Commenting on Premier Sbu Ndebele's state of the province address in Pietermaritzburg, the African National Congress said the provincial government had excelled under its rule.

"When the ANC took over the reins from the IFP the provincial government was in a near state of collapse. Sixty percent of schools had no power. Fifty percent of schools used pit latrines while most had no toilets at all," the party said in a statement.

Ndebele had earlier outlined key achievements of the provincial government since the ANC took over from the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Ndebele's address "showed that under the party rule, the province had not only experienced accelerated delivery of services, stability, peace and prosperity, but that the ANC had laid a foundation for the province to unlock its economic potential".

The party also said that under its rule, 81.5 percent of households had access to water and 89.2 percent had access to sanitation.

The ANC also boasted that 55 percent of learners in 3 760 schools benefited from the food nutrition programme.

"We now have 52 percent no fee schools benefiting 43 percent of learners. We have also built over 7 261 schools," it said.

Opposition parties were expected to respond to Ndebele's address later on Wednesday afternoon.

Sapa