|
|
 |
New KZN Health Minister's pledge on HIV/AIDS
Bheko Madlala. 04 November 2004. Daily News. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
|
When newly appointed Kwazulu-Natal Health Minister Peggy Nkonyeni received a telephone call informing her that she should rush to Empangeni yesterday to attend a bilateral meeting between the ANC and the IFP, it did not occur to her that she was in for the biggest "surprise" of her life.
Speaking after she was appointed by premier S'bu Ndebele yesterday, Nkonyeni said she was still trying to come to terms with the new development. The appointment was made in Empangeni where the National Council of Provinces is currently sitting as part of its community outreach programme to take parliament to the people.
"I did not expect it. I received a call this morning informing me that I must rush to Empangeni for a bilateral meeting. The premier informed me of this just minutes before he made the announcement."
By her own admission, Nkonyeni said the task she had been given was daunting, but she will take it all in her stride. "This is a challenging portfolio because health care is very important," she said. "There are challenging issues of HIV/AIDS and the rollout of anti-retrovirals . . . I will take over where my predecessor has left. Although I don't have much knowledge about health issues I am prepared to learn and face the challenge."
She said one of her immediate goals was to establish health care centres in rural areas and to focus on people living with HIV/AIDS.
Nkonyeni, who is seen as one of the rising stars in women's circles in the ANC, became a member of parliament in 1999 after teaching for 10 years. After she joined parliament, she was appointed as the ANC whip and the chairwoman of the women's caucus in the provincial legislature. Early this year, after the elections, Nkonyeni was appointed as the chairwoman of chairpersons of portfolio committees in the provincial parliament, one of the most senior positions in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
Meanwhile, opposition political parties in KwaZulu-Natal have welcomed Nkonyeni's appointment and the reshuffling of the provincial cabinet. DA leader Roger Burrows said: "The DA congratulates her on her appointment. She is a competent person with whom we have interacted over a number of years." However, Burrows said the appointment of former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize as the new MEC for Finance and Economic Development was "either an inspiration or a gamble". "The finance portfolio is fundamental to our economic well-being and it has to be kept in tight and steady hands. Mkhize will either perform or in six months we will look back and say this should not have happened," he said. The IFP also welcomed Nkonyeni's appointment. IFP's Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi said: "I think it was a good appointment. I hope that the management will help her to succeed." |
| Was this article helpful to you? |
 ?100%???? ?0%
|
|
Back
|
|
|
|
