Question NW3410 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
31 October 2023 - NW3410
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
With reference to the report presented by the Auditor-General of South Africa before the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, where it was mentioned that her department still has not met the representation target of 35% for women and youth, yet the Republic has many qualified young persons and women who are unemployed, what (a) is the representation of women and youth in her department, (b) are the reasons that her department has not met the representation target and (c) time frames have been set for her department to meet the target?
Reply:
a) The representation of:
(i) SMS women in the department:
-As at 31 March 2023, the representation of women at SMS level in the department was 47,14% of SMS members, which is 2,86% less than the set national target of 50%.
-As at 30 September 2023, the representation of women at SMS level in the department was 52,90% of SMS members, which is 2,90% more than the set national target of 50%.
(ii) Youth in the department:
-As at 31 March 2023: Youth comprised of 16,45% of staff, which is 13,55% less than the set national target of 30%.
-As at 30 September 2023: Youth comprised of 15,48% of staff, which is 14,52% less than the set national target of 30%.
b) The reasons that the department has not met the representation target:
(i) SMS women in the department:
As there were no recruitment processes for SMS posts that were at the interview and nomination stages during the 4th quarter of the 2022/2023 performance cycle, no SMS posts were filled.
(ii) Youth in the department:
Youth is not a designated group in terms of the Employment Equity Act, act no 55 of 1998, as a result the department cannot put in place Affirmative Action Measures to promote the employment of youth as a targeted group as has been done with the appointment of Women into SMS posts.
(c) Time frames set for the department to meet the target
(i) SMS women in the department:
The target of 50% SMS women has been reached.
(ii) Youth in the department:
The department will continue to monitor youth representation as vacant posts are filled. A sustainable solution to the youth issue is a review of structure and creation of technical / operational posts in the structure and this is something being considered for the next term.
End