Hansard: Members' statements
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 29 Feb 2012
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
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THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 2012
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
_______
The House met at 14:03.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The SPEAKER
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START OF DAY
UNPARLIAMENTARY REMARKS
(Ruling)
The SPEAKER: Hon members, settle down please. Before we proceed with the business of the day I would like to make a ruling.
Hon members, during the debate on the President's state of the nation address on 14 February 2012 hon Masutha rose on a point of order objecting to the inappropriateness of remarks made by hon J H Steenhuisen about Mr Cassel Mathale, the Premier of Limpopo.
I undertook to study the Hansard and return with a ruling. Having studied the Hansard, I wish to rule as follows.
During the debate, the hon Mr Steenhuisen said, amongst other things, that the Limpopo province had:
... dished out a tender of R14 million for photocopiers to an ANC benefactor and connected crony of Premier Cassel Mathale. The price was a full R10 million higher than the next tenderer.
Premier Mathale has run his province into the ground and despite presiding over the greatest crisis of governance in South Africa, the man and his team remain in power.
The hon member's remarks about the premier's running of the province are a political opinion which he is well within his rights to express.
However, just before that, the hon Mr Steenhuisen spoke about a tender that had been awarded to Premier Mathale's "crony", which was R10 million more than the next tender. Politically the word "crony" is always derogatory, and in this case infers inappropriate behaviour on the part of the premier, as it implies that he would allow tenders to be awarded to friends, regardless of their suitability. This is a reflection on the premier's integrity.
Hon members, the Rules of this House protect only its members, judges, or holders of an office whose removal from such office is dependent upon a decision of this House. In this context, the premier is not protected by the Rules of the House.
That being said, I would like to caution that, in the interests of co-operation and cordial relations within the legislative sector generally, hon members should be measured in their references to premiers and members of other legislatures. Criticism of governance and other political matters is allowed, but reflection on the personal integrity of members of other legislatures should be approached circumspectly.
In a Joint Sitting, however, the situation will be different, as premiers are members of those proceedings as leaders of the provincial delegations in the NCOP. There, from the outset, the premiers are protected in terms of the Rules.
During the same debate, the hon Mrs S V Kalyan also rose on a point of order, asking whether it was parliamentary for the hon Minister in The Presidency: National Planning Commission to shout, and I quote, "Shut up!" while hon Steenhuisen was at the podium. I indicated then that if such words had been spoken, they would indeed have been unparliamentary. I also indicated that, not having heard the words personally, I would study the Hansard and return with a ruling.
I have studied the Hansard and found that the Minister's interjection, if it was made, has not been recorded. As I said before, the words are unparliamentary and, had the hon Minister been found to have uttered them, he would have been requested to withdraw them. Thank you.
Mrs S V KALYAN
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The SPEAKER
NOTICES OF MOTIONS
Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon 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 outcomes of Cop 17, and determines the implications for South Africa and possible domestic policy responses.
Mr N B FIHLA
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Mrs S V KALYAN
Mr N B FIHLA: 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 second President of the ANC, Sefako Mapogo Makgatho, who presided over the ANC from 1917-1924.
Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF
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Mr N B FIHLA
Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF: Hon Speaker, on behalf of Cope I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House discusses whether the trade in ivory and rhino horn should be legalised or not.
Mr D D VAN ROOYEN
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Mr N J J VAN R KOORNHOF
Mr D D VAN ROOYEN: 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 the South African response to the implications of the deepening of the global economic crisis and the lessons that have been learned from this crisis.
Mr A M MPONTSHANE
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Mr D D VAN ROOYEN
Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Hon 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 learner safety measures in place at our schools, and ways in which we can improve them in order to prevent violent criminal activity from occurring on school premises.
Mrs C DUDLEY
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Mr A M MPONTSHANE
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 moral and practical dilemmas of dealing with pregnant convicted women criminals and the infants and toddlers that are being raised in jail.
Ms M N PHALISO
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Mrs C DUDLEY
Ms N M PHALISO: 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 measures to deal with the kidnapping and trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
Ms M R SHINN
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Ms N M PHALISO
Ms M R SHINN: Hon 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 strategic importance of South Africa's communications policy and infrastructure to the fast-tracking of international commercial competitiveness and better facilitating of the inclusion of rural areas in the economy and service delivery initiatives.
Mr W M MADISHA
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Ms M R SHINN
Mr W M MADISHA: Hon 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 shocking slaying of two school-going youths during the past week, and growing concerns about the culture of violence and ill discipline prevailing in many public schools in our country.
Mr G LEKGETHO
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Mr W M MADISHA
Mr G LEKGETHO: 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 the assessment of integrated approaches to crime prevention and safety.
Mr G G HILL-LEWIS
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Mr G LEKGETHO
Mr G G HILL-LEWIS: Hon 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 high financial and regulatory barriers to trade with and between African states, and develops recommendations on how South African goods in particular can be more easily traded with our African trading partners.
Mr P D MBHELE
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Mr G G HILL-LEWIS
Mr P D MBHELE: Hon Speaker, on behalf of Cope I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House debates how we as South Africans can ensure that the total wealth of talent and skills of the entire nation can be harnessed in order to build a successful country, and how we can arrest the slide to access to opportunities and power by the politically connected few.
Mrs J D KILIAN
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Mr P D MBHELE
Mrs J D KILIAN: 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 suitability for office of the government spokesperson after the finding by the Public Service Commission that he failed to declare income received from the private sector.
Mrs M V MAFOLO
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Mrs J D KILIAN
Mrs M V MAFOLO: 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 assessing the impact of bullying and violence in schools, and measures to prevent such acts.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
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Mrs M V MAFOLO
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
(Draft Resolution)
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that International Women's Day is held annually on 8 March to celebrate women's achievements throughout history and across nations, and is also known as the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace;
(2) believes that to secure peace, social progress and the full enjoyment of human's rights and fundamental freedoms requires the active participation, equality and development of women, thus acknowledging the role and contribution of women in strengthening international peace, security and development initiatives; and
(3) calls upon government, organisations and women's groups to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future, while not forgetting the inequalities that still need to be addressed.
Agreed to.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
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The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
(The late Ms M I Direko)
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move the motion in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party as printed on the Order Paper:
That the House-
(1) notes with great sadness the death of former ANC Member of Parliament, Ms Winkie Direko, on Friday, 17 February 2012;
(2) further notes that Ms Direko suffered a fatal stroke at Universitas Netcare hospital in Bloemfontein at the age of 82;
(3) remembers that Ms Direko was a member of the NCOP from 1994 to 1999 and Premier of the Free State from 15 June 1999 until 26 April 2004;
(4) further remembers that Ms Direko was a long-standing member of the ANC and a committed educator, participating in various structures and always serving with passion and dedication;
(5) believes that Ms Direko epitomised the ANC policy of being a caring organisation and thus everybody who had the privilege of working closely with her remembers her as a caring leader, mother and grandmother;
(6) further believes that she was very passionate about education and development and had also committed herself to the protection and promotion of the rights of vulnerable older persons;
(7) acknowledges her deep compassion, commitment and courage, which she proved in true selfless service to her people and the country;
(8) appreciates her contribution to furthering our democracy, her energy and enthusiasm as a public representative and community worker and leader; and
(9) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Direko, her friends, colleagues and members of the ANC.
[Applause.]
Dr A LOTRIET
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The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
Dr A LOTRIET: Mr Speaker, often in one's life people cross your path and it is only later, with hindsight, that you realise that you have met someone special, someone who makes an impact on your and others' lives. However, this was different with Ms Direko.
Our paths crossed for the first time in the late 1980s, when I was a new lecturer at Vista University in Bloemfontein, in the department of education, and Ms Direko was a student in my postgraduate education and research methodology classes. I was immediately aware of being in the presence of someone special, a person who exuded dignity, strength, passion, caring and humility. Little did I know that I was lecturing the future Premier of the Free State!
During the two years that she was a student in my class I got to know Ms Direko as the embodiment of the ideal educator and community worker. At that point she was the headmistress of Sehunelo High School in Batho, which was arguably one of the best high schools in the area, and this was primarily due to the impact Ms Direko had on the school.
I remember well how she would stand at the gate of the school in the mornings when the learners arrived, and woe to those who dared to be late! The learners at the school, however, had the greatest respect for her and knew that she had only their best interests at heart.
The same goes for the community. Her door was always open, and she gave of her time and whatever else she could afford.
Mr Speaker, I am extremely grateful that I have the opportunity today to pay tribute to Ms Direko. Forgive me if my tribute seems a bit personal, but as a person I owe her much for the impact she has had on me as an educator.
It was from her as a student that I learnt most about what teaching really means: what it requires to teach in difficult circumstances; how to really care for the learners in your class; what it means to give of yourself; how to carry on in times of great adversity when you are confronted by great personal loss and tragedy; how to keep on smiling and face the world, and continue with your responsibilities, always knowing that there are others who are less fortunate than you.
From her I learnt that a child in your class is like a butterfly in your hand, and that you have to nurture him or her until he or she is ready to fly. However, at the same time you as a teacher have the power to crush that child in your hand. The challenge in teaching is always to find and manage the balance.
It is also a tribute to her, and a comfort, that her contribution to education in South Africa will live on through the Winkie Direko Education Building at the University of the Free State.
I think one of her most outstanding qualities, among many, was her humility. She was never greater than the task or the position. A good example of this was when she became Premier of the Free State. She preferred to live in a modest house in Bayswater, Bloemfontein, rather than in the official residence, Free State House. The only indication at her house that someone important lived there was the guard house that was built at the front entrance, and I'm quite sure she also objected to that. She never considered herself above anything or anyone. Even as a Member of Parliament, when she was in Bloemfontein she would have no qualms about asking for a lift home, or asking where she could get reasonably priced material for dresses. That is the person she was.
Our paths crossed again years later in the 2000 local government elections, when I was standing as a councillor in the ward where she lived. On election day, even though I was absolutely sure she was not going to vote for me, she came over and basically gave me a pep talk and wished me everything of the best. That was the kind of person she was. She never judged you on anything other than the person you were inside.
On Saturday, 18 February this year, I drove past Ms Direko's house and saw quite a number of cars outside. My first thought was that there was some kind of function at the house, and it was only a while later that I heard the sad news that Ms Direko had passed on.
It was one of those moments when you realised that the world as you had known it had changed. One of the certainties, one of the people that you had always just accepted would be there, was gone. At that moment the landscape of Mangaung, the Free State and the country changed forever.
Her legacy and contributions made deep imprints into our lives, and for that we are truly grateful. We are better because of her.
On behalf of the DA, I convey our deepest condolences to Ms Direko's family, her vast circle of friends and the ANC she so proudly served. May she rest in peace! [Applause.]
Mr D A KGANARE
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Dr A LOTRIET
Mr D A KGANARE: Mr Speaker, "Mistress Winkie" Maele Isabel Direko was nobody's mother, but a mother to all. Her lifetime commitment to service to all presented her with several opportunities to serve the community she resided in. She was a leader who understood the basic law of science that nature does not allow a vacuum. She was always there to serve when service was required.
She was a teacher who understood that education was not meant to produce quantity, but quality. She was a domestic science teacher at Sehunelo High School in Bloemfontein where, incidentally, I was a student. Despite this position, she behaved and was treated as a school principal, which she later became. I haven't met any student who claimed to have been a victim of corporal punishment from Mistress Winkie, but there are a lot who have been the recipients of her sharp rebuke at one time or another. She knew how to shout at anybody who was out of order.
She was a community worker who belonged to a range of nongovernmental organisations, which included the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, Nicro, the Girl Guides Association, and the National Council of African Women. She was proud of her membership of these organisations and gave her all to them. She was an inspiration and a mentor to all those who came into contact with her.
She regarded a political office as an extension of her community work. There is a lot of a talk about her work amongst the poor. When she was the Premier of the Free State, she intervened with a number of banks to save people who were going to be liquidated. Some of these business people are now multimillionaires. Therefore it was not nice to be a bank manager during Mistress Winkie's tenure as Premier of the Free State!
She was a premier with empathy. Whilst she treated members of her executive council as colleagues, she always referred to them as her children! That is why she would suggest that we put money together to buy a suit for an MEC because of his Sanco background, and next she would call another one to order by saying, and I quote, "When you die, I will go to your funeral and say, 'Here lies a fool who could not keep quiet.'" [Laughter.]
Mistress Winkie was a lot of things to a lot of people. At her funeral more was revealed of what she did during the dark days of apartheid. Although nature does not allow a vacuum, it's going to be difficult to replace her. To the Direko, Matjoa and Motsepe families, I can only say, "Gomotsegang." Ke a le boga. ["Condolences to you." Thank you.] [Applause.]
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
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Mr D A KGANARE
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA: Hon Speaker, I stand here before you today with a heavy heart, as we all mourn the sad passing of our dear and beloved colleague, Sisi Winkie Direko.
Sisi Winkie was a woman, not only of vision and leadership, but also of firm belief and unwavering dedication to the people of South Africa, whom she so loved and served with all her heart.
Today, we not only mourn but also celebrate her life achievements and dedication to all who knew her. She touched many hearts in the community and remained devoted to the upliftment of the poor and most vulnerable. She was an educator, a carer and a fighter for what she believed was right.
She served selflessly during the days of apartheid and continued to do so during her years in government and even after she had retired. She led by example and was living proof of the fact that women are strong leaders. She not listened to the plight of our people, but dedicated her life to the betterment of their circumstances and future.
The poet Ellen Brenneman said it best when she wrote, and I quote:
... life holds so many facets
the earth is only one.
"Kgotso, pula, nala." [Peace, rain and success.] May the warm welcome you always extended to us echo in heaven for eternity. Sisi Winkie, South Africa salutes you.
She always used to look very smart. She never wore a dress, as she was always in suits. One day, as I faced her, I said to her that she always looked smart and wore suits every day, and I wanted to know why. She responded by saying that somebody made them for her. Her breast was always ... [Laughter.] That was Sisi Winkie. Those are the things that brought me nearer to her. I thank you. [Laughter.]
Mr L W GREYLING
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Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
Mr L W GREYLING: Hon Speaker, it is with great sadness that we pay tribute to "Winkie" Isabel Direko, former Member of Parliament and better known for having been elected as the third Premier of the Free State in 1999. Ms Direko passed away at the age of 82, on 17 February, after having devoted her life to serving our country.
She made lasting contributions through her service as a community activist, school principal, president of the Girl Guides, Chancellor of the University of the Free State, and member of the NCOP, to which she was elected in 1994.
Ms Direko will be remembered for her accessibility, politeness, humility and punctuality, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
We in the ID wish to extend our deepest condolences to our colleagues in the ANC and Ms Direko's surviving family. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr N M KGANYAGO
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Mr L W GREYLING
Setswana:
Rre N M KGANYAGO: Mathloko ho baha Direko.
English:
We are gathered here once more to bid farewell to one of our outstanding South Africans whom death has taken away from us. It feels like we are meeting far too often for this purpose, and this fills me with sadness. It is a harsh reminder that our time on earth is short and that we have a duty to achieve as much as we can in our daily work in this institution, because we never know when fate might bring an end to our contributions.
The late hon Mme "Winkie" Isabel Direko, who passed away on 17 February 2012, as indicated by previous speakers, devoted her life to serving the peoples of South Africa. As a permanent delegate to the NCOP from 1996 to 1999, Mme Direko made a monumental contribution to ensuring that the ideals that determined the struggle for liberation were translated into meaningful poverty alleviation programmes.
We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues, and the ANC family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of bereavement. Perhaps you will be somewhat comforted by the fact that she reached the highest pinnacles of legislative service for her country, and that her name will forever be recorded among the names of those democrats who have served the nation with distinction.
It is further really encouraging to learn that Mme Direko obtained a Master's Degree in Education at the age of 71! [Applause.] This is really encouraging and it's a very good example to all of us that we should keep on learning. We can't say we are too old. We must go to the libraries, read and read, and get Master's Degrees while we are still here! I thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs C DUDLEY
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Mr N M KGANYAGO
Mrs C DUDLEY: The ACDP offers condolences to the Direko family, the people in her community and the ANC on the loss of their long-time mother figure, friend and comrade. My colleagues and I know Mama Direko as a colleague in the work of Parliament and we recognise her significant contribution to the history of South Africa, where she leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service and hard work.
It is delightful to read of her whole life having been one of cheerful giving. The community where she was born and lived remember her with much affection. They speak gratefully of Mama Direko's fishing them out of difficult situations. One woman remembers Mama Direko's picking up the costs of the funeral of her mother, when her family was unable to pay. Another tells of Mama Direko's days as a tuck shop owner in the late 1980s, when poor people used to ask her for food and other necessities, and she often obliged. She also helped young people and assisted them with money to travel to school.
Mama Direko had a great sense of humour and, at the same time, showed a fine intellect as a teacher, principal and motivator.
We join countless others who celebrate Mama Direko's life, and honour her as the selfless woman of prayer and service that she was. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr L M MPHAHLELE
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Mrs C DUDLEY
Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Hon Speaker, the PAC is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Mme Winkie Direko. Mme Direko was a teacher both by profession and by calling. She taught us how to run a province without being implicated in corrupt practices. What a great lesson in this era of "steal and stash before you are caught"!
I will also always remember her grandmotherly voice on the radio cautioning the youngsters to abstain so that they could live longer and escape the scourge of HIV/Aids.
Mme Direko was not just an ordinary politician; she was a stateswoman. Politicians do things when they have positions, whereas stateswomen like Mme Direko, just like statesmen, do things with or without positions.
Setswana:
Go wele mogale mo tlhabanong, segatlhamelamasisi, phorogotlho ya motho le moetapele wa boammaruri. Mme Direko o kwadile leina la gagwe ka ditlhaka tsa molelo mo lekokong la ANC le mo nageng ya rona ka bophara. Tsamaya ka kagiso, tshetlhana ya morolong, mmina tholo wa ntwa ya mathibela, o moroka. Ya gago tiro, o e dirile mmaetsho, ka matlho re a bona. Pula.
Mr R B BHOOLA
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Mr L M MPHAHLELE
Mr R B BHOOLA: Mr Speaker, life and death are a very important cycle in a human being's life. When a person passes on it is indeed a very sad moment and one of the greatest sorrows, which no one wants to experience. On behalf of the MF, I convey heartfelt condolences to the Direko family and friends. We pray that God Almighty will bestow strength, courage and fortitude on them during this time of bereavement, as they mourn their irreplaceable loss.
Mr Speaker, a mother is always seen and characterised as a selfless individual who does not seek happiness only for herself, but rather for her family, the community she lives in and society in general. This is precisely what the astounding Mama Direko was.
I am reminded by the prophetic words of Mahatma Gandhi that if you have to wage a war against poverty, you first have to begin with the women and children of the land. As a dedicated educator, Mama Direko made an incredible contribution to advancing the education sector, so that it achieved greater success. She always believed that deeds are judged by intentions and was very passionate about ensuring social improvements for the poor, particularly the elderly women and children.
She made boundless contributions to South African politics and commanded immense respect as a leader. A true citizen of humanity, she will always be sadly missed by all, including the ANC, and our condolences go to them in their loss of a remarkable, impeccable comrade.
I have no doubt that the ANC will continue to ensure that her hopes are turned into reality, and her desires into overwhelming success, as they strive to march forward with conviction and determination to ensure her legacy continues to see a fruitful democracy and the creation of a caring society for all, with all working together to achieve more, so that there can in practice be a better life for all.
With her warm and caring heart, she will undoubtedly be sorely missed. As we all continue to pray in the abundance of prayer, may her soul rest in peace. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
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Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 114
Mr R B BHOOLA
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to speak. We thank Parliament for offering us an opportunity to say a word or two in tribute to the late Maele Isabel Direko, popularly known as Mistress Winkie, a former member of this House, and my mother. I thank the movement, the ANC, for asking me to speak on its behalf on this huge personality from its pipeline of leadership of great depth.
It is a privilege because it so happens that she was a close friend of, and fellow teacher with, both my late parents. She also invited me to serve on her executive council as the MEC for Local Government and Housing, when the ANC asked her to lead the province.
The turnout at her funeral was a testimony to the many ways in which she was very popular, not only in the Free State, but throughout most parts of our country.
She was outspoken, she was decisive, and she was firm when she was convinced of her case. The campaign on HIV/Aids in the Free State, which she led from the front, will be remembered for a long time by many listeners to radio stations, such as the ones Ntate Mphahlele referred to, because of the manner in which it resonated with teenagers and parents alike. Because of its straightforward language – no mincing of words! – they knew what she was talking about. She did not try to put it diplomatically; she was absolutely clear about what she thought they should do.
At the funeral of someone she loved, she told mourners that it was a pity that God had not consulted her. She would have advised Him that there were many sitting there who really deserved to go, and not this good person lying in front of them there! [Laughter.] She spoke frankly, often in flowery township language that made her a real favourite speaker at all kinds of events, serious and light-hearted. She had an absolutely mischievous sense of humour, as I said earlier on.
The daughter of a labourer and a domestic worker, she was passionate about education, as other members have pointed out here, and it was a personal matter for her, because of her background, her parents, and also the community in which she lived. She studied and graduated in her old age with a Master's degree in education, and ended up being the Chancellor of the University of the Free State. She was very proud to have served in the Portfolio Committees on Basic Education and on Social Development here in Parliament, because to her these were a personal continuation of what she had done throughout her life, which she would have liked to see all of us doing.
She was also passionate about helping the poor and destitute. She often used her own family groceries to help feed some hungry family, who would have communicated to her indirectly through one person or another. She was a prominent member of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, Nicro, and fought battles against crime. She also worked tirelessly to give witness in mitigation for offenders so that they were treated humanely, even if they were convicted. She continually worked to roll back the brutality of the apartheid system.
It was because of these things that the ANC chose her as its representative on the Judicial Service Commission, in order to give her experience in that sector.
She was connected to a large network and very well informed. She once dramatically discovered the whereabouts of the late Moses Kotane and also of Thomas Nkobi, who on different occasions found themselves arrested and taken to a police station in Bloemfontein. Moses Kotane, the late Treasurer General of the ANC and the Secretary General of the SACP, requested her to bring him the South African law book, which he used to prepare his case and he successfully defended himself as a result. Thomas Nkobi, on the other hand, asked her to find him a train ticket which he would use to build his alibi to explain his presence in Bloemfontein without the permit required by the influx control laws of that time. Mistress Winkie bought him half a loaf of bread and cool drink. On his eating the bread, Thomas Nkobi found his train ticket in it. He, too, won his case, assisted in this way by Mistress Winkie. She was very streetwise.
Many families will always remember her fondly for her having helped them bury their loved ones with dignity. She mobilised all sorts of help on hearing of someone who didn't know where to get help. She was indeed an exemplary public representative, who inspired many of us by showing us what it means to be caring.
Speaking on her 80th birthday, Ntate Molemela, the founder of Bloemfontein Celtic FC, we are told, commented nostalgically on the fact that when they were growing up Mistress Winkie was a head turner for young men of his age. He also pointed out that she walked into areas where even men were afraid to tread, and did things that they were afraid to do. Her courage and fearlessness, for which she had a reputation, led her in a big way.
It was, I believe, this humaneness in her that allowed people to take her very public criticisms and guidance with a smile, things at which they would have taken offence if they had come from other people. When she chided people, either in private or in public, she did it with passion, if she believed that they were absolutely wrong. That was the reason that many people, although angry sometimes, took it with a smile. They knew that this person was saying it from her heart. And when the need arose, she was extremely good to them. She was very motherly and helpful in many ways, not only to her own, but to others as well.
She never glorified the working class, because she was of them, she belonged among them, and this is why she was trusted the way she was. She died at the age of 82, wanting to be remembered as a community activist rather than as a politician, as she used to say, but she was interred to rest at the Heroes Acre in Phahameng in Bloemfontein, amongst revolutionaries and activists, many of whom she taught and worked with.
We as the ANC convey our condolences to the family and the community of Mangaung in their loss of a formidable leader who lived long and was building a humane society – a task we must continue to carry out with determination.
We must also thank the Speaker for representing us well, as members of the House, at Mistress Winkie's home and during her funeral. His message was warmly received, because people understood that the work that Mistress Winkie did as an MP was done on their behalf as well.
We appreciate the legacy she has left behind – it is a tough assignment to carry on with. We hope that many people in Mangaung will not forget the good she did for others, and that we can continue to build this as a monument to her, helping others who still need the kind of help she made available in that community. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The SPEAKER: I take it that there are no objections to the resolution being adopted. Will members please rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of the late Ms Winkie Direko?
Motion agreed to, members standing.
The SPEAKER: Please be seated. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Direko family and to the ANC.
Ms P MADUNA (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 116
The SPEAKER
LIMPOPO PENSIONERS' SOCCER TEAM FUNDING CHALLENGE
(Member's Statement)
Ms P MADUNA (ANC): Hon Speaker, a team of soccer-playing pensioners in Limpopo, called Vakhegula Vakhegula, meaning Grannies Grannies, have been invited to the United States to participate in the 2012 Veterans Cup in San Diego in July. It is not the first time that they have been invited to participate. In 2010 they participated in the 2010 United States Adult Soccer Association Veterans Cup in Massachusetts.
These pensioners, of whom the oldest member is aged 84 years, practise their game of soccer twice a week and also play local matches. They leave behind their domestic responsibilities and meet on the soccer field. Apart from honouring soccer talent, they also believe that playing soccer helps them to stay fit and allows them to forget about their illnesses and family worries. The grannies are now also encouraging the grandfathers, Vakhalabye Vakhalabye, to join them in their love of this sport.
Unfortunately, funding seems to be a challenge and the team is appealing for sponsors. We hope their appeal is heard and benefactors come forward to help these remarkable men and women. We wish them well. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S C MOTAU (DA)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 116
Ms P MADUNA (ANC)
URGENT NEED FOR COMPENSATION FUND TO PAY OUT CLAIMS
(Member's Statement)
Mr S C MOTAU (DA): Mr Speaker, in the last three years, since 2009, the Compensation Fund's net asset value has ballooned from R21,4 billion in 2009 to R24,6 billion in 2010, and then to R27,6 billion in 2011. At the same time, certain beneficiaries are finding it very difficult to access funding from the fund. Two thirds of the approved claims are not paid out in the year that the request is made! By March 2011, the last date for which there are reliable statistics, the Compensation Fund had 70 000 unprocessed applications! That is not acceptable.
The Compensation Fund exists to help those workers who get sick or become injured at work due to the negligence of an employer. It is not right that the Compensation Fund should sit on an ever-growing portfolio of investments, while thousands of desperate people struggle to access the funding they depend on for their daily livelihoods.
The Compensation Fund has set a target of a turnaround time of three months after the claim is registered. It is clear that the fund is consistently not meeting this target. The statistics for the year ended March 2011 show that 30% of new claims take longer than three month to be processed. The DA urgently calls on the Compensation Fund Commissioner, Mr Shadrack Mkhonto, to turn this situation around. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr L S NGONYAMA (Cope)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 116
Mr S C MOTAU (DA)
SUPPORT FOR FORMER PRESIDENT MBEKI AND EFFORTS TO STOP ILLEGAL EXPORT OF MONEY FROM AFRICA
(Member's Statement)
Mr L S NGONYAMA (Cope): Hon Speaker, billions of dollars leave Africa illegally. Former President Thabo Mbeki and the panel which he chairs need to be fully supported through an active government campaign to stop the illegal export of $50 billion or more out of Africa each year. He asked that all stakeholders should support this initiative and his appointment at the level of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
These illicit financial flows out of Africa are detrimental to the continent, because they undermine investment in Africa. To place what has being lost to Africa in context, it is important to note that $25 billion comes into Africa as financial assistance from outside. The continent is therefore losing twice the capital it is receiving as financial assistance.
Our government must actively support the UN panel in its yearlong work, as it begins its study of the flow of money out of Africa, and attempts to analyse the mechanisms that are employed by those who move the money.
Former President Mbeki has urged that this be regarded as a matter of vital importance to the continent, as the results will enable governments on the continent to implement practical actions to encourage investments in Africa and for Africa's development.
Cope congratulates former President Mbeki on his appointment and wishes him success with his current responsibilities. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr E NYEKEMBA (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 117
Mr L S NGONYAMA (Cope)
DECENTRALISATION OF COMPENSATION FUND
(Member's Statement)
Mr E NYEKEMBA (ANC): Speaker, the ANC welcomes the recent national road show in Klerksdorp by the Department of Labour's Compensation Fund, during which it engaged stakeholders in promoting the concept of decentralisation. This is intended to increase the operational efficiency of the organisation.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. Its function is to compensate workers for injuries, disability, illness, diseases and death sustained during work. Decentralisation is an initiative whereby services of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act are rendered at provincial level, rather than being solely provided at the Compensation Fund's head office.
This initiative of decentralisation in the provinces is meant to bring the services of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act closer to the people. Previously, all information and documentation had to be sent to the national office for registration, adjudication and payment. This process has proved to be time-consuming and frustrating for clients.
A key element in the decentralisation process has been the move away from manual processing to the introduction of an electronic system, and the turnaround time for registration and adjudication has been reduced from 90 days to 60 days. I thank you.
Mr N SINGH (IFP)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 117
Mr E NYEKEMBA (ANC)
CALL TO SUSPEND ETHEKWINI OFFICIALS FOLLOWING MANASE REPORT
(Member's Statement)
Mr N SINGH (IFP): Mr Speaker, the IFP calls for the eThekwini Municipality to be placed under immediate administration following the findings released by the Manase Report. The report highlighted numerous instances of alleged corruption and gross maladministration by municipal officials in the ANC-controlled municipality.
We further call for the immediate suspension of all officials and councillors who were named and shamed in the Manase Report, and trust that disciplinary action will be instituted against them. As most of the officials named hold senior positions in the municipality, it is self-evident that it will be unable to carry out a business-as-usual operation. We therefore reiterate our earlier call to the provincial executive to intervene under section 139 of the Constitution.
Before Deputy Minister Carrim says it is a provincial matter, let me say we further request the national Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to obtain the Manase Report and provide it to this House, as funds appropriated to the eThekwini Municipality include conditional grants and municipal infrastructure grants which are included in our national Budget.
Furthermore, no legal costs incurred by the said officials to defend themselves must come from the coffers of the eThekwini ratepayers. I thank you.
Mr P J GROENEWALD (FF Plus)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 117
Mr N SINGH (IFP)
FF PLUS CONDEMNS RACISM AND RACIST TRAINING CAMPS
(Member's Statement)
Afrikaans:
Mnr P J GROENEWALD (VF Plus): Agb Speaker, die VF Plus neem met skok kennis van mnr Franz Jooste se rassistiese uitlatings in die media oor sy kommandokorpsopleidingskampe. Mnr Jooste se aanhitsing van rassehaat en spanning is onaanvaarbaar en word sterk veroordeel. Die feit dat hierdie kampe jong seuns indoktrineer om swart mense te haat is geen oplossing vir die huidige probleme van Suid-Afrika nie, en pleeg 'n onreg teenoor sulke jong mense, omdat hulle wanaangepas sal wees in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing.
Die VF Plus veroordeel deurlopend rassisme, van wie dit ook al mag kom. Dit is so dat misdaad in Suid-Afrika gemeenskappe noop om veiligheidsopleiding te kry om hulleself te beskerm, maar wanneer dit misbruik word om jong mense te indoktrineer om rassisties te wees, is dit onaanvaarbaar. Sulke optrede skaad en benadeel ook ander veiligheidsopleidingsgroepe wat 'n diens aan die gemeenskap wil lewer.
Die VF Plus-jeug se tema vir 2012 is juis "Ons is 'n vry generasie". 'n Kind wat in 1994 gebore is word hierdie jaar 18 en is stemgeregtig. Dit is 'n generasie vry van die verlede en dit is belangrik om nie 'n nuwe generasie van gegriefdes te skep nie. Die ANC-regering skep nuwe gegriefdes met sy onbillike regstellende aksie en universiteitstoelatingsbeleide.
Dit is egter belangrik dat mense soos mnr Franz Jooste nie met sy kru rassisme die saak van die Afrikaner as minderheidsgroep skade berokken nie. Alle Afrikaners is nie so nie, maar die optrede van sulke organisasies word gebruik om alle Afrikaners as rassiste te stereotipeer, en is 'n onreg teenoor Afrikaners. Dankie.
Ms N A MNISI (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 118
Mr P J GROENEWALD (FF Plus)
WESTERN CAPE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
(Member's Statement)
Ms N A MNISI (ANC): Speaker, in delivering her state of the province address, the Premier of the Western Cape seems to have drawn inspiration from the ANC in announcing her provincial government slogan of "Better together". As we all know, the ANC has consistently communicated this message and our commitment to the people, in both our local government election slogan that "Together we can build better communities", and our national election slogan that "Working together we can do more to create a better life for all." [Applause.]
It is a pity that she merely mouths the slogan without concretely improving the lives of the majority of our people who live in the Western Cape. The backlog in the delivery of housing, which is a major challenge and concern in the province, was relegated to the end her address as an afterthought. Her comment, that the problems in housing delivery were a result of problems with co-operative governance, indicates the reluctance of the DA to recognise and accept the ANC-led government's progressive policies, which are biased towards poor people. [Interjections.]
She neither mentioned how many government-issued houses have been built in the past, nor indicated how many are going to be built this year, so a comparison cannot be made with the actual delivery at the end of 2012. There were no projects targeting any black residential areas, or the Cape Flats where the majority of the province's poor people reside. [Time expired.]
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 118
Ms N A MNISI (ANC)
RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SA NARCOTICS BUREAU
(Member's Statement)
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC): Hon Speaker, the Minister of Social Development, the hon Bathabile Dlamini, recently launched an anti-alcohol campaign with the theme: "Towards an alcohol and drug abuse free South Africa – take a stand." The PAC applauds her courageous move.
The following are scary but sobering facts. South Africa has the world's highest prevalence of foetal alcohol syndrome disorder, or mother-to-child alcohol transmission. Over 30% of our population has an alcohol problem. Alcohol affects 17,5 million South Africans. South Africa has 182 000 illegal shebeens.
On drug abuse, drug consumption in South Africa is twice the world norm. Fifteen per cent of South African citizens have a drug problem. Sixty per cent of crimes nationally are related to substance abuse. In the Western Cape the figure is closer to 80%.
We in the PAC stand for the re-establishment of the SA Narcotics Bureau, which was disbanded in 2004. Since its disbandment, drug-related crimes have increased by 30%. We do not subscribe to the myth that alcohol production, distribution and advertising create jobs. Yes, alcohol creates jobs – for the undertakers, panel beaters and marriage counsellors!
Let me conclude by quoting Prof Twerski:
" ... the source of addiction is spiritual deficiency. ... spirituality is the cornerstone of our recovery."
I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr G G HILL-LEWIS (DA)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 118
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC)
CALL FOR RELEASE OF FULL REPORT ON CORRUPTION IN ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY
(Member's Statement)
Mr G G HILL-LEWIS (DA): Speaker, the DA has noted the partially released Manase report on the eThekwini Municipality. We note that it has confirmed what people have long suspected, that the ANC-run eThekwini Municipality is riddled with widespread fraud, corruption and maladministration, involving councillors, officials and a web of connected contractors. On top of other reports, including the Public Protector's latest findings on the Dipaleseng Municipality, it reinforces what more and more South Africans are coming to realise, that the ANC cannot be trusted to run local government.
The real question we have to be asking in the House today is why this municipality is yet to release the full Manase report and all its annexures. The report deals with the findings of an inquiry into a public institution, paid for with public money, and the public are therefore entitled to the full set of findings. The fact that it has not been released in its entirety begs a very obvious question: What is still being covered up in eThekwini?
The DA calls on the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene and compel the MEC, Nomusa Dube, and the municipality to release the full report, so that the full set of facts can be placed before the public and the councillors in eThekwini. It is essential that all the problems be laid bare, no matter how politically uncomfortable or embarrassing they may be for the ANC. [Applause.]
Adv A H GAUM (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 119
Mr G G HILL-LEWIS (DA)
SUCCESS OF PRESIDENTIAL HOTLINE
(Member's Statement)
Adv A H GAUM (ANC): Speaker, the success of the Presidential Hotline is to be acknowledged in the ANC-led government's ensuring that it will always be responsive to its people. The Presidential Hotline has successfully resolved the majority of calls from South African citizens, with the overall case resolution rate reaching almost the 80% mark.
The Presidential Hotline receives calls from citizens who raise issues relating to employment, the world of work, housing, law-related matters, social services, citizenship, electricity, education, health and basic services. The majority of these calls are from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, mainly due to their population size.
Up from 39% in 2009 to 79,89% in January 2012, the successful resolution rate of the hotline can be attributed to better co-ordination at the director-general and senior management levels of government.
Whilst we give credit where credit is due, we recognise that much more still needs to be done to ensure that all concerns raised by our citizens are timeously addressed. Forward to a 100% response rate, forward! Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr R N CEBEKHULU (IFP)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 119
Adv A H GAUM (ANC)
ROBBERIES AND VANDALISM AT SCHOOLS
(Member's Statement)
Mr R N CEBEKHULU (IFP): Speaker, a mob stoning by learners resulted in the deaths of two members of a gang of teenage robbers at Zwelihle Secondary School in UMlazi, U Section, last Friday. The gang entered the school premises and robbed pupils in their classrooms. In response to the attack, learners took the law into their own hands and embarked on a revenge attack. They chased the robbers to the township where two of the robbers were stoned to death.
In a separate incident two learners were stabbed to death just outside their schools in Auckland Park and Cape Town.
Despite the Department of Education's employing security personnel on school premises, it appears that they are not fit to provide the security required. In addition, although these security personnel might be visible during the day, there is no security at night, resulting in break-ins and the vandalism of school premises.
In one school in UMlazi where computers were stolen, the computers were subsequently found in the house of one of the teachers!
It is clear that the levels of crime and violence at schools, which are supposed to be havens of safety and learning, are totally out of control. The IFP calls on government to do more to ensure the safety of our children and our schools. I thank you.
Ms N P GCUME (Cope)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 119
Mr R N CEBEKHULU (IFP)
FUNERAL POLICIES FOR THE POOR
(Member's Statement)
Ms N P GCUME (Cope): Speaker, Cope calls on the government to fulfil the mandate given by the people to eradicate poverty, create permanent jobs instead of temporary ones, and have compulsory funeral schemes for the elderly and disabled, in order to progressively realise a better life for all.
Poor people try to have funeral policies, but as expenses rise they are unable to keep up with the payments and the policies lapse. Some poor people cannot pay for funeral policies, though they want to. Families are not well resourced – most of them survive on grants and allowances.
It was distressing to note that disabled Ms Tlola, a mother of four children in the Eastern Cape, passed on with no money left in her bank account. She was sick for approximately six months, and was not able to keep up with her monthly premiums, as she had to visit doctors. Her insurance company refused to pay the funeral costs because the policy had been in arrears for two months. I had to intervene to cover the funeral costs, because she was a human being and we cannot let the bodies of our people be eaten by vultures.
Therefore, there is a demand for compulsory funeral schemes for grant beneficiaries, especially the elderly and disabled, so that we can be sure that when they die they are buried with dignity. For example, if the money were deducted from their benefits before they were paid, we could be assured that the premium was paid monthly.
We also urge the government to give clarity on the policy regarding pauper burials. When someone dies there is no one to take responsibility for the body and the hospital where death occurred will arrange a simple funeral and burial. Today a pauper's burial is no better than a dog's funeral, it was said by Daisy Booth shortly after burying her friend as a pauper in Mdantsane NU15 Cemetery recently.
In terms of the Health Act of 1977 it is the municipality's responsibility to pay for the removal and burial. We therefore ask the government to look into this. [Time expired.]
Ms M J SEGALE-DISWAI (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 120
Ms N P GCUME (Cope)
GOVERNMENT JOINT VENTURE FOR PRODUCTION OF ARVs
(Member's Statement)
Ms M J SEGALE-DISWAI (ANC): Speaker, the ANC welcomes the initiative of government's massive partnership with a leading global pharmaceutical company, Lonza Ltd, to manufacture the ingredients of antiretroviral, ARV, drugs locally. This will see the country save millions of rands. The initiative is called Ketlaphela.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients will be manufactured, which account for about 75% of the ingredients in the making of generic ARVs. This will also provide new opportunities for South African scientists and pharmaceutical companies.
This project is in line with the plan of the ANC government to address HIV and Aids through the local, cost-effective production of ARV drugs, and will also boost the local pharmaceutical industry by creating an estimated 22 000 jobs. Thank you. [Applause.]
Ms M R SHINN (DA)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 120
Ms M J SEGALE-DISWAI (ANC)
FINE IMPOSED ON TELKOM BY COMPETITION COMMISSION
(Member's Statement)
Ms M R SHINN (DA): Speaker, Telkom is in hot water and deservedly so. The Competition Commission is pondering the size of the fine it will impose on Telkom for its greed and bullying tactics in dealing with South Africa's value-added network service providers.
Telkom has few sympathisers. Its dead hand on the expansion of communications networks that are the nervous system of commerce and government service delivery has damaged our economy. With its vicelike grip firmly around the honey pot, Telkom used unfair legal advantage to undercut service providers, driving many out of business and limiting the services the others could offer.
Eight years ago Telkom could have acquiesced in the Competition Commission's finding that it had indulged in uncompetitive behaviour, and it could have freed our communications community to expand with vigour. Instead, it chose to use taxpayers' and customers' money to fight the indefensible and further hobble our economic expansion. It tried every legal tactic to wriggle off the hook.
The fact that it was allowed to do so by its shareholders – of which this government is by far the largest – was a dereliction of their duty. They are responsible for allowing this travesty to drag on for years, at immeasurable cost to the economy.
Prof L B G NDABANDABA (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 120
Ms M R SHINN (DA)
SMALL CLAIMS COURTS TO BENEFIT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
(Member's Statement)
Prof L B G NDABANDABA (ANC): Speaker, small claims courts have been established to benefit vulnerable communities. The ANC has always maintained that there should be justice for all, and we are encouraged that the ANC-led government consistently ensures that we deliver to the people.
The recent opening of the small claims court in Balfour, officially dedicated to the late freedom fighter, Gert Sibande, has given that vulnerable community access to justice. The court serves the community of Dipaleseng, which includes areas like Balfour, Grootvlei and Greylingstad, as well as 21 farms in the municipality. Bringing such services closer to the people and responding to their needs has given the disadvantaged community, especially those on the farms, a new lease on life.
The services provided by the small claims courts can be accessed easily, because no representation by attorneys is required in those courts. It merely requires the two parties who are involved to argue the case before an attorney, who then acts as a commissioner.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has given the assurance that it will continue to open these small claims courts in rural areas. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 121
Prof L B G NDABANDABA (ANC)
FF PLUS CONDEMNS RACISM AND RACIST TRAINING CAMPS
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Hon Speaker, with regard to what the hon Groenewald has said, I'm not sure why the FF Plus has suddenly seen it fit to polarise South Africa on the basis of race. On the day when the President was speaking here the hon member put a question loaded with racial implications and undertones. So this is not clear, and today he has put another question, about youth.
Of course, the government has youth programmes, including one led by the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA. We also have one in our department. They are nonracial. We've got young white chaps there. It's got nothing to do with race; it's got to do with raising our country's profile in regard to building a nonracial society here. So why is it that the hon members over there do this? Have they run out of policy options? What's the problem? We think that we need, perhaps, to look carefully at why ...
Afrikaans
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Speaker, punt van orde.
English:
The SPEAKER: Just take your seat, hon Minister. Yes, hon member, what is your point of order?
Afrikaans
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Speaker, ek wil weet of dit in orde is as 'n agb Minister reageer op 'n lidverklaring, maar hy het nie verstaan wat ek gesê het nie. Ons het dit juis veroordeel. Die VF Plus het juis rasisme veroordeel, en die agb Minister kom hier, maar hy verstaan nie, want hy sê ons bly daarmee voortgaan.
English:
The SPEAKER: Hon Minister, proceed. Respond to what the hon member has said.
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Speaker, the hon member assumes that I didn't understand because he speaks Afrikaans and I speak isiXhosa. That is a problem, and that is exactly the point I'm talking about. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Address the issue, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Hon Speaker, I am saying, ...
Afrikaans
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Speaker, op 'n verdere punt van orde ...
English:
The SPEAKER: Hon Minister, just hold on. What is your point of order, hon member?
Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Speaker, as far as I know, there is an interpreting service in Parliament.
An HON MEMBER: Yes!
Mr P J GROENEWALD: Now, I will repeat my question. I want to know whether it is in order for an hon Minister to respond to a member's statement, even though he doesn't understand what was said in the statement. The FF Plus expressly condemned racism. [Interjections.] Now the hon Minister wants to know why we are talking about racism. If he doesn't understand what the member's statement was about, how can he respond to it? Thank you, Speaker.
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Is it truly a point of order, Sir?
The SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat - the other member. You remain standing until I tell you to sit down. [Laughter.] Hon Minister, please address what the hon member has been saying, and please try to keep it short.
IsiXhosa:
UMPHATHISWA WEZAMAPHANDLE NOPHUHLISO LWEZEMIHLABA: Somlomo ohloniphekileyo, yonke le nto ayithethayo umhlekazi uGroenewald lo isiseko sayo sinye. Bubuhlanga nokuba uyivela ngaluphina uhlobo. Akakwazi ukundichazela ngendlela emandiphendule ngayo, akugqiba ukutyhola umbutho wethu owakha isizwe athi wakha ubuhlanga. Andizo kuxelelwa nguye ukuba ndiphendule njani na. Enkosi, Sihlalo, kulo ndawo.
Okokugqibela, ndifuna ukuthi kukho ilungu elithi i-ANC ayinakuthenjwa ukuba ingaphatha oorhulumente bokuhlala.Lilungu le-DA elithetha oko. I-ANC apha eMzantsi Afrika ineevoti ezingaphezu kwama-60 eepesenti kwaye ilawula oomasipalti abaninzi.
English:
One swallow doesn't make a summer.
IsiXhosa:
Ngenxa yokuba bekhokela iKapa bazibona ukuba bangenza ngcono kune-ANC. Ngendlela esibaninzi ngayo apha kwi-ANC, umntu ngamnye owenza impazamo, lo mntu ngowe-ANC.Yiyanyaniso leyo eMzantsi Afrika kuba i-ANC inabantu abaninzi. Nokuba kukho umntu ogilwe yimoto xa uqala ukujonga ungacinga ukuba gowe-ANC kuba sibaninzi thina. Yi-ANC elawula eli lizwe.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 122
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
LIMPOPO PENSIONERS' SOCCER TEAM FUNDING CHALLENGE
RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SA NARCOTICS BUREAU
FUNERAL POLICIES FOR THE POOR
(Minister's Response)
IsiZulu:
ISEKELA LIKANGQONGQOSHE WEZOKUTHUTHUKISWA KOMPHAKATHI: Sihlalo, ngiphendula ilungu elihloniphekile lika-ANC.
English:
We in Social Development encourage older persons to form older persons' clubs and discuss ways to assist them to stay healthy and fit. One of the things they do is to play soccer and other games, as well as run.
This year we had a tournament in Mangaung where all provinces were represented. Let us all assist the Department of Social Development in its endeavour to make sure that our older people stay healthy by participating in these games. Remember that you will be old one day!
IsiZulu:
Asisize abantu bethu abadala. Namhla yibo, kusasa yimi nawe. Okwesibili ...
English:
... I am very pleased that hon Mphahlele is joining us in the campaign to fight alcohol and drug abuse, which is championed by the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini. I agree that we cannot create jobs by exposing other people to substance abuse.
IsiZulu:
Umtshwala nezidakamizwa kubulala ikusasa lezingane zethu. Asiyilwe-ke le mpi yezidakamizwa sisonke. Ngimema wonke amalungu ahloniphekile ukuba angene kulo mkhankaso wokulwa nezidakamizwa manje.
Okokugcina, kulungu elihloniphekile le-Cope elikhulume ngomasingcwabisane [burial societies]. SinguMnyango wezokuThuthukiswa koMphakathi sigqugquzela umthetho omusha oqondene nokuthi uma abantu bethu bethola imali yabo emshinini, bayithole iphelele, injengoba injalo ingaphungulwanga. Bese kuba yibo abathatha imali yabo bayokhokhela imshwalense yemgcwabo, hhayi imali yabo iphungulwe yithi emshinini.
Siyavuma ukuthi kufanele babe nemingcwabo emihle enesizotha, kodwa-ke nokho ayingathathwa yithi emshinini. Sikhuthaza ukuthi kulokhu kubhalisa kabusha, abantu bethu baqiniseke ukuthi uma besuka emshinini imali yabo iphelele, nokuthi ileyo eshiwo umthetho ukuba kufanele bayithole, ukuze singasolwa kusasa ukuthi imali iphelela emshinini, nokuthi abantu bathola izimali ezingaphelele. Ngiyabonga Sihlalo. [Ihlombe.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 123
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ROBBERIES AND VANDALISM AT SCHOOLS
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION: Hon Speaker, our schools are indeed islands of hope for our people, especially the poorer communities. To that extent society has a particular responsibility for ensuring that it takes ownership of our schools.
We share in the concern of the hon member in relation to violence. Violence in any form, be it through the act of bullying or through the gangsterism that occurs in schools from time to time, is condemned.
Last week we indicated to this House that we would be having a Council of Education Ministers' meeting. In that meeting we would direct the MECs for education to ensure that when school governing body elections took place, the issue of bullying would be addressed and form part of the code of conduct. We can therefore report to this House that such a proposal was indeed made and accepted by all MECs for education.
In addition, Mr Speaker, in this financial year approximately 1 000 schools have been fenced.
We also have an extensive programme in collaboration with the SA Police Service, in terms of which the police adopt schools. This activity, which has existed for more than two years, will be formally launched by the Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Police very soon. What the programme seeks to do is to ensure that every school is linked to a police station, and that there is a symbiotic relationship between the SA Police Service and our schools.
Finally, it is important that we encourage all governing bodies to establish subcommittees of safety and security. In that way they can ensure that there is close liaison between them and the community police forums, CPFs, as well as the SA Police Service, and that they deal with the issue of security in a constructive and structured way.
We urge our communities to take the responsibility of ensuring that we provide our learners with a conducive environment which is caring and which protects our learners. To that end, we believe that we should always recognise the importance of our schools as being areas where the wellbeing and safety of our learners are protected. I thank you, Mr Speaker. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 124
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO WESTERN CAPE
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON THIRD AFRICA CONFERENCE ON SANITATION AND HYGIENE (AfricaSan 3)
There was no debate.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Speaker, I move:
That the reports be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report on Oversight visit to Western Capeaccordingly adopted.
Report on Third Africa Conference on Sanitation and Hygiene (AfricaSan 3) accordingly adopted.
Mr G D SCHNEEMANN
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 124
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS ON PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA, ICASA, CHAIRPERSON AND COUNCILLORS
Mr G D SCHNEEMANN: Speaker, the report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications before the House deals with the performance management system to monitor and evaluate the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, its chairperson and councillors.
Section 6A(1) of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, Act 13 of 2000, as amended, stipulates that the Minister must, in consultation with the National Assembly, establish a performance management system to monitor and evaluate the performance of the chairperson and councillors. Up until now, this section has not been implemented. The committee welcomes the fact that the performance management system is now to be implemented.
The performance management system monitors and evaluates the performance of the chairperson and councillors. It also has to set key performance indicators, measurable targets and a procedure to measure and review its performance at least once a year.
I would like to indicate briefly how this performance management system will operate. Firstly, the Act requires that the Minister, in consultation with the National Assembly, constitute a panel to evaluate the performance of the chairperson and councillors. The panel must consist of at least five members, one of whom must be the designated chairperson, and it is proposed that the panel should consist of the following: a retired judge, a representative from the Office of the Auditor-General, respected experts from academia, a representative from an organised consumer group, and independent experts in the electronic communications or broadcasting sector.
None of those who serve on the panel should have any conflict of interest at all during their term of office. The term of office for each member is three years from the date of appointment. A member may be removed by the Minister in consultation with the National Assembly due to, inter alia, misconduct or inability to perform his or her duties efficiently or effectively.
The chairperson and councillors must sign performance agreements with the Minister by 1 April of each year, and the performance review, undertaken by the evaluation panel, must be completed by no later than 28 February of each year. The performance evaluation report of the evaluation panel must be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration after completion of the evaluation.
The Committee on Communications therefore presents this report to the House. Thank you very much.
There was no debate.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Speaker, I move:
That the report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
Adv T M MASUTHA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 1 March 2012 Take: 124
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AUDITOR-GENERAL ON BUDGET AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF AUDITOR-GENERAL FOR 2012-13 FINANCIAL YEAR
Adv T M MASUTHA: Speaker and colleagues, thank you once again for the opportunity, and it is indeed a privilege, in representing my committee, to commend to you the strategic plan of the Auditor-General for your consideration. It contains, amongst other things, the budget for the financial year that is about to commence, namely, 2012 to 2013.
In doing so, I also wish once again to commend the institution for continuing on its path of excellence, thus achieving one of its key objectives, namely of leading by example, as will have been reflected, for example, in the report that I was privileged to present to you on Tuesday this week, which focused on the Annual Report of the Auditor-General, documenting its achievements for the 2010-11 financial year.
The projected budget for the Auditor-General is approximately R2,2 billion and the projected expenses in the form of direct audit costs are R1,5 billion. The difference of approximately R7,7 million is budgeted for other indirect costs such as taxation and other headline costs.
Included in the budget is a projected surplus of about R45 million, which is projected lower than the approximately R232 million surplus that the report we tabled on Tuesday reflected, where we requested you to approve that such a surplus be retained in order to fund continuing projects that are still being pursued by the institution.
The Auditor-General, as an institution, commits itself to five key predetermined objectives against which its performance is to be measured, and you will notice that in our annual report on Tuesday, we reflected on how it had fared in the last financial year. For example, amongst these predetermined objectives is the commitment to achieving clarity, simplicity and relevance in the messages that it gives to auditees. In other words, the objective is to ensure that the standards and requirements of the audit directives against which auditees are audited are clear to auditees upfront, and that they are able to understand what is required of them so that they are able to actually comply with the standards in pursuit of the objective of ultimately achieving clean audits.
Another objective which is contained in the strategic plan is leading by example. As I indicated on Tuesday, it would be a sad day if the Auditor-General as an institution were not itself capable of achieving clean audits and adhering to the same standards that it expects all other auditees to adhere to. Their continued achievement of clean audits in the past gives us confidence that in the year ahead the same achievement will be sustained.
Another objective that is contained in this is visible leadership. In other words, through road shows and other interventions the Auditor-General is expected to crisscross the country, meet political leadership, meet heads of departments, and ensure that the kind of challenges that are identified in these audit reports are communicated to them, advice is given to them on the appropriate interventions ... [Time expired.] Thank you very much and I ommend the report to the House.
There was no debate.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Speaker, I move:
That the report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 15:35.
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