Unizulu crises of concern to local ANC
'We have attempted to speak to the leadership of the institution, but was met with serious arrogance'
THE ANC in the Musa Dladla Region has expressed its displeasure at the University of Zululand and the crisis that has engulfed the institution over the past few weeks.
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday at their Empangeni Offices, regional deputy chairperson Mduduzi Mhlongo said his party was disturbed by what was going on at the university they regard as the region’s centre for knowledge and learning, and which must contribute to the growth of the economy of the country.
The briefing was a reflection of the two-day regional lekgotla held last week at the Meet Mekaar Resort in uMfolozi, in which organisational issues were discussed and an action programme developed which will guide the organisation.
‘As the ruling party in the district we are saddened that no academic activities have taken place in the past few weeks at the university.
‘We want to place it on record that we have attempted to speak to the leadership of the institution, but was met with serious arrogance. We have not been able to meet with them and this does not augur well for the future,’ Mhlongo said.
‘We will continue to engage and lobby, bearing in mind that the issues at this university is between an employer and an employee. We have met with NEHAWU, the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) and the professionals working at the institution.
‘We will continue finding other ways of intervening, including engaging the provincial leadership of the ANC and the Ministry of Higher Education and Training. We are concerned about the education of our children and we plan to hold a stakeholders Imbizo which will involve the entire community of this district,’ he said.
Support for Zuma
Regional chairperson Nonhle Mkhulisi said the lekgotla reaffirmed its full support behind President Jacob Zuma until he completes his term of office, thus rejecting any calls for an early elective conference.
On the economic front, Mkhulisi said, ‘We also applauded the City of uMhlathuze on the recent attainment of the 2 000 Megawatts gas plant to be constructed in Richards Bay.
‘This acquisition will result in a major economic boost for the city, thus creating jobs for the benefit of the citizens of the district.
‘We also discussed extensively that the leadership must devise a key strategy that will be able to drive economic transformation to reach and benefit even the most downtrodden of citizens in the remote areas.
‘We also resolved that a procurement indaba be held to educate and address the issue of local beneficiation and incubation of local businesses so that upcoming businesses can benefit,’ Mkhulisi said.
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