Durban — On December 5, 2013, the global guiding light dimmed when the first democratically-elected former president, Nelson Mandela, died, plunging the international community into mourning.
But the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and long-time DA member Martin Meyer has vowed to rekindle it by resuscitating the ailing infrastructure, which would, in turn, stimulate the economy and create the much-needed jobs.
“I think one of the ways we can rekindle the spirit of (former) president Nelson Mandela is to ensure that we all benefit in the economy of this country. No one must be excluded from benefiting in the economy, which is one of the things that Mandela fought for,” said Meyer.
He made these comments on Thursday during his Mandela Day activity at the Pemary Ridge Primary School in Reservoir Hills, where he refurbished the play area. Mandela Day is celebrated every year on July 18, which is the day the world icon was born back in 1918 in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.
Meyer was appointed MEC last month by IFP Premier Thami Ntuli as part of the IFP-ANC-DA and NFP coalition power deal governing KZN province.
Addressing social cohesion, Meyer said: “I think we have come very far as the country in terms of race relations. I think we can only move forward to new heights as a country from here. The issue of race relations was Mandela’s lifelong dream.
“We have gotten so far with our social cohesion as a province. I think a lot of naysayers always expect the worst of us as the province of KZN. I am telling the people ... watch this space, we are going to come together, and we are going to build this province together,” he said.
“Everything that we do now as the department will be to bring the people of KwaZulu-Natal together.”
He lauded KZN residents for not plunging the province into war after the May 29 elections when the former president Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) alleged that the elections were rigged.
Meyer, like other leaders in the Government of Provincial Unity, was adamant that the province was on solid ground despite admitting that the GPU power set-up was new terrain for them as leaders.
“I have never seen so much positivity. The province will be stable during the current administration. However, one has to admit that this is new to us as leaders, but we will work to improve the lives of the people and make our province a better place for all of us.
“Mandela led us in our first Government of National Unity in 1994 and we want to build our province and our country better,” he said.
WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.
Daily News