KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for urgent, coordinated and decisive action across all spheres of government to strengthen service delivery and restore public confidence in local governance.

The Premier was addressing the Premier’s Coordinating Forum (PCF), held at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre on Friday, 27 March 2026. The strategic governance platform brought together Members of the Executive Council, mayors, councillors, traditional leaders, senior government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society stakeholders to deliberate on key service delivery priorities in the province.

In his opening remarks, Premier Ntuli positioned 2026 as a defining year for both citizens and government, particularly in the context of the upcoming local government elections. He emphasised that while the elections present an opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic rights, they also serve as a critical moment of accountability for government to demonstrate tangible progress in improving the quality of life of communities.

“Local government remains the coalface of service delivery. It is at this level where citizens engage most directly with the state, where access to basic services becomes either a lived reality or a daily frustration,” said the Premier.

He stressed that the upcoming elections must not be viewed merely as a political event, but as a milestone that compels government to reflect on its performance, strengthen governance systems, and accelerate service delivery where gaps persist.

Premier Ntuli called on participants to use the Forum as a platform for honest reflection and decisive intervention. He urged leaders to interrogate municipal readiness beyond electoral processes, focusing on governance stability, financial management, infrastructure delivery, and institutional capacity.

“The credibility of local government will ultimately be judged not by commitments made, but by services delivered consistently, equitably and with dignity,” he said.

Reinforcing the importance of cooperative governance, the Premier highlighted that the challenges facing municipalities require a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. He underscored the need for alignment between provincial departments, municipalities and national partners to unblock constraints and provide targeted support to struggling municipalities.

As part of strengthening governance outcomes, Premier Ntuli emphasised the need to reposition platforms such as the PCF into spaces of substance and strategic engagement. He noted that such forums must be driven by credible data, rigorous analysis and focused decision-making that leads to measurable results.

“To build a capable and responsive state, we must move beyond reporting and begin to interrogate root causes, identify systemic constraints, and agree on clear, actionable interventions,” he said.

The programme of the Forum was structured to support this approach, beginning with a briefing from the Independent Electoral Commission on the state of readiness for the upcoming Local Government Elections. Premier Ntuli emphasised that this briefing should empower leadership to actively support the Commission, safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and strengthen democratic institutions.

A second key focus area of the Forum was the ongoing water challenges affecting municipalities across the province. The Premier described access to water as a fundamental human right directly linked to dignity, health, and economic participation.

He acknowledged that water supply challenges reflect deeper systemic issues, including infrastructure maintenance, governance shortcomings, and long-term planning deficits. In this regard, he aligned the province’s response with national priorities led by Cyril Ramaphosa, who has elevated the water crisis as a national priority through the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee and increased infrastructure investment.

“Our responsibility is to define a coherent provincial response that addresses immediate supply challenges while laying the foundation for long-term water security across KwaZulu-Natal,” the Premier said.

The Forum also placed emphasis on the role of secondary cities in driving inclusive economic growth and job creation, as outlined in the Premier’s third State of the Province Address. Premier Ntuli highlighted the need to unlock the economic potential of these urban centres through deliberate investment, improved governance, and strengthened institutional capacity.

He called for municipalities to enhance their ability to attract and facilitate investment by improving financial management, streamlining regulatory processes, and aligning infrastructure planning with economic priorities.

“Secondary cities hold significant potential to unlock regional economies and reduce spatial inequality. However, this requires capable institutions that can translate policy into tangible economic outcomes,” he noted.

Premier Ntuli concluded by encouraging open, constructive and solution-driven engagement among all participants. He reaffirmed that every contribution plays a role in shaping a responsive and capable state that delivers for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Premier’s Coordinating Forum continues to serve as a critical platform in advancing the objectives of the 7th Administration, with a strong focus on improving service delivery, strengthening intergovernmental coordination, and building a developmental state that responds effectively to the needs of its citizens.