Outgoing KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize has commended the members of the provincial legislature for working hard to create a good image of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. He was delivering his farewell speech during a Special Sitting of the KZN Legislature in Pietermaritzburg today.
“We have rebranded KZN and presented it to the world as a province characterised by good governance and hard work. Nineteen years into our democratic South Africa, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in particular, has been transformed into a peace haven and destination of choice for global investors and holiday makers from all over South Africa and the globe.”
“It should be noted that the presence of the His Excellency Jacob Zuma in the provincial legislature when he was the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism during our early days of democracy played a pivotal role in promoting peace and tolerance. He played a significant role in grooming and shaping many of the KwaZulu-Natal leadership and building a strong culture of mutual respect and ability to work together.”
“Through various peace initiatives and bilateral meetings between ANC and IFP the atmosphere of political intolerance was transformed to create a new spirit of open but peaceful competition and cooperation.”
“President Zuma taught us that leadership required courage and focus. He taught us that ours was a principled cause to change society for the better and therefore nothing could stand on our way to freedom and democracy. He taught us that unbanning of political parties did not mean peaceful acceptance of our struggle for freedom and that the violence after 1994 meant that democracy will continue to be challenged by forces opposed to our cause even when a democratically elected government is in office.”
“I pay tribute my former colleagues in the ANC, especially, to those whom I served with in the executive council during our first years of democracy. These include President Jacob Zuma, current Minister of Correctional Services Cde Sbusiso Ndebele who was the MEC for Transport and the late Cde Dumisane Makhaye who was the MEC for Housing and Traditional Affairs. Together, we committed ourselves to ensuring the defence of the sacred freedom that we won as a result of a long, difficult and costly struggle.”
“On many occasions when we faced difficulties such as the resurgence of violence in various parts of the province we reminded ourselves that the protection of freedom required permanent vigilance. We pledged to devote ourselves to continue to work with leaders of all political parties because we realised that peace and stability were key enabling factors for KwaZulu-Natal’s reconstruction and redevelopment.”
“We took a firm stand that KZN would not become a destination for foreign direct investment if there was continuing political violence with leaders of political parties often attacking each other publicly just to advance narrow party interests.”
“It is not surprising that over the years we have seen inward investments and the flow of goods, services, knowledge and variety of skills in health, ICT and engineering into this province.”
“Our marketing efforts have generated interests resulting in the provincial government hosting numerous business delegations from many countries. We have in turn undertaken fact-finding missions to different parts of the world as part of our efforts aimed at ensuring that KZN economy serves as an engine for South Africa and Africa’s socio-economic development.”
“We have hosted successfully, international events of note, thereby putting KZN on the global map.”
“When we attained democracy in 1994, KZN was the third contributor to the national GDP behind the Western Cape. In 2013 KZN is the second largest economy in SA, recording a GDP of R322bn.”
“KZN has also been one of the fastest growing economies growing at 4% per annum between 2001 and 2005 and at 3.3% from 2006-2009 despite the recession.”
- KZN economy outperformed the national economy during 2012, 2.95% vs 2.55%
- The KZN Growth Index increased by 16.7% over the past three years
- The KZN Barometer recorded an increase of 18% over the past three years
- The KZN Investment Monitor increased by 20% over the past three years
- The KZN Risk Index has turned favourable for the first time in three years
“We attribute this success to the hard work of the members of this house. The partnership between government, private sector and organised labour has also ensured that over the years we worked together to create an economy that is both globally-competitive and inclusive.”
Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for the Premier
Cell: 082 375 4742
