KZN premier calls for unity
IN COMMEMORATION of Human Right’s Day KwaZuluNatal premier Willies Mchunu is expected to call for the prioritisation of programmes focused on female empowerment.
Mchunu and his cabinet will be at the Sithambi Sports Ground in KwaLubisi, in the uPhongolo Local Municipality where he is expected to sound a clarion call, particularly to councillors not to “fold their arms” when it comes to women’s issues.
“The premier will be reminding councillors that they were elected in August, during Women’s Month, so at all times they should prioritise the delivery of programmes for the empowerment of women,” said spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya.
Sibiya said it was appropriate that the commemoration was being held in this rural northern KZN town as Mchunu would also be reflecting on issues of access to basic services for people living in rural areas.
“The apartheid government deliberately excluded rural areas from development, there is a lack of infrastructure, there are few job opportunities. The premier will focus on some of these issues and the government’s plans to speed up service delivery in rural areas,” said Sibiya.
Last year’s commemoration was themed South Africans United Against Racism for Human Rights Day. Racialism was top of mind after a slue of racial slurs on social media.
Coming together was also in this year’s theme; The Year of OR Tambo: Unity in Action in Advancing Human Rights.
National commemorations will be held in Ginsberg, King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape.
President Jacob Zuma will deliver the keynote address as well as officially hand over the memorial grave site of Steve Bantu Biko to the Biko-family.
This is part of celebrating and promoting unity in line with the vision of Oliver Tambo.