Vusi Thembekwayo, 62, Montclair: Seeing our children being employed would be wonderful. We have taken our children to schools and universities, yet they come back and sit at home. This is heartbreaking. I would also like to hear the premier speak about plans of dealing with criminal activities in the province, focusing more on townships with an increase in hijackings. We are unable to travel because of hijackings. I believe through the cases of hijackings, hot spots could be identified and be dealt with.
Senzo Mkhize, 35, Blue Lagoon: I have accepted that I will become a street man. I lost my job in January after a company I was working for on the Bluff closed down. I stand by the side of the road for donations. There are signs of ‘No jobs’ everywhere. We have the skills but cannot be hired. I think it’s time our government considers a support grant for unemployed people, just like other countries. We have families to feed, yet we cannot provide for them. How are we identified as men when our families are dying of poverty and hunger?
Zamokuhle Khumalo, 49, KwaMaphumulo, Stanger: I have no expectations from the address. I stopped putting my trust and hope in this government a long time ago. I also no longer vote. I have survived by selling avocados in the streets. I am ageing on the streets trying to put food on the table for my family. This government has not helped me, yet it keeps making promises asking us to vote. I have also taught my children to learn to stand up for themselves and not expect anything from anyone.
Calvin Luvi, 60, Clermont: The premier has to address the issue of crime, which has been plaguing our nation for the longest time. There has to be a KwaZulu-Natal-focused crime prevention plan. It is not good enough to look for help from the minister of police alone. Secondly, jobs should be the centre of his speech, the province is suffering. I have a son who is a qualified mechanical engineer, but has been without a job for years now. Lastly, our cities are in need of a revitalisation project which will not concentrate on Durban alone, but also rural cities.
Thabani Khuzwayo, 40, Inanda: Premier Zikalala should come up with solutions to solve the job crisis. One of those solutions is helping self-employed people like myself to have access to municipal funding and infrastructure. Municipalities have a lot to offer people, but seem uninterested in doing so. For example, Durban needs cleaning and safeguarding, so why would the government fail to create employment when there is so much to do? The premier should exercise oversight governing as much as is allowed, for local municipalities to be independent.
Kathy Diedricks, 68, Morningside: As a pensioner, my biggest concern is the crime and litter in our cities. We need to be able to walk, live and play with our grandchildren inside and outside of our home. At the moment, crime is taking that away from us, because of the existential threat of being a victim of crime. We need the reassurance of our safety.
Rowena Scott, 50, uMhlanga: Durban’s municipality collects exorbitant rates compared to other provinces. I am not impressed with the municipality at all. They have shown nothing in return for the thousands of rand they get in rates. Hopefully, Zikalala will speak of something constructive like improving roads, fixing potholes, cleaning the beaches and preventing the polluting of our rivers. The problems do not end. We do not see any improvements.
Logie Naidoo, 65, oThongathi: The priorities facing the government at the moment and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala are getting back to the ABC of service delivery. Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal must once again effectively deliver basic services like water, electricity and sanitation and play facilities. Government must create a conducive environment for economic investments, growth and development. These are the cardinal issues we need to look at in order to once again become a thriving and prosperous city.
Daily News