Programme Director
The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Richard Themba Mthembu
The Secretary of the legislature, Ms. Nerusha Naidoo
Members of the media
We would like to start by thanking each and every one of you for responding so positively to our invitation to this morning’s press briefing wherein we seek to update you on key developments in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
Ladies and gentlemen, over the past weeks, the leadership of the legislature has been seized with critical consultations with all pertinent stakeholders regarding the Official Opening of KZN Legislature during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among our foremost stakeholders can be counted His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Sihle Zikalala and leaders of all political parties represented in the Legislature. We are particularly excited about the fact that all our stakeholders are now fully on board and we are ready to officially commence with the annual programme of our Legislature.
The event, as has been the tradition over the years, is a two-day occasion that commences with the address by His Majesty and culminates in the State of the Province Address (SOPA). Due to restrictions in the context of Level 3 of the Covid-19 Risk Adjusted Strategy as announced by the Head of State, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa there has been drastic changes to the event which I will take you through. As you are aware; we have been holding this event at the Royal Showgrounds in the past due to the huge numbers that attend this event, we hereby wish to inform you that this year’s session will be held at the Legislature precinct. The precinct, whilst smaller in terms of capacity, has been used occasionally used, in the past to accommodate both, an address by His Majesty as well as the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
We have been preparing for the Address by His Majesty as well as the State of the Province address to run over a period of two days. On Tuesday 23rd February the Speaker received a formal letter informing the Legislature that, on medical advice, His Majesty will not be able to address the House. We value the pivotal role played by His Majesty. As the Legislature, we work extremely well with His Majesty and recognize that the guidance and counsel he provides to the legislature and government is invaluable. We take this opportunity to wish the monarch a speedy recovery.
May I indicate that the Standing Rules of the Legislature were crafted such that the business of the legislature is not constrained by unforeseen eventualities such as the indisposition of a key stakeholder such as the monarch. Accordingly, our session this year will only comprise the State of the Province address by the Premier. SOPA is critical in that it serves to set out the province’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year. This is essential for the legislature to commence its oversight process for the year in that it can have a clear picture of the Executive’s plans and intentions for the year. This session will take place on Friday 26th February at the Legislature precinct.
Necessitated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the Adjusted Level-3 Lockdown Regulations which were announced by the President on 28 December 2020 and subsequently promulgated by the Minister of COGTA, the State of the Province Address will be held in a hybrid mode where 50 participants, representing the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature will be physically present at the Legislature Chamber and the rest of the Members will be connecting virtually. All COVID-19 protocols will be followed.
The proceedings will be available live on all KwaZulu-Natal Legislature social media pages on reverse billing or data-free(meaning members of the public can stream for free on the following https://kznlegislatureopening.veedo.live .This address is also available on our website and social media pages, they can also tune into Ukhozi fm and the following community radio; Umgungundlovu FM, Inanda FM, Izwi Lomzansi FM, Ugu Youth Radio, Rise FM, Inqubeko FM, Nongoma FM, Maputaland FM. We will also be live on 1 KZN TV.
During SOPA, Honourable Premier Zikalala will expand on practical steps to be taken by our government in our quest to propel the province to greater heights. The SOPA will, among other things, focus on the provincial government's seven key priorities which include: job creation, improving the delivery of services, growing the economy, human settlement, and sustainable livelihoods.
This address by the Premier, follows the President’s address to the nation and serves as an opportunity for Members of the Legislature to consider the issues of accountability and oversee whether commitments of previous years have been achieved or are on track. This address will then, as a matter of course lead on to the budget sessions which will see Legislature public representatives analyzing effectiveness of government spending and programmed outcomes.
Ladies and Gentlemen let me now deal with the issue of costs for hosting the official opening. As an arm of government, that is responsible for overseeing the spending and value add of departments, we are very alive to ensuring that we focus on efficiencies and effectiveness and what is economical. We are constantly looking at avenues and interventions to reduce the costs. We are proud to indicate that this year we anticipate the costs to not exceed R500 000 for the opening of the legislature through a reduction in the number of people who attend both events. These costs entail audio visual setup, media buying and traveling for those members who will physically attend at the Legislature.
We previously had 1500 to 2000 guests, and last year we reduced this number to 1200 people, this year we are having only 50. Under normal circumstances we budget around R2.5 million for the Official Opening. We anticipate that all savings realized through the hybrid modality of hosting the Opening will be utilized to offset cuts that is anticipated for the 2021/2022 financial year.
Ladies and gentlemen, over and above the two events mentioned above, we believe that an exciting year awaits us in our quest to deliver on the mandate bestowed upon us by the People of KwaZulu-Natal.
I would like to share with you the following highlights with an undertaking that we will engage with members of the media at least quarterly to update you on the work of the Legislature.
Provincial Budget Speech
The Treasury MEC will table the Provincial Budget on the 09th March followed by Budget Policy Speeches of all provincial governments, including the Legislature to be concluded towards the end of April. All other activities of the Legislature will then ensue. These include the following: -
a) The LGBTQI+ Symposium
b) Sex Workers Symposium
c) International Women’s Day
d) The Interfaith Symposium
e) The Workers’ Parliament
f) The Youth Parliament
g) Women’s Parliament
h) Senior Citizens’ Parliament
i) TLTP
j) Disability Parliament
Before I conclude, let me just indicate that the challenges occasioned by the pandemic have not deterred the Legislature from fulfilling its constitutional mandate. Our Portfolio Committees continue to play effective oversight on the provincial executive arm of government and its entities and our functionality programmes targeting education, health and war-rooms continue to grow from strength to strength. We also had to fully embrace the fourth industrial revolution in such a way that business continuity has been achieved with minimal disruption to our constitutional mandate. We dare not long for the past as the future is truly with us as the digitized Legislature is the direction that we have fully embraced.
Enquiries:
Nomusa Phungula
Cell: 072 294 7237 or 071 851 0085
Wesley Canham
Cell: 083 376 7299
