KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the province’s commitment to accountability, cooperative governance, and community-centred service delivery as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) convened its “Taking Parliament to the People” programme at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on 18 November 2025.

The programme, one of South Africa’s most important participatory democratic platforms, brings lawmakers directly into communities to listen, observe, and respond to service-delivery challenges raised by citizens. Premier Ntuli described the engagement as a constitutional imperative that ensures Parliament remains close to the people it serves, particularly those whose voices often go unheard.

Reflecting on the purpose of the programme, the Premier emphasised that ordinary South Africans do not measure government by constitutional schedules or departmental mandates, but by whether water runs, electricity works, roads are safe, and communities are secure. He added that the NCOP’s focus on uMgungundlovu District provides the province with a vital opportunity to re-evaluate progress and address persistent constraints in service delivery.

In his address, the Premier highlighted areas of growing momentum across the province, including economic renewal and large-scale investment. At the 2025 KZN Investment Conference, the province secured R100.1 billion in commitments across 34 major projects, which are expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities. Infrastructure development continues to accelerate, with catalytic corridors in eThekwini, tourism developments in iLembe, and major water schemes such as the R463 million Greater Mthonjaneni Bulk Water Project.

The Premier also drew attention to the newly launched KwaZulu-Natal Infrastructure Council, which oversees a R3.9 trillion long-term project pipeline. The Council’s focus ranges from inclusive growth and climate resilience to integrity in procurement and broader participation of rural communities, SMMEs, women and youth.

Across the province, more than 5 million square metres of roads are being rehabilitated, with major investments directed at resurfacing, maintenance, and ensuring local contractors benefit meaningfully. Through SAPS partnerships, disruptions caused by construction mafias are being contained, allowing projects to proceed safely.

KwaZulu-Natal’s vulnerability to extreme weather remains a central concern. The Premier noted that the province has experienced some of the country’s most severe climate shocks in recent years. In response, the Climate Change Council continues to prioritise climate-resilient infrastructure, early-warning systems, responsible land-use planning, and the growth of green industries aimed at youth employment.

Turning to service delivery pressures, the Premier acknowledged the ongoing difficulties in water supply reliability, particularly in Ugu, Zululand, uThukela, and uMzinyathi. Urban centres such as Msunduzi, KwaDukuza and Newcastle continue to face sewer failures and ageing sanitation networks. Illegal dumping, which the NCOP highlighted sharply during its walkabouts in uMgungundlovu, remains an urgent environmental and health concern across multiple municipalities.

Electricity availability sits at more than 93 percent in the province, yet local networks are increasingly strained by illegal connections, vandalism, and ageing infrastructure. The Premier emphasised that municipal financial recovery is non-negotiable, especially as some government departments continue to carry substantial debt to municipalities, undermining local capacity.

The Premier outlined decisive provincial interventions, including the strengthening of District Development Model coordination, intensified intergovernmental forums, and Section 154 support to distressed municipalities. The turnaround in Msunduzi Local Municipality, driven by a Premier’s Working Group, was highlighted as evidence that structured oversight and expert deployment can restore financial discipline and administrative stability.

A significant portion of the Premier’s address focused on the link between community safety and sustainable service delivery. He noted that without safe communities, development cannot thrive. Safety allows clinics to open on time, educators to work without fear, and municipal services to reach communities without interruption. For this reason, the province is expanding intelligence-driven operations, enhancing rural safety, deploying specialised law-enforcement support to high-risk municipalities, installing CCTV systems, and strengthening school-safety and youth-at-risk programmes.

The Premier stressed that institutional capacity within municipalities remains central to achieving durable service-delivery improvements. Without strong financial controls, engineering expertise, and effective governance, infrastructure plans collapse long before implementation. He reaffirmed that building capable, reliable municipalities is a moral responsibility owed to every household in KwaZulu-Natal.

In closing, Premier Ntuli called on the NCOP to support the province in reviewing equitable-share allocations, fast-tracking disaster funding, enforcing municipal turnaround plans, and resolving national logistics constraints that affect provincial development, including ports, rail, and special economic zones.

He reminded delegates that the success of government will always be measured in the lived reality of communities. Whether lights stay on, taps produce water, neighbourhoods remain safe, and children have equal opportunities will determine whether the state is meeting its obligations.

The Premier encouraged all departments and municipalities participating in the programme to use the platform to deepen public accountability and strengthen community partnerships. He expressed confidence that the engagement would serve as a turning point for uMgungundlovu and contribute to rebuilding trust in government and restoring hope among citizens.

This commitment to transparency, cooperation, and service excellence remains at the heart of KwaZulu-Natal’s vision for a capable and caring state, focused on improving the daily lives of all its people.