The Democratic Alliance congratulates KZN MPLs, Mbali Ntuli (view here) and Dr Rishigen Viranna (view here), on their recent international achievements. This after Ntuli was selected as a nominee for the 2019 One Young World Politician of the Year and Dr Viranna was chosen to attend the US Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) programme.
Ntuli is the only South African nominee to be shortlisted from among 20 young politicians from around the world, with five winners set to be announced by the end of June.
The One Young World Politician of the Year was created to celebrate the most impressive, impactful, young politicians aged under 35 from around the globe and how they use their positions to impact positively on their communities and benefit the lives of young people.
Certainly, Mbali Ntuli fits into this category and to have been nominated is an outstanding achievement by an extraordinary young woman. The DA leadership in the province is extremely proud of her accomplishment.
Meanwhile, Dr Viranna is off to Washington in the United States for six weeks after being selected from thousands of candidates to attend the US government flagship Young African Leaders Initiative – the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF). Dr Viranna is the second member of the Caucus to have been afforded this significant opportunity, with former DA KZN Deputy Whip, Hlanganani Gumbi having been chosen to attend in 2015.
During his time in the US, Dr Viranna will be afforded extensive networking opportunities and a platform for collaboration with influential parties. The programme will also allow for the opportunity to engage with US lawmakers and to speak to them about issues and challenges we both face.
The DA welcomes Dr Viranna’s selection to this esteemed programme. We know that he will embrace the opportunity with his usual hardworking ethic and are confident that he will return from the US with innovative ideas which can possibly be introduced here in KZN.
These achievements are an indication of the calibre of MPLs within the DA KZN Legislature Caucus. They also show that the when the DA elects public representatives, the emphasis is clearly on merit and ability. With this calibre of MPL’s in the DA caucus, it is evident that the DA remains the only effective opposition in the province.