The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Cabinet, chaired by Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, resumed its business in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, 17 July 2013, after a four-week recess.
Cabinet resolved that the Provincial Cabinet lekgotla will be held on 21 to 23 August in Durban. The mid-year lekgotla is normally held in August, after the national cabinet lekgotla which normally takes place in July, to review progress towards the implementation of the Government’s Programme of Action.
Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize said the lekgotla was critical in the consolidation of the work of the Provincial Government to ensure that it has met its targets before the mandate of this administration expires in a few months.
KZN Government repatriates remains of acclaimed Journalist
The KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet has approved the repatriation and reburial of the mortal remains of one of the doyens of journalism in South Africa, Nathaniel Ndazana Nakasa who died in New York in 1965.
Nakasa was born in Chesterville, in Durban, and worked as a local journalist before moving to Johannesburg where his career flourished as part of the celebrated Golden City Post and Drum magazine teams of yesteryear. He died in exile aged 28, having already distinguished himself as a courageous writer who exposed the hardships of life under apartheid.
He left South Africa in 1964 on a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, but was forced to relinquish his South African citizenship. He died in New York the following year.
Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize addressed the South African National Editors forum in Durban in November last year and committed the Provincial Government to repatriate Nakasa’s remains. A team from the Premier’s Office and the national department of arts and culture is liaising with interested parties in the United States of America to facilitate the exhumation and reburial in South Africa.
Said Dr Mkhize: “Nat Nakasa is celebrated, both locally and internationally, because of his sterling work as a fearless, dedicated journalist during the difficult times of apartheid repression. The fact that he died so young in a foreign country, when he still had so much to contribute to this country, is a tragedy that should not have been allowed to happen.
We cannot undo all the evils of the past, but as this government, the least we can do is to bring Nakasa back to rest where he belongs – in the Heroes Acre in Pietermaritzburg - as soon as all due processes have been followed.”
Provincial Government hosts DRC Governor
Cabinet also approved the hosting by the Provincial Government of an official delegation led by the Governor of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to KwaZulu-Natal from 4-6 August 2013 to cement twinning arrangements between the Provinces.
KwaZulu-Natal and Kinshasa provinces will strengthen co-operation in the following areas: good governance; agriculture; tourism, mining, economic development and investment promotion; health, energy, transport and communication and local government.
The Governor of Kinshasa Province HE Andre Kimbuta and his delegation will meet various stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal as guests of the Provincial Government. It is anticipated that Premier Zweli Mkhize will reciprocate the visit.
Enquiries:
Cyril Madlala, Head of Provincial Government Communications
Cell: 071 850 9596
E-mail: cyril.madlala@kznpremier.gov.za
