Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Thursday, 18 and Friday, 19 May 2023, lead a two-day oversight visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Province in both the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and uMgungundlovu District Municipality to engage with various stakeholders in sectors such as education and training, agriculture, commerce and industry, amongst others.
On 18 May 2023, the Deputy President will lead an outreach programme to different sites in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and uMgungundlovu District Municipality, as part of assisting in the roll-out of the District Development Model DDM, through effective coordination of the different spheres of Government with the aim of improving the functioning of municipalities and addressing the challenges facing communities.
In this regard, the Deputy President will visit the Ntshongweni Catalytic Project site, where a smart city is being constructed between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, alongside the N3 road and the Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistic and industrial corridor.
The project highlights the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s partnerships with various stakeholders in the implementation of programmes that support local community members to obtain critical work skills. It is envisaged that the project will revitalise and increase economic activity in the area, contributing about R15 billion worth of investments in the next 10 – 15 years.
Deputy President Mashatile will then visit the Cedara College of Agriculture to showcase the collaborative activities and programmes such as production of cannabis, seeds and seedlings, animal feed, livestock breeding, and indigenous chicken production, amongst others; jointly with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Agricultural Research and Training Institutes.
During his visit to Cedara College, the Deputy President will engage with young and emerging farmers on the Government initiatives and programmes to provide support to the sector.
On the second day of his visit to KwaZulu-Natal, Deputy President Mashatile will chair the Human Resource Development Council meeting, which will be hosted at the uMgungundlovu TVET College, Plessislaer Campus in Pietermaritzburg.
The College has managed to build partnerships with Government departments, municipalities, non-governmental organisations and private sector companies, to deliver on its mandate, which includes among other programmes the placement of students for work-integrated-learning.
Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza; Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Noxolo Kiviet; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela; Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina; KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube; Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi; North West Premier Mr Bushy Maape; members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council; Municipal Mayors and senior Government officials.
Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:
Date: Thursday, 18 May 2023
Venue: Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Media Programme
10h30 - Deputy President visits the Ntshongweni Phase 1A Project, uMgugundlovu District
12h30 - Site visit to Camperdown Smart City Project
13h45 - Visit to Cedara College of Agriculture
15h00 - Interactive session between Government and Young farmers
Date: Friday, 19 May 2023
Venue: uMgugundlovu TVET College, Plessislaer Campus
Media Programme
07h30 - Walkabout at the uMgugundlovu TVET College Plessislaer Campus
08h55 - Deputy President delivers opening remarks at the Human Resource Development Council meeting
09h20 - Signing of the three (3) Social Compacts
12h30 - Media Briefing on outcomes of the HRDC meeting
Source: Government of South Africa