The highest number of young people ever sworn in as members of the KZN Legislature (MPLs) took their oaths of office on Friday.
Most of these newly appointed MPLs are from the youth structures of their political party.
Their swearing in came two days before Youth Day, when South Africa commemorated the youth of 1976 who fought against the Bantu Education system.
At 35, the deputy speaker of the KZN Legislature, Mmabatho Tembe, is the youngest person to hold that position across the nine provincial legislatures.
Tembe said that she appreciated her party, the Democratic Alliance, for believing in young people.
IFP Youth Brigade provincial chairperson Mncedisi Maphisa says it is history in the making that the KZN Legislature seems to have increased the number of young members of the House.
“We really appreciate our party – the IFP – for trusting us as young people. We now have the biggest task which is to make sure that we champion policies that will prioritise young people across all government departments.
“We are also happy that the IFP leadership is emulating what the late IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi fought for,” said Maphisa.
Among the young new members taking their oath of office were Sizophila Mkhize, former leader of the ANC Youth League; Dr Andile Biyela, a former leader of the IFP’s student-aligned movement Sadesmo; IFP Youth Brigade provincial secretary Noluthando Dlamini; MK party induna Phumlani Mfeka, and Thobisile Nkosi of the EFF.
MECs will be appointed on Tuesday, after the inauguration of the premier.
Pictured above: The MK’s Phumlani Mfeka, ANC’s Sizophila Mkhize, DA’s Mmabatho Tembe and IFP’s Dr Andile Biyela, Mncedisi Maphisa and Noluthando Dlamini.
Source: X/Celani Sikhakhane
