The Honourable Chairman
Deputy Chairman
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Members of the Royal Family
Mayors and Councillors
Amakhosi present
Acting Director-General and Heads of Department
Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The people of KwaZulu-Natal
The Monarchy as an institution is a unique feature of our democracy. It represents the blending of the principles of democracy and our tradition. It is a valuable asset in positioning the province of KwaZulu-Natal if utilised properly to boost the image of the province. It is an institution steeped in the history of our people and the reputation of our ancestral heroes and our kings who played a significant role in the shaping of our region.
It is an institution that is recognized by people in different parts of the world and is respected by people in South Africa especially in our province.
Its value lies in its symbolism as the connection between our past and our present. The institution symbolises the unity of the people in this province. This was greatly boosted by the magnificent role that the current Monarch played in the establishment of the climate of peace, reconciliation and solidifying the unity of people in our province to end the conflict that originated in the apartheid era.
The Monarchy as an institution has been fully integrated as a component of government in compliance with the constitution. It is up to this house and the executive to utilise the positive attributes embodied in this institution for promotion of good relations, investment and nation building for the benefit of our province.
In keeping with the dignity of the office Isilo samaBandla has consistently acted as a voice of conscience of our people, propagating a message of goodwill and focusing on the promotion of good human values which generally embodies the collective sentiments of all our people and. This has always been demonstrated in the messages carried in public address of the Monarch.
The Monarch has been hosted by and has been host to heads of state, royal family members, religious leaders and business leaders of international stature from different parts of the world. These visits reflect the respect that many peoples of the world have for the institution and opens up possibilities of new relations for the benefit of people in our province. Many potential investors have been addressed by the Monarch both inside our country and abroad resulting in their desire to initiate investment programmes in our country.
I sometimes feel that there are many outside who realise the value of this institution than those that it is meant to serve. The Monarch has also spent time addressing the youth in this country and abroad and inspired many to do well and focus in the creation of a better society. Most of these exemplary and positive activities have come to define how the institution should be expected to function in the future.
Inside the country the Monarch has spent considerable time promoting development in various sectors: education, promotion of healthy lifestyle, leading the campaign to fight HIV and AIDS, caring for orphans, fighting crime, agriculture, comforting the needy, supporting the poor and assisting in many other sectors.
The Monarchy has not only acted as a pillar of the traditional leadership institution but has often acted to forge harmonious relations between conflicting communities utilising the traditions of our people as well as promoting respect while acting as the custodian of culture.
KwaZulu-Natal has an opportunity to reposition itself as the leading and powerful player in influencing economic growth and development in South Africa. The province has an opportunity to mobilise all our people to be united in their diversity and building of a compassionate society. The Monarchy will be a strong asset to achieve all these as a symbol of unity for all our people in the province.
The image of a province of hard working and honest citizens who care for all the people can be strengthened by wisely positioning the office of the Monarch. This office will be helpful in profiling our region as we approach international friends and partners to seek more investments and create stronger relations. We should start now in support of efforts to host a successful FIFA 2010 World Cup.
For this to happen, a few things must change. The first of those is the need to ensure that the image of the Monarchy is protected. The negative publicity does neither the Monarch, executive nor this House any benefit. This has to be stopped. We will therefore ensure that the management in this office is strengthened and infringement of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) eliminated.
The profile of the incumbent Monarch and oNdlunkulu has to be protected and be utilised to strengthen the programmes of development and nation building. Isilo graciously offered the Royal family to work in support of government programmes. For this we are grateful and I have already instructed the programme managers and the Spousal Office to design the programme to enlist the support of oNdlunkulu as champions of development to promote various programmes of government in the community. There have already been meetings with oNdlunkulu and the office of the Premier and MECs in this regard.
This way we will achieve a higher degree of participation of communities because of the love they have for and the respect they accord to institution.
To achieve this protection we propose to effectively utilize the Royal Trust that was promulgated by my predecessor. This Trust will work in a similar manner to the other listed Public entities, to be audited annually and the report debated in the house, instead of discussing day to day issues relating to the Royal Household. The trust will manage what matters pertaining to the up-keep of the
Royal Household and create capacity to generate alternative sources of revenue.
The focus will be ultimately to achieve a state of financial self-sufficiency of the institution. It is too early to postulate when this is likely to be, but this House will be the judge.
A smaller component of staff will remain as civil servants whilst most of the staff in the service of the Royal Household will be directly under the employ of the Trust; which will be managed by a Chief Executive Officer under the Board of Trustees. Announcements will be made once this process has been finalised. The conditions of the palaces leave too much to be desired. These need a long term plan to upgrade and to be available as points of attraction as we position the province of KwaZulu-Natal and re-brand it to enhance tourism as one sector to drive economic development into the future.
We need to create research capacity to unearth a lot of oral history not recorded as part of strengthening the heritage of our people. This should be combined with a need to create a museum that will contain the information and artefacts to tell the story of the Zulu Kingdom, the legendary King Shaka and all the battles and incidents that shaped the history of this region.
For many of these to be actualised there may be a need to consider public/private partnership which the current administrative arrangement cannot accommodate. The Royal Trust can offer the flexibility that such development will require.
As the executive authority and members of this house we are honoured to be part of this historical point in the transformation of the administrative infrastructure that lends support to His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Household. This is important in creating a unique brand that will stand out and attract huge advantages in tourist inflows and investment into this region in the future.
The privileges to which His Majesty is entitled are based on the provisions of the payment of salaries, privileges and benefits to the Ingonyama Act (1993),
KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet resolutions and guidelines and principles contained in the Melamet Report and the Republic South African Ministerial Handbook issued by the National Cabinet on 24 November 1995.
The provisions of the KwaZulu-Natal Royal Household Trust Act, 2007 (Act 7 of
2007), gazetted on 14 November 2007, facilitated the formation of a Board of
Trustees mandated by the act to administer the Royal Household for the sole benefit of the Monarch and other members of the Royal Household, including their material welfare, educational needs, aspirations and social well-being. This will be more important now that oNdlunkulu will be fully involved in the promotion of government programmes of development as well.
It is the responsibility of the Office of the Premier to provide political oversight over the trust, render administrative support and strategic direction to His Majesty the King and the Royal Household in the execution of their statutory and customary functions in partnership with the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal.
Honourable chairman, it is our hope that the trust will pave the way for the putting in place of proper and acceptable protocols and controls in all activities provided in support of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Household. Only good and sound administration will protect the image of this institution. We have long held the view that the Department of the Royal
Household, as currently structured, is not an appropriate vehicle for the provision of support to His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Household.
The Trust will comprise seven members of the Board of Trustees and designate one member as Chairperson. The Premier, after consultation with the Board of Trustees, will appoint a suitably qualified person as Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.
The CEO of the Trust is the chief administrative, executive and accounting officer of the Trust and is responsible for the strategic management, guidance and advice in respect of the effective and efficient administration and functioning of the Trust as well as the management of the human and financial resources and assets of the Trust. He enters into performance agreements with the other members of staff of the Trust and monitors, evaluates and reviews the performance of the other members of staff of the Trust. He liaises regularly with the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and implements the resolutions of the Board of Trustees.
The financial model as discussed with His Majesty will be tabled to the portfolio Committee before it is instituted, outlining details such as allowances, medical aid, fuel and motor vehicle maintenance, local travel and accommodation, international travel and accommodation, hosting etc; including the provisions for the additional role expected of oNdlunkulu.
The Trust will also manage the maintenance costs of the Royal Palaces, including domestic services, routine repairs and maintenance, groceries, electricity, water and rates and household appliances. A detailed study was undertaken by Public Works regarding the structural condition of the palaces with respect to immediate repairs and future upgrades.
The estimated cost is approximated R60 million. A phased-in approach will be undertaken by the provincial government to affect these repairs and upgrades.
The Department of Agriculture will be commissioned to undertake a detailed feasibility study of all Royal Farms and a comprehensive business plan for each farm detailing the funding required, machinery and equipment, labour and strategy for generating income. The aim is to make the farms economically viable and commercially sustainable in the short term. Our mission is to create a sustainable, conducive environment for the Monarch in which to lead, develop and protect the Zulu Nation.
Although the direct mandates are clear on what the department is expected to do, particularly in respect of support to His Majesty the King, the department has identified administrative and management challenges which will be addressed in the current financial year. These challenges include the alignment of programme activities with the budget.
Programmes
The programme structure of the Royal Household is:
Programme 1: Administration (support services and transformation)
Programme 2: Planning and development
Programme 3: His Majesty, the King’s farms
The total budget for the Royal Household for the 2009/10 financial year is
R40,643 million. I will now give an overview of the programme.
Programme 1: Administration (support services to his majesty and transformation): R21,459 million
The purpose of this programme is to provide administrative and auxiliary services to His Majesty and the Royal Family, to ensure that mandates are executed within relevant legislation. The programme also provides strategic guidance with respect to the interface of traditional protocols and government compliance requirements. Administrative guidelines have been developed with respect to His Majesty, the King performing his customary functions.
Furthermore, management is currently finalising the staff rationalisation process. Approximately 68 staff members have been identified and subject to legislation, will be retrenched at an estimated cost of R3,5 million.
Programme 2: Planning and development: R16,331 million
The programme is responsible for the overall maintenance of the Royal
Household infrastructure including the refurbishment of palaces.
Programme 3: His Majesty, the King’s Farms: R2,853 million.
Programme 3 is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Royal Farms. Its main aim is to ensure commercial viability and customary relevance in terms of the farms being able to contribute to poverty alleviation and other responsibilities of His Majesty, the King.
Conclusion
May I take this opportunity to thank the Acting Director-General, Mr Roger
Govender and the staff of the Office of the Premier, for their commitment and dedication. I also wish to thank my beloved wife, my children and my family for supporting me all the time as I go about my duties. With peace, democracy and development having been achieved, KwaZulu-Natal can now only grow further, economically and socially, to achieve a better life for all.
I wish to thank Isilo samaBandla for all the support and the guidance and the unwavering support given to this government. Ume njalo hlanga lwezwe. I now formally wish to table Vote 10 with a budget of R40,643 million before the legislature. Together we can do more to build a hope for a better future!
I thank you.
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
