Hansard: NCOP: Appropriation Bill: Vote No 7—Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
House: National Council of Provinces
Date of Meeting: 17 May 2010
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
TUESDAY, 18 MAY 2010
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
______
The Council met at 09:59.
The Deputy Chairperson 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
Mnr W F FABER: Mev die Voorsitter, ek gee kennis van 'n voorstel:
Dat die Raad-
(1) kennis neem dat die Minister van Verdediging, Lindiwe Sisulu, 'n groot oordeelsfout begaan het om mnr Julius Malema, as jeugleier van die ANC, asook ander senior lede van die ANC-jeugliga toe te laat om twee weke militêre dienspligopleiding te ondergaan;
(2) verder kennis neem dat dit belangrik is dat die weermag nie by partypolitiek ingesleep moet word nie;
(3) verder kennis neem dat die DA vra dat dié tipe onaanvaarbare praktyk stopgesit moet word; en
(4) laastens ook vra dat die besluit, dat mnr Malema met staatsfondse deur die SA Weermag opgelei word, herroep moet word.
Ek stel so voor.
Ms B P MABE: Deputy Chair, I object.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I'm correcting myself. Hon Mabe, can you sit down. It is motions right now.
Mr D A WORTH
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP
Mr D A WORTH: Deputy Chair, I wish to give notice that, at the next sitting day of the Council, I shall move:
That the Council-
(1) offers its condolences to the wife and family of Dr Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert, who died, aged 70, after a long illness;
(2) notes that the late Dr Van Zyl Slabbert was elected to Parliament in 1974 and was leader of the then Progressive Federal Party from 1979 to 1986;
(3) further notes that Dr Van Zyl Slabbert then played an influential role as an analyst and in the setting up of the Institute for a Democratic South Africa, Idasa;
(4) further notes that he was appointed Chancellor of Stellenbosch University in 2008; and
(5) finally, notes that the late Dr Van Zyl Slabbert made a huge contribution to the transition of South Africa on the road to democracy and has left deep and lasting footsteps on the political landscape.
I so move.
Mr H B GROENEWALD
Mr D A WORTH
Mr H B GROENEWALD: Mev die Voorsitter, namens die DA stel ek hiermee voor:
Dat die Raad-
(1) sy diepe bekommernis uitspreek oor die treinstaking in Suid-Afrika;
(2) kennis neem dat dit die land se ekonomie tot R15 miljard kan kos;
(3) verder kennis neem dat Suid-Afrika dit nie kan bekostig nie; en
(4) laastens, kennis neem dat hoe langer die staking duur, hoe ernstiger die gevolge vir alle burgers in die land.
Ms B P MABE
Mr H B GROENEWALD
Ms B P MABE: Deputy Chairperson, I give notice that, at the next sitting day of the Council, I shall move:
That the House-
(1) notes the public admission by Cope general secretary, Charlotte Lobe, that the people of South Africa have lost interest in the flagging party as it battles leadership crises, internal spats, factionalism and anarchy;
(2) further notes that the party's current audited membership is a far cry form the nearly 500 000 Lobe claimed last year; and
(3) acknowledges that the inflated membership figures were nothing but a ploy to exaggerate the support for the flagging party prior to the 2009 national and provincial elections.
Mr D V BLOEM: Deputy Chair, I think the motion earlier on by hon Groenewald is a motion without notice, and I think it is premature as we are still dealing with notices of motion.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Bloem, please.
Mr D V BLOEM: Deputy Chairperson, let me correct you. It is Mr Tau who is going on with me and I'm just responding. It is Mr Tau; he must be called to order. Please.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Can both of you please obey the Rules. Mr Tau, that goes for you as well.
Ms B V MNCUBE:
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF WEYNI DEYSEL
(Draft Resolution)
Ms B V MNCUBE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes the tragic death of The Citizen newspaper's cartoonist, Weyni Deysel, who committed suicide on Saturday evening, 15 May 2010;
(2) further notes that Deysel was an accomplished journalist, who used his gift as an artist and won several awards as well as Vodacom's Gauteng Journalist of the Year in 2009; and
(3) takes this opportunity to convey its profound condolences to his family, friends and relatives, and calls on all South Africans to seek help in resolving challenges that they face and urges relevant government departments to enhance awareness of programmes that are available for our people.
Motion agreed to in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr B A MNGUNI
Ms B V MNCUBE
Murder and kidnapping on free state farm
(Draft Resolution)
Mr B A MNGUNI: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes that two Free State farmers appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday, 10 May 2010 after a man hunting with dogs on their farm was killed with one of his dogs and three of his friends were kidnapped and badly assaulted at Dikatso near Sannaspos in the Free State province;
(2) further notes that the two men face a charge of murder, three of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and the illegal pointing of a firearm;
(3) takes this opportunity to condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued disregard for the lives of black farmworkers and dwellers by farmers in the Free State; and
(4) calls on the police and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to ensure that the perpetrators of these colossal crimes receive the full might if the law.
Motion agreed to in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr T M H MOFOKENG
Mr B A MNGUNI
SPEEDING CAR KILLED TRAFFIC OFFICER IN ODENDAALSRUS
(Draft Resolution)
Mr T M H MOFOKENG: Deputy Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes that a Free State traffic officer was tragically killed near Odendaalsrus when she tried to stop a speeding vehicle near Monyakeng, on Tuesday, 11 May 2010;
(2) further notes that the traffic officer was monitoring motorists for speeding at Allanridge Road next to Monyakeng when she was knocked over by a reckless driver, who was driving at 146 km per hour in an 80km per hour zone;
(3) further notes that the 34-year-old driver was arrested for culpable homicide and speeding; and
(4) takes this opportunity to convey its condolences to the family of the deceased traffic official and calls on all motorists to respect traffic rules.
Motion agreed to in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.
Ms E C VAN LINGEN
Mr T M H MOFOKENG
DRUG SHORTAGES IN THE EASTERN CAPE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E C VAN LINGEN: Chairperson, I hereby move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) takes note of the drug shortages in the Eastern Cape hospitals and clinics and that he Minister of Health investigates the situation in this province; and
(2) notes that primary health care at our clinics is absolutely essential, especially for our TB and HIV/Aids patients; and that in many clinics there is a complete lack of the TB drugs, especially the 60/30 drugs for children; and
(3) further note that without drugs we are breeding MDR and XDR TB strains; and the children cannot be treated effectively and if continuing with the initial phase drugs for children will cause permanent liver damage; and also
(4) notes that a further concern is the fact that there is very little or no Pentax available for the first basic immunisation for babies or small children; and
(5) fears that this will affect our status adversely with the World Health Organisation according to a set code; and that in some clinics there is no medication for diabetic treatment; and
(6) feels that although the clinic staff is being educated on the treatment of Rift Valley Fever patients and their isolation, no equipment or clothing is being made available to primary health care staff, and the local clinics do not have the facilities to stabilise and isolate patients; and that there are no emergency measures taken to protect our staff at clinics. I so move.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I object to the motion.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): In light of the objection the Motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become a notice of motion and will be printed in the next Order Paper.
Ms D Z RANTHO:
Ms E C VAN LINGEN:
CONDOLENCES ON PASSING AWAY OF DR FREDERIK VAN ZYL SLABBERT
(Draft Resolution)
Ms D Z RANTHO: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes with utmost sense of loss the death of former politician and businessman Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert on Friday, 13 May 2010 at the age of 70 years; and
(2) further notes that Dr Slabbert was living embodiment of active citizenship and an outstanding South African with a pioneering and indomitable spirit whose incisive intellect helped shape our young democracy, particularly in driving our country's electoral laws and processes; and
(3) take this opportunity to convey its profound condolences to the Slabbert family, particularly his wife Jane and his children Tania and Riko, may his soul rest in peace.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: May I just say that the same motion has been already passed.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL
Ms D Z RANTHO
LIBYAN AIR CARRIER, AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS CRASH
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Deputy Chairperson, I want to move without notice:
That the Council-
(1) notes the tragic death of 93 passengers and 11 crew on board a Libyan carrier Afriqiyah Airways from South Africa to Libya on Wednesday, 12 May 2010;
(2) further notes that a 9-year-old Dutch boy, who was on a dream safari vacation to celebrate his parent's anniversary in South Africa and lost both his parents and his 11-year-old brother, miraculously survived the plane crash and has since arrived in his home country in the Netherlands; and
(3) takes this opportunity to convey its profound condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the 9-year-old Dutch boy a speedy recovery.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Ms M P THEMBA:
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL:
RAIL TRANSPORT WORKERS STRIKE
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M P THEMBA: Deputy Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council-
(1) notes the current strike by rail transport workers which has affected thousands of our people, as they battle to reach their places of employment and costs South Africa millions of rands; and
(2) calls on all the affected parties and the Minister of Transport to ensure a speedy resolution of the stalemate. I so move.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr M P JACOBS
Ms M P THEMBA
FIRE AT JIKA JOE INFORMAL SETTLEMENT
(Draft resolution)
Mr M P JACOBS: Deputy Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council-
(1) notes that a raging fire broke out at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg yesterday morning, leaving 10 shacks gutted and more than 40 people homeless;
(2) further notes that one shack dweller sustained burns to his arms while trying to extinguish the fire and many residents lost their properties;
(3) calls on the relevant departments and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the business community to open their hearts and assist the people of Jika Joe informal settlement; and
(4) urges our people to be more vigilant as we enter a period where many of them rely more on open fires, coal and paraffin stoves. I so move.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Mrs A N D QIKANI
Mr M P JACOBS
STAFF SHORTAGE IN CAPE FLATS' SASSA OFFICES
(Draft Resolution)
Mrs A N D QIKANI: Deputy Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council-
(1) notes with utmost discomfort reports of senior citizens and people with disabilities who sleep on the pavement outside the South African Social Security Agency, Sassa, offices I Cape Flats Township from as early as 6.00 am in order to be able to stand a chance of being assisted with their applications for social grants due to staff shortages;
(2) takes this opportunity to call on the minister of Social Development to intervene immediately;
(3) further calls on the minister to ensure that the offices stop the discriminatory practices of using designated days for certain applications and that a special help desk be set up immediately to assist senior citizens and people with disabilities. I so move.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr R J TAU
Mrs A N D QIKANI:
EIGHT-MONTH-OLD BABY BURNT TO DEATH
(Draft Resolution)
Mr R J TAU: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council-
(1) notes the tragic incident where an eight-month-old baby burnt to death while a Cape Town community stood by helplessly and listened to his screams;
(2) further notes that little Rudy Ontong was left alone in the shack while his mother, Patricia, 35, went to buy bread and eggs for her older children on Saturday afternoon and when she returned, the room where her baby was sleeping was engulfed in flames;
(3) takes this opportunity to pass its condolences to the mother and expresses its profound appreciation to the neighbour who displayed absolute bravery and selflessness when he rescued the other two children who were also trapped in the shack; and
(4) calls on communities, as we enter the winter period, to remain vigilant and to never leave children alone near stoves.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
MR H B GROENEWALD
MR R J TAU
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: The hon Groenewald. I hope you are not repeating what you said before.
DELETERIOUS IMPACT OF RAIL STRIKE ON ECONOMY
(Draft resolution)
Mr H B GROENEWALD: Thank you, Deputy Chair. I've just changed my motion, my previous one, to a motion without notice:
Afrikaans:
Dat die Raad-
(1) Sy diepe bekommernis uitspreek oor die treinstaking in Suid-Afrika;
(2) kennis neem dat dit die land se ekonomie tot
R15 miljard kan kos;
(3) verder kennis neem dat Suid-Afrika dit nie kan bekostig nie; en
(4) laastens, kennis neem dat hoe langer die staking duur, hoe ernstiger die gevolge vir alle burgers in die land.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chair, that motion has been moved already.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: And that's exactly what I asked, hon Groenewald, before you stood up.
VICTORY FOR BAFANA BAFANA
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M G BOROTO: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes the victorious win by Bafana Bafana in trashing a toothless Thailand team with whipping 4 goals to nil in an international friendly that was regarded as the opening ceremony for Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit; and
(2) takes this opportunity to congratulate Bafana Bafana who turned the Zebra interior décor of Mbombela stadium into an euphoric yellow symphonic orchestra singing the same song with the same key tuned from the national instrument, the vuvuzela, in their victory and thanks the people of Mpumalanga. I so move. Feel it. It is here. Ke nako!
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Ms E C VAN LINGEN
Ms M G BOROTO
MAINTENANCE BUDGET FOR SCHOOL HOSTELS IN EASTERN CAPE
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E C VAN LINGEN: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) takes note of the fact that there is no budget for the maintenance of the school hostels in the Eastern Cape, and that we move for an emergency fund to address the maintenance problem in school hostels; and
(2) requests for an urgent investigation to establish why the provincial department of education does not provide for the maintenance; and
(3) further notes that one cannot accommodate children in hostels that are not maintained, healthy and habitable, I refer to the hostel of the Daleview Primary School in Steytlerville.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I object to the motion.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): In the light of the objection the motion cannot be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion and will be printed in the next Order Paper.
Hon Tau, the time is over for motions without notice. Unfortunately, I hope you understand that we have to proceed. Thank you.
Appropriation Bill: Policy debate on vote No 7
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
APPROPRIATION BILL(Policy Debate)
Vote No 7-Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities:
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): I'll now call upon hon Mayende-Sibiya. Hon members, may I ask that we give her a chance to speak from where she is seated?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Can I amend your proposal, Chairperson?
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): Yes.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: I want to amend what you've proposed - I'm not disagreeing with you: We further allow the Minister to deliver her speech seated because we got her apology last time.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): Thank you. Is it accepted?
HON MEMBERS: Yeah!
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): Thank you.
The MINISTER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Deputy Chairperson, hon members of the NCOP, it is a great honour for me to present to you the first Budget Vote of the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities. In doing so, I would like to address a few key issues.
Firstly, I would like to outline the mandate of the Ministry to ensure that our debate this morning is informed by what we are committing to deliver against this mandate.
Secondly, I would like to talk about key focus areas that have been allocated to the Ministry from the 12 outcome or performance areas of government. I believe that Parliament has a crucial role to play in monitoring our performance against the task assigned to us as Ministers. There is also extensive work relating to our regional and international obligations as a country that I believe the NCOP should be aware of.
I will end with the acknowledgement of the various role-players and entities that have supported and worked with us in the first year of this Ministry, of which the NCOP is one such institution.
When announcing his Cabinet in May last year, President Jacob Zuma said this Ministry was being created to protect the rights and enhance development opportunities for women, children and persons with disabilities.
The President further magnified our role at the celebration of the National Women's Day last year where he said this Ministry, and I quote –
... will monitor other government departments to ensure the mainstreaming of gender, children's rights, and disability considerations into all programmes of government and other sectors. This will help government to respond to issues of these targeted groups in an integrated and coherent manner.
Again, in outlining the programme of action of government during the State of the Nation Address this year, the President emphasised the need, and again I quote –
... to integrate gender equity measures into the government's programme of action and ensure that women, children and persons with disabilities can access developmental opportunities.
It is important to outline this mandate in order to appropriately locate and respond to the varying expectations with regards to the work of the Ministry which arose in our consultation with Parliament and stakeholders in the three sectors, women, children and persons with disabilities.
Women expect us to facilitate their socioeconomic development, be it through poverty alleviation programmes or fighting for gender equality at all levels of the workplace. People with disabilities want equal access to development opportunities and the realisation of their social rights. Children want protection against the violation of many of their rights, and an opportunity to grow to their full potential.
These are some of the expectations that have and will continue to influence our strategic direction and areas of focus as the Ministry and Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities. We have to carry out our mandate of oversight and mainstreaming, while at the same time responding to the challenges facing our three constituencies. I must emphasise that these challenges require immediate action on our part as the Ministry.
To actualise our mandate, which originates from the resolution of the Polokwane conference of the ANC, we have, over the past year, focused on building systems and processes which will enable this entity to effectively carry out its mandate. The former offices of the Status of Women, Rights of the Child and Rights of Persons with Disabilities have been incorporated into the new department.
The Commission on Gender Equality, CGE, is another entity that now falls under our scope of work as the Ministry. Members are aware of the serious challenges facing the CGE. We are engaging with CGE to provide the necessary leadership and support to address the various challenges facing the organisation. We have to ensure that CGE carries out its mandate as an important Chapter 9 institution focused on issues of gender in our country.
We have made much progress in building the internal systems and capacity of this Ministry and the department over the past year. Part of this ground work has been the mobilisation of human and other resources needed for the implementation of our programme.
Our organogram, with the staff complement of 195, has been approved by the Department of Public Service and Administration. We have since advertised some of the posts that are scheduled to be filled in the 2010-11 financial year. These include, among other things, the posts of a director-general and three deputy directors-general responsible for each of sector-specific branches. Those sectors are, of course, women, children, and persons with disabilities.
All three branches of the department will put in place monitoring and evaluation systems with measurable indicators that are responsive to gender, the rights of children and persons with disabilities. This will ensure that our oversight function leads to the integration of sector-specific equity measures in government programmes. These branches will also seek to mainstream norms and standards relating to their sector throughout all spheres of government.
We will be revising policy frameworks relevant to each sector including the National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality; Draft National Policy for the Advancement of Children's Rights; National Plan of Action for Children;
and the National Policy on Disability
This revision is necessary to align policy framework with the changes in institutional arrangements and co-ordination mechanisms. We are planning to strengthen our capacity to co-ordinate activities of the special programmes units located in the Premier's offices in various provinces and focal points in various departments to ensure that our programmes have an impact across the country and in all sectors.
The Special Programmes Unit in the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, which is responsible for this work at a municipal level, is being transferred to our department to provide that critical link with local government.
The budget allocated to the department is limited compared to the magnitude of the task of transforming our society for the benefit of women, children and persons with disabilities. It is, however, the policy of our Government to mainstream the programmes throughout the government system.
We ask the NCOP to approve the budget, cognisant of the intention to discuss how priority programmes can be relocated to the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities. That is the discussion which should occur at a policy level. This discussion should inform the adjustments budget process, later this year, which should result in the enhanced resource allocation.
Partnerships are being strengthened with various players to make sure that these budget limitations do not hamper our ability to improve the lives of women, children and persons with disabilities. We are establishing relationships with both the business sector, which has some resources, and civil society organisations that are dedicating a lot of energy to improving the plight of the vulnerable groups in our society.
As you know, government has 12 outcome areas that are used to monitor and evaluate our work as Ministries. I have been allocated three of those 12 outcome areas: long and healthy life for all South Africans; support an inclusive growth path;
and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship.
Poverty continues to bear a disproportionately female face. Maternal and child mortality are still at a high level, and women are more likely to be infected with HIV and affected by Aids than men. We are working with the Department of Health to ensure that Government delivers on this key outcome area of a long and healthy life for all South Africans.
We will be utilising the opportunity of the review of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in July this year to ensure that there is a stronger focus on reducing poverty and improving the health status of women, children and persons with disabilities.
The Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, therefore, fully supports the HI-testing initiative, as well as the immunisation campaign currently underway. We want to ensure that women, children and persons with disabilities participate in their numbers to protect their health.
We are also working with the Department of Health and other role-players towards universal access to assistive devices that are essential for independent living and participation in social and economic activities. The success of our economy depends on our ability to build a healthy nation today and for generations to come.
On the second outcome, which is inclusive economic growth, we will be focusing on ensuring that there is economic empowerment for women and people with disabilities. For this financial year, we are focusing on the development of the Gender Equality Bill, including 50-50 parity.
It is critical that we address this matter. We have made progress in women's representation in national and provincial legislatures, and endeavours are being made within the public service to increase the number of women at various levels.
The reports we are receiving indicate that in the private sector and in some civil society structures women are not making the necessary headway. The recent census conducted by Businesswomen's Association of South Africa, Bwasa, indicates that by September 2009 there were still 73 companies listed on the JSE that do not have even a single woman on their boards of directors. At least 26 of these companies did not have a single woman at executive management level.
Predictions from the census is that if we continue at the current rate, we will only achieve 50-50 gender parity at board level in 20 years; and at executive management level, it will take us another 40 years. The worryinging situation with regard to the process of transformation is confirmed by separate findings of Business Unity South Africa, Busa, and the Employment Equity Commission, EEC.
That is why we need a legislative framework with enforcement mechanisms to make sure that women's participation is enhanced at all levels. Amongst persons with disabilities, these efforts will focus on ensuring that the 2% employment equity target is met.
We will also be working within the existing frameworks such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity Act, to ensure that current equity targets for women and persons with disabilities are met.
We will have consultations with organised labour, private sector organisations and other stakeholders as part of our campaign to advocate for the 50-50 gender parity principle and 2% employment equity target for persons with disabilities.
We are aware that our economy is not absorbing the number of the unemployed at the pace at which we would like it to. We are, therefore, working towards the establishment of an empowerment fund that should facilitate the economic empowerment and development of women and persons with disabilities.
A study released by the University of Johannesburg last week, once again highlights the challenges of poverty affecting persons with disabilities. It states that persons with disabilities remain excluded from the labour market and are having difficulties accessing government social services. We have been assigned to develop a concept paper on the empowerment of persons with disabilities. We expect this paper to address issues of economic participation and strengthen the social security net for persons with disabilities.
We are working together with the Department of Labour on a project to create sheltered employment for persons with disabilities. This project has the capacity to create up to 2 000 permanent jobs and increase skills development for persons with disabilities.
You should expect a lot of activity by our department in the area of poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of women and persons with disabilities because that is what we have committed ourselves to through the monitoring and evaluation process.
The third outcome area is the development of an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship. This is an area where we need massive mobilisation of all sectors of our society and an outreach to all the nine provinces of our country. In this area, we will be focusing on the implementation of the review findings and recommendations on Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act.
Violence against women and girls remains a challenge both globally and in South Africa. In line with the UN Secretary-General's Unite to End Violence against Women campaign, we are intensifying our initiative of a dedicated, comprehensive and integrated programme on the 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence. This would include the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
We are focusing on challenges such as rape, murder, human trafficking and forced prostitution affecting women and children. It is under this outcome area that we are criss-crossing the country and addressing various issues affecting women, children and persons with disabilities.
We are very much concerned about the abuses that are being reported in schools for children with special needs. We will be conducting an audit of the situation in these schools and initiate the appropriate action to stop these cases of abuse.
In view of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, we need to raise awareness on the possible risk of violation of children's rights. We are launching the Children's Rights and Responsibilities Development Programme for 2010 Fifa World Cup and beyond. The launch will be held here in Parliament on 1 June 2010. We will use this launch also to commemorate International Children's Day and the Day of the African Child.
The main objective of the launch will be to empower children and communities on children's rights and responsibilities.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): Hon Minister, please conclude.
The MINISTER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: The main objective of the launch will be to empower our children. Citizens, families and communities should speak out on these issues.
We will also be joining all stakeholders to ensure that hotspot areas for violation of the rights of children and women are cleared. As a result, we will be launching the Maseko Kgomo Park in Soshanguve, Tshwane, in memory of the little girl who was brutally murdered during the festive season last year.
As I conclude, I thank the NCOP for this opportunity to present this budget and everybody, all structures, Cabinet, and The Presidency, I thank the NCOP again for the support given to us during the previous year. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Ms B P MABE
The MINISTER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Ms B P MABE: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, distinguished guests, women in their various capacities are found across all class and national permutations.
As workers they bear the greatest burden of super exploitation and poverty. As survivalist micro entrepreneurs, they are called upon to provide these values to working class communities under unbearable conditions. As middle strata and business persons, they are compelled to hew their way through the jungle of male-dominated professions and environments.
In the home, they carry the burden of nurturing families and are forced to reproduce relations of patriarchy. In these challenging anomalies, along with progressive men, women form in gender terms, the bedrock of the construction of a caring nation.
Women, children and persons with disabilities have for far too along suffered undue hardship, due to the lasting legacy of apartheid, entrenched patriarchy and perpetual discrimination. It is therefore critical that official programmes should directly address the needs of these socially vulnerable groups, in line with the need for social spending, eradication of poverty and job creation.
The main objective of this programme should be to strengthen women's empowerment, gender equality, children's rights and responsibilities as well as the rights and equality of persons with disabilities. The ANC's 52nd National Conference at Polokwane, was specifically resolved to give serious consideration to the establishment of a women's Ministry. It also recommended the equalisation of opportunities, lifelong learning and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and that the best interests of children should be paramount and prioritised.
The intention to establish the Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities was in recognition of the realisation that the operating authority and budget of the former Offices on the Status of Women, the Rights of the Child and Status of People with Disabilities in the Presidency, had not been adequate for providing the necessary strategic leadership and management of the issues affecting these groups.
The new department amalgamates the functions of the three offices mentioned and is more streamlined in its approach to the needs of the socially vulnerable groups under its mandate. This will be achieved through the housing of all three socially vulnerable groups, and the dovetailing of policies and programmes, as opposed to the offices that previously operated independently of each other.
The intention is also to ensure that each of the three areas has the necessary authority to interact effectively with government and civil society, secure critical competencies and technical skills and to advance equality, empowerment and the development of women, children and people with disabilities. The aim is to drive, accelerate and oversee government's equity, equality and empowerment agenda for the three designated groups.
The priorities outlined by the new department speak to some of those outlined in President Jacob Zuma's 2010 state of the nation address, particularly as they relate to improved performance monitoring and evaluation and improved access to rights and developmental opportunities for women, children and persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, the focus on the protection of the rights of persons infected and affected by HIV and Aids, as a priority area, synergises the increased focus, as outlined by the President in his state of the nation address.
While increased spending on health and social services, education and infrastructural development will also impact positively on women, children and persons with disabilities in general, no explicit mention is made of resource measures to specifically improve the lives of these socially vulnerable groups.
The President also highlighted the integration of gender equity measures into the government's programme of action and key allocations in relation to women, children and persons with disabilities. This relates to increased resources for HIV and Aids programmes and increases in the child support and disability grants as well as increased resources allocated to education.
I am therefore particularly pleased with the intention to place special emphasis on facilitating access to the rights and development opportunities for women, children and people with disabilities, especially in poor and rural communities, in relation to the protection of the rights of HIV and Aids infected and affected people in the three groups. It will also focus on ensuring that issues affecting women, children and people with disabilities, become part of the broader African agenda.
Expenditure of the previous offices on the status of women, the rights of the child and the status of people with disabilities, situated in the Presidency, grew at an average annual rate of 11, 2% between 2006-07 and 2009-10. It grew from R49,6 million to R68,2 million. We do note the vast difference between the department's estimates and the actual appropriation by Treasury.
Apart from the increase in the women's empowerment and gender equality programme as a result of the transfer of the Commission for Gender Equality to the department under discussion from Justice and Constitutional Development, the reasons for these increases and decreases in programme allocations, are unclear.
One would have hoped that more resources would have been allocated to mainstreaming and integrating the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, thereby fast tracking the interest of these traditionally marginalised and vulnerable groups.
Allocations have trebled from what was previously allocated, but in terms of improving the functioning and outputs from what had been achieved under the previous offices, logic dictates that much more resources need to be made available. If the previous offices were impeded from delivering on their mandates by inadequate human and financial resources, it is questionable whether the situation has improved in real terms, taking into account the limited financial resources and human resources capacity of the new department.
The ongoing transformation of the state is meant to ensure that the process of identifying weaknesses and correcting them will be intensified. This includes engendering new cultures and practices and ensuring that state institutions reflect the demographics of the country including appropriate representation of women, children and persons with disabilities.
However, we realise that, given that the department has been established only recently, it is not possible to directly compare budgetary increases or decreases with the previous years' allocations. We also realise that the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the next three years, seeks to steer the culture in the Public Service towards greater prudence and efficiency. We realise that, given the shortfall in government revenue collection and the pressure to the available resources of the fiscus, this year's budget preparation has focused on redirecting expenditure towards key priorities, of which women and children form part.
The President stressed in the 2010 state of the nation address that the need to integrate gender equity measures into the government's programme of action, will ensure that women, children and persons with disabilities can access development opportunities.
With this reassurance, we are confident that the main objective of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will be to take the lead in formulating and driving the ANC-led government's strategic agenda in relation to women's empowerment and gender equality, children's rights and responsibilities and the rights and equality of persons with disabilities.
This Ministry is set to become the driver of the government's strategic agenda in regard to women's empowerment and gender equality, children's rights and responsibilities and the rights and equality of persons with disabilities. The ANC supports Budget Vote 7 of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. I thank you. [Applause.]
MR D A WORTH
MS P B MABE
Mr D A WORTH: Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister, MECs present and hon members, firstly, I would to thank the department for their budget presentation and the parliamentary Research Unit for their input.
As has already been stated, this is a brand new department and replaces the previous, somewhat dysfunctional Office on the Status of Women, Office on the Rights of the Child and Office on the Status of Disabled Persons.
These departments were all previously situated in the Presidency, in the hope of giving strategic direction and leadership to the various programmes focussing on women, children and persons with disabilities.
The new department, considering its scope, objectives and targeted groups, has received the smallest allocation of all the Ministries. The department has a total budget allocation for 2010 and 2011 of only R97,8 million, with Programme 2 – Women's Empowerment, Programme 3 – Children's Rights and Responsibilities, Programme 4 – Rights of People with Disabilities receiving only some R7,1 million each.
Deputy Chairperson, who can forget the disabled children that we visited at the Le Rena Re A Gona project on our visit to Limpopo province? Who can forget the children, lying on a blanket on a concrete floor, who are visited perhaps only once a month by an occupational therapist?
Children with disabilities who live in abject poverty are particularly vulnerable to hunger and environmental barriers, such as housing, and the budget must speak to the needs of children with mobility impairments and those who make use of wheelchairs.
One of the largest portions of the budget, however, is in respect of gender equality, which is taken up by the transfer payments from the Commission for Gender Equality – a Chapter 9 institution – of some R49,1 million. Whilst I believe an attempt is being made to clean up the mess at the Gender Commission, a report on the gender body in a newspaper stated –
... there is no culture of gender work in [this] organisation. In fact there is no organisation at all.
The report further states that the perception of the commission was poor. It had mismatched human resources capacity, poor programme design, fragmented leadership at the commissioner level and poor, noncompliant financial systems, resulting in a disclaimer in the audit report.
Some of the reports of the programmes previously located in the Presidency and the audited financial statements have, as yet, not been provided to the committee. As such, it is difficult to ascertain whether any debts have been inherited by the new department from the former offices.
Programme 1 – Administration constitutes 25% of the total budget appropriation. Considering that this is a new department - and initial costs such as operations and support systems, recruitment of staff, capital expenditure, the setting up of IT infrastructure are included - this expenditure may be justifiable in this financial year. But the department cannot appropriate anywhere near this amount for 2011-12 or 2012-13, as the administrative costs would then continue to consume the most significant portion of the department's resources.
It is of concern that so few resources have been allocated to mainstreaming and integrating the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, thus marginalising these already vulnerable groups. Thus, despite the needs and rights of these groups having been elevated to ministerial level, the financial human resource allocations indicate that they are still relegated to the bottom of the barrel.
The department will not be able to effectively implement this mandate due to its financial constraints, but has chosen rather to fund catalyst projects which are already being implemented by other departments. The department intends working across all departments as well as all spheres of government. The bulk of the resources, therefore, continues to be within the other departments, NGOs and the private sector.
The aim of the newly established Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is to drive, accelerate and oversee government's equity, equality and empowerment agendas.
In my home province, the Free State, the situation is so bad that the provincial government and, in particular, the Department of Social Development, has been taken to court twice in one year because the department has not paid sufficient subsidies to institutions that are responsible for the poorest of the poor in the child and youth centres, let alone to children with disabilities.
It is imperative that the funds that are transferred to the National Youth Development Agency be monitored on an ongoing basis. The agency – which takes up a large portion of the programme budget – must be held to account on the use of funds transferred to it and the lessons learnt by its predecessors, namely the National Youth Commission and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, which were previously located in the Department of Labour.
The mainstreaming of youth development cannot be undertaken without the appropriate ...
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Excuse me, hon member. Just hold on.
Mr D A WORTH: Let me just conclude. The department of women, children and persons ...
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): Before you conclude, hon member, can you just ...
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I want you to note to the member that he is out of order because this debate is on women, children and persons with disabilities and it has nothing to do with what he is saying now. That is, the issue of Umsobomvu, or the youth agency is not part of this debate.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Harris?
Mr T D HARRIS: Chair, Rule 33 states that a member may not interrupt another member who is addressing the Chair. Now, I am not sure what the Chief Whip was intending there, but that was not a point of order. She was simply interrupting the member, and was therefore in breach of Rule 33. Can you please rule on whether the Chief Whip is in breach of Rule 33?
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: May I then ask that we proceed?
Mr T D HARRIS: Chair, I must ...
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms T C Memela): We take note of what has now been put forward ...
Mr T D HARRIS: ... and you will rule later?
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I will rule later. Continue, hon Worth.
Mr D A WORTH: Thank you, Deputy Chair. Parliament should consistently evaluate these new Ministries against their stipulated aims, allocated budgets and outcomes.
The new Ministry has tremendous challenges in terms of improving service and co-ordination through better planning. Women empowerment and gender equality is central for poverty eradication and the development of human potential. The Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities and relevant stakeholders owe it to the nation to make a difference to the daily lives of our people, especially in the poor and rural communities of South Africa. I thank you.
Ms M P THEMBA
Mr D A WORTH
Ms M P THEMBA: Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, one takes pride that for the first time in the history of South Africa, our council is convening to consider a budget allocated to the most vulnerable of our society. As the ANC, we are proud because this budget is clearly expressing our nation's commitment to advancing the needs of women, children and people with disabilities.
It is a statement indicating that we have broken with the past and are on the path to prosperity. It is decisive and a reassurance to our people that we should remain committed to our nation to great prospects of social, economic and political equity of all its citizens.
Without a shred of doubt, we would like to indicate that we are welcoming this gender-sensitive budget and its strategic focus in leaving no stone unturned in seeking more ways of ensuring that the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of our population are changed for the better.
As it has already been indicated, you will remember that the department was established after the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma. This was after a comprehensive political review by the ANC and Parliament that showed the previous structures that were put in place in order to protect women were severely constricted by complex institutional arrangements and a lack of adequate resources. The ANC envisages that the new department will drive government's strategic agenda for meeting the needs and challenges facing women, children and people with disabilities.
Women, children and people with disabilities in South Africa were very vulnerable and rendered helpless by a racially orchestrated system that was designed to keep them in the homelands and townships. They were faced with discriminatory legislation, practices and polices, which restricted their participation and empowerment in most spheres of life.
The demise of the apartheid state in 1994 echoed deliberate efforts by the ANC to systematically dismantle apartheid and create a democratic society based on the principles of equity, nonracialism and nonsexism. The ANC committed itself to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable sectors of our society, and ensuring the advancement of the lives of women, particularly, those in rural areas.
Without a doubt, we would like to indicate that we remain committed and are on course in ensuring that women are also beneficiaries of all programmes and initiatives that are geared toward redressing the legacy of apartheid in our society. We are saying this because, as the ANC, we saw the advancement and empowerment of women and changing the lives of people with disabilities as the cornerstone of the struggle for equality in our society.
The Ministry is one of the many visible symbols that made a declaration to our people, that our nation is no longer regarding gender issues and gender equality as being peripheral. Hence, we are welcoming the development of the Gender Equality Bill which the Minister mentioned in her speech. It is a visible symbol of progress that clearly indicated that the conditions of women, children and people with disabilities have radically changed for the better.
It is a political declaration showing the people of South Africa that the ANC remains even more committed to placing the issues and conditions of vulnerable groups at the very centre of our transformative agenda for an equal, nonsexist and nondiscriminatory South Africa. Despite many interventions by the government, women, children and people with disabilities are still facing the harshest conditions in the work place, on the streets of their communities, and behind the closed doors of their homes.
The position of women in the economy remains weak, as the majority of them battle with job insecurity and low employment levels. Women are continuing to enter the labour force at the lowest ladder of organisational establishments. Statistics from Census 2001 and Labour Force Surveys conducted in 2000, 2001 and 2002, highlight women's over-representation in casual, part-time, seasonal and temporary work.
As the ANC, we are concerned that despite those changes, the Department of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities has been allocated a mere R97,8 million. This allocation constituted 0,02% of the total appropriation of all departmental Votes and is the smallest allocation of them all. In total, 22% of the department's budget has been allocated to the programme for women, children and persons with disabilities, with the remainder being spent on administration and the transferring of payments to the Commission for Gender Equality.
In as far as the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Discrimination Against Women and Children, Cedaw, the 365 days national plan, 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, and so fourth, is concerned, the budget will not be able to cater for all of them.
Although the allocations have increased substantially from what was previously allocated to the Offices on the Status of Women, the Rights of Children and of the Status of Disabled People, this is still inadequate in terms of improving the functioning and output of what had been achieved under these previous offices. Much more resources would need to be made available.
The effects of the insufficient resources allocated to this Ministry are clearly visible in the provinces where structures that previously drove its mandate are left with grossly under-resourced offices. We are also concerned that the department's allocations did not show any allocation for intersectoral liaison and interaction. The ANC believes that together we can do more, therefore nothing must be done without the voices of those affected.
We would like to request the Minister to consider requesting the National Treasury to allocate some resources towards engaging the relevant sectors, particularly NGOs. We are saying this because we know that NGOs are playing a crucial role in articulating government's policies and educating our people about their rights and obligations as democratic citizens. Nongovernmental organisations are playing an important role in assisting government to identify the challenges facing our people and seeking better ways to resolving them.
We welcome this budget, but also reassure this House that the ANC will always remain committed to the advancement of the lives of the marginalised sector of our society. We will continue engaging with the government to ensure that the vulnerable sectors of our society are prioritised in the allocation of government resources. I thank you.
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU
Ms M P THEMBA
IsiZulu
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU: Phini likaSihlalo wale Ndlu, mam' uMemela mhonishwa Ngqongqoshe, malunga ahloniphekile ale ndlu, ngithi kulezwekazi eNingizimu Afrika lapha sijatshulizwa ukuthi isabiwomali seMinyango yonke kuyaye kuxoxwe ngaso obala. Abantu bonke bazi ukuthi kwenzekani.
Noma sikwesekela ukuba khona kwalo Mnyango kodwa kuba nezinto ezithile ezingenza ngibe nokungabaza, ngenxa yesabiwomali esinikezwe uMnyango wakho ukuthi uyozifeza yini lezidingo zabantu ezibhekene nabantu bakithi bonke abahluphekile baseNingizimu Afrika.
Okunye futhi ukuthi lezo zingqubo noma izinhlelo zoMnyango ozibekile ukuthi usize laba bantu abakithi abampofu nalabo bebedla izambane likapondo emiphakathini yethu, uma ngibuka lesi sabiwomali esinikeziwe R156 yezigidi kuleminyaka emithathu ezayo.
Angiboni kahle ukuthi kuyokwenzeka ukuthi izidingo zabantu ukwazi ukuzifeza ngaphandle kwaleziNdlu ezimbili ziyokwazi ukukwelekelela ukuba usize abantu bakithi abampofu. Ngoba ngiyazi ukuthi uma kwenziwa ingqubongomo njengoba kunguMnyango omusha nje, yonke leyonto amaphahla omsebenzi akhona ngiyazi ukuthi kunomthelela omkhulu ezimalini okumele uzisebenzise ukuze kusizakale izwe lakithi lonke.
Okunye futhi engikukhathalele yikuthi ngiyazi ukuthi i-gender equality ebikade ikhona esekuthiwa isifakwa phansi koMnyango wakho ebengiyocela impela ukuthi ngokwethu njengeqembu leNkatha usizakale ukuthi ukwazi ukwelekeleleka ukuthi izinkece zibe khona ngoba ngiyazi ukuthi ukuhlupheka kwethu kubhekene nenselele yezingane ezihlukunyezwayo, ubhekene nomkethu abahlukunyezwayo, ubhekene nabo bonke labantu abakhubazekile. Ngoba nezinto zokuhamba kulelizwe azikabi bikho ezenele ukuthi zisize laba bantu abangakwazi ukuzihambela ngenxa yokukhubazeka kwabo.
Kepha njengeqembu leNkatha siyosesekela lesi sabiwomali ngoba siyosiza izidingo zabantu noma kunokungabaza kimi ukuthi kungase kwenzeke ngobuncane bemali. Kuyindlela ukuthi lezi ziNdlu kufuneka zazi ukuthi kusasa uma usugxekwa kwaziwe ukuthi ugxekwa nje unikezwe uzuka, esikhundleni sokuba unikezwe usheleni. Ngithi ke egameni leqembu leNkatha siyasesekela lesabiwomali sakho. Sikufisela inhlanhla nokuthi uMnyango wakho ukwazi ukuba usimame nezigebengu uzibheke kulenkecane engekho ukuthi zingadli kakhulu. Ngiyabonga.
Me C LABUSCHAGNE (Western Cape)
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU
Afrikaans:
Me C LABUSCHAGNE (Western Cape): Voorsitter, Minister en agb lede, baie dankie vir die geleentheid om vandag aan hierdie debat deel te neem. Hierdie begrotingsdebat vestig weereens die aandag op 'n paar aspekte wat in ons Suid-Afrikaanse konteks deur almal as uiters belangrik, noodsaaklik en onontbeerlik beskou word, naamlik die stand van vroue en kinders in Suid-Afrika, aspekte wat die jeug en hulle toekoms raak, asook aspekte wat persone met gestremdhede verseker dat hulle ten volle deel is van die gemeenskap en die samelewing in Suid-Afrika.
Die skep van 'n nasionale Ministerie hiervoor word dus deur die DA en die Wes-Kaap regering verwelkom, aangesien dit noodsaaklik is om bestaande nasionale beleidsraamwerke ten opsigte van vroue, kinders, die jeug en persone met gestremdhede te koördineer, asook om die nuwe beleidsraamwerke, gegrond op weldeurdagte feite en inligting, waar dit toepaslik is te skep, en om, tweedens, bestaande, gefragmenteerde wetgewing te hersien en aan te pas om geïntegreerde dienslewering van hierdie aspekte te bespoedig en te vergemaklik, asook om dit binne die hoofstroom te plaas.
Die taak van hierdie Ministerie ten opsigte van geslagsgelykheid, jeugsake en persone met gestremdhede kan net begryp word as ons na die stand van hierdie aangeleenthede in ons land kyk. Suid-Afrika word tans gekenmerk deur 'n hoë syfer van kinder- en vroueverkragting. Onlangs het die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag in 'n vergadering wat ek bygewoon het die statistiek gegee dat daar 2 085 sake van seksuele geweld teen vroue en kinders aangemeld is die afgelope ses maande in slegs vier howe in die Wes-Kaap.
Gesprekke met vroue by 'n onderhoudshof in die metropool het aan die lig gebring dat vroue tot twee jaar wag dat onderhoudsake hanteer en afgehandel word. Intussen is dit nie net die vrou nie, maar ook die kinders, wat in gebreke bly ten opsigte van bestaansmiddele. Tans bestaan die opvatting by die gemiddelde vrou dat hierdie stelsel en prosesse van onderhoudshowe die Suid-Afrikaanse vrou faal. Ons doen dus 'n beroep op die Ministerie vir Vroue, Kinders, en Mense met Gestremdhede om indringend ondersoek in te stel na die regstelsels en prosesse om hierdie probleme uit die weg te ruim. Dit is een van die groot oorsake en bydraende faktore van armoede onder 'n groot groep enkellopende vroue.
Wat die jeug betref, is dit onrusbarend dat soveel jeugdiges in Suid-Afrika skool verlaat op 'n vroeë ouderdom voordat hulle matrikuleer, en dat daar geen effektiewe stelsel en prosesse bestaan om verdere geleenthede vir hulle te skep om toe te tree tot die arbeidsmark nie. Selfs jongmense wat tersiêre opleiding ontvang het, kan nie outomaties en met gemak tot die huidige arbeidsmark toetree nie. Genoemde aspekte is slegs breë kategorieë van die werklikhede ten opsigte van vroue, kinders, jeugdiges en mense met gestremdhede in Suid-Afrika.
Die problematiek ten opsigte van MIV/vigs, tienerswangerskappe, kinder- en vrouehandel, eiendomsregte vir die geskeide vrou en die weduwee, asook die veelvuldige behoeftes van gestremdes en bejaardes is aspekte wat nog nie eens aangeraak is nie en wat baie intense en lang debatte behoort te ontlok om genoemde komplekse sosiale-, ekonomiese- en maatskaplike aspekte aan te spreek dat, soos reeds genoem, beleid en wetgewing in plek moet wees om programme en projekte op nasionale vlak te implementeer, sowel as om provinsiale- en plaaslike regeringsvlakke te ondersteun. Dit is dan ook vir my verblydend om te sien dat dit deel is van die mandaat van die nuwe Ministerie.
Telkemale word die klem gelê op die belangrikheid van die gesin as basis vir 'n gesonde samelewing. Die jeug is die toekoms van ons land, en die wyse waarop gestremdes en ander kwesbare persone hanteer word vergestalt die karakter van 'n nasie. Ten spyte hiervan is gesinsgeweld, verkragting, moord, misdaad, dwelmmisbruik, bendegeweld, tienerswangerskap, en noem maar op, die nuus wat daagliks die koerante se voorblad haal.
Die provinsiale regering van die Wes-Kaap rig dus 'n ernstige versoek aan die Ministerie vir Vroue, Kinders en Mense met Gestremdhede om hulle te beywer om navorsing te doen oor wat die werklike oorsake van die geweld in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing is, en om programme en projekte te implementeer op nasionale-, provinsiale- en plaaslike regeringsvlakke, in samewerking met nie-regeringsorganisasies.
In ons land, wat gekenmerk word deur verskeie mylpale, waarvan die grootste mylpaal gelykheid en vryheid vir almal is wat vervat is in die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika, is dit egter tans ontstellend dat om te sien dat ons vinnig vordering maak op die pad van volkome vryheid en gelykheid, maar, ten spyte daarvan, dat ons 'n siek nasie is. Ons is emosioneel en geestelik siek, en dit word weerspieël in die hoeveelheid geweld teen vroue en kinders op alle vlakke. Dit is vir my regtig baie jammer om ten spyte van die feit dat ek die begrip "om in die hoofstroom te plaas" verstaan, en dat hierdie aspekte in elke departement self hanteer moet word, dat daar so 'n geringe begroting gegee word aan so 'n belangrike departement. Ons sal graag wil sien dat met die aansuiweringsbegroting daar nog verandering sal wees.
Dit sal vir ons baie jammer wees as die tendens voortduur dat daar gepraat word, dat daar wette geskryf word, en dat daar strukture en raamwerke geskep word om hierdie aspekte aan te spreek, net soos met Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling, maar wanneer dit daarby kom om "to put your money where your mouth is" [om daadwerklik op te tree], die begrotings van juis hierdie Ministeries gesny word. Die klagtes bly dieselfde, en die probleme groei dus sal die Wes-Kaap regering met groot belangstelling die vordering van hierdie departement dophou om te sien of die huidige regering werklik daad by woord voeg. Die skep van 'n Ministerie is 'n wonderlike inisiatief, maar ongelukkig los dit nie die probleme op nie. Die probleme kan nie opgelos word sonder 'n grondige begroting nie.
Voorsitter, die verdere aspek waarna u ook verwys het, is vroue- en kindergesondheid. Een van die mees onrusbarende feite wat aan die lig gekom het en bekend gemaak is deur die Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing, RGN, onder die opskrif "The Health of Women and Children," is dat ten spyte van die feit dat 90% van babas in Suid-Afrika tog in hospitale gebore word, ons sterftesyfer steeds styg. Met ander woorde, 7% van Suid-Afrikaanse kinders haal nie die ouderdom van vyf jaar nie. Wat is die oplossing, of moet ons liewer vra waaraan dit toegeskryf word?
Dit kan slegs toegeskryf word aan die feit dat ons nie gesondheidsorg van 'n hoë gehalte in ons hospitale het nie. Ons wil 'n beroep doen op hierdie Ministerie om ook na die gesondheid van vroue en kinders in die breë aspek te kyk en hulle te beywer vir gesondheidsorg van 'n beter gehalte in hospitale, veral in die landelike distrikte.
Die provinsiale regering van die Wes-Kaap sou graag wou sien dat die begroting van die Departement van Vroue, Kinders, en Mense met Gestremdhede nie net gespandeer word om 'n raamwerk te skep waarbinne programme en projekte geïmplementeer kan word nie, maar dat werklike, praktiese programme en projekte op grondvlak geïmplementeer word wat die geleenthede skep vir genoemde gemarginaliseerde groepe, en ook aan hierdie persone die geleentheid gee om ook in hulle gemeenskappe werklik te kan ontwikkel en om bemagtig te word om persoonlike keuses uit te oefen oor hul eie lewenstyl, hul eie loopbaan, en hul eie toekoms.
Laastens wil ek 'n beroep doen dat bemagtiging vergestalting moet kry deur die uitbreiding van menseregte, maar in die vorm van die kweek van verantwoordelikheid. Suid-Afrika is 'n land wat gekenmerk word deur gelykheid en vryheid, en daarom wil ek net vra dat verantwoordelikheid geskep word deur byvoorbeeld 'n manifes vir verantwoordelikheid. Baie dankie en sterkte met u groot taak. [Applouse.] [Tyd verstreke.]
Ms U KEERATH (KwaZulu-Natal)
Me C LABUSCHAGNE (Western Cape)
Ms U KEERATH (KwaZulu-Natal): Madam Chair, hon Minister, members of the Council, women have made remarkable gains in education, health and the recognition of human rights but, despite this progress, much more needs to be done. Deep poverty among women remains all too prevalent. Two thirds of women's total time spent in developing industrial countries is unpaid, and among 1,3 billion illiterate adults, two thirds are women.
Discriminatory laws governing marriage, matrimonial property, land, inheritance, divorce and family persist. Violence against women at home, in the workplace, and on the street continues unabated.
These challenges persist not only at home but also in other areas, such as women's health care, especially reproductive health where women are more likely to be infected with HIV and affected by Aids than men. Also, women are unable to access antenatal facilities. Many hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal still exhibit high rates of infant mortality. Many women cannot access the equality courts and maintenance courts. Despite the constitutional guarantees of freedom, liberty and access, most women have not been able to translate these rights into tangible gains for themselves.
The very low Budget allocated to this Ministry is a cause for major concern, and I think many of the previous speakers have alluded to this. It is mind-boggling to understand how this Ministry, a brand new Ministry, will fulfil all of its functions with a limited budget.
It is imperative that gender has to be taken into account when financing all decisions. Just in this morning's Business Day, research shows that sub-Saharan women spend 40 billion hours per year collecting water. This is equivalent to France's entire labour force. The report also says that women are more vulnerable to climate change, because they are more likely to be poor and more likely to be vulnerable to water borne diseases, so we need to know that gender is being taken into account whenever we talk about decisions.
As we review our track record and achievements towards gender equality, we need to be fully aware and informed of new challenges. The current level of transformation must be heightened, and the Minister spoke about 73 companies listed on the JSE, which did not have a single woman on the board of directors.
Whilst women constitute 52% of the overall population, and they only make up 45% of South Africa's working population, we must not tolerate superficial changes, and we cannot pay lip service to this. We must ensure that equity targets are being met.
To addressing the flagrant abuse of women's human rights, persistent gender discrimination and the potential of millions of girls and women to contribute to development, whether economic, social or political, requires collective action and this, in turn, also requires collective resources. We know about the elimination of all forms of discrimination which, I think, is a vision and mission of this department, but this can only be translated into real gains if the Budget is gender-friendly.
These programmes must not be seen as programmes but must be seen as investments in the lives of women and children. It is about developing the productive capacities of the vulnerable. Yet, more remains to be done to integrate gender equality dimensions into our normative policy and operational work, to ensure that the twin goals of economic growth and expansion of human capabilities are attained. Here again, gender and developmental opportunities must go hand in hand. I am afraid that time is also racing with me!
Another area that I am deeply concerned about is human trafficking, and even as we begin to count down the days to the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, this problem remains a real one. There is also drug trafficking, forced prostitution and pornography, and the Minister referred to that.
We are also concerned about the escalating cases of abuse at schools, because most of these girls – females – have a double burden when they are either disabled or oppressed because of their gender.
Also, Madam Minister, you spoke about access and transportation of people to the stadiums, and this also has to be addressed. We cannot exclude the disabled; we cannot have them maimed; we cannot have them marginalised. Whilst we know that this is a brand new department, one would expect more resources to match the programmes.
Madam Chair, we are extremely concerned about the financial and human resources. Gender needs must not be pushed to the periphery. Gender needs must be in the nucleus. They cannot be pushed to the periphery. Sorry, my time has almost expired. We must ensure that this will change in the future, and adjustments must be made to ensure a gender-sensitive Budget. KwaZulu-Natal supports the Budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr D B FELDMAN
Ms U KEERATH (KwaZulu-Natal)
Mr D B FELDMAN: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, and hon members, for 14 years, women, children and people with disabilities have not been asking for policy formulation from the government. They have been clamouring for action and service deliver. Even today, this is what they are still asking for.
Minister, unfortunately government is becoming much too big and much too expensive. As with Greece and Portugal, our country too may very soon be in a predicament. We are exhausting state revenue at a very rapid rate on government itself. This leaves little for ordinary people to benefit from government programmes.
This department, for example, is consuming nearly R100 million of taxpayers money. How much of this will directly benefit people on the ground? At the same time, the fastest growing item on the budget line is the cost of servicing government debt. To put this in perspective, multiply the budget of this department by 728 times and that is the amount of money government has to allocate, this year, to service its debts. Tax money is not going into socioeconomic programmes and as the economic squeeze tightens, government will offer ordinary people less and less. The promise of a better life for all rings very hollow today.
We, in Cope, want to see gender equality being achieved but we believe that this Ministry is being set up to fail. When it fails because of all the circumstances that surround it, it will be said that a woman failed the women of this country. It was wrong to make women's affairs a woman's responsibility. To have absolved men just like that was equally wrong. What happened to all the women activists of our country that they allow such an ill-conceived deployment to occur?
In addition, this department is also responsible for ensuring the attainment of children's rights and responsibilities. To begin with, over 1,5 million children of South Africa are orphans. The number of child-headed households is staggering. All of these problems concerning children are of great magnitude. They are very, very serious problems. How will the government advance the rights of these 1,5 million orphans? How will it help to resolve the problem of child-headed households?
On the question of people with disabilities, it is noble of the government to ask for all issues concerning people with disabilities to be mainstreamed. Last year, Deputy President Motlanthe promised that people with disabilities would be beneficiaries and equal partners in all governmental programmes to halve unemployment and poverty. When will this be fulfilled?
This year's theme concerning persons with disabilities is, "Making Millennium Development Goals inclusive". This is to be achieved through the empowerment of people with disabilities and their communities. We would like to see programmes being implemented countrywide. We want to see government action; and not government in distraction.
Chair, we, in Cope, are very uneasy. This Ministry has enormous responsibility. If the Minister proves me wrong and succeeds with all her strategic objectives to the satisfaction of all the people, I will be only too happy to eat humble pie. If, on the other hand, what we believe is going to happen does happen, then money, opportunity and trust will be permanently lost.
Minister, we beg you to prove us wrong. We beg you to succeed. We urge you to make this Ministry relevant and save it from the irrelevancy into which it was moulded. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms L L ZWANE
Mr D B FELDMAN
Ms L ZWANE (KwaZulu-Natal): Chairperson, Minister Mama Mayende-Sibiya, and hon members.
KwaZulu-Natal is one of the provinces that was very excited about the introduction of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. We felt that it was time the voice of women was heard and that a platform created to address their needs and aspirations. We can never thank the President of our country enough for the introduction of this Ministry.
There is a lot of work to be done by this Ministry;, as the Minister said in her speech that it is going to monitor other government departments to ensure that gender is mainstreamed and that children's rights as well as the rights of people with disabilities are taken care of. But, as the KwaZulu-Natal province, we still want to say that a very small budget has been allocated to execute this monitoring.
Minister, we would have expected more to be given to your Ministry since it concerns women. We know that there is a lot of work to be done with regard to addressing women's issues that have bugged our society for centuries. We have a lot of work to do with regard to training women to understand the pieces of legislation that affect them because, in most cases, they are exploited or abused simply because they don't understand how to use the legislation that is there for them. That is an area this Ministry needs to focus on.
In many cases, children are abused simply because they've not been given training to understand the legislation provided for them to assist them to stand up for their rights. But then that protection also goes with training to understand their responsibilities as young people.
Your task is going to be a bit complicated and difficult because we understand that there are no MECs at the level of provinces that are dedicated to these programmes which resort within the offices of the Premiers and as such we are going to demand a lot from this Ministry. We want to see the Minister trotting around the provinces engaging, addressing, and discussing issues with women. This is going to take a lot of her time and it needs to be budgeted for. This Ministry is as important as any other department. As women, we need to support it in everyway we can to encourage the Minister to do her duties and those of the Ministry properly.
Regarding the issue of people with disabilities, Minister, in Kwa-Zulu Natal we have ensured that the 2% allocated to employ people with disabilities is implemented by the departments. But there is a need to monitor whether these things do happen in an effective way or are implemented in full. Broadly speaking, as Kwa-Zulu Natal we look forward to your guidance, support, strengthened communication and visibility so that at the end of the day we don't cast aspersions on the Ministry. We look forward to supporting you and ensuring that your programmes are well received by the different provinces.
In conclusion, as other speakers have said earlier, I want to say that we are aggrieved that we have been allocated so little but I want to assure you that the province of KwaZulu-Natal, or rather, the mighty province of KwaZulu-Natal, supports this budget. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr T A MASHAMAITE
Ms L ZWANE (KwaZulu-Natal)
Mr T A MASHAMAITE: Madam Chairperson, hon Minister and departmental officials, ...
Sepedi:
... ke tšhaba go bušeletša tše maloko ao a boletšego pele ga ka a šetšego a di boletše. Re tla be re binabina felo go tee, gomme ga re nyake go binabina felo go tee. Fela ke nyaka go thekga dinthla tše pedi tše tharo tše e lego gore maloko ao a tlilego pele ga ka a šetše a di boletše.
Ke ema le ntlha ya gore kgoro ye e abetšwe ditekanyetšo tše nnyane le ntlha ya gore kgoro ye e sa le ye mpsha gomme e swana le ngwana yo a abulago. Fela ka morago ga nako ye e rileng, e tla kgona go ema ka maoto gomme ya tataiša ya kgona go ya pele. Ga e gona kgoro ye e ka rego e sa le ye mpsha ra be re šetše re e šupa ka menwana. Re tlile mo ra bolela gomme ra dumela gore kgoro ye ke e mpsha, fela re šetše re thomile go e šupa ka menwana. Ga re a swanela gore re e šupe ka menwana. Ge re e šupa ka menwana re swanetše re tsebe gore ye meraro ye e šupile rena go swana le nna gona bjale ge ke eme mo gomme ke šupa ka monwana.
Re le komiti re ile ra kopana le kgoro ye gomme ra tšweletša go ipelaetša ga rena ka taba ya dipeeletšo. Re ile ra tsinkela lenaneotshepedišo le le thadilwego la kgoro. Re humane gore ke lenaneo le le nago le maikemišetšo a go dira gore kgoro e hlongwe pele ka botlalo ka gore ge e ka se hlongwe ka botlalo, e ka se šome. Re a tseba gore ge e šetše e hlomilwe ka botlalo, e tla šoma. Le bjale, re na le lehutšo la go feta legonono gore kgoro ye e tlo šoma. Ga se e re ge Mopresidente a hloma kgoro ye a e hloma a se na maikemišetšo a gore e tlo dira eng.
Re a tseba gore go na le batho ba gaborena bao ba sa itekanelago le bana. Re na le dipholisi tšeo re di hlamileng re le ba ANC gore di kaonafatše maphelo a batho ba. Re a tseba gore basadi ba swanetše go matlafatšwa, e bile re šetše re batametše goba re le go yona 50/50 ya go laetša gore basadi ba matlafaditšwe. Ga ke tsebe gore batho bao ba sa dutšego ba bolela gore basadi ba matlafatšwe ba bolela ka eng ka gore ke pholisi ya rena yeo e rego re matlafatše basadi, ebile re ba matlafaditše.
Ke nyaka go boela polelong ye nngwe yeo e boletšwego ke mohl Worth. Ke kwele ge mohl Worth a efa polelo ya go laetša gore ga a tsebe tshepedišo ya mmušo le ya Kabinete. O boletše ka Mokgatlo wa Bosetšhaba wa Tlhabollo ya Baswa wo o welago ka fase ga Mopresidente. Fela yena o nyaka gore Tona ya Lafapha la Basadi, Bana le Batho bao ba sa Itekanelago a ikarabele tabeng ye. Tona a ka se ke a ikarabela tabeng ye ka gore e ka gare ga ofisi ya Mopresidente. Mohl Worth o be a swanetše go šišinya gore dikgokagano ka gare ga lefapha le la gona bjale le le mpsha di sepetšwe gabotse gore di tle di kgone go hola batho ba gaborena. Bjale, ga re nyake gore ka lebaka la ge a nyaka go fihlelela morero wa dipolotiki, a bolele dilo tše di sa swanelago go lebana le lefapha le itšego gomme a di lebantšhe le lefapha le le sa lebanago le tšona. Re kgopela gore a boele a yo bala, a lebelele gore na mošomo wa mmušo le Kabinete o sepela bjang.
Re le ba ANC, ka fase ga komiti ye e lebanego le kgoro ye, re re kgoro ye re tla e thekga. Tona o tla humana thekgo ya rena ye e tseneletšego kgorong ye, e sego thekgo ye e aroganego. Re tlo dira gore Lefapha la tša Ditšhelete, e lego Boswaramatlotlo bja Setšhaba, le kgone go fa kgoro ditšhelete tše di swanetšego ge go tlo lebedišišwa tša ditšheleto gape ngwageng wo. Se ke go dira gore kgoro ye e fiwe tšhelete gomme e kgone go dira mošomo wa yona wo o e lebanego.
Re re bjalo re le be ba ANC. Re thekga ditekanyetšo tša lefapha gore lefapha le tšwele pele le šome. Ke a leboga. [Legoswi.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Mr T A MASHAMAITE
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Deputy Chairperson, I was hoping to borrow from my concluding 15 minutes.
One area that I have to emphasise is our international role. We collaborate with a number of international and continental bodies and instruments that the country is signatory to. In this regard, we are required to report periodically on the progress made at national level with the implementation of these instruments.
We are going to ensure that all reports to these international and regional bodies are consulted on and finalised in time for submission. Furthermore, we are undertaking to address the backlog in reporting and will ensure that all outstanding reports will be submitted during this financial year.
We participated in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women which reviewed 15 years of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and its platform for action in New York in March this year. During Women's Month in August this year, we will hold a national conference to discuss the outcome of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Woman, UNCSW, and develop a programme of action towards Beijing plus-20.
This conference should also discuss the measures we need to take to ensure that we observe this decade, 2010 to 2020, as the decade of an African woman, as declared by the African Union. Hon Keerath, the issue of unpaid work done by many women of Africa, should be part of this discussion.
We will work towards the ratification of the Southern African Development Community, SADC, Protocol on Gender and Development and ensure the domestication of this protocol into the revised policy.
As I go through the responses, I wish to thank the hon members for the robust debate that we have engaged with this morning. I wish to say that we take note of all the inputs of the hon members.
Regarding the debate on programmes and projects of the department, I appreciate the support expressed by members towards the collective goal of an inclusive and caring society.
Member Worth, on the challenges facing the CGE, I must emphasise that we are engaging with CGE on measures to resolve its challenges. I also want to reassure this House that we will follow through on the recommendations of Scopa. The country cannot afford to lose an institution like the CGE. All of us, the department and Parliament, need to work together to make it work.
With regard to the limited resources given to the department, I welcome the input made by the hon members and I would like to reiterate what I said earlier in my speech. The amount allocated to the department and agreed to by Cabinet, is limited compared to the magnitude of the task at hand. However, we will use this amount to ensure that we do the work before us and ensure that the policy of our government to mainstream the programmes throughout the government system is implemented.
We will certainly play our oversight role to ensure that the whole of government has programmes and funding that benefit women, children and people with disabilities.
IziZulu:
Mhlonishwa weqembu leNkatha, sibonga kakhulu ngamazwi asigqugquzelayo. Sabambisana kahle kakhulu noMntwana kaPhindangene kanye noNkosikazi Zanele Magwaza Msibi ekugqugquzeleni usuku lwamakhosikazi eVryheid ngonyaka odlule. Sifisa ukuthi sibambisane ikakhulukazi ekuthuthukiseni abantu bakithi emakhaya.
English:
I have noted the concerns raised by the Western Cape. Through you Deputy Chairperson, I would like to say to hon Labuschagne and hon Feldman that they must be assured that we shall walk the talk. We shall deliver on our mandate to increase developmental opportunities for women, children and people with disabilities. We will all work together.
I would like to thank all those, as I said earlier, who have supported us with this challenging task of setting up the new Ministry and department over the past year. The Presidency, in particular, has played a central role in assisting us and providing administrative and other forms of support to ensure that we establish this institution. We appreciate that very much.
I also wish to thank my organisation, the ANC, for its vision and the continued support and understanding of the challenges faced by the people of South Africa. I also wish to thank other parties who have given support in different ways and indicated the willingness to work with us to ensure that the challenges of our people are addressed.
I also want to thank my colleagues in Cabinet, the chairperson and members of the Select Committee on Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disabilities. Thank you very much to all of you.
My appreciation goes to the many women's organisations, children's rights groups and organisations, representing persons with disabilities who have engaged with us to ensure that we create an entity that can respond to the expectations of our sectors.
In conclusion, I need to say that the best measure of our performance will be the extent to which we make a difference in the lives of our people, especially women, children and persons with disabilities. I can say with certainty that with such strong support from the select committee, we are going to make a major difference in this term of office.
We will be in the streets and we hope to see members supporting the programmes that we are going to implement over a period of time, starting with the launch of, for instance, the week of the rights of the child. We are also going to hit the ground running with the 2010 Fifa World Cup programme and other such programmes.
We will lean on the support of the members of this House as we seek, even with limited funds, to make a difference in the lives of our people in the country, especially, those who are represented by this Ministry.
Let us work together towards a common vision of a nonsexist and nonracial South Africa that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, etc. Let us work towards a society that is caring, inclusive as well as a society that develops the human potential of its women, children and persons with disabilities.
Let us work towards a society where the women and young people of our country will walk the streets of South Africa without fearing any form of attack from any quarter by anybody. I say to this House, confidently, that as we move forward together, we will be able to achieve such a society in the future. Thank you
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M W Magadla): Proceedings will be suspended for lunch and will resume at 14:00. Thank you.
Business suspended at 11:59 and resumed at 14:02
Afternoon Session
APPROPRIATION BILL(Policy Debate)
Vote No 25-Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Amandla! All power!
Hon MEMBERS: To the people!
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: To the farmworkers! [Laughter.] Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, hon Mahlangu, chairperson of the select committee, esteemed members of the NCOP, chairperson of the portfolio committee for agriculture, members of executive councils, the Acting Director-General, and all our senior government officials
Heads of Departments from the provinces, the Chief Executive Officers of the state-owned enterprises, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and comrades, ...
Sanibonani, dumelang, goei middag, good afternoon!
Africa has just hosted the World Economic Forum on Africa under the theme: "Rethinking Africa's Growth Strategy". Addressing the World Economic Forum on Africa at the closing address, President Jacob Zuma said:
If we in Africa were to improve trade amongst ourselves we wouldn't have to call for foreign direct investments, instead foreign investors would come to us on their own.
I would like to emphasise that they would come running to us.
To achieve this, we have to intensify the investment in infrastructure, improve on research and development and increase value chain activities. With the dawn of democracy, the commercial agriculture sector carved a market in global trade where the current government vehemently assured and safeguarded markets.
Rewards from this vibrant sector must be equitably shared with the majority of our people. In attempting to address this, government is wrestling with the need and hunger for land and agrarian transformation, on the one hand, whilst keeping and deepening the vibrancy of the dominant, developed, commercial agriculture, on the other hand.
The democratic government led by the ANC, has been wrestling with this challenge. Over the years, and with practical hindsight, a compelling fact is the usefulness and reliance on free market forces to direct resources in resolving this issue of access to land to enable improved and sustained livelihoods.
It is within this context that we will have to fashion a developmental state that must lead the establishment of a vibrant and all-inclusive economy in our countryside. The first step towards the realisation of this has been the integration of the three components of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which has now been concluded and a fully fledged department established.
On intergovernmental relations, the department now has a broader mandate than before. By definition, it is impossible for us to realise our mission without co-operating and collaborating with others. In this regard we will work closely with the departments of Water and Environmental Affairs as well as Rural Development and Land Reform, whose work overlaps in many respects with ours.
It is important that we review and refine the implementation of our commitments to the World Trade Organisation, WTO, so that we can reposition ourselves in the global trade sector. Our country has not fully used the provisions of the agreement in the WTO and substantial scope still exists for an increase in government support to South African farmers. South African agricultural support notified to the WTO in recent years is about R6 billion to R8 billion. This support is all classified as Green Box support by the WTO. Thus, this is support that is non–trade distorting or production distorting.
This amount includes expenditure in relation to agricultural research, training and extension services, pest and disease controls, veterinary services and disaster aid. It also includes expenditure by other departments such as the Department of Education under the school nutrition programme, classified as domestic food aid.
There are other various provisions in the Green Box, related for example to environmental programmes and certain income support measures that South Africa has not made use of. Under these provisions, South Africa may substantially increase its support to the agricultural sector provided certain rules are adhered to.
Direct price support is classified as Amber Box support by the WTO. In this regard, the upper limit for South Africa is just over R2 billion. This support was last utilised in the year 2000. It may be expected that this provision is reduced substantially once the Doha negotiations are concluded.
In addition to the Amber Box, WTO rules provide for a de minimis support. This support is not included in the Amber Box provided it is below a certain threshold. Comrades, why am I explaining this? Under South Africa's current commitments as a developed country, this threshold is approximately 10% of the gross value of its production. The available amount under this provision can be as much as R9 billion per year that may be used for price and production distorting support.
In total, the policy space available to us may be as high as R11 billion. We did not make use of this support since the year 2000. South Africa has not made use of the provision of just over R500 million for export subsidies. Article 6,2 of the Agreement on Agriculture, provides for input and investment subsidies for resource-poor producers in developing countries.
We should fall under the category of developing countries. This provision is uncapped. South Africa has not made use of this provision and there seems to be substantial space for us to support our farmers in this regard. I am repeating, there is substantial space for us to start supporting our farmers.
South Africa has substantial policy space for an increase in farmer support, provided certain basic provisions are adhered to. Again, I am repeating: provided that we adhere to certain basic provisions.
We will have to look closely for room to manoeuvre with regard to our tariff commitment. We are aware that space in this regard is limited due to the bilateral trade agreements concluded between the European Union with SADC and European Free Trade Association, Efta.
In relation to WTO rules, considerable space still exists for an increase in the level of protection as for most products the bound rates are considerably higher than the current applied rates. However, applied rates can only be increased at the most favoured nation level and not at the level of bilateral agreements.
An analysis, on a line by line basis, will be required to establish the actual policy space for agricultural products. We will have to look at tariff lines that are excluded from tariff concessions under the various bilateral agreements, or where the major supplier of a product is not part of one of the bilateral agreements.
We are convinced that substantial policy space exists in South Africa's tariff book. The reason why I am speaking to you at length about this, is not because I have suddenly decided to turn into a neoliberal, but each line should be reviewed on its own merits to establish whether we have space to increase tariffs so that a stream of imported goods does not flood our markets at cheap prices, thus compromising the production of primary agriculture in our country. Primary agriculture and food security, especially for black farmers and smallholder farmers, has been compromised because of the flood of cheap imports entering our economy.
At the practical level, in view of South Africa's bilateral trade agreements, we don't have to just look at commercial or large farmers, but also at the space and widen it for small-holder farmers.
One of the fundamental innovations of the current administration is the emphasis on planning, monitoring and evaluation. It is our view that the evaluation of the performance of government should not only be done at the end of the five year term. Performance should be monitored on a quarterly term. If the department and the Ministry are not performing, they should receive score cards and public results on their performance. [Applause.]
It should be an integral part of our style of government to come back to this House and report on the progress or its lack, and why it is there. Monitoring and evaluation systems in the department will extend the provincial departments of agriculture. Our state-owned entities will be strengthened by the signing of memoranda of understanding and service level agreements with stakeholders before the end of the third quarter.
These agreements will hold people to report on progress made in the provinces as well as in state-owned enterprises. A comprehensive statistical database will be developed to address the insufficient data we have in our entire sector, particularly of black farmers.
We are aiming to create a single funding instrument to promote agrarian transformation and development. The common development funding facility will consolidate all funds, for example, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp; AgriBEE, Micro-Agricultural Finance initiative of South Africa, Mafisa; LandCare; and Illima/Letsema. A black farmer cannot start by applying for Casp. Casp will send him to AgriBEE, and AgriBEE will send him to Mafisa, which will also send him to LandCare, and it in turn will send him to Illima/Letsema - and by that time, the person does not have airtime anymore! [Laughter.] The facility will ensure that agrarian support is accessible to all economic actors in the countryside.
In as far as food security, economic development, trade and marketing is concerned, South African products have found their way to retail shelves globally. Unfortunately our retail shelves globally are only full of products from commercial farmers. Very few black farmers have their food on the shelves in our country, let alone globally.
Following a commodity value chain approach, the department will support the sectors through investment in food processing technology as well as research and development. The research and development will be biased towards black economic development. The department will facilitate and enhance the development of new markets in the SADC region and on the African continent. The expansion of markets will go into Asia, South America and other Western markets.
To facilitate and increase on this trade, the department will increase access to valuable production and processing infrastructure for local products. This will also include diversification of export products through the creation of organisations which will help smallholder farmers access markets and build links with the formal sector value chains. The department has launched accredited co-operative learning materials for agricultural co-operatives. Training in this regard is commencing this month and is conducted by 63 facilitators in all nine provinces targeting to comprehensively train 250 co-operatives in this financial year.
There will be an up-scaling of existing co-operatives and other farmer formations along commodity lines to exploit economies of scale opportunities, promote bulk buying and create local markets. In all empowerment endeavours, special attention will be given in order to promote the equitable representation of unemployed youth, women and disabled people to satisfy social requirements. The Department will also seek to increase shareholding of the historically disadvantaged individuals in the sector.
With regards to agrarian reform projects, our food security initiatives are aiming at improving food security amongst the most food insecure and vulnerable communities. The objective is broad and requires the involvement of other departments. Through the development of the National Food Security Framework, we will foster co-ordination of food security interventions through public-private partnerships. The department will roll out a mechanisation programme in support of intensified food production in all nine provinces.
In Mpumalanga we will further up-scale the province's Masibuyele Emasimini campaign in all 18 municipalities, reaching a total of 35 160 households with 62 583 hectares of land cultivated. This mechanisation will especially support production and cultivation of indigenous crops. This project will be launched by the President on 17 June 2010 in Mpumalanga, and you are all invited. Please come because we will be having very good umqombothi and diretlo. [Interjections.] Hon Chairperson, you are also invited. [Laughter.]
The country's rainfall pattern shows a shift of rainfall towards the eastern parts of the country, leaving the areas lying in the west drier. Irrigation infrastructure, including portable water infrastructure, will be distributed especially in the former homeland areas, for economic and social development. Support for household production will continue with the distribution of support in the form of seeds, seedlings and fertiliser packs. This effort will revive the practice of cultivating food crops to achieve household food security.
The issue of food safety, together with traceability of products, is emerging as one of the fundamental aspects in the global regulation of food trade. This is more the case as climate change has brought diseases and pest outbreaks, which require a tactical refocus on advanced prevention and response strategies.
The departmental scientific and research institutions, namely the Agricultural Research Council, ARC, and the Onderstepoort Biological Products, OBP, conducted a scientific analysis of the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever. It has also developed and distributed a new vaccine to bring the disease under control and containment.
Working together with the affected provinces, the department further strengthened the means to enhance a swift response to any future outbreaks. We are further engaged with Namibia and China to re-open markets which were closed because of the Rift Valley Fever.
In as far as Casp is concerned, an important yardstick in measuring our performance has to be the extent to which our budget addresses subsistence and small-scale farmers. These are the principal motive forces of the agrarian transformation in our country. A budget of R862 million has been allocated to Casp to address support for food production both for subsistence and for the market.
The department will embark on projects in food production; agro-processing; infrastructure development - water, dams, irrigation systems and fencing; co-operatives and stokvels - the social economy; as well as the green economy or agro-ecology. The Casp outputs for this financial year include the establishment of 1 740 food security projects; the creation of about 800 jobs; training and improvement of knowledge and skills of 5 000 beneficiaries to ensure that about 8 000 on-farm and off-farm infrastructure targets are completed and are functioning.
For the past eleven years LandCare has taken the lead in promoting sustainable land management practices, reversing land degradation in rural areas and contributing towards job creation and poverty eradication. In this current financial year, the programme will implement 1 516 junior care management projects, construct 2 405 gabions and 300 conservation structures, erect a fence of 1 424 km of fence, create 14 257 jobs on LandCare projects and eradicate 8 725 ha of alien invasive plants.
The removal of alien invasive plants actually creates quite a substantial number of jobs. We are doing it more intensively. We will improve 3 340 ha of grazing and manage 400 ha of veld grazing. This will be supported by a budget of R54,5 million.
Agricultural extension services, which include farm planning and economic advice to farmers, will be strengthened by the further development of on-farm management tools through a centralised online farm system.
We will recruit 253 extension personnel in support of the extension recovery plan. About 2 482 extension officers will undergo extensive training and will be equipped with Smart Pensto enable them to collect and analyse data on site. It is our experience that white commercial farmers gained skills through the extension recovery programme they had under apartheid. Their skills did not come to them through dreaming or osmosis.
All provinces will also pilot the use of the digital pens whose dual purpose includes monitoring the farm visits by extension officers. They won't go to a farm and just report to us that they were there. The pen will tell us if they really were there. We want to ensure that they will no longer lie to us. In order to ensure the visibility and accountability of this service, a national extension performance monitoring tool will be finalised. Extension officers will also be evaluated and their performance monitored.
The colleges of agriculture will be turned into agricultural training institutes. We will commence with the drafting of the Bill for Agricultural Training Institutes. The Bill will enforce the approved governance and financing model for agricultural training institutes and their norms and standards.
According to the latest statistics, the forestry production sector employed 46 000 people in 2007. The challenge is that the sector has recently moved from a net exporter to a net importer of forestry products. Forestry only contributed 1,6% to manufacturing Gross Domestic Products, GDP, and 0,3% to our economy as a whole. Our strategic objectives are to stabilise the sector and maintain existing jobs in the short term, restore its status as a net exporter and position the sector for high end niche products and markets in the long term.
There is real scope for the industry to develop. Conservative estimates identified 100 000 ha in the Eastern Cape, 6 000 ha in Limpopo, 10 000 ha in Mpumalanga and 39 000 ha in KwaZulu-Natal. This land is still available for afforestation projects. You can imagine how many jobs could be created. We still have the potential to create15 600 jobs country-wide.
The potential of employment opportunities is in the downstream processing industry. There is potential to improve yields of the existing category of existing plantations. There is also a possibility to convert existing wattle jungles into commercial plantations.
The sector must move towards the high-end value addition segment with the focus on superior design coupled with niche products and markets. We mustn't just produce furniture for Ellerines, but also for Joshua Doore. They must develop high quality furniture for distinguished income earners. It is critical that we compete through quality and high standards. To achieve this, the sector will have to improve its productivity. We will have to ensure that there are enough designers and artisans for the furniture industry as well as enough raw material and timber supplies.
Plans are quite advanced to establish a furniture centre of competence. Such a centre will facilitate the procurement of high level skills; address research and development needs of the industry and disseminate information on technological and industry trends. We will establish furniture clusters in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng. These clusters will promote the sharing of physical infrastructure, knowledge and information as well as a joint marketing of products.
We are also planning to promote charcoal production through exploiting the huge reserves of wattle that are in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This will create jobs in the rural areas, which are low capital requirements. For the investment of only R900 000 we can employ 50 people. A potential exists for wood waste management, both in saw milling and furniture manufacturing. Therefore, our challenge in this sector is new afforestation, skills development and technology upgrading, value addition for small enterprises as well as promoting competitiveness and high value products in the furniture industry.
Environmental impact assessments can be very costly for poor communities. The department is going to support the afforestation programme by paying for the costs for conducting these EIAs so that licences can be issued to allow planting to proceed. The potential of forestry as a sector is vast and beyond timber, it includes medicinal plants, edible fruits and harvesting carbon credits. To address key issues in this sector, the department has received an allocation of R501,4 million.
With marine and fisheries coastal management, the integration of the fisheries function has been finalised. We are now one family. Our immediate challenge is to conclude the small-scale fisheries policy. It has taken us one full year to have the fisheries component as part of this department. This is important both for food security and sustainable income generation.
Our marine resources are not infinite. Therefore, it is important for us to develop our inland fisheries capacity through hatcheries to support a vibrant aquaculture sector. In addition, more work will have to be done to explore and exploit the mariculture potential. An aquaculture demonstration centre is currently being constructed on the Gariep Dam in the Free State province with the assistance of the Chinese government. The centre will provide training and research for the development of our inland fishing opportunities.
We have to address the illegal fishing in the 1 million km² of our exclusive economic zone. In this regard, government security agencies have come on board to work with us to address this menace. A government Cabinet process is at an advanced stage to getting approval for the conditional re-opening of the commercial abalone fisheries.
About R6 million has been allocated for the interim social relief for entities and individuals adversely affected by the previous closure of abalone harvesting. A further R213 million will be invested in job creation opportunities to benefit fishing communities along the West Coast of the Western Cape and the Northern Cape who lost their jobs and income. The intention is to develop sustainable coastal livelihoods, eliminate illegal fishing or poaching, and build fishing infrastructure, including the development of hatcheries.
Transforming this country further is not going to be easy, but it is necessary and unavoidable. Our doors remain open to all the social players in our sector. An approach is needed to deliver a dignified means of existence for the majority of South Africans. This requires that all stakeholders should keep their doors open and explore all options to find solutions to the sometimes uncomfortable challenges facing us in the sector.
One of our unacknowledged and yet important stakeholders, are the workers in our sector. These are the men and women who work on the farms, forest plantations and the seas. These are the unsung heroes and heroines, who live and work under very difficult circumstances. They feed the nation yet they do not have enough to eat.
We have already engaged in a series of farm worker summits unfolding in all provinces and this will culminate in the National Farm Worker Summit in July 2010. Again, please do attend because you will hear your constituencies and farm workers speaking.
Afrikaans:
Ons sal alle deelnemers in die landbousektor bymekaar moet bring om saam te besluit oor hoe die landbou-, bosbou- en visserybedrywe die ekonomie in ons land kan stimuleer. Gesamentlik, saam, moet ons werkbare planne ter tafel bring om seker te maak dat almal in ons land, veral die armes, voedselsekerheid het.
English:
Together we can do more. Together with the Deputy Minister, Dr Pieter Mulder, we would like to thank all the MECs, the acting Director-General and the entire staff component of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. I would also like to thank the Chairperson and hon esteemed members of the NCOP for the guidance, direction and also the endless, nightmarish calls! Hon members, I tried to respond to your questions, but sometimes I didn't get to you fast enough. I would like to sincerely, humbly apologise for whenever I failed you.
Lastly, I would like to thank the state-owned entities in the sector for their co-operation and support in ensuring that programmes that are to be delivered are going to be successful and would be in the best interests of the communities of our country and of Mzansi for sure! I thank you. Ke a leboga. Enkosi kakhulu. Baie dankie. [Applause.]
Mrs A N D QIKANI
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Mrs A N D QIKANI: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon MECs, hon members and department personnel, good afternoon. Minister, I would like to start by thanking you for sending a team from the department to the Intsika Yethu Municipality, specifically to the Ncorha Irrigation Scheme in the Chris Hani District Municipality in April this year.
The Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs conducted oversight on two irrigation schemes in the Eastern Cape and what we observed in Ncorha was shocking. This restituted farm was not operational and all the infrastructure, equipment and livestock with an estimated value of R7 million that had been provided to the community, as part of restitution process, was auctioned off for about R35 000. The buildings and infrastructure was vandalised. We have completed our oversight report on this case and are now waiting for the final report from your department, Minister, so that further action can be taken against the responsible parties.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has a great potential to assist our government in the fight against poverty as the sectors play a central and critical role in providing employment; producing food for the country; generating income; and in the subsistence of the rural poor.
The roles that agriculture, forestry and fisheries play in food security, through providing goods and services to the rural poor, make them very important sectors in a developing country like South Africa.
These three sectors have the potential to revive the rural economy of South Africa, and with appropriate policies and support they can make a significant contribution to addressing the country's current socioeconomic challenges. Although these sectors remain a priority, our government is faced with the challenge of balancing these priorities with other priority sectors such as education, health and rural development.
Rural development and the creation of employment are top government priorities that will receive specific focus during the MTEF period, as mentioned by the President in the 2010 state of the nation address and the Minister of Finance, Mr Gordhan, during the presentation of the Budget Speech.
To ensure improvement in rural productivity and enhancement of rural livestock, the focus on rural development necessitates a strengthened and effective collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Agriculture is expected to play a central role in rural development by linking food security with the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, CRDP, as well as with the Land and Agrarian Reform Project, whilst forestry and fisheries are key economic drivers for the country.
Therefore, our government's priorities through which agriculture will play a role in rural development during the MTEF period include improving government's support to small-scale and emerging farmers through the integration of agricultural support programmes with land reform; ensuring that 60% of the rural households can provide for their food needs by 2014; and creating jobs, particularly for the youth.
Furthermore, the department plans to complete an agricultural production strategy in 2010 to promote growth and development of subsistence, smallholder and commercial producers through different commodity groups and strategies. This should be fully supported as this is what is needed for the sector.
The departmental policy's central focus is to address the challenges that are faced by rural and vulnerable people by empowering them to create co-operatives and small, micro and medium enterprises, SMMEs; to facilitate access to development finance; and to improve capacity-building and mentorship. These initiatives are all urgently required and fully supported by the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs.
The agriculture Support Service Programme is a new programme that provides agricultural training; extension and advisory services; scientific research and technology; risk and disaster management service; and the promotion of equitable access and commercial viability of emerging farmers. This is a service that is fully supported and required for the sector.
The forestry programme priorities include developing a strategy and a fund for the SMMEs in the sector; developing a strategy to address timber shortages; establishing extension support for emerging growers and entrepreneurs; and reducing the regulatory burden on small and emerging businesses. This programme is responsible for ensuring sustainable management of plantations, natural or indigenous forests and woodlands to realise their optimal social, environmental and economic benefits.
The priorities of the fisheries programme include establishing and revitalising state-owned hatcheries; developing aquaculture development zones; cage culture pilot projects in state-owned waterworks and coastal areas; and doing research and development on candidate culture species.
All these mechanisms are fully supported as they relate to the key focus areas of our government. The department also needs to address the issue of fishing rights and quotas for our marginalised communities – too many fishing communities are out of work and poverty-stricken.
The core business and mandate of the Marine Living Resources Fund is to manage the development and sustainable use of the country's marine and coastal resources, as well as to protect the integrity and quality of the marine and coastal ecosystem.
However, due to the split of the Marine Living Resources Fund's functions between the two departments, the allocated funds to operate the research and surveillance vessels were not transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries along with the fund. The fund is only allocated a government grant for the marine aquaculture function. This is a very serious concern, particularly with regard to the monitoring and surveillance of our seas, as the country faces challenges with poaching of marine resources.
Marine research is also important as it guides marine activities and provides the scientific basis for setting the catch limits which the fishing can harvest in a sustainable manner during its commercial operations. In its strategic plan for 2010-11, the department plans to do research on the catch limits for 22 fishery sectors and ecosystem interactions. However, the fisheries budget is not adequate to enable all these activities as almost 95% of the programme budget is spent on compensation of employees. This is an area of concern for the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs.
Currently the department administers three conditional agricultural grants to provinces, namely the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, CASP, Ilima/Letsema and the LandCare Programme grants. In this MTEF period, CASP, which aims to provide support to newly established emerging farmers, is allocated a R2,9 billion grant which is spread out as R862,4 in the 2010-11 financial year; R979,3 million in 2011-12; and R1 billion in 2012-13.
The CASP grant also includes the extension recovery plan which focuses on improving extension services through training and provision of equipment for extension officers.
The department's outputs for CASP which are all based on infrastructure provision, namely fencing, livestock, poultry structures, boreholes, water systems and tractors. This is a serious concern as the required support for emerging farmers goes beyond infrastructure provision.
Given the provided infrastructure, the government is silent on concrete plans on how it will improve and increase agriculture production; provide postsettlement support; build capacity and improve farmers' skills, including agribusiness training; improve information systems for planning and decision-making; as well as how it will improve farm income through job creation and food security. These are all desired outcomes for CASP but can never be met by only providing infrastructure.
The department measures performance by the number of projects and beneficiaries involved in these projects. However, it fails to give details of the benefits that have accrued and their impact on the communities in relation to the amount of funds that were invested. The LandCare Programme, which aims to optimise productivity and the sustainable use of national resources, is allocated a grant of R173 million in the MTEF period.
The LandCare Programme does very little for sustainable use of agriculture and natural resources. While some of its activities are commendable, some are misplaced as, for example, in the Eastern Cape where a flagship LandCare Programme project was a wool production project run by the National Wool Growers Association, NWGA. This saw lots of sheep-shearing sheds being erected throughout the province.
This specific project, although it has improved income from wool production in some areas, has, however, done very little for sustainable resource use as some of these areas where shearing sheds were erected did not even have grazing land for the sheep.
In order to ensure the optimal use of financial resources, to be effective and to avoid duplication, there is also a need for integration of the LandCare Programme with other government programmes with similar objectives.
In conclusion, I would like to assert that the department has a major task ahead, however, I know that the Minister has capable hands and leadership.
IsiXhosa:
Angayenza yonke le nto siyifunayo iphumelele. Ndiyabulela. [Kwaqhtywa.]
Mr D A WORTH
Mrs A N D QIKANI
Mr D A WORTH: Deputy Chair, hon Minister ...
Afrikaans:
... die Minister praat so baie mooi Afrikaans dat die boere in die Vrystaat baie bly sal wees.
English:
I would also like to thank our MEC present - I just see one here - Ms Qabathe from the Free State, it's good to have Free Staters here. Firstly, I wish to thank the department on their budget presentation to the committee, our researchers and also our committee chairperson, Mrs Qikani, who serves the committee in a very professional manner, I must say.
The new Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was established in July 2009 and came into effect on 1 April 2010. The budget for this department is some R3,658 billion which, needless to say, is totally inadequate. There must be a renewed focus on the need to ensure adequate supply of safe, nutritious and high quality food at affordable prices.
The smallholder subsector continues to be underproductive and economically unsustainable. The majority of land reform initiatives are failures, as the beneficiaries do not obtain postsettlement financial and other support. The department must ensure that there are more extension offices with improved qualifications - and that is in the report - and better veterinary services.
Extreme weather and climate conditions impact negatively on agricultural production and the livelihood of communities. Persons with an interest in farming need to be identified and trained to ensure that production is maintained. Many claimants to land wish to own ground, but have no inclination or passion to farm or to become commercial farmers and so productive land goes to waste, which is something that South African can ill afford.
Further, according to National Treasury, there is a shortage of capital, skills, increases in input costs and low commodity prices which have led to more than two million - some people say it is five million - hectares of idle agricultural land and abandoned buildings.
Our committee went on an oversight visit to Ncorha and Qamata Irrigation Schemes in the Eastern Cape, as alluded to by our chairperson. There is a large dam, the Lubisi dam, with canals and holding ponds fed by gravitational force. The ground is fertile and there is water, but little support from the department. Once upon a time there were dairies, butcheries and shops; now it is only devastation as the buildings and infrastructure have been systematically stripped and plundered.
I believe there are other such neglected irrigation schemes in the country. Whilst travelling in the Eastern Cape, the extent of the soil erosion was also noted. Many persons could be gainfully employed on a short-term basis to build stone walls or fill dongas and not merely fence them off as this does not help to reverse the damage caused.
Government is now proposing a share scheme for AgriBEE farmers with the aim of reaching land reform targets and replacing the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle. The allegations that the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle is responsible for the failure of reaching the 30% target of land transfer to disadvantaged people is also indicative of a poor understanding of the land reform policy; while it is also an admitted fact that 90% of the transferred land is unproductive.
Small agriculture businesses can hardly serve economically as they operate in small net profit margins ranging between 2% to 5% on capital. Consequently, small and medium commercial farmers are in no position to divide the income between more shareholders.
No owner of property can be forced to dispose of their rights without fair compensation. The ignoring of this basic principle will result in the total collapse of food production and the banking system. The DA proposes that government should implement a successful model first based on partnership and/or mentorship agreements for the failed farms under the land restitution process, before risking the existing successful productive farms. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs N W MAGADLA
Mr D A WORTH
Mrs N W MAGADLA: Chairperson, hon Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, hon MEC present, hon delegates and hon members, 18 May is an important day in the calendar of political events of South Africa. It is the day on which the former deputy president and secretary-general of the ANC Mr Walter Sisulu was born.
Mr Walter Sisulu was born on 18 May 1912, the same year the ANC was founded. If he were still alive he would have turned 98 years old today. He passed on in the same month he was born, that is 5 May 2003, a few days before his 91st birthday.
In remembering the late Mr Walter Sisulu, who sacrificed his life for the liberation of his people, I'm reminded of what another stalwart, former President Nelson Mandela, said about him:
Many of us have gained positions, received accolades and have been acclaimed; but none of us match the leadership and humility of a great man such as Walter Sisulu.
Indeed, these observations about Mr Sisulu should inspire us. Leaders like the late Mr Walter Sisulu were humbled by the fact that the masses of our people looked up to them for guidance and leadership.
The aim of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to support and promote agriculture, forestry and fisheries through policies and programmes that seek to enhance economic growth, food security and rural development.
As we debate this Vote we must remember that our people know what they have asked us to do. People want us to assist them with food production, food security - especially for the poor - as well as with opportunities for economic development in rural areas. This could be achieved through a comprehensive rural development strategy linked to agrarian reform, which builds the potential for rural sustainable livelihoods, particularly for African women.
In response to this, the NCOP has identified agriculture, rural development and land reform as forming part of its oversight priorities for this term of Parliament. We will be looking with keen interest at the delivery of services in these areas.
The Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs received briefings on 14 April 2010 from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on its policy and budget. This provided an opportunity for the committee to consider the strategic plan of the department in relation to the policy and Budget Vote. This meeting enabled the committee to determine its recommendation to this House in as far as the budget of the department is concerned.
From the briefing by the department, the committee has recommended that the department needs to put in place systems and processes to ensure that the land reform process facilitates development of the rural economies through transformation of agriculture and forestry, in order to ensure food security and the eradication of poverty. We will continue to engage the department in this regard.
During this term of an activist Parliament, we have agreed that we will be robust in exercising oversight because we want to do things differently. This must start with our ensuring that we unblock the blockages that are there in the delivery of services to our people. Oversight and accountability are central to creating a Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people. It entails monitoring and reviewing the actions of the executive organ of government. Our approach this year is underpinned by the fact that this year is a year of action, and food security is one of the five key priorities of the ruling party.
In his state of the nation address this year, his Excellency President Jacob Zuma stated clearly that as public representatives we have to work closely with the communities. He said that we need to mobilise people to go back to the fields to produce their own food. This was reiterated by the Premier of my province, KwaZulu-Natal, hon Dr Zweli Mkhize.
I am happy to note that my province has already started with this initiative and is continuing to intensify this partnership through the one home, one garden and one school, one garden campaign and many other agricultural support activities.
We urge the department to continue to support and empower women, especially rural women, to actively participate in the agricultural sector. Programmes such as the Women in Agriculture and Rural Development and Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development should play a critical role in promoting food security, thereby safeguarding human life.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for production and resource management, agricultural support services, trade and economic development, food safety and biosecurity and marine aquaculture, as the chairperson has alluded to. It therefore goes without saying that agriculture has a critical role to play in boosting our economy through backward and forward linkages to the sectors.
There are already clear signs in some provinces, where there have been government interventions to support people, that those people are ready to make use of the land to support themselves and to earn a living. During our visit to Limpopo through the NCOP's Taking Parliament to the People programme in March this year, the people in the Greater Sekhukhuni District Municipality raised a number of issues, including the following.
They said there is no monitoring of agricultural projects and that compromises the success and long-term sustainability of projects. Also, there is often a refusal to release land for development purposes by some people who own land. They want the department to ensure that farms that are adjacent to the main roads are properly fenced - a matter the province said they were taking up already. Lastly, the department should ensure that it monitors the progress of emerging farmers who have been trained.
These issues and many others, which were raised by the people of Limpopo during the NCOP's Taking Parliament to the People, are critical in strengthening the capacity of the agricultural sector. We are going to consider them, as this House, and interact with all the relevant role-players so that we can find sustainable solutions.
In concluding my input, let me remind you of the wise words of Mr Walter Sisulu in 1964, when he said:
As long as I enjoy the confidence of my people, as long as there is a spark of life and energy in me, I shall fight with courage and determination for the abolition of discriminatory laws and for the freedom of all South Africans irrespective of colour or creed.
As public representatives, it is our responsibility to ensure that our people enjoy the freedom they made sacrifices for. The ANC supports the Budget Vote for the department. Thank you. [Time Expired.]
Mr B GEYER (Western Cape)
Mrs N W MAGADLA
Mr B GEYER (Western Cape): Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, I thank you for the opportunity for me to attend today. South African agriculture is at a defining moment. We are at a crossroads. While the world is grappling with the threat of food security, we are grappling with the redress of our history through access to land for all our citizens.
The question is this: Can we redress land issues, on the one hand, without eroding our ability to provide food security, on the other hand? This requires a balancing act between subsistence farmers, new farmers and our commercial sector. This is a tough challenge, indeed.
The Minister mentioned several key focus areas in her budget address. This year's budget seeks to speak to seven issues: administration; economic development, markets and trade; food security and agrarian reform; fisheries management; forestry production and resource management; policy, planning and evaluation; and agricultural production, health and food safety. Allow me to make a few remarks touching on some of these.
Deputy Chair, the Minister mentioned internal capacity problems in her department, and I quote from her speech:
The department has a clear road map for dealing with capacity issues. Vacancies will be filled quicker. The current vacancy rate of 17% will decrease to at least 5% by next year. The priority will be to fill critical senior management positions before the end of this quarter. This includes the position of the director-general of the department.
I want to congratulate the Minister for identifying a well-staffed and well-functioning department as a point of critical importance. The Minister's department has a crucial role to play in supporting agriculture, but also in transforming agriculture. We support her in this quest, and wish her all the best in this regard.
We are optimistic about the Minister's acceptance of equity schemes as a tool of promoting access to land. The Western Cape government believes that equity schemes are the best way to achieve sustainable land reform. Equity schemes can be embarked on without jeopardising food security, as the skills that ensured the success of the original business stay intact. However, we need to be aware of the high transaction costs associated with transforming a one-man business into a multi-ownership enterprise. These transaction costs are high, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses.
There are no known silver bullets to solve our land challenges, and we want to encourage and also support the Minister to proceed with caution.
Rural development is a strategic priority of the national government. Agriculture has the ability to play a leading role in rural development. It makes sense to also support existing agricultural enterprises in our rural areas, as these businesses are, in many instances, the mainstays of our rural towns.
They provide employment opportunities and pay rates and taxes. These agri-businesses are the source of much-needed revenue, for infrastructure, amongst other things. So, Deputy Chair, perhaps a little more support for the wheat farmers will have positive spin-offs for rural development.
However, we can also apply this argument to commercial agriculture,
as a whole. Support commercial agriculture and you are also promoting rural development. We are, therefore, pleased to hear that the hon Minister has stated today that she will support our farmers. She also stated that we should guard against flooding our markets with products from overseas producers. If we manage this properly, we will make things easier for our up-and-coming, new farmers.
When we say this, we must be honest with each other, because talk is cheap. I want to draw the Minister's attention to the following: in Port Nolloth, a mariculture abalone farm of 146 ha was fenced in and not developed further. This is a waste of money.
A second case I would like to point out occurred in Alexander Bay. Just last year, the oyster farm in Alexander Bay, which once had 1,3 million oysters, was stripped by the Community Property Association, the CPA. I anticipate that these cases, and others, will receive the hon Minister's urgent attention.
Rural safety is an area of critical concern. We are, therefore, excited about the Minister's commitment towards addressing this issue. We are looking forward to more concrete measures in this regard. Rural safety can only be achieved if all the role-players - the South African Police, organised agriculture and organised labour - work together. However, all workers, farmworkers and inhabitants of our rural towns have a responsibility in this regard.
Deputy Chairperson, the Western Cape Winelands recently hit the headlines in the media regarding mining prospecting applications. This was a badly-planned project. As we have been told, outdated maps were used to plot the targeted, so-called prospecting areas. The maps were so outdated, that the consultants found a fully-developed residential area where the prospecting was to take place.
This is a nonprofessional approach and is not acceptable. It causes panic amongst residents, who suddenly hear that prospecting is going to take place right in their back yard.
Let us, as the Western Cape government, be very clear on this issue. I want to assure the hon Minister that we will always protect high-value agricultural land. It is not only mining that is competing for agricultural land.
The ever-increasing need for housing, in especially the city of Cape Town, is also putting pressure on agricultural land in our province. Let us never forget, however, that we also need to eat, and without agricultural land and farmers, we will not have food in this country. I thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J TAU): Thank you very much, hon member. Hon members, just for the record, and to avoid a situation where somebody might think that there has been a coup here, I am not the Deputy Chairperson of this Council. Thank you very much, hon member. May I then call on the hon De Beer of "die kongres van die mense", Cope.
Mr O DE BEER
MR B GEYER (WESTERN CAPE)
Afrikaans:
Mnr O DE BEER: Voorsitter, u is absoluut korrek met u verwysing na die kongres van die mense!
English:
Chairperson, hon Minister, hon colleagues, my office sent an official invitation to you, Minister, to come and engage with the people of the West Coast in Saldanha. I hope you are going to accept it.
In money terms, agriculture's share of the economy has declined drastically since 1930. Formerly, it was a highly-regulated sector. In the past, farmers received subsidies and financial assistance. Since the 1980s, farming has been deregulated. The agricultural sector is now expected to respond to free-market conditions.
Afrikaans:
Boere is nou op hulle eie. Die koste van boerdery-insette is aanhoudend besig om te styg. Die vraag van voedselversekering moet nou vir ons almal 'n saak van ernstige kommer raak.
English:
Minister, what is the state of our agriculture today? Farmers are failing because of climate change and cheaper imports. Europe has the Green Box subsidy system. All but 10% of the farmers benefiting from restitution have failed.
In the past, farmers provided job opportunities for a vast number of South Africans. Today, this is not the case. During the 10-year period from 1988 to 1998, the commercial farming sector, for example, shed a staggering 140 000 regular jobs, a decline of 20%.
Afrikaans:
Die regering ondersteun nie genoeg die bestaansboerdery in Suid-Afrika nie. In die verlede, het baie landelike gemeenskappe hulle eie kos voorsien. Vandag is dit nie meer die geval nie. Minister, is die landbou in 'n krisis, of nie?
Die ander kant van die munt vertel ons dat organiese landbou die gesondheid van die grond asook mense en ekosisteme behou. Ongeveer 30 000 ha wêreldwyd word nou organise gekweek. Organiese landbou kombineer tradisionele innovasie en wetenskap om die gedeelde omgewing te ondersteun en om voordeel te trek, eerlike verhoudings en 'n goeie kwaliteit van lewe vir almal wat betrokke is te bevorder. Hoe ondersteun die departement organies gekweekte produkte om 'n skoner en veilige omgewing te bevorder?
English:
Rift Valley Fever has had an enormous, negative impact on the lives of many farmers and citizens. Are the provinces equipped to react more effectively to such outbreaks? May we also ask the Minister if there is any precaution in place to safeguard all livestock in the country? Is there an extensive system of inspection?
Afrikaans:
Landbou is 'n ernstige betwiste terrein in Suid-Afrika as gevolg van ons geskiedenis. Hoe veronderstel die departement om 'n blywende en regverdige oplossing te vind?
Minister, die visbedryf in Suid-Afrika is tans besig om onder moeilike omstandighede gebuk te gaan. Vissery verteenwoordig 'n relatief klein sektor binne die nasionale ekonomie van Suid-Afrika. Die Wes-Kaap is die middelpunt van die industrie en is die dominante werkgewer in gebiede soos Saldanha, St Helena-baai en Doringbaai.
English:
A serious issue within this sector is illegal fishing, especially involving the Far East. This increased involvement has stimulated illegal fishing. Thank you very much. [Time expired.]
Ms M QABATHE (Free State)
Mr O DE BEER
Ms M QABATHE (Free State): Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members of the National Council of Provinces, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank Mam'uMagadla for reminding us of how important this day is. It is very humbling for me to address this august House on such an important day.
We agree with our hon Minister that the murders and human rights violations of farm workers, farm dwellers and farmers can no longer be tolerated. We have to collectively fight for safety on farms. The contradictions and conflicts need the attention of both black and white.
That is why in the Free State, the Department of Agriculture and the Departments of Police, Roads and Transport have jointly donated two crime-fighting response kombis to the Bultfontein Distrik Landbou, which were converted into mobile communication centres. This is intended to assist in the effective response to disasters and combating stock theft, farm killings and crime in general. And positive results have been reported already.
In working together with both black and white farmers, farm workers and farm dwellers, we are jointly going to have a clean-up campaign at Hoopstad and Bultfontein townships.
Sesotho:
Mmoho re hlasela ditshila.
English:
Hon member Worth is our witness, as he is from the Free State, that the Free State agriculture budget speech was hosted jointly with the white farmers. We are in a process of building a nation.
Chair, the security of land tenure for our farm workers and farm dwellers is a constitutional matter. It is, however, regrettable that conflicts and confrontations between farmers and farm workers are still a daily occurrence.
One of the challenges facing farm workers is a lack of access to legal assistance when their basic human rights are being trampled on. This situation is created by the abject poverty in which they live. There is, therefore, a need to have an integrated, co-ordinated, interdepartmental, intersectoral co-operative approach that involves all role-players committed to changing the current situation. It is for this reason that the Free State Department of Agriculture will this year call for expert advice from the academia in order to support the review of the current land tenure systems, in particular, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act.
As farm workers are the only labour force required to grow the agricultural economy, if the laws protecting them are weak, the sector will also collapse and vice versa. The need to support such initiatives cannot be overemphasised.
We have already collated a database of 78 cases that are still dragging at our courts of laws whilst farm workers and dwellers are vulnerable on the streets. The Human Rights Commission and SAPS are of great assistance in this programme.
We have invited final-year law students to go and do a case study on all the 78 cases in order to check the policy gaps and weaknesses. The outcome of such results will be presented to our farm workers summit in order to strengthen our resolutions for the summit.
The Freedom Charter states that the state shall help entrepreneurial farmers with implements, seeds, tractors, dams to save the land and assist the tillers. This is continuing to become a reality as we continue to provide farmers with mechanisation, production inputs and provision of farming infrastructure.
Through this programme, we aim to enhance food security, farmer support and settlement. To date, 31 Free State farmers have benefitted from the mechanisation programme. I must also mention that a total of 127 farmers has benefitted from agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers in the different regions of the Free State.
We will continue to provide farmers with support in the new financial year through the Letsema/Ilima programme and we will implement more than 47 projects to a total amount of R26 million.
We have already completed our assessment and identified the gaps that need to be filled. The assessment is in response to the Minister's instruction that the Departments Rural Development and Land Reform and Agriculture and the Land Bank compile a joint rescue plan for all the farms that are in distress. We are busy helping these farms together with the national department as led by our Minister.
We will further support the development of more competitive markets. We will help farmers who are seeking to be commercialised through research and development. We will establish commodity based co-operatives and increase the number of farmers producing for markets.
We also welcome the move by hon Minister of Agriculture, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, to distribute R50 million worth of tractors in provinces in an effort to rebuild the culture and capability of food production. This will truly support our farmers as we had already started implementing a similar programme in the previous financial year. A total of more than R2 million was spent on such an initiative.
I am glad to announce that this year, under Casp, the Department of Agriculture in the Free State will be implementing 63 projects to a total budget of R75 million, which will in turn support 2 191 farmers and create 284 employment opportunities.
I am glad to announce that the Department of Agriculture in the Free State has helped two Thabo Mofutsanyana farmers with R2,5 million and R1 million respectively, to help them become breeders of Nguni and Shorthorn cattle. We have done this to ensure that we establish black agricultural entrepreneurs in areas that are regarded as a niche.
We are venturing into areas where transformation is still to be seen. Agriculture is doing well this time, hon De Beer. Surely the times you are referring to, were during the apartheid era.
The Free State province like many other provinces experienced an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever. This outbreak affected our agricultural business adversely. In response to the outbreak, we deployed a response team comprising veterinarians and animal health technicians in conjunction with the Department of Health.
We further procured 400 000 doses of the vaccine worth R1,2 million to immunise animals in the province. Through this response, we were protecting the investment of our farmers, particularly in the export trade, which has brought a total of R188 million into the Free State Province through the export of animal products to the SADC and European countries.
In support of the Minister's policy on fisheries, I want to emphasise what she has just said: Although the province is without a coastline, this did not deter the department from identifying fish farming as a new sector in order to diversify the economy in the province.
The department is currently in the process of constructing an aquaculture training and demonstration centre at the Gariep Dam in Xhariep district. The centre is envisaged as a fingerling supply station to rural aquaculture community projects in the Free State province and outside the province. The research station will provide training to agricultural scientists, technicians and farmers.
It is hoped that the skills acquired at the centre will contribute significantly to the fishing industry, not only provincially but nationally. The project has been supported by the Chinese government with a total investment of R45 million. The project has created 100 temporary jobs during the construction phase and eventually will create six permanent technical jobs, excluding the opportunities that it will create as a business.
The impact of the project will benefit the broader SADC in terms of fish farming. Through the Minister's assistance, we have a partnership with Potato SA to make Kgolokweng an agriprocessing hub for frozen potatoes and instant mashed potato. We are doing this together with them.
We want to say, Chairperson, that we fully support the Minister's budget speech and the tabling here of the Vote. We are proud that she does not just talk, but she is also a person who propels action. I thank you. [Applause.]
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU
Ms M QABATHE (Free State):
IsiZulu :
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU: Mhlonishwa Sihlalo, mhlonishwa Ngqongqoshe, abamele Izifundazwe zakithi, amalungu ale ndlu ahloniphekile, Ngqongqoshe kungukujabula kwenhliziyo ukuthi kube khona mhlawumbe okushoyo okwethembisayo ngalokhu okuthiwa yi-food security kulelizwe lakithi, noma ngazi ukuthi kuzoba nezinselele ezinzima ezingabakhona kuloko.
Ngithi kufuneka nani nithathe lokho enikubona kwamanye amazwe, ukuba kusizwe uhulumeni ukuze akwazi ukwelekelela abalimi bakwazi ukukhiqiza ukudla esingakwazi ukukuthenga ngentengo ephansi ezweni lakithi. Nalapho engisuka khona emakhaya, kwanja ayiphume, lapho engazi kahle ukuthi inhlabathi isezandleni zamaKhosi.
Ngiyocela uNgqongqoshe akubhekisise ukuthi abantu bakithi bayanikezwa yini uqeqesho lokulima. Bayanikezwa yini nezinsiza zokulima, ogandaganda njengoba uNgqongqoshe eshilo. Nanokuthi baqeqeshwe ngohlobo lwesimanje futhi lezo zinsiza bazisebenzisa kanjani ukuze bakwazi ukusizakala.
Mina njengomuntu kaPhiwana Zulu nginomehluko ohlukile ukuthi kube khona ogandaganda noma izinsiza zikahulumeni ezinikezwa abantu abathile ngoba benezikhundla ukuthi kufuneka bazisebenzise bekwazi ukubonelela umphakathi.
Ngithi njengoMnyango kuwumsebenzi wenu ukuthi lapho kukhona abalimi kube yibona abaphatha lezinsiza zikahulumeni bakwazi ukunikeza abantu. Ngoba uma uzonikeza mina kanje kuyoba sekuba nabanye abantu engingabathandi kahle, kanti uma unikeze umsebenzi kahulumeni uyakwazi ukubanesibopho sokuchaza ngokwenzekayo kuhulumeni. Uma ngabe unganikeza mina njengenkosi angekwazi ukuba nesibopho sokuchaza ngokwenzekayo.
Ngifisa Ngqongqoshe uzibhekisise zonke le zinto kuleZifundazwe zakithi, kubhekisiswe ukuthi izinsiza zikahulumeni ziya endaweni yakho lapho nathi sizokwazi ukufinyelela khona njengabantu abakhethiwe.
Njengeqembu leNkatha siyakusekela kusabiwomali osenzile sokunikeza Izifundazwe zethu ukuthi zikwazi ukusiza abantu. Kufuneka ubenocelemba noma abantu abazobheka ukuthi lezonsiza ziyaya yini ebantwini, futhi izinto ziyenzeka yini. Kungabi yizisebenzi zakho ezizama ukutshela abantu, akuhlalwe phansi kube nezindaba ezixoxwayo, lapho abantu besho ukuthi bangalima kanjani ngoba ukulima akufiki nohulumeni. Ubabomkhulu, iNkosi uDinizulu wayelima, kudliwa, kubuswa. Namanje sifisa kube njalo Ngqongqoshe, kwenzeke lokho kubhekisiswe kahle ukuthi lezinto ziyasiza yini kubantu.
Ngithi njengeqembu leNkatha siyasesekela isabiwomali sakho. Engicabanga ukuthi uma uNkulunkulu ekusizile uyokwazi ukuthi ubhekane naleminyaka emine ezayo esikusalele, usesikhundleni ukwazi ukusiza ukuba kuhlangatshezwane nezidingo zakithi. Ngithi nibasize ngezinto zokulima. Ngiyabonga Sihlalo.
Mr M P SIBANDE
UMNTWANA M M M ZULU
Mr M P SIBANDE: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon MEC, hon members and distinguished guests, I greet you all.
IsiZulu :
Sihlalo, ngizothanda ukuqala ngokuhalalisela amapulazi amabili noma amathathu angale la ngiyuba ngakhona, sengathi namanye amapulazi angakopela kuwona. Ipulazi elifana njengeHirsaw Estate Farm eliphethwe uMnu Johan Engelbracht noMnu Philmon Bafikane Moya, ngicela baqhubekele phambili. Nelinye ipulazi okuthiwa i-Ystervark Fonteyn Farm ephethwe uMnu John Mlakalaka Fieet sengathi angaqhubekela phambili.
Iphutha linye, esikhathini esiningi uma sithuthukisa abalimi abamnyama, sibanikeza imfuyo, sicabanga ukubanikeza amanguni kuphela. Asicabangi ukuthi nabo kubalungele ukuthola ama-brahmare nama-bonsmara, nama-simmentali nokunye futhi. Ngqongqoshe ngijabule kakhulu ukuthi uzovula iphrojekthi yakho eMpumalanga, kodwa ukhohlwe okukodwa, umqombothi uwubalile kodwa imampuru awuyibalanga. [Uhleko.]
Ngizothanda ukukhumbuza iNdlu yeSishayamthetho ukuthi kusukela emandulo ngenkathi kufika izifika namthwalo lapha eMzansi Afrika, zathola abantu bakule ngabadi behweba ngezimbiwa, ngemfuyo, nangokudla, njalonjalo. Lokho-ke bekutshengisa ukuthi isizwe esimpisholo besinalo ulwazi olunzulu kwezolimo.
Imvelo ngokwayo ingufakazi omkhulu wokuthi isizwe esimpisholo singabalimi ngokwendabuko. Lokho kufakazelwa ukuthi kunenyoni ebizwa ngokuthi "ukholwane" ethi njalo uma kuthwasa ihlobo ikhumbuze abalimi ngokuthi "phezu komkhono", okusho ukuthi sekuyisikhathi sokulima.
Futhi-ke ngaphandle kokungathekisa okwamabhoxongwane alusayo imfuyo, ekwaluseni bebekwazi ukwetha imfuyo amagama beyazi futhi nangemibala. Uma kufuywe izinkomo bebekwazi ukuchaza izimpondo zazo ukuthi ziminjani ngayinye inkomo. Okuhlaba umxhwele bebekwazi nokuchaza umsindo obangwa yimfuyo ngokwehlukana kwayo njengokuthi: igalukuni uma likhala lithi:...
Afrikaans:
... want gister het ek nie kos gekry nie. [... because I didn't have anything to eat yesterday.]
IsiZulu :
liphendule ihansi lithi:... [Interjections.]
Afrikaans:
Ja, ja, vra nog. [Yes, yes, ask for more.]
IsiZulu :
Eminyakeni eyedlule ubabomkhulu wayehlala epulazini limbe eMpumalanga ngase Morgenzon. Kwabakhona umlungi ofikayo kulelo pulazi, owayengenalo ngisho idada linye nje, wacela ukukhusela kumkhulu. Kuthe esakhusele kumkhulu - umkhulu wayenezipani zezinkabi eziyisithupha ayelima ngazo, kodwa wayesethi uzomlekelela uma kuyogaywa esigayweni. Kwatholakala ukuthi uma sekufikwa emakethe le ndaba ayisathi shu, ngoba uma sekubuya akusabuyi lokhu okufanele kubuye. Ubabomkhulu wase ethukuthela wathi akasayingeni leyo, base bemkhipha ngendluzula kulelo pulazi.
Ngichaza ukuthi Ngqongqoshe, kufanele sibheke amamakethe lapho sithi abelungi nabantu abamnyama mabaye khona, ngoba sisangemukeleka kahle lapho. Enye into ebuhlungu futhi eyinselele ukuthi iningi labalimi bayekile ukulima ukudla, sebeyafuya kuphela manje njengoba nje sikhuluma. Abanye abelungu banciphisa imfuyo, sebephendule amapulazi iziqiwi zezinyamazane.
Abanye abalimi sebelima i-organic food, okusho ukuthi iyinselele emva kwesikhathi indaba yokudla la kithi. Bese ngibuye ngizicelela, uma uyilungu lePhalamende akusho ukuthi uyohlezi uyilungu lePhalamende. Kufanelekile ukuthi nathi singamalungu ePhalamende sibe nawo amalungelo okuhlomula kulokhu okwenziwa uhulumeni, ngoba okwamanje uma uyilungu lePhalamende noma ngabe uyalithanda ipulazi kodwa kawufanelekile ukuba nalo.
English :
The prevailing structure of commercial agriculture is the outcome of centuries of dispossession, labour coercion and state subsidies for the chosen few. Since 1994, commercial agriculture has continued to develop in a manner that is characterised by a growing concentration of ownership and farm size, under-utilisation of vast tracts of land, capital intensity, job-shedding and casualisation of labour.
While deregulation, liberalisation and the resulting competitive pressure on the sector have eliminated many of the privileges of the large-scale farm sector, various aspects of policy and legislation still reinforce the legacy of the past, making it difficult to redistribute land to the modern and competitive smallholder sector.
At the same time, commercial agriculture has also reacted to legislation intended to protect the rights of the workers and farm dwellers by sharply reducing their number, resulting in significant job losses and the painful evictions of people living on farms.
Commercial farming has been one of the pillars of our economy. There has been a notable, consistent domestic supply of horticultural, livestock, forestry, and aquaculturalal intermediate and final goods. To a considerable extent, this has guaranteed the local availability of food, timber and other such necessities. The demand for these goods has been high and has gradually pushed the prices to a range that the poor cannot access.
Market forces have been dominantly dictating the distribution of intermediate and final goods. The resulting inaccessibility of goods to the toiling masses of our people has been worsened by occasional price-fixing of wheat and dairy products by the cartels, which exercise a strong monopoly on the agricultural sector in the country.
The ANC government has to ensure that the interests of the farm dwellers' children are paramount and that their rights to quality education are promoted, protected, and fulfilled. In the same vein, the ANC government must ensure that the poor are protected from the greedy and profit-chasing tendencies of some food producers and retailers.
The ANC 2009 election manifesto expressly states that -
The ANC is committed to creating an environment that ensures that there is adequate food available for all; that we grow our own food; protect the poor communities from the rising prices of food; and eradicate hunger.
IsiZulu :
Yingakho Ngqongqoshe ngigcizelela ukuthi sinenkinga, lezi zinselela engizibalile ngicela sizibheke, lapho abantu bakithi uma sekutshalwa ama-organic food, wonke umuntu ufuna inzuzo, bakhohlwe ukuthi makutshalwe ukudla, ngoba emva kwesikhathi sizobe sibhekene nezinkinga. I-ANC iyaseseka isabelomali sakho ngokuphelele Ngqongqoshe. [Ihlombe.]
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Mr M P SIBANDE
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, I would like to thank all the members who participated in the debate, specially the Chairperson of the select committee and the MEC of the Free State, who have greatly enriched my understanding of the sector. I understand that this is not my speciality and by listening to you today, I became a lot wiser and better informed.
I am particularly impressed by the manner in which you have spoken on behalf of your constituencies. Today, I want to tell you that for us agriculture is about improving productivity and making sure that there is economic development and growth in our agricultural sector, that we create decent employment, and that there is a skilled and capable workforce.
We are emphasising that there is an efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network. This includes on-farm and off-farm settlements, fencing, roads, dams and irrigation facilities.
I am just giving a brief summary because I cannot respond to all questions raised in five minutes. I have taken down copious notes. I am going to request copies of all the speeches that have been made, so that I can study and read them very carefully.
One of our important outcomes is that we will have vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities, with food security for all. Our environmental and natural assets will be well protected and continually enhanced. One of our main and key objectives is to have a better Africa and a better world, as a result of our contributions to global relations.
Our first step would be to have high-level performance agreements, which we have already signed with the President. We will then convene meetings with our MECs, our stakeholders, in order to sign delivery agreements. We will also sign delivery agreements with the select committee of this House.
In these delivery agreements, we will decide who does what, by when, and with which resources. We will separate our delivery agreements into implementation forums. In these implementation forums, we will look at our different committees and clusters, so that they will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating certain sections of our agricultural performance.
The lead agencies, as they exist in our provinces, will be supporting agencies. They will also map out a growth plan which we will use to produce a matrix that will give us specific instruments for each province. Those instruments will depend on what we want to achieve, what it is that we haven't achieved and how will we use our compliance, not to just talk, but to develop substance on certain issues, particularly in agriculture.
We are going to look at projects in terms of commodity-based development, where we encourage commodity-based co-operatives, as the Free State MEC has already indicated. Those co-operatives will pool their resources, and we will bring them together in a radius. That radius will then be responsible for delivering to a particular market.
We have realised that our smallholder farmers do not have the economies of scale to produce productively or commercially. So we are now taking a sectoral approach to farmers, where we promote farming in clusters. We can then use our smallholders' capacity to farm in clusters as a way of developing them into commercial farmers.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all those who have contributed to the agricultural sector and to the state of agriculture. We are asking Parliament to monitor our progress and to withhold money where we are not spending it efficiently. The national Parliament has the right to withhold money where it sees that it is not being used effectively and efficiently. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Council adjourned at 15:39.
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