The people of Ndwendwe, north of Durban got to experience first hand the virtue of selflesness as espoused by President Nelson Mandela when they had essential services brought to their door steps today. This was when the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala, officially launched the Mandela Month programme in the area. An elated local resident, Gladys Gumede was full of praise for the efficient and professional manner in which she was treated.“I am impressed with the services I received today. In less than one hour, I had my eyes checked by highly qualified doctors, received my new social grant card from the Post Office and I was taught how to avoid illegal deductions from my social grant. Arrangements have been made for me to receive further eye treatment in Durban. This has changed the perception I had about government,” said the senior citizen.She was one among hundreds of people who attended the launch. Mr Zikalala’s Mandela Month programme will see him and various non governmental organisations visiting different poor communities in the province where, among other things, he will be attending to socio-economic challenges facing the elderly and young in particular. “The launch of our Mandela Month programme was a resounding success. Working together with various organisations, we have not only brought essential services to our people but we have also equipped our senior citizens with basic knowledge and skills on the prevention of criminal acts and abuses that must be reported to the law enforcement agencies. We urge the people of KwaZulu-Natal to make a difference to people’s lives to honour former President Nelson Mandela’s legacy,” said Zikalala. The MEC further encouraged the people of the province to observe the Mandela Month by giving at least 67 minutes of their time on July 18 to a worthy cause. July 18 is Madiba’s birthday and the day is dedicated to his work and that of his charitable organisations, as part of ensuring that his legacy lives on. ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRSEnquiries: Bongani Tembe on 0823272600 CAPTION: Gladys Gumede of Ndwedwe receiving eye treatment Dr Jiten Rooplal Philarosa Clinic, one of the organisations that have partnered with MEC Zikalala in his Mandela Month programme. view more

Africa's Tourism Indaba is currently underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.The week long Indaba has attracted local and international visitors including exhibitors, buyers and media.The National Minister for Tourism, Derek Hanekom, was joined by his Deputy, Elizabeth Thabethe, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, eThekwini Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer and eSwatini Minister for Tourism Christopher Gamedze on a walkabout of the exhibition stands. view more

This is a full week of activities dedicated to growing the export sector of the KwaZulu-Natal's economy. It is attended by delegates from various parts of the continent including Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho. MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Mr Zikalala had told delegates that South Africa is a stable country and he then wished them success in their deliberations which is expected to culminate to business deals. view more

MEDIA STATEMENT Friday, 18 August 2017 MEC ZIKALALA ASSURES INVESTORS OF POLICY CERTAINY AND STABILITY IN KZN AND CALLS FOR GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN BUSINESS The KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala, has reassured businesses operating in KwaZulu-Natal that the province remained a sound investment destination that had their interests at heart. Speaking at the KZN Growth Coalition Breakfast held in Durban this morning and attended by top business leaders, Zikalala said government, working with business, had the urgent task of stimulating economic growth and ensuring stability in light of the technical recession facing the country. “A stable macroeconomic environment remains essential in providing an environment where the private businesses can thrive. This implies that there is a need for policy certainty and sound regulations that guarantee the protection of investments by both domestic and foreign investors.” Zikalala said while government would continue to ensure the creation of an environment conducive to investment, it was also critical for businesses to ensure that communities benefitted meaningfully from their operations. “Our approach to radical economic transformation entails a change of mind set in approaching the economy and accepting that, if more people are given space to meaningfully participate, the size of our economy and its rate of growth will increase. It is also about deserting our comfort zones and appreciating that, as we deal with the legacy of apartheid misrule, all of us will have to make concessions and ensure that Black Africans in particular hold a more discernible stake in the economy.” He said government had come up with far reaching initiatives such as Operation Vula and the Black Industrialists programme to ensure the inclusion of the Black majority in the province in the economic mainstream. “There is wide social consensus that while significant strides have been made towards transforming our economy, far too many of our people, in particular women and the youth, are still peripheral participants in the economic mainstream. When we convene on platforms such as the KZN Growth Coalition collective, our chief concern is that of coming up with tangible, win-win interventions to turn around what is undeniably a situation which places us on unsound ground, both as the province of KwaZulu-Natal and the country at large,” Zikalala said. Citing a need to grow and support those industries that had the propensity to grow the economy create jobs, Zikalala said plans were afoot to bolster the manufacturing and mining sectors in KwaZulu-Natal. “In response to this challenge, we are working on convening a Manufacturing summit where we will discuss plans for stimulating the manufacturing sector and further explore avenues for protecting this sector.” Zikalala said the province was also working with the Department of Mineral Resources to finalise preparations for a Provincial Mining Indaba which would be held later this year. ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BONGANI TEMBE ON 082 327 2600 SIYABONGA MAPHUMULO ON 082 330 5132 view more