President Ramaphosa lauds MEC Zikalala’s efforts to boost KZN economy
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala’s efforts to grow the province’s economy have drawn the attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa who lauded the MEC for his innovative strategies.
Speaking during the Progressive Professionals Forum gathering at the Durban City Hall on Wednesday evening, President Ramaphosa heaped praise on the province, especially its tourism sector for its innovative ways to harness and stimulate this industry’s potential.
MEC Zikalala’s efforts further received a shot in the arm from President Ramaphosa when he said the MEC’s innovative and telepathic thinking has made the province a tourism jewel.
He said he had been impressed that the province, under the tutelage of MEC Zikalala, had single-handedly been able to establish a direct flight route between Durban and London recently.
The route between Durban and London has opened an excellent opportunity for not only passengers but also cargo, as it moves 30 tons of cargo per round trip. This also creates easy access and convenience for KwaZulu-Natal companies looking to do business in the UK, Europe and North America.
Mr Ramaphosa said he had held lengthy talks with MEC Zikalala this week and was in awe at what he had come up with including infusing practicality to ideas on paper.
President Ramaphosa was mostly impressed by the bulk buying innovation that MEC Zikalala has been spearheading as well as the investment book which outlines tangible turnovers in investment.
“What this province has strived to do is loosen up the stranglehold and allow many more people in KZN to participate in business. they are going to do a lot, do bulk buying to set up centre to help small and medium enterprises and that I found most impressive as I listened to MEC Sihle Zikalala and that is the type of KZN that you have. It’s KZN with ideas, with innovation and with a lot of intervention can push this province forward,” said President Ramaphosa who referred to KwaZulu-Natal as the “Land of the Rising Sun”, a term colloquially and mostly employed to refer to Japan.
The president said the province was greater than what it thought it was.
President Ramaphosa said the province’s innovation meant that economic growth, job creation and social stability was attainable. He alluded to the fact that other provinces looked to KwaZulu-Natal as its growth is intrinsically linked to the economy health of other provinces due to its proximity with the shoreline and the busiest port in Africa.
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