Consideration of nominations to serve on the Land Bank Board in terms of the Land and Agricultural Development Act, 2002

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed the Committee Members and Committee Staff to the first meeting for 2012. She also introduced the newly appointed Committee Researcher Mr Kobus Jooste to the Committee. Ms Deshni Pillay, Content Adviser to the Committee, had been performing this task 2009. The Chairperson expressed the Committee’s gratitude towards Ms Pillay in going beyond her expected duties. Besides the Chairperson there were only two other Committee Members in attendance Mr G Mokgoro (ANC, Northern Cape) and Mr M Makhubela (COPE, Limpopo). Six apologies had been received from other Committee Members who were unable to attend the meeting. The Chairperson stated that the lack of Committee Members in attendance posed a problem as a quorum of members was lacking. The Committee’s agenda was to consider and adopt nominations of persons to serve on the Land Bank Board. The present situation did not allow for this to happen. She suggested that the best thing to do was to ask the Chief Whip to advise on the matter as the deadline to deal with the nominations was 31 January 2012. Mr Mokgoro asked what system was the Committee expected to use in dealing with the nominations. Were there nominations already or were members expected to make nominations. The Chairperson responded that the deadline for nominations had been the end of 2011. Members of Parliament had been asked to make nominations. One candidate had been nominated. Mr Mokgoro asked if it was still possible for him to make a nomination. The Chairperson stated that the deadline to make nominations had passed and that it was unfortunately not possible. Mr Asgar Bawa, Committee Secretary, pointed out that the fact of the matter was that a quorum was lacking and that the nominations issue could not be dealt with by the Committee. He suggested that the Chairperson adjourn the meeting and discuss the matter with the Chief Whip. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting and agreed to take the matter under advisement with the Chief Whip. The meeting was adjourned.