KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala is expected to meet with members of the diplomatic corps and trade representatives from 40 countries following last month’s violence and looting in the province.
Over 300 people were killed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Zikalala and a delegation of key provincial MECs will meet with trade delegations from countries such as Japan, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Premier says discussions will focus on restoring investor confidence to KwaZulu-Natal.
“The unrest that we have seen in the past 3 weeks left a very bad impression about KwaZulu-Natal. It is therefore important that we correct that impression. Because KwaZulu-Natal has always welcomed investors. We would want to ensure that the uncertainty and anxiety amongst members of the diplomatic core is addressed,” adds Zikalala.
He says the unrest also threatened social stability particularly in Phoenix, north of Durban, where over 30 people were killed.
“We are grateful also that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is also intervening to investigate cases there that happened especially in Phoenix and surrounding areas. There is an ongoing programme that seeks to unite people across the racial lines and bring them together.”
“What happened was a reflection of the lack of leadership at a lower level where people will want to do things as they wish. But the second approach is to build a relationship among communities,” adds the Premier.
