Department of Foreign Affairs: Strategic Plan 2008-2011
International Relations
12 March 2008
Chairperson: Mr D Sithole (ANC)
Meeting Summary
The Department of Foreign Affairs presented the Strategic Plan to the Committee, outlining the key focus areas. The priority areas were listed as consolidation of the African Agenda, Strengthening of South-South Co-operation, North-South Co-operation, participation in the system of governance and the strengthening of Bilateral and Economic Relations. Support for peace, security and stability were the key priorities of
Members commented that documents had not reached the Committee in time. The Committee raised issues around engagements with
Meeting report
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Strategic Plan and Budget 2008-11
A delegation from the Department, led by Director General Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, briefed the committee on the DFA's Strategic Plan for 2008-2011.
Dr Ntsaluba outlined the key overarching priorities for the DFA. These priorities included the consolidation of the African Agenda, Strengthening of South-South Co-operation, North-South Co-operation, participation in the system of governance and the strengthening of Bilateral and Economic Relations.
Support for peace, security and stability were the key priorities of
The DG stressed that not all of the DFA's proposals for the funding of its strategy were met. The budgetary allocations were through four programmes of Administration, Foreign Relations, Public Diplomacy and International Transfers. The total allocation to the Department was R4.3 billion for 2008/2009, R5.1 billion for 2009/2010 and R 4.9 billion for 2010/11. There was a nominal increase this year of 5.4%. HE pointed out that the Department currently was managing 123 missions, which reflected a steady increase since the 2004/05 financial year. The number of these, and the fact that most of the expenses were incurred in foreign currency, meant that foreign exchange rates impacted heavily on the budget.
He noted that the DFA asked for R100 million from the Treasury to strengthen the DFA, but that this proposal was also turned down by the Treasury. He added that it was imperative for the DFA to get adequate funding to meet its goals on its Strategic Plan for 2008-2011.
Discussion
The Chairperson said in his opening remarks that the resource allocation process started at the Minister’s Council and that it seems that Ministers perhaps did not sound convincing enough as to what they needed in terms of resources. He stated that perhaps this process or issue needed to be addressed in terms of the competing interests of governmental departments. He further commented that it was disappointing that the documents had been delivered late to the Committee.
Dr Ntsaluba apologised for the late delivery of documents, but said that the Strategic Document was tabled last week and that the DFA had ensured that copies were sent to the Committee Secretary as the DFA did not want to hamper the proceedings and workings of the Committee.
Mr M Ramgobin (ANC) noted that he supported government’s intended support for the ten year celebration of South African-Chinese diplomatic relations, but was interested in what initiatives the Department had taken in engaging with China on its human rights track record, as well as on China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
Ambassador Abdul Minty, Deputy Director General, DFA, replied that the processes involved in discussing
Mr M Sibande (ANC) reiterated the comments on late provision of documentation and asked that it be addressed.
Mr Sibande noted that 2008 marked the last year of
Mr Xolisa Mabhongo, Chief Director: Multilateral Relations, DFA, replied that
In 2007
Keeping in line with the advancement of the African Agenda on a multilateral level, South Africa ensured that pressing issues dealt with by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) were featured on the agenda at the UNSC, as well as greater cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
In retrospect, Mr Mabhongo added that challenges did occur, especially in relation to permanent members having bilateral relations with some African countries. This hampered effective dialogue on key issues concerning African countries.
Ambassador Minty added that
Ms A Luthuli (ANC) asked how the DFA was handling the Palestinian issue in light of there being two “governments’, one in the West Bank and one in
Dr Ntsaluba replied that
Dr Ntsaluba added that in terms of the PNA constitution, President Abbas was within his rights to assume temporary executive control over
The Chairperson added that a meeting was planned with the Palestinian ambassador accredited to
Mr M Malahlela (ANC) noted that the DFA had not yet dealt with outstanding issues from last year and that it was important for it to do so.
In addition he asked whether the two Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs were answerable to the Chief Director (CD) tasked with Public Diplomacy, as was indicated in the hierarchy of the DFA.
Dr Ntsaluba replied that the DG and Deputy Ministers did not report to the CD: Public Diplomacy. This was situated in the Office of the Minister to ensure effective and timely communication on DFA policy and related matters. He explained that government established the Langa Task Team under the leadership of Mandla Langa to investigate how departments could better their communication channels to ensure effective and timely communication, and that this was the result of the task team recommendations.
The Chairperson asked whether
Ambassador Minty added that
Mr Sithole asked for clarity on the African Renaissance Fund and the intended change in name of the Fund as well as the implications.
Dr Ntsaluba replied that the DFA had been in discussion with Treasury on this matter to ascertain whether
Mr Sibande stated that the DFA needed to clarify developments and guidelines relating to Infraco.
Mr Mxolisi Nkosi, Deputy Director General, DFA, answered that nothing had changed and that
Ms Luthuli asked why
Mr Nkosi replied that
Mr Malahlela asked why the DFA had a Chief Financial Officer being responsible for Corporate Services and what the designation was of that officer.
Dr Ntsaluba noted that the designation of the chief financial officer was a Deputy Director General (DDG) and that in the past the DDG for Corporate Services was in charge of Human Resources, Finance and ICT. Since then an Acting DDG was appointed to take care of Human Resources, whilst the Chief Financial Officer assumed the duties of Finance and Corporate Services and managing ICT to parliament.
The Chairperson asked how the DFA was bringing its policies in line pertaining to regional integration and the South African Development Community (SADC) and whether South Africa was the only country that was driving this goal.
Dr Ntsaluba replied that
Ambassador Minty added that the issue of Peace and Security had been integrated into the AU. This function was first under NEPAD. On the issue of agriculture there had also been some movement with considerable integration into the AU.
He said that there had been a great deal of coordination between NEPAD and the AU and that a subcommittee was tasked to look at African integration. This subcommittee was asked to join a brainstorming session between Heads of State, before their proposals could be accepted. The President of Senegal, Abdullah Wade, said that his country would host and facilitate this brainstorming session.
The Chairperson also asked what
Dr Ntsaluba said that
Ms Luthuli expressed her disappointment at the equity distribution within the organisational structure of the DFA. She asked why it was difficult for the DFA to employ more women in senior positions.
Ms Mathu Nompozolo, Acting DDG: Human Resources, DFA, apologised for the fact that percentages were not included in the report on equity pertaining to women in the DFA. She said that the current percentage of women employed in the DFA stood at 33 %. She noted that the DFA was aware of the recent Public Service Commission report on gender equity, but that the DFA had done extremely well, considering that the DFA had decided not to fill its various Chief Director vacancies when it did not get enough suitable female candidates to apply. Ms Nompozolo said that the DFA would continue to look for suitable female candidates to fill these positions.
Mr Malahlela alluded to the comments on the request for R100 million being turned down by the Treasury. He asked why the DFA had needed this money.
Dr Ntsaluba replied that the money was intended to be used for the strengthening of the DFA’s human capital management programme, as well as other programmes that would have been of benefit to the smooth running of the DFA.
The Chairperson asked what
Dr Ntsaluba replied that IBSA had provided a platform for
Mr Malahlela asked how the DFA was faring in terms of its preparations to prepare young spouses and spouses in general for foreign service.
Ms Nompozolo replied that the DFA implemented a programme that dealt with the specific needs concerning preparations for foreign service. There were compulsory workshops in place to deal with culture shocks as well as workshops for families when they returned from foreign service. The DFA also embarked on a project that would aim to help those that returning from foreign service to update their CV's and there were talks of assisting them in finding jobs when they returned from foreign service. There was also continuous contact via letters between families and the DFA. The talks on health, wellness and parenting were held regularly.
Ms Luthuli asked whether the nuclear superpowers were also going to put a stop to developing nuclear weapons and would be disarming completely in light of their efforts to have third world countries disarm.
Ambassador Minty replied that Ms Luthuli was correct in her assertion that these superpowers also needed to disarm. However, they were still developing nuclear weapons and had no commitment towards the nuclear proliferation. He noted that prominent Americans such as Henry Kissinger and other former high ranking US individuals were constructively engaging with their government on disarming completely and that the Norwegian and British government were looking at technical ways of how to dismantle their nuclear weapons. In the
The Chairperson again emphasised the importance of Members getting the required documents for the meetings. On the issue of
Dr Ntsaluba replied that the DFA would look at the proposals made and would engage with the Committee on all these matters.
The meeting was adjourned.
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