Zikalala pays respects to predecessors
KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala yesterday used his acceptance speech to pay tribute to former premiers for laying a solid foundation for service delivery in the province.
Zikalala accepted his unopposed election in the House as the province’s premier yesterday.
Zikalala was among 80 members of the provincial legislature who were sworn in by Judge President Achmat Jappie.
Jappie also presided over the swearing-in of former ANC chief whip Nontembeko Boyce as the speaker, replacing Lydia Johnson.
Former ANC provincial deputy secretary Mluleki Ndobe was elected as deputy speaker, a position previously held by ANC veteran Meshack Radebe, who has retired from Parliament.
After his election, Zikalala promised to work with all opposition parties “without disrespect”.
“I must hasten to point out that former premiers and members of this House, across all political lines, laid a solid foundation for service delivery. Therefore, we commit to achieve higher levels of development by building on the solid foundation laid by our predecessors,” he said.
He also paid a special tribute to former ANC-elected premiers Sbu Ndebele, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Senzo Mchunu and Willies Mchunu.
“They have left behind a catalogue of achievements and a wonderful spirit of camaraderie among colleagues and comrades,” said Zikalala.
He said the new provincial government was counting on the support of religious leaders, traditional leaders, NGOs, captains of industry, academics, professionals and all categories of staff, in all spheres of government.
“In the coming five years we will continue to work together to improve service delivery, fight poverty, unemployment, crime and corruption, promote rural development, and revamp our health and education systems.”
Reacting to the appointment of Ndobe as deputy speaker of the KZN legislature, opposition parties said his recent brush with the law warranted his being omitted for nomination by the governing ANC.
The former Harry Gwala District mayor was recently arrested, and spent over a week in police custody, on suspicion of involvement in the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. However, charges were provisionally withdrawn.
The Inkatha Freedom Party, Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters all agreed that Ndobe should not have accepted the position.
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said they were worried about the new deputy speaker.
“We have our doubts over Ndobe because he was arrested and initially refused bail, and spent over a week in police custody. He is on public record as saying he would name the people behind his arrest. Today he took an oath to be truthful, so the challenge is now upon him to do so, because if he fails there is nothing honourable about him,” said Hlabisa.
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango echoed the sentiments of other opposition parties, saying Ndobe was too tainted to assume the new role.
Ndobe, however, dismissed the opposition parties’ comments, saying everything should be left to the ANC, as the party had seen him suitable for the position.