Office of the MEC
MEC: TRANSPORT AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS HON. SIBONISO DUMA
The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma (MPL) was appointed on June 18, 2024 to serve in the Provincial Government of Unity modeled along the National Government of Unity. After his appointment, he emphasized his commitment to building on the strong foundation laid by his predecessors in both Departments. “The people of this province need good roads for daily transport to work and to access socio-economic centers. I am joining a capable team that will undoubtedly ensure that we use transport networks and infrastructure to create a better life for all citizens of this province,” he stated. Having previously served as the Portfolio Committee on Transport, he singled out public transport as an engine for the economy and committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the stability and prosperity of this sector.
He was quick to indicate that the construction of road infrastructure and human settlements plays a vital role in job creation and economic development. He further stated that small players, township and rural communities must continue to benefit from projects being rolled out by the two Departments. “We will pay more attention to the creation of comprehensive human settlements for families across all corners of the province, the eradication of slums and informal dwellings, and the handing over of title deeds to deserving communities,” he quipped.Where housing projects are being constructed, he said the priority will be on ensuring proper coordination and an integrated approach towards the provision of bulk infrastructure. “The areas of the provision of bulk infrastructure, electricity, water, and sanitation to communities remain our major focus. We know that there are communities that are yet to receive such services. In everything we do, we will harness the local energy by working with the spheres of government, traditional, religious leaders, and other leaders of society to make an impact,” he stated. Duma is the Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and was elected on July 22, 2022. Importantly, on the 11th August 2022, he was deployed as the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). He also served as the Leader of Government Business in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, the position he occupied until June 18, 2024.
As MEC of EDTEA, he was the political Head of the Department, which had about 12 entities. This include Ithala Bank, KZN Growth Fund, Trade & Invest KZN, Ezemvelo Wildlife, Dube Trade Port, Sharks Board KZN, KZN Film Commission, Moses Kotane Institute, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone and KZN Gambling and Liquor Board. He presided over the merger of these entities. As the MEC for EDTEA he was responsible for: 1. Driving investments throughout the corners of the province of KwaZulu-Natal; 2. Ensuring that all entities under his Department were at the forefront of facilitating investments and funding to drive the entrepreneurship revolution; 3. He once emphasized the importance of taking advantage of being part of BRICS and committed himself to championing all efforts aimed at facilitating people-to-people contacts.He has been singled out as one of the new generation of leaders committed to ensuring that the dreams of Nelson Mandela of creating an equal society are realized. Having cut his teeth in the ANC youth league as a provincial leader, "Mthombeni," as he is affectionately known, has spent a large part of his political service committed to community upliftment and development. He started his political career as a South African Students Congress branch executive member in the mid-1990s. He rose through the ranks until he was in the provincial leadership of both the ANC Youth League and the ANC.
He was also elected as the Deputy Provincial Secretary of the Youth League, and was given the organizational task of furthering the socio-economic interests of young people in the province. Before his election into the position of Chairperson of the ANC, he was a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) since May 2014.