We are proud to deliver this edition of PIVOT magazine, especially as it coincides with the World Economic Forum Africa 2017. This event has great potential to highlight all that our province has to offer and to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal grows as a valued local and international tourist, business and investment destination.

However, in order to ensure that development benefits all our people, the policy of Radical Economic Transformation is being enforced by the provincial government. In this issue of Pivot, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikala, unpacks the topic in order to ‘demystify’ its intentions and explain the strategies that will be used to ensure equitable participation in the economy by all citizens of the Province.

In addition, a number of programmes and strategies that are successfully driving radical economic transformation in KwaZulu-Natal are showcased. This includes a discussion of the need to transform the agrarian sector to ensure that farmers have access to land and are able to participate in the supply chain.

As identified in a number of articles, the maritime, tourism, film and informal sectors have much to offer our people. The range of programmes featured, clearly promotes the potential for greater economic participation of the previously disadvantaged through the provision of financial support, skills training and mentoring. These programmes also have a particular interest in promoting the empowerment of women and youth, who often are unable to participate in the formal economy.

Of note is that while a large number of our programmes and initiatives are featured, these are not exhaustive of the various activities that the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and its various entities have embarked on.

We are also very pleased to showcase some of the private sector initiatives that are substantially driving our province’s growth and development. Change can come in many forms and after an assessment of the various billion rand investments that are taking place in KwaZulu-Natal, it will be clear that the province is transforming into an economic powerhouse.

KwaZulu-Natal is at the ‘pivot’ of its development and we invite you to participate in our path of radical economic transformation.