MESSAGE OF SUPPORT BY
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP
INKOSI OF THE BUTHELEZI CLAN
TRADITIONAL PRIME MINISTER TO THE ZULU MONARCH AND NATION
AND PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
Dinuntuli Village, Nkandla: 26 April 2019
His Worship the Mayor of Nkandla Local Municipality, Councillor AT Ntuli; Amakhosi and Councillors; Municipal Manager, Mr JS Jili; Members of the community.
The cornerstone of democracy is participation by the people. The right to determine our own governance, to decide our own future, and to choose our own representatives, was at the heart of what we fought for, for so many generations. When we achieved democracy, we won the right to participate.
I am proud, therefore, to witness the handover of Nhloshana Community Hall by the Nkandla Local Municipality, because this hall will be a place where the community can participate.
The construction of this hall has taken enormous planning and dedicated funding. It is part of the Integrated Development Plan of Nkandla Municipality, which considers long-term development as well as short term needs. The IDP is the blueprint of a municipality, laying out how it will meet its constitutional mandate.
In terms of Section 156 of South Africa’s Constitution, one of the key functions of municipalities is to facilitate and enhance community participation. Here in Nkandla, this is achieved through a number of ways, including Ward Committees and Community Development Workers.
But the reason for success here in Nkandla is not because community participation is mandated by the Constitution. It’s because the leadership of Nkandla believes in participation.
The political leadership in this municipality believes in putting people first. We know that there is no one better equipped to identify problems than the people living with those problems, and there is no one better equipped to come up with solutions than the people themselves.
This is why we work hand in hand with communities, through partnerships and collaborations. It’s why we work so closely with Amakhosi; why we listen; why we ask questions; why we report back.
Democracy only works when the people are empowered to participate, and good governance can only be achieved through leaders who listen. That, I believe, is what we have here in Nkandla. Because of this, I know that Nhloshana Community Hall is going to become a place of vibrant debate, conversations and collaboration.
I am delighted to witness the handover of this new hall.
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Contact:
Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
