KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize and key leaders of the Provincial Government today started a process to review the current administration's performance over the past four years, and devise plans for service delivery over the next few months to the end of the current government's term of office during the Cabinet Lekgotla held at the Public Service Academy in Durban.
“This is a very important gathering of all key players in the provincial and local government sectors, where we can take stock of what has been done over the past four years and what still needs to be dome in order for this administration to fulfil its electoral mandate,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said all delegates at the Lekgotla have a responsibility to guide each other as to where this government is going and how it will achieve its objectives. “One important issue we will have to discuss is the National Development Plan, which received overwhelming support during the ruling party's conference in Mangaung in December,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said the National Development Plan is not a political document, but a living document that will guide government and all its stakeholders on the path to rebuild society.
“Part of what we have to do here is to look at how each one of us will participate in the effective implementation of the National Development Plan,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said a critical element of the plan, is how all the values enshrined in the country's constitution become part of society's daily culture.
“As we move forward, we are still trying to build a society that is non-racial, non-sexist, where everyone is treated with dignity. There is is still a lot more to be done to fully achieve these values,” said Dr Mkhize.
He said the rural development, land reform and food security are issues that are very important in realising these values.
“In this regard, we need to be able to pull resources of all government departments because these issues are not sectoral and go to the core of our fight against poverty and inequality,” said Dr Mkhize.
Dr Mkhize said another issues for discussion will be health services, and how this government will ensure a secure, healthy and skilled community. “The health of the nation is dependent on what we do from grassroots level up. Failure in one section of the community will have an effect on the health status of the whole country,” said Dr Mkhize.
On the issue of fighting against crime and corruption, Dr Mkhize said a lot has been achieved, particularly in the campaign to rid communities of drugs and drug dealers. He thanked the communities for partnering with government and the police in this campaign, which has seen a number of people arrested for possession of drugs.
Dr Mkhize also said an assessment will be done on other critical areas of service delivery, including education, economic development and job creation.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya, Spokesperson for the Premier Mkhize
Cell: 082 375 4742
Regi Khumalo, Media Liaison Desk for the Premier
Cell: 079 751 6108
