5 December 2007
Premier Sibusiso Ndebele has lambasted the country's four major banks for
what he referred to as 'terrible attitude towards Africans in KwaZulu-Natal' in
their lending criteria. He said this at the Cabinet meeting in Pietermaritzburg
after a presentation to the cabinet by First Rand Banking Group CEO Sizwe
Nxasana.
"All four major banks in this country have the same attitude. They are very
anti-KwaZulu-Natal. It is a terrible attitude towards Africans, in particular
in this province. One must change one's address to somewhere in Gauteng in
order to have a positive hearing from these banks. As government, we are going
to demand answers as to what our people are getting from them for us to bank
with them. It has got to be quid pro quo," Ndebele said. He made reference to a
prominent KwaZulu-Natalian whom he said had made it in business after moving to
Johannesburg. Nxasana agreed with the Premier but said his bank whose
subsidiary is the First National Bank (FNB), was trying hard to change the
attitude. Nxasana also outlined First Rand Bank's Corporate Social Investment
programme which was increasing in the province.
The Cabinet, which today went on recess until 23 January next year, also
received a report on the provincial government's transformation profile which
indicated a slight improvement as compared to the pre-2005 period. The report
says the target of transforming to 75% senior management in government was
exceeded with present compliment at this level standing at 79,5%. With regards
to gender there was however under-performance as only 31,8% transformation was
achieved against a target of 50%. On disability only 0,14% was achieved against
a target of 2%.
An investment map for the province was also presented to Cabinet. Finance
and Economic Development MEC Zweli Mkhize told Cabinet 50 projects had been
identified to promote investment in the primary, secondary and tertiary
industrial sectors in the province.
The Cabinet also discussed the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Licensing Bill and
agreed to further discuss this early next year.
The Cabinet supported the appointment of a new seven-member Board for the
Dube Trade Port. These are Mel Clark (Chairperson), Kwazi Mbanjwa, Carol
Coetzee, Rowan Persad, Chris Hlabisa, Advocate Modidima Mannya and Mungwe.
Following a long discussion, the Cabinet also supported the Provincial
Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the 2008/09 period.
At the same meeting Cabinet supported Local Government and Traditional
Affairs MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu's department's intervention in the running of
Uthukela Water by taking over its executive functions. It also supported the
department's interventions in the running of the Greater Kokstad Municipality
and the Impendle Municipality.
The Cabinet agreed to recognise Nelisiwe Winfrida as inkosi for the Mbhele
Traditional Community in the Ugu District and Nelisiwe Janet Mkhize as a
temporary inkosi (ibambabukhosi) for the Mkhize (Ikhwezilokusa) Traditional
Community in the Sisonke District.
Cabinet also agreed to support the Sponsor A Child Programme through which
school kids will be provided with financial support for fees to complete their
primary education.
A group of 426 young people had been recruited as Youth Ambassadors from
throughout the province to provide care to people living with HIV/AIDS, mainly
targeting the youth. The number is to be increased to 1 000 soon and each
ambassador will receive a monthly stipend of R1 250 and a National Certificate
on HIV/AIDS care. A budget of R20 million has been set aside by the Department
of Health for the purposes of stipend and training.
The Cabinet went into recess with Premier Ndebele describing 2007 as a very
productive year and expressing the hope 2008 will see more service delivery.
The Cabinet expressed confidence in the Premier's leadership.
Contact:
Mandla Cecil Msomi
Cell: 082 317 3727
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
5 December 2007
