The Provincial Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal chaired by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube convened its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, 10 May 2023. The Executive Council reflected on pertinent issues in the state of the province and took the following resolutions:

1. ROLLOUT OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMME ACROSS THE PROVINCE IS IN FULL STEAM

The Executive Council received an update on the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) which revealed that learners in schools across KwaZulu-Natal are receiving their nutritious meals daily.

The concerted efforts by the provincial government of ensuring that nutritious meals are provided to learners comes after reports that some schools did not receive their food deliveries resulting in learners not being able to enjoy their expected meals.

The NSNP is an important government programme that deals with several challenges facing communities such poverty and unemployment.

The NSNP feeds no less than 2,4 million children daily across the province.

The Executive Council received a report that the challenges facing the school nutrition programme in the province have been addressed and children are indeed being fed in schools.

The latest report comes amid ongoing oversight visits led by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube to assess the implementation of the feeding programme is schools across all districts.

Tracing teams continue to make follow-ups and are monitoring the roll-out of the NSNP using an online tool, Geospatial Technology that derives real-time data into the KwaZulu-Natal Information and Innovation Hub.

Business Intelligence is used to draw analysis on the reports generated through the online tool.

The Executive Council also raised concern about misleading reports regarding the non-delivery of food in some schools which upon investigation, it was discovered that those schools which were reported to not having food had in fact received food deliveries.

All community structures have been requested to work with government and report any challenges in order to ensure that there are no further disruptions to the programme.

2. AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH FOCUS ON TOURISM RECOVERY HIGH ON THE AGENDA

The Executive Council applauded the successful opening ceremony of Africa’s Travel Indaba held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 09 May 2023 under the theme:” Unlimited Africa”; which asserts that Africa is a continent endowed with great potential.

The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba, which ends on 11 May 2023, brings together stakeholders from across the tourism industry ecosystem, from no less than 1000 buyers, just under 1000 exhibitors, destination marketing bodies, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators and 10 African tourism boards.

The Executive Council encouraged both business and citizens to buy locally produced goods and services as this contributes to the revival of the economy, tourism recovery and supports the creation of jobs.

3. UHULUMENI UYA KUBANTU – KZN EXCO TO HOST OPERATION SUKUMA SAKHE CABINET DAY IN AMAJUBA DISTRICT

The Executive Council will host the Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day in Amajuba District Municipality on Wednesday, 31 May 2023, which is aimed at strengthening public participation while assessing progress in service delivery and the implementation of various programmes to improve the lives of communities in various wards.

Challenge affecting residents in Amajuba District include the decline in business activity as a result of Covid-19, load shedding, water challenges, unemployment and crime related to alcohol abuse, drugs and gang related violence.

The occasion will also be utilised to respond to and remove bottlenecks that frustrate service delivery to the communities.

The Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme will be rolled-out in a more impactful manner and deliver visible improvement in the lives of communities through implementing practical interventions.

4. CHOLERA UPDATE IN KWAZULU-NATAL

The Executive Council welcomed the update and status on cholera in KwaZulu-Natal. The province has had no confirmed cholera cases, however the three deaths that were reported in KwaZulu-Natal were from Gauteng Province.

The two were buried in Pongola and one in Manguzi in the Zululand and Ukhanyakude District Municipalities respectively.

South Africa has reported 11 cases and 2 probable cases of cholera. The country recorded three deaths, one was among the confirmed and two were probable cases who died in Gauteng and buried in KwaZulu-Natal.

Families of the deceased were visited and screened by teams from the Department of Health and municipalities, and no family members presented diarrheal symptoms. Both municipalities had proper water supplies.

The Executive Council has guided that there be engagements with religious leaders to exercise caution when performing baptisms in rivers and dams. Community education programmes will also be implemented.

5. UPDATE REPORT ON MALARIA IN KWAZULU-NATAL

The Executive Council received progress made in the malaria elimination programme, with the King Cetshwayo District being the first candidate that has undergone subnational verification for a malaria elimination certification.

However, the Executive Council noted that this advancement in malaria elimination has been threatened by the upsurge of local cases that occurred in the January 2023 to March 2023. During this period there have been thirteen (13) deaths that were recorded, with eThekwini, which is not an endemic district, accounting for six (6).

The Executive Council welcomed interventions that have been implemented to eliminate malaria especially in the endemic regions of Umkhanyakude, Zululand and King Cetshwayo districts. These include test and treat, entomological surveillance which is focusing on malaria vector mosquito and involves sampling activities in the outbreak localities as well as focal spraying. There will be increased health education and promotion campaigns.

6. CONDOLENCES ON PASSING AWAY OF INKOSI AARON JABULANI SHABALALA

The Executive Council recorded its condolences on the passing away of Inkosi Aaron Jabulani Shabalala of KwaThekwane Traditional Council under Amajuba District Municipality.

Inkosi Shabalala passed away on 05 May following a short illness. The passing away of Inkosi Shabalala has brought unimaginable grief upon the traditional community that he led with humility and dedication. Inkosi Shabalala has been praised for the huge role he played in his community, maintaining peace and harmony.

7. UPCOMING EVENTS

The Executive Council was also briefed on several national and global events that will be taking place in the province in the coming weeks.

7.1. Deputy President Mashatile to embark on a two-day visit to KwaZulu-Natal

The Executive Council noted with satisfaction the preparatory work that has been done ahead a two-day visit to KwaZulu-Natal by the Deputy President Paul Mashatile next week.

The Deputy President’s visit is anchored on ensuring that the District Development Model serves as the foundation for enabling adequate and efficient service delivery to the people, driving infrastructure investment and advancing local economic development.

During the visit, the Deputy President, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC SA), will preside over the Council Sitting, which is also being hosted in the province. The HRDC SA mobilizes various stakeholders behind the country’s Human Resource Development Strategy towards 2030, which aims to develop skills that serve the needs of the economy and support the national objectives of radical economic transformation towards inclusive growth.

7.2. ITTF World Table Tennis Championship

KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up to host the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals on 20 – 28 May 2023 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

The event is the largest and most prestigious Table Tennis event held annually and will attract over 500 million viewers globally. It will be hosted over seven days with top players from over 200 countries, including the Top 128 players in Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles, as well as the Top 64 pairs in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

The Executive Council looks forward to welcoming all the participants who will be arriving, with the Chinese national team being the first to land at King Shaka International Airport on Friday, 12 May 2023 at 16h45. They will be followed by the South African National Team arriving at 18h00 on Sunday, 14 May, from a training camp in India. A draw for the event will be held on 18 May 2023 and the official kick-off of the championship is on 20 May 2023.

7.3. Netball World Cup Trophy Tour

KwaZulu-Natal will be the first province to receive the Netball World Cup when it lands in South Africa on 25 May ahead of the Netball World Cup to be hosted in Cape Town from 28 July – 06 August 2023.

The trophy will be in KwaZulu-Natal from 25 – 29 May 2023. The trophy will be taken on a tour in different districts around the province.

As part of the efforts to create awareness and interest around the Netball World Cup, several public viewing areas are being planned around the province to enable as many people as possible to watch the live games, especially those featuring the Proteas.

The Executive Council welcome the economic spin-offs that will be yielded by hosting these sporting events but also increased interest in the game, especially for township and rural youth.

Ends

Issued by the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal