On 23 June the delegation of the Vryheid Front Plus (VF+) or Freedom Front Plus) led by the Provincial Leader Mr Carel Venter met with Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Premier of the province of KwaZulu-Natal and the Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) at the ANC offices in Durban.
The meeting was a result of the initial contact between Dr Mkhize and Mr Venter during the interparty election campaign meetings.
The VF+ delegation was made of the following officials:
* Mr Drikkie Coetzee
* Chris Van Graan
* Mr Cois Robbetze
Dr Mkhize was accompanied by the ANC Acting Provincial Secretary, Mr Sihle Zikalala. The purpose of the meeting was to explore areas of co operation on matters of service delivery. He offered VF+ commitment to working with the ANC led government and the Premier.
Mr Venter welcomed the statement of the Premier on the important role that the farmers play in the reconstruction and redevelopment of this province and the emphasis on the importance of agriculture as the sector that will stimulate the economic and eradicate poverty.
Dr Mkhize indicated a need for cooperation despite the different political views and policies of the two political parties. “This approach will help ensure reconciliation between communities that the two parties represent,” Dr Mkhize remarked.
Several matters that were discussed include the following:
* A need to mobilise support for partnership between experienced white farmers and emerging black farmers
* Co-operation in the provision of farm security and fighting stock theft in farms and rural villages
* Creation of good neighbourly relations between farmers, farm dwellers and neighbouring communities
* Need for skills development in general and specifically in agriculture.
* Job creation for young skilled people and mitigate the exodus of skilled personnel
* Co-operation to deal with concerns of deteriorating municipal services in certain areas including water quality and environmental pollution.
* Address concerns of procurement process (tendering) in different municipalities
* Concerns about the status of Afrikaans medium schools
* Living conditions of certain poor communities in informal settlements where there is poor sanitation and there are no amenities.
Both parties pledged to fight poverty, ensure skills development and economic growth and build a province where communities live in harmony.
A follow-up meeting will be held in which specific MECs and municipal leaders will attend to deal with specific matters discussed. Both leaders described the meeting as groundbreaking and long overdue.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
E-mail: sibiyand@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Carel Venter
Cell: 072 435 2097
E-mail: kzn@vf.co.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
24 June 2009
