Concern over lack of Indian representation in KZN cabinet
Some high-profile members of the KwaZulu-Natal Indian community have lamented the lack of representation in the new provincial cabinet.
Premier Thami Ntuli announced the members of the executive last week, drawn from the government of provincial unity.
It was after the IFP, ANC, DA, and NFP struck a deal to work together.
The IFP has five portfolios, the ANC four, the DA two and the NFP one.
READ: Ntuli takes office, reveals KZN cabinet
None of the MECs are of Indian descent, despite the Indian community being the second-largest population group in KZN.
Al Jama-ah in KZN, and the former eThekwini deputy mayor Logie Naidoo are among those who have expressed concern.
"The Freedom Charter is quite clear on the issue of all national groups shall enjoy equal rights, and I think it is based on the principles of non-racialism and non-racial society that we expected that there will be representation in our national, provincial, and local government for the Indian community. In KwaZulu-Natal, there is a strong Indian community," said Naidoo.
Al Jama-ah's Muhammad Asghar Khan has urged the premier to re-look the make-up of his cabinet.
"Political parties identify with the Indian community around the time of elections. All political parties go to Indian communities to seek their vote. When it comes to appointing Indians into positions of leadership, you will find that one or two Indians are being represented.
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"We see a whole executive council of the province that does not represent even one Indian. It is a call for concern. In KZN, we also have a government of provincial unity, and I am just finding it very difficult to understand a government of provincial unity without nine per cent of the population being presented at the executive level."
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