Question NW3136 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
03 October 2022 - NW3136
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
With reference to her reply to question 2638 on 6 September2022, and with further reference to the South African Consulate situated 845 3rd Avenue, New York, what (a) total number of (i) staff personnel and/ or delegates are working in the office and (ii) floors and/or offices are included within the rental and (b) is the (i) total square footage of the office and (ii) reason and/or justification for the high rental figure of almost R2,7 million per month?
Reply:
A) What total number of (i) staff personnel and/ or delegates are working in the office and (ii) floors and/or offices are included within the rental?
(i) The total staff establishment of transferred staff and locally recruited personnel for the two (2) missions occupying the premises is 67.
(ii) The missions occupy two (2) floors on these premises. They are occupying the 9th and 10th floor respectively.
B) What is the (i) total square footage of the office and (ii) reason and/or justification for the high rental figure of almost R2,7 million per month?
(i) The total square footage for the two and (ii) reason and/or justification for the high rental figure of almost R2,7 million per month?
(i) The total square footage for the two Missions is 51 843 square feet, and
(ii) The building wherein the Missions are now situated is within close proximity to the United Nations and the transit system. These are critical considerations with regard to the accessibility and mobility requirements of the Missions’ operations.