DESPITE the odds, the IFP-led Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal has survived for a year, with Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli set to deliver his first State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Pietermaritzburg.
The event will be at Woodburn Stadium today.
Ntuli was under heavy scrutiny to account for the promises he made during his first SOPA last year, following his unanticipated ascension to the plumb Premier’s position in June last year.
This came after his party, the IFP, the DA, the ANC and the NFP banded together to form the GPU, with no party mustering a clear majority during the May election elections, despite the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) raking in 47% of the votes.
Ntuli, also the chairperson of the IFP in the province, was expected to use the occasion to account for the work done by the 7th administration thus far, including the setbacks suffered by his government since thus far.
Crime, unemployment and housing, were expected to take centre stage as the issues requiring priority.
Expectations were rife that Ntuli would report on the gains and losses of the provincial economy, which grew by 1.1% in 2024.
However, this was seen in many quarters as low growth, which would fail to translate into job creation for the province with a sizeable budget of R150 billion.
KZN also maintained its spot as the second-biggest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) after Gauteng, the country’s economic hub.
Different organisations have varying expectations ahead of Ntuli’s address.
Sbu Zikode, the president of Abahlali baseMjondolo, a social shack dwellers’ association, was candid about his organisations expectations.
“We are expecting nothing from the premier. Poor people are just left to die in human dumping areas as human waste. Despite everything done in the name of the ‘poor’”.
Zikode said they thought that the “GNU (Government of National Unity) would have a heart for the poor who are vulnerable and have been neglected for far too long”, but it did not materialise.
He hoped that the power-sharing deal in the country and the GPU government in the hung KZN would be a lifeline for people living in poverty.
“He (Ntuli) could not even agree to meet with Abahlali in spite of our several attempts. How would he know the challenges facing Abahlali, when he only reacts to disasters,” Zikode reasoned.
eThekwini Ratepayers Association Chairperson Asad Gaffer told the Daily News that they would be disappointed if Ntuli did not address the nagging water crisis in Durban.
“Given that the water issue was a top priority, we expect the premier to mention it in his address. And if does, we expect him to announce his action plan,” said Gaffer.
The Ratepayers Association has led a series of marches to the Durban City Hall, where the metro’s administration was anchored.
On Saturday, Gaffer said the association will hold a gathering at Durban’s Curries Fountain Stadium.
Political parties were barred from attending the event, stated Gaffer.
He said they invited the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi so they could hand over the memorandum to him.
UBumbano LweziNduna, an organisation advocating for the rights of traditional leadership, was also not pleased with how the provincial government handled the long-standing contentious issues of backpays of Izinduna.
Charles Malinga, the secretary general of the grouping, confirmed that they would be picketing outside the venue where Ntuli would deliver his address.
“A joint march between CONTRALESA and uBumbano Lwezinduna will be held, and we will be submitting a memorandum of demands during the SOPA in KZN,” said Malinga.
In line with the long-running government tradition, the SOPA was preceded by the official opening of the KZN provincial legislature, where King MisuZulu kaZwelithini was the keynote speaker yesterday.
The event was a royal affair with the Amabutho (regiments), clad in traditional regalia, entering the Woodburn Stadium, chanting traditional songs.
In a statement, the provincial governement said: “The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government encourages all citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to tune in and engage in this important address, which will set the tone for the province’s development trajectory in the months ahead.”
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