By Celani Sikhakhane
- Two MECs signed an agreement to revive old KwaZulu Parliament buildings that have been empty since 2004.
- The buildings will become the official seat of KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders after refurbishment.
Two KwaZulu-Natal MECs have signed a deal to turn the old KwaZulu-Natal Parliament buildings into the new home for traditional leaders.
The buildings in Ulundi will now serve as the official seat of the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi and Public Works MEC Martin Meyer signed the agreement on Tuesday.
MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the building will get a complete makeover to bring it up to modern standards.
“This initiative forms part of our broader strategy to make better use of state-owned buildings, reduce reliance on costly private leases, and redirect savings towards better service delivery,” said Buthelezi.
The buildings have been empty since 2004 when the IFP lost power and the ANC took over with Premier Dr Sbu Ndebele.
The million rand buildings include luxury homes where former government ministers once lived. They were once visited by the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Bantustan leader Bantu Holomisa.
But for nearly 20 years, the buildings have been costing taxpayers money while standing empty.
On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs officially took over the Old Legislative Building in Ulundi.
The takeover follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The project will create job opportunities through construction and maintenance work. It will also help local businesses through procurement and support small companies.
The agreement between the IFP’s Buthelezi and the DA’s Meyer shows how the coalition government is working together to solve problems.
The old parliament buildings were designed to be the pride of the former KwaZulu homeland. But after 2004, they became symbols of waste as they sat empty while taxpayers continued paying for their upkeep.
The refurbishment is expected to start soon and will provide work for local construction companies and workers in the Ulundi area.
Pictured above: KZN MEC for Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi and Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer during the agreement to re-use the old KwaZulu Parliament buildings on Tuesday.
Image source: KZN COGTA
