Party Leaders Farewell Wishes for 6th Term
Date: 09 April 2024
Time: 3 mins
Mode: Hybrid Sitting
- A time comes in the life of each of us, that we have to for various reasons, say goodbye.
- My time has come. I will not be contesting the 2024 general elections. It is really hard for me to say this, Hon. Speaker.
- Among reasons, the main one is that our party, The Minority Front, did not secure any donations from well- wishers or the private sector, like we used to up until 2014. Therefore, 2019 was also tough but I fought that election on a very tight budget. In 2024, such a situation, especially post COVID is not possible.
- I have made the contributions required of an Honourable member in my 25 years in the legislature as our late Hon. Leader, the late Mr A. Rajbansi did.
- As a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a leader, I have made the necessary sacrifices always, some too severe for any human to bear, but I’ve always persevered.
- My years in the KZN Legislature, the opportunities and the memories will always occupy a special place in my heart. I have had a cordial relationship with all my fellow Hon. colleagues, and the legislature staff. Everyone has been supportive, and I appreciate this, thank you all.
- I want to thank PALAMA for the opportunities given to study at WITS and the Hon. Speaker for the annual members studies assistance. These will help me.
- My message to the IEC and the private sector is to make a genuine effort to support woman politicians financially, as the cost of elections is a huge barrier for woman’s political participation yet the voices of women in the halls of power are critical to shape our people’s lives. I do feel deeply for our communities.
- All the best to my colleagues in the May General Elections. Goodbye and God Bless.
- Thank you all.
Hon. Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi
MPL: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Minority Front Leader
Words: 318