Question NW2082 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
14 October 2015 - NW2082
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
When did her department (a) reach an agreement with the Cuban government according to which Cubans in certain trades or professions can find work in South Africa, (b) when will this agreement expire and (c) if more than one agreement has been concluded, what are the time frames of each individual agreement; (2) (a) which trades or professions have been identified in each case and (b) how many Cubans in each specified trade or profession will be coming to South Africa; (3) whether the qualifications of the Cubans have been evaluated by the SA Qualifications Authority; if not, why not; if so, which qualifications (a) meet and (b) do not meet the requirements; whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
- A contract for the provision of professional and technical services was signed on 18 August 2014 and runs until March 2016. It must be categorically stated that this is not a contract for “certain trades or professions to find work in South Africa”, but is a skills exchange programme over a specific time period.
- The agreement identifies three areas of professional and technical services involving 93 Cuban specialists. Transport: 57 members working on maintenance, repair and preservation of military vehicles; Airforce: 18 engineers responsible for technical assistance on systems of combat aircrafts, transport aircrafts and helicopters; Military health services: 7 specialists advising on the improvement of military medical professional training.
- It was not necessary to undergo such verification given that these contracts are focused on skills exchange and not employment.
I will not make a statement on the matter.