PREMIER Dr. ZWELI LAWRENCE MKHIZE

PERSONAL
Date of Birth: 02 February 1956
Marital Status: Married to May
Place of Birth: Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg
Academic Qualifications: MBCHB from the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal) in 1982.

PREVIOUS AND CURRENT POSITIONS

• Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (Inaugurated 11 May 2009 )
• KZN MEC for Finance and Economic Development (November 2004- 2009)
• KZN MEC for Health (1994-2004)( The longest serving Provincial Health MEC in the country)
• Leader of Government Business in KwaZulu-Natal
• Chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal
• Member of the ANC National Executive Committee
• Chairperson of the ANC's National Education and Health sub-committee
• Chairperson: 2010World Cup Political Oversight Committee
• Chancellor of University of KwaZulu-Natal

Premier Zweli Lawrence Mkhize's past is a typical South African story. Mkhize, the fifth child in a family of seven, grew up in a family of labour tenants in Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg. Discipline was a keystone in Mkhize's upbringing. His parents, with no formal education, were considered community elders whose advice was often sought. Said Premier Mkhize, "My father was a descendant of the Mkhizes of Nkandla where, in the 1830s, my great grandfather was considered one of the heroes of the clan. Mindful of this legacy, my father always insisted on us respecting others and living our lives with humility and integrity."

Zweli Mkhize's intelligence and the sacrifices of his older brothers saw him accomplish what was denied to many of his generation. He had a chance at a formal education which saw him graduate as a medical doctor from the University of Natal. In 1983 he completed his internship at McCords Hospital in Durban, before being employed at Edendale Hospital in his home-town of Pietermaritzburg in the following year. Dr Mkhize went into exile in 1986 and continued with his medical practice in Swaziland and Zimbabwe. He returned to South Africa in 1991 and worked at Themba Hospital in what was then called Eastern Transvaal (now known as Mpumalanga) and later in that year, Dr Mkhize started his private practice in Pietermaritzburg.

Dr Mkhize played a practical role in the process leading towards the establishment of a democratic government in the country. Between 1991 and 1994 he served as a member of the ANC's National Health Secretariat - the structure that was tasked with the responsibility of developing the country's health policy. He co-founded the Regional Health Forumand became a member of the National Health Forum, which is one of the structures that served as consultative avenues for stakeholders in the health sector across the country.

As a long-serving member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee and the organisation's National Executive Committee, Dr Mkhize has over the years played an active role in the promotion of peace and stability in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

While politics and making South Africa a better place remains his passion, when he feels it is time to retire he will take on his next best love --full-time farming.

CHANGING THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE

TWELVE NATIONAL OUTCOMES
The South African Government has agreed on 12 Outcomes as a key focus of work between now and 2014. The Government of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to developing implementable programmes that will change the lives of our people for the better. Each outcome is linked to a set of specific goals that will help to contribute to the outcome.

These 12 National Outcomes and their goals are as follows:

1. IMPROVED QUALITY OF BASIC EDUCATION
Raise Grade 3 literacy and numeracy to a national average of 60%; Grade 6 mathematics and language to a national average of 60%; Grade 9 mathematics and language to a national average of 60%

2. LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE FOR ALL SOUTH AFRICANS
Reduce mortality rate; reduce the impact and prevalence of HIV and Aids and Tuberculosis; and provide an effective healthcare system

3. ALL PEOPLE IN SOUTHAFRICAARE AND FEEL SAFE
Reduce levels of overall crimes (hijacking, business and house robberies); ensure an effective and integrated justice system; manage crime perceptions; effectively managed border posts; and initiatives to fight corruption

4. DECENT EMPLOYMENT THROUGH INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH
More labour absorbing growth; increased competitiveness, to raise net exports, grow trade as a share of world trade and improve its composition; improved support to small business and cooperatives; implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)

5. SKILLED AND CAPABLE WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT AN INCLUSIVE GROWTH PATH
Building capacity of agencies at various levels in the system to plan and forecast; expansion incentives for companies to create industrial apprenticeships and learnerships; strengthening the delivery system, fast-track and strengthen sectoral research and planning capacity; developing a funding framework that is performance orientated

6. EFFICIENT, COMPETITIVE AND RESPONSIVE ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK
Electricity provision, improving ports, rail, pipelines, and communications technology, our water provision and construction of roads

7. VIBRANT, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES, CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL
Improve access to affordable and diverse foods; improved rural services to support livelihoods; improved employment opportunities and promotion of economic livelihoods; enabling institutional environment for sustainable and inclusive growth

8. SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF HOUSEHOLD LIFE
Ensuring an accelerated delivery of housing opportunities and expanding access to basic services; access to adequate accommodation that is suitable, appropriately located to allow access to economic opportunities; affordable and fiscally sustainable with access to basic and social services, and provide security of tenure

9. RESPONSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM
Implement a differentiated approach tomunicipal financing, planning and support; improving access to basic services; implementation of the Community Work Programme; deepen democracy through a refined Ward Committee Model; administrative and financial capability; a Single Window of Coordination

10. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS AND NATURAL RESOURCES THAT ARE WELL PROTECTED & ENHANCED
Enhanced quality and quantity of water resources; reduced greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and improved air/atmospheric quality; sustainable environmental management; protected biodiversity

11. CREATE A BETTER SOUTH AFRICA AND CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER AFRICA AND THE WORLD
Pursuing African advancement and enhanced international cooperation

12. EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL ORIENTED PUBLIC SERVICE AND AN EMPOWERED, FAIR AND INCLUSIVE CITIZENSHIP
Building a developmental state, including improvement of public services and strengthening democratic institutions

Transport, Community Safety and Liaison - MEC Mr Thembinkosi Willies Mchunu

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Committee (ANC) and Provincial Working Committee of the ANC (1994 to date)
• KwaZulu-Natal ANC Deputy Chairperson
• KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson SACP
• Member, Central Executive Committee, SACP
• Regional Convener and the first Chairperson of the Northern Natal Region of the ANC
• Trade Unionist with COSATU Affiliates
• SANCO KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Working Committee Member
• Chairperson of Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital Board
• Founder and Chairperson of Isiphelelo Trust, a benevolent initiative
• Chairperson of Cato Manor Development Association Board of Directors

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Thobekile Nzimande
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 2626
Fax: +27 (0)33 342 8824
E-mail: thobekile.nzimande@kzntransport.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzncomsafety.gov.za
http://www.kzntransport.gov.za

Economic Development & Tourism - MEC Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Honours Degree in Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Advanced Business Programme
• Conducted research on Labour Matters.

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• MEC Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs
• MEC Finance and Economic Affairs
• MEC Public Works
• MEC Economic Development and Tourism
• Member of the National Executive Committee of the Metal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa
• Regional Secretary of Numsa in Northern KwaZulu-Natal
• Convenor of the ANC caucus within the Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee of the Legislature

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address- Durban: 9th Floor The Marine, 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, Durban, 4001
Physical Address- Pietermaritzburg: 1st Floor Heritage House, 270 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X001, Bishopgate, 4008
Contact Person: Ntsiko Mathambo
Tel: +27 (0)31 310 5300 or +27 (0)33 264 2500
Fax: +27 (0)31 310 5416
E-mail: mecpa@kznded.gov.za
Website: http://www.kznded.gov.za

Finance - MEC Mrs Catharina Magdalena Cronje

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• BA University Education Diploma
• BA LLB

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• MEC for Education (Longest standing in the Province)
• Teacher
• Freelance Journalist
• Attorney
• ANC Deputy Chief Whip
• ANC Chief Whip
• Founder member of the first ANC branch in Pietermaritzburg Central after the ANC was unbanned
• Served on various public portfolio committees in Parliament, including Education, Conservation, Environmental Affairs, Finance and Public Accounts

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 2nd Floor Natalia Building, 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: PO Box 3613, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Esther Naidoo
Tel: +27 (0)33 846 6997
Fax: +27 (0)33 846 6801/2
E-mail: esther.naidoo@kzntreasury.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzntreasury.gov.za

Social Development - MEC Dr Bonginkosi Meshack Radebe

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Honourary Doctorate in Social Science

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• MEC for Social Welfare and Population Development in KwaZulu-Natal (now known as Social Development)
• Provincial Executive Committee Member of ANC
• Chief Whip and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of PublicWorks
• Mediator on Conflict situations in Burundi, Rwanda, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka
• Chairperson: PublicWorks Portfolio Committee
• Chairperson: Executive and Finance Committee of the Interim Local
• Council of the Outer West Local Council
• Executive CommitteeMember of Kwanaloga
• Member of the Hillcrest Hospital Board
• Co-Chairperson: Provincial Peace Committee
• Mayor of the thenDurban Outer West Region

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 208 Hoosen Haffejee Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9144, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Sihle Gumede
Tel: +27 (0)33 341 9605
Fax: +27 (0)33 341 9610
E-mail: sihle.gumede@kznsocdev.gov.za
Website: http://www.kznsocdev.gov.za

Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation - MEC Mrs Gcotyelwa Weziwe Thusi

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Chief Professional Nurse - Equivalent of a Matron
• Diploma in General Nursing Science
• Diploma in Midwifery
• Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Care
• Certificate in Reproductive Health

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism (2006-2009)
• Chairperson of the KZN Parliamentary Women's Caucus
• Member of the Provincial Executive Committee and Provincial Working Committee of the ANC Women's League in KwaZulu-Natal
• Provincial convener of the KZN Chapter of the Progressive Women's movement of South Africa
• Secretary of Umlazi Health Forum
• Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Quality of Life, Status of Women, Children, Youth and People with Disabilities
• Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee
• Worked in different hospitals in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 1st Floor 222 Heritage House, Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9140, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Fikile Masiko
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 6300
Fax: +27 (0)33 342 6313
E-mail: masikof@kzndac.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzndac.gov.za
http://www.kzndsr.gov.za

Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development - MEC Ms Lydia Johnson

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: No.1 Cedara, Executive Building, Cedara College, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9059, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa, 3200
Contact Person: Gugu Mbonambi
Tel: +27 (0)33 343 8241
Fax: +27 (0)33 343 8255
E-mail: gugu.mbonambi@kzndae.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzndae.gov.za

Education - MEC Mr Edward Senzo Mchunu

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Secondary Teachers Diploma
• BA Degree UNISA
• Masters programme on Political Transformation

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• MEC Provincial Executive Committee Member of ANC
• Teachers at St Augustine High school at Nqutu and at Impande High School, Eshowe
• Chairperson of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee
• Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee
• Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee
• Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZNtill stepping down in 2009
• Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZNwhich was a two-year term that ended in 1996
• Deputy Secretary of the ANC inKZN
• Regional Secretary of the ANC, Northern KZN region
• Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZN

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: Anton Muziwakhe Lembede House, 247 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9137, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Nonopha Maponya
Tel: +27 (0)33 355 2414
Fax: +27 (0)33 394 0893
E-mail: Nonopha.maponya@kzndoe.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzneducation.gov.za

Human Settlement and Public Works - MEC Mrs Magasvarie Govender

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 455A Jan Smuts Highway, Mayville, 4001
Postal Address: Private Bag X 54336 , Durban, 4000
Contact Person: Juri Thaver
Tel: +27 (0)31 261 8997
Fax: +27 (0)31 261 8157
E-mail: juri.thaver@kznworks.gov.za
Website: http://www.kznworks.gov.za
http://www.kznhousing.gov.za

Health - MEC Dr (BRIG GEN) Sibongiseni Maxwell Dhlomo

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• MBCHB, University of Natal
• Bachelor of Arts (UNISA)
• Diplomas in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, HIV Management and Palliative Medicine
• Masters in Public Health
• Studying MBA - Strategic Management (specialization)

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIPS / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
• Deputy City Manager; Health and Social Services, Ethekwini Metro Municipality
• Member of Southern African Medical Association (SAMA), College of Medicine in SA, International AIDS Society
• Mayor of Newcastle Municipality
• Member of Umkhonto Wesizwe- Held various executive positions in the ANC
• Brigadier General in the SANDF Reserves
• Practised medicine at King Edward Hospital and Madadeni Medical Centre in Newcastle
• Served as an Academic at UKZN lecturing in Public Health and advising the Vice-Chancellor.

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 1st Floor Natalia Building, 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9051, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Zamokuhle Zondi
Tel: +27 (0) 33 395 3028
Fax: +27 (0)33 394 0597
E-mail: zamokuhle.zondi@kznhealth.gov.za
Website: http://www.kznhealth.gov.za

Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs - MEC Ms Nomusa Dube, MPL

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Diploma in PublicManagement: Durban University of Technology
• Diploma in Management & Leadership: University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Diploma in Training & Development: University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Bachelor of Art-University of South Africa (current)
• Master's Degree in Public Administration-University of KwaZulu-Natal (current)
• MBA Studies (current)

CAREER / POSITIONS / MEMBERSHIP / OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Chairperson of Durban Unicity Committee
• Member of Greater Durban Metropolitan Negotiating Forum
• Mayor of the North Central Council
• Chairperson of the Durban tourism Board of Directors and the National Training
• Board of Local Government Bodies
• Member of the Board of Directors of the TourismKwaZulu-Natal
• Member of the Senate of the University Council of KwaZulu-Natal
• Chairperson of the GenderWorkingGroup of African Union of Local Authorities
• Member of the Curries FountainDevelopment Centre
• Delegate of the Founding Congress of theWorld Organization of the United Cities and Local Governments.
• Delegate to the City of Leeds Celebrating a Decade of Democracy in South Africa event, Leeds and United Kingdom.
• Delegate to the 8th AULA regional Conference, Manguang, Free State, South Africa.

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 1st Floor, FNB House, Redlands Estate, 1 George McFarlane Lane, Wembley, 3201
Postal Address: Private Bag X9155, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Contact Person: Thina Mabaso
Tel: +27 (0)33 264 5500 or +27 (0)31 310 4500
Fax: +27 (0)33 392 0027
E-mail: thina.mabaso@kzncogta.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzncogta.gov.za

THE NEW GROWTH PATH IN ACTION

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN KWAZULU-NATAL
The South African government's New Growth Path has identified government infrastructure as one of the most important sectors in economic recovery and job creation. The Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has a collective budget of eleven billion rands (R11-billion) for 2011 to invest in various projects for public infrastructure delivery including roads, housing, schools and health facilities - rising to exceed R30 billion in total in the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) period (2013/14).

The on-going refurbishment of the harbours in Durban and Richards Bay and construction of the Ngula Eskom Power Station are major infrastructure projects with significant job creation. Transnet will invest R37.12 billion in the Richards Bay and Durban port rail corridors over the next five years, creating 9000 jobs directly and indirectly.

The KZN Department of Public Works builds schools, hospitals, clinics and multi-purpose community centres for client provincial departments. In the last financial year 14 hospital projects, 22 clinic projects, 21 classrooms and 92 toilets were completed. A strategy has been devised to ensure that infrastructure development, including maintenance of facilities, creates adequate job opportunities and delivers on budget, on time. A Cabinet Infrastructure Delivery Sub-committee of MECs has been established to oversee the delivery of infrastructure and ensure that the capital expenditure pattern is closely monitored and reported to Cabinet on a regular basis.

TRANSPORT
The KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism achieved a major milestone on the 1st of May 2010 with the opening and operations of the Dube TradePort and King Shaka International Airport. The Dube TradePort aims to become the premier air cargo facility in Southern Africa to increase our regional and international air connectivity. The trade zone's warehouse facility is fully operational and for the first time houses the local airfreight logistics industry under one roof.

The KZN Department of Transport is committed to facilitating safe and efficient transport in the province. A major part of the department's budget goes toward road infrastructure development and maintenance. The total allocation for the 2011/2012 financial year for road infrastructure development is R4.7 billion. R1.98 billion is allocated to construction projects and R2.5 billion to maintenance. The split in the allocation is aimed at continuously striking a balance in the construction of new roads and the maintenance of existing roads. More attention will be focused on the road maintenance aspect to deal with the problematical subject of potholes. This may prove a difficult balance due to the repetitive storm damage that has seriously destroyed road infrastructure in places, including bridges and causeways, for which huge resources had already been invested. Budgeting for these unforeseen disasters erodes resources reserved to further expand the road network and refurbish roads that are on average older than twenty years.

While 6 000 kilometres of access roads have been constructed, a large backlog still exists. The Department of Transport has made significant strides with regards to road infrastructure development in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Over 500 kilometres of major high quality roads were constructed to link rural towns such as Nongoma, Hlabisa, Osizweni and other areas. The labour intensive approach has become the mainstay of the road onstruction programme, employing over 40 000 Zibambele contractors and around 50 000 others through the Expanded Public Works Programme.

Access to public facilities such as schools, clinics and other social amenities has been prioritised  through Operation KuShunquthuli, Roads for Rural Development and Pedestrian Bridges programmes. Many pedestrian bridges have been constructed and many others are still to be constructed to save children from drowning on their way to and from school. Their teachers are also saved the indignity of having to undress in order to cross a river every time they go to work in the village school.

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
The KZN Department of Human Settlements strives to influence the development of sustainable human settlements to areas of greatest need, while at the same time ensuring that the growth potential of municipalities and that of the province is also taken care of. However, the provision of quality housing to the needy in the province is faced with significant challenges, which include: a shortage of technical and professional human resources, the lack of bulk infrastructure to support housing delivery programmes, as well as the non-availability or scarcity of well-located, suitable land amongst other problems.

As a consequence the department has announced the Big Five flagship human settlements projects in the province. The projects' intent is to ensure that human settlements develop in an integrated fashion, through working close together with other departments as well as local government. The aim is to optimise resources and maximize the use of bulk  infrastructure. These are large-scale humansettlements based on the principles of sustainable development with higher densities, a wide range and integration of income levels, employment and economic opportunities, substantial provision for schools, clinics and other social facilities, viable non-motorised and public transportation and extensive open spaces.

These projects, in addition to addressing the eradication of slums, also aim to provide a holistic planning and development approach that will ultimately result in an integrated residential development providing a range of housing and socio economic opportunities.

The five programmes for which funds have been approved and that are at various stages of development are: Cornubia (50 000 units), Vulindlela rural housing (25 000 units), Driefontein (15 000 units), Nyoni (2 700 units), and Blaauwbosch (under planning).

The community residential units (CRU) programme is another project geared towards providing a coherent approach to dealing with different forms of public residential accommodation. It enables the department to provide secure and stable rental tenure for lower income persons in good locations, and forms the basis for transition to the formal housing market. CRUs are part of an integrated approach consisting of approximately 15 hostels with an estimated 95,700 beneficiaries and current estimated development costs of R7,375 billion.

In line with the provincial priority, the Department of Human Settlements will continue to accelerate housing delivery in rural areas throughout the province. Apart from other interventions the department aims to provide permanent housing solutions to those affected by natural disasters. It is anticipated that the delivery of housing to an estimated 1 676 individuals affected by natural occurrences, will be completed by the end of 2011/12. These multi-year projects will, together with the rectification projects and the repair of fully or partially destroyed homes damaged by disasters, create 47000 work opportunities and 15 000 permanent jobs.

HEALTH
The KZN Department of Health envisages the construction of massive capital projects including rebuilding King Edward VIII at a new site as Pixley ka Seme Hospital, and refurbishing several others such as Edendale, King George V and other facilities. The King George V, a 400-Bed District Level 1 Hospital, was officially commissioned in May 2011. This means that all district services that have been temporarily offered from various institutions, including Wentworth Hospital, have been brought back to King George V. The start of the last phase of construction will be in 2011/12,which will focus on the New TB Complex and Upgrades to Psychiatric Services.

The Department of Health has completed three Community Health Centres (CHCs) to the value of R370 million. These are in Ladysmith, KwaMashu and Turton. Phase 1 of the upgrade of Gamalakhe Clinic has been completed to CHC level, and the second phase is now at design stage and is scheduled for construction by November 2011.Other new Community Health Centres that will go to construction towards the end of this financial year includeMsinga, Dannhauser and uMzimkhulu. Construction of a number of forensic mortuaries in 2010/11 was completed. These include those located in Pietermaritzburg, Escourt, Madadeni as well as Park Rynie. The mortuaries that are under construction but due to be completed in 2011/12 are Port Shepstone, Newcastle and Greytown.

In 2011 construction of the new Phoenix Mortuary commences, a project that will eventually resolve the current capacity challenges being experienced at Magwaza Maphalala Street mortuary.

EDUCATION
The Department of Education plans to make its contribution to the country's growth path, taking the provincial education sector specific conditions into account. Infrastructural backlogs remain the Department of Education's biggest drawback. The department recognises that unless a once-off massive injection of capital on infrastructure is made, these backlogs will never be eliminated. The infrastructure budget of R2, 198 billion in 2011/2012 aims at responding to this reality. A programme of building new schools, libraries, new additional classes, perimeter fencing of schools, sanitation and water provision is being undertaken. School infrastructure maintenance job opportunities will benefit cooperatives and emerging contractors.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs reported that over the last term of local government:

• 368 334 households received water connections;
• 138797 households received sanitation facilities;
• 150855 households received electricity connections;

These figures mean that in the outgoing termof local government, access to water increased from 70%to 85%, sanitation from 74% to 79% and electricity from 71%to 77%.

Water provision is still a major challenge due to the fact that the remainder of the communities have nosecure source of continuous water supply. This means the policy of free basic water is only possible in municipalities with better infrastructure and resources. The 2011 / 2012 allocation is R2, 6 billion and 30 500 households are targeted for water and 27 500 for sanitation.

Following the Water Summit held by the Province last year, it has been recorded that the short-term improvement of many water schemes and extension to new areas will require a budget of over R6-billion. The expansion of the bulk supply needs to ensure that it is not only distant suburbs, but the local communities near the source of water that benefit. That may require over R20-billion in investment.

Due to grid limitation and sparse rural settlements the remaining electricity backlog is a challenge. Eskom planning is far advanced and foresees some communities only possible to reach after 2020 because of resource constraints and the above factors. This challenge has necessitated a focus on the non-grid energy sources such as solar power, etc and to further encourage independent power producers.

ARTS AND CULTURE
The KZN Department of Arts and Culture aims to maximise access to libraries, information, archives, museums and arts centres. This entails building and resourcing libraries, archives, museums and arts centres. Existing libraries will be extended to improve usage and also to serve as multi-disciplinary purpose centres, information hubs, exhibition spaces etc.

SPORT AND RECREATION
The Department of Sport and Recreation's development of infrastructure will be realized by constructing basic facilities, multi-purpose courts and renovations to existing facilities in partnership with schools and municipalities. Facilities at Nkandla (eQhudeni eQhudeni swimming pool), KwaDukuza (Chief Albert Luthuli sports complex) Ndumo, Ingwavuma Ezakheni, Ulundi Stadium, Vulindlela (uMhlathuze), Kokstad, Umzimkhulu and Ingwe have been handed over. The sports infrastructure built as FIFA World Cup legacy in the form of football stadiums, will be used to promote sports developments working with football federations and local professional teams.

Recently the department entered into a formal agreement with South African Breweries (SAB) for the construction of sports fields that can be utilised by communities to implement sustainable programmes of fitness, development and promotion of healthy lifestyles. SAB will contribute R650,000 per facility to be built at Mbumbulu, Mzumbe/ Mnamfu, Nongoma/ Nyokeni, Umvoti/Chief Albert Luthuli and Mbabazane/ Hlathikhulu.

The infrastructure development programme aims to integrate the department's existing programmes such as Mass Participation, School Sport Mass Participation with these new and upgraded facilities. This will ensure that these facilities are utilised and that viable programmes can be implemented to sustain the communities.

AGRICULTURE
The main infrastructure projects supported in 2010/2011 by the KZN Department of Agriculture include improvement of farm access roads, refurbishment of pumps and irrigation infrastructure, construction of drainage canals and construction of livestock centres in the Jozini and uMhlabuyalingana Municipalities.

President Zuma said: "Indeed, we have come a long way since 1994. We have achieved a lot, but much more still needs to be done, and working together as South Africans, we will achieve much more!" (State of the Nation Speech 2011).

OPERATION SUKUMA SAKHE: LET US STAND UP AND BUILD

Sukuma Sakhe, "Let us stand up and build", is Premier Zweli Mkhize's flagship programme that focuses on encouraging all sectors of society to change their own lives, rather than only relying on government to deliver.

In 2009 the provincial government started a programme of integrating all departments to focus on solving community problems from the ground. The campaign is aimed at promoting human values, fighting crime, diseases and social ills to ensure moral regeneration. As part of this programme, all government departments work together visiting the poorest, most deprived households in our province to bring health, welfare and other services to them. Operation Sukuma Sakhe encompasses: the "One Home One Garden programme"; ensures that families get assisted to register for birth certificates and Identity Documents; promotes education, skills development and youth development and emphasizes the delivery of services and infrastructure development.

The development and roll-out of Operation Sukuma Sakhe is being driven byMs Busi Kuzwayo, who has recently returned to South Africa after a two year stint as Consul General to India. Ms Kuzwayo is very excited about this initiative. "I love the model. It is very clever as it enables individuals to change their lives, whilst improving communities".

The entire programme of government needs partnership with the community to work together to rebuild the fabric of our society and rebuild our nation. This builds on the Premier's commitment to build partnerships between government, business and civil society.

Working together with the integrated services of government departments, job creation through building access roads, community facilities and human settlements will be the base on which the social mobilisation will be anchored. Traditional communities are owners of 3.3 million ha of land. To give effect to the programme the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs will be facilitating the granting of leases for the building of schools, crèches, health facilities, commercial and other developments.

In another initiative the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture has deployed senior managers to build partnerships with the community in order to make a purposeful contribution in the ten district municipalities andmetro with reliable, appropriate arts and culture services.

"ONE HOME ONE GARDEN"
The KwaZulu-Natal Government will also try to bring food security to its people through the 'One Home One Garden" campaign where seeds are provided to households by the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development and private institutions. The campaign is aimed at promoting a culture of producing vegetables for household consumption and enhances food security at a household level. The programme has been rolled out to schools and churches across the province. Over 800 000 households have benefited through various interventions, including distribution of seeds, hand hoes and other implements as well as the establishment of community gardens and tunnels. The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development has also initiated a basic training programme on vegetable production in partnership with the Independent Development Trust (IDT). In 2010/2011 15000 beneficiaries were trained on vegetable production throughout the province. This financial year (2011/2012) training will be accelerated to ensure that beneficiaries obtain maximum benefit from the seed they get from government. In response to this programme the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is going to support municipalities in ensuring the establishment of at least one market per municipality. These markets are intended to support and encourage local producers and therefore to promote food security, as well as export potential for fresh produce. The Department of Public Works has broadened this programme to include the establishment of food gardens at government buildings.

KZN GREENING INITIATIVE
The Office of the Premier jointly with the Department of Public Works, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development and the Department of Human Settlements and together with the Wildlands Conservation Trust has launched the KZN Greening Initiative. This project will support the planting of 500 000 fruit trees, 500 000 indigenous trees and the collection of over 75 000 tons of recycling, across KwaZulu-Natal, over the next five years. In the process, 800 new permanent jobs will be created and 25 000 community members will receive livelihood support and skills training. A set-aside budget of R9, 5 million will come from the partnering departments. The Wildlands Conservation Trust has secured additional support from the African Conservation Trust, National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, Bonitas Medical Fund, Unilever SA and Time Freight.

"Our Wildlands Initiatives aim to support the transformation of South Africa's communities, nurturing green  entrepreneurship, cleaning, greening and saturating our partner communities with water tanks, bicycles and solar power heaters, and restoring the ecosystems that underwrite their livelihood, their rivers, wetlands, forests and grasslands," says Dr Andrew Venter, Wildlands CEO.

The Premier has been inspired by the change in the attitude of the Willowfontein community members who are "standing up" and "building" their own lives. Willowfontein, in Pietermaritzburg, is now clean because the "gogos" are fighting for the dirt. Thousands of green-preneurs - tree-preneurs, waste-preneurs and food-preneurs are growing trees and food and collecting recycling. They barter these for food, clothes, building material, water tanks, bicycles and any form of educational support to improve their lives.

EDUCATION CENTRES
The KZN Department of Education has established partnerships with business, commerce and industry towards development and programme implementation in education centres. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) has provided funding for the development of the Education Centre programme. As a consequence the Ndwedwe, Phongola, Vulindlela, Bangizwe, Jolivet and Emawusheni Education Centres have been constructed and are to be furnished and equipped using EKN funds.

Amongst other companies in the private sector ALTEC/UEC supported the construction of a Media Centre and IT Centre at the KwaMashu Education Centre. All the rooms are fully furnished and the computer lab was equipped with 50 computers. ALTECH/UEC is also funding PROTEC to operate from the centre and runs Saturday and holiday Maths and Science Programme for learners and teachers in KwaMashu.

Funding was provided by the cement manufacturing company, NPC Cimpor, to renovate and furnish Amajuba Education Centre to have 12 rooms to be used as offices and meeting venues, four lecture rooms, an internet café, a toy room, a library, and will have 22 dormitories which can accommodate up to 66 teachers. Other facilities include a dining room and a kitchen.

HOUSING
In line with the strategic objective of accelerating rural housing development throughout the province, the KZN Department of Human Settlements continues in its efforts to invest resources in themost indigent of rural communities. Through the Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme 93 houses were been built in 2010/2011. The integrated work across provincial departments on this programme has resulted in numerous submissions requesting the urgent provision of shelter for the poorest and most vulnerable in our Province. Funds have been set aside for this programme in the 2011/2012 year.

Through Operation Sukuma Sakhe there is an understanding that we are building a better life for all our people. This is extremely important because the continued growth of the province will be based on the extent to which government creates synergies. Building bridges and creating a unified front consisting of government, business and civil society will help this province prosper.