DURBAN -Kwazulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli praised the appointment of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, as the new COGTA minister.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Hlabisa would head the portfolio which deals with governance and traditional affairs.
The KZN Premier said that this was a good selection given Hlabisa’s background in local governance.
Meanwhile, the KZN COGTA also supported his appointment.
Ntuli said that the appointment of Hlabisa was a good decision, citing his experience in local government.
Ntuli spoke to journalists on the sidelines of a gender-based violence programme in Durban.
“Because COGTA deals with local government, he is from local government, he was once a mayor, I think in such a department, important considerations were made.”
The cooperative governance department in the province echoed Ntuli’s sentiments.
Its spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, said that Hlabisa also brings knowledge in working with traditional leaders.
“With his extensive experience at local government level and his unique background of understanding traditional leadership systems hon. Hlabisa brings a wealth of experience and knowledge essential for steering our municipalities in the right direction.”
Hlabisa was the mayor of the big five local municipalities in northern KwaZulu-Natal for eight years, before being appointed leader of the official opposition in the KZN legislature in 2019.
EWN
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