Debate on the State of the Province Address

Date:  24 February 2024

Time: 10:00am to 14h00pm

Speaking times: 4 minutes

 

1. Premier in detailing the success of the ANC-led government from 2004 to 2024, its fair to say “ What’s easy to see is easy to miss”, A lot has been accomplished, thank you. Yet a lot still needs to be done.
2. The MF also takes this opportunity to thank the IFP for holding the fort from 1994 to 2004. Those were difficult days I recall when I set foot into the KZN- Legislature in June 1999.
3. I pay tribute to our Minority Front founder leader, Mr Amichand Rajbansi who, in holding the balance of power gave the ANC the opportunity to lead from 2004 and also returned KZN to its former glory in sports as MEC then.
4. Our country Hon.members, is at the brink of an election that can prove whether our young democracy is still fragile or now fertile for development.
5. We have a blue print for success, the National Development Plan 2030. If each of us follows the NDP on an autopilot we will achieve honourable success, because it propels us into action with clear direction.
6. We must move from “back to basics” to “ back to our roots” and use traditional wisdom to solve and resolve our challenges. Therefore, our government needs to move on a double- engine developmental trajectory for infrastructure together with emboldening citizens socio-culturally. A lot has been done for socio-economic upliftment but Hon. Speaker, a people devoid of their culture becomes unidentifiable and yet we are steeped in cultural treasures. Let’s bring our cultures into our development plans and designs to prosper as a Province.
7. Our youth, with degrees need to be given the jobs they deserve and assisted as entrepreneurs. NASFAS must pay outstanding fees, preventing graduations. This will turnaround our service delivery challenges in health, education, conservation, agriculture and local government, amongst others.
8. The pace at which sports and cultural stars are produced needs more commitment from the cabinet.
9. The human resource (HR) spread in both the public and private sectors of like institutions needs combined assessment for efficiency through practical legislation and good regulations, as these will allow for new normal work environments, post COVID and pre- technological productivity shifts.
10. There must be consolidation in boards and planning commissions, ensuring that only the best can serve on these think- tanks.
11. The NGO sector requires streamlining to allow for closing existing gaps for new needs.
12. The culture of our citizens is being diminished by perceptions because minds understand realities by what they watch on TV channels and see on social media. These spaces have to have policy interventions to protect our communities and prevent violence, anti-social and unpatriotic behaviour which is becoming normalised.
13. In regards to the recognition and honouring of Indian Indentured Labourers on 16^th November; it is now left to any political party that has power anywhere in KZN to complete this task before this election.
14. The work of the 7^th term of Parliament should heavily focus on empowering MPL’s on practical amendments to weak laws and good regulation-making. We’ve done a lot of monitoring we must move to assessments that bring changes.
15. I have served the people of KZN for 25 years being an active member in the Legislature, Hon. Speaker. I take this opportunity to thank everyone I have worked with in the Legislature. We cannot predict the future as I learnt the hardest way on the 01^st November 2022, thus we must treasure the present and continue to do the best we can to contribute to our wonderful Province and country.
16. All the best to my colleagues contesting the elections. Let’s pledge for peace and harmony. Until we meet again, God bless.
17. Thank you.

Hon. Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi

MPL: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature

Minority Front Leader

 

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