- Premier Thami Ntuli says tuckshop owners who rent their businesses to illegal foreign nationals will face arrest as the province targets economic control in townships and rural areas.
- The KwaZulu-Natal government will fund 15 fixed wing pilot cadets and 25 drone pilot trainees in the first phase of a new aviation skills programme.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has issued a strong warning to people who rent out their tuckshops to illegal foreign nationals.
He says they will be arrested.
Ntuli made the announcement on Friday in Pietermaritzburg during the State of the Province Address at Woodburn Rugby Stadium.
He said the provincial government wants to revive the local economy in rural areas and townships. Part of that plan is to deal with tuckshops that are rented out to people who are in the country illegally.
“We would like to warned those who are renting out their tuckshops to foreign nationals that the law will take its cause. They will be arrested,” said Ntuli.
He said the province is focusing on several key sectors to boost economic growth.
One of them is aviation. Ntuli said the government is prioritising aviation skills, especially for young people.
He said technology is changing the world of work. Because of this, aviation skills are becoming more important for economic growth, innovation and public safety.
The Office of the Premier is working with accredited institutions, including aviation schools in the province. They are rolling out training programmes that were previously out of reach for many young people.
The programme includes training for fixed wing pilot licences and Remote Pilot Licence qualifications for drone operations.
Ntuli said these skills match current and future job market demands and open doors to high value, technology driven sectors.
In the first phase, the province will support 15 fixed wing pilot cadets and 25 drone pilot cadets.
He said 13 of the fixed wing cadets have already been recruited. The 25 drone pilot candidates have also been recruited through standard bursary processes.
Ntuli also spoke about the ocean economy.
He said his seventh administration has declared the ocean economy a central pillar of KwaZulu-Natal’s long term growth and industrialisation strategy.
In July last year, the provincial government entered a strategic partnership with Navigo International, an Italian yachting cluster.
Ntuli said the partnership aims to position the province in the global superyacht value chain. It focuses on building local superyacht manufacturing and developing skills in shipbuilding and marine engineering.
He said the partnership with Navigo International will unlock R100 Billion in maritime sector investment and give the province global exposure.
Pictured above: Premier Thami Ntuli arriving at the State of the Province Address in Pietermaritzburg,
Image source: KZN Office of the Premier
