KZN Premier aims to create stability in tertiary institutions

MEMBERS of the executive council led by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu in his capacity as the chair of the Human Resources Development Council held a meeting with council members, vice chancellors, rectors and leaders of students’ formations on Tuesday. The meeting was aimed at finding long-lasting solutions to ensure stability in institutions of higher learning.

During the meeting in Durban, Premier Mchunu said, “Dialogue remains as one of the vehicles we should use to navigate through our challenges. Although as provincial government we have no direct oversight role over higher institutions of learning, we believe that it would be tantamount to abdicating our responsibility if we fold our arms.”

“We must act together outside party political and partisan interests to strengthen our education system. We are making an appeal to captains of industry, traditional leaders, churches and religious fraternity to work much closer with academic institutions. We must help our students deal with challenges relating to study fees, transport, accommodation and curriculum transformation,” he said.

The Premier further added that, as leaders of society, they need to be closer to the situation, especially the needy students who are facing challenges that are beyond their control.

“Our message today is that we all have a responsibility to protect the legacy of academic excellence in our public institutions.We have invited mayors from different municipalities because most of the students come from municipalities. This will ensure that we develop an integrated approach involving all spheres of government with mayors and local leaders of society at the forefront,” said Mchunu.

“Importantly, as government we are fully aware that although the problem of unemployment broadly affects everyone in society, young people have over the years borne the brunt of limited employment opportunities in the country.We are confident that as core market thinkers you will engage robustly on these important issues. We are relying on your wisdom to help this province and its people to move closer to an era characterised by prosperity for all,” he said.

“We as government have long pronounced that we cannot alone overcome the serious challenges facing our province. We have consistently called upon and challenged the academia, the private sector to join hands with us in our effort to put this province on a new trajectory of socio-economic development. Our former President Nelson Mandela believed in young people. He neither condemned them nor regarded them as a burden on society. Instead he viewed young people as valuable assets and successors upon whom a country depends for the continuity of development,” the Premier said.

Mchunu also urged youth to help them find a solution to the challenges facing the province.