Pietermaritzburg: 8 December 2011

Honourable Speaker  

The provincial Legislature’s programme for this year has come to a close.

The provincial government has done a lot to improve the state of our public finances during the past year and for this it deserves praise. The best piece of good news is that the province appears to have paid off its past cumulative overdraft.

At the same time, the people of KwaZulu-Natal have had to endure another annual round of costly political jamborees, known as izimbizo and Taking Parliament to the People. The main preoccupation of these has not been, as one would expect, promotion of service delivery but rather that of the ruling party.

This Legislature has not had the opportunity to carry out its oversight role in some of this year’s most pressing issues as many of the outstanding reports on investigations remain hidden from public scrutiny. We are grateful for the commitment by the Honourable Premier to greater openness, and as the Official Opposition we will judge this government on his undertaking to keep this House up-to-date on all ongoing investigations.

As Leader of the Official Opposition, I would like to see the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature approach its oversight obligations to the South African citizen and taxpayer with considerably more vigour and dedication in the New Year 2012.

We in the Official Opposition also wish all of you a peaceful festive season and a happy New Year 2012. May you spend your holidays in health, peace and prosperity among your loved ones. 

We extend our best wishes to members of other opposition parties, our political opponents on the opposite side of this House, staff of the Legislature, members of the media and the public.   A peaceful festive season and a happy New Year to all of you. 

I thank you.

Contact:
 Honourable MB Gwala MPL
 078 290 5842