Hansard: Minister's Responses / Member's Statements
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 24 Aug 2009
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Take: 221
TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2009
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
______________________
The House met at 14:02.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
NOTICES OF MOTION
START OF DAY
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I intend moving, on the next sitting day of the House:
That the House-
(1) debates the Donen commission's report and its findings with regard to the role played by South Africa's stakeholders in alleged corruption in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme; and
(2) resolves to call on President Jacob Zuma to appoint an independent commission of inquiry, headed by a retired judge, that has the power to issue subpoenas to investigate whether any abuse of power and/or corruption and/or any other irregularities were committed by South African stakeholders during the United Nations' Oil-for-Food Programme.
Mr G R KRUMBOCK
Mr M J ELLIS
Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move, on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
(1) debates the contribution of tourism to our economy; and
(2) considers both the obstacles to further growth in this regard and what government should do to promote this labour-intensive sector.
Mr D T GEORGE
Mr G R KRUMBOCK
Mr D T GEORGE: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I intend moving on the next sitting day of the House that the debates the implementation of a developmental state.
Mr M WATERS
Mr D T GEORGE
Mr M WATERS: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House, on behalf of the DA, that the House debates the human resources crisis facing health care in our country and possible solutions.
Mr G R MORGAN
Mr M WATERS
Mr G R MORGAN: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House, on behalf of the DA, that the House debates the state of South Africa's marine resources and mechanisms to increase to increase opportunities in the fishing sector.
Mr G G BOINAMO
Mr G R MORGAN
Mr G G BOINAMO: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I intend moving:
That the House –
(1) debates the inadequate security measures in the majority of South African schools;
(2) notes that the country has already lost too many educators and learners within the premises of their schools;
(3) calls for an end to the senseless murders at our schools.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY / MC/END OF TAKE
Mr G G BOINAMO
HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:
That the House –
[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES]
Agreed to.
Ms Z B BALINDLELA
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
ACTING PRINCIPAL OF SECONDARY SCHOOL MURDERED
(Draft Resolution)
Ms Z B BALINDLELA: Mr Speaker, I move without notice, on behalf of Cope:
That the House –
[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES.]
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
Ms Z B BALINDLELA
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CRICKET TEAM ON MOVING TO NO 1 POSITION IN RANKINGS
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:
That the House –
[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES]
Agreed to.
THE CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
THE CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
SUPERB PERFORMANCE OF TEAM SOUTH AFRICA AT 2009 IAAF TOURNAMENT IN BERLIN, GERMANY
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:
That the House –
[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES]
Agreed to.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
REGRET AND CONDOLENCES FOR FAMILIES OF PEOPLE KILLED IN TAXI ACCIDENT
(Draft Resolution)
Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Mr Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES]
Agreed to.
MEMBERS' STATEMENTS: Mr B M KOMPHELA (ANC) / …/TM / END OF TAKE
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Return of team SA from Germany
(Member's Statement)
Mr B M KOMPHELA (ANC): Hon Speaker, Deputy President, hon members, earlier today the team representing Athletics SA returned to the country after an outstanding performance at the 14th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany. The spontaneous outpouring of support of the team by all South Africans illustrated how the events surrounding Caster Semenya has galvanised the country to support and unite behind the young girl.
While the team finished ninth overall, the championships will be remembered for the humiliating treatment dished out to Caster Semenya. The 18-year-old Caster had to defy all the odds to conquer the world in the women's 800-metre event. She is, undoubtedly, superb and talented and her performance on track captured the imagination of athletes and spectators at the championship. Her brilliant performance has been thwarted by gender stereotypes, discrimination, public humiliation and invasion of her privacy by IAAF officials and the media.
The way the IAAF handled the matter has been clumsy and unprofessional and with complete disregard for the interests of Caster. Yesterday, the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the matter to be investigated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The ANC calls for nothing less than an unreserved apology from the IAAF to Caster and to the entire South African nation to put this unacceptable incident to rest. This would allow Semenya to get on with her life and pursue her dream to dominate the 800-metre event for the rest of her life. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr D T GEORGE (DA)
Mr B M KOMPHELA (ANC)
current economic conditions
(Member's Statement)
Mr D T GEORGE (DA): Speaker, under the current economic conditions investors are often desperate to protect their assets and to increase their return on investment. Although every investment brings with it a particular level of risk, some risk is acceptable and some is not.
An acceptable risk exists where the investor understands the nature of the investment and also understands the nature of the return and whether it is guaranteed or not. Legislation was enacted to ensure that financial advisers provide the necessary information to investors, and they can be held to account if they fail to properly advise their clients. The Financial Services Board is also mandated to take action against financial service providers who do not comply with their obligations.
Financial predators are, however, operating in South Africa. They are not properly accredited; they mislead potential investors and leave destitution and broken lives in their wake. When investors fall victim to these predators, the matter if often extremely complex and complicated and requires extensive investigation. The victims often do not have any financial resources to pursue the matter, precisely because their money has been stolen.
The DA believes that vulnerable investors must be protected and that the Financial Services Board can do this by establishing a rapid response unit that responds quickly and decisively when matters such as these arise. The South African public needs to know that financial predators who lead them into financial ruin will be acted against swiftly and strongly and prevented from perpetuating their crimes over and over again. Thank you.
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope)
Mr D T GEORGE (DA)
SUCCESSFUL BY-ELECTION PERFORMANCE BY COPE
(Member's Statement)
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope): Mr Speaker, effective participation of viable political parties in the electoral processes of our country is an essential prerequisite for a vibrant people-centred democracy. Towards that end, the recent by-elections performance by Cope in the Northern Cape Khai-Ma Local Municipality should be noted as a sure signal of future political dynamics in South Africa.
During the 2006 general municipal elections, the ANC conquered 88,23% of the votes, with the opposition parties reaching 11,77%. The DA was at 6,93%, and the ID was at 4,84%. On 12 August 2009, in a head-to-head context between the ANC and Cope, Cope made substantive inroads into the ANC majority of 66,88% by slashing it to a very modest 59,01%. With 40,99% of the voters aligning with Cope and in the absence of contestation by other opposition parties, the opposition vote increased by 350%.
Now, the Khai-Ma Local Municipality is better known as Pofadder – the generic name of a feared species in the animal kingdom. Whilst some of us have been called snakes and worse in recent months, these by-elections, in which a previously ANC-dominated ward became a marginal seat, is set to go down in history as the small but definite beginning of true multiparty democracy in South Africa.
Modest as it may be, the Pofadder by-election is set to be the first of many in the dismantling of de facto one-party domination. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mrs M T KUBAYI (ANC) / ///tfm/// END OF TAKE
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope)
VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
(Member's Statement)
Mrs M T KUBAYI (ANC): Mr Speaker, the ANC strongly condemns the escalating number of acts of unjustifiable violence in our schools. We therefore denounce these acts of violence, rape, racism and racial discrimination in the strongest possible terms. Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not places of violence. The fact that these brutal crimes take place on school premises despite the security measures put in place by the Safe Schools Project is entirely unacceptable and deeply concerning.
The ANC mourns the untimely and tragic death of Nomzoxolo Dziba who was shot dead on the school premises of the Sithembele Matiso Secondary in New Crossroads. We therefore strongly condemn the motives and actions of those persons who have committed this brutal crime as they demonstrate a dangerous practice of creating fertile ground for violence in schools.
The ANC is also deeply saddened by the increase in the incidence of rape such as the one that took place at the Ndamase High School at Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape. We want to emphasise that the ANC-led government will not be deterred in establishing a normal school environment for teaching and learning. Parliament will have to discuss vigorously the issue of school violence, and place it on the agenda as an issue of national importance. The ANC extends its condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Principal Nomzoxolo Dziba. Thank you.
Mr V B NDLOVU (IFP)
Ms M T KUBAYI
KILLING OF WOMAN ON SCHOOL PREMISES
(Member's Statement)
IsiZulu:
Mnu V B NDLOVU (IFP): Ngiyabonga kakhulu, Somlomo, ukubulawa komuntu wesifazane ikakhulukazi ewuthishomkhulu wesikole ngaphakathi emagcekeni esikole kuyihlazo elingeke lavunyelwa ukuba khona eNingizimu Afrika.
Ngakho –ke ukusebenza kwamaphoyisa nabantu abakhe eceleni kwesikole kufuneka benze isiqiniseko sokuthi ziyaboshwa izigebengu, imigulugudu,izigelegeqe ukuze zikwazi ukudonsa ejele ngokuthi zibulale umuntu wesifazane esemsebenzini.
Okwesibili ukuthi kwenzeke lokhu kabi, kuyinyaka yabantu besifazane la abantu besifazane kufuneka baziqhayise khona. Okubuhlungu ke wukuthi mhlambe kwenziwe abantu besilisa okuyingozi enkulu ngoba kukhombisa ukuthi labo bantu abakwazi ukukhusela imphefumulo yabanye abantu. Abantu abafanele ukuvalelwa banganikwa nephalishi ekuseni, emini nantambama. Angiyabonga.
Mr M H HOOSEN (ID)
Mr V B NDLOVU (IFP)
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND H1N1 VIRUS
(Member's Statement)
Mr M H HOOSEN (ID): Hon Speaker, while the number of deaths related to the H1N1 virus continues to increase, millions of South Africans are still in the dark about effective preventative measures in the absence of a national communication strategy. Recently, the Minister of Health conceded that his department had not done enough in communicating a coherent message to South Africans on the prevention and spread of the virus.
Notwithstanding the promises of the director-general at the Health portfolio meeting recently, effective preventative messages to South Africans have still not been communicated. Whilst we welcome the individual letters addressed to MPs in this House on the matter, we again call on the Minister, as the ID, to urgently implement a national communication strategy in respect of the spread of H1N1 virus. I thank you.
Mr D M GUMEDE (ANC) / GM / GG (Zul) / END OF TAKE
Mr M H HOOSEN (ID)
PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYA TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN AFRICA
(Member's Statement)
Mr D M GUMEDE (ANC): Hon Speaker, on 18 August 2009 the Kenyan and South African governments entered into a partnership to promote the tourism sector on the African continent.
These two countries will collaborate in strategic areas, like sharing data, to improve efficiency and add value and variety to the tourism sector in both countries and in Africa; provide more opportunities to augment sustainable tourism; co-operate in the development of strategies; address challenges in climate change, the economic downturn and development; and, mutually promote, advocate, educate and support stakeholders in both countries.
This reflects the spirit of Nepad, thus contributing to sustainable livelihoods, decent jobs and rural development in line with the manifesto of the ANC. I thank you.
Mr M MNQASELA (DA)
Mr D M GUMEDE (ANC)
MANAGEMENT OF REFUGEE CENTRES
(Member's Statement)
IsiXhosa:
Mnu M MNQASELA (DA): Somlomo, mandibulele kuSekela-Mongameli, ndibulise nakumalungu ale Ndlu inkulu.
English:
The DA is deeply concerned about the manner in which refugee reception centres are managed in this country. The response time to individual applications, by either political asylum seekers or economic migrants, is appalling. The Nyanga refugee centre is one of the examples that we have chosen after having made numerous visits to this centre.
IsiXhosa:
Kuqengqeleka iinyanga abantu belinde ukuba bafumane iincwadi zabo, begxalathelana ukuya kweli ziko, besuka kumazwe ngamazwe becinga ukuba baza kukwazi ukuncedakala. Ingxaki enje ngale uthi xa ufika phaya ubone ...
English:
There are private security personnel running the centre whilst the officials sit there doing nothing.
One of the characteristics that we have observed of this particular centre is its high absentee rate. This is very serious. Other characteristics include poor filing of documents and loss of files owing to the manner in which they are packed at this facility. Fraud and corruption in that centre have been seen by some and have been reported in the newspapers.
Lastly, the Department of Home Affairs, in seeking to address these challenges, must try to centralise the application process so that the turnaround time is shorter.
IsiXhosa:
Abantu basuka eRhawutini, abanye basuka kwamanye amaphondo afana neLimpopo, KwaZulu-Natala njalo njalo, afike umntu athi: Bendenze isicelo kwezi ndawo, kodwa ngoku ndilapha eNtshona Koloni. Kuthiwa mandihambe ndiye kulaa ndawo bendisuka kuyo. Loo nto ayamkelekanga kwaphela.
Ke, sifuna ukuyandisa sithi kuMphathiswa makathathe amanyathelo ngokukhawuleza ngoba uye wathembisa ukuba uya kuyenza loo nto. Siyabulela. [Laphela ixesha.]
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP)
Mr M MNQASELA (DA)
HONOURING THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION OF CASTER SEMENYA
(Member's Statement)
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Hon Speaker, the ACDP is delighted at the support that our hero and 800-metre world champion, Mokgadi Caster Semenya, has received from her countrymen and women. The report that more than 35 000 people have joined a Facebook group in support of Caster Semenya and African women bears testimony to the overwhelming support that Caster has received.
We honour her for her courage and determination and for rising above the abuse and unfair treatment she has received from the International Association of Athletics Federations and some media reports, emanating mainly from the Australian and English media implying that she was cheating.
The ACDP believes that if anybody, including athletes, has a birth defect, then they should be protected and supported by all, rather than being subjected to humiliating gender tests which can leave a person emotionally scarred for life.
There is an argument that there is no single process of determining gender because every case is different. It has been reported that at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, eight female athletes were determined to have male chromosomes and were barred from the games.
Further tests, however, showed that they were physiologically female, even though their genes indicated that they were male, and they were reinstated. One shudders to think about the trauma these athletes went through.
The ACDP therefore calls on our government, Athletics SA and other sporting bodies to do their best to pre-empt and prevent a repetition of this humiliating and degrading testing of our athletes. Thank you.
Mr D K MATABOGE (ANC) / nb/MC(Xhs)/nvs (Eng)/ END OF TAKE
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP)
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
(Member's Statement)
Mr D K MATABOGE (ANC): Speaker, on 19 August 2006, the University of the Free State elected Mr Moses Masitha as their first President of the Student Representative Council. The ANC acknowledges the calls for change expressed by students during these elections, particularly as the university has been engulfed by the negative issues of racism and racial discrimination in the recent past.
The ANC further salutes this achievement, especially since the province is the spiritual home of the ANC. Recognising the horrible events of racial discrimination that took prominence at the university, we further applaud the shining example by the student community for bestowing their confidence in the SA Students Congress-led SRCto establish a progressive transformation agenda at the University of the Free State. We also applaud them for undertaking this huge responsibility of continuing the struggle for a better life and increasing access to quality education.
The ANC would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Moses Masitha on his election. The ANC reminds him that the confidence and the mandate given to him by the student community places him and the Sasco-led SRC at the pole position in undertaking the task of racially transforming the university as a centre of academic excellence and meaningful improvement of student life. Thank you. [Applause.]
Dr S M VAN DYK (DA)
Mr D K MATABOGE (ANC)
ASSURANCE OF NO MORE BLACKOUTS
(Member's statements)
Dr S M VAN DYK (DA): Speaker, die voormalige Minister van Openbare Ondernemings, Minister Alec Erwin, het hierdie Parlement die versekering gegee in 2006, dat Suid-Afrika nie beurtkrag sal ervaar nie. Sy woorde was skaars koud, toe ervaar Suid-Afrika donkerte, wat die ekonomie R2 miljard per dag gekos het.
Die tariefverhoging van 27,5% verlede jaar deur National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Nersa, en Electricity Supply Commission, Eskom, en 31,3% vir vanjaar, gaan egter geen duik maak aan die R283 miljard wat Eskom nodig het vir sy kapitaaluitbreidingsprogram nie. Nou bleik dit dat Eskom 40% tariefverhoging in gedagte het vir volgende jaar met inflasionistiese tendense, wat gaan lei tot rentekoersverhogings en die ekonomie verder gaan knou. As ons kyk na Moody'skrediet-graderingsagentskap se swak gradering van Eskom, gaan hy ook nie internasionale finansiering bekom nie.
Eskom se tweede groot kopseer is dat 'n vakbondopname nou toon dat 62% van sy werkers, nie tevrede is nie en ook nie vir hulle 'n toekoms sien by Eskom, vanweë onvoldoende diensvoorwaardes nie. Eskom staar dus ook nou'n geweldige vaardigheidstekort in die gesig.
'n Groot kopseer egter vir die verbruikers van Suid-Afrika, is dat die Kabinet goedgekeur het dat 30% van krag, geproduseer kan word deur private ondernemrs, maar om een of anderbisarre rede het Eskom sedert Januarie 2008 geweier om kontrakte toe te staan aan private kragprodusente.
Die DA is egter vol vertroue dat die Minister en die Kabinet hulle volle aandag aan hierdie saak sal skenk om te voorkom dat ons binnekort weer in donkerte sal verval. Ek dank u.
Mrs H N NDUDE (Cope)
Dr S M VAN DYK (DA)
BUILDING OF THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
(Member's Statement)
Ms H N NDUDE (Cope): Speaker, the development and building of the Pan-African Parliament is an important building block for the establishment of this institution. South Africa, as a host country, has the responsibility to oversee this development in the proper manner and within the law.
According to newspaper reports, building activities on this proposed site of the Pan-African Parliament were stopped after a complaint was received that an environmentally sensitive vleiwas beingdestroyed by the contractors.
The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has now claimed that misleading information was given in the environmental impact assessment report. The question remains whether the department visited the site, and why this was not picked up.
A short list of six sites was produced by the department for approval by the Cabinet. Cabinet approval was given on the wrong information supplied. Apparently, the Gauteng department of agriculture and rural development warned the national Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, but received no reaction. Cabinet is urged to rectify the situation in such a manner that our image and that of the Pan-African Parliament are not tainted. We must be sensitive to the environment and take the necessary steps against those responsible. Thank you.
Mr M M DIKGACWEI (ANC) / src keh checked / END OF TAKE
Mrs H N NDUDE (Cope)
ATTACK ON POLICE – WESTERN CAPE
(Member's Statement)
IsiXhosa:
Mnu M M DIKGACWI (ANC): Enkosi Somlomo. Umbutho wesizwe i-ANC ulugxeka ngamdla uhlaselo lwamagosa ogcino-cwangco noxolo kwiindawo esihlala kuzo, ingakumbi apha eNtshona Koloni. Kwisithuba seveki ezintahtu kwiilokishi zeli leNtshona Koloni, amagosa ezogcino-cwangco ahlaselwe izihlandlo ezintathu. Kwezibini kuzo amapolisa amabini athe aphulukana nobomi bawo, elinye ipolisa liyachacha esibhedlele. Kuzo zozithathu ezi ziganeko, amapolisa aphulukene nemipu yawo yomsebenzi, nto leyo ibonakalisa ngokumhlophe ukuba eyona nto ifunwa ngamandla zezi ntswela mbeko yimipu eyakuthi isetyenziswe kugebengo lwabantu abangenatyala.
URhulumente okhokelwa ngmbutho wesizwe i-ANC, uzakubuncothula kunye neengcambu ubukrelemnqa, kodwa ke kuthi malungu ombutho wesizwe icace gca okwe kat'emhloph'ehlungwini ukuba urhulumente eyedwa angekhe aphumelele ukwenza oko. Angaphumelela xa kukho inkxaso evela ebantwini basekuhlaleni. Siyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP)
Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC)
CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN WATER CRISIS IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT
(Member's Statement)
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP): Hon Speaker, the lack of adequate water in Jozini in the Umkhanyakude district is a mounting crisis that has been made worse by a crippling drought in the area. At times, the water crisis is so severe that even the local hospitals have to make do without water.
The Umkhanyakude Municipality has written numerous letters to the national government seeking assistance, but have received no reply to date. The municipality is also currently R16 million in the red due to the fact that it has had to hire water tanks from suppliers at a very high cost. Yet, the nearby Jozini Dam which has the capacity to deliver water to the community remains unutilised for reasons unknown to us.
The IFP, therefore, calls on government to immediately intervene in the crisis, and we call upon the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to visit the area as a matter of urgency to meet with the mayor and his executive committee members.
Furthermore, we call upon the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs to assist the Umkhanyakude Municipality in repaying the millions in debt, and to urgently give the municipality the necessary assistance they need to create a viable and sustainable water supply for the community. I thank you.
Mr N M KGANYAGO (UDM)
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP)
CONDEMNING OF SHOOTING OF NEW CROSSROADS PRINCIPAL AND CALL TO BRING HER KILLERS TO BOOK
(Member's Statement)
Mr N M KGANYAGO (UDM): Speaker, the UDM condemns the shooting yesterday of an acting school principal in New Crossroads, Cape Town. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the acting principal of the Sithembele Matiso Secondary School, Nomzoxolo Dziba.
What happened yesterday was a cold-blooded assassination. An appointment was made with the victim and the killers strode confidently onto the school premises where they murdered her. It was an act of brazen callousness. The killers mock our society. They disregard our belief in the sanctity of life and our commitment to safe schools and communities. The disdain that they have shown to the victim and the community is a terrible reminder of the sad times that we live in. Unfortunately, violent crime has become so commonplace in South Africa that criminals can contemplate such casual brutality without a moment's hesitation. Their barbaric actions strike at the very heart of our civilisation, and that is why no effort must be spared to bring these criminals to book. They must face justice. Our society will not stand for the lawlessness and anarchy ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION / /UNH / END OF TAKE
Mr N M KGANYAGO (UDM)
HONOURING THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION OF CASTER SEMENYA
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Mr Speaker, I rise in response to the issue around the IAAF World Championships with deeply mixed emotions: that of joy, undoubtedly, at the wonderful performance of our team, but also that of sadness at the way a human being has been treated by an international federation without any regard for her dignity.
In this recent distasteful incident it is clear that the IAAF, as also indicated by the hon Komphela, has badly mishandled the matter and that it has also badly underestimated the strong principles of South Africa and its citizens. The IAAF officials have made public announcements and pronouncements on the gender-testing process and, as a result, has not only embarrassed a talented youngster, but caused a strong and appropriate response from us, the rainbow nation.
Minister Stofile, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, has written a strongly worded letter to the president of the IAAF demanding a retraction of these statements and also demanding an apology. We are awaiting a response from the president of the IAAF himself to South Africa. We have also gone on record to say that it was intentionally devious for questions to be cast about a particular athlete just before a final. We all applaud her ability to remain focused and cross the winning line first, despite this.
The team arrived back in our country this morning and we have put in place a support system for Miss Semenya and, if they so wish, for members of her family to help them through this very difficult time. It is important to protect our young athletes and to help them to become stronger in the long run, for indeed it will be a long run as Miss Semenya lines up in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. The type of support we will give will be discussed to ensure we meet the needs of Miss Semenya and her family appropriately.
We have also written to our colleague, the Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities, as well as to the chairpersons of the SA Human Rights Commission and the Commission on Gender Equality. We did so because this is a cross-cutting issue, it's an issue of national importance and it is an issue of human rights and that of principle.
I want to compare this to the appalling way that our disabled athlete, Oscar Pistorius, was treated when he took on the might of this very same international federation to assert his right to compete against athletes without disabilities. All of this indicates that much work still needs to be done within athletics and other international federations to instil a fundamental respect for human rights and dignity.
We, in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, support the call for these issues to be taken to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. To assist in this process, this morning I requested the president of Athletics SA to present a full report so that we can address the issue from a basis with full and complete information. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, may I address you on a point of procedure here. Members make statements and Ministers reply, but Ministers reply, presumably, off the cuff because they do not know what members are going to say. Why is it that the hon Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation is able to stand up and read a statement? Something in the process has quite clearly gone wrong, and I do ask you to consider this. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon member, the hon members make statements and the hon Minister has given information based on those statements.
Mr M J ELLIS: But, Madam Chair, is that the correct procedure? [Interjections.] I mean, we could play all kinds of games in the House with ANC members standing up and making statements and Ministers responding in the same way.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Mike Ellis, I think when members make their statements, they want to get information on what is happening. That is exactly what the Deputy Minister was doing.
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, with regards to your ruling: May I simply ask: are the Ministers now asking that the DA hand in their statements beforehand so that they can prepare answers there as well? [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Mike Ellis, you cannot decide on how the Ministers and Deputy Ministers respond to your statements. So just allow the Deputy Ministers and Ministers to respond to information they believe is of importance.
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION
CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND H1N1 VIRUS
ASSURANCE OF NO MORE BLACKOUTS
(Minister's Responses)
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION: Chairperson, we should advise the hon Ellis that jealousy about our powers of anticipation will get him nowhere. [Laughter.]
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, the hon Trevor Manuel has just written me a letter asking me about my powers.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Ellis, please take your seat. You may continue, hon Minister.
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION: Chairperson, I would like to give a few brief responses. The first is to Dr George. What this Parliament has done has been to do the utmost to protect investors, and key amongst those would be the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The role of the Financial Services Board is, in fact, to ensure that intermediaries are registered and compliant with the rules. You cannot protect people against greed, and, in most instances, where people choose an intermediary or somebody who holds themselves forth to be an intermediary but who is not registered and not recognised, then there is very little that the FSB or the state can or should do.
There was a matter recently. In fact, there is an organisation that now calls itself the Society for the Protection of our Constitution, that says it has gone to court to prevent Ms Gill Marcus from becoming Governor of the Reserve Bank. It says that it is acting on behalf of people who have refused to pay tax and who paid their money from under their mattresses to some individual - and now the state is expected to support these people who publicly boasted about the way in which they violated the law. We shouldn't support that. I think that we must ask the FSB to shore up the system that the FAIS provides. More than that, I think is exceedingly difficult and dangerous for the fiscus to undertake.
The hon member from the ID raised issues about the prevention campaign and H1N1 and, if I had anticipated this as well as Deputy Minister Oosthuizen had, I would have brought him the print ads or the transcripts of both the commercial and community radio advertisements. They are out there; they are not just letters to Members of Parliament. There is a wider campaign. In fact, the campaign features quite coyly the Minister of Health himself in various poses as part of the prevention campaign. So, I encourage you, hon member, to read and listen and observe television and thereby be educated.
The hon Van Dyk, as per usual, is attempting to mislead all of us. Eskom cannot be held responsible for the independent power producers, IPPs, and the hon member should know that the big issue that keeps the IPPs out is the fact that pricing of electricity per unit is still the lowest in the world - and Eskom's prices are low. Either you are saying that consumers of electricity must now, through Eskom, subsidise IPPs or this contradiction will present itself. But to come to this House and suggest that the IPPs are being kept out by Eskom is, I submit, an endeavour to mislead this House and the hon Van Dyk should desist therefrom. Thank you very much.
The MINISTER OF TOURISM / np/END OF TAKE
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYA TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN AFRICA
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF TOURISM: Chairperson, I am responding to the hon member Gumede on the memorandum of understanding signed with the Kenyan Minister for tourism last week. Every year Africa receives only 5% of inbound tourism, and what we would like to do as the South African government is to change our relationships with the rest of the African continent to ensure that we get our due share. We believe we can increase considerably on that 5%.
We would also like to increase the tourism flow between South Africa and Kenya. Ten years ago we received only 16 000 tourists from Kenya annually. A year ago it was up to 28 000. We believe we can also improve in that regard.
This purpose of this memorandum of understanding is to change the relationship that we have had historically with Kenya. It was a relationship on the African continent based on intense competition which, I believe, was to the detriment of both of us. I believe we can change this relationship to one in which, yes, we compete, but compete in terms of improving standards in both countries and, even more than that, become partners.
As the hon member mentioned, we will concentrate on the exchange of information: tourism statistics and scholarships. In my view, there are exciting opportunities awaiting our investors in Kenya. That tourism industry is poised to take off over the next few years and, certainly, as investors our businesspeople can also benefit.
Indaba South Africa is the premier marketing platform on our continent, and we have now opened the indaba floor for the first time ever to another African country, namely Kenya. Next year they will be our guest at the indaba. Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
The MINISTER OF TOURISM
CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN WATER CRISIS IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS: House Chairperson, regarding the matter raised by hon member Mpontshane with regards to the water situation in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, this matter has been brought to our attention by the community member who raised a challenge that is being experienced in that municipality.
We have agreed that we will go to that area to deal with the problem, because the Jozini Dam is not supplying the local people and, at the same time, even the municipality is not benefiting. We said that whilst we were finding long-lasting solutions, we'll be dealing with finding solutions in the interim to ensure that the matter is dealt with. What we are saying, in essence, is that the matter has been taken care of; it has been brought to our attention recently; and we'll be attending to it. We hope that we will be able not only to find a solution so that the people of the area are able to benefit from the dam, but that we address the situation in the interim. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Madam Chair, I just want to respond to the matter raised by the hon Mataboge on the development at the University of the Free State. My friend, hon Ellis, I am now convinced that there is a problem about serving a fourth term in the opposition benches. [Laughter.]
We welcome this development of the election of the first black president of the Student Representative Council at that institution, and we also wish to congratulate the SA Student Organisation, Sasco, and Moses Masitha. We see this as a very positive development at such an institution, and hope that it will lay a better foundation for really creating a nonracial institution, especially in the wake of that ugly incident of racist and sexist abuse of black working-class women at that institution.
I just want to remind members that in our Budget Vote debate earlier this year, we indicated that we have written a letter to all chairs of councils of all universities to discuss the report that was commissioned by my predecessor Minister Pandor on racism, gender discrimination and other forms of discrimination at higher education institutions.
As part of receiving reports from the institutions, we are convening a higher education summit during the first quarter of next year, so that we make sure that we continue and deepen the struggle against all forms of discrimination at our higher education institutions. I also want to say to the hon Mataboge that I am very pleased that on 3 September I will be visiting the University of the Free State as an opportunity to further access the progress and the situation at that institution. Siyabonga, Sihlalo. [Applause.]
FIRST TO TWENTY-SECOND ORDERS: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY/
VM / END OF TAKE
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON BUDGET VOTE NO 16: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT ON BUDGET VOTE NO 33: TRANSPORT
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 7: NATIONAL TREASURY, AND THE 2009/12 STRATEGIC PLAN (UPDATE) ON NATIONAL TREASURY AND THE 2009/10 – 2011/12 STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE ON BUDGET VOTE NO 11: STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA, AND THE WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2009/10 IN LINE WITH THE 2004/5-2009/10 STRATEGIC PLAN OF STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA (STATS SA)
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE ON BUDGET
VOTE NO 20: INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS DIRECTORATE
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE ON BUDGET VOTE NO 22: SAFETY AND SECURITY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 13: EDUCATION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON BUDGET VOTE NO 32: TRADE AND INDUSTRY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 26: HOUSING, AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2009 – 2011 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION ON BUDGET VOTE NO 8: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ACADEMY, AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR
2009/2010
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION ON BUDGET VOTE NO 9: PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION ON BUDGET VOTE NO 10: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON BUDGET VOTE NO 14: HEALTH, AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2009/10
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 24: COMMUNICATIONS, AND STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 6: GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 29: PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ENTERPRISES ON BUDGET VOTE NO 30, AND STRATEGIC PLAN (2009/10 – 2011/12) OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION ON BUDGET VOTE NO 3: FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM ON BUDGET VOTE NO 27: LAND AFFAIRS
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON BUDGET VOTE NO 31: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,
FORESTRY AND FISHERIES ON JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 34: WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM ON JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 25: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson, hon Deputy President, I move that the Reports be adopted. Thank you.
Motion agreed to.
Reports accordingly adopted.
TWENTY-THIRD TO THIRTIETH ORDERS: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
FIRST TO TWENTY-SECOND ORDERS: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ON BUDGET VOTE NO 18: CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON BUDGET VOTE NO 1: THE PRESIDENCY, AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF DEPARTMENT WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 4: HOME AFFAIRS, AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON BUDGET VOTE NO 21: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINING AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY ON JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 28: MINERALS AND ENERGY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LABOUR ON BUDGET VOTE NO 15: LABOUR, AND THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND ITS PUBLIC ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS ON BUDGET VOTE NO 5: PUBLIC WORKS, AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2009/10 – 2011/12 OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES ON BUDGET VOTE NO 23: AGRICULTURE
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson and hon Deputy President, I move that the Reports be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Reports accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 14:51.
SlR / END OF TAKE
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