Remarks By The Premier Of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube At The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Dinner
It gives me great pleasure to be part of this farewell dinner which marks the end of the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Africa Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
Allow me to start by appreciating as inspired and indeed visionary, the decision of the 52nd CPA Africa Regional Conference held in Freetown, Sierra Leone in June last year which resolved that the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature would host the 84th Executive Committee of this region.
KwaZulu-Natal the best choice
I can assure you as you have seen over the past few days, that the CPA could not have chosen a better place than our beautiful stretch of beach where you been based since 03 April.
I have no doubt that the time you have spent in KwaZulu-Natal and the City of eThekwini also referred to as Durban has been very productive.
We also trust that engagements were carried out in the spirit of those who are united not only by their past, but who believe as we do, that our futures are intrinsically tied together.
I am certain that you will find time if you have not already, to visit the tourist sites of our province for which we are famous globally.
It is here in Howick up the N3 highway towards Johannesburg where Nelson Mandela was captured. This is where the great Madiba spent his last days as a free man.
Up North on the N2 towards Mozambique we have Isimangaliso Wetlands, a United Nations World Heritage site.
This is the land of the Zulus, the Mahatma Gandhi, the Shembe religion and Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Our beautiful province has it all and much more.
A province that has recovered from the floods
May I take the opportunity to reassure you that KwaZulu-Natal is again ready to welcome all the fellow citizens of our continent to our shores as we recover from the floods of April 2022. As you are well aware those historic floods severely tested the resilience of our infrastructure and left billions of rand in damage and sadly 400 people lost their lives.
We are pleased to report that after the death and destruction, we are yet again demonstrating that we are a people who will not buckle under the weight of a crisis. Just as we defeated the violence of apartheid, we shall conquer any challenge that comes our way.
Aligning to the vision of the Commonwealth
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are encouraged by the presence of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in our province because this reminds us of how from our past, we can build a tomorrow that is qualitatively different and better.
As I have been reminded by this Host Branch that is the KwaZulu-Natal, the CPA is a force for good, democracy, good governance and development that connects national and provincial assemblies, presidential and Westminster systems, unitary and federal states, large and small nations.
In this role the CPA promotes the development and growth of democracy systems in the world by deepening understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the representatives of the people. I have no doubt that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will continue to grow and prosper as anchor and essential pillar of democratic governance globally.
I am certain that the future the CPA envisions which is that of free and fair elections, human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, and tolerance, respect and understanding.
Conclusion
As I conclude, allow me to sincerely thank the CPA Secretariat, the CPA Executive Committee Africa Region and all Members of Legislatures and Parliaments, the Host Branch of KwaZulu-Natal for hosting this gathering in KwaZulu-Natal.
To all visitors to KwaZulu-Natal have a safe journey back home, we look forward to welcoming you back to the province again soon.
Thank you for the opportunity.
