Hansard: Members' statements

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 20 Feb 2012

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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START OF DAY

 

TUESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2012

PROCEEDINDGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

_____________________________

The House met at 14:02.

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

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

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START OF DAY

 

NEW MEMBERS

(Announcement)

The Speaker announced that the vacancies which occurred owing to the resignations from the National Assembly of Ms B P Sonjica, Ms G L Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Mr E Godongwana had been filled, with effect from 7 February 2012, by the nominations of Ms G S Sindane, Ms R M M Lesoma and Mr S M Mayatula respectively.

OATH

 

The Speaker further announced that, in terms of section 48 of the Constitution, members of the National Assembly must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution before they begin to perform their functions in the National Assembly.

Ms G Sindane, Ms R M M Lesoma and and Mr S M Mayatula, accompanied by Mrs X C Makasi and N D Ngcengwane, made and subscribed the Oath, and took their seats.

NOTICES OF MOTION / GG//GM (ed) / END OF TAKE

 

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The SPEAKER

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

Mr S MOKGALAPA: Speaker, on behalf of the DA I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That this House debates the challenges in the implementation of the urban settlement development grant, and comes up with recommendations to improve the situation.

Mr N SINGH

 

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Mr S MOKGALAPA

 

Mr N SINGH: Speaker, on behalf of the IFP I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework applicable to companies that make use of our rivers for the discharge of effluent.

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

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Mr N SINGH

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ACDP I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the results of the South African Reconciliation Barometer survey on the annual audit conducted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, which suggests that significant numbers of people feel it is better to have a low-paying job than no job at all, and the pros and cons of changing regulations to better meet their aspirations and reduce unemployment.

Mr P D MBHELE

 

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Mrs C DUDLEY

 

Mr P D MBHELE: Speaker, on behalf of Cope I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the implications of the arms deal inquiry regulations published recently, which determine that no copy of the report may be released without the President's authorisation.

Mrs N J NGELE

 

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Mr P D MBHELE

 

Mrs N J NGELE: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates celebrating the legacy of the first President of the ANC, Langalibalele John Dube, Mafukuzela, who presided over the ANC from 1912 to 1917.

Mrs M WENGER

 

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Mrs N J NGELE

 

Mrs M WENGER: Mr Speaker, on behalf of the DA I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the state of South Africa's bulk water infrastructure and comes up with recommendations to improve the situation.

Mrs T E KENYE

 

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Mrs M WENGER

 

Mrs T E KENYE: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates strategies to deal with teen suicide.

Mrs S P KOPANE

 

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Mrs T E KENYE

 

Mrs S P KOPANE: Speaker, on behalf of the DA I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the recent performance and accountability measures of the Health Professions Council of SA, and comes up with the recommendations to improve the situation.

Mr C M MONI

 

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Mrs S P KOPANE

 

Mr C M MONI: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates promotion of racial integration amongst students at South Africa' tertiary institutions.

Ms L H ADAMS

 

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Mr C M MONI

 

Ms L H ADAMS: Speaker, on behalf of Cope I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the unacceptably high number of

4 590 pending complaints of alleged misconduct against attorneys under the jurisdiction of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces.

Mr S B HAUNG

 

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Mr J H VAN DER MERWE

 

Mr S B HAUNG: Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates strategic interventions to curb rhino poaching.

Mr J H VAN DER MERWE

 

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Mr S B HUANG

 

Mr J H VAN DER MERWE: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the IFP, the following:

That the House-

(1) notices with pride 13 sixes hit by Richard Levi for the Proteas against New Zealand; and

(2) warns the ANC that the IFP is going to hit more sixes in the next elections.

[Laughter.]

Mrs S V KALYAN: Speaker, with all due respect, that is not a notice of a motion.

Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD

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Mr J H VAN DER MERWE

 

Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD: Speaker, on behalf of the DA I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the operational performance of the Central Firearms Registry and comes up with recommendations to improve the situation.

Ms A C MASHISHI

 

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Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD

 

Ms A C MASHISHI: Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates strengthening the social contract between government, teacher unions, teacher training institutions, parents, school governing body organisations, and business and civil-society organisations.

Mr M S F de FREITAS

 

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Ms A C MASHISHI

 

Mr M S F de FREITAS: Speaker, on behalf of the DA I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:

That the House debates the shortage of staff, and the infrastructural and capacity problems experienced at Home Affairs, and identifies solutions to resolve these.

MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

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NOTICES OF MOTION: Mr M S F de FREITAS

 

IMAGE OF NELSON MANDELA TO APPEAR ON SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW CURRENCY NOTES

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) notes that the image of 93-year-old Nelson Mandela will appear on South Africa's new currency notes to honour the revered liberation hero and to mark the 22nd anniversary of the anti-apartheid icon's release from prison;

(2) further notes that the new note series in R10, R20, R100 and R200 denominations, each different in colour, will feature an engraving of the former President with the reverse side of the note continuing to show the country's big five animals;

(3) welcomes the introduction of the notes as the beginning of a campaign to ensure that a new generation remembers Mandela's efforts, which have made him a world icon; and

(4) believes that this is a befitting tribute to a man who became a symbol of this country's struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE BY SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETER RICHARD LEVI

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Mr Speaker, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) notes the exceptional performance of South African cricketer Richard Levi in the Twenty20 match between South Africa and New Zealand on Sunday;

(2) further notes that by smashing an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls, Levi propelled South Africa to an emphatic victory over New Zealand, levelling the three match series at one all;

(3) further acknowledges that with this performance, Levi broke several international Twenty20 cricketing records, including the fastest century achieved in 45 balls and the most sixes in a match, that being 13, and his final score of 117 not out equalled the highest Twenty20 score in history; and

(4) congratulates Levi on his achievements and wishes him well for the rest of his career.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY ON 21 FEBRUARY

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, Hon Deputy President, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) notes that November 17 is International Mother Language Day, which is annually observed and celebrated worldwide in support of language diversity and variety;

(2) believes that language is the most powerful instrument of preserving and developing the tangible and intangible heritage of a nation;

(3) further believes that the promotion of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingualism, but also help in the development of indigenous linguistic and cultural traditions in our country and throughout the world, as well as inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue; and

(4) calls upon government, nongovernmental organisations, learning institutions and South Africans in general to use this day to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism, as well as to encourage South Africans to learn more than one language.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

SOUTH AFRICAN GOLFER JBé KRUGER WINS AVANTHA MASTERS TOURNAMENT IN GARGOAN, INDIA

(Draft Resolution)

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

That the House -

(1) notes that on Sunday, South African golfer, Jbé Kruger, won the Avantha Masters tournament that was held in Gargoan, India;

(2) further notes that by scoring an impressive 14-under par, Kruger clinched his maiden European PGA Tour title;

(3) acknowledges that with this victory, Kruger joins the ranks of formidable South African golfers such as Retief Goosen and Ernie Els; and

(4) congratulates Kruger on this wonderful achievement.

Agreed to.

Rev K R J MESHOE

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

MATRIC STUDENT LETLHOGONOLA MAFELA PASSES GRADE 12 WITH UNIVERSITY EXEMPTION DESPITE PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES

(Draft Resolution)

Rev K R J MESHOE: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) notes with great admiration that Letlhogonolo Mafela from Mafikeng passed Grade 12 with university exemption despite being born without arms;

(2) further notes that Mafela uses his right foot to write and when he gets tired, uses his mouth;

(3) acknowledges that to give Mafela a fair chance of passing, the Motuba High School applied to the examiners to allow him more time, but he did not need it and completed all his papers in the same time as his classmates;

(4) further acknowledges that despite his difficulties, he passed all seven subjects that he wrote and has been admitted to the North West University, Mafikeng campus;

(5) agrees with MEC Elisha, who bestowed the provincial meritorious award on Mafela, saying that his determination was an inspiration to humanity;

(6) congratulates Mafela on his great achievement against all odds and for following the advice of the principal of the Motuba High School who told him that determination, dedication, discipline and hard work were the keys to success; and

(7) wishes him well in attaining his dream of becoming a scientist one day.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

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Rev K R J MESHOE

 

FORMER DEPUTY PRESIDENT BALEKA MBETE TO SERVE ON THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONS

(Draft Resolutions)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) welcomes the appointment of former Deputy President, Baleka Mbete, to serve on the African Peer Review Mechanism Panel of Eminent Persons;

(2) notes that former Deputy President, Baleka Mbete, was unanimously appointed by the 16th Summit of the Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government of the APRM Forum on the margins of the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa;

(3) believes that with her experience and expertise, former Deputy President Mbete will add a lot of value to this august body; and

(4) congratulates her on this appointment and wishes her the very best in her endeavours to contribute to Africa's development and improve the lives of the communities on our continent.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

SOUTH AFRICA'S CONSTITUTION CELEBRATES ITS 15TH BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:

That the House -

(1) acknowledges that South Africa's Constitution, which was signed into law on 10 December 1996, but came into effect on 4 February 1997, celebrates its 15th birthday this year;

(2) further acknowledges that South Africa's Constitution is one of the most progressive in the world and enjoys high acclaim internationally;

(3) notes that an initiative by Media Monitoring Africa, entitled, "We The People", focuses on educating South Africans about the Constitution and aims to have one million South Africans, between 10 February and 29 February, tell the world why they love their Constitution; and

(4) urges all South Africans to participate in this campaign via SMS, MXit, Facebook, Twitter and the campaign's website.

Agreed to.

Mrs I C DITSHETELO / ARM / END OF TAKE

 

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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE

(The late Mrs M N Matladi)

Mrs I C DITSHETELO: Speaker, I move the draft resolution printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:

That the House-

(1) notes-

(a) with great sadness the passing of Mrs Mavis Ntebaleng Matladi, a member of the National Assembly, the Chief Whip of the United Christian Democratic Party, the UCDP president and leader in Parliament;

(b) that Mrs Matladi died in hospital in Johannesburg on 2 December 2011 and her funeral was held in Zeerust, North West, on 9 December 2011;

(c) that Mrs Matladi had the following qualifications from the University of Bophuthatswana: a university Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Education; and

(d) that Mrs Matladi served as a teacher at the Seabe High School from 1984 to 1986, was promoted to head of department in 1987 at the Motswedi High School where she served until 1989, was appointed as a lecturer at the Lehurutse College of Education in 1990 until 1994, was appointed as an English specialist at the National In-service Training Centre in Mmabatho between 1994 and 1996, was appointed as a curriculum developer from 1996 until 1999 and served as a matric examiner from 1997 until 1999;

(2) recalls that she joined the UCDP in 1991 and immediately became a staunch member of the UCDP Women's League;

(3) further recalls that Mrs Matladi was elected Deputy Secretary-General in 1995 and in 1997 she became the first woman to hold the position of Secretary-General in the party;

(4) remembers that Mrs Matladi was elected president of the UCDP in January 2011, a position she held until her passing and she also served as national Deputy President of the Women's League;

(5) further remembers that she was a member of various committees and was passionate about her work in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts;

(6) recognises that Mrs Matladi was elected as one of the five members to represent Parliament at the Pan-African Parliament, PAP, where she was further elected as President of the PAP Women's Caucus in 2010, a position she held until her passing;

(7) further recognises that she also sat on the National Assembly Programme Committee, the Chief Whips' Forum and was an alternate member of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities;

(8) acknowledges that Mrs Matladi married Jacob Mothibi Matladi in 1984 and that they were blessed with three children, two girls and a son;

(9) further acknowledges that Mrs Matladi is survived by her husband, three children, two grandchildren, both her parents and three siblings; and

(10) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Matladi family and the UCDP and assures them that its thoughts and prayers are with them.

Mr G J SELAU / Mn/src(Ch) / END OF TAKE

 

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Mrs I C DITSHETELO

 

 

 

Mr G J SELAU: Hon Speaker, we wish to say that we have not come here today to praise the hon Mavis Matladi, but to be part of the motion of condolence for her. May her soul rest in peace!

I feel honoured that the ANC, the ruling party in the Republic of South Africa, the oldest liberation movement alive in Africa, requested me to participate in this motion of condolence for the hon Mavis Ntebaleng Matladi, the leader of the UCDP, who passed away on 2 December 2011. She was buried on 9 December 2011 at Lehurutshe and her funeral service was held at the Lehurutshe Civic Centre. I was present at that funeral.

In the run-up to the last local government election, we worked against each other as competing parties at the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. I visited the UCDP offices in Zeerust, which are not very far from the ANC offices, with the aim of challenging the UCDP in all wards. Unfortunately, I could not find her at the offices. Later on, I went to her house in Lehurutshe township, commonly known as Welgedacht, and found the gate open. I could not enter the premises because her well-trained dogs were there and fighting. [Laughter.] I only met her after the elections wherein the ANC won all the wards in that municipality.

The hon Mavis Ntebaleng Matladi was a rising star not only in the politics of the UCDP or the politics of South Africa, but also in the politics of the continent of Africa and the world at large. As a member of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, she was one of the five members deployed to represent South Africa at the Pan-African Parliament, where she was elected President of the Women's Caucus.

Though the UCDP is an opposition party, both in the National Assembly and in the North West province, the style of debate that has been left to the UCDP by the hon Matladi is that of not opposing for the sake of opposing, but using their platform to make the ruling party see the other side of the coin before making decisions. That is effective opposition-party activity. We call on the UCDP and all other parties in this House to continue recognising her style.

The hon Mavis Matladi was an effective, influential and smart political debater. I never gave up recruiting her to the ANC. I regret that she left us before I could win that battle. However, she went to join those South African leaders whose sweat, blood and spirit continue to nourish the freedom of both South Africa and Africans throughout our beloved continent. The ANC, as the ruling party in the Republic of South Africa wishes that you, hon Mavis Ntebaleng Matladi, rest in peace. We send our deepest condolences to the families of Matladi and Setou, as well as to the UCDP. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs S V KALYAN / C.I//A N N(ed)/ END OF TAKE

 

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Mr G J SELAU

 

Mrs S V KALYAN: Speaker, my duty today to pay tribute to a friend and colleague, Ntebaleng Mavis Matladi, is not an easy one. I remember her with fondness and love. What initially was passed off as a bout of flu, suddenly developed into a more serious illness and she slipped into a coma, eventually succumbing to respiratory failure on 2 December last year. Her family, community and friends were devastated by her sudden passing, more especially as she was relatively young.

The late hon Matladi entered local government politics for the UCDP in 1995, and steadily progressed through the party structures until she became the first woman president of the UCDP on 29 January 2011.

We came to be good friends when we were both elected to represent our Parliament at the Pan-African Parliament, PAP. We spent many evenings chatting about life in general, our families and our jobs as parliamentarians. I found her to be confident and unafraid to take on challenges. Her decision to stand as president of the UCDP was a tough but necessary one, and she threw herself into this position with passion and enthusiasm.

The late hon Matladi placed great emphasis on education and was herself highly educated. She instilled the same passion for learning in her three children. Today, Dineo is a biochemist, Karabo, an accountant, and Keitumetse, a lawyer, bearing testimony to her values.

I had the privilege of visiting her family at their home in Zeerust recently. Her husband, Jacob, spoke with pride of his wife and her many achievements. We also all shared a laugh as we fondly remembered how she loved to dress up. Her husband said that when he came to pack up her home in Cape Town, he just sat on the bed and looked at her wardrobe and remembered how beautiful she looked in her many outfits.

I myself remember during PAP sittings that the MPs from Ghana would arrive with the most exquisite fabrics, and we would get together after the sittings and choose patterns and fabrics for her outfits. Although she has been called to rest early in her life, she has left a legacy of note.

I would like to dedicate the words of Flavia Weedn, entitled "Some People", to Mavis:

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same. Some people come into our lives and quickly go ...

Some stay for a while and embrace our silent dreams. They help us become aware of the delicate winds of hope ... and we discover within every human spirit there are wings yearning to fly ...

This is how I will remember her. The DA offers strength to the Matladi family and to the UCDP at this time of loss.

Setswana:

Robal Ka Kagiso Motaung.

English:

May her soul rest in peace. [Applause.]

Mrs Z B N BALINDLELA

 

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Mrs S V KALYAN

 

IsiXhosa:

Nkskz Z B N BALINDLELA: Somlomo, ngexesha sonke besixakekile yimigidi neziyolo zokuphela konyaka, kuyimitshato kuyinto nje yonke, umama uMavis Ntebaleng uye wathatyathwa kuthi; kwasuka kwee shwaka kwangathi kudala.

English:

In 2009, she took her seat in this august House as a representative of the UCDP. She was its party leader. In addition, as my neighbour in our offices, we were friends, very funny friends ...

IsiXhosa:

... ngoba umama umaNtebaleng ebe ngumntu ongangxamiyo xa ehamba, engagxanyi koko eyintokazi ekwakusithiwa ngela xesha ngu ...

Afrikaans:

... kyk hoe mooi ...

IsiXhosa:

... ngoba ebehamba ngokuzithanda engcambaza kwaye kubonkala ukuba yinzwakazi yokwenene.

English:

I bear personal testimony from also working with her in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa. She was a remarkably focused woman. She loved her work and, more than that, she understood very clearly that what she was doing in Parliament was for the poor and the marginalised people who had sent her here. She had a sense of mission and this was so powerful that whenever I met her I was overawed by her passion and her commitment.

She loved her people so dearly and she loved Setswana. She tried to teach me Setswana but my tongue was a bit stiff ...

IsiXhosa:

... ndiqinelwe lulwimi noko andakwazi, kodwa ndandimana ndimhlekisa ngezinto endandimana ndiziva ziculwa ndithi, "Uyayazi laa ngoma ithi tlakantshintshi, tlakantshintshi, rhatina dinela." Ndizama ukuzenza ngathi nam ndiyasazi isiTswana.

English:

She was a wonderful teacher, an activist, a politician, a leader, a mother and grandmother. Not only will the political party she led miss her, as we who knew her will, but her husband, her two girls and her son will miss her even more. Her two grandchildren will miss her sorely. She doted so much on them. There will also be a considerable void for her parents and three siblings.

For me, too, there will be an emptiness every time I go to a Scopa meeting. Her familiar smile that greeted me will never again light up the committee room. Her sense of purpose in getting things done, however, will remain with me and I will strive harder than before to remember that we, as a country, must get full value for our rand. We cannot allow leakages that compromise services for the poor and the marginalised people of our country.

I want Mme maNtebaleng to know that we say ...

Setswana:

... robala ka kagiso, mme Matladi. Re tla nna re go gopola. [Legomi.]

IsiXhosa:

Ndiyabulela, Somlomo.

Mr N SINGH / Nb//Robyn – ed Eng/END OF TAKE

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 51

 

Mrs Z B N BALINDLELA

 

Mr N SINGH: Hon Speaker, Deputy President and colleagues, as I look at the clock here, it is quite predictable that in about 150 seconds or so, you will say: "Hon member, your time is up. Please you're your seat."

The SPEAKER: It is not up yet, but continue. [Laughter.]

Mr N SINGH: However, hon Speaker and colleagues, they say of the clock of life that it is wound but once. And no person has the power to tell just where the hands will stop – at a late or early hour. Now is the only time you have. Live, love and toil with the will for tomorrow the clock may be still.

But in the case of our hon colleague, the hon Matladi, that clock stopped too soon, because her untimely passing away came as a great shock to her parents, to her husband, to her children, to her grandchildren and to all of us, her colleagues, in this House.

However, her legacy will not die with her. Her legacy will live through us and in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa. I got some recordings of what she used to say in Scopa. As the previous hon member said, she was such a smart dresser that her pleasant disposition sometimes belied the fact that here was going to be a member who would relentlessly ask questions of officials on irregular spending and unauthorised expenditure.

I remember an official came to us and said that the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, "never paid any supplier without supporting documentation". That's what the official said. But Ms Matladi said that it was a fact – it was a pity that Mr ... I won't give his name - did not have the notes from the Auditor-General which stated that Sassa had paid without supporting documentation. Her question was: Why? This was the kind of questioning that the hon Matladi used to do in our committee.

As previous members have said, we will miss her in our committee. We will miss her for upholding her dignity, for upholding the fact that she wanted government to operate in a way that there was no wasteful and fruitless expenditure.

I share a birth date with her, which is 5 September, and Ms Dudley follows a few days later. I understand that she was the only leader of her party who died in office. As I mention this, I think we also have to recall the fact that the hon Rajbansi – the leader of the MF – also died in office.

To the Matladi and the Rajbansi families and to the MF and UCDP, on behalf of Prince Buthelezi and the IFP, we extend our heartfelt condolences. To our sister, we say, "Lala ngokuthula sisi." [Rest in peace, our sister.] I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr L W GREYLING

 

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 51

 

Mr N SINGH

 

Mr L W GREYLING: Hon Speaker, unfortunately I cannot be as poetic as some of my other colleagues who spoke today. The sudden passing away of the UCDP MP Ms Mavis Matladi came as a huge shock to many of her colleagues and fellow Members of Parliament. It was with great sadness that the ID learnt of her passing away on 2 December after a short illness.

I interacted with Ms Matladi on the Chief Whips' Forum and I found her to be a very warm person who was very committed to the work at hand. She was a hardworking, dedicated and principled Member of Parliament, who strived to make positive contributions to South African politics and her community. At the time of her death, the 53-year-old Mrs Matladi was a Member of Parliament and president of the UCDP. She had been a Member of the North West provincial legislature until the 2009 elections before joining the National Assembly. She served as the chair of Scopa in the North West provincial legislature and the Pan-African Parliament's Women Caucus.

On behalf of the ID, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to all our colleagues in the UCDP, as well as to the surviving family and loved ones of the late Mavis Matladi. Her voice will be sorely missed in this House. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr N M KGANYAGO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 51

 

Mr L W GREYLING

 

Sepedi:

Mna N M KGANYAGO: Sepikara, re re mahloko go ba ga Matladi.

English:

Once more, we are gathered here to undertake the sad duty of bidding farewell to a fellow Member of Parliament, the late president of the UCDP the hon Mavis Ntebeleng Matladi, who passed away on 2 December 2011. On behalf of the UDM, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

The late hon Matladi led her party, the UCDP, with dignity until her death. She passionately advanced the cause of women and their struggle for gender equality. We will forever be grateful to her for her contribution to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in particular.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who share in her family's grief during this time of bereavement.

Sepedi:

Re re mosadi wa Modimo a robale ka khutšo. [Legoswi.]

Mr P J GROENEWALD / VM/ END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 52

 

Mr N M KGANYAGO

 

Afrikaans:

Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Geagte Speaker, ek het vir Mavis in 1999 leer ken, en was vir twee jaar saam met haar in die Noordwes wetgewer. Ek het onmiddelik besef dat sy 'n formidabele vrou is wat 'n bepaalde passie vir kinders en hul opleiding het.

Gesien in die lig van haar agtergrond en haar akademiese kwalifikasies, kan 'n mens verstaan dat kinders na aan haar hart gelê het.Hulle het nie net na aan haar hart gelê nie, maar sy het ook vir hul belange geveg en dit met passie uitgeleef.

Die destydse premier, Popo Molefe, het menigmaal nie antwoorde gehad vir die vrae van Mavis Matladi nie.

Dit is soms ook 'n wonder – en 'n mens verstaan nie altyd hoekom dit so is nie – dat 'n persoon wat met soveel ywer en passie haar doelwitte in die lewe nagestreef het, dan op so 'n stadium skielik te sterwe kom.

Sy het ook nie geskroom om haar Christenskap uit te leef nie. As nietige wesens besef ons ook dat die lewe nie veel werd is nie, maar dat dit wel so is dat die mens wik, maar God beskik.

Die VF Plus wil sy medelye en simpatie met die familie en die gesin met die afsterwe van Mavis uitspreek. Soos alreeds gesê is, glo ons dat sy in hul harte sal bly voortleef en dat haar werk vir die beywering van kinders en vroue sal voortgaan. Dankie. [Applous.]

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 52

 

Mr P J GROENEWALD

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Hon Speaker, the ACDP would expressed shock and tremendous sadness over the death of UCDP president Mavis Matladi at the close of 2011. Our friend and colleague will be sorely missed. As the leader of the ACDP, Rev Kenneth Meshoe, said at the time:

Mrs Matladi will be missed for her wise counsel and lively contribution in Parliament. We have come to respect Mrs Matladi for her diligent commitment and her exceptional ability to co-operate closely with members of all political parties.

As we sat together in the National Assembly, Mavis was for me both serious and fun. She had strong principles and worked diligently, but always knew how to enjoy those around her and to lighten up with a laugh. I will remember her as an energetic and powerful presence, a stunning woman who dressed beautifully – a tribute to both the dignity of women and of Parliament.

The ACDP extends condolences to the Matladi family and to her friends and colleagues in the UCDP. We are grateful that she knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. So we can be confident that she is at home with her Father in Heaven.

Mavis Matladi was only 53 when she died, and, as her colleagues pointed out at her funeral which I attended in Zeerust, this was not even two months after the death of another colleague and friend, the UCDP's former Deputy President, Paul Ditshetelo. This was a double tragedy which was very disturbing, to say the least. [Applause.]

Mr L M MPHAHLELE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 52

 

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Hon Speaker and hon Deputy President, the PAC joins Mme Ntebaleng Matladi's family and the UCDP in mourning the untimely death of a political giant.

Mme Matladi was honest and spoke what she believed in, even at the risk of becoming unpopular. Her life was navigated by her conscience. When the whole House - in fact, the whole nation - was united behind South Africa hosting the Fifa World Cup, Mme Matladi differed strongly. She was an extraordinary leader who could brave the tempest of popular opinion. When the Cabinet decided against bidding for the Olympic Games, it was perhaps a lesson learnt from Mme Matladi.

I will forever treasure those golden memories I shared with her and other passengers on the Acacia Park-bound bus. We shared jokes and filled the bus with laughter, like the one happy family we were, we are, and will always be.

Farewell, Mme Matladi, on your eternal bus ride. Tsamaya sentle Tshwene. [Go well.] Thank you. [Applause.]

Mr R B BHOOLA /TH//nvs(Eng)/END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

Mr L M MPHAHLELE

 

Mr R B BHOOLA: Mr Speaker, when one passes on, it is undoubtedly a sad moment, more especially if one had the amazing characteristics of a true citizen of humanity like the leader of the UCDP, the late hon M N Matladi. On behalf of the MF, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the Matladi family, friends and relatives.

Those who enjoyed close association with the late hon Matladi would know that apart from being a wonderful personality, she was extremely passionate about the education fraternity and matters pertaining to women, children and people with disabilities. We pray that God Almighty will continue to give strength and courage to all suffering emotional pain and sorrow for the irreplaceable loss of the late hon Matladi.

The late hon Matladi was very concerned about good, clean governance and strongly believed that the knowledge industry was pivotal for the advancement and the development of a progressive and sustainable democracy. This is precisely why she embarked on a career in the education profession, serving first as an educator and then holding various critical positions in the fraternity. She strongly believed that knowledge gives you power, power gives you strength and strength motivates.

Our condolences also go to the UCDP for the loss of a vibrant, committed and dedicated leader. Good leaders are those who add value to society, as indicated in the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature by the honourable King Goodwill Zwelithini who also paid tribute to the late leader of the MF, Mr Amichand Rajbansi, referring to him as a skilful and impeccable leader that made incredible contributions to South African politics.

I therefore feel the pain, sorrow and predicament the UCDP finds itself in. May peace be upon her and, through the grace of God Almighty, may her soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

Mr R B BHOOLA

 

Mr K J DIKOBO: Mr Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, and the family of the late Mrs Matladi, we were saddened by the news of the untimely death of our colleague, sister and friend. We use the term "untimely" being conscious and painfully aware that it is God who knows the time, because for us there can be never be a right time for our loved ones to pass on. We had heard that she had not been well, but had hoped that she would recover and come back to continue with the work that she loved: that of serving her party and the nation.

I had known Mrs Matladi as a strong, hardworking person and a determined leader. The passing away of Mrs Matladi is a loss to the country and the continent and represents a setback in the struggle for women emancipation and empowerment. On behalf of Azapo, I convey our sincere condolences to the Matladi family, her friends and her party, the UCDP. May her soul rest in peace. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]

Mr N T GODI

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

Mr N T GODI: Mr Speaker, Comrade Deputy President, comrades and hon members, I join the House in expressing the APC's heartfelt condolences to the Matladi family and her colleagues on the passing away of the hon Mavis Matladi.

The hon Matladi, as everyone can attest, was a great woman and a dedicated member of this House. She is greatly missed as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which she served with admirable distinction. Her passing away was shocking and disturbing. She indeed was an asset to the work of Parliament. She was passionate, persistent and probing in her oversight work.

As we pay our last respects to our late colleague, we can only agree with Robert Sobukwe's immortal words, and I quote: "It is meet that we speak the truth before we die", for we are nothing but tools of history. When we are gone, history shall find new tools. Thank you.

Mr I S MFUNDISI

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

Mr N T GODI

 

Mr I S MFUNDISI: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President and hon members, we in the UCDP and the Matladi family would like to express our gratitude, though sadly, to all who have joined us at our time of bereavement on the loss of our leader, our mother, the first ever to die in harness while in Parliament since the democratic dispensation came into being.

Mrs Matladi was a tenacious Xanthippe who would leave no stone unturned in her quest for excellence in respect of all she did. In her short life, she saw it all in politics. She felt the pain of being removed from chairing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts at the legislature where she served before, because she would not join the ruling party during the floor-crossing. She had to go to court to claim back her membership of the party after she was unfairly expelled.

The fact that she took leadership positions - at work while a teacher and a lecturer and as a member of the women prayer group in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa at its Western Diocese, in the party, here in Parliament where it was felt that she could represent the institution at a continental level - is proof that she was a woman of substance.

We take consolation that while she could not be promoted while still this side of Jordan, she gained promotion in glory. We thank all those who joined the UCDP in sorrow when they learnt that Mavis had been called to higher service. Among them we count the Presidency – there was a special message from the Office of President Jacob Zuma - the Speaker's Office for the special message that the Speaker sent, all political parties in Parliament, the service officers, some of whom still ask about her, and all South Africans of goodwill for all tributes and messages of comfort to us as a party and family and, more so, to her dearly beloved family.

We thank Parliament for all the support provided during this sad period, even succeeding in sending a delegation to the funeral. We thank them too for the support they gave the family even after the occasion. We salute this descendant of the royal family of the Batlokwa ba ga Sedumedi and the Barolokogadi ba ga Maotwe.

There is a verse in Hymn 120 of the Sesotho Zion hymn book, which goes as follows:

Sesotho:

"Seo o nkadimileng sona, ha o re ke se busetse, le teng ke tla leka hore ho lokile ho lokile."

English:

The emphasis is on "ke tla leka," because it is difficult to part with anything that we as people hold dearly. Let us, nonetheless, all take solace in that even though we feel it was untimely for her to leave, she should have found eternal peace. After all, we are all sojourners on this earth. I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

Motion agreed to, members standing.

The SPEAKER: The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Matladi family and to the UCDP.

Hon members, you probably heard a sound at the back earlier on. It was due to a burst tyre on Mrs Bhengu's car and nothing serious. It was not an explosion, not a bomb.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

Mr I S MFUNDISI

 

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF GENEVA CONVENTIONS BILL THAT LAPSED IN TERMS OF RULE 298 TO BE REVIVED FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker and hon Deputy President, I move the draft resolution printed in my name on the Order Paper as follows:

That the following item, that was on the Order Paper and in terms of Rule 298 lapsed at the end of the last sitting day of the 2011 annual session, be revived for consideration by the National Assembly:

Second Reading debate – Implementation of the Geneva Conventions Bill [B 10B – 2011] (National Assembly – sec 75) – (Minister of Defence and Military Veterans).

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 53

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT BY AD HOC COMMITTEE ON GENERAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker and hon Deputy President, I move the draft resolution printed in my name on the Order Paper as follows:

That the House extends the deadline by which the Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill has to report to 8 June 2012.

Agreed to.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS: Mr L SUKA (ANC) /Mohau//Mia (Eng – check) / END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 54

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

ATTITUDE DISPLAYED BY DA AT INFORMATION BILL HEARINGS

(Member's Statement)

Mr L SUKA (ANC): Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the ANC I want to place on record that the attitude displayed by the DA Gauteng regional leader, Solly Msimanga, towards community members at the recent Protection of State Information Bill hearings in Mamelodi is indicative of the condescending and insensitive manner with which the DA views the suffering of our people.

At the hearings, Mr Msimanga accused and insulted some of those present by suggesting that they only attended the hearings because they were promised food and T-shirts. He and those of his ilk in the DA showed contempt for our people by questioning the intelligence of our people. In their insulting opinion, the people present at the hearings did not attend because they cared about their country and were interested in issues that affected them, but attended simply because they could be bought with food and clothing.

This kind of attitude and disregard for the majority of the people of our country is evident when one examines how the DA approaches critical issues affecting our people. [Interjections.] A case in point is the recent HIV and Aids testing lottery. How crass and insulting to reduce a sensitive and deeply concerning issue to a competition.

The DA grandstands and appears as though they care for the wellbeing of the people of this country, but when their masks slip, the real DA is exposed, where they show just how little they care for the people and how much they care about protecting their elitist privileges. I thank you, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 54

 

Mr L SUKA (ANC)

 

REVIEW OF POWERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

(Member's Statement)

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, President Zuma's remarks last week to the effect that his government intends to review the powers of the Constitutional Court are not only a serious affront to the principle of the separation of powers, but also undermine public confidence in the executive's commitment to upholding the Constitution.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, the hon Jeff Radebe, has already set out plans to "review the impact of Constitutional Court decisions over the past 17 years". How is it that the executive can initiate a review of the decisions of another arm of state when it has itself been the subject of some of these decisions?

We have been told that a research institute will conduct the review, but what measures will be put in place to ensure it is an unbiased process? What does Minister Radebe plan to do with the information which is collected? Indeed, why is this review needed in the first place?

The government has a duty to uphold the principle of the separation of powers and to respect the independence of the judiciary. If the source of unhappiness is the occasions on which the judicial rulings have taken the executive to task, then the solution is to amend the executive's conduct and not the powers of the court. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs J D KILIAN (Cope)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 54

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA)

 

INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF WHIP OF MAJORITY PARTY IN RAPPORT NEWSPAPER

(Member's Statement)

Mrs J D KILIAN (Cope): Deputy Speaker, in an interview in Rapport published two days ago, on Sunday, the Chief Whip of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Dr Mathole Motshega, again tried to justify government's focused campaign to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

He made some profound statements, such as that certain people wanted to hand over the powers of Parliament and President Zuma to the courts; that South Africa was being transformed into a one-party state with unelected people at the helm; that President Zuma's recent statement that government wanted to review the powers of the Constitutional Court was not unconstitutional or out of order, but that such statements were simply a reflection of public concern over the powers of the courts.

He also said that for most people it appeared that government had to ask the permission of the courts before it did anything, although government derived its mandate from the people while the courts comprised a handful of appointed people. He also said elements that use the courts for their narrow interests and to prevent transformation were totally out of order and that political parties run to court to challenge Bills before Parliament.

Cope realises that the ANC Chief Whip is spearheading a campaign on behalf of certain elements in the ANC, a campaign to change the Constitution of our country. Our concerns are that his statements are irreconcilable with the principle of the separation of powers that underlies the Constitution. We want to give a warning that such statements, coming from a person who holds a senior position in the governing party and in the National Assembly, can scare off foreign investment. Cope calls on the Deputy President to reaffirm his government and the President's commitment, as head of state, to upholding and defending the Constitution. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Ms N N P MKHULUSI (ANC) / Mpho/ (UNH Checked)/END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 55

 

Mrs J D KILIAN (Cope)

 

NEDBANK CAREER GUIDANCE INITIATIVE

(Member's Statement)

Ms N N P MKHULUSI (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, a career guidance initiative launched by Nedbank to assist high school pupils is welcomed by the ANC. As a key priority area of the ANC's programme of action, this educational project, worth R5,5 million, will benefit more than 40 000 Grade 9 to Grade 12 learners from underprivileged communities.

We have seen the recent enrolment crisis at tertiary institutions. One of the contributing factors was the lack of career guidance. Many learners who wish to further their studies often arrive at university enrolment centres without a clear idea and plan of what they would like to study.

This career guidance programme offered by Nedbank, called "My future, my career", will give learners some insight into their future study plans. The programme is aimed at inspiring learners in order to overcome the skills shortage and at curbing the high unemployment rate. More than 100 career choices are showcased via this programme and presented at Ster-Kinekor cinemas in eight provinces.

Students will be exposed to many career choices, often some they have not heard of or considered. Such a progressive programme will definitely assist students to identify their passions and interests. It is a commendable effort towards ensuring that we enhance the opportunities of the youth of our country so that they can live better lives. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA (IFP)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 55

 

Ms N N P MKHULUSI (ANC)

 

ACID-MINE SEEPAGE IN CAROLINA, MPUMALANGA

(Member's Statement)

Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA (IFP): Deputy Speaker, when is the government going to start taking acid mine contamination of our country's water supplies seriously? How much of our drinking water must be contaminated before we acknowledge the severity of this crisis?

Carolina is merely the tip of the iceberg and the harbinger of these types of scenarios that are going to begin playing out all over Gauteng and Mpumalanga, should the problem of acid-mine-water seepage not be dealt with proactively. It is imperative that pre-emptive, immediate and decisive action be taken by government on a holistic basis if we wish to prevent situations like the one that occurred in Carolina from happening again. I thank you.

Mr L W GREYLING

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 55

 

Mr C N Z ZIKALALA

 

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

(Member's Statement)

Mr L W GREYLING (ID): Deputy Speaker, the ID is extremely concerned about the critical electricity supply situation in South Africa. According to Eskom, the country could be exposed to load shedding as early as April this year.

It is totally unacceptable that South Africans have been placed in this crisis due to a combination of poor planning, conflicts of interest and instances of gross incompetence at Eskom. Last year, an entirely avoidable accident at Duvha Power Station saw 600 megawatts removed from the grid at a cost of over R2 billion. We are still waiting for the independent report to be submitted to Parliament as to how such an occurrence could happen at a professionally run power utility.

It is also shocking that the completion of the Medupi Power Station has been delayed even further due to a problem with the boiler contract. This R39-billion contract was awarded to Hitachi Power Africa in which, just coincidently, the ANC's funding arm, Chancellor House, has a 25% shareholding. This massive conflict of interest has now threatened our country's energy security and could have a devastating impact on our economy.

Will the ANC now do the right thing and disinvest Chancellor House from Hitachi Power Africa and also give this country the assurance that their funding arm will not invest in any company that could benefit from the country's proposed infrastructure build programme? I thank you.

Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC) /MS//nvs / END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 56

 

Mr L W GREYLING (ID)

 

 

HEALTH PROJECTS IN KWAZULU-NATAL

(Member's Statement)

Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, in response to the President's call in his state of the nation address for critical social infrastructure, KwaZulu-Natal is going to be building four health care centres: in Jozini, Umzimkhulu and Pomeroy, and neonatal and labour wards at Stanger Hospital worth R150 million. These projects will help to create jobs and deliver better services to the community.

Future projects identified include the refurbishing of a Durban regional laundry worth R171 million and an outpatient department, as well as casualty wards at Estcourt Hospital worth R141 million. An amount of R1,6 billion will also be spent on the new Dr Pixley ka Seme Regional Hospital in the INK area, which comprises Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu.

The job-creation figures for these massive projects could see the employment of about 400 artisans, with 215 posts already having been advertised. The filling of these posts will improve the capacity within the department and maintain infrastructure projects. We are pleased that the department of health in KwaZulu-Natal has thus far spent 78% of the total allocation and that it hopes to spend the remainder of the budget by the end of the financial year. Thank you. [Applause.]

Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 56

 

Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC)

 

SAFETY OF NONSTRIKING MINEWORKERS

(Member's Statement)

 

Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Deputy Speaker, the report in last week's edition of the City Press newspaper about striking mineworkers was alarming indeed. The headline of the report was: "We will kill them if they go to work." These utterances were made after a man was killed apparently be striking mineworkers who suspected that he was trying to sneak back to the Impala Mineshaft No 8 to reapply for his job.

The striking mineworkers allegedly said more people would die if the 17 000 workers fired last month were not reinstated soon. They reportedly threatened to wait for those nonstriking workers at the bus stop. One intimidator was reported to have said: "Every morning you will find dead bodies because we are going to kill them. If they try to go to work, they will die."

Such utterances are totally unacceptable and have to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The South African Constitution does not only give workers the right to strike, but it also gives workers the right not to strike. Our Constitution does not encourage lawlessness, intimidation and violence during strike action.

The ACDP therefore appeals to government, particularly the police, to ensure that those workers who want to go to work are allowed to do so without fear that they might be killed by striking workers. Section 205(3) of our Constitution says:

The objects of the police service are to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property and to uphold and enforce the rule of law.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, hon member. On that note, your time is up.

Dr W G JAMES (DA)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 56

 

Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP)

 

THREAT TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT GATEWAY INTO AFRICA

(Member's Statement)

Dr W G JAMES (DA): Deputy Speaker, our status as the trade and investment gateway into Africa is under threat, unless we make bold moves to enable business to trade more efficiently and more cost-effectively. The continent's largest retail group, our very own Shoprite, reports expenditure of R160 000 a week to secure import permits to distribute meat and milk to their stores in Zambia alone.

Shoprite has outlets in 13 SADC countries. To trade in the region, management applies for 100 import permits a week, 300 at peak times. For every truck that crosses the border, up to 1 600 documents are required. The situation is compounded when corruption rears its head. It is high time that the Department of Home Affairs and Customs, which fall under the SA Revenue Service, identify pilot sites on our borders to remove barriers that hamper commerce.

Trade creates jobs at home and it is of the greatest importance that the impediments are lifted. Africa is showing signs of record economic growth and we must do everything possible to share in this. The National Development Plan, the Department of Trade and Industry and the DA's own 8% growth project - in fact, with cross-party consensus - all emphasised the vital importance of removing barriers to trade in Africa so that we can realise our potential. [Applause.]

Mrs S T WILLIAMS-DE BRUYN (ANC)/ C.I//A N N(ed) / END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 57

 

Dr W G JAMES (DA)

 

POULTRY PROJECT INSPIRES VILLAGE WOMEN

(Member's Statement)

Mrs S T WILLIAMS-DE BRUYN (ANC): Hon Deputy Speaker, this statement relates to a poultry project which inspires village women. The issue of unemployment and addressing its rising levels, remains one of the ANC government's biggest priorities.

However, the solution does not rely solely on government, but also on people and communities helping themselves as well. It is thus extremely heart-warming to see how the Dumisani Women's Project in the rural village of Kameelrivier have started a poultry project in which they nurture chickens and sell them in the village and surrounding areas.

Their initiative to provide chickens to the people in the area has meant that long trips to the cities in order to purchase live chickens for family rituals and ceremonies in particular are a thing of the past.

The women utilise wheelbarrows to transport their chickens for sale in the villages. The members of the project do not draw salaries, but are paid stipends dependent on their monthly sales. The women hope to grow their business to be able to supply bigger businesses and retailers. We wish them well. [Applause.]

Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 57

 

Mrs S T WILLIAMS-DE BRUYN (ANC)

 

BULLYING ON THE RISE IN SCHOOLS

(Member's Statement)

Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP): Hon Deputy Speaker, the death of David Hlongwane, a learnerfrom theLethabong Secondary School in Soshanguve, is proof that bullying is on the rise in South Africa's schools and that it poses a real threat to the emotional stability and wellbeing of our children.

It is also clear that not enough is being done to combat this form of emotional and physical abuse in our schools. The IFP urges all principals and parents to embark on programmes that will empower their children on this topic, so that they can develop the necessary coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with bullying and other forms of behaviour that infringe on their rights and wellbeing.

Furthermore, the IFP urges school disciplinary committees to act decisively against bullies. Punitive steps must include suspension, counselling and rehabilitation.

Lastly, the IFP wishes to convey its heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the Hlongwane family. I thank you.

Mr G B D McINTOSH (Cope)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 57

 

Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP)

 

ESKOM'S INCREASING ELECTRICITY TARIFFS

(Member's Statement)

Mr G B D MC INTOSH (Cope): Deputy Speaker, Eskom's ever-increasing electricity tariffs are having an adverse effect on South Africans, especially the poor. Even though the National Energy Regulator of SA, Nersa, managed to grant a lower electricity tariff increase of only 25,9%, if that is lower, for 2012 than what Eskom at first applied for, the impact of additional tariff increases from other electricity providers such as municipalities are having far-reaching implications on the poor.

The repeated increases in electricity costs have averaged over 25% since July 2008, and are rapidly making affordable housing in the Johannesburg inner city and elsewhere completely unaffordable.

Over each of the past four years the additional increase, on top of the annual Eskom price increases, last year reached the ridiculous increase of 35% for residential properties. This meant that many tenants saw their monthly electricity bills increase by between R150 and R200 per month. Families are crippled by this and struggle to come out on their monthly earnings. While pay packets may have increased, electricity costs over the same period have tripled, far outweighing the earnings of many families. As a result of arrears and write-offs, vacancies have risen to uneconomic levels in the City of Johannesburg, or people move into overcrowded buildings. [Time expired.]

Mr M I MALALE (ANC) / TH/ END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 58

 

Mr G B D McINTOSH (Cope)

 

RESPONSE TO DR MULDER'S LAND CLAIMS' ASSERTION

(Member's Statement)

Mr M I MALALE (ANC): Hon Deputy Speaker, the FF Plus leader, Dr Mulder, in his response to the state of the nation debate had the temerity to suggest that Africans cannot lay claim to 40% of South African land because they migrated from Northern Africa. He contends that Africans cannot lay claim to the land in the Western Cape and the Northern Cape because are not the original inhabitants of this land.

His sweeping generalisations, applied to his land maps of the 19th century, ignore the persistent legacy of colonial dispossession, history of conquest and collusion. To suggest that when white colonialists arrived here the land was empty is a distortion of our painful history, and heaps scorn on the current inequalities we experience as a result of colonial invasion.

Even if we were to ignore his faults and misleading statements, is he suggesting that the majority of people who suffered at the hands of the Voortrekkers, the imperial colonialists and the racist white apartheid regime be relegated to the end of the line and the maximum white ownership and privilege continue unabated?

He bases his venomous views on what can only be termed as his myopic understanding of our history, tainted by selfishness and shaded by racism. The ANC believes that Dr Mulder would do well to make an effort to learn the truth and desist from distorting history. Thank you.

Dr D T GEORGE (DA)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 58

 

Mr M I MALALE (ANC)

 

EXPOSURE OF CORRUPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

(Member's Statement)

Dr D T GEORGE (DA): Deputy Speaker, in last week's reply to the state of the nation debate, President Zuma said that most of the corruption you read about in the media is exposed as a result of the work of government and its agencies. These are the words of a President who is completely disconnected from reality. South Africa's major corruption scandals have not been broken by government, but by the media and the opposition. These include the Arms Deal, Travelgate, Oilgate, the SA Police Service lease debacle and the Chancellor House scandal.

Nowhere is the government's attitude towards exposing corruption more clear than in its determination to see the Protection of Information Bill, better known as "the Secrecy Bill", pushed through Parliament in its current form. Should this Bill be passed, journalists and whistleblowers who report on what government deems secret will face up to 25 years in prison ...

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, is it not misleading the House to say there is a Bill, generally known as "the Secrecy Bill"? Is it in this House ... [Interjections.] ... the second name for the Bill? [Interjections.]

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Continue, hon member.

Dr D T GEORGE: It will be illegal to expose corruption and serious crime, and the poorest, most vulnerable members of our society, will continue to lose out as government resources are redirected away from service delivery. Government has a very patchy record on fighting corruption. While admittedly there are some successes, government needs to make an honest assessment of how effective it truly is. Unless we can end corruption, South Africa cannot be internationally competitive and cannot attract job-creating investment. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs L MAKHUBELA-MASHELE (ANC)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 58

 

Dr D T GEORGE (DA)

 

CURBING UNDERAGE DRINKING

(Member's Statement)

 

Mrs L S MAKHUBELA-MASHELE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the ANC holds the view that a nation which takes care of its youth ensures a better future not only for the youth, but for the country as a whole. We thus welcome the launch of the integrated strategy by the Department of Trade and Industry, SA Breweries and the National Youth Development Agency to solve the problem of underage drinking.

The campaign which is called: "You Decide", was launched in Durban and targets drinking by children under the age of 18 although it can also be extended to include those that are 21 years of age.

Statistics show that 25% of teenagers drink because they are bored, while about 45% drink because they are depressed. Whatever the cause, it is a ticking time bomb and extremely dangerous.

There is a high number of teenagers seeking help at crisis centres, clinics and police stations for, amongst other things, sexual violence, physical abuse, STDs and pregnancies, most of which occurred while they were drinking. An integrated solution, which must involve parents, schools and the youth, is therefore encouraged. I thank you.

MINISTERS' RESPONSES: The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY / LIM / END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 59

 

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS: Mrs L S MAKHUBELA-MASHELE (ANC)

 

THREAT TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT GATEWAY INTO AFRICA

CURBING UNDERAGE DRINKING

(Minister's Response)

The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Deputy Speaker, first of all, in response to the hon James who is new in the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry – I presume he must know, but if he doesn't let me just clarify it for him - that if import permits are imposed on South African goods going to other countries, they are imposed by those countries and not by us. This is something that we know as trade facilitation.

I would also point out that whenever we do enter into discussions with neighbouring countries, for example when we hosted the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-East Africa Community- Southern African Development Community, Comesa‑EAC-SADC, summit last year – our interventions are always to say that building trade relations with African countries are not just about tariff matters. They are also about a whole range of other things, including infrastructure development and trade facilitation. So, we take these matters up when we can.

I should also say that we have never said, as South Africa, that we seek to set ourselves up as gatekeepers of trade and investment relations with the rest of the continent. But if other countries – third parties – see us as convenient gateways to building their own relations with the African continent, we are here to work with them and to partner with them.

And I can just say that I do not believe that we are seeing a reduction in interest. On the contrary, I think that what is happening now is that, as the world economy enters into a period where Europe is going into recession, there is a growing interest in Africa. In fact, many companies - an increasing number of companies - are coming to South Africa to say: What are the possibilities of working with you in order to build relations with the rest of the African continent?

Let me also say that I welcome the remarks that were made about underage drinking. I think that is a very important campaign. I should just say that the question of alcohol abuse in this country is no small matter. Half the number of unnatural deaths, road accidents and violent crime that we have in this country are a result of abuse of either alcohol or drugs. The liquor regulators will be meeting in the very near future with their counterparts in the provinces to devise a much more holistic strategy to deal with this curse of alcohol abuse. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 59

 

The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

 

NEDBANK CAREER GUIDANCE INITIATIVE

EXPOSURE OF CORRUPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

(Minister's Response)

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Deputy Speaker, allow me to say that I'm from Cuba and was feeling very fresh. [Interjections.] But the amount of ideological pollution coming from the benches on the other side of this House is really very disturbing. [Interjections.]

Allow me to respond to two statements by two members. First of all, I fully agree with the hon Mkhulusi regarding the role that the private sector or some in the private sector are playing in career guidance. Indeed, as the department we fully welcome these initiatives.

In many ways they are building on the initiatives taken by our department through, among other things, the SA Qualifications Authority-run Khetha project. This is a career guidance project with a helpline, a website, and weekly broadcasts on SABC's nine radio stations in different languages in our country. Nevertheless, we would like to say that much as we welcome these initiatives, as government we would like to see improved synergies between what government is doing and other initiatives taken by the private sector or nongovernmental organisations.

In response to the hon member who talked about corruption, I think it is important to say that we do not actually allow narrow opposition propaganda to distort the truth in this House. [Interjections.] We must distinguish between activities of corruption that are reported by the media and actions that are taken by government to expose corruption which does not appear in the media. [Interjections.]

I would like to challenge the hon member not to just come with a few things, but to come here with a complete record of activities of corruption that have been exposed by this government, including the many investigations ...[Interjections.] ... instigated by government through the Special Investigating Unit. [Interjections.]

What the media often says in this country is not a reflection of truth. And, often, it is in line with what the opposition is saying. That is why they come and quote newspapers here as if that is the truth. Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 59

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

INTERVIEW OF CHIEF WHIP OF MAJORITY PARTY IN RAPPORT NEWSPAPER

ACID-MINE SEEPAGE IN CAROLINA, MPUMALANGA

(Minister's Response)

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Deputy Speaker, I think it is absolutely important that when we wish to present statements to the House, we don't in any way impute bad faith on any individual who sits in this House or any statement made by a member of the executive or of this House.

The President stated very clearly in his reply last week that the intention of government is to review decisions that are germane to the executive and its exercise of power in terms of national and other legislation that have been the subjects of rulings by the Constitutional Court. I did not hear him refer to reviewing the powers of the Constitutional Court in his reply. He referred to decisions and an assessment of government in terms of how those decisions have impacted on policy and what lessons we, as the executive, must derive from that review.

This is absolutely correct to be done in order to improve our own functioning as the executive, as well as to understand how to ensure that the policies that we are responsible for are absolutely in line with what is mandated in the Constitution. So, I don't know what all of this fuss is about. I really think that members are looking for evil where none exists. We are acting well within what the executive should do and I believe that it is a responsible step that is being taken by government.

I do not have any mandate to reply for the Chief Whips. Maybe when the Chief Whips meet they can talk to each other about how they read interviews and assess the meaning of particular interviews. Our Constitution is the document of this institution. We are responsible for ensuring that we act with regard to it. We swear oaths to ensure that it is implemented and that we uphold it. And I would think that the Chief Whip having been so sworn would recognise that it is indeed his obligation to act in the way he did when he stood before all of us in this House.

Finally, might I say that we have taken action, hon Zikalala, with respect to acid-mine drainage. We've had an intergovernmental committee and funds have been set aside. We have also appointed, through the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, persons and companies that will assist us with the spillages and other impacts of acid-mine drainage.

I will ask my hon colleague, Molewa, to approach the appropriate committee and ensure that her report is tabled, but action has been taken. Thank you, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]

The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND

EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY /// NPM//GM (ed) / END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 60

 

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

 

 

 

ESKOM'S INCREASING ELECTRICITY TARIFFS

(Minister's Response)

The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY: Deputy Speaker, there is a member of the House who talked at length about Eskom and the problems around Eskom's delivery of electricity to the nation.

The answer to that question lies in the statement made by the Minister of Public Enterprises in the debate after the President's speech, so I will refer the member to Hansard. If the member is not satisfied, that member can come back to the House and we will respond.

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 60

 

The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY

 

RESPONSE TO DR MULDER'S LAND CLAIMS ASSERTION

(Minister's Response)

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Deputy Speaker, I would like to agree with the hon Malale that the 40% story by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is a dangerous one and the President has said so.

It is precisely the reasoning behind that which made the Western Cape a coloured preferential area. It is precisely the same reasoning that suggested that we must be confined in the areas they called Bantustans, that that is where we originated. It is precisely that reasoning that led to the United Nations declaring apartheid a crime against humanity.

We must desist from pursuing that philosophy. It is wrong, it is rejected, it is intellectually bankrupt and it is politically dangerous. The department is urgently working on this programme to reverse the effects of that reasoning, and we hope hon members will desist from continuing along that path. It is a dangerous one. Thank you, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 60

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

 

BULLYING ON THE RISE IN SCHOOLS

NEDBANK CAREER GUIDANCE INITIATIVE

(Minister's Response)

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION: Madam Deputy Speaker, in relation to the hon member from the IFP who has raised his concern about bullying, all forms of violence, intimidation and harassment are prohibited. Bullying can certainly take the form of either physical violence inflicted on the victim or emotional violence.

We certainly promote the adoption of a code of conduct in every school. To this end, given the reality that next month approximately 27 000 schools will have their elections, I think it would be timely and appropriate for us to convey a message to each one of these gatherings that bullying in any form, be it emotional or physical, will not be tolerated in our schools. We too would like to convey our condolences to the family of the victim and certainly share the sentiments of the hon member.

With regard to the statement in relation to career guidance, we take note of what the hon Minister of Higher Education and Training has said. We wish to emphasise that there are instances in which career guidance is provided, such as that by the Department of Science and Technology. The department provides career guidance for young engineers and promotes mathematics and science. Also, career guidance forms part of life orientation which is a compulsory subject.

I think what is critical for us to understand and recognise is that subject choices are made when the learner passes Grade 9. Career guidance, in fact, should take place prior to the learner going to the FET band, which are Grades 10, 11 and 12. This is because those subject choices will, in fact, determine the ultimate destiny of that particular learner. To that end, we are emphasising the importance of assisting learners in terms of subject choices at an earlier rather than at a later stage. I thank you, hon Madam Deputy Speaker.

FIRST ORDER: Ms N R BHENGU / Mn/src(Ch) / END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 61

 

MINISTERS' RESPONSES: The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION

 

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATION TO FILL VACANCIES IN COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Ms N R BHENGU: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, I rise to present the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on filling of vacancies in the Commission for Gender Equality, CGE.

On 17 November 2011, the House took a resolution to establish an ad hoc committee to identify suitable candidates for the filling of vacancies in the Commission for Gender Equality. The committee consisted of 12 members made up as follows: 7 ANC members; 2 DA members; 1 Cope member; l IFP member and 1 member from the other parties. The committee was granted powers, as contained in Rule 138 of the National Assembly Rules, and was ordered to finalise its task and report to the House by no later than 21 February 2012.

The committee held its first meeting on 14 December 2011 and unanimously appointed me as its chairperson. The meeting was attended by all political parties except Cope, who tendered an apology. The committee agreed to consider all 175 nominees submitted by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities and to short-list 13 candidates for interviews.

However, owing to co-operation between the ANC and the opposition parties, the committee finally short-listed 15 candidates. In preparation for the short-listing meeting scheduled for 11 January 2012, it was agreed that the ANC should short-list 13 candidates and that all opposition parties should jointly short-list 13 candidates.

The meeting also agreed that the criteria for short-listing should consider the following important points: content sharpness; administrative skills; continuity; fresh ideas; vision and passion; academic qualifications; community orientation or activism; the financial skills necessary to oversee the secretariat; and knowledge of constitutional values.

A set of standard questions was developed and agreed to by the committee. Each member of the committee was allocated a set number of questions to ask during the interviews, which were scheduled for 25 and 26 January 2012.

On 11 January 2012 the committee reconvened and all parties were present except the ACDP, which had tendered its apology. However, only the ANC was ready with its short list of candidates. The meeting had to adjourn in order to allow the opposition parties time to consolidate their short list of candidates.

When the meeting later reconvened, and after much deliberation, it was agreed that l5 candidates be short-listed and interviewed. However, one candidate later withdrew and the committee interviewed 14 candidates.

Following the finalisation of the short-listing process and the release of the names of candidates, the committee received a letter from the current acting chairperson of the CGE, Dr Teboho Maitse, in which she questioned the omission of certain nominees from the short list and the inclusion of some.

In response to her allegations, the committee reiterated its commitment to the transparency, the credibility and the legitimacy of the process to nominate members of the commission in accordance with the Constitution and the Commission for Gender Equality Act. The committee also emphasised that it could not exclude any person nominated solely on the basis of allegations which had not yet been adjudicated upon by a competent tribunal.

The committee further received a set of proposed questions from some NGOs who had nominated certain candidates for appointment. The committee refused to consider these questions on the basis that candidates proposed by those NGOs would be unfairly advantaged compared to others.

The committee concluded interviews on 25 January and 26 January 2012. However, during the interviews, only the ANC and the DA participated as all other parties apologised. After due consideration and after applying its mind, the committee recommended nine candidates as fit and proper persons to effectively and efficiently carry out the mandate of the commission.

The committee is therefore recommending that the House recommends to the President the appointment of the following persons as members of the CGE: Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi, Ms Lulama Nare, Ms Sylvia Desiree Stevens-Maziya, Ms Janine Hicks, Ms Ndileka Eumera Portia Loyilane, Mr Wallace Amos Mgoqi, Ms Nondumiso Maphazi Ranuga, Ms Thoko Mpumlwana, and Prof Amanda Gouws.

Allow me to present a brief profile of each candidate. Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi has a Masters Degree in Community Development and has worked for the CGE for almost nine years. His community involvement includes playing various roles in Adult Basic Education and Training, Abet, and in the co-ordination of development programmes in KwaZulu-Natal. In l998 he was elected as Adult Educator of the year in KwaZulu-Natal. Through his tireless work he was instrumental in ensuring that the community of Mary Grey got a mobile clinic from the Department of Health.

Ms Lulama Nare has a BA degree and vast experience in management, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity-building. She is involved with the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, the SA Democratic Teachers' Union Gender Unit, and is a member of the Presidential Working Group on the global economic crisis. Her community involvement includes working with civil rights organisations to ensure access to essential services by needy communities.

Ms Sylvia Desiree Stevens-Maziya is a social worker by profession with a postgraduate diploma in Development Management and Administration. Currently, she is a community development worker in the National Department of Co-operative Governance. She is a former member of the United Democratic Front, the UDF, is a current member of the SA National Civic Organisation, Sanco, the ANC Women's League, the SACP and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union. She is currently an adviser of the body called "Children in Difficult Circumstances" since 2009.

Ms Janine Hicks has an LLB Degree and is a PhD candidate at the University of the Western Cape. She has been a Commissioner at the CGE since 2007 and therefore provides continuity. She has published many journals and articles on women's issues. While serving as a Commissioner at CGE, she initiated many projects in partnership with Cosatu and other government departments, such as the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Presidency, all geared towards gender transformation in the public sector.

Ms Ndileka Eumera Portia Loyilane is a nominee of the Disabled People of South Africa. She has served on the commission for the past five years. She possesses a B.Com Degree and is doing a B.Com honours degree. Regarded as the voice of the disabled, she has held several leadership positions which include being the Chair of the Disabled Women's Development Programme. Currently, she is serving as the Deputy Chairperson of the SA Disability Development Trust. In 2001 she was appointed by the Eastern Cape MEC for Housing to chair the Housing Advisory Panel of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

Mr Wallace Amos Mgoqi is a human rights lawyer and a recipient of the Duma Nokwe Award for Human Rights. He possesses three doctoral degrees from different universities. He has presented various papers on human rights both nationally and internationally. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the Community Development Trust for the Sokhulu, Mbonombi and Dube communities. Recently, he was been appointed to conduct an inquiry into the concerns and grievances of students and staff at the Walter Sisulu University.

Ms Nondumiso Maphazi Ranuga is currently studying towards a doctorate in Public Administration with a special focus on good governance. She is currently a special adviser to the Premier of the Eastern Cape and was previously the Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality and a Member of Parliament.

Ms Thoko Mpumlwana is a teacher by profession, with a Masters Degree, and has a community service record of more than 30 years. Until recently she served the country as a deputy chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa. In the international arena she has served as the Chair of the World Council of Churches Women's Committee. Whilst working for the Centre for Scientific Development at the Human Sciences Research Council, she focused on gender equality matters. Currently, she is the Chair of the Films and Publication Board.

Prof Amanda Gouws possesses a PhD in Political Science and has received many awards. She is the founder member of the Human Rights Mainstreaming Unit at the University of Stellenbosch and of many other women's movements. Prof Gouws has written many articles and books on gender-related matters. She has delivered papers around women's issues both nationally and internationally.

Hon Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the ANC's study group and the hon Robinson of the DA for their commitment to the mandate given to them by Parliament. They served the committee with dedication, and displayed respect for each other's views. I would also like to thank all members who served on the ad hoc committee. They demonstrated a keen interest in selecting the most capable candidates to serve on the CGE.

It was a pleasure to chair a committee that could look at issues with such a broad perspective. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs D ROBINSON //nvs/// END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 62

 

Ms N R BHENGU

 

Mrs D ROBINSON: Hon Deputy Speaker, the Commission for Gender Equality, one of our Chapter 9 institutions, was established to bolster our fledgling democracy and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution. Its main function is to advance the development, protection and attainment of gender equality and promote respect for the institution.

Amongst other things, it has the power to monitor, investigate, subpoena, research, educate and advocate throughout the country, in urban and deep rural areas. This is a major challenge owing to the great distances to be covered, and owing to the fact that the commissioners are not situated in all the provinces and that not all language groups are represented.

In a country like ours, which still suffers a massive burden in respect of patriarchal attitudes, bias and prejudice, it is important that gender transformation take place to enable every citizen to enjoy equal rights, whether young, old, widowed, married or single. It is vital that the commission is efficient and effective and that it is respected by all citizens so that the abuse of human rights, particularly gender and domestic violence, can be eradicated.

It is unfortunate that the CGE has been in the news over the past few years owing to its underperformance and mismanagement, both administrative and financial. However, after the forensic investigation was completed and its turnaround strategy was adopted, it has shown an improvement in its management and performance. Yet many NGOs, which play a vital role in assisting victims of abuse and injustice, believe that the CGE has still not fulfilled its mandate of monitoring legislation and checking on its accountability adequately.

Therefore, it is crucial that the new commissioners are people with extensive knowledge of gender issues and experience as gender activists - people who can advocate issues with conviction and credibility. It is important that the commissioners understand the intersections of gender, HIV/Aids, poverty and disability and that they understand and advance the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex, LGBTI, rights.

The commissioners need to be people who have the courage of their convictions to challenge religious and cultural practices that undermine gender equality. It is vital that they are people of integrity who have the ability to hold government and other institutions of power and influence to account, including civil society.

Sadly, some of the candidates who qualified in every respect and had extensive experience of gender matters did not reach the final list. The DA cannot support the nomination of the controversial Mr Wallace Mgoqi, who first served as a land commissioner before assuming office as a municipal manager. Subsequent to his departure from that office, he was a candidate for the Human Rights Commission.

He then made himself available as a gender commissioner, despite the fact that he has no real track record in the field of gender activism or advocacy. One cannot but wonder whether he was simply trying to acquire more caps or whether he is truly dedicated to the task at hand – that of bringing about gender equality. It seems he has friends in high places.

It is to be recommended that once the overhaul of the Chapter 9 institutions has taken place, as advocated by the late Prof Kader Asmal, that the statutory requirements regarding the composition of the selection panel will be changed so that there will be less political influence on the choice of commissioners. Those who serve on the selection panel for the CGE should not only be politicians but experts in gender studies and practice.

It is unfortunate that the DA was the only opposition party that participated fully in the selection process. Perhaps, if there had been representation from other opposition parties, we could have presented a united front to ensure that fitness for purpose was the main criterion for selection.

In order to have a well-functioning democratic institution such as the CGE, which is there to protect our constitutional rights, it is important that there should be full participation by all parties. This is so that we are not put in a position in which the ruling party completely dominates the selection process. Ndiyabulela, Somlomo. [Thank you, Speaker.] [Applause.]

Mrs M A A NJOBE / JN ///tfm/// END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 63

 

Mrs D ROBINSON

 

Mrs M A A NJOBE: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, even though Cope, owing to unforeseen circumstances, missed some of the interviews, it agrees with the methodology that was followed to reach the recommended list of candidates. So, we are not questioning the procedure.

But with regard to the Commission for Gender Equality itself, we would like to point out the following. It is a good thing for the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities to interact with the Commission for Gender Equality. The questions that the department needs to answer are: How often does this interaction occur? To what extent does the CGE participate in national gender programmes and initiatives? With regard to the recent spate of violent attacks on women because of what they chose to wear, what is the CGE's response? This, we ask, because we saw the Minister and her entourage carrying out this campaign.

What are the interventions of the CGE in the escalation of hatred towards gays and lesbians? What about employment opportunities for women? What has the CGE got to say? Women want the CGE to be clearly visible in all factors that affect their lives.

Cope, however, agrees that strides have been made to address inequalities as far as education is concerned. Yet, even though there are more women enrolled in higher education than men, few women graduate in science, engineering and technology. The skills gaps between women and men and between rural and urban women are still huge. The masculine culture is perpetrating inequalities. How many teachers in the foundation phase are men? The majority of women are unemployed. Inequalities are inconspicuous in the remuneration between sexes. Women in the same category as men are still paid less than men for equal input and output.

These are some of the challenges the new commissioners will be confronted with. We hope that they will be able to address them and that the CGE is going to be more visible than we have observed lately. However, we support the appointment of the new commissioners. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 63

 

Mrs M A A NJOBE

 

Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA: Hon Deputy Speaker, the IFP supports the recommendations of the committee tasked with the appointment of new commissioners to the Commission for Gender Equality. As one of our Chapter 9 institutions, it has a most solemn and sacred responsibility to the people of South Africa for the diligent and due performance of its constitutionally mandated tasks.

Its successes or failures in this regard fall largely under the care and direction of its commissioners as it is these commissioners that will be held ultimately responsible and accountable. The commission requires competent and skilled members who are capable of both encapsulating and implementing its vision and mandate without fear, favour or prejudice.

To the new commissioners, the country has placed its faith and trust in you. You are now the guardians of an institution mandated to play a significant role in the strengthening of our constitutional democracy. Do not take this task lightly. The IFP wishes the new commissioners all the very best with their appointments. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs C DUDLEY / GG//GM (ed)/ END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 64

 

Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Deputy Speaker, the ACDP congratulates the candidates who were recommended for appointment to the Commission on Gender Equality and wishes all of them every success. In communicating with people whose work centres on issues of gender equality, I got the following responses.

"My impression of the CGE" they said, "is that it is very much a lame duck. If the commission is doing good work it manages to keep it pretty secret." "Yes, it probably confronts funding constraints, but so do we all. That is not an excuse; it is a challenge that needs to be risen above by dynamic, innovative leadership and teambuilding."

There was acknowledgement that some recommended candidates were very highly regarded in academic circles and others were met with reservations about appointing commissioners who have a zero track record in gender activism. Those who have no gender background, but offer expertise in organisation or teambuilding and strategic thinking, they conceded, must be guided by those who better understand the issues. Stakeholders will be watching the process unfold with interest.

People are particularly interested in the vision of these recommended candidates and how they understand the CGE's mandate; how they envisage raising its public profile; what key issues they will work on; what campaigns could be developed; and what constituencies they will work with - all questions covered during interviews by Members of Parliament with candidates.

Perhaps the commission should consider publishing this information in an effort to lift the CGE profile and engage with the public. Up until now, public engagement has been so low-profile as to be effectively nonexistent. Gender inequalities are not simply about women's equality with men. According to United Nations estimates, if gender inequalities in the labour market, for example, were eliminated, women's wages would rise by 50% and gross domestic product, GDP, by 5%. Everyone would benefit, not just women.

The extent to which a new commission sees gender equity as a zero- sum game is critical. If it is perceived as benefits for women and losses for men, instead of a win-win situation in which both men and women stand to benefit, success will be limited. The ACDP is in support of this. Thank you.

Mrs I C DITSHETELO

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 64

 

Mrs C DUDLEY

 

Mrs I C DITSHETELO: We, in the UCDP, accept the names of those recommended. We take into account that the retention of some members is meant for there to be continuity, that is avoiding throwing the baby out with the bath water, because there is institutional memory to uphold, rather than starting all over from scratch. We hope the government officials will assist the commission to live up to addressing the concern the President raised in the state of the nation address - that women need to be supported. The UCDP supports the nominated members for the commission. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 64

 

Mrs I C DITSHETELO

 

Mr K J DIKOBO: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, Azapo has nothing against any of the persons on the list. We have reason to believe that the hon members who sat to select from the original list applied their minds properly.

We saw the list from which the final list was drawn and we can only express disappointment that a gender activist of note did not make it onto the final list. We are referring here to Mr Mbuyiseli Botha, a tireless fighter for gender equality in our country. It was through him and the Sonke Gender Justice Network that a certain wayward youth leader was fined R50 000 by the Equality Court. The Commission on Gender Equality will be poorer without him.

Having said that, Azapo supports the recommendation of the ad hoc committee. We thank you. [Applause.]

Mr G T SNELL /Nb//Robyn – ed/END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 65

 

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

Mr G T SNELL: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, it is sad but not unexpected that the DA comes to the podium to cast aspersions on the character of a commissioner based on their political assumptions. It must be noted that the ad hoc committee was unanimous in agreeing on the names to be put forward to the House, and the DA was part of that ad hoc committee at the time.

Mrs S V KALYAN: Madam Deputy, I rise on a point of order. The DA member did raise the objection in the committee, so the member is misleading the House by saying that it was unanimously accepted. [Interjections.]

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. Continue, hon member.

Mr G T SNELL: Thank you very much, hon Deputy Speaker. It has been stated that the Commission for Gender Equality is one of the most crucial institutional elements of our constitutional democracy. Its important role in our society is evidenced by the status accorded to it by our Constitution. Chapter 9, section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic, defines its mandate in that the commission "must promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality". The CGE is empowered by the Constitution to monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby, advise and report on issues concerning gender equality.

In addition, the Commission on Gender Equality Act, Act 39 of 1996, gives further power to the CGE to transform society through state intervention. Amongst these legislative powers are the monitoring and evaluation of policies and practices of organs of state, strategic bodies and public bodies, as well as the private sector; evaluating any piece of legislation to ensure its consistency with the Constitution and a culture of human rights; and recommending new legislation to promote gender equality and the status of women.

Both the constitutional stipulations as well as those contained in the Act constitute an acknowledgement of the reality of the continued persistence of social inequalities within our young democratic dispensation. It bears testimony to the fact that though democracy has been obtained, our goal for a nonsexist society in which there is gender equality is still some way off. The CGE is therefore a critical mechanism for social transformation. A well-managed and optimally functioning CGE is an integral component of transformation towards the achievement of gender equality. Given the enormous importance, tasks and obligations that the CGE is expected to perform in terms of the Constitution and the CGE Act, it is imperative that Parliament give priority to ensuring that its capacity is strengthened. The debate on the appointments of its commissioners is therefore welcome and opportune for today.

The ANC, which as a party is based on the principles of equality, nonsexism, nonracism and democratic values, stands for the eradication of patriarchy in our society, the liberation of women, the eradication of the triple oppression of black women, the working class and especially African women. By establishing a developmental state, the ANC seeks active state intervention in promoting gender equality throughout society. Through state intervention, it seeks to enforce current laws and policies that address inequalities, educate society on gender issues and inculcate progressive values into society to address gender challenges.

Given these fundamental principles and values, the ANC has supported the establishment of the CGE and will relentlessly continue to support the work of the commission. Our commitment to social transformation makes us determined to ensure that the CGE is strengthened. We believe that as long as we have an unequal society, we will need a strong, progressive and transformational CGE. We believe that any institution is as good as its people. Therefore the recommendation of the commissioners today by Parliament is crucial for the building of capacity within the CGE to perform its constitutional tasks.

The quality of the proposed commissioners will significantly assist in addressing the historical challenges that the organisation has faced in the past. We believe that from now on the CGE will move from strength to strength. The ANC supports the appointment of the proposed commissioners. I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

Question put: That the House approves the nominations of Mr M Shozi, Ms L Nare, Ms S D Stevens-Maziya, Ms J Hicks, Ms N E P Loyilane, Mr W A Mgoqi, Ms N M Ranuga, Ms T Mpumlwana and Prof A Gouws to serve on the Commission for Gender Equality.

[TAKE IN FROM MINUTES]

Question agreed to.

Nominations accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 193(5)(b)(ii) of the Constitution.

Mr M I MALALE / LIM... / END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 66

 

Mr G T SNELL

 

CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGES AMENDMENT BILL AND OF REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING THEREON

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon Malale, the chairperson of the committee, will introduce the Report.

Mr M I MALALE: Hon Deputy Speaker and Mr Deputy President, the portfolio committee has considered the amendments that were effected by the National Council of Provinces regarding the colleges Bill, which was referred to the NCOP on 12 September 2011.

We unanimously adopted those recommendations. Those recommendations actually relate to the introduction of the definition of the concept of a family member in the Bill that was referred. The suggested definition is that a family member refers to parents of a member of the college council or a member of any office committee. It refers to siblings, children, including stepchildren and adopted children, a spouse, and a life partner in cohabitation. We felt that this amendment reinforces our work as a committee.

The further additional changes that we introduced were of a grammatical nature, that is substituting "are" for "is", which we thought we should agree to.

In the debate we had on 12 September you would recall that the DA did not support the Bill on the basis that they preferred to retain colleges under the auspices of provincial administrations. We felt that that was unfortunate, because we were very clear as to where we must go as a country. Also, that could have been motivated by the fact that they wanted to retain and perhaps influence the role of colleges that are clustered here in the Western Cape in the quest for "The People's Republic of the Western Cape".

We hope they will agree with us now, because in the debate in the committee Dr Bosman, who is our new member replacing the hon Van der Westhuizen and Dr Kloppers-Lourens, agreed with us on these amendments. We hope ... [Inaudible.] ... just riding on the wave of the previous process, you'll support us. [Interjections.] We ... [Inaudible.] ... which could be attested to by those former members who are affected by your redeployment strategy.

We agreed in the committee that the Minister would deal with the issues relating to the parity of benefits for college-employed employees and state employees in the context of the changes that were advanced by that Bill.

There is a need for the upgrading of skills base of lecturers in the FET sector. There is a need to enhance the programmes or vocational choices that are available in the sector to attract students. All of us in the committee never had any problems on such matters. We may have to hear about whatever issues of grandstanding there were that may emerge from the process as attested to by the mumblings on the other side.

We therefore, as a committee, recommend that the House adopt this Bill with the amendments as suggested by the NCOP. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chair, hon Deputy President, we move that the Bill be passed.

 

 

 

 

Mnr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 66

 

 

 

 

Mr M I MALALE

 

 

 

 

Declarations of vote:

Mnr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN: Agb Voorsitter, agb lede, die DA glo dat iets drasties aan die uitermate swak prestasie van ons openbare Kolleges vir Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding gedoen moet word. Die kolleges presteer so swak onder Minister Nzimande se beheer dat die departement nou nog nie die resultate van verlede jaar se eindeksamens wou openbaar nie.

Ongelukkig is Minister Nzimande met hierdie Wetsontwerp besig om die fout op die verkeerde plek te soek. Dit is nie net die DA wat so glo nie; Minister Pandor, in haar vorige posisie as Minister van Onderwys, het soos die DA, geglo dat groter plaaslike aanspreeklikheid vir kolleges die oplossing sal wees.

Minister Pandor het 'n ideaal of droom gehad wat nou deur hierdie Wet vernietig sal word. Sy het geglo dat die diensure van kolleges en hul personeel by plaaslike behoeftes moet aanpas op 'n wyse wat buite die beperkinge van die staatsdiens val. Sy het dus vyf jaar gelede hierdie Huis oortuig om 'n wet te aanvaar wat die personeel van die kolleges uit die staats se diens sou stel en om die kollegerade hulle werkgewers te maak. Sy het ook die ideaal gehad dat personeel met skaarsvaardighede vanuit die industrie na die kolleges gelok sou kon word

Ongelukkig het die department die kollegerade met die implementering van hierdie Wet gefaal.

Minister Mzimande, wat blykbaar glo dat alles en almal vanuit Pretoria beheer moet word, is besig om daardie ideaal te vernietig. In plaas daarvan dat plaaslike gemeenskappe in beheer van hul kolleges geplaas sou word, word dit nou na die nasionale departement in Pretoria oorgedra. In plaas van groter buigsaamheid en outonomie, gaan ons kolleges in die nou drukgang van staatsinstellings gedwing word.

Elkeen van ons 50 openbare kolleges is uniek in hul personeelbehoeftes en elkeen verg 'n eie personeelstruktuur of organogram. Die staatsdiens se salarisskale en die vaste organisasiestruktuur wat uit hierdie wet sal voortvloei, bied eenvoudig nie die buigbaarheid wat nodig is om goeie kollegelektore in skaarsvakke te lok en te behou nie.

Openbare kolleges wat voorheen 'n provinsiale verantwoordelikheid was, gaan nou die verantwoordelikheid van een nasionale staatsdepartement word. Wie op die kollegerade gaan dien, hoe hul kurrikula, hul taalbeleid, aanstellingsbeleid en 'n legio ander belangrike sake daarna gaan uitsien, gaan uiteindelik vanuit Pretoria bepaal word.

In die proses word die magte van die kollegerade afgewater tot nadeel van die studente. Hierdie nasionalisering van openbare kolleges sal tot gevolg hê dat die departement verskeie provinsiale kantore sal moet open. Geld wat na die klaskamers moes vloei sal nou in provinsiale kantore verkwis word. In die proses word die koste van opleiding andermaal geweldig opgestoot.

Ons land kan dit nie bekostig nie. Om hierdie redes kan die DA hierdie Wet nie steun nie. Dankie. [Applous.]

Mr B M BHANGA / src /END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 68

 

Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

 

Mr B M Bhanga: Chair, Cope again wants to register its position on the Further Education and Training Colleges Amendment Bill. We want to record that the technical amendments to the Bill proposed by the National Council of Provinces do not address our concerns about the Bill.

We are, in principle, opposed to the notion that centralisation of powers, in relation to the further education and training colleges, will, of necessity, lead to improved management and control over these institutions. We will provide examples in terms of which the centralisation of power at the national level failed dismally.

Cope believes that further education and training colleges should best be managed at the provincial level, which is closer to the communities that these institutions serve; and close to industries and businesses where those who graduate from these colleges will take up employment. The notion that national departments are better placed to oversee effective functioning of institutions is wrong.

Centralisation cannot be offered as a panacea or magic wand to address administrative weaknesses at the provincial level. To the contrary, it is on record that many of the national departments, including the Department of Higher Education, do not support the notion that the centralisation of control and decision-making improves bodies that are overseen by national departments. Many national departments have become mired incontroversy, including the Department of Higher Education.

The problems encountered with the Sector Education and Training Authorities, Setas, is a case in point. The Seta problems have increased rather than been resolved after they were placed under the control of the national department - under the leadership of former communist Mr Blade Nzimande. [Laughter.] [Interjections.]

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is another example. This financial aid scheme for students encountered problems that became worse after the former communist and his department effectively appropriated powers ... [Interjections.]

Mrs M T Kubayi: I rise on a point of order, House Chair. I think the member who is speaking in front of us is not articulating the amendments to the Bill. We are dealing with the amendments to the Further Education and Training Bill, not with whether people are communists or not. Can we stick to that?

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Your point is noted. Hon member, let us stick to the Bill that is in front of us.
 

Mr B M Bhanga: Our sense is that while the intentions of government may be good, what is contained in the Bill proposed by the former Marxist is going to take us in exactly the opposite direction. [Interjections.] With all that in mind, we as Cope cannot support this Bill. [Applause.]

Mr A M MPONTSHANE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 68

 

Mr B M BHANGA

 

Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, I stand here to reaffirm our original position on the Bill when we debated it here before.

We had some concerns regarding the Bill. Our first concern was the fact that these institutions were not equally resourced. It must be remembered that during the time of the merger, the commission that was charged with the shape and size of these institutions had instructions to reduce the number of institutions but not to reduce the site of learning in these institutions, with which we agreed.

But, in reality, we found that the satellite institutions were poorly resourced. Some time ago – and the Minister agreed – I referred to some of these institutions being, in fact, haunted. Take, for instance, KwaGqikazi College: there is actually no quality of learning that can take place in that institution.

The second concern that we raised with regard to these institutions was that lecturers in these FETs were poorly qualified. We did raise our concern that, while we support the Bill, we urge the Minister to please see to it that the standard of lecturers in these institutions be raised. I thank you.

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 68

 

Mr A M MPONTSHANE

 

Mr K J DIKOBO: Hon Chairperson, hon members, Azapo's position on provinces is known, namely that provinces should be abolished and that South Africa should have a two-tier system of government, which would be national and local government. We will therefore support any move that takes away powers from provinces, whether it is the Further Education and Training Colleges Bill or putting certain provincial departments under administration. In fact, Azapo's view is that all provinces should be put under section 100 as part of the transition towards their abolition.

Of course, we share the concerns that we have about the disparity of the conditions of service of lecturers at FET colleges. We subscribe to the principle that conditions must be the same if you have the same employer and do the same work. So, we support the view that the Minister must deal with those disparities while, at the same time, deal with the question of empowering college lecturers.

Hon members will remember that some of those lecturers at FET colleges were actually drawn from colleges of education that were disestablished. So, many of them do not necessarily have experience in the field in which they are involved. That is why Azapo supports this Bill. We thank you. [Applause.]

Ms N GINA ///tfm/// END OF TAKE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 70

 

Mr K J DIKOBO

 

 

 

Ms N GINA: Hon Chairperson, as the ANC we support the amendment of the Further Education and Training Bill. We believe that this Bill seeks to assign and transfer all functions of the Further Education and Training colleges from the provincial departments to the national department. We strongly believe that the national department is competent to do the task that is supposed to be done.

Yes, we hear the opposition, more especially the DA, talking about the poor performance of the FET colleges. We agree with them on that, but that is why we strongly believe that the introduction of this Bill is going to cater for such poor performance. We believe that the transitional period, that is when the FET colleges are in the process of being transferred to the national department, will be well managed. We know what most of the fears are that the people have. We are talking about the salaries and benefits of the employees; and we are talking about the lives of these people in terms of which as a country we need to provide people with skills. We know that that is a very critical point. We know why the opposition is saying that. It is also a concern of ours as the ANC too.

As the ANC we strongly believe that this sector needs to be given enough attention. We want to produce a skilled and capable workforce for the economic growth of the country. So, really, as the ANC we fully support the transfer of the FET colleges to being a national competence. We believe that this sector is going to be more stable and that the transition period is going to be well managed. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

Motion agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Congress of the People dissenting).

Bill accordingly passed.

THIRD ORDER: Ms B N DAMBUZA /NN/GC/END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 71

 

Ms N GINA

 

CONSIDERATION OF INTERIM REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON RENTAL HOUSING AMENDMENT BILL

Ms B N DAMBUZA: Hon House Chairperson, Deputy President, hon members and honoured guests, the Department of Human Settlements hereby tables the Rental Housing Amendment Bill, Bill 21 of 2011, before Parliament in the National Assembly, in terms of section 76 of the Constitution. The Bill is classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill and has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements for consideration and report. The Bill seeks to address specific issues which include the establishment of rental housing tribunals, which are mandatory in every province.

The portfolio committee, having considered the objectives of the content of the Bill, embarked on extensive deliberations and consideration of the public submissions, and reached a consensus that there is a great need to propose further amendments to the Act, which will be incorporated into the proposed Bill.

The amendments will make the Act more accessible to all citizens and it will respond broadly to the challenges faced in respect of the rental housing sector, thereby ensuring a better life for all. Therefore, the committee recommends that the House grant permission in terms of the National Assembly Rule 249(3)(b) for it to make consequential amendments to the Rental Housing Act, Act 50 of 1999. It is also worth noting that the proposed amendments will not affect the tagging of the Bill. The committee's proposals have been communicated to the responsible executive authority. We request the consideration of the Report. I thank you. [Applause.]

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chair, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

FOURTH ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY /// NPM//GM (ed)/END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 72

 

Ms B N DAMBUZA

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GAUTENG FROM 1-6 AUGUST 2010

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chair, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

FIFTH ORDER: Mr H T MAGAMA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 72

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION ON OVERSIGHT OF SOUTH AFRICA'S MISSION ABROAD – ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 18-22 NOVEMBER 2010 – AND EXECUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POLICY

 

Mr H T MAGAMA: House Chair, Mr Deputy President and hon members, the purpose of the oversight visit of the committee to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia was threefold. The committee's mandate to hold the Department of International Relations and Co-operation to account extends to conducting oversight visits on the activities of South African missions abroad, amongst other things.

One, the mission's role is to enhance the country's profile; two, to implement government policy abroad; and, to serve as strategic mechanisms for the achievement of our national interests in carrying out the mandate of the department.

The committee assessed the department's performance in its mission in Addis Ababa in execution of South Africa's foreign policy, both at a multilateral and bilateral level in terms of country to country. The oversight extended to the African Union to assess South Africa's performance within the continental organisation structures and in furtherance of the African agenda, noting that South Africa is one of the single biggest contributors to the AU budget, this to the tune of 15%, later reduced to 13,5%, which roughly constitutes about 16% of the AU office budget in the amount of about R127million.

It is to be further noted that South Africa has committed itself to strengthening the AU and its subsidiary structures at a head of government summit level.

The extent of South Africa's bilateral relations with Ethiopia was also assessed and the committee met with its parliamentary counterpart in Ethiopia to initiate dialogue since both these countries are key regional players involved in various continental engagements.

Our counterpart, I might report, clearly stipulated its desire to forge closer relations between the two parliaments. To this end, the committee Report contains a number of recommendations which we present to the House today. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

SIXTH ORDER: Ms Y R BOTHA / VM/END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 73

 

Mr H T MAGAMA

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON OVERSIGHT VISIT FROM 27 JUNE TO 1 JULY 2011 TO EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY (SASSA) REGIONAL OFFICE, PAYPOINTS AND SERVICE AREAS AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NDA) PROJECTS

Mrs Y R BOTHA: Hon House Chairperson, Deputy President, the committee visited the Eastern Cape from 27 June to 1 July. Our strategic objective was to monitor the achievement of government priorities for social development as the portfolio committee.

The objectives of the oversight visit were therefore to assess the following: the extent to which the provincial department of social development aligned its strategic priorities with the national priorities; the extent to which the old-age homes implemented and complied with the Older Persons Act; the performance of National Development Agency-funded projects and projects funded by the Department of Social Development; and, lastly, the performance of the SA Social Security Agency with regard to the implementation of the child support grant, the old age grant, the implementation of the integrated community registration outreach programme and conditions at the service areas and paypoints.

The committee found in our interaction with the provincial government that they had implemented the key strategic national priorities, which were welfare services for children, women, people with disabilities, people affected and infected by HIV and Aids, and also, very importantly, family preservation.

The oversight visits to the projects funded by the department showed that these projects had had a positive impact on the lives of the people. Through the use of home community-based-care workers the services of the department were able to reach people in the most rural areas. Furthermore, the projects did not only contribute to the wellbeing of families, but also contributed to the department's response to the government's goal of job creation, especially for the youth and women.

The committee also found that the Isibindi Model of Care for Vulnerable Children and Youth implemented by the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers provided a good model for the implementation of child and youth care services which are aimed at child-headed households.

What we found during our visit to several developmental welfare projects was that the migration of skilled workers, especially social workers between provinces, was a challenge. We also found that when we interacted with beneficiaries and stakeholders that there was a need for specific court dates to be set aside for the court to review and finalise court orders for the foster care grant.

In terms of home community-based care, the committee found that workers must receive training from the Department of Social Development because the volunteers from the project that we interacted with had not received any training.

In terms of project management - the projects that we visited that which are funded by the NDA and the department - we felt that there was a major lack of capacity-building in these projects. Also, when it came to financial management, we felt that issues such as filing, capacity-building and space for these NGOs and projects to flourish was quite a challenge

We found the park homes we visited that serve as offices for social services as well as for Sassa in Elliotdale to be inadequate and undignified and the toilets were not working. Although there was a new building in progress, we felt that the current situation impacted on the dignity of our people and also on confidentiality when clients came to see social workers or when they came to see Sassa regarding the application for grants.

Between August and now we met with Sassa and they gave us a briefing on the integrated service delivery model. We also received a report about the closure of the filing depot in Mthatha. They had to close it, because it wasn't conducive to work.

In terms of those alternative arrangements and proactive issues, we have already interacted with them on that. We hope that the stringent implementation of the integrated service delivery model in the Eastern Cape will reap the right benefits. Thank you, hon Chairperson.

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY moved: Hon House Chairperson, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

SEVENTH ORDER: Mrs M M MAUNYE /NN / GC / END OF TAKE

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 74

 

Ms Y R BOTHA

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO NORTH WEST FROM 25 TO 29 JULY 2011

Mrs M M MAUNYE: Hon Chair, Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, comrades, hon members, in undertaking the oversight visit to the North West province, the committee used as a touchstone the departments' vision of "a safe, secure South Africa where all its people are proud of, and value, their identity and citizenship and mission", and its mission of "The efficient determination and safeguarding of the identity and status of citizens and the regulation of migration to ensure security, promote development and fulfil our internal obligations".

The committee therefore sought to assess the extent of the manifestation of the vision and mission of the department as per the constitutional mandate. The issues of capacity, security, integrity of identity and immigration management were the focus of the committee as it visited both ports of entry and other offices, which is generally inadequate in terms of the requisite equipment and poor infrastructure in order for service delivery to be expedited.

We recommend that transport be provided to offices and ports of entry to facilitate efficient access to remote areas. In collaboration with the SA Revenue Service, the department should install scanners at the said border posts and provide passport live capturing machines in offices.

We therefore recommend that the department comply with access specifications for people living with disabilities. The lack of communication of the Home Affairs border offices' system with each other and other relevant departments resulted in a lack of constant in-immigration control.

The North West's borders were, at the time, virtually porous as they were manned by the police. We recommend that the SA National Defence Force be deployed to the North West's borders and that the communication network be enhanced. In the main in farm areas there were people with children without certificates, adults without identity documents, and others carrying TBVC - Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei - identity documents. There were ID duplicate cases in other offices, and the turnaround time in others was unacceptably low. We recommend that the duplicate identity numbers matter and the backlog in farm areas be speedily addressed.

The committee is concerned about border security as it directly impacts on the quality of lives of citizens. We are concerned that those who need social services because they are the most vulnerable - those most affected by poverty - have no access to the socioeconomic rights assured to them by our government. We are concerned that our people do not receive the same quality of service throughout the country.

We are also concerned when identity number duplications prevent legitimate beneficiaries from accessing insurance benefits. However, we pledge our support to the department as it endeavours to discharge its mandate and realise its vision and mission. We hope that the Report will be endorsed by the Office of the Chief Whip.

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chair, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be duly adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

EIGHTH ORDER: Mrs H H MALGAS

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 Take: 74

 

Mrs M M MAUNYE

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION ON OVERSIGHT VISITS TO NORTH WEST AND MPUMALANGA FROM 25 TO 29 JULY 2011

Mrs H H MALGAS: Hon Chairperson, hon Deputy President, our hon Ministers and our Deputy Ministers, hon members and comrades, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, having conducted an oversight visit to full-service and special schools in the North West and Mpumalanga and having considered issues that are highlighted in the report in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee reports, recommends the following actions.

One, the national Department of Basic Education, together with the provincial education departments, should intensify teacher training in specialised areas of special needs and take into account the varying level of training needs of different schools; two, the national Department of Basic Education, together with the provincial departments of education, should expedite and scale up the implementation of the curriculum that responds to the skills subjects offered in special schools; three, given that transport is one of the keys to access, it is critical that the provincial education departments together with the Department of Transport make transport arrangements to ensure that learners with special needs are able to travel to and from school.

Transport subsidies must be one of the components of the budget of full-service in special schools. The national department together with the provincial education departments should deliver timeously to schools sufficient learner and teacher-support material, including workbooks.

The national department should make representations to ensure that sign language becomes an official language in order to enhance quality learning and teaching. The committee requests Parliament to adopt the Report of this committee. Thank you.

There was no debate.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson, hon Deputy President, I move that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report accordingly adopted.

The House adjourned at 17:03.

LMM/ END OF TAKE


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