The newly elected KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has vowed to serve the people of the province with honour and dignity during his inaugural ceremony in Pietermaritzburg.
Ntuli who replaced the ANC’s Nomusa Dube-Ncube beat uMkhonto Wesizwe’s Phathisizwe Chiliza by 41 to 39 votes.
Delivering his maiden speech he said his previous positions as Mayor of King Cetshwayo and Nkandla have taught him that government must work for people while assuring the people of the province that they will own his government.
Ntuli said his inauguration ceremony demonstrates that “the power to determine or shape the future of our Province lies in the hands of the residents of this Province. I say this because when May 29, 2024, was announced as the day for Provincial and National Elections, no political organisation or party ever resolved that it would campaign so that it could share the leadership of the Country and Provinces, with another political organisations, “said Ntuli.
Members of the uMkhonto Wesizwe proteated outside the Woodburn Stadium stadium during the proceedings expressing their unhappiness on the recent election results which have rwsultee in the reappointment of President Cyril Ramaphosa as well as the newy sworn KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.
The MK leader Jacob Zuma has vowed to seek international legal assistance as he seek to force the IEC for a re-election.
The Premier also vowed to fight crime and to bring stability in the province and announced that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison will be in his office so that he will deal with crime decisively.
In terms of section 132, (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, the Premier is empowered to appoint members of the Executive for the Provincial Government.
He said the people of the province of KZN have also taught the politicians that they are the real bosses; and the politicians are only their servants.
Ntuli also honored the late IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for teaching him to respect the Constitution of the country and all institutions and structures provided by the constitution.
“We will abide by uMntwana’s teaching that every cent of public money must go back to serve those who pay taxes. We wish to ensure you that, we will remain servants of our people, for 24 hours a day. Our peoples cries will be our cries. We will promote and support the work of traditional leadership, and at the same time, we will promote multiculturalism and multiracialism, “highlighted Ntuli.
Speaking about the coalition arrangement between his party the IFP, the ANC, DA and the NFP which has led to his inauguration, he promised that they will focus on the values that unite them and that they will always seek consensus among different parties within government.
While announcing his cabinet, he reiterated that they will work in rebuilding the province and stressed that he expected them to hit the ground running as he will introduce means to monitor their progress.
The ceremony was also graced by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lietenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Mayors from around the province as well as traditional leaders.