Ahead of his election as KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu visited the grave of Chief Albert Luthuli, the first African Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. A seasoned negotiator and an activist for the betterment of the lives of the people, Mchunu described his visit as journey in search of moral guidance.

“Inkosi Luthuli was a firm believer in the unity of our people. During his term of office as the leader of the ruling party he worked tirelessly to ensure that leaders of society worked together towards a common goal. Importantly, he formed alliances with Indians, whites and coloured organisations.”

“Authors all over the world note the determination of Inkosi Luthuli to unite the people of all races despite persistent efforts of the apartheid government aimed at dividing our people along racial lines.”

“Drawing from Chief Albert Luthuli, I commit myself to utilize my strengths to ensure that we intensify our journey of building a stronger KwaZulu-Natal. Central to my efforts should be the unity of all leaders.”

“Having already begun the journey of another Third Decade of our Freedom and Democracy, I am confident that the experience we have acquired since the ANC was put firmly in charge of the provincial government would help us to build on the successes of the Two Decades of our Freedom and Democracy.”

“I want to make a clarion call to the leadership of this province at all levels that we must march into the future as a province driven by ethos of working hard and together to ensure a better life for our people.”

“Together we must ensure that in the next five years we make a serious impact in defeating the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. This is a call which has been made by the President of the Republic His Excellency J.G Zuma and clearly articulated in the manifesto of the ruling party, the African National Congress.”

“Critically, if we do not work towards common goals, this will be a betrayal of the spirit of the founding father of this freedom and democratic government, our revered former Chief Albert Luthuli.”

 

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier