Hansard: Questions for oral reply: Deputy President ; Cluster 4: Economics

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 22 Nov 2011

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

 

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WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2011

 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

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The House met at 15:06.

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

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START OF DAY

 

QUESTIONS – DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Question 13:

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you and good afternoon, hon Speaker and hon members. Hon member, Cabinet recently approved the establishment of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee, NNEECC, with broad terms of reference that are being refined by the Energy Ministry following due consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Membership and chairing of the committee will be finalised along with these terms of reference. Cabinet, in its public statement, approved its establishment and indicated that the NNEECC is to implement a phased decision-making approach to the nuclear programme. Cabinet further approved the establishment of the nuclear energy technical committee to support the NNEECC. Thank you.

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Mr Speaker, the procurement of nuclear power stations will, according to reports, cost South Africa anywhere between R400 million and R1 trillion. This will be the single biggest tender by the government in its history.

Whilst South Africa's economy needs a stable and affordable electricity supply in order to grow and create jobs, the magnitude and the cost of this programme raise a number of concerns.

The multibillion rand arms deal, which was just a fraction of this cost, was mired in corruption. We need to protect the public interest, Mr Speaker. Already there are reports that the government is being strongly lobbied around this tender by companies such as Areva and Westinghouse, who are desperate to get in on the action.

Mr Speaker, what steps will the Deputy President, as head of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee, take in order to ensure that we do not witness a repeat of the corruption associated with the arms deal, and will the Deputy President assure this House that Parliament will be kept informed of all aspects of the tendering process? I thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Speaker and hon members, in setting up this committee, Cabinet is essentially taking the overall risk into account, and it is my view that the men and women who will be selected to serve on that committee will be men and women of integrity, who will discharge that responsibility, keeping in mind issues of accountability and transparency. I can assure this House that the processes will be managed in a manner that will leave no grey areas or dark corners. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, I am told that, unfortunately, the electronic system is again giving problems. It is called "system fatigue", maybe from too much use yesterday! [Laughter.] Will members please indicate by a show of hands if they wish to ask a supplementary question? Are there any supplementary questions? There are two questions at the back. Mr Greyling, yes, you are first, followed by Mrs Dudley.

Mr L W GREYLING

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr L W GREYLING: Speaker, I see that we have gone back to the nontechnical age! Hon Deputy President, the ID supports the establishment of this committee, because we believe that our decision regarding the proposed nuclear build programme will have profound effects on our economy. If the wrong decision is taken, we could literally bankrupt our fiscus and usher in an era of runaway electricity prices.

After yesterday's passing of the secrecy Bill, the public is rightly concerned that a decision of this magnitude will be taken behind closed doors and that we will not be able to scrutinise the documents and deliberations.

Will the Deputy President therefore be opening up channels for public participation in this forum, and will we be able to scrutinise all the outcomes before the actual tender documents are published? Thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Speaker and hon members, as I said, the terms of reference are to be refined by the Ministry of Energy. Once they have been refined, including the composition of the committee itself and all that kind of detail, they will be made public. So, there shouldn't be a conflation of issues.

I think it is important for us to come back to the issue of the secrecy Bill and so on. All of a sudden dark chambers are being created! From my own background as a negotiator, when there is agreement on 90% or whatever, you separate from that the issues that keep the parties apart, and they are what you deal with. You focus on them until you find a meeting point. I don't understand why people just dig into their trenches on a matter like that. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Speaker and Deputy President, the costs involved are of huge concern and, with this in mind, what is Cabinet's take on issues around hazardous waste? For example, Greenpeace says that nuclear reactors create radioactive waste that will remain hazardous for 240 000 years. Are we even able to calculate the cost of handling nuclear waste over 240 000 years?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Speaker and hon members, we have had nuclear energy in this country for ages, for years. We even had nuclear warheads. The International Atomic Energy Agency inspects our nuclear facilities each year. We set an example by voluntarily getting rid of our nuclear weapons, so the management of nuclear waste is an easier problem. As a country, our credentials speak for themselves in that regard. I don't think we should harbour any serious doubts about the attitude of South Africa towards the task of managing nuclear waste here. We will do so with a great sense of responsibility. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: I thank the hon Deputy President. We agree with you that South Africa is the first and only country in the world to do away with its nuclear arsenal. Hon Kilian, you are the last speaker on this question.

Mrs J D KILIAN

 

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The SPEAKER

 

Mrs J D KILIAN: Speaker, to the hon Deputy President, first of all, we concur with him that it is a pity that, after 90% consensus was achieved in the secrecy Bill, the last 10% was where the problem lay, and that was on a critical matter. We are happy that he is also concerned that the ANC dug in their heels on that issue. [Interjections.]

Secondly, I would like to say the following in regard to his comments made in respect of the processes. He said that, taking the risks into account, government would come up with the necessary processes and procedures. Can we confirm the following with him? With international perceptions about South Africa's rate of corruption really reaching an all-time low after Transparency International released the latest figures, where only 12% of those surveyed believed corruption was under control under the reign of President Zuma, will he concur that it will be very important to ensure open and transparent bid adjudication processes and also concur that government will make every effort to avert a repetition of the corrupt practices that dogged the previous process? Thank you. [Time expired.]

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Speaker and hon members, I can assure this House that corruption, in whatever form it manifests itself, has to be eliminated. Processes must have the requisite checks and balances to prevent it. In our fight against the pandemic of HIV and Aids we are making sure that we use methods that can be embraced by all and that can be checked by all. The same must apply to corruption and, particularly where we have mega projects, we should always make sure that any deviation can be tracked and identified early enough. There is no point in having mechanisms that review the whole project when the damage is already done. We are learning, and we believe that that is the best way to deal with these matters. Thank you.

QUESTION 14 - The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

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QUESTION 13 - The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Question 14:

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon Speaker, in order to monitor the implementation of the President's pronouncement in the state of the nation address, the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation used an average unit cost calculation to derive the number of funded vacancies, based on unspent personnel budgets at the end of the financial year. The calculations done by the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation showed that there were approximately 9 000 funded vacant posts in the national departments at the end of March this year. Thus, the average rate of vacant funded posts was 2,6% by the end of the first quarter of 2011. This is encouraging, considering that for the same period last year the rate was close to 4%.

Furthermore, based on average unit cost calculations, the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation estimated that there were less than 1% of the total number of funded posts at the provincial level at the end of March 2011.

However, the hon member should note that behind these averages lie some worrying variations which need to be addressed. There are also economy-wide challenges that affect the government's ability to fill the funded vacant posts.

Among the key challenges experienced, the departments have cited the difficulty of convening selection committees, particularly for posts at top management level, which often leads to lengthy selection processes. They have also indicated that some of the posts involving critical skills such as financial management and engineering often have to be readvertised, which points to difficulties in attracting qualified candidates.

Going forward, the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and the Department of Public Service and Administration have assured Cabinet that they will continue to closely monitor the situation and, where possible, recommend measures that the departments can employ to speed up the processes. In addition, Government continues to prioritise developing critical skills through targeted training programmes. I thank you for your attention.

Mr Z C NTULI

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr Z C NTULI: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon Deputy President for his detailed response. Whilst I agree that the internship programme in the Public Service has a specific function, for the sake of aligning this programme to the human capital needs of the respective departments, is it not feasible for it to be linked to the future filling of vacant funded posts? I thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon member, I agree that it is possible. Thank you.

Mr N SINGH

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr N SINGH: Mr Speaker, I thank the Deputy President for his response. Whilst it is encouraging that only 2,6% of posts have not been filled, what is of concern is that when those posts are filled, the personnel must be fit for purpose. The Auditor-General's report on infrastructure development has revealed that some projects, from planning to completion, can take up to 13 years. One of the reasons for that is a lack of capacity and qualified staff. That is the first part.

The second thing is that in a briefing by the Department of Basic Education a few days ago we were told that senior posts had not been filled because it had not been possible to constitute interviewing committees made up of Ministers. It seems Ministers were not available to constitute committees to interview people for these posts and this is why the posts were not filled. This is a serious concern, Mr Deputy President, and we hope that something will be done either to relook at the policy on Deputy Ministers' being able to constitute interviewing committees or to get the Ministers to sit on these interviewing committees. Thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, hon Singh. Indeed, that is exactly what I alluded to in my response to Mr Ntuli's question. We need to get the Ministers, and Deputy Ministers where Deputy Ministers are required. It is a convention in Cabinet that where a director-general is to be interviewed, the presence of two Ministers and a director-general from other departments is essential. So, coordination is required to get all of them together to make the time to conduct the interviews. We must ensure that this happens without resulting in such shortfalls. I agree with you that all we have to do is to ensure that it happens. Thank you.

Mr L RAMATLAKANE

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Thank you, Speaker and hon Deputy President. Following your response I just want to get clarity on the 2,6% of vacant posts. When you interact with the departments and see the reports, you actually see a different picture from the 2,6% in vacant posts that you referred to. You see more than that percentage. I just wanted to clarify that point.

Secondly, has any evaluation been done with respect to the bloated wage bill in this economic climate? We already have 40% of the GDP being for this expenditure. Will more posts mean that there will be less money available for other expenditure? Are we not going back to the voluntary severance packages, VSPs, that we had before – where government had to drive a programme of reduction of personnel – because the wage bill is increasing? If so, what is the response of the government to that?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, hon member. Indeed all of the Cabinet, led by the National Treasury, keep an eye on the percentage of the wage bill in the overall budget of government. Everything possible is done to ensure that we attract the correct skills and people are placed in accordance with their strengths so as to ensure that we do not end up with a bloated personnel, and therefore a ballooning wage bill. The Treasury is hawk-eyed when it comes to that. They really do keep an eye on that, and where temptation gets the better of any Minister in regard to personnel, the Treasury is always there to ensure that we keep to the approved organogramme of each department. Thank you.

Dr H C VAN SCHALKWYK

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Dr H C VAN SCHALKWYK: Thank you, Speaker. Deputy President, Chapter 13 of the National Development Plan of November 2011 suggests that the Public Service be professionalised in order to become efficient, effective and development-orientated, which is Outcome 12 of the Delivery Agreement. In order to attain that goal, qualified officials will have to be appointed on merit to vacant posts. What steps are being taken to make certain that the Minister for the Public Service and Administration enforces departments' making such quality appointments? Thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you, hon member. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration, together with colleagues in the Cabinet, has to present the decisions to employ senior managers at least, and this is approved by the Cabinet. There is a thoroughgoing process of interviews, including checking and verifying qualifications. The responsibility to appoint the lower personnel in the departments is normally that of the accounting officers. Of course, the sentiment expressed in Chapter 13 of the National Development Plan resonates with the approach of the Cabinet. Thank you.

QUESTION 15 - The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

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QUESTION 14 - The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Question 15:

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you, hon Speaker. Hon members, the economic slowdown in the eurozone reduces the demand for South Africa's exports, since Europe is one of our major trading partners. Slowing global growth also raises the prospects of weaker commodity prices and constrained government revenue. Increased risk perceptions and financial market turbulence will raise uncertainty and reduce investor risk appetite, contributing to greater volatility of international capital flows and emerging market currencies, including the rand, of course. This raises the potential for large-scale capital outflows and currency depreciations. There is also a risk of increased trade protectionism following a global slowdown as countries attempt to protect their own interests. This would further reduce global growth and could harm South Africa's exports even more.

South Africa's direct economic exposure to those countries at the epicentre of the current market turmoil is reasonably low. Although the European Union is South Africa's biggest trading partner, exports to Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain constitute just about 5% of the total.

Our financial system remains relatively well insulated from the current turmoil, with little exposure to foreign funding. Foreign funding accounts for only 5% of overall bank funding – a small proportion by international standards.

To date, the impact on South Africa has been primarily through falling business and consumer confidence, and financial market variables such as capital flows and the exchange rate. The Medium‑Term Budget Policy Statement, MTBPS, proposed an economic support package of R25 billion over the next six years to boost competiveness and promote structural change. This initiative will build on several broader programmes to support growth and employment.

The South African government will continue to call upon European governments and authorities to act more decisively to build the necessary firewalls to prevent the contagion spreading even further and creating increased uncertainty and economic decline across the globe, make sure that we have endeavours to diversify our trading partners and work with our businesses to promote exports to other parts of the world, and implement rigorously the plans outlined above to bolster the prospects of growth and job creation. I thank you.

Mr D D VAN ROOYEN

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr D D VAN ROOYEN: Thank you, hon Speaker. Thank you, hon Deputy President, for providing quite a succinct response. Indeed, the fact that our export exposure to European countries still remains high makes us highly vulnerable to economic turbulence in that part of the world. The ramifications of such an unfortunate development are currently being felt throughout our country and our beloved continent, Africa.

Quite interestingly, hon Deputy President, according to the Department of Trade and Industry data there has been a spike of South African exports to Africa, which is reported to be currently hovering at 15% of our total exports. Doesn't this, hon Deputy President, suggest that South Africa and the broader continent of Africa need to relook at restructuring regional economies to meet these new challenges? If this is the case, hon Deputy President, what should be put in place to realise this noble cause?

And, secondly, being cautious, of course, ... Thank you. [Time expired.].

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Well, the key to opening up these new vistas of growth across the African continent is to improve interconnectivity between the various regional economic communities to ensure that we improve the banking system, the time taken for goods and people to cross borders, and the rail and road traffic.

The hon Minister Mr Manuel here is part of such a project, under the AU, of connecting North-South infrastructure. That's what I think is required for us to improve on intratrade on the African continent. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, the system is now working. Members may press the "To talk" button if they wish to ask a supplementary question.

Dr D T GEORGE: Speaker, on a point of order: The system is not working properly. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: The system is working properly, hon member. Please take your seat. [Interjections.]

Dr D T GEORGE: It is not. You can come and have a look at the bench here. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Will the officials please double-check? [Interjections.]

Mr M B SKOSANA

 

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The SPEAKER

 

Mr M B SKOSANA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon Deputy President, ...

IsiZulu:

... ngizobuza isikhaya nje.

English:

Deputy President, with all the international trade agreements which we have entered into so far, and which, I admit, are imperative for the development of all those parties that are involved or those that take part in them, at what point can we say that South Africa's economic and political sovereignty is secure or when can we say that the principles of reciprocity are satisfied?

In other words, Deputy President, can the hon Ramatlhodi here or the hon Magwanishe there establish a mall or an industry in China, or in Germany, or in Ghana, and take with him 100 or 200 or 500 unemployed South Africans to work there? Is there a provision in these agreements for us to do that? Thank you, sir.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon member, on my recent trip to China, I met with the Chinese leadership – the Prime Minister, the Vice President and the President. The main topic of our discussion was a demand from our side that we should have value-added goods which would be manufactured in South Africa and marketed in China, as well as projects that South African companies could identify in China. And that's what was agreed to. The Trade and Industry Ministry provided me with a list of 10 such products, as well as projects, which I handed over to the Chinese authorities.

So, it is indeed possible. In other words, once there's a project in China run by South African enterprises, it is possible to take South African labour into China. That's not difficult. The same applies to other investment outlets on the African continent.

Of course, we would not be as aggressive as the Chinese. As you know they have a population of 1,3 billion, so they normally outperform most countries. That is because their workforce works in a platoon system – they work 24 hours a day in a shift system. However, our workers work a five-day week, they have their weekends off, and so on. Therein lies the rub. Thank you.

Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF: Thank you, hon Speaker. Hon Deputy President, we are approaching the end game in Europe now, but we still do not know what will happen there. A recession is on the cards and that tells the story that South Africa cannot look to Europe now for assistance regarding economic growth.

This is now the third question on Africa. Is it not really time to see action from government, that we target Africa in a vigorous way and let Europe and China know that we also eyeing Africa as a preferred destination? Let us allow our skills to go into Africa to assist the continent and so assist our economy.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I agree with hon Koornhof. However, the qualification is that we can never put all of our eggs in one basket. That is why we need to translate the goodwill that South Africa enjoys in Africa into real projects, but we should do likewise in Vietnam, China, India, Brazil and all the emerging markets where the growth prospects are really promising. I agree that we need to diversify in that regard.

For us to actualise that, we also need to be better organised, particularly the private sector. At the political level we get to identify and know of these opportunities. It is the follow-up and actualisation of those opportunities that tend to be extremely, extremely slow and that is a point of frustration. I agree with you that we really need to jack up our act in that regard. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Hon members, although your screens might not come on, when you press the "To talk" button, the names appear on my screen. So, when you want to ask a supplementary question, please press the "To talk" button.

Mr T D HARRIS

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The SPEAKER

 

Mr T D HARRIS: Thank you, Speaker. Our response to the last international crisis we facedwas co-ordinated by the Deputy President, three years ago. It was the global financial crisis and the response was summarised in this document, which contained three main interventions.

The first one was a training lay-off scheme worth R2,4 billion. Our calculations show that we have spent only approximately R120 million of this money, which is around 5%, and we have trained only around 20 000 workers.

The second intervention was to spend R787 billion on infrastructure by March 2012. This is in three months' time. Has this money been spent, Mr Deputy President? The Non-Profit Consortium, NPC, for one, seems to have doubts about this, because they said in their plan last week, with regard to infrastructure, that current investment levels are insufficient and maintenance programmes are seriously lagging. Can you put their concerns to rest, Mr Deputy President?

The third was a R10 billion fund called the National Jobs Initiative. Has this money been spent, and on what? How is it that our response to that crisis three years on looks so weak, and how will you assure South Africans that our response to this crisis won't consist of empty promises?

The SPEAKER: Hon members, you are making it very difficult for the Deputy President to follow the questions. The noise level in the Chamber is very high.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, hon Speaker. Hon members, in 2008 the recession was triggered by the unregulated manner in which the American banks repackaged debt and marketed such debt as assets. So, there was a financial meltdown.

The response was informed by the understanding that we should not pull back from investing in infrastructure and ensuring that as few jobs as possible got lost in the process.

At that time, unknown to us was the fact that the banks in America were actually in a much healthier state than the banks in Europe. That is what we had no sight of. It is all public knowledge today that our economy was directly affected.

We lost close on a million jobs, but our response was aimed at saving jobs, as well as saving South African companies from going down the tubes; hence these measures. The measures were negotiated and agreed to by organised business, organised labour and the communities, as well as government.

The monies allocated for lay-off schemes were utilised, though not fully, and many jobs were in that sense saved, but some job cutbacks were inevitable and we could not do anything about that.

The plan to invest in infrastructure continues. It is part of the New Growth Path, because the New Growth Path arose from that response at that time.

Now, of course, we are faced with a completely different challenge in that the USA is also in a dicey situation and they may default. The situation in the eurozone is well known to all of us. So, this calls for the kinds of response that hon Koornhof alluded to - that we should diversify and move with speed.

In regard to the implementation of build infrastructure and investments, the government has established a commission on infrastructure which is chaired by the President, because we realise that the normal method of making allocations to the provinces and municipalities may not be able to address the infrastructure backlog, particularly with regard to the rural areas as well as the townships. That is why we as the national government have now established this commission.

The idea is to try to follow the approach that we employed in preparing for the Fifa World Cup, where we identify areas in which such infrastructure should be developed, set the timelines and co-ordinate the three spheres of government, so that we are able to implement this within the shortest possible time. That is the approach and I think it will address the key question of whether this money has been spent or not. Thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Question 16:

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon Watson, the Rule - I think it's Rule 117(1) - states that a member may request that a question for written reply be placed on the Order Paper for oral reply if it is not answered within 10 days. That is what the Rule says. For some reason this provision has not been used much in the past, but I notice that today this Rule is being used, as there are a number of written questions that have been transferred and are now questions for oral reply.

As I have stated on numerous occasions in this House, Cabinet is committed to meeting the constitutional requirements regarding its accountability to Parliament. Reports are given at each Cabinet meeting and Ministers are urged all the time to answer their parliamentary questions timeously.

I am informed that the procedure followed regarding questions in this Parliament is very similar to other Parliaments in the Westminster tradition, namely that there is really no specified penalty for Ministers for not answering questions, although some Parliaments do require an explanation if a question is not answered for some time.

As I have repeatedly stated, it is up to this House, not the executive, to decide whether the parliamentary Rules need to be amended to make a similar provision.

I would like to highlight the fact that on certain occasions the information that a member requests requires a lot of preparation. In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to the specific example of a question put by the hon Farrow to the Minister of Transport, which appears on today's Order Paper as Question No 78. In order to prepare a reply, the Minister had to go through five lever arch files to be able to respond to that question. He came to my office carrying them, to indicate the challenge.

Furthermore, sometimes the information that is being asked of the executive is freely available in annual reports or other documents already before the House.

At other times questions are asked about provincial matters, for which the national Minster has no responsibility. For example, questions about conditions in a school regarding teachers, or the situation prevailing at a provincial hospital, are essentially not the responsibility of the national sphere of government, but of the provincial sphere. In fact, such questions should be directed to the MECs in the relevant legislatures.

What I'm really saying is that as Cabinet we are committed to responding to all questions. Ministers are always reminded, whenever Cabinet sits, to do so timeously. But, what I'm saying to the members of the House is that it is really their call as to whether or not they believe that the current system isn't working and that the force of persuasion needs to be reinforced. Thank you.

Mr A WATSON

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mr A WATSON: Hon Speaker, through you to the hon Deputy President: I thank you for that reply, hon Deputy President. You replied, stating that this is actually a parliamentary responsibility and not an executive one, and that we have that escape valve of 10 working days. The escape valve is not there so that the questions can automatically be transferred. The duty to this House, where we have a constitutional responsibility, is to answer those questions within 10 days.

You referred to the question by the hon Farrow to the Minister of Transport, but none of these questions have been answered for nine months already! [Interjections.] Is it 50? Okay, 50. The point is that there are hundreds of these unanswered questions. Hon Deputy President, 789 questions submitted by members of this House remain unanswered; 613 of these have been outstanding for more than 10 working days.

I ask you, because you also have a role in this Parliament as Leader of Government Business, whether you will ensure that all parliamentary questions submitted this year will indeed be answered before the questions lapse on 13 December. If not, tell us why not and what measures you intend to institute to ensure that the 10-day-Rule will be adhered to in future. [Applause.]

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: As I stated, hon Watson, yes, indeed, Cabinet is committed to answering all questions. Even today we had a Cabinet meeting and each and every member of Cabinet was presented with a list of the outstanding questions and their numbers. We reminded them that they are expected to answer all of those questions. That's the spirit in which we approach this matter. Thank you.

Mrs J D KILIAN

 

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The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

Mrs J D KILIAN: Hon Speaker, let me first thank the Deputy President for the response. If we analyse the outstanding questions, I just want to raise a concern with regard to concurrent functions. It is not true that the Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Health can actually argue that some of the functions are provincial functions. They are concurrent functions and, therefore, they ultimately hold the responsibility for those portfolios.

Can I just say that out of the total number of written questions submitted this year, 18% have so far not been answered. Out of the 3 684 questions that were submitted by all parties, 659 are still outstanding as we are gathered here today. What is more significant is that if you analyse questions not responded to by the executive, you will see that the ANC has only 2% outstanding questions, whereas the opposition parties have a lot more. In our case, we in Cope have 23% of the outstanding questions that have not been responded to, and 66% belong to the DA and other parties.

That gives the impression that the executive does not want to be accountable to a specific component of the National Assembly. I trust that that is not true. Will the Deputy President give an undertaking that he will again stress ...

The SPEAKER: Hon member, your time has expired.

Mrs J D KILIAN: ... the importance of a responsive, open government? Thank you.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, hon Kilian. Yes, indeed, as I said, in every Cabinet meeting we remind each and every Minister about this, and furnish them with a list of outstanding questions. I must confess that we have not made an analysis of this, or put them into categories, in accordance with the party affiliations of the persons posing the questions. We just regard them as parliamentary questions and we believe it is important that all of them are responded to. We offer no excuse whatsoever in that regard.

With regard to concurrent functions, the point I'm making is that where a question requires specific information which is only available in an annual report, or which requires the Minister to go and seek answers from other people at provincial level, it is better to pose the questions to those at that level, rather than to elevate them to the national level, because then it takes a bit longer for the answers to be provided. But, what we are committing to is to respond to all questions timeously. Thank you.

Ms M L DUNJWA

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 72

 

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

IsiXhosa:

Ms M L DUNJWA: Ndiyabulela Somlomo. Ndililungu elihloniphekileyo uDunjwa, umatshini wam awusebenzi. Ndiyabulela Sekela-mongameli ngeempendulo ezicacileyo othe wasinika zona nangokusikhumbuza ukuba sithe sathatha imigaqo yamanye amazwe. Siyakubulela ke ngokusikhumbuza loo nto. Kodwa ke, ndithe xa ndimamele ndeva ukuba uyacacisa ukuba ikhona into elungiswayo yi-ofisi yakho. Sithi ke asizokuphinda sibuze omnye umbuzo, ntonje sicela i-ofisi yakho, nesigqeba sakho kunye nathi singamaLungu ePalamente ukuba silungise apho siqondayo ukuba asenzi ngokufanelekileyo. Ndiyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.]

USEKELA-MONGAMELI: Nam ndiyabulela. [Kwahlekwa.]

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 73

 

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 

QUESTIONS –

CLUSTER 4: ECONOMICS

Question 279:

English:

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Speaker, our response to hon Ramatlakane is that there are 60 official residences for Ministers and Deputy Ministers in Pretoria, 70 in Cape Town and none in Durban. With respect, we would not want to hand out the addresses of the Ministers and Deputy Ministers for obvious security reasons. The state owns these residences. No Minister or Deputy Minister occupies more than two residences. This is according to the information we have. Thank you.

Mr L RAMATLAKANE

 

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 73

 

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Chair, I would like to thank the hon Minister very much for his response. I think it is understandable that the address list of Ministers cannot be made available.

I want to ask the hon Minister about Durban. Is he saying that there is no house in Durban? Now, my information is that there is a Minister who has a house in Durban which is paid for by the state, which means it is a third house, in Durban. Specifically it is the Minister of State Security.

Could you explain, in terms of the Ministerial Handbook that you have referred to, how that can happen, or could you investigate it? We worry particularly about the nondisclosure of it, and whether there has been any disclosure, even for tax purposes.

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, I do not have this information. I will still have to investigate that. But, in terms of the records I have, I don't have any house in Durban listed. Thank you.

Mr M S F DE FREITAS

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 73

 

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Chairperson, I would like to congratulate the hon Minister on his appointment. Minister, included in the houses which you have mentioned to us today in the House must be those houses that were allocated to the sacked Ministers, Mahlangu-Nkabinde and the honourable Shiceka. [Laughter.].

Since being fired from Cabinet, both have reverted to being ordinary members of this House. Can the Minister confirm that these former Ministers have been given three months to vacate their ministerial mansions? If this is not the case, can he explain what the situation is? If it is the case, can he explain why they have been given such a long period to vacate? Who will be paying for the accommodation, security and services? Lastly, can he give this House an unequivocal undertaking that no private accommodation will be provided for them at taxpayers' expense? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, I don't know where three months comes from because my understanding is that the Cabinet reshuffle is not even a month old, or is just over a month old. My understanding is that, as per the Ministerial Handbook, given the circumstances of that particular incumbent or individual, they are allowed an extra month. They can still apply for another month, depending on the circumstances. I don't have any record of a rumour of three months. I don't know where that comes from. Thank you.

Mr J H STEENHUISEN

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 73

 

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Mr J H STEENHUISEN: Madam Chairperson, would the hon Minister agree that, if in fact it is true, as reported yesterday in the media, that the former Ministers have been given three months, this would be at the Minister's discretion? Would the Minister agree with me that, given the former Ministers' behaviour and the circumstances under which they were dismissed from Cabinet, it would be seen by South African taxpayers as undue reward for bad behaviour if they were to continue to have to pay for upkeep and the accommodation of the Ministers for a three-month period? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, I don't think we should engage in cheap politicking. I have answered this question. The issue for me is where the hon member got the three months from. If he is going to rely on the newspapers and not on fact, let me say that that is not a fact to me. I am the one to whom applications have to be made and I have not approved anything which talks about three months. I don't know where it comes from.

Ms M F TLAKE

 

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The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Ms M F TLAKE: Chair, before I ask the question, I wish firstly to congratulate the hon Minister for taking a decision to withdraw all delegations from the regions, relating to the acquisition of property for offices and residential accommodation, in order to strengthen monitoring and accountability.

I want to know from the hon Minister whether the Department of Public Works has a policy governing the leasing and allocation of official residences for Ministers and Deputy Ministers. If yes, how does the department apply its policy when leasing and allocating official residences or accommodation? If not, does the department of the Minister foresee developing this policy in the future? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Ja. Eish! [Laughter.] The allocation of the residences for Ministers and Deputy Ministers is something which is regulated by the Ministerial Handbook. In this regard, upon being sworn in as a Minister or Deputy Minister, the affected member of the executive submits a letter of application to the Minister of Public Works for the allocation of an official residence, either in Pretoria or in Cape Town. The Minister of Public Works will then allocate that residence accordingly.

In the event of there being no available residence, a member of the executive may lease alternative accommodation and claim from the department on a recoverable basis. Factors which have to be considered would include the proximity of the alternative accommodation to the legislature, to the Union Buildings or even to the headquarters, the issue of its security and risk sensitivity, and also its accessibility to the airport. That is what applies now. Therefore, the policy is there in the Ministerial Handbook. Thank you.

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Question 274:

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Hon Chairperson, in respect of the first part of the question, the cost of all National Treasury officials' commuting for government business between Pretoria and Parliament in Cape Town is R5 223 732,30 for the period from 1 April to 31 October 2011, at an average cost of some R32 648 per week.

In response to the second part of the question, I have not commissioned a study. However, this matter has been explored by government on two different occasions over the past 15 years. It has, in fact, been a subject of debate and consideration on many occasions since the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. Thank you.

Mr V G SMITH

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

Mr V G SMITH: Thank you, Chairperson. Minister, the decision to locate the executive, the legislature and the judiciary in these separate places was the result of a political compromise by a white government in 1910, as you indicated. This decision, in my view, has resulted in unnecessary costs in running government and Parliament in regard to accommodation, travel and productivity. Now, 17 years down the line, Minister, I think that the time has come for us to review this decision of the then Union government so that money that is used for these expenses can be redirected to where I think it is needed more.

So my question to you, Minister, is: In the light of the fact that you say that this thing has been debated for the past 15 years, hasn't the time come that we take an urgent and conscious decision to try to finalise this matter so that, once and for all, we know where we stand and, in my view, save unnecessary costs to the fiscus? Ngiyabonga [Thank you], Chair.

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: The hon Smith raises many valid questions, hon Chairperson. The fact of the matter is that we spend a lot of time here talking about residences, cars, and all sorts of things, and certainly the issues he raises, of efficiency, productivity and costs, are matters that somebody at some stage will have to consider. I'm a mere Minister of Finance. I dish out money that we have and don't dish out money that we don't have. Hon members are, I imagine, welcome to discuss what is clearly in the view of the hon Smith an urgent decision.

Dr D T GEORGE

 

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

Dr D T GEORGE: Chairperson, yesterday, the passage of the secrecy Bill knocked the local currency, as I mentioned in the House.

Mr G T SNELL: On a point of order, Madam Chair: Last week when the Bill was being debated, the Speaker ruled it out of order for it to be referred to as the secrecy Bill. I would like the opposition to respect the Speaker's decision ... [Interjections.] ... and for you to rule them out of order. [Applause.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Thank you, hon member. Can you please continue with your question?

Dr D T GEORGE: Thank you. When the passage of the secrecy Bill knocked the local currency yesterday, as I mentioned, ...

Mr G T SNELL: Chairperson, I would like the member to withdraw the ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Hon Dreyer, we are talking about the ... Are you listening? [Interjections.]

Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon George, D George. [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): What?

Mrs S V KALYAN: His name is D George.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): It doesn't appear on the screen. I don't know ... Who is this A M Dreyer?

Ms A M DREYER: Chairperson, point of order!

Mrs S V KALYAN: There seems to be a mix-up with the names.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Will you please refrain from pressing buttons that don't belong to you! I keep on getting A M Dreyer on the screen. [Interjections.]

Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD: He did not press a wrong button!

Mrs J D KILIAN: Chairperson, on a point of order: There was no ruling on any such matter. [Interjections.] Secondly, we have freedom of expression in the House.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Ms Kilian, we are not discussing the secrecy Bill or what was ruled or not ruled. We are here to answer questions this afternoon. Will you please respect that? If Ms Dreyer doesn't have a question, we will go on to ...

Mrs S V KALYAN: No, no. Madam Chair, I would like to address you. There seems to be a problem with the computer systems of the hon Dreyer and hon Dion George. When he presses it, her name comes up. He was still posing a question; will you please allow him to do so?

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Fine. Dr George, we will take your question. You have exactly one minute.

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig)

 

Dr D T GEORGE: Thank you. After the secrecy Bill was passed yesterday, the local currency slid at the news. [Interjections.].

Mr G T SNELL: On a point of order, Madam Chair: The Speaker made a ruling. [Interjections.] The hon Maynier changed his decision and his input. If the opposition is to respect this House and the Speaker, they need to refrain from utilising the name "secrecy Bill". I thank you. [Interjections.]

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: On a point of order, Madam Chair: The member has now misled this House twice. No ruling was made. [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Actually, with all due respect, I didn't give you a chance to speak. I'm going ...

Ms A M DREYER: Chairperson, ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): No! I am going to go on to the next question. [Interjections.] No. We will look at the record to see whether a ruling was made or not. You are saying one thing, and the other side are saying something else. We will look at the Hansard and make a decision. [Interjections.]

I have just been advised that there was no ruling. [Applause.] Dr George may continue with his question. You now have 40 seconds left.

Mr G T SNELL: Madam Chair, on a point of order: The Speaker requested ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Please! I do not want to get into a discussion.

Mr G T SNELL: ... that they refrain from referring to the Bill as the secrecy Bill because there is no secrecy Bill before this House and there never has been a secrecy Bill before this House! [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mrs F Hajaig): Just carry on, please. [Interjections.]

Dr D T GEORGE: When the Bill commonly known as the secrecy Bill was passed through this House yesterday ...

An HON MEMBER: There is no secrecy Bill here!

Dr D T GEORGE: ... the currency slid and I mentioned it in the House.

Ms L JACOBUS: Chairperson, the Bill has a name. It's not called the secrecy Bill. It's the Protection of State Information Bill – that's what the Bill is called. It's not the secrecy Bill. Can the members ... [Interjections.] Yes, if the members are informed, they will know.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Your point is taken, thank you.

An HON MEMBER: Rule, Chairperson!

Dr D T GEORGE: When the Bill known as the secrecy Bill from the old apartheid era was passed in this House yesterday, our currency slid and I mentioned it in the House. The Minister contradicted me, but Bloomberg has now indicated that the currency did slide yesterday, and here is the unsurprising headline: "Secrecy Bill vote knocks local currency". So the Minister needs to correct his statement from yesterday.

Minister, you said that the treasury spends R5 million for the National Treasury's commute. Given the investor concern over the secrecy Bill, difficulty in managing the people's money in various departments and the economic growth-sapping results, will the Minister issue a directive from the National Treasury to government departments to curtail the cost of commutes for officials in the various departments? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Chairperson, the Minister, the Minister's committee on the Budget, and indeed the Cabinet as whole have, since the onset of the recession, repeatedly said that all government employees and those who get paid by government in one way or another, which includes all of us sitting in this august Chamber, need to be extra careful about what they are spending their money on and how they are spending it. In particular, the hon George will be very familiar with my repeated reminders at the committee level and in this Chamber about the issues that he has raised. So I trust that he will use the time of this House to raise much more serious matters.

The Protection of State Information Bill was not directly related to what happened to the Rand. [Interjections.] I've got an analysis in front of me which says ... [Interjections.] No, either you want to hear an answer or you want to howl, hon members. So let's decide on that. [Interjections.] No, we'll discuss that later.

Here's more scientific evidence. Broadly, all emerging market currencies have been dropping in the last few days. Secondly, there is a serious decline in global risk appetite. Yesterday, we heard about the GDP figures from the United States, which were not as good as we had expected. Late yesterday, figures in regard to retail sales in the United States came up and they were less than what had actually been expected as well.

Today, there was a failed German bond auction. Now, if there is a failed German bond auction, it begins to tell us that the world, and investors in particular, are taking a very dim view of events in Europe and events generally in the Western World.

We can't attribute all of those massive developments in economies that dominate more than 50% of the world's economy to one Bill in this humble House. [Interjections.] That's all I have to say. [Applause.]

Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF: Chairperson, let me go back to the original question. Given that Public Works has just flattened two buildings next to Parliament and indicated to the public that they are expanding in Cape Town, money permitting, doesn't the hon Minister think it would be very unwise now to move Parliament to Pretoria at a huge cost?

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: As far as I'm aware, hon member and hon Chairperson, Public Works has made no bids for any extra money in respect of Parliament. Secondly, the building being flattened is due to somebody's decision and they will have to bear the consequences of our current fiscal environment. At the same time, the issues that hon Smith has raised are issues that all of us need to apply our minds to and make the right decisions for this country on.

Mr G B D MCINTOSH

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 74

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

Mr G B D MCINTOSH: Chairperson, I must first of all declare that I come from KwaZulu-Natal, so I don't have the provincial loyalties that my colleague, hon Koornhof, has.

Madam Chair, I believe that the Minister is the right person to look at this. I think it is good news that we are being sensible and tightening our belts - as the hon Koornhof thinks we should - and that no money is going to be spent. I mean, we can survive in this Parliament.

Furthermore, is the Minister is aware that at the time when the Union Buildings, which are beautifully depicted on the nice Christmas card we got from our President today, were built, Sir Herbert Baker not only suggested but actually made sketch plans for a Parliament Building on Meintjieskop next to the Union Buildings.

Not only that, but it would, I believe, also not be inappropriate to save money ...

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Please ask your question, Mr McIntosh.

Mr G B D MCINTOSH: The next question is: Would the Minister consider using these buildings for the Pan-African Parliament if we went to Pretoria? [Interjections.]

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Hon Chairperson, like the hon McIntosh, I come from Durban, so I don't have any attachments regarding this question. He makes interesting submissions for the House and the public to consider. Let's leave it at that.

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 75

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

Question 319

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hon House Chairperson, the department recognises the need to ensure that the majority of the South African population have access to affordable telecommunication services.

In this regard the department commissioned a benchmark study to investigate telecommunications costs in the country compared with those in some other countries, namely, Brazil, Chile, India and Malaysia. The report identified interconnection as an area which required immediate attention.

As a result, the then Minister undertook to address the high cost of mobile termination rates, MTRs, and intervened by facilitating discussions between the operators and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, which led to the agreement to gradually reduce the mobile termination rates over a period of three years.

In this regard Icasa published mobile call termination regulations on 29 October 2010. The regulations adopt a glide path which indicates that mobile voice call termination will between 2011 and 2013 decline from the current rate of 0,89c to 0,73c in March 2011, to 0,56c in March 2012, and to 0,40c in March 2013.

The department believes that these benefits will in the medium to long term be passed on to consumers through innovation in the provision of diversified telecommunications prices and services, thus encouraging services-based competition.

Retail prices have declined through competitive pressures, particularly in the offering of the new cheaper contract packages which provide smart phones and thus provide access to the Internet, supporting a core policy objective of the country.

In addition, mobile data prices have plummeted, with a two-gigabyte data bundle now costing R149 a month. On average, 500 megabytes in 2007 cost about R400 per month and now consumers can get two gigabytes at less than half of what they used to pay in 2007. Currently, consumers can get a two-gigabyte data bundle at an average cost of R149 per month. We anticipate that this trend will continue, leading to more affordable data prices to consumers.

Furthermore, the price charged by operators for a smart phone ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Mr N SINGH

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 75

 

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

Mr N SINGH: Chairperson, I thank the Minister for the response. I am not going to take a bite at the megabyte or the gigabyte – they seem too large to take a bite at them!

I am glad that the department recognises the need for cellphone charges to go down. In 2010 the former Minister did come to this House and make pronouncements on interconnection rates, but I am talking about the ordinary user in the rural areas.

I believe, and I would like your comments on this, Madam Minister, that something is incumbent upon this government, given the fact that the fixed line that is provided by Telkom is not being used by many people, particularly in rural areas. In many rural areas, and I am sure hon members can confirm this, cables are being stolen and Telkom is refusing to replace the cables. Therefore Mrs Ramfol, Mrs Ngcobo and Mrs Van der Merwe who live on farms are forced to use cellphones.

Now, with this kind of phenomenon, the fact that Telkom is not prepared to invest more, and we agree on this, shouldn't we be putting more pressure on Icasa to put pressure on the cellphone operators to reduce cellphone charges, because they are way too high at this moment? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hon House Chair, I would like to start with the element that the hon Singh referred to, the fact that Telkom refuses to replace stolen cables. I think it is the responsibility of all of us to encourage people who know that there are people who are stealing cables to tell the police, so that we don't have a situation like we have.

Secondly, we will encourage Telkom to replace those cables that are stolen. However, we all know that this costs a lot of money because people steal cables on a daily basis, and we need everybody in South Africa to help us to stop that.

Lastly, we are engaging with Icasa to try to ensure that they facilitate discussions with the mobile service providers and communicate with them in such a way that the prices can come down. Thank you, hon Chair.

Ms A VAN WYK

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 75

 

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

Ms A VAN WYK: Chairperson, I thank the Minister for her reply. Minister, as you importantly point out, the reason for the whole exercise is that the ordinary consumer can benefit from the reduced fees. Can we ask, Minister, whether Icasa has done an impact study to see what the impact on the consumers has been since the implementation of this sliding scale? If Icasa hasn't done such an impact study yet, would you instruct them to do such a study so that we can ensure that what is happening is actually benefiting the consumer, and not merely the service providers organising new packages that seem to cost less?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hon Chair, I agree with the hon member here. We met with Icasa a week ago and we discussed all burning issues within Icasa as a regulator. We will continue to encourage them to do what is right for the people of South Africa. Thank you.

Mr N J VAN DEN BERG

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 75

 

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

Mr N J VAN DEN BERG: Thank you, Chairperson. Minister, there are a couple of words I have been hearing every day since I came to Parliament in 2009. The government is always engaged in discussions – I am not sure when and where, but we just hear about discussions going on. We need action now. That's the main thing. I am telling this House today that the Department of Communications, DOC, is dragging its feet on a lot of issues.

I urge the Minister to look at the cellphone rates, because the poor in the rural areas pay the same as the middle-class people in South Africa. Some of them are spending a high percentage of their social grants on cellphone cards. You can go and investigate – that is the truth, Madam Minister. So something must be done. The fact that people are communicating is very important and we can't take that away from them. Thank you. [Time expired.]

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hon Chair, firstly, hon Van Wyk asked a question, or requested me to respond to the question that I responded to earlier on. I said that we would like everybody to have access to fixed lines but, unfortunately, there is a lot of cable stealing. Therefore, we call upon every Member of Parliament and also the community of South Africa to assist us by saying to people that they must desist from stealing cables.

Secondly, we are engaging with Icasa to make sure that they communicate with the mobile service providers to reduce the prices. Thank you very much, hon Chair. [Applause.]

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 75

 

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Hon Minister, there are concerns among the public about whether or not steps have been taken, or can be taken, to ensure that a substantial reduction in MTRs actually benefits the consumers, for example, in ensuring that retail prices are not raised in time, and consumers are not charged for both incoming and outgoing calls, which would disadvantage prepaid and, therefore, mostly low-income customers. I did hear you say that you have suggested that there should be talks on this area, but could you just make clearer whether you have perhaps already done anything that is ensuring that we are on this path. Thank you.

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hon Chairperson, I would like to indicate that the Regulatory Impact Assessment Framework was adopted by Icasa in this financial year. The only thing that has not yet been done is the study on the cost of communication post the promulgation of the interconnection regulations. This has not yet been conducted. However, Icasa may conduct such a study in the next financial year, and we believe that with our continuous engagement we will then improve. Thank you very much, Chair. [Applause.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

 

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The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

 

Question 275:

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Chairperson, I thank the hon Bhengu for the question. There are, indeed, technical norms and standards that have been developed to guide roads authorities on the upgrading of roads from gravel to paved. However, these norms and standards tend to be rather technical, based on the internal rate of return and also traffic counts. Apparently, the guideline is that when 200 vehicles per day use a gravel road, it can be upgraded to a tarred road.

Now, I think this is a general indicator, but technical indicators like this do not take into account a whole range of social and economic factors. We all know of examples where a gravel road is tarred in order to take vehicles to a place of interest for tourists. What happens is that it often then attracts a considerable amount of traffic, often way beyond the anticipated volumes. We have also got very large numbers of gravel roads in our country that do have more than 200 vehicles on them but which are not tarred, for the good reason that there is not enough capacity, there are not enough resources and there are all kinds of challenges.

So, in short, yes, there are norms and standards, but this matter is best left to the relevant authority – whether municipal or provincial – to link decisions around road upgrades and road maintenance to integrated development plans. There are some good examples in our country of provinces, for instance, doing this. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works is one case. The Deputy Minister, Mr Hanekom, said I should be statesperson-like, like the Deputy President, so let me say the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works is also a good example. In both cases, these provinces look at the technical requirements in regard to vehicle counts, but also bring to bear social and economic factors, which are then weighted in a consultative process with various stakeholders and role-players.

In the case of Gauteng province – and I think it is important also, in response to the hon Bhengu's question - the problems of poor roads are not just rural. It is often in a rural area, but it is also often in urban areas. The standards are very unequal and many townships suffer from very poor roads. In the case of Gauteng, they have prioritised 20 townships in the 20 Priority Township Programme, and that programme has been taken over and run by the Johannesburg Roads Agency. Thank you.

Ms N R BHENGU

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The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

 

Ms N R BHENGU: Through you, hon Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister, it is clear from your response that the Department of Transport shares a common view with the ANC study group on transport on the following issues: Firstly, there is the uneven level of standards of roads for urban and rural communities, which deprives rural communities of realising their social and economic development potential.

Secondly, the formula used in allocating financial resources for the upgrading of gravel roads in rural areas is currently not based on the objective of unlocking the social and economic development potential of rural communities, as it is based on the number of cars that use each road.

Could the hon Deputy Minister explain the relationship between the formula used to allocate financial resources for the upgrading of rural gravel roads and the development-orientated objective of unlocking the social and economic potential of rural communities? If we understand transport to be a critically important aspect in attracting investment to underdeveloped areas, how do we hope to attract investment to rural areas when the allocation of resources for rural road development is not determined by the investment potential of each area and the poor condition of roads in such areas? Thank you. [Time expired.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Chairperson, yes, indeed, as I indicated in my first response, the formula for allocating resources is purely a technical formula, and we do expect it to be applied with social and economic considerations in mind as well, both at the provincial and at the municipal level.

I think a good example of our intentions in this respect is the current S'hamba Sonke roads maintenance programme, over which I know the portfolio committee has had some oversight. There the idea is not just to focus narrowly on volumes of vehicles, but to conduct road maintenance with a view to repairing critical arterial roads – to identify particular strategic roads – to do so in cost-efficient ways that are labour-absorbing, and also to encourage provinces to know their network. Very often the problem in regard to maintenance and road construction, road repair and road extension is that decisions are made in complete ignorance, at the local level very often, of the actual network that they are dealing with. With the S'hamba Sonke programme we have also identified, in particular, roads that provide access to schools and clinics, and obviously also road construction that will make roads safer, both for pedestrians and for vehicular traffic users.

So, yes, indeed, hon Bhengu, we need to look at road maintenance, road construction and road extension in a comprehensive way that critically takes into account integrated development plans, and unlocking social and economic opportunities in rural areas and, let me repeat, also in urban areas where very often the poor, the working class, suffer from many, many impediments in regard to infrastructure provision.

Mr S B FARROW

 

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 76

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

 

Mr S B FARROW: Chairperson, the DA celebrated when the Minister announced the formation of the dedicated Road Infrastructure Maintenance Fund, as we had been calling for it for many years in this House. It is a well-known fact that the public out there do not know who is responsible for fixing potholes or a bad roads, whether they are national roads, provincial roads or even the rural roads that the hon Bhengu referred to. The dedicated Road Infrastructure Maintenance Fund, if it had been properly managed, could have allowed for these funds to be allocated to each province and local authority on a proportional and prioritised basis, based on, according to this document, some form of classification.

However, Deputy Minister, we have a dilemma. We are sitting with a backlog of R140 billion on our national and provincial roads alone; we have municipalities and metros that do not have sufficient funds or basic services, never mind for road maintenance; and we have a mass of toll loans that need to be settled. If this project of R23 billion had been applied properly, which we had a look at when we went and visited the sites, these monies would have gone down to the municipalities and they could then have been effectively used to fix up the rural roads which are in such a state of disrepair.

How then, Deputy Minister, with all these aspects, are you now going to fund this departmental backlog and the needs in the rural communities for the medium and long term in your department, and how do you intend monitoring these funds to ensure that the programme is applied by the book? [Time expired.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: I thank the hon Farrow. The S'hamba Sonke programme to which he is referring is a very new programme. It came into operation in February this year, with this financial year. There are teething problems with it and I think that the portfolio committee produced an excellent report on some of their oversight work. This has helped us, as a department, to understand the successes – because there are successes – but also some of the challenges, which one would expect in a relatively new programme of this order.

One of the shortcomings, and I agree with what the hon Farrow is suggesting, is that it is allocated to provinces through the Division of Revenue Act, and the requirement is that it should be spent only on provincial roads. However, it does allow for memoranda of understanding to be concluded between provinces and municipalities, and this has happened in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. So, there are some municipal roads benefiting from the S'hamba Sonke programme. However, I think we do need to look at ensuring that there is a much better allocation of resources, to the municipal sphere as well.

Let me leave my response at that. I think this is a programme that certainly needs to be supported. However, it also needs lots of supervision and oversight, not only from the parliamentary side, but also from the Department of Transport.

Mr M S F DE FREITAS

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 76

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Chair, the Deputy Minister spoke about the S'hamba Sonke programme, which we are all supporting. However, what it really is is an amalgamation of all the equitable share that has been put into a basket, a share that had belonged to the various provinces. We were led to believe that, in fact, these were additional funds, only to find that this is not the case.

In addition to what is already there and was there anyway, do the Deputy Minister and his department intend to top up so that the backlog can be reduced dramatically and a lot faster? Does he intend to top up this fund? If so, can he give us an indication of when and how much we are talking about? If not, why not? Thank you.

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: I rather think that that is a question that should be addressed to my colleague, the Minister of Finance! Obviously, we would certainly like to see an increase in allocation to roads in general.

Let me explain what has happened with the S'hamba Sonke programme. The member is quite right to say that this is not new money. It is basically a slice of the money that was in any case dedicated to provinces for road maintenance. The problem there was that very often in provinces money that was in the equitable share and was notionally for road maintenance, road repair and road extension, for instance, did not hit the tar, literally. It ended up in salaries and in all kinds of other things.

What we have done this time round is that we have at least ring-fenced the allocation. Even then, there is some suggestion in one or two provinces that even that has not quite worked. However, the idea is to absolutely ensure that the money that is allocated for road maintenance goes into road maintenance, and that we spend it effectively also in terms of our job creation priorities - so, labour-intensive methods.

Just this month the department entered into an agreement with provinces to ensure that as a department we increase our oversight capacity. Although it is money that is allocated to provinces in terms of the Division of Revenue Act, it is important that there is some assistance to provinces using the Department of Transport. What we are exploring in particular is using the SA National Roads Agency Ltd, Sanral, to maybe move them a little bit away from building too many toll roads and to focus them on using their project management capacity, their tendering capacity and their technical skills - these are often lacking in the municipal sphere and in some provinces - and deploying these to really addressing the areas where the roads issue is perhaps at its most dire, which is typically at the provincial and municipal level.

Mrs J D KILIAN: I had to press this button because my hon member behind me, Mr Kganare's button is not working. Can you please just give him the opportunity? [Laughter.]

Mr D A KGANARE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 76

 

Mrs J D KILIAN

 

Mr D A KGANARE: Chair, I wish to say this to the hon Deputy Minister. There is a particular coincidence which has occurred, and I ask you whether you will make it possible for these coincidences not to continue to take place. R32 million's worth of tarred road was constructed – coincidentally – at the hon Sicelo Shiceka's residence ... [Interjections.] ... and the same coincidence happened in KwaZulu-Natal, involving the hon President's homestead. Is the message you are sending out that you must either have a Minister or a President from your village in order for your village to get a tarred road? [Time expired.] [Laughter.] [Interjections.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: It is a different question, but let me at least respond to it in general terms. The Department of Transport's policy is obviously to apply a strategic approach and to encourage provinces and municipalities to integrate their road maintenance, road building and road construction clearly with their integrated development plans and their integrated transport plans, and to prioritise – obviously – the key priorities of this government, which would be poverty relief, job creation and basically creating social and economic opportunities.

I cannot comment specifically on these cases. I think that those are the kinds of questions that should be directed to the relevant road authorities that were responsible for these particular decisions.

The MINISTER OF ENERGY

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

 

Question 280:

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Chairperson, the reply to question 280 is that it is a condition of the nuclear installation licence issued by the National Nuclear Regulator for operators to monitor the environment around any nuclear installation.

Currently, the National Nuclear Regulator monitors public exposure around nuclear installations and no exposures above regulatory limits have been found. Should the need arise, it is expected that the National Nuclear Regulator will work with the health professionals best able to handle epidemiological studies.

I need to indicate that the Director-General, DG, of Health is the responsible official to report exposures to the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in compliance with the guidelines of the agency's assessments. Thank you.

Mrs C DUDLEY

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77

 

The MINISTER OF ENERGY

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Thank you, Chair. Hon Minister, will this be looking at whether the effects on health of groundwater systems, food chains and the air that we breathe are included in the monitoring for possible contamination? Also, has special attention been paid to monitoring women, who are 52% more likely to develop cancer from any radioactive contamination?

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Chairperson, the response is yes, and it is important that I repeat the point related to the DG of the Department of Health. The DG is the official responsible for reporting exposures, as well as dealing with any matter that has been proved to be involved. So, I believe that that deals with the issues raised by the hon member.

In regard to the issues related to groundwater systems, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, together with the Department of Mineral Resources, is part of the Interministerial Committee, IMC, on Acid Mine Drainage. The Department of Energy is a support department in relation to making sure that that water, equally, is tested for any potential radiation. Thank you.

Mr S C MOTAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77

 

The MINISTER OF ENERGY

 

Mr S C MOTAU: Thank you, Chairperson. Minister, thank you very much for making the point that the monitoring has to be done, and we know that it is being done.

I would like to draw your attention specifically to the issue of Pelindaba and make the point that a study was done on the integrity of some the radioactive contamination monitors employed at some of our facilities, and these were found wanting. They trigger at levels much higher than where they should, and we believe that this has subsequently led to the controversy and dispute that is now afflicting the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation, Necsa, and some its ex-employees. They say that they got ill at work for several reasons.

Firstly, they were overexposed to radiation. Secondly, they were not allowed to go and see their own doctors after they had been seen by Necsa doctors. Thirdly, the Necsa doctors refused to give them their documentation to take to their own doctors.

And then, most importantly, they claim that there are dangerous areas on the premises at Pelindaba, where radioactive material has been dumped near Gates 1, 2 and 3, and the picnic area. I have been to these places, so I know what they look like. What steps are being taken to make sure that the integrity of the machines is maintained? Thank you. [Time expired.]

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Chairperson, I thank the hon Motau for that question. I want to indicate that I have on several occasions interacted with these former employees of Necsa.

I need also to indicate, in regard to the report that you are talking about, that if it is the same report that I know of, these workers were subjected to several examinations by the Department of Health as the responsible authority in this particular matter, but I don't think that there is anybody in South Africa that can prevent any individual from seeing a doctor of their choice.

The unfortunate situation is that the reports of those doctors have to be subject to guidelines that are in compliance with what the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, indicates are the requisite levels of exposure.

There are organisations in this country that have been mobilising this community in particular against the South African government and the South African nuclear policy. They are using that as a basis for what they are doing, without necessarily looking into when the events are supposed to have happened.

I need to indicate that I personally had a public meeting with these people at the Atteridgeville open arena and I believe that whatever they raised has been addressed. We also agreed on that day that if they had additional queries, they should come and engage with us.

They would come to these meetings wearing T-shirts that displayed nuclear exposure images and messages about Fukushima. I don't know whether the accident at Fukushima happened in 1980, as they indicated in regard to their own level of exposure.

So, I need to indicate that we have dealt with the matter, but also that Necsa at Pelindaba has been subject to assessment by the National Nuclear Regulator, NNR, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agencies' own assessment mechanism.

Hon Motau, you will remember that this is one area that is always visited by the director-general of the agency himself when he visits South Africa. I believe that had it not been for the challenges of Fukushima, he would have been here in April, and he is still going to come. However, we had the honour of being visited by the assessment team. They also visited Koeberg and you will remember also, because of our seriousness about safety regarding exposure of South Africans, that without any pressure we called on the agency to subject Koeberg itself to a stress test. Thank you.

Mr G J SELAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77

 

The MINISTER OF ENERGY

 

Mr G J SELAU: Chairperson, I thank the hon Minister for a very informative response in this regard. The question is whether the NNR has been collaborating with municipalities, as well as the Department of Health, on communities next to such radioactive sites. Furthermore, to what extent is the Minister satisfied with such? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF ENERGY: Chairperson, I thank the hon Selau for the question. Yes, the NNR has been engaging with the local authorities, as well as the Department of Health. This relationship has been formalised by the co-operative agreement concluded, as provided for by section 6 of the National Nuclear Regulator Act to give effect to the principles of co-operative governance.

We are satisfied that the NNR co-operates with other entities of state in order to ensure effective monitoring and control of nuclear hazards, while avoiding any duplication, because it is important that we understand what each arm is doing.

In relation to a specific municipal area, the NNR engaged with Mogale City Local Municipality on the need for the relocation of people residing in contaminated areas of Chudo Shaft. I should indicate here that it is the responsibility of the municipality to engage with the affected residents on the need for them to relocate. When we are expected to go and give a motivation for why that community must be relocated, we as the Department of Energy will provide the necessary support, together with the NNR and other entities like Science and Technology, to make sure that we can convince the people to move away from those particular areas for their own safety.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Order! Question No 328, to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will stand over.

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77A

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig)

 

Question 282:

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES: Hon Chair, the answer to the first part is that the department will always follow procedures laid down in sections 93 and 47 in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, MPRDA, in making sure that companies are compliant.

The answer to the second part is that the department will always ensure that it follows all administrative processes in ensuring that at the end of the day companies are compliant and will be able to implement sections 47 and 93 as required by the Act.

Adv H C SCHMIDT

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77A

 

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES

 

Adv H C SCHMIDT: Madam Chair, the top 10 companies have during the past three weeks indicated that they have broadly achieved the Mining Charter targets set for 2014. In fact, whilst the Department of Mineral Resources, DMR, has indicated that the mining houses have achieved only 8,9% in terms of ownership targets, the Chamber of Mines and all the mining companies have indicated that the industry norm on ownership targets has been 26,8% – in fact, already the target set for 2014. Cancelling mining licences without agreed figures between the mining sector and the DMR will have highly litigious consequences and be an investment time bomb.

In the light of the above, will the Minister consider appointing an accredited auditor's firm to factually, and not politically, establish the extent to which the targets for 2014 have been met. Thank you.

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES: Hon Chair, I just want to indicate that the figures he has we as the regulator do not have. I must also indicate that I had a meeting with the Chamber last week and they alluded to the fact that the companies had not achieved this.

With the current problems and challenges we are facing, if the big companies, the 10 big companies which you are talking about, could achieve this, I don't think we would be having an issue with the transformation of the mining sector in this country. They are far from that. I further need to ask: if your Anglos and BHPs, those companies, have not achieved this, how can you say that most of them have achieved the 2014 targets? They have not – we are engaging on that.

Part of the process has been to improve the Mining Charter in a way that allows us to review this on an annual basis, and ask how we can best achieve those targets. What was presented to the portfolio committee by the Chamber and the CEO was incorrect. I just want to say that, and they have alluded to that. There are many factors attached to the Charter which are required, and they are not compliant at this stage. We are engaging with them with the intention of ensuring that when 2014 comes, we will be better off and they will have achieved this.

Mr M F GONA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 77A

 

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES

 

Mr M F GONA: Thank you very much, chairperson, ...

IsiZulu:

... ngixolise kakhulu, bengisaye endlini encane.

English:

In line with your response and commitments made by the DMR in the Strategic Plan, hon Minister, how far are you in establishing the Compliance Unit which, we noted in our Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report, BRRR, will indeed assist the department to monitor and ensure compliance with mining laws and policies by mining companies? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES: I thank the hon member. I want to indicate that the issue of the Compliance Unit within the department forms part of our broader restructuring of the department. We are in the process of looking at the relevant personnel, who will be able to fit into that unit, and also making sure that it is budgeted for, because it is not going to help us to have a unit which has not been budgeted for. We hope, come the next financial year, that it will be fully operational and properly funded.

Mrs M M MAUNYE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

Mrs M M MAUNYE: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

That the House debates mechanisms to ensure improvement in securing our border control and co-ordination of security.

Mr G J SELAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Mrs M M MAUNYE

 

Mr G J SELAU: Madam Chair, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

That the House debates a strategy to deal with the fast-growing piracy in DVDs and CDs.

Mrs N M TWALA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Mr G J SELAU

 

Mrs N M TWALA: Hon Chair, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

That the House debates means to expand access to food production skills in rural areas.

Mrs M V MAFOLO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Mrs N M TWALA

 

Mrs M V MAFOLO: Hon Chair, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

That the House debates youth wage subsidy as one of the means to address joblessness.

Ms M A MOLEBATSI

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Mrs M V MAFOLO

 

Ms M A MOLEBATSI: Hon Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

That the House debates mechanisms geared to reducing crime in rural areas nationally.

Ms K R MAGAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Ms M A MOLEBATSI

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

(Draft Resolution)

Ms K R MAGAU: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually observed on 3 December;

(2) further notes that the theme for 2011 is "Together for a better world for all: including persons with disabilities in development";

(3) recalls that persons with disabilities make up an estimated 10% of the world's population, 80% of which resides in developing countries;

(4) believes that when persons with disabilities are empowered to participate and lead the process of development, their entire community benefits, as their involvement creates opportunities for everyone; and

(5) acknowledges that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is both a human rights treaty and a development tool, provides an opportunity to strengthen development policies related to the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals, thereby contributing to the realisation of a "society for all" in the 21st century.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Ms K R MAGAU

 

TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY, WINNER OF

2011 IMVELO RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Hon Chair, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that on 9 November the Table Mountain Cableway was selected as the overall winner of the 2011 Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award;

(2) further notes that this prestigious award, which creates awareness of environmental management issues in the industry and is open to any type of tourism or hospitality business in Africa, commends the Cableway for its quantifiable, tangible and sustainable contribution to tourism;

(3) recognises the continued success of Table Mountain after being named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World;

(4) further recognises that Table Mountain Cableway continues to be at the forefront of environmental stewardship;

(5) acknowledges that the Cableway was applauded by the judges for its overall performance and sustained commitment to responsible practice and that it has since 2005 been a finalist and winner in various categories of the Imvelo Awards; and

(6) congratulates the management and staff of the Table Mountain Cableway on this monumental achievement.

Agreed to.

Ms K R MAGAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

PALESA MASUKU, WINNER OF

2011 ESKOM EXPO FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

(Draft Resolution)

Ms K R MAGAU: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that Palesa Masuku is the overall winner of the 2011 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, as well as joint winner of the Eskom Best Female Project;

(2) further notes that her experiments with marula nuts led to her discovery that marula nuts turn into a coal-like form and can be used as an alternative energy source to wood and paraffin for water heating and cooking in the home;

(3) recognises that Ms Masuku will be jetting off to the United Kingdom in August next year for the 2012 London International Youth Science Forum, which is attended annually by some of the world's best young achievers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation; and

(4) congratulates her on her accomplishments and wishes her well when she represents South Africa in London next year.

Agreed to.

Mrs S V KALYAN

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Ms K R MAGAU

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PEACE PRIZE 2011

AWARDED TO MICHAELA MYCROFT

(Draft Resolution)

Mrs S V Kalyan: I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that Michaela Mycroft was awarded the International Children's Peace Prize 2011 in Amsterdam for her enduring commitment to the rights of children with disabilities in South Africa through her project, the Chaeli Campaign;

(2) further notes that Michaela was born with cerebral palsy and has limited limb function, and has assisted more than 3 000 children with disabilities through the Chaeli Campaign;

(3) recognises that the International Children's Peace Prize is awarded to exceptional children who have made a significant difference in the lives of children around the world;

(4) commends Michaela Mycroft for the receipt of this prestigious award and for the work that she and her family do; and

(5) calls on all South Africans to acknowledge this great achievement and to become motivated to do more to assist persons living with disabilities.

Agreed to.

Ms K R MAGAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 78

 

Mrs S V KALYAN

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA LEADING UNESCO IN FIGHT

SUPPORTING GLOBAL ANTI-DOPING EFFORTS

(Draft Resolution)

Ms K R MAGAU: Hon Chair, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that South Africa's visible lead in anti-doping policies has resulted in South Africa's leading Unesco in the fight in support of global anti-doping efforts;

(2) further notes that this is evident with the appointment of the Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen, as chair of Unesco's Conference of Parties to the International Convention against Doping in Sport on 16 November 2011;

(3) recognises that the International Convention against Doping in Sport helps governments commit to the global anti-doping rules, policies and guidelines in order to provide an honest and equitable playing environment for all athletes;

(4) acknowledges that South Africa is being recognised as exhibiting innovative and committed leadership in delivering on the Unesco Convention against Doping in Sport in the country and the continent of Africa; and

(5) further acknowledges that this leadership role will strengthen our international partnerships, especially with other African countries, with regard to implementing best practice in anti-doping.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 79

 

Ms K R MAGAU

 

 

 

 

 

SA FOOTBALLER MAY MAHLANGU'S AWARD

AS SWEDISH PLAYER OF THE YEAR

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Chair, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) congratulates South African footballer, May Mahlangu, on his award as Swedish Player of the Year at the Swedish Football Gala on 7 November;

(2) notes that this skilled midfielder was instrumental in 2011 in the success of his club, FC Helsingborg, as they completed a league and cup double win;

(3) acknowledges that Mahlangu, who is part of the SA Under 23 squad, scored 5 goals in 35 appearances for Helsingborg and has as a result of this success been hailed as a future international star for Bafana Bafana; and

(4) congratulates Mahlangu and wishes him the utmost success for the rest of his career.

Agreed to.

Ms K R MAGAU

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 Take: 79

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

UN INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY

(Draft Resolution)

Ms K R MAGAU: Hon Chair, I move without notice:

That the House-

(1) notes that in 1996, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 7 December International Civil Aviation Day, Icad, to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation and the role that the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Icao, plays in international air transport;

(2) further notes that the Icao is the body responsible for developing international standards for aviation safety;

(3) acknowledges that the theme for this year's worldwide celebration of International Civil Aviation Day is "Assistance and co-operation for globally sustainable air transport"; and

(4) further acknowledges that the South African commemoration of International Civil Aviation Day will take place in Bisho, Eastern Cape, from 5 to 7 December 2011.

Agreed to.

The House adjourned at 17:19.