Opposition parties share different sentiments on SOPA
Opposition parties in KZN are divided on Premier Senzo Mchunu's State of the Province Address.
In his speech, Mchunu highlighted the progress in areas including employment, the slums clearance project and the electrification programme, but says the performance of some municipalities, poverty and the HIV/AIDS infection rate still plague the province.
Leader of the EFF in the KZN Legislature Vusi Khoza feels that the speech lacked substance and clarity.
"It didn't give us concrete issues, the issue of land and the issue of creating sustainable secured jobs. But it also did not expand on how they are going to turnaround education in this province," he said.
Also read: SOPA 2016: KZN Premier's full speech
The DA's Sizwe Mchunu commended the Premier for admitting to the provincial government's shortcomings, but criticised the lack of emphasis on the drought.
"In a 30-page speech he delivered, there was basically just one line that spoke to drought. He did not even bother to touch on that and to actually resuscitate hope to the people of KwaZulu-Natal that, should this situation prolong, we have a government that is ready to deal and confront it and its challenges going forward," he said.
The National Freedom Party's Vikizitha Mlotshwa questioned why no action has been taken against the Education MEC in light of the declining matric pass rate.
"She is failing our children. We are calling the Premier to recall the MEC for Education, make a reshuffle and put another one in place so that they will pass this time," said Mlotshwa.
(File photo)