The Deputy Judge President of KwaZulu-Natal, Judge Mdumiseni Isaac Madondo;

 

Director General, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize;

 

Members of the Media ;

 

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good morning

Thank you for responding in numbers to this briefing. We are also joined by other Colleagues from the media via online platforms and we would like to welcome you all.

The purpose of this briefing is to introduce the new Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council following their swearing-in by the Deputy Judge President, MI Madondo earlier today.

Following the resignation of MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Ms Amanda Bani-Mapena from the Executive Council with effect from 12 April this year, a vacancy was created in the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council.

In order to ensure the continued delivery of services in that portfolio, we subsequently deployed Ms Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to act as MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.

It will be recalled that MEC Sithole-Moloi had served with distinction as MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture before, and her appointment in an acting capacity enabled the uninterrupted continuation of service delivery in the sector. We wish to thank MEC Sithole-Moloi for her role in ensuring stability in the Department as Acting MEC since Honourable Bani-Mapena’s departure.

Equally, we wish to thank Honourable Bani-Mapena for her commitment, dedication and for the service she has given to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the leadership she provided in the Department during her term in office.

The changes being announced today are a clear commitment to accelerate service delivery, and to direct the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government to be more effective, agile and decisive in the realization of commitments that we made during the State of the Province Address.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Deputy Judge President has just concluded the swearing-in ceremony of Honourable Honourable Sipho Caiphas “KK” Nkosi as the new MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works.

The new MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works has been a Member of the Provincial Legislature serving with absolute commitment, diligence and dedication in various committees including as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Finance.

The new MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture is Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and he has extensive experience as a government leader having served as Mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality from 2019 to 2021 and MEC responsible the Public Works and Human Settlements portfolio.

Both MECs are community leaders and activists who have worked in various strategic sectors. They have in-depth knowledge of the challenges confronting government and we expect them to fulfil their tasks with integrity while placing the interests of the people of KwaZulu-Natal foremost in the work that they do.

We congratulate the new MECs on their appointment in their new portfolios and we are confident that they will hit the ground running.

I thank you.

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier