3 December 2019 *Durban*: The Leader of Government Business Nomusa Dube-Ncube has expressed her appreciation to stakeholders who have joined hands with government in the fight against gender based violence. Today she addressed stakeholders in the liquor and gaming industry at the Durban Station Campus. She remarked: "We wish to acknowledged pledges that have been made by industry stakeholders towards awareness campaigns as well as other nation building programmes." "I have requested details of every single one of you who have contributed. I want to hand over this information to our Premier Sihle Zikalala and executive council which will have a meeting tomorrow. I wish to single out the following companies: - SAB (AB InBev)KwaZulu-Natal Gaming BoardKZN Liquor AuthorityAWARE.ORGHollywood BettingSibaya Casino and Sibaya TrustKingdom Slots KZN SlotsGoldrush GroupDistell DiagoPick n Pay and others She emphasized: "These companies and organizations have contributed more than R3, 4 million towards an integrated plan to fight Gender Based Violence. Critically, many victims of gender based violence and innocent women out there will be comforted knowing that we have agreed on a plan to take advantage of the 4th Industrial Revolution to fight this scourge." "I wish to inform the people of KZN that we have agreed on an urgent need to install CCTV cameras in taverns, nightclubs, on our streets, workplaces, recreational centres and other places as part of efforts to turn around the situation. I wish to point out that we are in negotiations right now with Vodacom to ensure the CCV cameras have connectivity through ICT infrastructure." "We want to use Wi-Fi operated CCTV cameras that identify criminals through face recognition technology and their biometrics before even committing their next crime. We want to distribute Apps such as Namola which allows women to share their GPS coordinates with the police, community groups and private security. They can do that with just a press of a button so that law enforcement agencies can respond instantly." She announced: "We wish to announce that we have agreed that 10 liquor outlets in Amatikwe in Inanda will be fitted with Memeza cameras. We will also install 10 community alarm system.  At a press of a button or using a remote control - an sms will be sent to SAPS for the police to ensure speedy intervention during times of distress. The community alarms will have a subscription of 12 months which includes extensive training by the SAPS." "In addition, we will install 10 Floodlights to ensure the visibility of patrons and communities.  These are some concrete interventions targeting Inanda and will soon be rolled out in other areas. We are targeting Inanda because a study conducted by the Moses Kotane Institute of Technology and SAPS shows that a culture of alcoholism in Inanda is a contributing factor to the high number of abuses of women and children." "Our records show that the area has 128 licensed liquor stores and a large number that operates illegally. We have instructed the enforcement officers to close down these illegal outlets. "According to Brigadier Zwelihle Mnganga-station commander-, alcohol consumption plays a crucial role in the widespread tragedy of rape in Inanda. Most of the reported rape cases took place when people were intoxicated, and the perpetrators are likely to be known individuals." "The line of thought that "If I buy you a drink, then you must sleep with me", is one of the major reasons why women fall victim to rape in the area. Our research indicates that women who abuse drugs and alcohol, are at a significantly higher risk for sexual assault." Ends *ISSUED BY THE KZN DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS* Enquiries Ndabezinhle Sibiya - 082 375 4742 Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113   view more

1 December 2019 Due to the popular national demand, the Leader of Government Business Nomusa Dube-Ncube will be on ENCA Live tomorrow - _2 December starting just after 07h30._ She will give a blow-by-blow account on what the KZN Government is doing to ensure that ordinary members of communities are involved in the planting and export of Cannabis. She remarked during the Cannabis Investment Protocol Summit held recently at the Durban's ICC: "We believe that, there are endless opportunities to use the cannabis industry to stimulate agriculture and many other sectors. She stated: "Some call in dagga, marijuana and others call it weed." "To the AIDS or cancer patient, marijuana is the plant that fights nausea and appetite loss." "To the nutritionist, its seed is second only to the soybean in nutritional value and is a source of cooking oil and vitamins." To the paper or cloth manufacturer, it is the plant that provided much of our paper and clothing for hundreds of years and produces four times more fiber per acre than trees." "To the environmentalist, it is the plant that could greatly slow deforestation, restore robbed nutrients by other crops." She further indicated that available statistics indicates that that the Cannabis industry worth more than R100 billion. The United Nations suggests that South Africa produces 2, 300 tons of marijuana annually- making the country the third-largest producer of the plant and related products in Africa. She explained: "We are further informed by economists that the cannabis market is estimated to reach $ 146 billion by the end of 2025. South Africa is predicated to become a major player. We all know that KwaZulu-Natal has the potential to become an enormous cannabis market. This is due to the favorable climate that makes growing weed easier than in many other countries especially in Europe." She emphasized: "As government we don't want ordinary members of society who have been involved in the planting of marijuana to be left behind. Our focus as government is ordinary communities in rural areas because they have a long history of growing and consuming cannabis - though they have been doing it illegally. Now that government is opening up opportunities, we don't want ordinary members of society to be marginalized. She concluded: "We want oGogo noMkhulu from Umsinga, Impendle, Mzimkhulu, eShowe and many other areas to be involved in the export of Cannabis." Ends *ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS* EnquiriesNdabezinhle Sibiya Nathi Olifant   view more

30 November 2019 The Leader of Government Business Nomusa Dube-Ncube has congratulated one of entities under her department - Ithala - for its role in driving the entrepreneurship revolution over the past 60 years. This evening, she put the cream of the crop in job creation - on the pedestal for the world to see. Three young women were recognized for their addiction to entrepreneurship during the Ithala Imbokodo Iyazenzela Women in SMME's Awards at the Durban's ICC. Dube-Ncube congratulated them: "I wish to pay tribute to Ms Philisiwe Mkhonza who is involved in farming in Vryheid. I am informed that you have employed 6 people and that you are involved in the breeding of cattle, sheep, goats and free range pigs. "Congratulations to Nokuthula Memela of Four Stars Communications in Kokstad. I am impressed by the fact that you have employed 11 people. Well done Sbongiseni Mthethwa of a Ekhaya Beauty Professional. This beauty & Wellness company based in Pietermaritzburg has employed 5 permanent people and 20 temporal workers." "I know that there are women entrepreneurs out-there who want to give up and others have already thrown the towel. My message to them is very clear: If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. Therefore, pick up the pieces and keep trying." She further remarked: "We are informed by the World Bank that female entrepreneurs make significant contributions to economic growth and to poverty reduction around the world. In the United States, for example, women-owned firms are growing at more than double the rate of all other firms. They contribute nearly $3 trillion to the economy and are directly responsible for 23 million jobs." She further revealed: "Over the years we have attempted to use Ithala as an instrument to transformation the province's economy in favor of women. Admittedly, though there are challenges faced by Ithala - just like any organization - we are determined to ensure that Ithala take the lead in driving entrepreneurship revolution." She said SMMEs and co-operatives programme are the critical vehicles that government is using to bridge the gap between the first and second economies. She explained: "The Co-operatives Programme has two very specific objectives, namely to provide food security and to create economic activity at a very basic community level. It is comforting when ordinary women from deep rural areas and township testify that through co-operative programme, they have been able to support their families." She revealed: "Over the years Ithala has approved SMME loans totalling more than R478 million for more than 465 enterprises in agricultural, manufacturing, services, construction, energy, tourism and other sectors. Through the finance provided to SMME`s Ithala facilitated the creation of more than 3,552 job opportunities." "We have set aside R59.8-million through Ithala to deliver affordable and accessible banking services to the under-banked in the province. In addition, we have approved a housing loan budget of R319 million through Ithala to enable ordinary members of society to own their own homes. The intention is also to stimulate the peripheral housing industries, such as builders and artisans." Ithala has also been working with SANTACO and local taxi associations to finance taxis. About R32-million has been set aside for that. She quipped: "I must hasten to point out that plans of establishing an Automative Supplier Parkare at advanced stages. The park will be South of Durban. In my meeting with the Board of Trade Investment KwaZulu-Natal yesterday I emphasized the importance of ensuring that ordinary members of society especially women are assisted to have a share in this multibillion Automative Supplier Park." She concluded: "I have said all our entities- Ithala, Trade Investment KwaZulu-Natal and KZN Growth Fund must ensure that women owned businesses have access to funding in order to participate in the provincial and national strategic Infrastructure Projects. There are major investments by state-owned transport agencies such as the Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA) and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). We have been informed that SANRAL's pipeline of roads development projects in KwaZulu-Natal is currently estimated at more than R21.6 billion." She concluded: "Last year, on the 31st October, the provincial government and national government officially launched two major road projects with a combined value of over R174, 5 million. Women must be part of the construction of air-freight, rail, quality roads and highways across the province and here in eThekwini municipality." Ends ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS EnquiriesNdabezinhle SibiyaNathi Olifant   view more

*Remarks by the Acting Premier | The Leader of Government Business* |    *KwaZulu-Natal MEC Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube*     _Launch of Conlog's R110 million smart electricity meter manufacturing plant within Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone_    26 November 2019   _________________________   Programme Director Dolly Govender, Acting Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality Chair of Dube Trade Port - Prof Portia Gasa Bongi Ngema-Zuma Ambassador Sidick Jaffer - DTI Mr Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube Trade Port Khaya Ngqaka - CEO of Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone Mr Raoul Gamsu - CIG Chairman Mr Logan Moodley - Chief Executive Officer The Rest of Management and staff at Conlog Business leaders Distinguished guests   Good Morning     On behalf of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, I wish to start by paying tribute to the entire executive management at Conlog.   This investment is not only timely but is a vote of confidence in the Dube Trade Port.   On Monday evening, I hosted a high powered delegation from the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg in German.   The delegation was led Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut - the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour & Housing.   The minister was impressed by the fact that this province is strategically located on world trade routes, thereby providing access to major global markets, such as South America, Europe and the Far East.   She heaped praises on KwaZulu-Natal and marvelled our excellent infrastructure. She promised to facilitate both business-to-business contacts and people-to-people relations.   We discussed investment opportunities in KZN and highlighted manufacturing as one of the sectors which offers opportunities.   Critically, the manufacturing sector is the second largest in the country and generates 20% of the provincial employment and contributes 25% to the province's GDP.   This has been sparked by investment incentives that this government offers to investors and companies that locate their manufacturing base in our province.   Ladies and Gentlemen, I must hasten to point out that we welcome this investment in this new facility as it will strengthen the manufacturing industry - especially electronics.   We recall that manufacturing is one of the sectors - hardest hit by recession years ago - resulting in thousands of job losses.   Notwithstanding these challenges, as government we believe that there is a strong potential for the growth of this sector   About 315,000 people are employed in manufacturing, representing just of 12% of total formal and informal employment.   We wish to point out that this plant will become an integral part of our provincial industrial strategy, which enjoins us to stimulate the manufacturing industry in order to increase employment.   I have been informed that Conlog has its footprint across over 4 continents and 20 countries.   Apparently, over 70 utilities make use of Conlog metering solutions, and thousands of Conlog vending units have been installed around the world, with over 400 revenue management systems internationally and locally.   *This is indeed impressive.*   Clearly and slowly we will eventually move from being a Third World exporter of primary commodities to a First World exporter of manufactured products.   This morning, I addressed a Panel Discussion on Cannabis Investment Protocols. I emphasized that Cannabis will increase our exports drastically.   I indicated that from a continental perspective, 31.3% of South African exports by value are delivered to Asian importers, 26.5% goes to fellow African countries and just slightly less than 25.4%, ends up in Europe.   Close onto 65% of the country's exports are mineral and agricultural products. The fact that Conlog is involved in the exports of electronics augurs well for the province.   *Creating Decent Work*   As I draw towards conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment towards working with the private sector in creating decent work.   Many communities are still fronted by constant rise in the costs of food, water, electricity, fuel, houses and services.   With an average of 48% of the population living below the poverty line, we need to work together to close the economic and social gap between the rich and poor.   While a great deal has been achieved in growing the economy over the past decade, our immediate action should be to take the next process to a much higher level that will bring about significant difference in the quality of life of the country's majority.   As government we are investing in infrastructure and we plan to invest billions in Aerotropolis - a City within the King Shaka International Airport.   Investments into strategic backbone infrastructure remain the key to economic recovery and employment creation. The reach of such economic infrastructure programmes is being extended to rural areas and labour intensive approach has been adopted.   Ladies and Gentlemen, once again congratulations to all of you.   Events such as this, gives us the opportunity as government to rally all sections of our society around a common vision and collective programme of growing our economy.   We salute Dube Trade Port and Conlog for working together.   It is through such a partnership that we will be able to put this province onto a path of growth and prosperity.   I thank you   view more