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COGTA MEC SIPHO HLOMUKA MARKS IMPORTANT MILESTONE AS 300 WOMEN COUNCILLORS GRADUATE

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, this evening marked an important milestone in the provincial government’s efforts to empower women councillors and amakhosi, through tailor-made programmes that speak to their needs. 

 This evening, MEC Hlomuka together with the Deputy Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize and KZN Salga Chair, Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi witnessed the graduation of 300 women councillors and amakhosi, who participated in the departments Press For Change Certificate Programme. Through this programme, participants studied modules on financial management, leadership, local government legislation and the constitution of the republic. 

 According to MEC Hlomuka, this programme gives councillors a thorough grasp of what is expected of them as they fulfil their oversight role within the respective municipalities. “We are excited to see so many female councillors graduating this evening. As the provincial government we are committed to empowering councillors with the necessary skills and knowledge they need so that they can speed up the delivery of services to our communities” said Hlomuka. 

 Speaking at the Graduation, the Deputy Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, commended graduates for breaking barriers in their quest for getting an education that empowers them to serve their communities better. “The gowns you are wearing today mark an important turning point in the lives of the communities that you lead. Through the course you have completed you will now be able to deal better with any challenge that might face you as you go about executing your duties which are to bring better services to our communities” said Deputy Minister Mkhize.

 Earlier in the day, Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka presided over the Women In Leadership Dialogue, which saw 800 women councillors and amakhosi gather in Durban, to be empowered by various speakers on a variety of topics which include financial well-being, work and life balance. The gathering was also attended by experts from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, who made a presentation on the Corona Virus (Cov-19) and on what role women councillors and amakhosi can play in ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to communities about the virus.