As Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you, the delegates to the Inter-Provincial State Law Advisors' Meeting, to KwaZulu-Natal!

As you are no doubt aware, you have come to a new and revitalised KwaZulu-Natal which is in the process of entering a new phase of action, development and co-operation. New policies are in the process of being implemented and where there are new policies, it stands to reason that new legislation will be required to give expression and effect to these policies. It is here where Public Sector Lawyers must play a critical role in advising government impartially and without fear or favour, testing policies against the Constitution and the existing legal frameworks and drafting new legislation required.

Forums of networking and co-operation across Provincial boundaries, such as this Inter-provincial State Law Advisors’ Meeting, represent a useful mechanism for Public Sector Lawyers across the country to get to know each other, to share ideas on best practise in public sector law and to transfer skills and empower each other. It is for these reasons that I support meetings of this nature and I wanted to show the support of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government by opening this meeting and wishing you well in your deliberations and interaction. Due to the pressing commitments of a government which has much to achieve within the tight time-frames I have set in my State of the Province Address on 25 May 2004, it is unfortunately not possible for me to be present in person today, but I assure you that I am with you in spirit! 

In the same vein, I would urge all Public Sector Lawyers in KwaZulu-Natal to support the KZN Public Sector Lawyers’ Forum by your regular attendance and contributions. This voluntary structure has an important role to play in the governance of our Province and it cannot do this without your dedicated and continuous participation and involvement.

May I again extend to all delegates from across our country present here today a very warm welcome! Feel free to take some time off after the proceedings to enjoy our Province – the beauty and diversity we have to offer is unparalleled! We look forward to what you will bring and contribute to the meeting, and we trust you will leave enriched and empowered and with a resolve to return!

I now declare this Inter-Provincial State Law Advisors’ meeting open!".

KZN Public Sector Lawyers' Forum Calendar of Meetings

The Calendar of Meetings for 2007 was as follows:

KZN Public Sector Lawyers' Forum

2009 Calendar of Meetings