KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Friday 21 April 2023: Pietermaritzburg
By: Hon. VF Hlabisa – Leader of the Official Opposition and President of the IFP
Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Members,
Every time a decision must be made to advance the people of KwaZulu-Natal, despite the differences we may hold with the ruling party, we will always agree on what will put the people of this Province first.
As we approve the KwaZulu-Natal Appropriation Bill, 2023, we must be cognizant of the fact that KwaZulu-Natal has not recovered from the ripple effects of Covid-19, the 2021 July looting or unrest, and the disastrous 2022 floods that destroyed property, claimed lives, and left our people devasted. Crime, unemployment, poverty, and lack of sufficient and sustainable services experienced by the people of our Province on their daily lives, do not inspire confidence for something better in the very near future. Political freedom that does not translate into economic freedom, is meaningless.
While progress has been made on service delivery, some of our schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and living conditions of our people in the informal settlements leave much to be desired.
The IFP wants to invite all Members of this House to take and make this opportunity a chance to win back the trust of the voters. The trust deficit between the public and the public representatives, is a gap we must close. We must use this Budget proficiently and prudently to benefit the people of this Province, to revive their hopes and to overcome despair. We must have the willpower and caring attitude to get things done right. We must uphold the rule of law and compliance with legislation to ensure proper governance.
The IFP commits to full oversight responsibility over the Budget we approve today. We all have the responsibility to protect the limited financial resources and ensure that they do not to fall into the hands of heartless people who line their pockets, instead of advancing the good course of our people.
The Budget we approve today does not belong to us, but to the people. Ours is a responsibility to oversee, protect and use it for the betterment of our people.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker.