By Akani Nkuna
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has told provincial leaders to discourage “thuggish behaviour” and realign with their core service-delivery mandate in order to spur on social cohesion and moral regeneration in the province.
Speaking at a moral regeneration and social cohesion workshop on Wednesday in Durban, Ntuli said the province had been marred by “man-made” dysfunctionalities in recent years, including financial mismanagement and corruption.
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“Social cohesion and moral regeneration are not fixed destinations, but ongoing processes that must respond to changing realities, emerging challenges and new opportunities,” he said.
Attending the workshop were MECs, mayors, academics, government officials, traditional leaders and faith-based leaders.
The event, according to the premier’s office, aimed to promote an environment where social cohesion was sought after and implemented, in order to spur moral regeneration.
“Our task is not to discard what has been done, but to build upon it thoughtfully and critically. By engaging the document in this way, we ensure continuity, relevance and shared ownership — key ingredients for a strategy that can advance social cohesion and moral regeneration in our province,” said Ntuli.
He also appealed to the council to apply their individual experiences — characterised by memories of struggle, moments of progress, and lessons learned through hardship and resilience — to create a “thriving environment” for those they are entrusted to lead.
“This collective experience is not incidental, it is one of the most valuable resources we have in confronting the challenges of social fragmentation and moral decline,” Ntuli said.
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Ntuli paid homage to the previous council, which launched the strategy now under review.
“[The strategy document] reflects the social, political and economic conditions that prevailed at the time of its formulation. As well as the priorities and concerns that shaped the thinking of the council then. Appreciating this context, it is essential if we are to engage with the document responsibly and constructively. At the same time we must accept that the society we are dealing with is dynamic and constantly evolving,” he said.
Ntuli said sustainable dialogue was a key aspect of building a thriving, solution-oriented environment, characterised by mutual respect and dignity.
“Sustainable dialogue means creating safe and conducive space where communities can speak honestly about their lived experiences. It requires that we listen not only to voices we agree with but also to those that challenged us. Such dialogues must be ongoing, not episodic and must be anchored in a commitment of dignity, justice and common good,” Ntuli said.
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