On Thursday 4 February 2021, the Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Public Works Portfolio Committee, honourable Mrs Mbali Fraser MPL, accompanied by other distinguished members of the Committee joined the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, honourable Mrs Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni at a Public Works Portfolio Committee workshop held at the Newcastle City Hall.
The day’s business order did not come as a joyride. It was quite a hectic but objective programme. Many lessons were learned in the course. Presenters from the Department of Public Works had to dig deep to fruitful thinking, inspiration and aspirations as they delivered their respective reports.
MEC Nkonyeni was accompanied by the Department’s senior management delegation. Amongst those who rendered presentations were Messrs Majola, Redfearn and Zondi, whilst Ms Xolile Ntanzi, ‘played her piano so well’. She delivered a clear, brief but fathomable presentation that did not warrant or invite a ‘question’ from the members of the Portfolio Committee. You could have been there to witness the moments of thoughtfulness and brilliance.
The significance of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across KwaZulu-Natal is having a huge impact on peoples’ lives. While the Department continues to maintain its highest standards of intensifying full efforts more than ever to ensuring the well-being of staff, there is also a drive to enhance the need and time ‘to repurpose and remodel Public Works’. The workshop outcomes aim at preparing smooth pathway that will steer the department towards serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal with decency while leading the frontiers of change.
One has to acknowledge that there are huge problems within the operational systems of the Department that require review and refinement. In her briefing remarks, MEC Nkonyeni has been quite eloquent but full of truth and frankness as she emphasised that: ‘There is a lot to learn out of this Portfolio Committee Workshop’. This also stems from her ‘dream, desire and hope’ that would one day carry and lay her at a valley where she would eventually realise ‘the poor of the poorest’, ‘the destitute’ and ‘the jobless’ being destined for lasting economic freedom and peace.
