Developmental Welfare Governance Bill: discussion

Meeting report

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
22 February 2001
DEVELOPMENTAL WELFARE GOVERNANCE BILL: DELIBERATIONS

Department delegation:
Ms Angela Bester - Director-General: Department of Social Development
Ms Lulu Siwisa-Pemba - Director Legal Services: Department of Social Development
Mr Pierre de Preez - Law Adviser - Department of Social Development
Ms Lana Petersen - Parliamentary Liaison Officer: Ministry of Social Development

MINUTES
The Chairperson asked the officials to go through the changes to clause 6 as it had been redrafted. (See attached document). The Committee discussed the insertion of "provincial representatives" and it was decided to omit it and that Parliament would ensure that there was an equal representation.
Mr Masutha suggested that the word "representatives" should be removed to prevent people coming with mandates and to replace it with "persons who have knowledge, experience and active involvement.

Discussions were held about the inclusion of words such as "childcare and youth", "rural development and women's development" and "geographical spread". It was decided that clause was broad enough to include all these factors already and there was not a need to specify it.

Ms Cupido suggested that the words "at least" be inserted before "two national".
After some discussion about the terms "developmental social welfare" and "social development", it was decided that the committee would support the term "social development".

The Committee discussed whether the clause about nominations was clear enough and whether it would ensure sufficient public participation. Mr Masutha proposed that "and in his discretion, in any other media" be added to ensure that broadcasting be as wide as possible. Ms Tsheole suggested that "and by approaching" be removed.

After some discussion about specifying that both houses do the process of appointing the board jointly, it was decided to leave it as it was, as the parliamentary rules would cover this issue.
It was decided that the Department and the law advisers would come back to the Committee about the issues around South African citizens and the question of a fine.

The Committee accepted clauses 8 and 9.

In Clause 10, the committee decided to omit the need for an executive committee.

In Clause 11, the word "other" was removed. Discussions were held about the status of other persons serving on the committees and whether they would be remunerated. It was decided that the Department would research this issue and report back to the Committee.

In Clause 12(1)(a), it was decided to remove "on a full-time basis". In 12(3)(a), it was decided to remove ", in consultation with the Minister of Finance".

Clauses 13, 14 and 15 were accepted without change.

In Clause 16 the name of the Council was changed to the "South African Social Development Advisory Board"


The meeting adjourned at 17:03 until 28 February 2001.

PRESENTSaloojee, Mr. E (Chairperson)

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Coetzee-Kasper, Ms M P *
Chalmers Ms J
Jassat, Dr E E *
Makasi, Mrs X C
Masutha, Mr M T *
Ramotsamai, Ms C M P
Tsheole, Ms N M

DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Cupido, Ms P W

NEW NATIONAL PARTY

Durandt, Mr J
Van Jaarsveld, Mr A Z A

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
Mbadi, Prof L M

MINORITY FRONT
Rajbally, Ms S

APOLOGIES
Kasienyane, Miss O R *
Mbulawa, Dr B G