Hansard: Approppriation Bill: Debate on Vote No 1 – The Presidency
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 30 May 2012
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 31 May 2012 Take: 1
THURSDAY, 31 MAY 2012
PROCEEDINGS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____________
The House met at 14:06.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
FIRST ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 31 May 2012 Take: 1
START OF DAY
APPROPRIATION BILL
Resumption of debate on Vote No 1 – The Presidency (Reply by President)
The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members of the House, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to sincerely thank hon members for their participation in the Presidency's Budget Vote. The hon Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, reminded us yesterday that today, 31 May, is the anniversary of the formation of the Union of South Africa, which formalised the exclusion of the black majority in our country. Addressing a meeting of the SA Native Convention, which met in Bloemfontein's Waaihoek township in March 1909 to consider means of protesting against the draft Union of South Africa constitution, one of the founding fathers of the African National Congress said:
The white people of this country have formed what is known as the Union of South Africa – a union in which we have no voice in the making of laws and no part in their administration.
We have called you therefore to this Conference, so that we can together devise ways and means of forming our national union for the purpose of creating national unity and defending our rights and privileges.
It is important to remember such landmarks in our history, lest we join the school of thought which preaches that reconciliation should mean that everything that happened before 1994 must be forgotten, and must not provide lessons for what we do today.
Writing in 1953, ANC scholar and thinker, R V Selope Thema eloquently described what life was like for black South Africans in 1910 when the Union was formed. He said the following:
In those days the black man was treated as a beast of burden. He was knocked and kicked about with impunity. In the magistrate's courts his voice was hardly heard and his evidence hardly believed.
He was stopped at street corners by policemen demanding the production of his pass and his tax receipt. He was not allowed to walk on the pavements and had to dodge motor cars in the streets.
He was not allowed to travel first, second or third class on the trains. He travelled in trucks almost similar to those used for cattle and horses.
Politically he had no voice in the making and administration of the laws. Economically he was kept in a state of abject poverty.
Years later, in 1961, Chief Albert Luthuli, in his acceptance speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, described South Africa as follows:
It is a museum piece in our time, a hangover from the dark past of mankind, a relic of an age which everywhere else is dead or dying.
Here, the cult of race superiority and of white supremacy is worshipped like a god. Few white people escape corruption and many of their children learn to believe that white men are unquestionably superior, efficient, clever, industrious and capable;
That black men are, equally unquestionably, inferior, slothful, stupid, evil and clumsy.
We also recall the words of President Nelson Mandela in his statement from the dock in the Rivonia Trial. He had this to say:
The lack of human dignity experienced by Africans is the direct result of the policy of white supremacy. White supremacy implies black inferiority. Legislation designed to preserve white supremacy entrenches this notion.
Madiba went on to describe attitudes which, at the time, seriously impacted on the dignity of Africans. He said:
Menial tasks in South Africa are invariably performed by Africans. When anything has to be carried or cleaned the white man will look around for an African to do it for him, whether the African is employed by him or not. Because of this sort of attitude, whites tend to regard Africans as a separate breed. They do not look upon them as people with families of their own; they do not realise that they have emotions.
If hon members quote the Constitution selectively and quote the rights selectively, we still have a lot of work to do to help the whites on the other side quoting Mandela. [Applause.] For this Mandela that we like to quote was very clear on the issues of this country and he was very clear about what we fought for. As we are all clear.
Hon Speaker, I am reminding the House of this, because we should not lose sight of the fact that this country has a history, a very, very painful history whose deep scars still show. [Applause.] If you care to know what these scars are, if you go to Rondebosch as opposed to Gugulethu, you will see the scars. The scars still show, even in this heavenly well-governed province. [Interjections.] Scars still show no matters who governs which province.
Life did not begin in 1994. No amount of denial will take this historical fact away. [Applause.] We are building a new nation out of the ashes of colonialism and apartheid. We are building a new nation out of a country where to be black meant subjugation, indignity, inhumane treatment, humiliation and dispossession simply because those in power believed that black people were lesser human beings by virtue of their colour and race.
Scores suffered, some paid the supreme price, others left the country of their birth, as they pursued the struggle for freedom, justice, equality, democracy and human dignity to have the Constitution we today talk about very casually. Therefore, we cannot take our freedom lightly. We cannot take the rights that were won in 1994 lightly and use them for political point-scoring. [Applause.]
Out of that pain, we must build a new society together, and bury hatred and mistrust. Madiba directed us to move in that direction in his inauguration address in 1994, where he declared:
Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.
That society, which was born in 1994, was underscored by a very progressive Constitution with a Bill of Rights. For a people whose every moment was a lived experience of humiliation and a denial of their human dignity, the restoration of their human rights, including that of human dignity, meant the restoration of life.
Many can find meaning in the declaration by a Mexican revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata, who said, "It's better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees".
We cannot go back to the period or memory of Number 4 prison, where black men were made to strip naked and perform the "tauza" dance. Nor do we want to reopen the wounds of the humiliation of Sarah Baartman, who was painfully exhibited in London and Paris, and whose genitals and brain were stored in a pickle jar and shown off in a museum until the administration, led by President Mandela, demanded the return of her remains for a decent burial. [Applause.] We dare not repeat that painful, brutal, primitive treatment of a human being.
This is why we are also currently working with the government of Austria regarding the remains of Khoisan people who were taken to Austria for experiments in 1909. Already the remains of Mr and Mrs Klaas and Trooi Pienaar have been brought back to the country and we are working on the logistics of a decent burial. The Austrian scientist Rudolph Poch had taken more than 80 South African human remains to Austria for experiments.
I trust that the social cohesion and nation-building summit in July will give us all the opportunity to turn our backs on denial and confront this painful history, with a view to finding final closure and healing. Our people have suffered enough indignity.
The hon Chief whip of the ruling party, Mathole Motshekga, pointed out correctly that the dialogue would promote racial, cultural and religious tolerance and contribute to nation-building and social cohesion. Most importantly, it will allow the sharing of experiences. We are a rainbow nation but our experiences are not the same. Our knowledge of this country must not be solely defined by written texts, but should be informed by the experiences of the people who make up the wonderful tapestry of this wonderful nation.
I would like to assure this House that, as much as we fought for this freedom and liberated both the oppressor and the oppressed alike, we will defend all the rights enshrined in the Constitution including the right to freedom of expression and the right to human dignity. [Applause.] No right is superior to other rights. In the same vein, we must disabuse ourselves of the notion that certain rights are more important to certain sections of South African society than others. Freedom of expression is as important and as understood and appreciated in Constantia as it is in Gugulethu. That is why this government defends the right of our people to express themselves in any manner, including protest action, except if in exercising that right they begin to violate the rights of others, such as destroying property or stopping other people from exercising their own rights. No right is absolute. It must be exercised with due regard to the rights of others. That is the balance we have to strike at all times. Most importantly, as leaders we have a responsibility to live, uphold and defend the Constitution regardless of narrow political goals. No right is so important that it can be used to undermine other rights with impunity.
Hon Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin eloquently captured the importance of balancing all the rights in our Constitution and not to promote those rights that are important to those with power and influence only or those that are convenient at a given time. We cannot be selective with our Constitution. And it does not matter who the subject of the violation of any right is. All rights are important and must be respected - I am putting a lot of emphasis on rights, because I think that certain members in this House need some help in understanding this.
Hon Members, what is remarkable about our country, is that, despite this human disaster that lasted too long, as described by Madiba, we still had that historic gathering in Kliptown in 1955, where, under the leadership of the ANC delegates to the congress of the people – the real congress of the people ... [Laughter.]- declared that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.
It is remarkable too, that, while our struggle was a struggle against racism, it was never a racist struggle. That is why we had white democrats fighting side by side with their black compatriots to liberate this country and put an end to racism and subjugation.
Madiba declared from the dock while facing a possible death sentence, "the ANC has spent half a century fighting against racialism. When it triumphs it will not change that policy". Indeed, it has not, and will not change that policy. [Applause.]
I am saying this, because when we speak as I do it must not be misread. It must not be misread as us trying to provoke emotions wrongly. We are correcting those who are provoking emotions wrongly ... [Laughter.] [Applause.] ... and we remind them that we fought for nonracialism as we fought for this democratic Constitution and we will defend it.
When we speak of the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality, we are essentially talking about the economic and social patterns of colonialism and apartheid. Today, when we talk about these things, some people seek to suggest that we brought these as this government. A failing to deal with issues. These are three long periods – centuries – that dispossessed people. This poverty that you are talking about, you talk about as if it just fell from the sky and came from nowhere. People were forcibly removed from their land, made poor overnight, made to be homeless and landless. That is what we are trying to correct today. We think that we can correct it in two decades when it was damaged for three centuries. We present government's scorecard without discussing it. We discuss everything else under the sun, including an incorrect interpretation of the Constitution and the oath taker. [Interjections.]
Therefore, while we have done remarkably well, as our midterm review demonstrates, we still have some way to go before Qumbu can look like Rosebank. But we are determined to get there. Some of us have been determined from a very young age. We are still determined today and nothing is going to stop us.
We thank hon Bhoola for acknowledging that considerable work has been done and that people must not pretend as if nothing has been done. [Applause.] As hon Sue van der Merwe pointed out, "there is evidence that policy decisions are being turned into practical programmes with the emphasis on building on sound policies and tweaking those that proved less suitable". Indeed we are a learning government and we improve each day in the delivery of services.
Mr S B FARROW: How about sick children in Limpopo?
The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: Our performance monitoring and evaluation mechanism allows us to know what is working and what needs to be fixed. In this regard, we are able to give a frank and honest account of where we are succeeding, and where we must still work harder. We know what we are doing and we know where we are going and how to get there. And as hon Mfundisi correctly stated, we have parted ways with business as usual. We are doing things differently and in a more hands-on manner.
Hon Mphahlele, you stated that our land restitution programme has been a sad story of failure or set up for failure as there is no meaningful support for government beneficiaries. In 2009, we set ourselves a target to redistribute 30% of the 82 million hectares of white-owned agricultural land to black people by 2014. This 30% translates to 24,5 million hectares.
Our midterm review has indicated that the process of acquiring and distributing a particular piece of land is often lengthy, and this escalates the cost of redistribution because the former owner stops investing in the land. We agree with you therefore hon Mphahlele, that many of the farms are in a poor state of repair at the point of acquisition. In addition, there has often been a decline in productivity on the redistributed farms. In response, government adopted the recapitalisation programme in November 2010. By December last year, 595 farms were in the process of being rehabilitated through this programme. Strategic partners and mentors, who are competent and experienced farmers themselves, are appointed through a particular system to assist beneficiaries with farming activities.
The strategic partners and mentors are required to develop the farming skills of beneficiaries, provide them with access to markets, and, where possible, access to the entire value chain of that particular business. Most importantly, the strategic partners are required to share in the risks of the farming enterprise to ensure the success of the venture. This further contributes to the objective of deracialising the rural economy. To date we are seeing drastic improvements, not only in terms of production on farms, but in the lives of the beneficiaries. We agree that more work still needs to be done and we will do so.
Hon Shenge and hon Dikobo pointed to some serious shortcomings that we are dealing with currently, such as the shortage of medicines in some hospitals especially ARVs and children studying under trees. As Minister Collins Chabane pointed out, we will continue conducting extensive monitoring nationwide. This will enable the Presidency to detect such anomalies ourselves timeously, and correct them. No matter how critical those who are opposing might be, we are dealing with the issues. You might disagree with some of the issues, but at least we are dealing with issues about what needs to be done in this country to improve the quality of the lives of our people. So respect that. You may agree or disagree, but at least we are discussing the issues that confront our people. [Applause.]
Hon Manana raised the critical challenge of youth development and the imperative of investing in our youth. The Deputy President and Deputy Minister Obed Bapela touched on this subject in their presentation, underlining the importance we attach to finding a solution, working with all sectors.
In 2009 we committed to promoting decent employment through inclusive growth and to address the problem of youth unemployment. The response to youth unemployment has to be multipronged. It cannot be one intervention given the magnitude of the problem.
We have a number of interventions to address youth development and employment. These include improving support to small- and medium enterprises, expanding opportunities in the Expanded Public Works Programme, the Community Work Programme, National Rural Youth Service Corps, the national youth service programme and others.
You will recall also, that through Nedlac, government recently signed a National Skills Accord with all the social partners in which business and state-owned enterprises made concrete, numerical commitments to significantly increase numbers of apprenticeships and to take on learners and interns for practical workplace experience. Government also undertook to develop targets for internships throughout the public sector. We also signed the green economy accord with business, labour and the community sector.
Among the commitments in the accord, was that a target of 80% of new employees in the manufacturing and installation of solar water heating systems in public and community works programmes directed at environmental challenges, should be young people. We also have asked all government departments to mainstream youth development and youth employment and to ensure that all programmes cater for the youth as a priority sector.
Hon Speaker, we truly appreciate constructive contributions by Members of Parliament that help to improve our work. We have been addressing the matter of the youth for some time now. Some people have just discovered it now. [Laughter.] And they are running around as if they were the ones who discovered it in the first place just like someone arriving in Cape Town, after people had already been living here, claiming to have discovered a country. It's the same thing. There is no difference. [Laughter.] Discovering a point in Africa. Arrive in Durban, and discover Durban on Christmas Day. [Laughter.] There are people staying there. Arrive at Victoria falls and claim to have discovered a wonderful thing and call it the name of the discovery. There were no people before – and now people have discovered the youth problem. [Laughter.] And therefore South Africa must be in trouble, because they have just discovered the youth. [Applause.]
We have been dealing with the issue of the youth all the time – all the time. [Interjections.] Just like people who stayed here in he Cape Peninsula who have been here for centuries, when someone arrives and claims to have discovered it. Discovering people as well, do what you like with them. Mayibabo! Why are you only discovering the youth issue now, when we have been working on it all the time? [Interjections.] You seem to be very fond of discovering things. [Laughter.]
We were happy to receive a letter from hon Holomisa on the need to revitalise the Umthatha area. We believe that Members of Parliament have a duty not only to criticise but to guide government towards action in their constituencies as they know the needs of those communities better. We would like to thank the hon member, because, as a result of that, something is happening – as he acknowledged.
An HON MEMBER: Yes, "Le tlang" [That is coming], Soweto is coming.
The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: You are going to discover Soweto too? Is that so? [Laughter.]
Work is continuing to rebuild Umthatha and surrounding areas and we are happy with the progress being made. In fact, it was confirmed by a bishop when I was in a church in the Eastern Cape.
The oversight role of Parliament needs to be enhanced to allow more positive and constructive outcomes from engagements than point-scoring debates which do not practically change the lives of the people. We have also noted the comments and concerns of hon Holomisa on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project known as the e-tolling system. The Deputy President is leading government on seeking solutions regarding this matter. We assure hon Holomisa that, whatever we do, we will be mindful of the need not to compromise the huge infrastructure programme which is crucial for raising the level of South Africa's economic growth and for raising the standard of living of citizens, especially the poor and unemployed.
Hon Members, we need to appreciate the truly historic significance of South Africa and Africa hosting the major part of the Square Kilometre Array project. The awarding of this project has catapulted Africa into being an integral part of the world scientific community, seized with the challenge of exploring and understanding the origins of our universe and of life itself. This is the rightful place of our continent which is the cradle of humankind and which centuries ago was at the forefront of research and science through our ancient universities, as exemplified by the hallowed city of Timbuktu in Mali. Now, at last, our youth can once again share in the excitement of discovery and development of understanding. [Laughter.] We'll discover something up there where no human being has been before, but where there are already other humans we can't discover. [Laughter.]
There are many opportunities in this very important victory for our youth. As we become part of the advance guard of the scientific community, our challenge will be to give our youth the quality education that will make them scientific explorers of tomorrow. Let the hosting of the Square Kilometre Array,SKA, inspire our youth and give us the strength to meet this challenge.
Let me remind the hon members of this august House that we have been given a huge responsibility as Members of Parliament and of government. We have the privilege of taking decisions that influence the lives of millions of people. This requires us to use this privilege responsibly by knowing when to score points and when to put the interests of the country first. Mama Phumeza Mhlanga, my special guest from Alice, came to me this morning traumatised. She left this House early yesterday. She was shocked and disappointed by the conduct of some hon members in the House. [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Oder! Order!
The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: We need to remember that visitors to this House need to leave with a good impression. Even more so those sitting at home, who look up to the public representatives here. That is why members need to behave in a mature, constructive and responsible manner. This is an elderly lady of 80 who came to Parliament for the first time. I don't think it is appropriate for such a person to leave with that impression. I think if this old lady had this impression, I wonder about those sitting far away who are not able to pass on remarks about their impressions. I think we need to do something about our behaviour. [Interjections.] I thought I should share what she had said with you. She said that people could disagree, but not in such a manner. I am sure she did not understand what was happening. [Interjections.] I know that some people, when they make a point, they do so with force and they may sound a certain way, signifying nothing. And I can imagine this old lady is looking at this saying, "kanti kuyaliwa yini lapha" [are we fighting here.]? But it is absolutely enjoyable. I said her, "no, mama, this is democracy. Andin a democracy people do whatever they like. At times they go overboard of course." The word democracy sounds very nice and it looks like people think that in a democracy you are well-behaved when making your points. That you make your points properly and reasonably. [Laughter.]
As we forge ahead to build a new society out of what Madiba called a human disaster that lasted too long, we remain guided by the wisdom of our founding fathers and our leaders who have been with us for a long time – those who understood where we are going.
Chief Albert Luthuli aptly summed up what the ANC stands for when he declared:
Our vision has always been that of a nonracial democratic South Africa which upholds the rights of all who live in our country to remain there as full citizens with equal rights and responsibilities with all others. For the consummation of this ideal we have laboured unflinchingly. We shall continue to labour unflinchingly.
I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
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