KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize together with members of his newly constituted Cabinet, today led Premier's Imbizo in KwaMaphumulo in Ilembe District, where they interacted with members of the community to discuss service delivery and to listen to the community's needs.
The Imbizo was kicked off with a visit to various service delivery points, including the Sukuma Sakhe Project's War Room. Dr Mkhize and members of the Cabinet also officially opened an Education Support Services Centre at Nyamazane Combined Primary School.
At the school, Dr Mkhize was met by members of a women's cooperative from the area, which is involved in a feeding scheme from the school. Members of the cooperative thanked the Premier for encouraging them to form cooperative during his tenure as MEC for Finance and Economic Development and said this has given them with means of providing for their families.
“Now I want to challenge you to start forming community gardens, and instead of going to the supermarkets to buy produce, you can get that from your gardens or you can buy from other cooperative in your community at a reduced price,” said Dr Mkhize.
When addressing the thousands who gathered at the Imbizo, Dr Mkhize said the Provincial government took a decision to come to the area to talk to the citizens and to account for what services government had delivered for the people of the area.
He said the provincial government's visit was also aimed at encouraging the district to continue with to continue with all its community upliftment programmes.
Dr Mkhize said Ilembe Districy is named after the founder of the Zulu nation, King Shaka, adding it has a rich history which should be used to maximise economic development.
He said Cabinet met with Public Enterprises Minister Malusa Gigaba at the Dube Trade Port yesterday, which falls under Illembe District, and concluded that agriculture programs should be strengthened in the district, and take full advantage of the Trade Port in exporting these goods.
Dr Mkhize also introduced the new District Champion for Ilember, MEC Ravi Pillay, who was appointed to the position of MEC for Human Settlement and Public Works this week.
