KZN PREMIER

UKUTHULA AKWAKHI! Join us in making GBVF what we made apartheid — an evil our society refuses to tolerate, defend or allow to survive. #SilwaNechilo #UkuthulaAkwakhi #EndGBVF

An election is the ultimate expression of the will of the people, and that will must be respected and accepted — whether we win or lose. But the true test of democracy is not simply how we conduct ourselves before or during an election; it is how we behave when the results are declared. A winner must show humility, restraint and responsibility. A loser must show maturity, respect and the courage to accept the people’s verdict. Winning an election is a victory; accepting defeat with dignity is a demonstration of true democratic leadership. Our democracy demands both. #Elections2026 #IEC2026LocalElections

PREMIER SPEAKS …

One Game. A Nation Watching. And a lesson for all of us. Today , millions of us will be divided by colour - black and white, or black and gold. But we will be united by one thing: our love for football. I want to say this as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal: Let the rivalry belong ONLY on the pitch. The Soweto Derby is more than 90 minutes. It is a celebration of South African football, of passion, of history, and of the power of sport to bring people together. Whether you shout for Ezika Magebhula or you sing for Abafana Bokuthula Noxolo - do it with respect. Respect for the players, respect for fellow supporters, and respect for the game. Let us show the nation that we can compete fiercely and celebrate peacefully. May the best team win. #ThePremiersVoice #InspiringNewHope #SowetoDerby #OneGameANationWatching #DiskiLove

A community that forgets its roots cannot grow. Today, I will be at uMlalazi to officially open the Amakhosi Chambers at the uMlalazi Rugby Stadium. For me, this is more than opening of the chamber. It is a statement of respect. Amakhosi are not just leaders of the past - they are pillars of our democracy today. They are the custodians of our culture, the voice of our communities, and the first point of call for our people on the ground. A wise government does not govern over traditional leadership - it governs with it. When government and Amakhosi work together, we solve local problems faster and we build stronger, more stable communities. These Chambers will be a place where wisdom meets development. A place where the issues of our people will find a home. I look forward to standing with Amakhosi in uMlalazi. #ThePremiersVoice #InspiringNewHope #PartnershipForStrongerCommunities #Amakhosi #uMlalazi

A decent home is more than a roof over one’s head; it is the foundation for dignity, security and a better future. I was honoured to join President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Thembisile Simelane, at Cornubia Phase 2A in eThekwini, where we handed over new homes to beneficiaries and participated in a tree-planting ceremony. Our commitment as the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is to accelerate the delivery of quality housing and build sustainable communities where families can live with dignity and hope. We remain committed to ensuring that more families across our province have a place they can proudly call home. #Cornubia #HumanSettlements #HousingTheNation #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether

Young people of KZN, I am speaking to you directly. Time is running out. The KZN Youth Empowerment Fund 2026 is closing soon - on 5 November 2026. I am heavily invested in this fund because I believe in you. I believe that your idea, your business, your farm, your kitchen, your workshop can create jobs and change your community. That is why we are offering funding from R1,000 up to R2 million for young entrepreneurs aged 18-35 across this province. This is your government saying: we will back you. But you must act. Do not wait. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. If you have not applied, apply today. If you know a young person with a dream, share this with them. I want to see your applications before the closing date. Let us build your future, together. HOW TO APPLY Application forms are available at kznonline.gov.za and at your nearest Local or District Municipal Office. Completed application forms must be hand-delivered to your nearest Municipal Office. Emailed applications will NOT be accepted. Apply before 5 November 2026. #ThePremiersVoice #KZNYouthFund #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether

This is what growth looks like. Meet Tamryn Mari, founder of Commercial Guardian Events Business - a company he started in 2015 supplying tents for events. Before the intervention through the Youth Fund, Tamryn had the skill and the will, but not the means to take on big projects. He was limited to small events. Today, because of the KZN Youth Fund, he owns bigger tents, he takes on large-scale and government projects, and he has grown from 4 employees to 10 - and he is hiring more. He said it himself: ”Thank you for trusting me and taking me from a small scale business to growing the economy.” This is why I am invested in the Youth Fund. I don’t just see tents being erected. I see a young man building an industry. I see 10 families supported. I see a business that can now compete for big business. We invest in youth not as charity, but as economic strategy. When we fund one youth, we grow the whole province. I am proud of you, Tamryn. Keep building - KZN believes in you. #ThePremiersVoice #KZNYouthFund #InspiringNewHope #GrowingKZNTogether

In Ulundi, we are not just opening a building - we are unlocking potential. Today, I will be in Ulundi to hand over the new Indoor Sport Centre to the community. A wise government knows that development is not only about houses and roads. It is about creating space for our youth to dream, to play, to stay away from drugs and crime, and to build their talent. Strength is not just about the economy. It is about strong, healthy and united communities. This centre will be a place for participation, for talent development, for community connection. When we invest in our children and in community spaces, we invest in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. We are creating space for sport, and with it, space for opportunity. Let us grow KwaZulu-Natal together!! #ThePremiersVoice #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether #UlundiSportCentre #CreatingSpaceForOpportunity

Durban has done it. KwaZulu-Natal has done it. History has been made. I am incredibly proud to congratulate the City of eThekwini, Durban, on being announced as the Preferred City to Bid for the 2036/40 Olympic & Paralympic Games. This is not just a win for Durban - it is a win for KwaZulu-Natal, and a win for South Africa. For years we have said Durban is a world-class city. Today, the world is listening. With the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium as our backdrop, we are ready to show the world who we are. As Premier, I see what this bid means: Jobs for our people. Growth for our economy. Hope for our youth. And a chance to place KwaZulu-Natal on the global stage. The road to 2036/40 starts now. As the Provincial Government, we will stand fully behind eThekwini Municipality every step of the way. Let us dream together. Let us work together. Let us bring the Olympics home. Congratulations Durban! #InspiringNewHope #Olympics2036 #Olympics2040 #Olympics #Paralympics

KZN YOUTH FUND IN ACTION Today, I spotlight Simphiwe Mthimkhulu, Director of Nkiyankiya Group, whose agricultural enterprise is demonstrating what is possible when young people are empowered to turn their ambitions into productive, job-creating businesses. Through cattle farming, bean production and crop cultivation, Simphiwe is contributing to food security, creating employment and strengthening the rural economy. On his land, opportunity is not an idea. It is taking root, growing and changing lives. Through the KZN Youth Fund, we are investing in young people like Simphiwe, providing the resources and support they need to build sustainable enterprises. The tractor, capital and support have helped strengthen his operation, but the impact reaches far beyond his farm - into households, communities and the future of our province. I believe our rural communities hold enormous economic potential. When we invest in our young farmers, we invest in jobs, food security and a stronger KwaZulu-Natal. Simphiwe, your work is a powerful example of what our youth can achieve when opportunity meets determination. I am proud of what you are building. #ThePremiersVoice #KZNYouthFund #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether

KZN YOUTH FUND IN ACTION Nompilo Mthabela saw potential in an empty space and turned it into Ngobie’s Corner, a hospitality business in Umlazi, under the Umlazi Municipality, where families and communities come together to celebrate life’s special moments. Through the KZN Youth Fund, her vision is creating opportunities beyond her business, contributing to local job creation and strengthening the township economy. This is what investing in our youth looks like: turning ambition into enterprise, creating opportunities and building economic growth from within our communities. I am proud of what you are building, Nompilo. Let us continue to grow KwaZulu-Natal together. #ThePremiersVoice #KZNYouthFund #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether #TownshipEconomy

A PERSONAL TRIBUTE: PREMIER NTULI HONOURS THE LIFE AND COURAGE OF DR DESMOND D’SA It is with deep sorrow that I learnt of the passing of Dr Desmond D'Sa, an internationally acclaimed environmental activist who spent more than three decades defending the health and dignity of vulnerable communities. KwaZulu-Natal has lost a courageous son. Dr D'Sa gave his life to people whose voices were too often ignored. He taught us that true leadership is service, compassion and the courage to confront injustice. For over thirty years, he stood with the communities of the South Durban Basin, fighting industrial pollution and demanding that every person be able to breathe clean air and raise their children in safety. His cause was human lives and social justice, and he believed that no community should sacrifice its health for economic gain. It was my privilege to honour him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Excellence Awards, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to environmental justice. I will always carry that moment with me. His passing is a profound loss to the environmental movement and to all who believe that development must never come at the expense of human dignity. On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, and in my own name, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, fellow activists and the people of Wentworth and the wider South Durban Basin. May you find comfort in knowing that his service brought hope to many. His life challenges me, and all of us in government, to turn words into action and to build a province that protects both its people and its environment. May his soul rest in peace. @PresidencyZA @kzngov @GovernmentZA @UNHumanRights @UNEP

Confidence is not restored by speeches. It is restored by safety, predictability and a government that keeps its word. Rebuilding confidence in KwaZulu-Natal requires consistent action, accountability and a government that delivers on its commitments. These are essential to restoring trust, strengthening our economy and creating an environment where businesses can thrive. @DurbanChamber #InspiringNewHope #KZNIsReadyForBusiness #InvestInKZN

Building confidence together for a stronger KwaZulu-Natal. I joined President Cyril Ramaphosa and business leaders at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 170th Annual Gala Dinner, held under the theme “Building Confidence Together.” Strong partnerships between government and business are essential to advancing KwaZulu-Natal’s economic growth. By strengthening investor confidence, supporting enterprise development and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, we can expand economic opportunities and create sustainable jobs for our people. Our focus remains on building a competitive, inclusive provincial economy that harnesses KwaZulu-Natal’s potential and delivers meaningful benefits for our communities. Together, we are working towards a stronger economy and a more prosperous future for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. @DurbanChamber #InspiringNewHope #KZNIsReadyForBusiness #InvestInKZN #DurbanChamberOfCommerce

Today, I will stand with the President in Cornubia to restore dignity. I am honoured to confirm that I will join His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa as he leads the milestone celebration of the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project in eThekwini. This is more than a housing project. It is about bringing our people closer to jobs, schools, clinics and opportunity - building a community where our people can truly live with dignity. I am particularly proud that this project has delivered close to 3,000 fully subsidised homes, including permanent homes for survivors of the 2022 KZN floods. And we are not stopping - another 146 units will be completed by December 2026. This is what happens when national and provincial government work together. We deliver. We are building KZN together. One family, one home at a time. #Cornubia #HumanSettlements #HousingTheNation #InspiringNewHope #GrowKZNTogether

Today, I listened to Dududu and Dududu spoke to me. Today I led our Service Delivery Imbizo at Ward 3, Dududu, under Umdoni Local Municipality, and one truth stood out clearly for me: No government can deliver alone. Accelerated service delivery requires all of us working together - that is why I brought with me all spheres of government. Today was not just an Imbizo. It was the culmination of weeks of listening and engagement with Amakhosi, law enforcement, business and civil society. We came not to make empty promises, but to build a practical, joint plan to fix what needs to be fixed. A wise government listens before it acts. A responsive government acts on what it has heard. To the people of Dududu - I heard you on water, roads, safety and jobs. We will act, together. #ThePremiersVoice #KZNInspiringNewHope #GrowingKZNTogether #KZNGovernment

Tonight, I will join the business community of our province at the @DurbanChamber Gala Dinner at PlayTSOGO Globe, Suncoast. My message is simple: Building confidence together is how we build a stronger KZN. Government cannot do it alone. Business cannot do it alone. When we work in partnership, we expand investment, we support enterprise, and we create the jobs and opportunities our people are waiting for. I am going there to listen, to engage, and to reaffirm my commitment: KwaZulu-Natal is open for business, and this government is a reliable partner for growth. Let us build this economy together. #ThePremiersVoice #InspiringNewHope #GrowingKZNTogether

THE KZN YOUTH FUND IN ACTION When I look at what Sipho Zubane has built through Jubantondo, in rural KwaZulu-Natal, I see the determination and ambition of a young entrepreneur who is making his mark in agriculture. His journey from producing 1,000 eggs to 4,000 is a significant milestone. Behind those numbers is a growing enterprise contributing to food supply, supporting livelihoods and demonstrating the potential of young people in our agricultural sector. Through the KZN Youth Fund, Sipho received the opportunity to grow his vision into a business with greater potential. His progress is a reminder of why creating access to funding for young entrepreneurs matters. We want to see more young people enter agriculture, expand production and build businesses that contribute to the prosperity of their communities. Sipho, I commend you for your progress. May Jubantondo continue to grow from strength to strength. When our young people grow, our province moves forward. Let us continue to grow KwaZulu-Natal together. Watch Sipho’s story. #KZNYouthFund #GrowingKZNTogether #Jubantondo #YouthInAgriculture