/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme House: The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal has mandated the ANC-led provincial government to speed up the rollout of socio-economic infrastructure as part of job creation and economic recovery.

In particular, the ANC is pleased with the progress being made around the construction of KwaZulu-Natal Government Precinct – a catalytic project that will change the face of this province for many years to come.

Critically, the ANC believes that the Provincial Government Precinct, with government departments located in one central place, will ensure a better co-ordination of the work of government and will also strengthen service delivery.

Upon its completion, the precinct will accommodate approximately 5000 civil servants across all government departments.

It should be remembered that in 2002, the majority of political parties in the legislature voted in favour of a resolution of a multi-party committee which recommended that Pietermaritzburg should be the sole legislative capital.

Subsequently, in May 2004, the former ANC Provincial Chair, in his capacity as Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal Sbu Ndebele declared Pietermaritzburg as both Legislative and Executive Capital of the Province.  This declaration resulted in the need for some Provincial Departments to relocate their Head Office from components from Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg.

Fast-forward to 2021, as the ANC we acknowledge the commitment by the ANC-led government to use this catalytic project  to demonstrate an ability to deliver the world-class infrastructure that will stand as a monument of what we can achieve when we are united behind a common programme.

In addition, the ANC is satisfied with plans to ensure that ordinary members of society, especially emerging entrepreneurs in the construction and built industry as a whole, benefit from the construction of this Provincial Government Precinct.

Accordingly, the ANC is calling upon government to sustain interactions with industry role players, chambers, emerging entrepreneurs, NGOs and other key stakeholders such as leaders of society.  The ANC is committed to see the people of KZN pulling together to ensure people from previously disadvantaged communities are empowered to enter the  construction sector and the built industry as a whole.

Below are critical areas of focus that will ensure the broader participation in the construction of the KZN Provincial Government Precinct:-

1. Contractor Development

2. Incubation and Mentorship;

3. Construction Material and Manufacturing Support;

4.  Emerging Professionals in the Built Environment.

In order to realize this catalytic project, we are calling upon the ANC government to partner with institutions of higher learning, Technical Vocational Education Training Centres and other Training Institutions to ensure massive skilling of young people.

Finally, as the ANC  we are comforted by the fact that the Portfolio Committee on Public Works is playing its oversight role vigorously. The committee will surely ensure the participation of women in this catalytic project given the fact that it is chaired by a woman – Cde Mbali Fraser.

Issued by the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal