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{BANNER_STUFF}
Dr Zweli Mkhize
Personal
Date of Birth: 02 February 1956
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth:Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg
Academic Qualifications
Graduated with an MBCHB degree from the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal) in 1982.
Current Positions
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Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
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Chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal
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Member of the ANC National Executive Committee
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Chairperson of the ANC’s National Education and Health sub-committee
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Chairperson: KZN 2010World Cup Political Oversight Committee
Career
Dr.Mkhize was inaugurated as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province on 11 May 2009, having previously served as MEC for Finance and Economic Development, and Leader of Government Business in the Provincial Executive Council.
Prior to his appointment as the MEC for Finance and Economic Development in November 2004, Dr. Mkhize had served as the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal since 1994. He held this position for 10 years making him the longest serving Provincial Health MEC in the country. 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 EasternTransvaal (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. Co-founded the Regional Health Forum and 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.
Hope and Optimisim It is not easy trying to catch up Premier Dr. Zweli Mkhize. Almost every point he raises you want to remember and record.Underneath all the straight talk,there is a soft side of aman who is personable but confident. When you are leading a Province of diversity, a Province that has seen doom and gloom, all you want now is a Province of Hope. "When our leaders were called upon to lead, they upheld what was in the best interest for all people.They focused on the task at hand, and not on what they stood to gain from their positions. They submitted themselves to the will of the people." "We will always remember them for their strength of character, discipline and patriotism," the words appropriate for the incoming Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, chairperson of the African National Congress and a leader to many. After having served in various ANC and provincial leadership positions, Premier Mkhize is now the first citizen of KwaZulu- Natal.
He has set himself a number of goals including capitalizing on the post-election resurgence of hope and optimism in the country. The Premier is an optimist."We have to stop seeing ourselves in the eyes of yesterday, but instead embrace one another as we build the rainbow nation."
"It is not common for any people to be given a second opportunity to look back and identify the lessons from the past and use them tomake a fresh start.It seems to me that we are now called upon to hold each others hands and make a fresh start, building on what we have already achieved - a South Africa of our dreams".
Nation building is one of his immediate priorities and Premier Mkhize wants to focus on eliminating olitical tensions and intolerance. He has offered an olive branch to opposition parties saying: "We make a call to minority communities to come forward and interact with government and make the contributions that will shape government policies to address issues of their concerns.You will find us to be a government that listens and take seriously all matters placed for our attention." His urbane demeanour belies a life time of struggle and hardship. As an Africa child born in 1956, he is a product of an era which ushered in the darkest years of apartheid. It was a time when the Nationalist party began fine tuning and implementing the harshest of its racial policies - forced removals, influx control and the Group Areas Act. These were the policies that condemned African people to a life of penury, landlessness and the status of second class citizens in the land of their birth. Premier Mkhize's upbringing at Willowfontein in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands was a snapshot of the life of typical African child born in that period of repression in SouthAfrica. His parents Kwazikwakhe and Thokozile Lucia Mkhize,were farm labourers/ tenant farmers - at the mercy and whim of their farm-lord. Premier Mkhize himself would have been doomed to a life of labour and toil had it not been for his two older brothers Mzungezwa Alson and Gerald Jabulani.They had to drop out of school and start working at the farm and were determined to save Premier Mkhize, a top student at the local village school,from a similar fate. His brothers found away to circumvent the requirement for African farm children to do six month's farm labour from the age of 16. "They employed someone else to fulfil my quota of farm labour so that I could continue my schooling uninterrupted." Premier Mkhize recalls. Premier Mkhize is grateful to them and has ensured that his family's sacrifices were not made in vain by qualifying as a medical doctor...and now becoming First citizen of their Province. It has been a long and arduous journey. Premier Mkhize has been through the full gamut of experience of being a freedom fighter - from becoming politically conscious,to joining the ANC's underground structures, to life in exile. Premier Mkhize joined "Operation Butterfly" launched inside the country to harbour the expelled ANC cadres. This was dangerous work and the activists involved had to constantly run the gauntlet of security police surveillance. As the climate of repression grew, Premier Mkhize like many other comrades was forced to flee. It broke his mother's heart and she died while he was still in exile. And what of the Premier, the man behind the poilitics. Apart from his passion for his wife Dr May (Mashego) and three children Naledi, Nokulinda and Dedani, and granddaughter, Azile, Premier Mkhize loves farming and reading about African history.
Contact Person: Bheki Nzimande
Physical Address: Telkom Building, 300 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Tel: +27 (0)33 341 3329
Fax: +27 (0)33 342 7368
Email: bhekin@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Website: http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za
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A Programme of Action
We reiterate our commitment to, and we should move quicker towards, the attainment of priorities outlined in the new Government's Programme of Action. These include:-
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Rural development / Agrarian reform and Food Security
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Creating decent work and economic growth
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Fighting crime
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Education
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Health
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Nation building and Good Governance
The priorities have been analysed and grouped into twelve outcomes that are the basis of the Programme of Action of government, aligned at both the provincial and national levels.
Outcomes
The outcomes are as determined at national government level as follows:
1. Quality basic education.
2. A long and healthy life for all South Africans.
3. All people in South Africa are and feel safe.
4. Decent employment through inclusive economic growth.
5. Skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path.
6. An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network.
7. Vibrant, equitable, sustainable rural communities contributing towards food security for all.
8. Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life.
9. Responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government system.
10. Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources.
11. Create a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world.
12. An efficient, effective and development oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship.
The success of the provincial government programmes hinges on adhering to the principles of good governance through applying the Batho Pele way. Batho Pele means 'People First' and is the name given to the Government's initiative to improve the delivery of public services.
The principles are:
1. Consultation
We can only assume to know what our customers want.
The only way we can find out for certain is by asking them.
2. Service Standards
Citizens should be told about the level and quality of the services they receive.
If possible they should be given an opportunity to choose the service they want.
3. Access
There is much more involved when referring to access. It means making it easy for our customers to benefit from the services we provide.
4. Courtesy
We must be polite and friendly to our customers. Customers should be treated with respect and consideration. We must always be willing to assist. Telephone etiquette is vital. All our correspondence must be respectful.
5. Information
Citizens should be given full accurate information about the public services they are entitled to receive.
6. Openness and Transparency
We should be open about our day to day activities.
7. Redress
Redress is making it easy for people to tell us if they are unhappy with our service. We should train staff to deal with complaints in a friendly, helpful manner.
8. Value for Money
We need to make the best use of available resources.
9. Encouraging Innovation and Rewarding Excellence
Innovation: using new ways of doing things.
Encourage partnerships with different sectors in order to improve service delivery.
Rewarding Excellence is also about rewarding the staff who "go the extra mile" in making it all happen.
10. Customer Impact
If we put all the Batho Pele Principles into practice, we then increase the chances of improvement in our service delivery.
This in turn will have a positive impact on our customers.
11. Leadership and Strategic Direction
Management must ensure that goals are set and that planning is done.
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Transport, Community Safety and Liaison - MEC Mr Thembinkosi Willies Mchunu
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Committee (ANC) and Provincial Working Committee of the ANC (1994 to date)
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KwaZulu-Natal ANC Deputy Chairperson
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KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson SACP
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Member, Central Executive Committee, SACP
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Regional Convener and the first Chairperson of the Northern Natal Region of the ANC
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Trade Unionist with COSATU Affiliates
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SANCO KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Working Committee Member
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Chairperson of Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital Board
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Founder and Chairperson of Isiphelelo Trust, a benevolent initiative
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Chairperson of Cato Manor Development Association Board of Directors
Physical Address: 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.
Contact Person: Thobekile Nzimande
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 2626
Fax: +27 (0)33 342 8824
Tel: +27 (0)31 360 6576
Fax: +27 (0)31 360 6578
E-mail: thobekile.nzimande@kzntransport.gov.za
Economic Development & Tourism - MEC Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu
Academic Profile
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Honours Degree in Management
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Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Advanced Business Programme
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Conducted research on Labour Matters.
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs
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MEC Finance and Economic Affairs
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MEC Public Works
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MEC Economic Development and Tourism
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Member of the National Executive Committee of the Metal and Allied
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Workers Union of South Africa
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Regional Secretary of Numsa in Northern KwaZulu-Natal
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Convenor of the ANC caucus within the Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee of the Legislature
Contact Person: Mbali Mkhize
Physical Address- Durban: The Marine Building, 9th Floor, 22 Gardner Street, Durban, 4000
Physical Address- Pietermaritzburg: Ex-Joshua Doore building, 270 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg
Postal Address: Private Bag X001, Bishopgate, 4008
Tel: +27 (0)31 310 5300 or +27 (0)33 264 2500
Fax: +27 (0)31 310 5416
E-mail: mkhizem@kznded.gov.za
Finance - MEC Mrs Catharina Magdalena Cronje Academic Profile
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BA University Education Diploma
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BA LLB
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC for Education (Longest standing in the Province)
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Teacher
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Freelance Journalist
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Attorney
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ANC Deputy Chief Whip
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ANC Chief Whip
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Founder member of the first ANC branch in Pietermaritzburg Central after the ANC was unbanned
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Served on various public portfolio committees in Parliament, including Education, Conservation, Environmental Affairs, Finance and Public Accounts
Physical Address: Natalia Building , 2nd floor 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Postal Address: PO Box 3613, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Contact Person: Ester Naidoo
Tel: +27 (0)33 846 6997
Fax: +27 (0)33 846 6801/2
E-mail: esther.naidoo@kzntreasury.gov.za
Social Development - MEC Dr Bonginkosi Meshack Radebe Academic Profile
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Honourary Doctorate in Social Science
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC for Social Welfare and Population Development in KwaZulu-Natal (now known as Social Development)
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Provincial Executive Committee Member of ANC
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Chief Whip and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Public Works
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Mediator on Conflict situations in Burundi, Rwanda, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka
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Chairperson: Public Works Portfolio Committee
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Chairperson: Executive and Finance Committee of the Interim Local
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Council of the Outer West Local Council
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Executive Committee Member of Kwanaloga
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Member of the Hillcrest Hospital Board
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Co-Chairperson: Provincial Peace Committee
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Mayor of the then Durban Outer West Region
Physical Address: 208 Hassen Haffejee Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Postal Address: Private Bag X9144, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Contact Person: Ms Thulelani Cele
Tel: +27 (0)33 341 9600
Fax: +27 (0)33 341 9610
E-mail: thuleleni.cele@kznsocdev.gov.za
Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation- MEC Mrs Gcotyelwa Weziwe Thusi Academic Profile
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Chief Professional Nurse - Equivalent of a Matron
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Diploma in General Nursing Science
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Diploma in Midwifery
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Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Care
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Certificate in Reproductive Health
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism (2006-2009)
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Chairperson of the KZN Parliamentary Women's Caucus
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Member of the Provincial Executive Committee and Provincial Working Committee of the ANC Women's League in KwaZulu-Natal
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Provincial convener of the KZN Chapter of the Progressive Women's movement of South Africa
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Secretary of Umlazi Health Forum
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Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Quality of Life, Status of Women, Children, Youth and People with Disabilities
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Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee
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Worked in different hospitals in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
Physical Address: 222 Heritage House, 1st floor, Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.
Postal Address: Private Bag X9140, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Contact Person: Ms. Fikile Masiko
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 6300
Fax: +27 (0)33 342 6313
E-mail: masikof@dact.kzntl.gov.za
Website: http://www.kznact.gov.za
Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development - MEC Ms Lydia Johnson Academic Profile
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BA (Cur) majoring Education and Community Health-UNISA
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Diploma in General Nursing Science
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Diploma in Midwifery
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Diploma in Local Government Studies
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC for Works
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Member of the KZN Provincial Legislature
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First Woman KZN Provincial Legislature, Deputy speaker
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SCOPA, Finance Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs committee member
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Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee
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Mayor of Durban, North central Council
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Nurse educator: King Edward College of Nursing
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Professional Nurse: Surgical Wards and Intensive Care Unit - King Edward V11
Physical Address: No.1 Cedara, Executive Building, Cedara College, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.
Postal Address: Private Bag X9059, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa, 3200
Contact Person: Thandiwe Nkosi
Tel: +27 (0)33 343 8242
Fax: +27 (0)33 343 8255
E-mail: Thandiwe.Nkosi@kzndae.gov.za
Website: http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za
Education - MEC Mr Edward Senzo Mchunu
Academic Profile
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Secondary Teachers Diploma
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BA Degree UNISA
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Masters programme on Political Transformation
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC Provincial Executive Committee Member of ANC
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Teachers at St Augustine High school at Nqutu and at Impande High School, Eshowe
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Chairperson of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee
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Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee
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Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee
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Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZN till stepping down in 2009
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Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZN which was a two-year term that ended in 1996
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Deputy Secretary of the ANC in KZN
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Regional Secretary of the ANC, Northern KZN region
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Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZN
Physical Address: Anton Muziwakhe Lembede House, 247 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Postal Address: Private Bag X9137, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.
Contact Person: Nonopha Maponya
Tel: +27 (0)33 392 2414
Fax: +27 (0)33 392 1213
E-mail: Nonopha.maponya@kzndoe.gov.za
Human Settlement and Public Works - MEC Mrs Magasvarie Govender
Academic Profile
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Currently registered for a PHD in Education Management and Policy
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M Tech (Education Management- Natal Technikon)
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Masters of Arts -University of Natal
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Certificate Course in Community Adult Education
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B.Ed. Hons, BA Education, Higher Diploma in Education
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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MEC Provincial Executive Committee Member of ANC
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Lecturer Faculty of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal until May 2009
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Deputy Principal: Sterilitzia Secondary School, Lotus Park
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Head of Department : Languages, literacy and Communication (Woodview Secondary)
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Served as teacher and involved in various executive education management positions from 1986 till 2001; presented various academic papers.
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Member of the ANC, SACP and the Natal Indian Congress, Part of Operation Vula, Trade Unionist (SACTWA) and worked at Community Research Unit (CRU),
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Councillor (eThekwini Municipality)
Physical Address: 455A Jan Smuts Highway, Mayville.
Postal Address: Private Bag X 54336 , Durban, 4000.
Contact Person: Ms. Fikile Jakalase
Tel: +27 (0)33 355 5570
Fax: +27 (0)33 355 5514
E-mail: fikile.jakalase@kznworks.gov.za
Health - MEC Dr (BRIG GEN) Sibongiseni Maxwell Dhlomo
Academic Profile
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MBCHB, University of Natal
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Bachelor of Arts (UNISA)
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Diplomas in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, HIV Management and Palliative Medicine
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Masters in Public Health
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Studying MBA - Strategic Management (specialization)
Career / Positions / Memberships / Other Activities
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Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
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Deputy City Manager; Health and Social Services, Ethekwini Metro Municipality
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Member of Southern African Medical Association (SAMA), College of Medicine in SA, International AIDS Society
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Mayor of Newcastle Municipality
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Member of Umkhonto Wesizwe- Held various executive positions in the ANC
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Brigadier General in the SANDF Reserves
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Practised medicine at King Edward Hospital and Madadeni Medical Centre in Newcastle
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Served as an Academic at UKZN lecturing in Public Health and advising the Vice-Chancellor.
Physical Address: Natalia Building, 1st Floor, 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg.
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
Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs - MEC Ms Nomusa Dube, MPL Academic Profile
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Diploma in Public Management: Durban University of Technology
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Diploma in Management & Leadership: University of KwaZulu-Natal
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Diploma in Training & Development: University of KwaZulu-Natal
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Bachelor of Art-University of South Africa (current)
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Master's Degree in Public Administration-University of KwaZulu-Natal (current)
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MBA Studies (current)
Career / Positions / Membership / Other Activities
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Chairperson of Durban Unicity Committee
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Member of Greater Durban Metropolitan Negotiating Forum
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Mayor of the North Central Council
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Chairperson of the Durban tourism Board of Directors and the National Training
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Board of Local Government Bodies
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Member of the Board of Directors of the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
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Member of the Senate of the University Council of KwaZulu-Natal
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Chairperson of the Gender Working Group of African Union of Local Authorities
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Member of the Curries Fountain Development Centre
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Delegate of the Founding Congress of the World Organization of the United Cities and Local Governments.
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Delegate to the City of Leeds Celebrating a Decade of Democracy in South Africa event, Leeds and United Kingdom.
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Delegate to the 8th AULA regional Conference, Manguang, Free State, South Africa.
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@kznlgta.gov.za
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Building a Better Future Together
The Government of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to developing implementable programmes, in line with National government's developmental priorities, that will change the lives of our people for the better.
Rural Development / Agrarian Reform and Food Security
The long term goal is for the agricultural sector to be strengthened to create jobs and maximize export potential. Current projects are:
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Support for emerging black commercial farmers and rescue of the land reform projects from collapse through the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA)
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Food security - under the slogan "ONE HOME ONE GARDEN"
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Provision of food parcels as an interim measure
Creating Decent Work and Economic Growth
By building the economy to create decent jobs, the fight against unemployment and poverty will be strengthened. The promotion of small enterprise development and the building of a cooperative movement to address the issues of empowerment is essential. Economic growth will be encouraged by:
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Creating markets for young entrepreneurs
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Provincial Investment and Export Strategies
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Creating microfinance institutions that local traders and small business control.
Intensive Campaign to Fight Crime
The promotion of effective policing by utilizing the existing structures and police volunteers as well as supporting community conflict resolution mechanisms is of necessity. This will be accompanied by the fight against corruption. Projects include:
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The protection and empowerment of women and children
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The establishment of policing fora and street committees
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The re-integration of identified offenders back into communities
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Social crime prevention
Education
The improvement of the quality of education and embarking on grassroots mobilization to effectively get the culture of schooling and teaching back into class, ensuring that children are at school learning and the teachers are at school, in class on time, teaching is the basis of the "My child is your child, your child is my child" campaign.
Other projects include:
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Refurbishment of schools in need of teaching facilities such as the laboratories, libraries; etc.
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Increased access to Early Childhood Development services and schooling
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Skills development programmes
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Provision of school nutrition and free schooling
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Masifundisane Adult Literacy programmes
Health
Support for effective health services and promotion of health promotion programmes is essential, these include:
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Expanded of HIV and AIDS programmes
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The fight against multiple drug resistant TB will be prioritized,
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Improved births registration
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Revival of male circumcision
Nation Building and Good Governance
The Flagship Project encompasses a variety of social ills for which mass mobilisation is necessary to attain the required results on eradication of poverty and behavioral change. Numerous issues have been clustered together to be addressed:
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Sexual awareness and responsible and safe sexual practices
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Prevention of spread of HIV
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Prevention of teenage and unplanned pregnancy
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Prevention of sexually transmitted infections
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Supporting treatment for TB (dots)
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Care for orphans and vulnerable children
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Support for widows;
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Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse;
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Prevention of road accidents and promotion of road safety;
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Healthy life style and prevention of non-communicable diseases such as
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Heart disease and cancers of various sorts;
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Understanding selfless service and strengthening patriotic spirit;
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Promotion of caring and compassion;
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Prevention of crime and domestic abuse and rape;
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Collection of information to prepare welfare services; etc
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Sustainable Growth 
However, the economic performance of rural areas is lagging that of urban areas in many parts of the world and the need for rural development in KwaZulu-Natal is no exception. Sustained rural development and the empowerment of the rural population is a prerequisite for the growth and reconstruction of the province.
It is always important to state that rural development has to be comprehensive and all-encompassing and is not just about communal gardens, women's sewing and small poultry projects. Development is about creating sustainable economies that will absorb labour and reduce migration to urban centres in search of a better life. Rural development need to encompass:
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The development of social and economic infrastructure;
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The creation and promotion of cohesive sustainable communities;
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Human resource development;
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Sustainable resource management.
In view of the recent recession and spiraling food prices which threatened food security, agriculture has been recognized as a catalyst for economic development. Consequently agribusiness and forestry, pulp and paper and furniture are all significant to sustainable rural economic development. The provincial government is driving a number of rural interventions which encompass agrarian transformation, rural development and land reform, namely: food security programme, emergent farmer programme, and commercial enterprise/farmer support programme.
A key focus is to build self-sufficiency in agricultural production, to support land reform programmes while creating access to local and international markets for large commercial and small-scale farmers, including agricultural co-operatives. In particular new export markets for fresh agricultural products have been opened by the commissioning of the Dube TradePort which creates many opportunities.
Food Security Programme
The KwaZulu-Natal government launched a ONE HOME ONE GARDEN campaign in July 2009 to mark the focus on food security. More than sixty tons of seed were distributed and many families are now planting and producing their own vegetables. Deserving households were identified using the Multiple Deprivation Index. Working with the Independent Development Trust over 4000 individuals and members of cooperatives have been given short courses to revive the culture of home gardening.
A strategy to expand this capacity building programme throughout the whole province to enable families to rely on their gardens for household vegetable requirements is being developed. A target of 40 000 individuals per annum has been set in order to make an impact. Mobilization of the programme will be intensified to get ONE HOME ONE GARDEN to be a household campaign propagated by neighbours, schools and churches, and extend it to be ONE SCHOOL ONE GARDEN and ONE CHURCH ONE GARDEN, respectively.
Emergent Communal Farmer Programme
The emerging farmer programme is aimed at providing support to disadvantaged farmers to enable persons in this category to increase their contribution to agricultural production in KwaZulu-Natal. These farmers are on land where the farming enterprise is not fully developed as a commercial operation and the farmer is not an experienced and trained commercial farmer.
This category of farmers is primarily on communal land and land reform projects where settlement and subsistence agriculture are dominant. These farmers require support at a primary production level. The support required in these projects is mainly the following:
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General farming support in mentorship and training;
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On farm infrastructure support in inputs, soil testing, fencing, mechanisation & machinery, irrigation;
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Off farm infrastructure such as dip tanks and sale yards;
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Support in ploughing and other direct interventions;
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Crops are typically not specialised such as maize and dry beans.
Commercial Farmer and Tourism Enterprise Support Programme
This programme is directed at emerging farmers and tourism operators who have acquired developed agricultural and tourism enterprises. The access to these commercial enterprises has often been through the land reform pro-grammes, and through development finance institutions like the Land Bank and Ithala. The State is investing substantially in these enterprises and if the rural development benefits from these enterprises are to be realised, then there must be dedicated resources to provide appropriate support.
These emerging farmers and tourism operators face a number of challenges; including the need for comprehensive training and capacity building, access to finance, access to markets and technical support. The province and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform have established an institutional vehicle to provide these support services. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will essentially be a one stop shop that will provide an envelope of resources and services that can be mobilised. Interventions include:
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Capacity building, training and mentoring in enterprise management land care and land ownership, and technical training
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Technical support in production and business support, access to information, empowerment in the broader value chain
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On-farm support such as infrastructure, timeous delivery of inputs, and early warning systems for farmers
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Access to resources and partnerships with development finance institutions, commodity organisations and other private players
The SPV is an inter-departmental initiative bringing together resources and capacity from the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development; and nationally the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and the Department of Trade and Industry. Capital funds to the amount of R239-million from the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), and from deve-lopment funds earmarked for specific farms from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform have been secured.
A key development and delivery modality is through partnerships and relationships with the private sector and other civil society institutions. The aim of the partnerships is to secure market access, access mentorship and skills development support, and leverage additional private sector investments for the land reform farms.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the sugar millers and the Citrus Growers Association has been established. These organizations have pledged technical support, mentorship and skills development support to the entrant farmer, and will fund these programmes themselves. The Citrus Growers Association of South Africa is currently providing skills training beneficiaries to ten land reform farms across the province.
Agreements are also being finalized with investors in the dairy and beef sectors, focusing on Sisonke (Greater Kokstad Local Municipal area), and for the production of chicory in the greater Weenen and Muden areas, in partnership with Nestle (Estcourt).
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