Key areas of focus
Job opportunities in Msunduzi
In addressing the issue of poor waste management, the province has started a programme to create employment. Msunduzi Municipality is one of two municipalities selected to participate in the pilot programme.
“Over the past year, we remodelled poor waste management to stimulate the economy with 1000 jobs being created. The Presidential Employment Stimulus Package has allocated R95 million to the province for the implementation of a solid innovative waste management programme. This pilot programme intends to create 4 400 employment opportunities and support 37 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“Both Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and Msunduzi Municipality have been sampled to participate in the pilot programme from January to March 2022. To date, 3 555 beneficiaries have been recruited and activated, and at least 37 SMMEs are also receiving support through the Department of Cooperative Governance Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (DCoG-MISA) partnership,” said the premier.
Fight crime and build safer communities
Premier Zikala said fighting crime will be the single biggest area of focus this year going forward.
“The province of KwaZulu-Natal cannot be a home to criminals who terrorise our communities. We hear the pain and cries of the people of KwaZulu-Natal who are confronted by crime daily.
“We refuse to allow places like Loskop, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg, Inanda, Umlazi and Plessislaer to be known as the killing fields of our province. We commend the good work done by law enforcement agencies. Currently, the statistics show that 17 community crimes have decreased. However, concern is that contact crimes overall are on the rise.
“Our achievements in the fight against crime since the 2021
SOPA include 16 people convicted of private sector corruption and 24 government officials convicted for corruption. We salute our law enforcement agencies and those patriotic and ethical public servants who are helping to report corruption and crime. You are our real heroes!”
The premier said there will also be a prioritised focus on strengthening or, where necessary, re-establishing policing forums to fight crime in communities.
“This year we will hold the KwaZulu-Natal Crime Summit to concretise plans to reduce crime and to mobilise all stakeholders in the fight against crime,” the premier added.
Turning the corner against the scourge of GBVF
Premier Sihle Zikalala said new legislation was signed in January aimed at increasing efforts to end the Gender-based violence (GBV) scourge.
“Femicide and other forms of violence perpetrated against women and children are a shameful blight on our hard-won freedom and democracy. We honour all the citizens, including men, who are standing up against Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
The province has approved the 365 Day GBV and Femicide Strategy to eliminate this scourge. Since the last Sopa:
• 165 000 people were reached through prevention, education and awareness programmes;
• GBVF Rapid Response Teams have been established in all 11 districts; and
• Two White Door Centres of Hope were established in the UMgungundlovu District. Premier Zikalala said there is ongoing research by the Department of Social Development that points to the need to attend to anger issues among men. The research looks at the possible reasons for their anger, and at the need to ensure that these men undergo public engagement and healing.
Key travel infrastructure projects that include Pietermaritzburg to resume operations
Easing road congestion is a priority, especially along strategic corridors such as the N3, that is frequently plagued by freight vehicle congestion. The province is working with Transnet to increase the moving of cargo from road to rail this year. “Rail must be revitalised to ensure that the rail-friendly cargo can be taken off the road.”
Projects still in the pipeline include the link from King Shaka International Airport to Durban and Pietermaritzburg. “This project was halted by court challenges and we hope that a resolution will be found soon,” Premier Zikalala said.
He added that Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle and Richards Bay airports will be upgraded in the next term to ensure “these assets are fully used to drive tourism in KZN.”