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The KZN Progressive Professionals Forum welcomes the political and leadership maturity which has been displayed by the ANC KZN Chair Comrade Sihle Zikalala.  This follows public statements issued by both National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Black Lawyers Association.   
   

KZN PPF, is an over-arching body representing professionals, academics and entrepreneurs who are committed to the ideals of the Freedom Charter. We value the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as a guiding tool towards the transformation of society.

Accordingly, we want to publicly endorse the posture taken by Zikalala recently. He has demonstrated solid leadership by rising above trivial issues and has placed on top of the agenda the interests of professional bodies such as NADEL whose main task is to ensure equal access to justice. 

As a tried and tested deployee of the ANC, Zikalala has offered to meet with NADEL to discuss issues of mutual interests in order to find a common ground. Such an approach will assist in dealing with what NADEL perceived as the direct attack on its member.

KZN PPF commends Zikalala for such a bold and humble posture and we believe that this strengthen a bond between the ANC, as the governing party and professional bodies. As KZN PPF we are drawing some lessons from this matter with a view to build and deepen a relationship between all progressive forces and the ANC.

Moving forward, we believe that public spats must be avoided at all costs. Instead, a culture of constructive engagement must be sustained.

KZN PPF represents a wide range of progressive professional bodies and has worked very hard to build and maintain the progressive and revolutionary relationships with the ANC in KZN and its 11 districts and regions. It is for these reasons that we will never condone any action that seeks to threaten this strongly bonded relationship.

Critically, as professional body, we represent progressive compatriots and professionals who happen to find themselves operating in political environments. At all times, our members have always expressed their commitment to execute their developmental mandates ethically and professionally.

Importantly, we salute Zikalala, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business, together with the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Willies Mchunu and the entire executive council for honouring Griffiths and Victorial Mxenge at the weekend. These are outstanding lawyers who made a tremendous contribution in the fight against apartheid. 

We have noted an undertaking by the KwaZulu-Natal Government to work with the legal fraternity to advance human rights in honour of Mxenges. We have accordingly conveyed this message to our members and have encouraged them to work with the provincial government to ensure that ordinary members of society are educated so that they know the law and that they must have access to justice.

In addition, we appreciate Zikalala’s commitment to working with professionals across all sectors of the economy in his capacity as Leader of Government Business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Over the years, he has ensured open dialogue and is always available to engage with professionals as part of efforts aimed at driving radical economic transformation.

In conclusion, we are calling upon the National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Black Lawyers Association to be vigilant. We know that there are forces who are already taking advantage of this minor misunderstanding. They are operating in corners and orchestrating their campaign of divide and rule. Their agenda involves pitting leaders of the ANC against society using the media as a tool. We call for maximum restraint as we all need each other to complete the task of driving the agenda of transforming our society.

Issued by the KZN Progressive Professionals Forum