Debate by: M. Joshua Mazibuko; IFP MPL
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature; Pietermaritzburg
INTRODUCTION
Hon. Chairperson, Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members. I rise on behalf of the IFP to contribute to this debate, against the background of anxiety and some uncertainty which make some citizens fear for the future. The politics of anarchy coupled with sporadic protests which often turn violent hovers over our political skies like dark clouds. This situation is complicated by an unhealthy economy.
INTENSIFICATION OF OVERSIGHT AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
It is against this background that the IFP submits that –however pressurized the country is on the economic front – we dare not compromise the work of this Legislature; in particular as it relates to outreach to the residents of KwaZulu-Natal and oversight exercises. As Hon. Members, we have been deployed here to be vigilant stewards on behalf of the people of this Province. Hon. Members must therefore able to go out to the people as and when there is such a need. In addition, we have the responsibility to restore hope and optimism among our people.
For Hon. Members to be effective, it is critical that the support systems are of acceptable standards. For this reason, we wish to urge the Hon. Speaker to ensure that both human and nonhuman resources are adequate. For instance we need to reach a situation where every Portfolio Committee is provided adequately with all resources necessary for it to perform its duties.
Therefore, however much we apply cost-cutting measures, we must ensure that every Member’s oversight responsibilities – including reaching out to all the corners of this Province – are not in any way hindered.
MORE FUNDING FOR LEGISLATURE
Within this context Hon. Chairperson, we wish to urge the leadership of this Legislature, working with the Provincial Treasury, to see to it that no stone is left unturned towards ensuring that the Legislature is funded adequately to execute its mandate. Otherwise, we will not do justice to the primary reason of our deployments
YEAR OF OR TAMBO AND RECONCILIATION
Hon. Chairperson, the Hon. Speaker has rightly highlighted that this is the Year of President OR Tambo. Among other things, President Tambo and all other heroes and heroines of the struggle were fighting for a future where there would be peaceful co-existence, social cohesion and unity among South Africans. Hence our First President Dr NR Mandela pursued the reconciliation agenda.
I want to submit that – if we agree that 23 years of democracy are not enough to undo the damage which began in 1652 – we must also agree that it is too early to abandon the reconciliation and social cohesion agenda
Against this background I wish to urge the ruling party in this House to seriously reconsider the manner they conduct public outreach programs such as TLTP and others; because, truth be told, they are not conducted in a non-partisan manner.
THANKS FOR EDUCATION OF MEMBERS
Hon. Chairperson; the IFP wishes to register our gratitude to the Hon. Speaker and the leadership of the Legislature for the program that enables Hon. Members to undertake studies at various institutions of higher learning.
Of all the programs aimed at making the lives of Hon. Members better, this is probably the most important for it prepares Hon. Members for the future outside this Legislature; especially because politics can be unpredictable.
This is more important because there are Members who – because of the past we came from – could not have seen the door of a tertiary institution. This program is the continuation of the liberation agenda.
STATUE OF KING CETSHWAYO
Hon. Member Sboniso Duma has on several occasions raised in this House the issue of decolonizing this Legislature. Indeed as you approach this institution, both its exterior and interior tell you the story of the hunters. Yes there are photos inside which tell the story of the hunted. But these are not as pronounced as the story of the hunters.
It is time we seriously considered beginning to Africanize this institution. One such step, we propose, may be the erection of the statue of King Cetshwayo which should stand parallel to that of Queen Victoria; just as the statue of King Dinuzulu which was erected next to that of General Louis Botha in eThekwini. Embarking on such a project will stand as proof that we are determined to make reconciliation tangible and to revisit our history so that it also reflects the story of the hunted.
OLD HANSARDS DOCUMENTS
Hon. Chairperson; those of us who park their vehicles at the Administration Building, always walk past piles of Hansard documents under the ground floor steps.
While we may not know what the Legislature have in mind with regards to these documents, we wish to propose that the Legislature must consider offering some to the Public Libraries. We think that they may be useful to students.
Another additional consideration may be to inform former Members of this Legislature or their families to check if they would not like to have some of these copies. In fact one former Hon. Member, Inkosi B. Mdletshe once expressed a desire to have copies of Hansard which contained his debates so that his future generations would see his contributions to the development of our Province.
STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH MUNICIPALITIES
Hon. Chairperson one other important sector of leadership that we must strengthen our relations with is the Local Government Leadership. To this end, I wish to ask our Speaker to consider the advisability to establish regular consultations or get-togethers between Hon. Members of this House and our colleagues, the Councilors, in order to exchange ideas and help one another on how to enhance our service to the people of this Province.
CONCLUSION
Hon. Chairperson; in conclusion we must express our gratitude to the Hon. Speaker for the manner she leads this institution. We are however not as happy with some Hon. Members that she delegates to officiate over debates in this Legislature. Some seem to have no clue of what they are supposed to do while others forget that they represent all of us equally while on that chair.
Hon. Chairperson, the IFP supports the Budget.
