Premier Sihle Zikalala: KwaZulu-Natal State of the Province Address 2020/2021

State of the Province Address by Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon. Sihle Zikalala Mpl, Royal Show Grounds, Pietermaritzburg, 04 March 2020

His Majesty - Hlanga Lomhlabathi;
Queen Mothers;
Ondlunkulu Besilo;
Abantwana BaseNdlunkulu;
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi PHD Chiliza and Umama we Slzwe saseMadunganl;
Members of the Executive Committee of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders;
Members of the NCOP present;
Former Premier - Mr W Mchunu and Spouse,
Madam Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the KZN Legislature;
Honourable Mr Justice A Jappie, Judge President - KZN Division;
Honourable Members of the Provincial Executive;
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature;
Mayors and Councillors of Local Government;
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt General K E Jula;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps present;
Director-General of KZN, Dr NO Mkhize;
Heads of Provincial Departments;
Members of the Provincial Planning Commission;
Representatives of the Business community;
Academics;
Religious Leaders;
Struggle Stalwarts and their Families present;
All other social partners and broader civil society present;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Viewers and listeners at home;

Introduction: Tribute to His Majesty the King

We are honoured this morning to be graced by the presence of His Majesty, iSilo Samabandla Onke.

His Majesty's work fulfils the vision we have set ourselves that by 2030, "KwaZulu-Natal will be a prosperous Province with a healthy, secure and skilled population, living in dignity and harmony, acting as a gateway to Africa and the World."

We can never thank uHlanga Lomhlabathi enough for his leadership, wisdom, and guidance. He remains the province's ultimate symbol of unity, peace, and development.

We are also appreciative that His Majesty is at the centre of saving lives and empowering communities through his collaboration with government in the fight against the epidemics of HIV and TB.

His Majesty is also known as a tireless champion of our rich cultural heritage and a promoter of moral regeneration.

It is thanks to His Majesty's tireless efforts and campaigns to improve educational outcomes that last year our province attained the impressive 81.3 % pass rate with the matric class of 2019.

Once more, we congratulate the class of 2019, our teachers, principals, parents and the leadership of the Department of Education for this remarkable feat.

We all have a role to play

The ANC-led government is acutely aware of our responsibility to our provincial population of 11.3 million people - with a significant rural component and deeply reflective of our triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

The provincial leadership is actively building a social compact for sustainable development among government, business, labour and civil society. Our religious and traditional leaders are recognised as important pillars of our social cohesion programme.

What truly moves us are the hopes and aspirations of our youth, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

We remain on course to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, equal and prosperous society.

Our government, led by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, has a plan to restore the dignity of all South Africans and to improve the lives of our people. It is a plan that is informed by the electoral mandate of the ruling party and Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan.

This plan represents the current tasks of the government and entails seven priorities which are:

1. Economic transformation and job creation;
2. Education, skills and health;
3. Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services;
4. Spatial integration, human settlements and local government;
5. Social cohesion and safe communities;
6. A capable, ethical and developmental state; and
7. A better Africa and a better world.

Informed by these national priorities and our unique challenges and opportunities, our province adopted the following eight provincial priorities for the 6th Administration which we have now extended as follows:

1. Basic services (especially access to clean potable water)
2. Job creation
3. Growing the economy
4. Growing SMMEs and cooperatives
5. Education, health, and skills development
6. Human settlements and sustainable livelihoods
7. Building a peaceful province
8.  Building a caring and incorruptible government

Recap from June 2019: The future is certain

The beginning of the 6th Administration coincides with a number of challenges, such as the high level of unemployment, shortages of water, community protests and political killings. Based on such characterisation, with great determination for the future, we committed to "Breaking the grimy restraints for a United, Healthy, Safe, and Prosperous KwaZulu-Natal”.

Notwithstanding some of persistent challenges, we are confident of the progress made thus far and we remain inspired about the future.

1.  Operation Siyahlola: This operation is meant to monitor and enforce professional and ethical services to our people, especially at the frontline. The programme is also aimed at monitoring implementation of key projects in the province.

As part of Operation Siyahlola, the Premier visited KwaHlabisa Police Station and Clinic on 1 December 2019. While the clinic was found to be amongst the best performing ones, the visit brought to the fore the plight of policemen and -women who work in our rural areas in under-resourced institutions, as the police stations lack proper infrastructure.

A worrying factor was a high number of cases that do not reach prosecution stage due to a lack of proper investigations and the withdrawal of cases which is a trend, especially in gender-based violence and domestic abuse cases. The MEC for Community Safety and Liaison continues to deal with issues that emerged during this visit.

The Premier, also, took the time during Operation Sukuma Sakhe to visit Olonwabeni Home of Safety which had become infamous due to various challenges, including corruption and general negligence, but it was found that governance and services have improved.

The MECs for Social Development, Community Safety and Liaison, and Health have also been visiting various institutions under their line functions and will provide detailed accounts of those in their subsequent Budget Votes. The Premier will escalate Operation Siyahlola into monthly programmes which will include unannounced visits.

2.   Skills audit for all senior officials: We committed to undertake a skills audit for all senior managers in the provincial and local government. As part of this, Cogta has conducted skills audits in nine municipalities, covering 4144 officials. The assessment will continue to cover all outstanding municipalities. The skills audit for provincial departments and entities will start within the next six months.

3. Make local government work better: In the June 2019 State of the Province Address, we committed that during this term of office, we would pay undivided attention to all municipalities. From this commitment, through Cogta, we conducted an assessment of the performance of all municipalities in the province. We consolidated strategic intervention plans per district. These plans are currently implemented in all municipalities and each municipality is accounting to the MEC for Cogta. Furthermore, the Premier's Coordinating Forum now meets on a quarterly basis to undertake reviews of the progress.

Madam Speaker, please allow me to reflect on the milestones in the commitments made in the previous State of the Province Address by way of this high-level report while most of the work done will be covered in greater detail later in the various Budget Votes.

2020 SOPA theme

Madam Speaker, we present this State of the Province Address at the dawn of the new decade. Last year we undertook to break the grimy restraints that hamper our potential to achieve a healthy, safe, and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. We stand here today to report to our people that the new seeds we planted last year have taken root and are now germinating.

We pledge to make the year 2020 a year of heightened societal mobilisation to achieve a plentiful harvest for all the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

The theme for the 2020 SOPA is therefore Together, Creating Our Common Future. It recognises that the people of KwaZulu-Natal themselves are the cornerstone and the most vital ingredient or force for growth and development.

This is confirmed by the founding President of our democracy - Nelson Mandela who writes in Long Walk to Freedom that:

"My country is rich in minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that Its greatest wealth Is Its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds."

Far from treating people as a problem or a burden, we see our people as a resource for development and catalysts for change.

During this 30th anniversary of Madiba's release from prison, we are inspired by his conviction that ordinary people are their own liberators. He reminds us that government must never view itself as a force on a high, possessing the monopoly of wisdom on how to tackle the challenges of the day.

Like Madiba, we see government's programmes only as a platform for citizens to develop and prosper. We can only let their strengths and abilities shine through.

At the dawn of this new decade of freedom, we recommit ourselves as this Sixth Administration to strengthen our developmental state so that it can best serve our people to reach their full potential.

While we know there will be no gain without pain, the choices that we make today must reflect our hopes, not our fears.

This State of the Province Address Is about reporting to the people of KwaZulu-Natal on the progress that we are making on our priorities, to state our challenges, and most importantly, to mobilise all the people of this province to play their own part to move our province forward.

In preparing for this Address, I have interacted with our people on farms, at train stations, at taxi ranks, at traffic lights and on social media.

Despite the challenges they face in their daily lives, many have not given up hope fora better tomorrow.

One of the submissions we received came from Sabelo Sandile Manqele who is doing grade 11 at Vuylswa Mtolo High School in KwaMashu who wrote that: "I would Iike you to emphasize more on the importance of Township Schools and their learning capabilities, some of our classes have no windows and doors which causes diseases to learners. There must be new strategies to reduce drugs in townships".

We also received a comment from Shreya Singh, an 11-year-old from Northlands Primary School. In her assistance to the Premier's preparation for this Address, she wrote:

"Dear Premier Sihle Zikalala; I am excited that coding and robotics are going to be included in the school curriculum. I hope that my school is chosen as one of the pilot schools."

Thank you, Sabelo and Shreya, the Department of Education will within the next two weeks visit your schools to facilitate your requests and ensure possible interventions are implemented timeously. The Department of Education will announce a pilot school for coding and robotics in each of the 11 districts in our province, and we will ensure that all our schools are always in a proper condition, and that repairs are done timeously.

It is this kind of optimism from our young citizens that inspires us to embrace with vigour the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Madam Speaker, our province is alive with endless possibilities. It is a group of learners from KwaZulu-Natal who at the end of January 2020 won the prestigious 5th International School Moot Court Competition in Poland, beating the USA in the finals.

Halala nakogogo nabomkhulu bethu! Bayizingqwele nezihlabani esiziqhenya ngazo. In October 2019, our Senior citizens were once again crowned National Golden Games Champions in Port Elizabeth.

Six homebrewed film productions, funded by the KZN Film Commission, have just been nominated for the South African Film and Television Awards. We value the creative sector in KwaZulu­Natal and the role they play in reimagining our nation, building social cohesion and agitating against gender-based violence.

Building social cohesion is a key imperative which underpins economic transformation.

Fellow Citizens, together we have emerged strongly from a period of political uncertainty and even instability at a provincial level.

Having consolidated at the provincial level, our political attention is now focused on the local sphere of government because of the serious challenges there and because that is where the impact of our policies and programmes are most felt by citizens.

Our decisive leadership was demonstrated recently when we overhauled two of the biggest municipalities, eThekwini and Msunduzi. This was a necessary political intervention in the best interests of our people as a whole.

Important anniversaries and tributes

Madam Speaker, 2020 marks 60 years of the founding of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group which brought respect for our country across the globe. We applaud the decision by the President to nominate the founder of the group, uBaba u-Joseph Shabalala, for the national Order of lkhamanga in gold.

KZN Arts and Culture will commence with the construction in 2020/21 of the Music Academy in Ladysmith in support of developing talent in the creative and cultural industry.

This year marks 60 years since the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to lnkosi Albert Luthuli. We reiterate our call to expedite the inquest into the mysterious death of lnkosi Albert Luthuli.

We also mark the 6oth anniversary of uKhozi FM, formerly Radio Zulu. We are inspired by the role uKhozi has played in advancing social cohesion, promotion of our heritage and the development of our local artists who would not be known if it were it not for uKhozi FM.

In 2020, our province and country will remember 25 years of the Shobashobane Massacre which took place on Christmas Day in 1995 at eZinqoleni on the Lower South Coast. We will use this commemoration to deepen peace, consolidate reconciliation and promote political tolerance. As part of these efforts, our government will support the production of a TV and radio documentary and an oral history booklet based on this saga.

The year 2020 also marks the centenary of the births of two stalwarts of our freedom struggle, Harry Gwala and Raymond Mhlaba. To honour them, a series of lectures, workshops and debates is already taking place throughout the province. We call on filmmakers, theatre practitioners, curators, publishers, writers and funders to play a role in documenting the histories of these national heroes.

Fellow compatriots, 160 years ago, the first Indian indentured workers were shipped by the British to our province as labour for the sugar plantations. They and their descendants have played an important role in our national struggle for freedom and the economic development of KwaZulu-Natal. We commit that by November 2020, when this commemoration takes place, a statue to mark the arrival of the Indian indentured labourers will already have been erected.

We recognise from among the Indian community Mam' Phyllis Naidoo, Swaminathan Gounden, Mac Maharaj and Kay Moonsamy recipients of the Order of Luthuli for their contribution to struggle and Sam Ramsamy, Muthal Naidoo and Ronnie Govender, recipients of the Order of lkhamanga for their contribution to arts, culture, literature and sport.

This month our country also commemorates 60 years since the Sharpeville and Langa Massacres and 65 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter, all of which changed the course of our history. In fulfilment of the Freedom Charter's declaration that The People Shall Govern, our people now do govern and are creating a common future together.

Radical economic transformation and job creation

Madam Speaker, Tsoroh Mkhonza wrote to me on Facebook and said: "I would be very happy if our Provincial Government could put more effort in promoting township economy as part of job creation."

Similarly, Phumelele Alex Ndawo wrote: “Can you please turn the tables on agriculture ibe serious like kuthelelwe ngebhanoyi emasimini."

I wish to assure both of them and many others who took the time to talk to us that their input is valued and that this State of the Province Address will seek to address their concerns.

Global economic developments

Madam Speaker, the global economy is under strain. The spread of the coronavirus is threatening the long expected rebound in global trade.

Rising geopolitical tensions could disrupt global oil supply, hurt sentiment, and weaken the already fragile business investment.

Trade policy uncertainty and pressures in key emerging market economies continue to weigh on global economic activity particularly for manufactured products.

Brexit remains a concern for the global economy and more so to South Africa due to our strong ties with the UK. The USA's decision to revoke World Trade Organisation (WTO) subsidy preferences for South African goods is a clear indication of challenges we must manage in the year ahead. This has already impacted on our steel and aluminium industries, namely Hulamin and South 32.

Domestic economic developments

Our own economy is trapped in a low-growth cycle. Over the past decade, we have struggled to sustain growth in the face of weak business and consumer confidence and mounting difficulties at state-owned enterprises.

Unemployment figures released recently by Stats SA paint a grim picture of our economy where

29.1% of the working-age people remain jobless at a time when our population continues to grow.

Despite this, we are encouraged that we are one of four provinces that show employment growth with a net gain of 39,000 jobs.

These factors stress the need for government to speedily implement policies that will inspire confidence and encourage investment.

But we cannot be paralysed by any of this. Instead we must make our own contribution to reducing the national budget deficit and debt. But most importantly, we need to make our own contribution to GDP growth and create more jobs.

Our immediate, vital and overarching task is to place our economy on a path of inclusive growth that must include SMME development. To this end, government is bolstering programmes, such as Investment Attraction, Enterprise Development, or Operation Vula, to drive radical economic transformation, bulk-buying to support small traders, youth empowerment and support for black industrialists.

2019/2020 key achievements

KwaZulu-Natal investment outlook

Madam Speaker, we are delighted to report that investment commitments to the province worth over R15-billion since May 2019 are materialising.

These investments arise mainly from our Investment Booklet and span across all priority sectors of this province inclusive of manufacturing, tourism and property development, renewable energy, health care and agro-processing.

Attracting investment

The provincial government has made strides in attracting major companies to operate in two of our Special Economic Zones, namely Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay IDZ.

The launch of Mara Group, Africa's first cell phone manufacturer, investing more than R1-billion and creating more than 300 permanent jobs in the province.

Ubuhle Towels (Pty) Ltd, a 75% black women-owned company, investing R132-million in towel manufacturing Elegant Afro Line (Pty) Ltd, a 100% black women-owned company, investing about R900 million in chemicals in the Richards Bay IDZ.

Nyanza Light Metal, a 100% black-owned company, investing R4.5-billion in the production of titanium dioxide pigments. Construction of the top structure at RBIDZ Phase 1F is expected to resume in April 2020.

Wilmar SA (Pty) Ltd, a manufacturer of edible oils, investing R1.3-billion and creating 300 jobs.

These investments are adding nearly R7-billion in both Phase 1A and 1F of RIBDZ that are planned to materialise from March 2020 in Richards Bay.

We should also bear in mind that Dube Trade Port has attracted R7-billion in private and public sector investment between 2012 and 2019.

We are encouraged by expressions of confidence shown by private sector companies in relocating or settling in the province. These include Samsung Electronics which relocated from Johannesburg to Durban and Heineken which is opening a new plant in the province.

We are also glad to report that the province won the rights to host the World Halaal Day 2020. This event will be part of the KwaZulu-Natal International Investment Conference which is aimed at attracting investments in priority sectors of the provincial economy.

Economic infrastructure

The 2019 International Investment Conference saw the launch of the Durban Aerotropolis Master Plan which envisions the development of a globally-connected airport city around King Shaka International Airport. To increase passenger connectivity in the province, EDTEA is also providing funding to upgrade regional airport infrastructure.

EDTEA has similarly provided R30-million towards the construction of a terminal building at Mkhuze airport following its runway upgrade. EDTEA is also working with Ray Nkonyeni local municipality to upgrade the Margate airport terminal building at a cost of RS-million following its transfer to the municipality.

Significant progress towards the establishment of the automotive supplier park has been made with engineering studies having been completed and an implementation MOU between EDTEA, Dube Trade Port and eThekwini signed by the parties. The automotive supplier park will be in operation by 2021.

We are at an advanced stage in the engagement with the Department of Trade and Industry towards the development of the Clothing and Textiles SEZ in the province. The identification and feasibility assessments of the sites have already been completed. The national government has developed a Clothing and Textile Master Plan which focuses on growth and protection of this industry. There are clear signs of revival of our once vibrant clothing and textile sectors, with SARS intensifying customs controls and confiscating illegal and cheap goods.

To build our common future together and support job creation in South Africa, let us buy local and proudly embrace what we produce and manufacture here.

Our industrial parks will be upgraded, especially in Mandeni and eZakheni. This will see existing companies expand their operations and attract more new factories.

During 2020/2021, the province will see an investment drive focusing on the oceans economy, aloe processing, bio-ethanol, renewable energy, fish processing facilities and innovation hubs. These will also benefit districts outside SEZs and Industrial Parks.

Our export promotion drive continues to yield positive results, with no fewer than 103 export opportunities being created. Twenty KZN companies have enrolled for the exporter competitiveness programme and, in doing so, sustained 1605 jobs. Overall, our business retention and expansion support provided to companies in distress amounted to R860-million expansion investment and saved 910 jobs.

Digital economy

Madam Speaker, the digital economy is a driver of growth and creator of employment in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Government is rolling out telecommunication infrastructure, including broadband networks and digital innovation hubs.

The province will soon enter into an agreement with Broadband lnfraco to provide layer two network services to be used by Dube Trade Port to provide over 810 Wi-Fi hotspots at 405 selected sites across the province.

Over the next five years, the Moses Kotane Institute will ensure that several rural communities are digitally connected.

I am happy to report that the development of information technology hubs in five rural municipalities is at various stages of completion, including Okhahlamba, Kokstad and Umfolozi local municipalities. The collaboration framework to guide connection of Mandeni and Mpofana is awaiting finalisation. The hubs will provide free Wi-Fi to emerging entrepreneurs and free access to sites of learning for students and youth searching for jobs. It is anticipated that these hubs will be functional in all Community Service Centres in due course.

Enterprise Development

In support of the provincial government's quest to accelerate economic development in the province through the establishment of viable, sustainable and employment creation enterprises, EDTEA disbursed R226-million to small enterprises, facilitating the creation of 3 284 jobs. A further R63.4-million was disbursed to women-owned businesses, creating 1 382 jobs. At the same time R57.1-million expended on youth-owned businesses generated 655 job opportunities.

Youth empowerment and job Creation

In October 2019, the province offered more than R71-million to 55 youth-owned enterprises through the KZN Youth Empowerment Fund, the first of its kind in the history of South Africa. One of our beneficiaries Is Albert Mkhwanazi, a 26-year-old from Groutvllle whose Khethi-Bet Trading (Pty) Ltd received R1.8-million from the Youth Fund. This young person operates a business In the steam and hot water supply Industry and steam geyser manufacturing.

Similarly, 33-year-old Nonhlanhla Gumede of Uthandimvelo Trading, an emerging business operating in the sugarcane industry in Stanger is currently supplying Tongaat Hullet Mill. The business received grant funding of R1.45-million, with which it has sustained 10 permanent jobs and created 25 temporary jobs.

Currently, our Youth Directorate has embarked on road shows in the province to prepare young people for the next round of the Youth Fund which will be advertised in the new financial year. In these road shows, we have partnered with the Department of Small Business Development and the NYDA which was tasked by President Ramaphosa to identify 1000 young entrepreneurs for funding within 100 days of the SONA.

We are happy to report that, once again, the Office of the Premier will allocate another R50- million to the Youth Development Fund in 2020/202.1.

Operation Vula Fund

The Operation Vula Fund enables our entrepreneurs with Innovative and employment creating business ideas to access grant funding from the government The Fund focuses on sectors of strategic importance to the province.

The funding process opened in October 2019 with a budget of R65-million. A total of 2 841 applications were received. EDTEA is currently adjudicating these applications for finalisation.

Operation Vula Fund will form the bedrock of enterprise development in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. A provision of R150-million has been made In the 2020/2021 budget estimates.

Private-Public-Partnership

When presenting the Provincial Youth Fund, we called on the private sector to contribute to small business development. ABSA answered the call with R500-mllllon in a soft-loans programme towards SMMEs working with government. To date, 51 SMMEs have been supported to the value of R158-million - 65% of recipients are African female and 60% are youth.

Together with business, we are creating our common future!

The creation of jobs remains a key priority in the current Medium-Term Strategic Framework. Cogta's placement of 500 intems in municipalities, announced in its 2019/2020 Youth Development Strategy, is proceeding as planned. A total of 349 interns have already been assigned to various municipalities across the province while the remaining 151interns are to be placed before the end of March 2020.

Tourism development

Fellow compatriots, it was Mrs AC Dube, a relative of Dr JL Dube, who wrote in the poem, Africa My Native Land:

"How beautiful are thy hills and thy dales!
I love thy atmosphere so sweet
Thy trees adorn the landscape rough and steep
No other country in the world could with thee compare"'

Honourable Members, I dare say no province can compare with KZN!

This sector remains of prime importance to the province buoyed by the warm hospitality of our people, the beautiful climate and plentiful wildlife. And more must be done to transform the sector so that the patterns of ownership and management reflect the demographics of our province.

In this regard, we welcome the launch of the Tourism Equity Fund to stimulate transformation in the sector which was announced by President Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address.

To maintain the attractiveness of the province as a tourist destination, our government has made tremendous progress in building and maintaining tourism assets in the province. These include Ngodini and Ndumo Border Caves at a cost of R15-million, resulting in 400 job opportunities for the local communities. We are also upgrading the Bhanga Nek Campsite with an investment of R20-million. This project will result in 1O permanent and 25 temporary jobs.

We are also pleased to note that Transnet has commenced the construction of the Cruise Terminal. This catalytic project is envisaged to spur tourism in KwaZulu-Natal and create more than 1000 job opportunities. This is a R220-million investment in the province.

Plans are afoot to upgrade the Mandela Capture Site near Howick to become one of the world's acclaimed tourism destinations. More details regarding this will be provided during the Budget Votes of Cogta, EDTEA, and Arts and Culture.

Tourism outlook

Madame Speaker, we have experienced a significant increase in domestic tourist arrivals in the first half of 2019 when compared to the same period in 2018, with a recorded more than 2.3-million arrivals in 2019 against 1.3-million arrivals in 2018. This is an 80% increase!

Another significant increase is in tourist spend in the province which totalled R14.4-billion in the first half of 2019, a 37% increase on the previous half-year. On the international front, in 2019 KwaZulu-Natal recorded an increase of 8% in visitor numbers.

KSIA grew by 6.5% in 2019 compared to 2018 at 6.26 million passengers. Overall passenger numbers in December 2019 grew by 11.6% to just over 616 000. International passengers grew by 9.7% in 2019 when compared to 2018. The Route Development Committee (RDC), which Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) co-chairs works as a collective of public and private sector partners to grow arrivals at KSIA.

Business events to be hosted in 2020/2021 are expected to inject an estimated R1.2-billion into the local economy. These events include the World Football Summit next week, the Eco-health Conference in June, the World Maritime Day in October and the World Halaal Day in November.

SAA flight termination

We are concerned about the negative impact of the recent decision to stop SAA flights to Durban. We are grateful that our engagements with relevant parties to review this decision are receiving favourable consideration.

Sugar industry

For a long time, our sugar industry has been on the brink of collapse due to depressed global prices. Government's commitment to finalise the Sugar Master Plan demonstrates the resolve to ensure jobs and livelihoods retying on the sector are not disrupted.

We are encouraged that our sugar industry will enjoy significant rejuvenation with the imminent implementation of a new regulatory framework around biofuels generally and ethanol in particular. This is a major game-changer.

Of course we will seek effective protection against cheap imports and dumping both in respect of the sugar and clothing Industries.

Environmental Sustainability

EDTEA continues to play a pivotal role in protecting indigenous plants from invasive alien species. The department has cleared 120 000 hectares of land affected by invasive alien species and created 7 500 Job opportunities.

A further 3 000 work opportunities were created through the Good Green Deeds programme. A provision of R100-million was made towards ecosystem management.

Climate change and resilience is an apex priority for the province. The provincial government has revived the Provincial Council on Clmate Change and is working with the relevant stakeholders to draft a KZN Climate Change and Resilience Policy to better respond to environmental challenges.

Agriculture development

Madam Speaker, the provincial government has prioritised support for the agricultural sector as one of the key sectors of the provincial economy.

Radical Socio-Economic Transformation

Through the KZN Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET) Programme, we are promoting the development of agricultural value chains through leveraging government's buying power.

This programme is piloted in the Harry Gwala, llembe, King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude districts and the eThekwini metro. Once the pilot is finalised, the programme will be rolled out throughout the province.

Through RASET, for example, every week women from uMkhanyakude supply llembe Enterprise with 1000 crates of tomatoes.

We are proud to know that we are not alone in the journey to Grow KwaZulu-Natal. We appreciate the input we received from, among others, the Forum for Radical Economic Transformation.

Their proposals are in line with the resolutions taken by the recently held Cabinet Lekgotla on the Consolidation of a Strategy for Township and Rural Economic Development:

• In terms of the new KZN MTSF, our target is 30% set asides for women, youth and SMMEs. We have a policy on set-asides on specific commodities for designated groups.
• Our own PGDP targets governments local procurement spend is 35% youth;30% women, 5% people with disabilities, 10% Military Vets - 60% allocated to Africans.
• By 2024, we aim to have 50 % of government spend on entrepreneurship for women­ owned and led business.
• Land to be acquired for agriculture in terms of the rural Land Reform Programme: target 40% to youth by 2024.

The Economic Strategic Infrastructure Development cluster will expand more on this when they make a presentation before this House.

Cannabis – The green rush

We are directing considerable effort towards the beneficiation of cannabis into various value­ added products.

A feasibility study to identify and seize opportunities in the production of cannabis and downstream beneficiation for local people has already been completed. A Cannabis Investor Protocol has also been developed and launched. A dedicated and fully staffed Cannabis Unit has been established within the Moses Kotane Institute to assist emerging cultivators and entrepreneurs with infrastructure assistance, funding and licencing.

Multi-Planting Season Programme

In the current financial year, the Department of Agriculture has assisted farmers to plant 10 658 hectares for food security across the province.

The province has experienced inclement weather conditions, which resulted in the delayed rains and consequently the start of the planting season.

In his State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa noted the adverse Impact of drought on the agricultural sector. We welcome the announcement that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will develop a Drought Mitigation strategy that focuses on distributing drought resistant seeds for the planting programme and storage of fodder for livestock.

The provincial government has committed R77-millionfer the implementation of the 2020/2021 planting season programme. The MEC for DARD will provide additional details on the rollout of this strategy during her Budget Vote.

Production of seeds, seedlings and fruit trees

Compatriots, working together, we can certainly "turn the tables on agriculture" as Phumelele Ndawo wishes.

The sixth administration has taken a bold step to establish five mega-nurseries to produce seedlings and fruit trees.

This will address the skewed structure of the economy by ensuring that the historically disadvantaged individuals participate in the seed and seedling value chain. The provincial government has developed a plan that will ensure that farmers currently supplying the RASET market have sufficient seedlings and fruit trees to plant in order to fulfil orders. This is intended to boost the township and rural economy.

A budget of R30-mllllon has been set aside for the initial phase of agricultural infrastructure, equipment and operations. Implementation will commence in 2020/2021 and the programme will see the employment of 290 agricultural graduates.

Assessment of Land Reform Farms

The provincial government is concerned about the amount of land that ls lying fallow in KwaZulu­Natal. We tasked the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct an assessment on Land Reform Farms. Their report has been finalized and is awaiting tabling before the Provincial Executive Council before the end of March 2020.

The assessment has confirmed that a significant number of these farms are facing serious operational challenges and have been rendered dysfunctional. This has serious implications for food security and economic growth of the province. Mr Celani Xulu from Umlalazi Municipality wrote to me to say: "I think land restitution projects especially located in areas with high poverty rate need to be visited with a clear plan." The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development will provide further details on the provincial governments plan to put these farms back into production.

Commercialisation of goat farming

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is developing a goat farming value chain strategy. This is to support primary production and promote the culture of business livestock production among rural black producers. The Department will continue to provide support in rolling out livestock auctions and use this Programme to commercialise goat production. This Is part of creating awareness and promoting the value of goat meat amongst the rural poor, especially as a business enterprise.

Agri-Hubs

A concept for Agri-Hubs has been developed. Now we want to see its implementation in 2020/2021 and beyond. These Agri-Hubs are intertwined with the AGRIPARK Model, Warehouses, Operation Vula through RASET and the District Development Model (DOM).

Youth empowerment - Sukuma 100 000

Madam Speaker, the issue of youth unemployment is a stark reality that is facing us, especially in an environment compounded by economic decline.

Today we announce a dedicated, comprehensive, youth empowerment programme called Sukuma 100 000, which will be implemented across all government departments, state-owned entitles and our partners in the private sector. Our target is for over 100 000 young people to benefit from this programme per year over the next five years.

The programme will be implemented through various programmes such as internships, learnerships, apprenticeship, in-service training etc. Its main purpose will be to transition our young people and women into mainstream job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. The Youth Directorate in the Office of the Premier will coordinate this programme and track progress on an annual basis. Sithi Sukuma Mntomusha, Sukuma entathakusa uzithathe uye phambili!

Public works and infrastructure

KZN state-led infrastructure development contributes to the economy of the province and provides much needed services. We have tasked the Department of Publlc Works to improve its intemal operations and strengthen its systems in order to achieve its full potential of becoming the Implementer of Choice.

The department must reduce reliance on private consultants and build internal capacity to design and package projects. The turnaround time on maintenance of state buildings must be timeous and efficient.

We have directed the department to serve as the Province's Infrastructure Nerve Centre that will coordinate all government infrastructure projects.

We note the progress in the establishment of the Strategic Infrastructure Development Agency (SIDA) and direct the department to bring the agency into operation.

The SIDA will seek to restore the balance in the province's core infrastructure focus by coordinating, integrating and implementing programmes in areas of public transport, social and economic infrastructure.

Provincial Precinct

In order to commence with the much anticipated Provincial Precinct, some provincial state land and buildings are being disposed and funds accumulated will go towards the establishment of the precinct. The Precinct will be a showpiece infrastructure project housing most departmental head offices and the Legislature. MEC Nkonyeni will give us more details in her Budget Vote.

Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme Is Public Works' flagship tool to advance radical socio-economic transformation and we acknowledge the department for its efforts in developing small businesses through the programme. We are pleased to report that in the past year, the department has empowered women-owned companies with over R90-million in contracts while youth-owned enterprises laid claim to R47-million.

Public Works Is responsible for the provincial coordination of EPWP which serves as a valuable safety net to give some of our most vulnerable citizens access to the dignity of work. Over the past year, the province has created 135 163 EPWP work opportunities.

Transport infrastructure delivery

The Department of Transport has to strike a delicate balance between maintenance and construction of new projects. In 2020/2021, R8-bllllon will be invested in infrastructure development and maintenance.

The department continues to support the province with the implementation of the Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs). In particular, the SIP 2 which is the Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.

Durban Port

We welcome the President's announcement in the 2020 State of the Nation Address that during this financial year, government will undertake a fundamental overhaul of the Durban Port to lessen delays and costs.

Bridges and enabling access to education

Owing to the topography of the province, there is a dire need to connect and provide safe crossings in rural areas. In 2020/2021, the Department of Transport is planning new seven vehicular bridges and 12 bailey bridges. The department also plans to upgrade 60 kilometres of roads from gravel to black top.

In partnership with SANDF, 12 new bridges will be built in 2020/2021, mainly in rural communities. The estimated value of the project is R115-mllllon.

Sanral projects

Last year we announced a major catalytic project by the South African Nationa lRoad Agency Pty (LTD), for the N3/N2 upgrade project at an estimated cost of R35-bllllon upon completion. We can now report that the first phase at a cost of R9-billion will be awarded by the end of March 2020 and the balance by the end of 2020/2021.

Hlanga Lomhlabathi, we are happy to report that Sanral, working jointly with the Department of Transport is now engaged in a stakeholder consultation process to build the lsandlwana Heritage Project. This project will support tourism and drive economic development.

The N2 KwaDukuza project, which was suspended over two years ago due to court challenges between the contractor and Sanral, will now resume.

Public transport

Government is moving with speed in transforming the subsidised bus industry. The industry is currently in the hands of a few families and does not reflect the demographics of the province. Already 12 contracts have created access to African contractors. This will expand to mainstream contracts.

Moving forward, this work will take the approach of an open bidding process which will be guided by the principles of iGula. Whilst work has started in King Cetshwayo, in 2020/2021 there will be a focus on uMgungundlovu, Amajuba, iLembe and Zululand.

The taxi industry is a vital lifeline of our transport system but it is unfortunately plagued by constant instability. This is in spite of numerous interventions by government, including expanding offices, the issuing of Operating Licenses and effective peace building interventions by the Provincial Regulatory Entity.

Areas which are currently engulfed by conflict and receiving attention include: Ladysmith, Nquthu/Nondweni, Dolphin Coast, uMlazi West/MNR and Ngonyameni, Nongoma, Pietermarilzburg, Ngwelezane, Estcourt and Bhamshela.

The Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) administers licensing of public transport operations (taxis, buses, meter-taxis and tour operators).PRE offices are in Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Empangeni and Port Shepstone. Plans to open a new PRE in eThekwini are at an advanced stage. A total of 18 544 licences have been processed to date as part of stabilising the industry and promoting regulations. We continue to appeal to all stakeholders to comply with regulations and work together towards building a thriving and peaceful industry.

The common future that we seek to build together regards every person in the taxi industry as a crucial stakeholder. We appeal for leadership from the taxi industry to work for peace and build a new ethos of adhering to the rule of law.

Road safety

The province has managed to reduce fatalities by 5% in the last festive season period. This is an important foundation, but sadly we still lead the country in road fatalities. The loss of 354 lives during the festive season must jolt us into changing our behaviour on the road. We appeal for courtesy and adherence to the law by all road users, including pedestrians. We will also be improving law enforcement on all our roads to curb fatalities.

KZN is ready for the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offenders (Aarto). We believe that this legislation will enforce punitive measures against repeat offenders on the road.

Economic transformation in the transport industry

IGula remains a "game changer" in driving transformation in the transportation sector. Since our last State of the Province Address, the following progress has been made:

• Enforcement of minimum of 35% sub-contracting in all major infrastructure projects.
• Policy on the Contractor Development has been finalised.
• A Fleet Management feasibility study has been completed to inform modernisation and revitalisation of the government garage.
• Finallsallon of the Materials Sourcing Strategy.

Transport and job creation

Transport will create 63 000 work opportunities through the EPWP in 2020/2021. This includes 4000 newly-recruited youth under the Vukayibambe Road Maintenance Programme. Working with the Office of the Premier, the Department of Transport has recruited 850 young people who will be part of the National Youth Service. In 2020/2021, the department will increase its intake for the Internship programme to 160 young people.

 Education and skills development

Madam Speaker, fellow citizens, education and skills acquisition remain the best instrument to achieve racial, gender and income equality in our country.

When we burn public assets, such as schools and universities, we are burning our collective future.

Educators who abuse learners contribute to our problems and do not deserve to be in the system.

To reclaim the future, we must close ranks against individuals and groups who are determined to squander our hard won democratic gains.

Performance of our Basic Education

During the previous year, we increased access to Early Childhood Development (ECO) services to 128 922 children in both centre-based and non-centre based ECO Centres. Going forward, we are massifying our ECO services by specifically targeting districts in deep rural areas, including farming communities, by establishing 12 ECO centres in these areas. We are now also replicating our non-centre-based ECO programmes in Ugu and uMkhanyakude districts.

Information communication technology and 4IR

We are rolling out e-learning solutions to share scarce resources, expand curricula, enhance education delivery, and improve outcomes. In August last year, the province launched the e­ Learning infrastructure and programme at eMadungeni Primary School in the Harry Gwala District. Through such interventions, learners from the deepest of our rural areas are able to benefit from the wisdom of some of the best teachers who are often located in better performing urban schools.

In 2020/2021, we are intensifying our efforts in the implementation of the national literacy and numeracy plans. As announced earlier in my Address, we will be steaming ahead with coding and robotics in our curriculum in selected pilots in the province.

Having noted the remarkable achievement of 81.3% in the matric results last year, we are not taking our foot off the pedal. This was a product of hard work, discipline, determination, collaboration and effective implementation of key support interventions and we need to replicate of all these in 2020/2021.

Schools of excellence

In line with industry needs, the province has built the La Mercy Is a Maths and Science School of Excellence which is at 98% completion. The construction of the Agricultural and Maritime Schools of Excellence in uMgungundlovu and Umlazi, respectively, will commence in 2021 .The construction of the Special School for Autism will also commence this year.

School safety interventions

Incidents of violence in schools, vandalism, theft and bullying all remain a key challenge. It is also concerning to see criminals attacking and even murdering securiy guards at some of our schools. The education and safety of our children and infrastructure is a societal issue requiring collective action.

In this regard, we applaud the community of Umlazi who upon learning about the break-in and theft of school assets like computers at Ntwela Primary School in Umlazi took it upon themselves to recover the stolen assets and identify the criminals.

To deal with challenge of School Safety, the Executive Council approved a multi-pronged Schools Safety Strategy which is anchored on:

• Deployment of Community Based Volunteers to our schools.
• Fencing of all our schools.
• Establishment of Safety School Committees.
• Regular patrols of schools by the police.

University unrest

The unrest that has bedevilled some of our Institutions of Higher Leaming Is an antithesis to our campaign to drive skills development through education. We have since assigned MEC Mshengu to work with all concerned stakeholders including university management, student formations, alumni and the Department of Higher Education to find a lasting solution. We will also make efforts to attend to the developing situation at University of Zululand.

Learner transport

No less than 2.8 million learners in South Africa are in KZN. The province has the largest number of rural schools and learners in the country and our current allocation is still unable to cover all learners. This service currently benefits more than 350 schools and 59 000 learners who travel long distances to school. In addition, government will distribute 2400 Shovakalula bioycles.

Fifteen buses are being provided to various schools with special needs.

The health and wellbeing of the people of KZN

Madam Speaker, we know that development and health are closely entwined. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on health, this government is fully committed to quality and affordable healthcare for all. Since the inauguration of the 6th Administration, the Department of Health has been consolidating previous successes, attending to weaknesses in the system and improving overall efficiency, service delivery outcomes, and wellness of our people.

‘Make Me Look Like a Hospital’ campaign

In line with our commitment to improving the level of service and client experience at our healthcare facilities, we have also resolved to revive the ambitious Make Me Look Uke a Hospital Project (MMLLH). This is an extremely important instrument to make our clinics and hospitals effective. We want to see performance of the health establishment against a uniform set of expectations of what constitutes quality health care delivery. Our citizens deserve a positive experience in all our health care facilities.

We will focus strongly on Patients' Rights, Patient Safety, Clinical Support, Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Operational Management, Facilities and Infrastructure. The revival of this programme will serve to change the public image of our public health care facilities. The safety of our health workers will receive attention under this programme. This will consolidate the gains that are already being felt as the Province continues to prepare for the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).

Spearheading e-health

Our Provincial Department of Health is edging closer to the goal of migrating from the old and inefficient paper-based filing and data-management system to a modem, dynamic and infinitely convenient sphere of e-health. The new e-health system is being piloted at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, as well as the Madadeni Hospital. The new a-health system will reduce patient waiting times, and address the issue of missing and damaged patient files, while enabling the Department to defend itself against medico-legal claims.

Improved health system

We have already made significant inroads in the fight against HIV/AIDS and under-age pregnancies in the province. The Department of Health is implementing a brand new HIV/AIDS awareness programme. To achieve an HIV/AIDS-free generation, awareness and prevention needs to be kept alive, with fresh, engaging and relevant messages directed at the public.

We welcome the progress in making anti-retroviral treatment accessible to all those who need it. Three districts in KwaZulu-Natal, namely Ugu, uMkhanyakude and uMzinyathi, have become the first in the country to meet the ambitious UNAIDS 90-90-90 target to help end the AIDS pandemic.

Amajuba, King Cetshwayo, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Zululand and eThekwini are expected to follow suit by March 2020. Harry Gwala and llembe will be supported to achieve epidemic control by December 2020.

Supporting LGBTQI community in accessing healthcare

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and lntersex (LGBTQI) community continue to face obstacles when it comes to accessing healthcare. They face frequent prejudice, homophobia and violence. The Department of Health has introduced a ground-breaking programme known as Fabulous About Health to address challenges faced by the sector.

Forced patient sterilisation

We condemn the ill-treatment and disregard for the rights of patients and their families by some of our healthcare workers. We are disturbed by the findings of the Gender Commission into the allegations of forced sterilisation of HIV positive women in the health sector. As a province, we will cooperate with ongoing investigations and we vow that there will be consequence management. Unprofessional conduct in our healthcare system is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Coronavirus update

We wish to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that government is ready to deal effectively with a potential coronavirus threat. We have placed on alert the following hospitals: Greys, Addington, Ngwelezane, and Manguzi.

Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorlal Hospital

This financial year, we are opening the R2.8-billion,state-of-the-art Dr Pixley Ka lsaka Seme Memorial Hospital. Soon the people of KwaZulu-Natal, paticularly in the lnanda, Ntuzuma KwaMashu area, will benefit from this brand new facility.

Progress on the State of Local Government in KZN

Madam Speaker, in June2019 Cogta conducted a wide-ranging assessment of the State of Local Gcvemment in KZN. This was the most comprehensive exercise of its kind focusing on the state of municipal governance, finances and service delivery. The report on the State of Local Government in KZN has thus been a real game changer in the province with 54 Municipal Support Plans developed and adopted by municipalites.

The process has enabled us to attend to the critical challenges that are crippling the performance of our municipalities such as dysfunctional municipal Excos, MPACs, vacancies, poor revenue collection, debt owed to Eskom and specific service delivery Issues In municipalities.

Progress report on Msunduzi and eThekwini

When we delivered the State of the Province Address last year, we committed to responding to the challenges facing uMsunduzi and eThekwini municipalities. We can now report to this House that the efforts to return these municipalities to their former glory are progressing well.

Our re-engineering process has ushered an era of stability and there is pulling together among councillors. The culture of ill-discipline and unethical behaviour is fast waning and is not being tolerated. I am sure Honourable Members will concur with me that negative headlines about these two municipalities are slowly but surely becoming history.

Progress in Msunduzl

The leadership of Msunduzi has adopted a new planning approach to coordinate spatial planning for the City's economy. The focus is on the CBD regeneration which includes addressing the visible urban decay and creating a conducive environment for businesses.

More vigorous law enforcement is being implemented at Msunduzi to address all unlawful activities. An application was also made to court to condemn derelict buildings with a view to demolishing and re-establishing with the current owners or the potential new owners. New Traffic Enforcement Officers have also been appointed.

As announced by the President during the State of the Nation Address, all efforts by government will only materialise if the social compact among all social partners remains intact. That is why we are actively building collaboration and consensus on the Msunduzi turnaround programmes.

The City will also be focusing its energy and resources in several catalytic projects, including Smart City Concepts, unlocking the potential of the Airport Precinct, the N3 interchange and alignment as part of the N3 Corridor Development, and Inner City Housing Solutions.

Waste Management has been a major challenge at Msunduzi but this is now changing. The City has appointed service providers to take over the operations at the landfill site and to rehabilitate the site until security has been improved to stop illegal waste dumping.

In terms of institutional structure, the City Manager position is in the process of being filled together with other key vacancies. The City is also vigorously enforcing consequence management, with 30 to 40 staff members currently undergoing disciplinary hearings. Some have been dismissed while others are on suspension.

There are also changes in the financial management and governance and, as a result, there has been an improvement in the audit outcome from disclaimer to a qualified audit opinion. The City is also aggressively focusing on revenue enhancement initiatives and cost containment strategies to stop unnecessary expenditure. We can safely say that our Capital City is rapidly moving in the right direction.

Progress in eThekwini

The interventions we implemented in the eThekwini municipality last September are beginning to yield positive results. The new leadership of the municipality has hit the ground running and spared no effort in putting measures in place to stabilise the city, accelerate the pace of service delivery, and build an inclusive economy and accountable government.

Regarding the challenge of refuse collection, eThekwini has developed a sustainable waste management plan which entails procurement of new fleet, new landfill sites and insourcing of solid waste employees in areas such as Umlazi. The metro has also approved an investment strategy which will see the city injecting over R500-million in the next three years for cleansing and solid waste.

A turnaround plan has been developed and is currently being implemented to upgrade electricity and water infrastructure. In areas that experience intermittent water supply, the municipality is building new water reservoirs and upsizing water supply pipes. Currently, the metro is implementing the Western and Northern aqueduct project at an estimated cost of R2-billion.

To accelerate service delivery and bring government services closer to the people the municipality has built on Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS). This OSS Mayoral Outreach Programme sees the leadership of the municipality visiting at least 12 Wards of the municipality per month. By the end of July this year, 110 Wards and 17 zones making up eThekwini metro will have been visited.

The ratepayers in eThekwini have constantly complained about the billing system of the municipality with households claiming to be paying exorbitant monthly water and electricity bills. The municipality has developed a plan to improve meter readings and accelerate the implementation of pre-paid metering.

We make a special call to all people of KwaZulu-Natal to defeat the culture of refusing to pay for services. Freedom comes with responsibilities. Just as citizens expect government to honour its promises, so too are citizens expected to honour their responsibilities so that we can develop our country.

Challenges in Newcastle, Ladysmith and other municipalities

We are aware of the recent challenges in the Alfred Duma and Newcastle municipalities. MECs have been assigned the tasks and intervention programmes have been put in place. We are confident that we will bring stability and lasting solutions.

Provincial water interventions

As committed in the previous State of the Province Address, the issue of basic service delivery, especially water, is the top priority for this administration. Water is critical for human life as well as economic growth. We are committed to finding solutions to our water challenges. In response to this challenge, we convened a special Extended Executive Council, which included all key players in the water sector, to find solutions to the water-related challenges.

We have developed a Water Intervention Plan to address water challenges in hotspot areas within the next 18 months. R84-million has already been transferred to municipalities to implement "quick-win" interventions. Water-stressed districts that will benefit from this project include Ugu, uThukela, uMzinyathi, Amajuba, Zululand, uMkhanyakude and Harry Gwala.

Key projects here include Bergville water supply upgrades, Skhemelele water supply, uMthavuna bulk electricity to facilitate water provision, Moyeni Zwelisha water supply scheme, Kokstad and Underberg upgrades of the main pipelines. A total of 251 boreholes will be drilled.

I am sure this news will excite Mhlengi Dube of Okhahlamba municipality, Ward 7, who advised the Premier as follows: "Premier, please address the issue of water shortages in Bergville. We have a big dam around here which supplies other provinces". The MEC for Cogta and the MEC champion of uThukela will visit the area to see for themselves what Mhlengi is talking about.

As a long-term solution, we will by June 2020 conclude the Provincial Water Master Plan which will outline sustainable interventions to achieve universal access to water in our province. We have identified dysfunctional infrastructure and deficiencies in operation and maintenance. Our findings will inform remedial action plans and determine the cost of implementing the Master Plan.

Progress in Ugu district

The situation regarding water in the Ugu district is a cause for concern. While we acknowledge that this is one of our water-stressed districts, we are investing in long-term catalytic programmes to make it water-secure.

We are deeply concerned that, in most cases, the disruption to water infrastructure arises not from routine operations and maintenance issues but due to unlawful actions, unauthorised interference and tampering with infrastructure, rendering it unable to provide water to communities.

It is regrettable that as a consequence of these insensitive actions, many of our communities within the Ugu district have to endure going without potable water for days. I have instructed the Justice Crime Prevention cluster to put an immediate stop to these illegal acts and work with communities to put behind bars all those engaged in acts of sabotage.

All Human Resources matters pertaining to employees' concerns must be processed through the local Labour Forums. MEC Champions have been tasked to ensure that these forums are convened and resolve the issues at hand.

As the provincial government, we have allocated an amount of R20-million to alleviate Ugu's water scarcity and 92 static tanks have already been delivered. In addition, we have allocated R1.3-million to upgrade water pumps in lfafa area, R14.5-million for uMthamvuna's raw water pump station as well as water treatment works, and R2.7-million for the construction of temporary bridge across uMzimkhulu River. Ugu has also been supplied with two water tankers and honey suckers, a grader, two TLBs, an excavator and a refuse compactor.

Basic services

Since last year's State of the Province Address, government has spent significant resources on tackling poverty, building houses for the poor, electrifying houses, providing water to millions of additional households, improving education and health.

Most poor households now get free water and electricity, sanitation and refuse removal, RDP houses or land, free education and health. Approximately 70% of learners in government schools are in no fee schools and most of their learners get a meal a day at school.

The percentage of people enjoying access to potable drinking water in our province is now at 85.44%. Sanitation has improved to 88.55%, for VIP level and above. No less than 89% of our people now have access to electricity. We are working hard to restore the dignity of our people!

Implementation of the District Development Model

For government to effectively deliver services, it must function optimally and in a coordinated way. It is against this background that government has introduced the District Development Model - One Plan, One Budget approach.

In last year's State of the Province Address, we pledged to re-engineer Operation Sukuma Sakhe. We have since integrated OSS with the new DDM as part of re-engineering of the former.

This Model constitutes a new way of doing things where the three spheres of government and development partners in the private sector, civil society and traditional leaders plan, budget and implement together all developmental programmes with the district at the core of the process. President Ramaphosa launched the Model last October in eThekwini.

For the first time we will have one plan and one budget with only the division of labour and a shared focus on implementation. The districts are going to be major impact zones and a key yardstick to measure the progress we are making as a country in changing the lives of our people.

To date, district profiles for all 10 KZN districts have been drafted by Cogta and a Provincial Task Team, headquartered at the Office of the Premier, has been established to lead the alignment and integration process with the existing Operation Sukuma Sakhe.

All MECs who are champions in districts will drive this campaign. The upcoming Khawuleza Week will ensure that MECs spend at least a week in their respective districts institutionalising this new way of doing things.

2021 Local Government Elections

We are already preparing for the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for 2021. While the elections are organised by the IEC, our role as government is to create an enabling environment for free and fair elections.

Managing disasters

Madam Speaker, the harsh realities of climate change are upon us! The frequency and intensity of hazards, such as floods, thunderstorms, cyclonic wind and even tornadoes in our province is alarming. And their impact is devastating. In 2019/2020 as many as 208 people lost their lives as a result of disasters in addition to 500 injuries

During the same period, the province recorded a total of 2624 disaster- related incidents, mainly due to inclement weather conditions and veld fires. Consequently, 25 812 households were affected and damages to public infrastructure, such as roads, schools and community halls, amounted to some R3-billion.

We have to mitigate the effects whilst also adapting to the reality. To this end, we must ensure that all Disaster Management Centres must be properly resourced and capacitated.

We also take this opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Jonty Ndlanzi who headed the Provincial Disaster Management Centre with distinction and who was laid to rest last Saturday.

Human Settlements

Madam Speaker, the flagship Vulindlela housing project in Msunduzi which started In 2011 and consists of 25 000 housing units is nearing completion at the cost of R2.5-bllllon.This project has resulted in employment of 1713 workers during construction targeting the poor, women-headed households and persons with disabilities.

This bar-raising project Is spread over nine municipal wards and Involves 24,455ha of land. At least 136 615 residents will benefit, tangible proof of government’s commitment to the creation of self-sustainable and thriving human settlements.

We are ensuring that human settlements projects utilise local labour and materials supplied by SMMEs. This is one of our interventions to support rural and township economies.

In line with Radical Socio-Economic Transformation 53 black-owned companies now undertake planning and construction work in the department.

The department has also developed an lncubation Programme focusing on emerging black­owned businesses within the CIDB grade 1-4. In this financial year, 100 companies will be in incubation.

The Department of Human Settlements has developed a comprehensive slums clearance programme. Five transit camps in eThekwini have already been cleared. The MEC for Human Settlements will elaborate further in her Budget Vote.

Building an ethical, capable developmental state

Through the reengineered Public Service Academy, public servants will be trained for a more efficient and capable state.

The first eight months of the 6th Administration have been dedicated to enhancing the capacity of the state and its machinery for radical implementation.

We vigorously apply consequence management. To this effect, there are currently no fewer than 613 officials undergoing disciplinary processes. As we speak, two officials are serving 15-year sentences and two have been dismissed and five are on suspension. The MECs will provide more details on corrective measures per department during their budget votes.

Operation Pay on Time

We reaffirm our commitment to paying service providers on time. As of March 2020, Treasury is implementing the Electronic Invoice Tracking system. As we speak, about 60 % of all departments are paying on time. I have given an instruction that no less than 90% of all departments must pay suppliers on time by the time of the next SOPA.

Operation Clean Audit

Madam Speaker, we are not proud of the 2019/2020 audit outcomes for the province of KwaZulu­Natal. This is not the place we want to occupy. We do not want to be synonymous with irregular, wasteful and fruitless expenditure.

The Auditor General is clear that we are regressing as a province. We need to reverse this trend. The areas of qualification for each department have been identified. The amount and reasons for irregular expenditure in each department have been spelt out.

As part of the Audit Improvement Plan, working together with Provincial Treasury, we are convening an induction workshop for Executive Authorities and Accounting Officers on planning, monitoring and evaluation areas that affect audit performance.

The newly established Provincial Audit Readiness Oversight Committee will coordinate and monitor all audit improvement initiatives, and report regularly to the Executive. A Consequence Management Framework will also be in place, applicable to all departments by the end of March 2020.

We want to see immediate results. A radical turnaround in audit outcomes is in the best interest of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

Fighting crime

Winning the war against crime is a critical priority for our province. In the 2019 State of the Province Address, we committed to bring stability in the law enforcement agencies and ensure they are effective in all areas. We are confident that the appointment of Lieutenant-General Jula as our high-ranking crime-busting official is a step in the direction towards the fulfilment of this commitment.

At the same time, we are also changing our approach to fighting crime. We are now firmly focused on police stations that have the highest crime levels. The issue of alcohol abuse and violent crime that comes with it is now the focus of our police operations, including patrolling and rapid response.

In 2020/2021, we will, together with the JCPS Cluster, launch our crime-fighting intervention programme titled Operation Vala. This intervention will specifically focus on gender-based violence, house and business robberies, drugs, gangsterism and murders. We are confident we will deliver on the crime-fighting front.

Our collective task is to ensure that families can sleep well at night,women can walk at all times of the day and our children can be safe from predators and abuse. It is also to ensure that businesses are protected from criminal invasions so that they can help grow the economy and create jobs, but also attract further investment into our economy.

Working with national government we will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the South African Police Service (SAPS) across the province. Among others, levels of criminality are driven by chronically poor detective services, failure to implement the Domestic Violence Act and lack of cooperation from the community.

The Department of Community Safety will provide oversight through monitoring activities to ensure that SAPS attends to these problematic issues on an urgent basis.

Working with communities against crime

Honourable Members, an active citizenry in partnership with government is in the end the only way to defeat crime in our communities.

Every member of the community must be mobilised to become an active agent against all types of crime in our society. We must all take part in Ward Safety Committees, Community Police Forums, KwaZulu-Natal Community Crime Prevention Association (KZNCCPA) and School Safety Committees. Over this financial year these government will ensure these are capacitated to become the effective watchdogs of the community.

As part of fighting cross border crime, the Department of Transport is constructing new jersey barriers in the border of South Africa and Mozambique. In line with iGula, the jersey barriers are manufactured locally, using local labour.

Community-based crime prevention programmes play a major role in the fight against crime. The Communities-in-Dialogue Programme (CiDP) has to date conducted more than 22 CiDP which have led to real and lasting stability in the communities of eMsinga, Weenen, eMbazwana, Normandien, Dannhauser and Dabhasi among others.

Through the Volunteer Social Crime Prevention Programme (VSCPP) we have placed a volunteer in every ward. In addition, we have located outstanding men and women on the Mozambican border to stop stolen vehicles from crossing the border.

We have already notched successes in this regard. Between October and December 2019 alone, 18 stolen vehicles were recovered as a result of interventions by Cross Border Volunteers.

Honourable Speaker, leading to the Local Government Elections of 2021, we have resuscitated the Multiparty Political Intervention Committee, which consists of political parties registered with the IEC. Through the structure we want every party to take full responsibility through the Provincial Stability Strategy, to ensure we have peaceful, free and fair elections.

Social Development Is a cornerstone for a cohesive, peaceful and prosperous KZN

Social development is a critical pillar in the building of united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society. We are hard at work to eliminate all forms of discrimination and ensure human development for all our people so 1hatthey are empowered to unleash their latent talents and full potential. It is for this reason that the Department of Social Development has been mandated to re-orientate itself to pay greater attention to human and societal development, instead of only focusing on welfare services.

Combating gender-based violence

Our country and province is experiencing disturbingly high, shameful, and distressing incidents of gender-based violence (GBV), some of which has resulted in femicide. As government, we state categorically that such incidents are an antithesis of the society we are envisioning; they only reflect a deplorable regression in the respect for human rights, nation building and social cohesion.

In response to the scourge of GBV, as the provincial government we embarked on a five pillar programme focusing on prevention, awareness, care and support to victims, strengthening the judiciary and ensuring the economic empowerment of women.

Arising from this intervention, the Department of Social Development has in 2019/2020 held the Provincial GBV and Femicide Summit. It has also employed 183 Social Workers through NPOs and 30 departmental Social Workers dedicated to deal with the Gender-Based Violence Programme.

Additionally, the department has increased access to psychosocial support services, reaching more than 6,600 victims of GBV.

Going forward, in 2020/2021, government is further expanding Its programme of combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Our Programme of Action will intensify prevention campaigns on the scourge. Our Programme of Action will see a province-wide distribution of the Memeza panic button, the establishment of more Khusuleka One Slop Centre for Victims of GBV, and the establishment of five more White Door Centres of Hope.

In 2020/2021, the Office of the Premier will undertake a 365-day awareness, advocacy and communication campaign

Caring for the vulnerable

Our Social Development services continue to intervene on multiple fronts to assist and support the vulnerable members of our society. In the past year, our expanded substance abuse prevention programmes to all wards of KZN reached 176 810 people. We also provided Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) treatment services to 2 085 substance users.

In 2020/2021, we will construct two new treatment centres in Ugu and llembe districts.

Madam Speaker, this government is successfully accelerating the transition from social welfare to social development.

This government is also providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to develop skills and earn an income with products that they make in protective workshops to supplement their disability grants. To this end, we have developed a Provincial database of persons with disabilities that will serve as a hub from which government departments can tap into when they target persons with disabilities for recruitment purposes

Social cohesion and nation-building

We acknowledge that we have not put as much energy into the work of the KZN Provincial Council on Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration as we had intended. In mobilising participation in the Council we brought different sectors in society together. It is imperative that we work to generate a positive spirit, Ubuntu and reaching out to each other. We are committed to a sitting of the Council before the end of April 2020.

Madame Speaker, following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the creation of the new national department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, the province of KwaZulu-Natal will also have a new provincial department of Sports, Arts, and Culture no later by April 2020.

Honourable Members, you will recall that the year 2019 marked the centenary year of the birth of Prof Nyembezi. We wish to report that the Department of Arts and Culture hosted a Literature Exhibition, and International Translation Day on 28 November 2019, Port Shepstone in honour of Prof Nyembezi and Prof Mazisi Kunene.

Emerging writers and authors

The Department of Arts and Culture will this year develop a comprehensive programme to assist emerging book writers and authors to register and market their literary work. The department will create platforms for book writers to write books about communities and localities where they reside - "One Township, One Book."

King Shaka statue

Heritage is the lifeblood of cultural tourism. We must do more to preserve the rich, diverse Heritage of the province for future generations and to boost economic development. In this regard, the provincial government is ready for the erection of the King Shaka statue to be processed in the 2020/2021 financial year. This will be done after consultation with His Majesty the King.

Promoting positive mood and prosperity

The provincial government will roll out a community-based programme under the direction of Arts and Culture that aims to change the mood in the province. Each week, programmes must occupy young people with creative and innovatie activities that seek to uplift them and change their outlook in communities and society at large.

Sports tourism

Next week KwaZulu-Natal will be a proud host of the World Football Summit Africa at the lnkosi Albert Luthuli lnternational Convention Centre. The WFS will help South Africa and our continent unlock the enormous potential of soccer. DSR working hand in hand with EDTEA will continue to explore the area of sport tourism as part of the strategy to boost the local economy.

Major sporting events to be held in KZN this year include the World Karate Championships, the African Swimmlng Championships, and the lnternational Youth Cadet Chess Championships.

Revival of boxing

The department recently hosted the Provincial Boxing lndaba which has led to the establishment of the Provincial Professional Boxing Association. The Association has been tasked to work with government to ensure a unified programme of action for boxing in KZN.

New Interventions

The new initiatives that we will focus on in 2020/21 are:

i) Job Creation: In response to the crisis of unemployment, the province has established the Job Creation War Room which meets monthly, and follows up on all projects in all sectors, unblocks challenges and reprioritizes, where necessary, to ensure that jobs are created in this province. The Office of the Premier and the Economic and Strategic Infrastructure Development Cluster are leading in this regard.

Job creation will be linked to Sukuma 100 000 for the youth - addressing learnerships, internships, work experience, prioritising entrepreneurship and advancing the Small-, Medium- and Micro-Sized Enterprises as a catalyst for job creation.

ii) Enhance the Role of SMMEs: We recognise that to make an impact on unemployment, we need to strengthen enterprise development as most jobs are created by SMMEs.

Moving ahead, we will have a renewed focus to support SMME development. This will entail training, incubation, finance, and linkage to market post financing.

iii) Building Requisite Skills for Future Industries: We recognise the need to develop appropriate skills which are in demand by the modem economy and this is another priority we have set for ourselves. We will work through the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) where government, academia, and industry engage on channelling of students to skills required by industry. This entails a better understanding of growing industries like the green economy, the oceans economy, and digital technology - an industry which is the backbone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

iv) Social Stability & the fight against Crime: The province will also drive an intensive Campaign on Social Stability and the Fight against Crime. The Campaign will be known as Operation Vala - as in Vala ubugebengu. The main focus is on the elimination of drugs, activation of the community to participate in the fight against crime and ensuring the safety of women and children in particular.

Acknowledgements

Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to convey my deep sense of gratitude to Members of the Executive Council for their support as we work together to create a common future for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

We also wish to express our deep sense of appreciation to His Majesty, iNdlunkulu and Amakhosi aseNdlunkulu led by lnkosi Chiliza, for the unfailing guidance that they provide to the Executive Council as we build a model of cooperative governance.

We also to acknowledge the crucial oversight work that is performed by all Members and Committees of the Provincial Legislature.

Thanks to the leadership and of all KwaZulu-Natal structures of business, labour and civil society who are working with government to improve the lives of the people of this province.

Allow me to also convey a word of appreciation to our Director-General Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize, HODs, the Premier's Advisors, and the public servants who go beyond the call of duty to create a common future for all our people.

To my wife and pillar of strength, Mrs Neli Zikalala - I can never thank you enough for your unfailing, unconditional support.

The people of KwaZulu-Natal deserve a special mention. We salute you all for the trust that you have given us and we wish to assure you that all the views that we received as we were preparing for this State of the Province Address will inform our programme of action as we build our future together.

Finally, I wish to thank my organisation, the African National Congress, for entrusting me with the crucial responsibility of leading this Administration to advance the National Democratic Revolution and ideals of the Freedom Charter. It is truly an honour to be part of the only revolution that is committed to a South Africa that is truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, our State of the Province Address coincides with Mam' Miriam Makeba's birthday who would have turned 88 today.

She was fondly known as Mama Africa and the 'Empress of African Song.'

May we draw inspiration from her rendition of Jolinkomo, an African battle song, which gave courage to warriors when they went to war in defence of their ancestral land, cattle and heritage!

Mama Africa was a revolutionary and a pan-Africanist who used her singing talent and international fame to fight the evils of apartheid and gender discrimination.

On her return from exile, Mama Africa was gravely concerned about the slow pace of transformation. But she was cautious not descend into cynicism and despondency. It was never in her character to be an armchair critic.

Without much resources of her own, she started shelters for young girls as she was worried about their fate. She said in an interview before her untimely death in November 2008:

"I just wish that people can be soldiers. We can all be soldiers, soldiers not to fight against each other but to fight against poverty, illnesses, disease, and greed, and all the ills of the world, you know just be an army for al goodness."

Today, our province needs precisely a disciplined army of good soldlers, as envisaged by Mama Africa, who are drawn from all our citizens and instilled with the bravery of the traditional warrior in Jolinkomo to win against the enemy of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

We call on the all the people of KwaZulu-Natal to seize the moment and create a future that we will all be proud to bequeath to our children.

Together, let us create our common future.

It is in our hands!

And Let Us Grow KwaZulu-Natal.

I thank youl