KwaZulu-Natal