Hansard: NA: Motions
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 17 Sep 2012
Summary
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Minutes
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TUESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 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.
NOTICES OF MOTION
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Start of day
NOTICES OF MOTION
Afrikaans:
Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS: Speaker, by die volgende sitting van die Huis sal ek namens die DA voorstel:
Dat die Huis die moontlike effek van hidrouliese breking op die Square Kilometre Array, SKA, projek beredeneer en moontlikke oplossings bespreek om die situasie te beredder.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
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Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS
English:
Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the House debates the government's unacceptable delay in issuing the proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit, ISU, to investigate corruption in various departments, especially State Information Technology Agency, Sita, tenders corruption and irregularities reported by the Auditor-General, AG, over R200 million.
Mrs C DUDLEY
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Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Mrs C DUDLEY: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of ACDP:
That the House debates the need for South Africa to develop a common understanding of what serving the public interest means.
Mr S C MOTAU
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Mrs C DUDLEY
Mr S C MOTAU: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
debates the role and performance of the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac; and proposes recommendations to improve its performance and relevance.Mr N B FIHLA
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Mr S C MOTAU
Mr N B FIHLA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates celebrating the legacy of the ANC president general, Chief Albert Luthuli, who presided over the ANC from 1952 to 1967.
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
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Mr N B FIHLA
Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
debates the issue of acid mine drainage and the effects it has on communities around abandoned mines; and suggests urgent steps the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has taken or will have to take to deal with this problem.Mrs F F MUSHWANA
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Mrs C N Z ZIKALALA
Mrs F F MUSHWANA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates ways and means that can be embarked upon to ensure that our matric results never ever go below 70% again.
Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD
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Mrs F F MUSHWANA
Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the ethical principles in relation to Members of Parliament and the executive in relation to public trust in this institution.
Ms L VAN DER MERWE
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Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD
Ms L VAN DER MERWE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
debates the increase in child prostitution, especially in KwaZulu-Natal; and suggests multipronged strategies that can be put in place to ensure that we defend our children's Constitutional rights and protect them against this heinous crime.Ms D O CHILI
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Ms L VAN DER MERWE
Ms D O CHILI: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates measures to empower youth with values, soft skills and knowledge that could help them develop into responsible and conscientious adults.
Dr P J RABIE
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Ms D O CHILI
Dr P J RABIE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
debates the latest ranking of South Africa on the overall World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index which has seen it drop by two places in the last year; and suggests solutions to improve the situation.Ms J P NGUBENI-MALULEKA
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Dr P J RABIE
Ms J P NGUBENI-MALULEKA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates the role of financial institutions in infrastructure development projects.
Ms A MFULO
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Ms J P NGUBENI-MALULEKA
Ms A MFULO: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates mechanisms to ensure growth, success and sustainability of women co-operatives.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
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Ms A MFULO
Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
debates the unacceptable delays in the basic education school-building programme in the Eastern Cape of the schools for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13; and recommends strong measures to stop this continuous failure.Mr D C SMILES
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Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Mr D C SMILES: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House -
debates the acute shortage of professional staff at special schools; and suggests solutions to redress the situation.Adv L H MAX
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Mr D C SMILES
Adv L H MAX: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
debates the state of employee relations within the Department of Correctional Services to ensure improved service delivery; and suggests solutions to improve the situation.MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
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NOTICES OF MOTION
UNITED NATIONS WORLD TOURISM DAY
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that the United Nations, UN, World Tourism Day is held annually on 27 September to raise awareness of the benefits of tourism; further notes that the day aims to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value; acknowledges that the theme for World Tourism Day 2012 is Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development; further acknowledges this year's theme aims to highlight tourism's role in a brighter energy future, a future in which the world's entire population has access to modern, efficient and affordable energy services; and urges all tourism stakeholders – government, businesses and tourists themselves – to play their part in reaching the UN goal of achieving sustainable energy for all by 2030, and to position tourism at the centre of the clean energy economies of the future.Agreed to.
Mrs S V KALYAN
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
35TH ANNIVERSARY OF STEVE BIKO'S DEATH
(Draft Resolution)
Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that 12 September marked the 35th anniversary of Steve Biko's tragic death; further notes that Steve Biko became a prolific leader during the Durban Moment, a period where the City of Durban became the centre of anti-apartheid activities, alongside unionist and philosopher Richard ''Rick'' Turner in the early 1970s; recalls that Steve Biko was expelled from the University of Natal in 1973 for his anti-apartheid and pro-black pride views and his involvement as founding member and president of the Black People's Convention; further recalls that Steve Biko was banned by the apartheid regime in 1973 from King Williams Town, where he established numerous grassroots organisations to promote black consciousness, assist the families of political prisoners and arrange self-reliance projects; acknowledges that Biko's influential leadership was instrumental in the success of the Black Consciousness Movement and that his writings and activism against the oppressive apartheid regime was highly regarded amongst the youth; further acknowledges the integral role Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement played in rallying the youth to oppose and reject Bantu education; recognises that Biko dedicated his life to democracy, freedom, self-respect and human rights for all South Africans; and urges South Africans to celebrate the life of Steve Biko and to honour the causes for which he fought.Agreed to.
Rev K R J MESHOE
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Mrs S V KALYAN
WHEELCHAIRED-BOUND ORPHAN'S DREAM TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST
(Draft Resolution)
Rev K R J MESHOE: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that Nolwazi Madlala, who is wheelchair-bound, has overcome extraordinary circumstances and is pursuing her dream of becoming a psychologist and one day owning her own practice; further notes that Nolwazi, who was orphaned at the age of 12, was placed under the guardianship of her uncle together with her two siblings; acknowledges that a year after her mother's death, Nolwazi was involved in a car accident that injured her spine and resulted in the death of her brother, whose funeral she could not attend because she was still in hospital; appreciates the fact that her family tragedies and her disability did not take away her love for education; commends Nolwazi for entering a competition for South African youth in the Extraordinary Champions category, which recognises people with disabilities who have overcome difficulties; congratulates her for winning the Presidential Award at a special ceremony and for earning the top honour of the evening; and wishes her well in her studies towards a Master's degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and encourages her to pursue her dream of one day owning her own practice.Agreed to.
Mr M A NHANHA
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Rev K R J MESHOE
20TH YEAR OF THE 1992 BISHO MASSACRE
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M A NHANHA: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that 7 September 2012 marked the 20th year since the occurrence of the 1992 Bisho massacre in the then so-called Ciskei homeland; further notes that freedom fighters died or were wounded during that fateful protest march; recognises with great sadness the brave souls who paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives for Ciskei's reincorporation into South Africa during the final years of apartheid; acknowledges their brave contribution to the freedom we enjoy as South Africans today; extends its gratitude to the victims of the Bisho massacre and the appreciation of the nation for the liberation achieved through the sacrifices they have made; and commends Minister Paul Mashatile and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Noxolo Kiviet for organising a very successful commemoration in honour and recognition of our fallen heroes and heroines.Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
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Mr M A NHANHA
SEPTEMBER 2012 WORLD ALZHEIMER'S MONTH
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that September 2012 marks the first global World Alzheimer's Month; further notes that World Alzheimer's Day, held on 21 September each year, is a day on which Alzheimer's organisations around the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about Alzheimer's and dementia; acknowledges that the theme for World Alzheimer's Month 2012 is Dementia: Living together; further acknowledges that last year's United Nations convened Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases, NCD, recognised neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and other dementias, as an important cause of morbidity, contributing to the global NCD burden, for which there is a need to provide equitable access to effective healthcare programmes; calls on everyone to help reduce the stigma associated with dementia; and encourages the creation of dementia-friendly communities.Agreed to.
Dr A LOTRIET
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
(The late Mr Goliath Davids)
Afrikaans:
Dr A LOTRIET: Agb Speaker, Ek stel sonder kennisgewing voor:
Dat die Huis-
kennis neem dat die veteraan-akteur, Goliath Davids, op Dinsdag 11 September gesterf het; verder kennis neem dat Oom Gollie, soos hy alombekend was, in rolprente soos Fiela se Kind en die TV-reeks Onder Engele opgetree het; erkenning verleen aan die invloed wat Davids op die lewens en loopbane van beroemde Suid-Afrikaanse akteurs soos Christo Davids and Theodore Jantjies, bekend vir hul optrede in 7de Laan, en Maurice Page, wat in Isidingo verskyn, gehad het; verder erkenning verleen aan Davids se bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die uitvoerende kunste in Suid-Afrika; en sy innige medelye aan die familie oordra.Goedgekeur.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
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Dr A LOTRIET
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that Friday, 21 September 2012, marks the International Day of Peace that was established by a United Nations, UN, resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly, and was officially declared as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace in 2002; further notes that this year's theme for the International Day of Peace is Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future; recalls that by creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all humankind to work towards the achievement of this goal; believes that this day provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace; and calls upon peace-loving South Africans to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples of the world.Agreed to.
Mrs S V KALYAN
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
PHILLIPPA HUTTON-SQUIRE SKIPPERS A YACHT AROUND THE WORLD
(Draft Resolution
Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that Phillippa Hutton-Squire recently became the first South African woman to skipper a yacht around the world when she completed the Global Ocean Race for 2011-12; further notes that Hutton-Squire, who coskippered with Nick Leggatt, finished in third place after the circumnavigation of the globe, having completed 30 000 miles and 168 days of racing; acknowledges that Hutton-Squire and Leggatt was the only team to have completed the race without changing coskippers; and congratulates Hutton-Squire and Leggatt on this incredible achievement and hopes that it will inspire a new generation of South African yacht skippers.Agreed to.
Mrs S V KALYAN
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Mrs S V KALYAN
SIFISO MZOBE WINS PRESTIGIOUS WOLE SOYINKA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE IN AFRICA
(Draft Resolution)
Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
notes that South African writer, Sifiso Mzobe, has won the prestigious Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa for his work, Young Blood; further notes that Mzobe, who has become only the second South African to win this prize, also won the Sunday Times Fiction Award and the Media24 Herman Charles Bosman prize for English Literature in 2011; acknowledges that the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature, which was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to honour Mr Wole Soyinka as the African continent's first Nobel laureate in Literature, is bestowed upon the author who has best applied his or her talents to affect the lives of others in a positive manner; and congratulates Mr Mzobe on this impressive achievement and wishes him well with his future career.Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
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Mrs S V KALYAN
REMUNERATION OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEARERS ACT
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move the Draft Resolution as, printed in my name on the Oder Paper:
That the House -
(1) determines that in terms of section 2(1) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, Act 20 of 1998, and having due regard for the criteria listed in that subsection, that the salary payable to the President of the Republic of South Africa shall be R2 622 561 with effect from 1 April 2012; and
(2) further determines that in terms of section 2(2) of the Act, the amount of R120 000 per annum, as that portion of the remuneration of the President to which section 8(1)(d) of the Income Tax Act, Act 58 of 1962, shall apply.
Agreed to.
MEMBERS' STATEMENTS
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE
(Member's Statement)
Mr D L XIMBI (ANC): Hon Speaker, according to the latest report of the Commission of Employment Equity, the Western Cape has the worst employment equity record in the country. The ANC is hardly surprised by the report. As the DA government in the Western Cape has consistently thumbed its nose at employment equity, it preferred to hide behind its fit for purpose smok screen.
The province is even worse performing in relation to black women. White men occupy just about half of all senior management positions and white women in the Western Cape make up 18,1% of senior management.
In addition, the Western Cape also made the least progress in employment of skilled Africans, much as it claims to be a province for all the people. These statistics clearly reveal that this province remains one reserved for the privileged ...
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members!
Mr D L XIMBI: ... why the province is perceived to be unwelcoming for nonwhites? In addition, the economy of Cape Town's city centre and the world-renowned wine lands is extremely white. Creating this white, enclaves for those . . . [Time expired.] Thank you.
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
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Mr D L XIMBI
PRESIDENT ZUMA'S RESPONSE TO THE RIGHTS OF UNIONS IN LONMIN MINE
(Member's Statement)
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA): Mr Speaker, on Thursday last week, hon President Jacob Zuma had an opportunity to come before this House and give Parliament and the people of South Africa an honest assessment of the most pressing issues facing our nation.
Instead of assuring us, he revealed his true political colours. In his response to my question on whether the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, AMCU, as a trade union, should have been given an opportunity to participate in wage negotiations at Lonmin Mine, President Zuma said, and I quote:
We have more rights here because we are in a majority and you have fewer rights because you are in a minority and that is how democracy works.
Mr Speaker, the Presidency spokesperson has since argued that the hon President's comments were misconstrued. There is nothing to be misconstrued. His comments were clear for everyone to hear. I have written to President Zuma asking him to unconditionally retract these problematic comments about our democracy. They are unacceptable. The ANC should distance itself from such comments and publicly endorse a retraction by President Zuma. [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, on a point of order.
The SPEAKER: Hon member, there is a point of order. What point of order are you raising, sir?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: What is wrong in stating a ...? [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: What is the point of order, sir?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: The point of order is ... [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Order!
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: The point of order is that the statement made by the President is based on the Constitution and the meaning of democracy.
The SPEAKER: Proceed, hon member. Order, hon members! Order!
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Mr Speaker, we can see that the problem of leadership in the ANC is not just confined to the Presidency. [Applause.]
In a young democracy like ours, it is important to have leaders who are able to rise above party lines and uphold the Constitution in both word and deed. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M E GEORGE
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The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
DEPLOYED ARMED FORCES TO MARIKANA
(Member's Statement)
Mr M E GEORGE (Cope): Mr Speaker, Cope requested that this House, today, debates the deployment of the SA National Defence Force as a matter of public importance. Unfortunately, this request was not granted. It was requested because the National Assembly should ensure that all executive organs of state in the national spheres of government are accountable to it according to section 55(2) of our Constitution.
The deployment of units of the SA National Defence Force to Marikana requires urgent and indepth scrutiny. So far, government has failed to co-ordinate and explain as to who unleashed the armed forces that are not trained to control civilians in such an emotionally charged circumstances in Marikana. Who declared what appears to have been a state of national defence?
This is a constitutional democracy. The Constitution is supreme, not the ANC or the President or his Ministers. If there was, indeed, a threat to our nation that required the deployment of the armed forces, the question is: Why did the President, as he was here, not inform Parliament last Thursday that he intended to deploy the SA National Defence Force? We believe the President is out of the country; is there any other person in government who can account today? We call on the President and his executive to come clean and admit that it was a grave error of judgement to send in the troops. [Time Expired.] [Applause.]
Mr E MAGUBANE
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Mr M E GEORGE
DECREASE IN MOTHER-TO-CHILD HIV TRANSMISSION IN KWAZULU-NATAL
(Member's Statement)
Mr E MAGUBANE (ANC): Speaker, the ANC applauds the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government for the 2,1% decrease in mother-to-child HIV transmissions in the province. In 2005, this figure stood at 20,9% and the province, which was identified as having the highest rate of HIV/Aids infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
This significant achievement is attributed to the ANC-led government's unwavering commitment to eliminate HIV infections in the province. We also acknowledge the impact of the premier's HIV/Aids flagship Sukuma Sakhe Project and its Antiretroviral Therapy Outreach programme. This programme focuses on encouraging all sectors of society to take charge of their lives instead of relying only on government to deliver. Most importantly, with regards to this programme, is the contribution of health workers and communities, including efforts by churches, traditional leaders and community leaders.
Overall, there is a dramatic drop in mother-to-child transmission of HIV in South Africa. [Time Expired.] [Applause.]
Ms L L VAN DER MERWE
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Mr E MAGUBANE
THE RISING NUMBER OF CHILD PROSTITUTION IN THE COUNTRY
(Member's Statement)
Ms L L VAN DER MERWE (IFP): Hon Speaker, it is becoming abundantly clear that our government has its priorities wrong. On the one hand, we have our President handing out "get out of jail free" cards for criminals to reoffend, rape or murder, or, as one of our first ladies allegedly described it, handing out remissions willy-nilly. On the other hand, we see little action taken to prosecute those involved in the alarming rising of child prostitution across our country.
Therefore the IFP questions why intervention is so slow. The police have pinpointed hotspots and there is vast information available on where child prostitution is rife; how it is done and what it is involved? It is even known that parents in some cases are accomplices, yet, despite this, our children are on the streets at the mercy of sexual predators. Government has a responsibility to protect and assist these young people. It is, indeed, a crisis.
The contradictions in government's policies and priorities loom large. In its prime responsibility of ensuring the security of its citizenry, especially its women and children, the state is failing us.
The IFP therefore calls upon the Departments of Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities to urgently convene a task team to look at this matter and work in tandem to solve the problem.
Furthermore, we urge the Department of Basic Education to ensure that these children are returned to school. Community members are also urged to become whistle blowers and arrests must be made. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S Z NTAPANE
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Ms L L VAN DER MERWE
POLICE BRUTALITY TO SUPPRESS SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS
(Member's Statement)
Mr S Z NTAPANE (UDM): The UDM is concerned about the growing number of incidents of police brutality in the country. Recently, the Daily Dispatch reported that two people were rushed to hospital and 21 others, including schoolchildren in uniform, were treated for minor injuries after service delivery violence in Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape.
It appears government continues to use brute force to suppress legitimate service delivery protests around the country, rather than dispatching senior government officials to attend to their concerns.
The UDM calls on government to root out police brutality and disperse skilled police officers to deal with these problems. Thank you.
Ms N A MNISI
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Mr S Z NTAPANE
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR SYSTEMS IN MEKEMEKE VILLAGE
(Member's Statement)
Ms N A MNISI (ANC): The ANC firmly believes that all our people have a right to access basic government services, irrespective of where they live. The provision of services must take into account the changing settlement patterns and the need to develop effective delivery systems for relatively remote households.
As such, the ANC welcomes the installation of solar systems at the 71 households in Mekemeke village in Mpumalanga. Mekemeke village was chosen to benefit from this project, which is championed by the partnership between the Phillips Company and the Independent Development Trust, IDT.
This is after the two institutions undertook the initiative in 2011 to investigate the impact of solar lighting in rural areas, which do not feature on the electricity grid. This project will benefit Mpumalanga as almost 80% of the area is not electrified.
The ANC government commits to speeding up the provision of municipal services such as electricity, especially in the rural areas. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr K J DIKOBO
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Ms N A MNISI
STEVE BIKO DAY
(Member's Statement)
Mr K J DIKOBO (Azapo): Speaker, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the death in detention of Bantu Steven Biko. On 12 September Azapo, the Biko Foundation, and some institutions of higher learning and other organisations of civil society organised services to commemorate Biko's death. Speakers heaped praises on Biko and described him as a selfless leader who put his people's interests above his own. We have noted with appreciation the increase in the number of people and organisations who observed Biko Day this year.
As we commemorate Biko Day, we did so with the Marikana massacre still fresh in our minds. As if that was not enough, Marikana has an undeclared state of emergency. Government has gone into the archives to retrieve laws that were used to suppress and oppress our people. We heard how Ministers tried to explain and justify what is happening in Marikana and one would have been forgiven for thinking that he was listening to former Ministers Adriaan Vlok and Kobie Coetsee. We in Azapo pay tribute to a gallant fighter, to a leader, a patriot, Bantu Steve Biko. Biko lives. The spirit lives. Black consciousness lives. Thank you.
Ms A M Dreyer
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Mr K J DIKOBO
CRIME IN MULDERSDRIFT
(Member's Statement)
Afrikaans:
Ms A M DREYER (DA): Speaker, voor verlede Woensdag is Alisa Botha, 13 jaar oud, in haar ouerhuis in Muldersdrift doodgeskied. Haar pa, Anton, is tydens dieselfde aanval in die maag geskied en haar ouer sussie, Megan, in die been. Hulle selfone is gevat. Binne 'n week is André Jordaan, drie huise verder, in sy maag, arm en been geskied vir sy selfoon. Hy het sederdien aan sy wonde beswyk.
Hierdie twee insidente is die jongste in 'n vlaag van geweldsmisdaad wat die Muldersdriftgemeenskap die afgelope tyd teister. 'n Totaal van 93% van huishoudings in een straat was onlangs slagoffers van geweldsmisdaad. Muldersdrift staan nou bekend as die "wille weste".
Wat verder kommerwekkend is, is dat vyf verdagtes wat aangekeer was weer vrygelaat is, want die nasionale vervolgingsgesag sê dat daar nie genoeg bewyse is nie. Dit lei tot vrae oor die gehalte van ondersoek- en speurwerk van die plaaslike polisie, asook oor misdaadintelligensie aan die wesrand.
Talle oproepe vir landelike beskermingseenhede is al gemaak, maar wanneer gaan die Minister die planne implementeer?
Mrs X C MAKASI
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Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 289
Ms A M DREYER
MS NYELETI MUSHWANA – WINNER OF THE 2012 SHOPRITE-CHECKERS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
(Member's Statement)
Mrs X C MAKASI (ANC): Speaker, the ANC congratulates Ms Nyeleti Mushwana who recently won the Shoprite-Checkers Women of the Year 2012. Ms Nyeleti is a role model and an inspiration, not only to her community, but to the country as a whole. She founded the Karibu Leisure Resort and Conference Centre, an NMN Grand Hotel, which is four-star graded. The hotel employs 134 people, of which 78 are full-time employees. As the ANC, we are encouraging more entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in their communities.
This is a true testimony to the ANC's commitment to create a conducive environment geared to unlock opportunities in the tourism industry. Ms Mushwana also won the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur Award in 2004 for creating jobs and supporting families through her enterprise in her community. Her development of people and improving the participation of women in the tourism industry needs to be recognised by the house.
The ANC is proud to see more women graduating from SMME status, to owning internationally-renowned luxury hotels. Since 1994, a lot of work has gone towards putting in place a progressive legislative and policy framework aimed at promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
The ANC commends the work of Nyeleti Mushwana and supports her plans to build a youth development centre in Tzaneen to give unemployed youngsters a chance to learn new skills and keep out of trouble. I thank you.
Mr M HLENGWA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 289
Mrs X C MAKASI
PRESIDENT ZUMA'S FLAWED UNDERSTANDING OF DEMOCRACY
(Member's Statement)
Mr M HLENGWA (IFP):Hon Speaker, the unfortunate remarks made by President Zuma last week show a fundamental flaw in his understanding of what democracy is. In trying to answer the question on union membership, posed in this House, the President showed his true colours, by stating that smaller unions have fewer rights because they are a minority. This for him means that people represented by minority parties in this Parliament have fewer rights than those represented by the ANC. The obvious but sad implication of this is that you either join the ANC and have more rights or you join the minority parties and have no rights, because democracy means that the only the people who count are those that are represented by the ANC.
The President should desist from uttering controversial and ill-informed definitions of democracy because democracy is more than just numbers. The narrow-minded definition he gave last week works to further the narrow-minded interests of those he was speaking of.
The Presidency then released a statement over the weekend, saying that the President's remarks were misconstrued. But for goodness' sake, these words were spoken in this House and they were self-explanatory! The President seems to have brought Animal Farm's famous quote to life and to rephrase it in our context: All political parties are equal, but some are more equal than others. To the President, I say, basic Politics 101, that is not democracy. I thank you.
Mr B M BHANGA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 289
Mr M HLENGWA
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION DISREGARDS ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
(Member's Statement)
Mr B M BHANGA (Cope): Hon Speaker, the Minister of Higher Education and Training is fast building a questionable reputation as a person who craves authority and ignores the law and sound independent advice. He was recently lambasted in the Bloemfontein High Court for relying on an untested letter that prompted him to place the Central University of Technology, CUT, in the Free State under administration. Needless to say, the court ruled against his plans to erode CUT's autonomy. What is of great concern was his reaction to the judgment. Like an apartheid style Minister, he threatened to change the law in order to do what he wants; taking total control of tertiary institutions.
This is part of the Ministers' master plan to purge all institutions of higher learning from the independent thinkers and to erode the autonomy of these institutions with impunity. He now forges ahead with plans to build a full scale university campus in Kimberly, against the sound advice of the Council for Higher Education. The council warned that the low student enrolment numbers, limited course offerings, and the difficulty of attracting top academics to Kimberley will make this unviable. Instead of heeding their advice to start with a satellite campus in Kimberley, which could later be expanded into a full-scale university, he is forging ahead with his plan at a cost of R12 billion. South Africa cannot afford to make irrational decisions, Cope calls for the Minister to put an end to his dictatorial tendencies and to address higher education needs with key role-players. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs H H MALGAS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 289
Mr B M BHANGA
THE 2012 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTICATE EXAMINATION
(Member's Statement)
Mrs H H MALGAS (ANC): The 2012 National Senior Certificate examination has approached. The examination will formally start on 22 October 2012 and conclude on 28 November 2012. It is all systems go, and the entire organising framework is in place. The framework assures that provincial education departments adhere to policy directives on handling of the examination of this magnitude; assures that there are good monitoring systems; there are strong moderation systems; and strong security measures in place.
We as the ANC are happy that the Department of Basic Education has set clear target indicators. There are 527 335 full-time and 120 352 part-time candidates registered. The number has gone up by 16 076 learners from 2011 enrolments. Two hundred and sixty-four question papers have been set, 65 000 invigilators have been appointed, 35 000 markers have been appointed and 123 marking centres approved.
We, as the ANC, take this opportunity to wish the class of 2012 well in their examinations and hope that they will do the country proud. We, the ANC, call upon all South Africans to support these learners as they go through this demanding period in their lives. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 290
Mrs H M MALGAS
12TH COMMISSION FOR EMPLOYMENT EQUITY ANNUAL REPORT
(Member's Statement)
Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN (DA): Speaker, last week the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, released the 12th Commission for Employment Equity, CEE, annual report. The problem was that the Minister didn't check the basic facts, thereby undermining the credibility of the report.
For starters, the CEE claims to reflect the status of employment equity during the period April 2011 to March 2012. However, these figures are not even available yet. They will only be submitted to the Department of Labour next month.
Secondly, the report combines provincial and local government figures. When one looks as the DA-run provincial government senior management levels, one sees that 77,7% of senior employees fall within the designated black groups.
Thirdly, the Public Service Commission just a few months ago rated the Western Cape Premier's Office as the most representative of any in the country, beating all eight other provinces. Given the weight given to this report by the ANC here at Parliament now, the President and the media, it is important that the correct figures are reflected, and that the country is not misled.
I thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs J M MALULEKE (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 290
Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN (DA)
MALOOF MONEY CUP
(Member's Statement)
Mrs J M MALULEKE (ANC): Speaker, last year Kimberley became the first location to host the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding championship outside American shores and proved to be the biggest sporting event ever to be hosted in the Northern Cape.
The Maloof Skateboarding was founded by Joe Maloof who is the owner of The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The event made a significant economic impact on the regional economy as accommodation facilities, restaurants and tourism attractions were filled to capacity.
During this month of Tourism, the Maloof Money Cup will return to Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province for its second edition from 28 to 30 September 2012 and will showcase skating at its absolute finest as local and international contestants compete for prizes totaling R4 million.
Sport tourism has become one of the fastest growing areas of the global travel and tourism industry and plays an integral part in the socioeconomic development of the country. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]
MINISTERIAL RESPONSES
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 291
Mrs J M MALULEKE
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE
12TH COMMISSION FOR EMPLOYMENT EQUITY ANNUAL REPORT
DEPLOYED ARMED FORCES TO MARIKANA
PRESIDENT ZUMA'S RESPONSE TO THE RIGHTS OF UNIONS IN LONMINE MINE
PRESIDENT ZUMA'S FLAWED UNDERSTANDING OF DEMOCRACY
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF LABOUR: Hon Speaker, I hope you will allow me to respond to four statements. Firstly, is the issue of the employment equity that was raised by the ANC and DA members. I want to say to the hon member from the ANC that that is the reason we have amendments to force those who want to comply with the laws of the country, particularly by increasing the fines and I believe that Parliament is going to deal with that particular issue when passing a legislation.
On the question raised by hon Van der Westhuizen, the figures that we gave as the Department of Labour were the figures that were submitted by the chief executive officers of the companies and the directors-general or the head of departments from various government entities. [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Order!
The MINISTER OF LABOUR: Therefore you must ask the director-general of the province of the Western Cape to give the correct figures because those figures were given by the director-general of this province. In that note, you must not mislead this House and you must also understand that when we are giving a report of the Commission of Employment Equity, CEE, is for the 2011-2012 financial year. I do believe that you will understand that, particularly as the member who is serving in the Portfolio Committee on Labour.
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members!
The MINISTER OF LABOUR: The other issue, hon Speaker, is the issue raised by hon M E George. I thought hon George would know better, because he was once the Deputy Minister of the SA National Defence Force, that some parts of the Defence Force deal with the creation of the peaceful environment; they are trained specifically for that. That is why these soldiers are deployed in Marikana to deal with that specific issue of creating a peaceful environment in the area. Therefore, if the hon member does not understand that, then I will have a serious problem.
Lastly, it is the issue that was raised by the hon Lindiwe Mazibuko and the hon member from the IFP that the President doesn't understand the democracy. [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: There is a point of order, hon member. Yes, hon member.
Mrs S V KALYAN: Hon Speaker, on a point of order: The Minister asked to respond to four statements and according to the Rule Book, it says, "The Minister may be given an opportunity to respond to any statement directed to that Minister in respect of that Minister's portfolio. I submit that the statement made by the hon Mazibuko does not fall within the Minister's portfolio.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Yes, Member of Parliament.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: Speaker, on a point of order: I think you would allow us and the Minister to proceed because I don't think what is raised by hon Kalyan is correct. The issue here is that there has been precedence whereby Ministers have replied and responded to statements that do not fall within their portfolio and the opposition has never raised any issue on that.
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Order!
Mrs M T KUBAYI: It is an issue of precedence and ordinarily they will complain when the Ministers do not respond. So, I am not so sure what is expected.
The SPEAKER: Hon members, I really don't want a debate on this issue. According to the rules, in the absence of a Minister who may respond to a statement as envisaged in subrule 6, the relevant Deputy Minister or any other Minister must be given an opportunity to respond on behalf of the absent Minister. [Applause.] Order, hon members! Please, hon member, conclude.
Let me also remind the Ministers that the responses should not exceed two minutes and the maximum of six Ministerial responses are allowed. Conclude, hon Minister.
Mrs S V KALYAN: May I address you on a point of order, Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Yes, Ma'am.
Mrs S V KALYAN: I was referring to the subrule 6(105) and you are referring to subrule 7(105). I was making a point in terms of that and I would like a ruling on that point of order that I made.
The SPEAKER: Thank you. I will study the Hansard. Hon Minister, please conclude.
The MINISTER OF LABOUR: Hon Speaker, I think hon Kalyan probably doesn't understand the laws of the country. The issue that was raised by the two hon members relates in particular to the AMCU which is a union that is registered under the Labour Relations Act of which I am responsible for administering. We are not going to allow the hon members to deviate from the laws of the country. The AMCU does not have the membership at Lonmin and they will not be allowed to negotiate on behalf of the workers in terms of the Labour Relations Act. Thank you, hon Speaker. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 292
The MINISTER OF LABOUR
THE 2012 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION: I would like to thank the hon Malgas for her statement in relation to the matric examination.
But just to add that in addition to the complex and comprehensive system that we have put in place, we have provided opportunities for Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners by providing them with examples of examination papers. We have a website where past papers can be downloaded and we've initiated Spring classes as well as weekend classes to assist those learners in areas where the performance has not been optimal.
In addition, just to share with the House, between 18 and the 21 September, we would have a phenomenal experience in the country, where more than 7 million children would be sitting for the annual national assessment test on literacy and numeracy. In other words, each child in Grade 1 to 6, as well as all children in Grade 9 will be writing the literacy and numeracy test. The results will then be provided to the parents by means of an engagement between the class teacher and the parents to ascertain where intervention should take place. We believe that this would assist us significantly in our endeavour to improve our literacy and numeracy capacity within the system as a whole. Thank you very much.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 292
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION
MS NYELETI MUSHWANA – WINNER OF THE 2012 SHOPRITE-CHECKERS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
MALOOF MONEY CUP
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: I wish to thank hon Makasi for bringing to the attention of the House the achievements of Miss Mushwana who hails from Limpopo. This is more good news from Limpopo.
Entrepreneurship has taken a leading role in offering women the economic expression to start their own businesses. Ms Mushwana is one of the few people who against all odds decided to start her own business and who never looked back.
And looking at entrepreneurship playing a significant role in allowing ordinary citizens to participate in the economy, the tourism sector provides various entry points for women employment and opportunities for creating self-employment and opportunities for women in the SMME sectors. We therefore need to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills as well as resources across the tourism value chain.
I also wish to respond to hon Maluleke's statement on the Maloof Money Cup by stating as fact the tremendous input that the Maloof Money Cup has made into the regional economy. Even the sale of skateboard merchandise has increased by 10% over the last year. And the sport is growing and becoming a popular sport, ensuring that young people are off the streets, are benefitting through the infrastructure that has been created, and have participated among and with world champions here in South Africa. We're looking forward to hon members supporting and visiting the Northern Cape themselves.
Thank you.
STATEMENT BY the MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 293
MINISTERIAL RESPONSES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FOR SHALE GAS
(Minister's Statement)
The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES: Hon Speaker, hon members and fellow South Africans, may I begin by thanking you for affording me this rare opportunity to inform this House about a subject so crucial to the future of our country. This subject relates to the potential occurrence of a world-class shale gas deposit, which is estimated to be the fifth largest in the world. As the potential was brought to our attention, we needed to understand the implications of developing this resource.
In February 2011, I accordingly instituted a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of new applications involving hydraulic fracturing. It is now history that Cabinet subsequently endorsed the moratorium, on the processing of these applications, that was both responsible and cautionary.
Against this background, I would like to appraise this House on the critical important decision by Cabinet to approve the report of the task team on shale gas, and the subsequent decision to lift the moratorium on the processing of applications for exploration in the Karoo, which is well known for its vast plains and tender lamb.
Cabinet decided on 21 August 2012 that only normal exploration will take place until we have put in place a proper and relevant regulatory framework, and until we would be satisfied that we can deal adequately with the consequence of the technique known as hydraulic fracturing. A monitoring committee will be established to ensure that these things happen.
The establishment of appropriate regulations, control and co-ordination systems is expected to take six to 12 months. When and if hydraulic fracturing eventually happens, it will be authorised under the strict supervision of the monitoring committee. In the event of any unacceptable outcomes, the process may be halted. In this regard, there will be an ongoing research facilitated by relevant institutions to develop and enhance scientific knowledge. This includes, but is not limited to, the geohydrology of the prospective areas, methodologies for hydraulic fracturing in South Africa and an environmental impact. Cabinet decided on the development of an action plan to give effect to these recommendations. The plan must be properly resourced and be incorporated into programmes of the relevant department and agencies.
The Karoo is indeed a delicate place and this is a delicate subject. It is a place where there are competing economies and other interests covering diverse areas such as farming, a site for the Square Kilometre Array, SKA, and uranium reserves, potential for solar panels to drive renewable energy initiatives, as well as being the store chest of South Africa's fossils.
I would like to assure hon members that the government is approaching this subject with the outmost responsibility and sensitivity, guided by an imperative to balance development with both social and environmental considerations.
We are acutely conscious of the fact that people elect public representatives to make laws, foster development, ensure that jobs are created and see that services such as education, health and welfare, are rendered to the country in an environmentally sustainable manner. The reconciliation of these challenges is what the public office is about. It is expected of us, as the nation's legislators, to rise to the challenge.
The government will explore all avenues in search for sources of energy, while, indeed, virtually the entire world is grappling with energy security and energy independency.
We are living in an era where globalisation is taking place at lighting speed. As John Donne has said centuries ago, and I quote, "No man is an island, complete unto himself." This has never been truer than now. So people may understandably ask why Cabinet has endorsed the decision to suspend the issuing of shale exploration licenses, when some societies, especially those in the developing South, would most happily take advantage of the potential represented by shale gas.
It has to be recognised that this subject has divided our citizens into two; those for and those against. I am sure that even if we are taking the decision, which we mark in this statement today, those divisions will have not disappeared.
The role of government is to seek middle ground in the interest of our country. We have dealt with this matter in the best possible way. We have established a task team to evaluate the use of the hydraulic fracturing technique in the extraction of shale gas. It comprises of representatives from the following: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Energy, Department of Mineral Resources, the Petroleum Agency SA, the Council for Geoscience, the SKA SA, the Water Research Commission and Eskom.
The task team, in turn, appointed a working group of experts, which brought on board technical advisors and academics from the University of the Free State and the University of the Western Cape, which serves as a reference group. This team was tasked with evaluating the potential environmental risks posed by the use of hydraulic fracturing as a method of extracting shale gas, and the negative and possible social and economic impacts that shale gas exploitation have, as identified in the Karoo Basin. It also embarked on an international study tour of jurisdictions with a matured regulatory framework in this field, namely Pennsylvania and Texas. It has also visited the Environmental Protection Agency and the Railroad Commission of Texas - of which both are United States regulatory organisations directly involved with shale gas exploitation.
This was done to ensure that we thoroughly investigate this matter before crucial decisions are taken. It was an important assignment because even before we had the benefit of actual exploration, we needed to study and respond to the concerns that were being raised by various interest groups.
In a meeting with political parties represented in this House last week, we briefed them about the report of the task team and its findings. We all know what happened in 2008 when we experienced load shedding. We all know about being exposed to Eskom's power alerts every night, as we all are told to save electricity because demand outstrips our supplies. We all also know about the binding constraints to growth, a central feature being the paucity of energy. The country's Integrated Resource Plan of 2010 has an initial provision for 2400 MegaWatt of gas, which sources have not yet identified. This offers us the possibility to close the gap.
As government, we have taken a position to reduce the country's overdependence on coal, thereby addressing the challenges posed by climate change on coal and greenhouse gas emissions. A strategy was outlined in our long-term mitigation scenarios and commitments were made by President Zuma in Copenhagen, including those we made at the successful gathering of the 17th Conference of Parties, Cop 17, which was held in Durban.
We are, therefore, pleased that Cabinet has endorsed the decision to lift the moratorium so that we can embark on a process to verify the resource which technical recoverability has been estimated at 485 trillion cubic feet of gas.
A significant exploration still has to be undertaken in the form of, amongst others, geophysical surveys and drillings. It is worth stating that the hydraulic fracturing technique has been in use in the traditional oil and gas industry for more than 50 years. And the last 20 years, together with the practise of directional drilling, it has made the exploitation of shale gas resources more environmentally, technically and economically feasible.
The importance of this potential resource cannot be overemphasised, given the fact that Mossgas, now PetroSA gas-to-liquid facilities in Mosselbay, was established only with the resource of one trillion cubic feet of gas. It is now a fact that this important strategy asset, in the hands of a democratic state, has brought life in this coastal city by employing 1600 people resulting in a huge multiplier effect on the broader economy.
As government, we say to our critics that they should study the full impact of this resource, particularly given the impact of the possibility that lies ahead. Even with a conservative estimate of 30 trillion cubic feet using the indicative price of US$4 per 1000 cubic feet of gas at an exchange rate of R8 per dollar, the gross value of this resource to us would be in the region of almost R1 trillion. This is over and above the balance of payment implications for our country.
Of importance are the economic benefits that our people expect from the resource beneath the soil. This is expressed in the various protests that occasionally take place in areas that are rich in resources, where people expect localisation to take place.
The communities are clamouring to see the real benefit in terms of jobs and opportunities. If the resource is proven to be economically viably, and building on the lessons learnt, we will ensure that workers, communities and the country at large benefit. In the same vein, this will also benefit the broader economy, including the critical area of localisation. The ANC has been raising the issue of localisation for decades. It is expressed sharply in the Freedom Charter and in other policy documents of the movement.
As a democratic state, we will do everything possible to ensure that we listen to the views of the public, as mandated by the Cabinet. We will embark on public consultations with all interested and affected parties in addition to the regulatory public consultations that usually accompany the environmental impact assessment process.
We are also mindful that South Africa has been awarded the right to host the SKA. Working together with the Ministry of Science and Technology, we will ensure that any exploitation of this resource coexists with this important science project.
You are well aware that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act has rested the country's mineral resources in the hands of the state. Given the strategic nature of this potentially huge resource, the state will have to take a direct interest in this issue on behalf of all South Africans. This should not be allowed to degenerate into a few politically connected people benefiting from it.
I call on all political parties represented in this House, to support the position that we have taken on this potentially divisive matter. We have to use our collective minds to deal with this subject in a manner that ensures that we take steps to reindustrialise our country and diversify our energy mix, as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan. We will act urgently and responsibly, whilst protecting the environment, including our water resources. If we do so, we will banish into history the dire warning of V S Naipaul, the perennial afro pessimist, who once wrote, and I quote, "The world is what it is, and those who are nothing will forever remain nothing."
Our history in South Africa, over nearly two decades, has shown that we care. Those who seemed to be nothing are indeed everything. History places us in a position to rewrite its course and prove our critics wrong. We have made a good start in South Africa. We can use this shale gas challenge to unite our country and forge a common vision of a truly successful nation.
I would like to inform this House and the South African public that a detailed report will be available on our departmental website by the end of this week. May I conclude by saying, may God bless all of us in South Africa as we embark on this journey. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J R B LORIMER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
The MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Mr J R B LORIMER: Madam Deputy Speaker, make no mistake, this government has a crisis of credibility over fracking. Many South Africans believe that the government will allow drilling only so that the ruling party or its cronies can get rich. They fear that the government will be making decisions about whether or not to allow fracking based on what is good for their bank balances and not on what is good for the country. But there is something the government can do to render that line of thinking without foundation.
There is a way to restore credibility: Firstly, make sure that no politicians, former politicians or companies are given any licences or permission to exploit gas reserves; [Applause.] and secondly, use gas as a way of changing the way South Africa goes about empowerment. When companies involved are asked to comply with the BEE requirements of the mining charter, stipulate that the only empowerment that will count will be empowerment schemes that benefit workers for the companies involved and local communities where the gas drilling is taking place. Madam Minister, that's real localisation.
If this is done, not only will government be seen as credible, but you will do something good for the country. You will empower South Africans by giving them a stake in the industry. We can't continue to give more money to the already rich. If you want to know who they are, read the Sunday Times rich list and you will see those who are on the ANC's national executive committee, NEC. Whether this government changes empowerment in the way suggested will determine whether or not it truly wants to empower South Africans.
The credibility crisis has to some extent been addressed by the government's careful approach, the moratorium followed by what appears to be cautious and what we hope to be properly monitored exploration. Nothing is for free and hydraulic fracturing brings with it environmental risks. The process needs water and water is scarce in the Karoo; it produces water similar to acid mine drainage which could pollute aquifers and surface water; it will bring road traffic which will take a toll on roads and could cause dust; it uses chemicals which could pollute water supplies, but all of these are controllable if proper regulation is put in place and if the process is carefully evaluated, monitored and controlled.
Unfortunately, this government does not have a good record of controlling and monitoring mining. Many mining operations have been allowed to proceed while causing unacceptable damage to the environment. This must change. But one thing is for sure, things will never be the same again. The world of energy is undergoing a revolution. Five years ago, the world was thought to have gas reserves of 50 to 60 years. Now that estimate is 200 years and climbing because of new discoveries and new technology.
Gas, either from shale or from offshore deposits of our own or our neighbours' coastlines will be part of our energy mix in future. This could be an economic game changer for South Africa. It could bring us jobs and clean energy; and it is cheap. But that must not come at the cost of an environment that is destroyed and livelihoods that are ruined. It is in this government's hands whether we win or lose from shale gas. The DA will be watching every step and driving responsible oversight, regulation and enforcement. [Applause.]
Mr N J J van R KOORNHOF
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
Mr J R B LORIMER
Mr N J J van R KOORNHOF: Madam Deputy Speaker, the lifting of the moratorium on shale gas exploration at this stage is a short-sighted decision and not in the best interest of the environment. Critics of the practice fear groundwater will be contaminated and local research has proven that groundwater contamination is a real threat.
We all know that some day the planet will reach peak fossil fuels. Not if, but when. What we know is that after the completion of fracking, the drilled holes will be sealed off, with no guarantees that it will not start to leak in the years to come and contaminate the water and the environment. If we allow fracking, if we believe that there will be no contamination of toxic waste after sealing holes, why do we not dispose of nuclear waste from Koeberg in these holes, if the sealing is so effective? This will never happen, but what is the difference?
Government has ignored the fact that fracking technology is banned in more than 155 jurisdictions around the world, where tens of millions of people who live have chosen to forego the economic benefits of fracking in favour of the environment where they raise their children, grow their crops and abstract their drinking water.
According to Barry Mackall of Eskom Solar, renewable energy should start to become cheaper than fossil fuels in 2015. Shell has acknowledged that it will take up to nine years to explore, and even longer for shale gas to become an energy source. We might be overtaken by time. There are real alternatives for fracking. Have we done enough studies on offshore gas, a resource that does not need fracking and can be available in three years?
Cope expresses concern about the way that the government has handled this, the secrecy around the technical task team that was appointed and the lack of consultation. We shall not support the process in its current format and we need more research to be done as well as proper consultation. [Applause.]
Mr E J LUCAS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
Mr N J J van R KOORNHOF
Mr E J LUCAS: Madam Deputy Speaker, thank you Minister for the statement on shale gas. We take note that Cabinet has also approved the report of the task team on shale gas. We also welcome the fact that there will be ongoing research. The IFP would like to be assured that the environmental issue will be an important part of this research. It is also clear that there will be development in the areas and job creation, which is badly needed and will certainly follow.
Energy is an important part of South Africa's future, the price of crude oil and electricity has increased drastically. We all acknowledge that gas is important to our energy requirement; it is also a cleaner form of energy. This will certainly reduce the dependence on coal. The IFP has invited experts to our caucus to give us information on shale gas. I must say that it was very encouraging. It will also be important for the Portfolio Committee on Mining to be kept informed.
Minister, we will be following the process closely in order to make an informed decision at the end of the day. We also appreciate the fact that only normal exploration will take place until we are satisfied that we can deal with the consequences of hydraulic fracturing. Thank you. [Applause.]
Adv A de W ALBERTS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
Mr E J LUCAS
Afrikaans:
Adv A de W ALBERTS: Adjunkvoorsitter, Suid-Afrika staar vele uitdagings in die gesig. Dit is inderdaad so dat skaliegas-ontginning 'n enorme ekonomiese dividend kan lewer, maar teen watter ekologiese en morele prys, vra ons. Suid-Afrika is 'n waterskaarsland. Selfs sonder die impak van hidrouliese splyting sal die land op die laaste teen 2025 'n waterskaarste in die gesig staar. Ons sal dus al hoe meer aangewese wees op ondergrondse water.
English:
It is therefore quite disconcerting that there is empirical proof from studies done in Dimrock, Pennsylvania and Pavillion, Wyoming - that fracking contaminates groundwater aquifers. Furthermore, in America it has been shown repeatedly that the volumes of water demanded by the fracking industry create an artificial drought for the agricultural industry.
Now, with regard to the ANC's inability to provide even basic services, how can one trust it to oversee such a fragile exercise? Further noting that the ANC already has numerous entities connected to it ready to jump at the economic opportunity fracking brings makes one wonder if this option is truly designed to benefit all South Africans or only certain connected cadres.
Afrikaans:
Dus, totdat die ANC kan wys dat hy hidrouliese splyting kan bestuur met 'n 100% waarborg dat geen ekologiese skade sal plaasvind nie en dat die ANC en sy vriende nie alleen hieruit gaan voordeel trek nie, sal die VF Plus nie hidrouliese splyting in die Karoo steun nie.
English:
The onus is on you to prove us wrong, but history is against you.
Mrs C DUDLEY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
Adv A de W ALBERTS
Mrs C DUDLEY: Deputy Speaker, the ACDP is concerned about the decision to go ahead with exploration for shale gas, utilising the controversial system of hydraulic fracturing in the water scarce region of the Karoo was not open to sufficient public scrutiny and comment. Mining issues are particularly sensitive right now and South Africans are in no mood to be ignored by government.
We know there is an expectation that if gas is found there will be huge benefits for South Africa as a whole and the ACDP recognises that potential benefits in terms of job creation, cheaper energy and increased government revenue exist. But those who strongly oppose fracking say that water resources, the environment and agricultural productivity will be compromised.
The ACDP is not convinced that these risks have been fully investigated and considered seriously enough. We would also like to know more about the realities in – not just countries - but communities where fracking is presently taking place. Thank you.
Mr I S MFUNDISI
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 294
Mrs C DUDLEY
Mr I S MFUNDISI: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon members, noting what the hon Minister has said, the UCDP approaches this matter with great circumspection. South Africa has a problem of subterranean water already and it is common knowledge that shale gas extraction requires significant amounts of water. It is reported that to carry out fracturing operations on a six well pad takes between 54 and 174 million litres of water and that impacts on climate change and exacerbates the problem.
The noise caused by the traffic at the construction of each well will require between 4 300 to 6 500 trucks. This will have an impact on roads and traffic in the locality of the shale gas. During fracking millions of litres of water, sand and numerous chemicals -most of which are toxic - are pumped into boreholes at high pressure to release natural gas trapped in layers of underground rock.
In the USA, where fracking has been used extensively, there are hundreds of documented cases of this process resulting in catastrophic pollution of drinking water; air pollution; health concerns for humans and animals. The envisaged area for fracking is already extremely water-stressed and cannot afford any water to be either wasted or contaminated by fracking processes. We are concerned, to what extent as the Minister indicated, does the Square Kilometre Array, SKA, which is host jointly with Australia, will be affected.
Perhaps, government can take advice from an expert, Esme Senekal, who said:
This is the last piece of holy nature in this country. No money is worth this. You can't replace pristine nature with money.
If only government could, please also take note of this, in terms of all what has been said. I thank you.
Mr M F GONA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 295
Mr I S MFUNDISI
Mr M F GONA: Hon Deputy Speaker, we would like to thank the Minister for the statement made on this very important subject matter. [Interjections.] The ANC supports the Cabinet decision to lift the moratorium on the exploration for the existence and the extent of shale gas resources in the Karoo Basin. We are basing our support on three principles: firstly, that the country is pursuing a clear policy on energy mix that includes fossil fuels, gas renewables and other clean energy technologies; secondly and very importantly, that the people of the Karoo Basin are trapped in abject poverty and high levels of unemployment, which we will discuss later in this input; and, thirdly, that the concerns of the water table and possible contamination of drinking water, as well as degradation of the environment by the process of fracturing are adequately addressed through the stringent conditions imposed at the lifting of the moratorium by the Cabinet, as alluded to by the hon Minister.
To further substantiate our view, we will quote both from the historic and future plans such as the National Development Plan that-
... the South African economy is well endowed with mineral resources, with large global shares in platinum group metals, gold, diamonds, manganese, coal, iron ore and uranium. Yet, over the past decade, the mining sector has failed to match the global growth trend in mineral exports due to poor infrastructure and regulatory and policy frameworks that hamper investment. South Africa can benefit greatly from Asia's growing demand for commodities. To do so means improving water transport and energy infrastructure and providing greater policy and regulatory certainty to investors. This will enable the mining sector to deploy the skills, resources, know-how and capital that are available and for government to raise much more tax revenue than it does at present.
The above quote highlights the importance of energy in the economic development of the country. South Africa is currently heavily reliant on coal for its energy sources. In acknowledgement of this fact, government undertook to explore other energy sources so as to achieve the high energy mix. The 1998 White Paper on the Energy Policy of the Republic of South Africa committed the government to ensuring the optimal and environmentally sustainable exploration and development of the country's natural oil and gas resources for the benefit of all. The successful exploitation of these natural resources would contribute to the growth of the economy and relieve pressure on the balance of payments as South Africa is currently importing a larger percentage of crude oil and natural gas.
The government would perform regulatory and promotional functions in respect of oil and gas exploration and production through entities which have clearly defined roles. The Petroleum Agency of South Africa, Pasa, was established for this purpose. In May 2011, government placed a moratorium on applications for rights to explore for shale gas in the Karoo until it had formulated a policy, as the Minister had alluded to here. Hydraulic fracturing, which others referred to with a derogatory term, "fracking," is a process that was outlined here by the Minister.
The shale gas reserves in the Karoo are estimated to be around 485 trillion cubic feet which would make it the fifth largest shale gas field in the world. It is estimated that shale gas opportunity in the southern Karoo could add a substantive amount to the gross domestic product, GDP, annually and create much needed sustainable jobs, especially in that depressed an area such as the Karoo Basin. For example, Mossgas in Mossel Bay was established on the basis of only 30 trillion cubic feet shale gas resources and created about 1 600 jobs. It could also ensure South Africa's energy security, according to an Econometrix report. The study by Econometrix also found that successful exploration of shale gas in the Karoo Basin would lead to increased government revenues. The study found that large scale development of shale gas could ease the energy deficit, making it cheaper for South Africa to grow in the future and reduce imports of gas and electricity. Consumers would also benefit from more reliable and affordable energy.
Shale gas is a natural gas that is present in shale formations deep underground and has wide-ranging industrial and commercial uses as well as being suitable for electricity generation. Shale gas can be converted into liquid fuel, be used as transport fuel with minimal adjustments to existing engines, and it may be used to provide energy necessary in manufacturing fertiliser products.
The successful exploration of shale gas in the Karoo will come as a relief to the district which has the highest number of people living in poverty. You must listen to this, hon member from the FF Plus. In the Western Cape, the Central Karoo alone is at a poverty level of 32,5%, followed by the West Coast at 30,4% and Overberg at 29,6%. The rate of unemployment in the Central Karoo is staggering, hon Koornhof from Cope, at 30,8%. Moreover, the number of indigent households is at 5 903, and it is growing. These are the factors that we must take into account when we take policy decisions. Regarding the Human Development Index, that which quantifies the extent of human development of a community, of all districts in the Western Cape, Central Karoo, once more, is the lowest, standing at 0,60. This poses a huge challenge to the district to create more employment opportunities to improve the standard of living in the area. Life expectancy is shown to be low due to high mortality stemming from the disease of poverty.
However, we agree that there are environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing. These environmental concerns can be mitigated through efficient regulations. The Working Group of the Task Team on Shale Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing made very clear recommendations, as the Minister articulated here, to the Minister of Mineral Resources.
In view of the above, a balance has to be reached between environmental concerns and economic benefits that can be derived from the exploitation of shale gas reserves. This balance can be achieved through an efficient regulatory framework that addresses environmental concerns, while addressing the challenges of poverty and unemployment. We stand at the beginning of a new era, one in which we have the opportunity to reduce our carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels and to meet both our national and international commitments but also honour what we undertook at Cop 17 in December 2011. Therefore the ANC reaffirms its support for the lifting of this moratorium and the responsible decisions that have been taken.
Hon Lorimer, on the question of credibility, when we look at the exploitation of this reserve and the whole question of cronies, we must just understand that for the fact that people belong to a particular organisation, in this instance, the ruling party called the ANC, does not exclude them from business opportunities that do arise. [Interjections.] They have equal standing and the same opportunity as all other citizens in South Africa. I am sure, if we can conduct an audit, I don't know how much we can uncover on this side of my hand, in terms of business connections and business ventures that you are undertaking. [Interjections.] Thank you very much.
Debate concluded.
FIRST ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 296
STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON FOLLOW-UP OVERSIGHT VISIT TO EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE FROM 27 NOVEMBER TO 2 DECEMBER 2011
Ms B N DAMBUZA: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members and distinguished guests, on executing its constitutional mandate and guided by the Rules of the Parliament and oversight and accountability model, the portfolio committee undertook an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape province.
The objective of the visit was to ascertain progress made in addressing service delivery issues raised during the 2009 portfolio committee visits; progress in achieving outcome 8 outputs, as adopted by Government, which seeks to achieve integrated human settlements and improved quality of household life; and compliance to policies and legislative framework in service delivery including the implementation of the urban settlement development grant.
The delegation held briefing sessions with the MEC and her department including site visits to various districts and municipalities. These include Amathole, Chris Hani, O R Tambo, Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City. All observations and recommendations by the portfolio committee are captured in a consolidated committee report. However, the portfolio committee would like to present a couple of recommendations.
The Eastern Cape's challenges are not unique to those of the rest of the country. For an example, there is still a battle in achieving an integrated service delivery approach due to a lack of bulk infrastructure and maintenance.
In as far as the acquisition of land is concerned, the process to release or assemble the state land is quiet lengthy whilst the private land was very costly. Social housing programmes which aim to provide affordable housing is not receiving much priority, especially in the district municipalities and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan.
The management of beneficiary lists is still a challenge. Thirty days of paying service providers is not adhered to. Rural sanitation programmes, particularly for farm worker communities, was still a challenge. The issue of unfilled vacancies in response to the President's call is still a challenge. There is also still a lack of appropriate understanding and common interpretation of the purpose of the Urban Settlement Development Grant, USDG, recommendations.
The committee recommends that there should be an acceleration of social housing programmes and an expansion of the programme to the districts as well as Nelson Mandela Metro. Land issues interventions by the Minister on Fitch's Corner, Orange Groove, Buffalo City, as well as Groggo on land challenges is requested. This includes making sure that it does not serve as a hindrance to development, especially to the poor. Acceleration and acquisition of land release of the state should be prioritised.
Compliance to the Division of Revenue Act, especially on USDG, should be adhered to. There should be facilitation of intergovernmental relations and co-operative governance for efficient and effective human settlement delivery. A Policy should be developed towards the management of the beneficiary list.
The Minister is recommended to provide progress reports on the following: Jansenville, Klipplaat and Dansandi, including Cala and Elliot projects reported with alleged irregularity and inappropriate utilisation of state subsidy houses.
Informal settlement upgrading and access to improved basic services should be prioritised and the bucket system should be eradicated in all informal settlements, including Nelson Mandela Bay, Amathole, Chris Hani and Cacadu. The portfolio committee tables this oversight report to be considered by the House. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move that the report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SECOND ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 297
FIRST ORDER
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE, BUFFALO CITY FET COLLEGE, LOVEDALE FET COLLEGE AND PORT ELIZABETH FET COLLEGE BETWEEN 18 AND 22 JUNE 2012
Mr M I MALALE: Hon Deputy Speaker and hon members of this august House, between 18 and 22 June this year, the committee visited five institutions in the Eastern Cape: Water Sisulu University; Fort Hare; Buffalo City; Lovedale and Port Elizabeth FET Colleges in our routine oversight work. Amongst the issues that we had to look at was that of infrastructural challenges in our institutions, students access and success, institutional transformation, and so on.
At Walter Sisulu University, the committee observed that the University is currently under administration and is technically bankrupt, operating on a deficit of about R135 million. We have also noticed that since the merger process of the three institutions that constitute this university, there hasn't been harmonisation of several policies, including the human resources policies of the institution. So, there has not been an effective institutional integration.
During our interaction with stakeholders in this university, they expressed concerns relating to conflict of interest by some members of the administrator's team. We have noted that there is quite a huge need with regard to financial aid, particularly to academically deserving students from indigent backgrounds.
We noted in this institution - which is also a problem that is pervasive in various other institutions - the issue of infrastructural dilapidation - an environment that it is not quite conducive to effective learning for our students. We have seen leaking water pipes, toilets that cannot flash and the fact that students are bathing in cold water. We think that the department should give attention to those matter, in order to ensure effective learning for students.
At the University of Fort Hare, we were impressed with the cordial relations amongst stakeholders and the institutional stability that characterises that institution. However, we did also note a problem of inadequacy of accommodation. The university also informed us that they had actually sent an application to the Department of Arts and Culture to have some precincts in that university, that was utilised by Comrade Nelson Mandela and other luminaries of our struggle, to be declared as heritage sites. We think that the matter will be given due consideration by the relevant department. We have conversed with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture and that matter is, indeed, being attended to.
At Buffalo City FET College, which shares similar problems with other colleges, there is a decline in student enrolment and an acute shortage of students residences. There are delays regarding issuance of academic transcripts and certificates we refer to as the National Certificate Vocational, NCV, and 191 reports. We are impressed and encouraged by the fact that we are seeing efforts to ensure that those results are really issued. The information technology platform of the department has improved to enable proper capturing of students' results.
There is a high failure rate of the NCV programmes. It is argued that this is precipitated by inadequate teacher development in the FET sector. There were issues that were raised by stakeholders regarding race relations, racism, and nepotism. We think the department must take note of all these issues.
We recommend, amongst others, that the administrators at Walter Sisulu University must ensure that systems and internal control measures are put in place to prevent financial mismanagement. We recommend that institutional policies must be integrated and harmonised so that we could have a single institution in terms of policy framework.
The department must look into the allegations that were raised regarding conflict of interest and take corrective action if necessary. We would like to urge the Department of Public Works to look into the long-standing application for the transfer of houses occupied by staff at the University of Fort Hare. We have conversed with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and we are encouraged that the matter has been referred to the Minister and that they will look into that.
The last matter relates to infrastructural dilapidation and student residences. We are saying that this matter should be given priority, particularly in the postschool education landscape. I understand that one of our colleagues, Comrade Bhanga, who is very young and consistent in our meetings, must make a declaration. I hope that declaration is not in the line of what he said earlier in the House, that institutional autonomy, academic freedom and scientific research is under threat in our country, because I think, as a young learned man,... [Time expired.]
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I move that the Report be adopted.
DECLARATIONS OF VOTE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 297
Mr M I MALALE
Declarations of vote:
Dr A LOTRIET: Hon Deputy Speaker, the DA supports this report, and it also has to be stated that the portfolio committee embarked on a very thorough and intensive oversight visit to these different institutions. The situation we encountered at the Walter Sisulu University cannot be described in words. The state of the student residences is such that students cannot and should not be accommodated there; they are uninhabitable. Therefore, it begs the question: How did it happen that things deteriorated to that level? How was a situation allowed to deteriorate to appoint where a campus is virtually destroyed? Where was the university management - the university council?
The task of the administrator is near impossible. What should be clear from the findings of this oversight visit is that we cannot allow situations at higher education institutions to deteriorate to a point of near collapse. The councils of higher education institutions have to take their fiduciary responsibilities seriously. The DA recommends that the appointment of the council members have to be done according to the requirements stated in the Higher Education Act and with the necessary circumspection.
Regarding the FET colleges, it was clear that much needs to be done to make them institutions of first choice, not only that our certificates are outstanding for months and even years, but student do not get the results from the department timeously. This often means that students do not know whether they have passed subjects or not and can continue to the next level. It is unacceptable that students should be exposed to this kind of uncertainty.
It is of no use to promote the importance of postschool education and training, but one after the other stumbling block is place in front of students; ranging from problems with inadequate financial assistance, lack of proper accommodation, transport difficulties, poorly equipped lecturers, problems with textbooks, late release of results and certificates, and not even mentioning management problems. It is clear that government is doing the students of this country a grate disservice, and it is failing the youth of our country. [Applause.]
Mr B M BHANGA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 297
Dr A LOTRIET
Mr B M BHANGA: Deputy Speaker, Cope will also accept and adopt the report by the portfolio committee. I must say that, as a person from the Eastern Cape, it scars us to see an institution of this calibre under this difficult condition, hon Nkwinti. It is sad that so many bad things and other failures in this country should always be attributed to the Eastern Cape.
The collapse of Walter Sisulu University is as a result of us as government, the ANC-led government. That university alone, the former University of Transkei, Unitra, used to produce some of the best doctors and lawyers in this country. After we took over Walter Sisulu, that university is what it is. Who's problem is it? Is it Walter Sisulu University or the policies we introduce and how we operate things?
Since the Minister of Higher Education and Training, hon Blade Nzimande, took over power, more than five universities have collapsed under his regime. He has only introduced administrators to run universities. The danger with this is that we will be compromising academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The hands of the ANC-led government are more of controlling and running these universities than giving these universities the capacity to run themselves.
I am inspired by the plaque in the library of the University of Cape Town, UCT. The UCT was the first university in this country in its early age that rejected the apartheid government's interference to academic freedom; where they instructed UCT to enforce the removal of black students. This move by the ANC will do nothing else to universities but produce failure.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training has just lost a case at the Central University of Technology, CUT, through intervening through an anonymous letter. Today he is saying that he is going to change the law for him to have more power to intervene in universities. You must remember that these are the universities that played a role to force the apartheid government to enrol black students.
The Minister failed to appoint his friends at these universities. If you look at members of council ministerial representatives you will see why there is no proper governance. He appointed his young friends in the Communist Party who have no academic qualifications and have never seen a university's door. [Applause.] Some of them do not even have a matric certificate . We can name them. Some of them do not have matric ... [Interjection.] Now they are running universities. Therefore, Minister Blade Nzimande must stop running these universities through administrators. Thank you. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
Mr A M MPONTSHANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 297
Mr B M BHANGA
Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Deputy Speaker and hon members, I wish to associate myself and my party, the IFP, with the challenges and recommendations as contained in the report which is being tabled this afternoon. Some of these challenges and recommendations will need some emphasis.
There is a saying which says, "Garbage in, garbage out". This is particularly so when it comes to the challenge which was identified by the committee, where FET lessons are taught by lecturers who do not have subject competencies. With such a situation, you cannot expect to produce good material coming from these FETs. [Applause.] This is a very serious challenge.
There is also a perennial problem of nondelivery of textbooks, even in FET colleges. Again, how do you expect FET colleges to produce and function successfully if they don't have the necessary recent material? We just hope that the department will take these challenges and recommendations very seriously. Either wittingly or unwittingly you have a situation where these FET colleges reduce the number. Those FETs that were run by previously or still disadvantaged communities are still very poor in terms of infrastructure; and some of them are really haunted.
The other day I was at one of them. I asked about 10 students some questions, and all told me that they were studying human management, "whatever that means". Therefore, my argument is that we may, wittingly or unwittingly, be adding to this high unemployment rate amongst our graduates in these FETs.
Lastly, we have always argued that we may pump millions and millions of rand into our education system, but nowhere in the whole world will you find on education system which is better that its teachers. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms N GINA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 297
Mr A M MPONTSHANE
Ms N GINA: Hon Deputy Speaker, we have noted the challenges raised by the committee's oversight report and do take them seriously. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Department of Higher Education and Training in resolving them. We should acknowledge the work that the department is doing towards mitigating some of these challenges, and of which even the members of the portfolio committee from the opposition know what is being done to mitigate them.
On the issue of shortage of students accommodation, the department has allocated about R850 million for the 2012-13 financial year for the purposes of refurbishing dilapidated residences and to build new ones, which is a concern of the committee. The department is also engaging with other financial institutions to provide more funding for student accommodation. We hope that institutions will give this matter the urgency it deserves.
Furthermore, the draft policy on professional certificates for FET colleges, which is as one of the challenges they are faced with, was published by the Department of Higher Education and Training for public comments. We are hoping that the policy will contribute towards providing FET lecturers with discipline and teaching specialisation. Improving success in the throughput rate is a challenge at the moment.
On the delay of release of students' certificates, work is under way in the department and Umalusi is to finalise the verification of students' results, and printing and dispatching certificates to the examination centres. The department has committed that this task will be over by 31 October 2012. As a committee, we have committed ourselves that we are going to monitor and see progress in that, but at least for South Africans we are seeing the light through the tunnel. Come October 2012, all the students will have received their certificates.
On the issue of the administrators, as hon Bhanga has talk about, again, I think, the Minister has taken a very good stance by saying each of an every college must have a qualified chief financial officer, CFO. Where a charted accountant might be retired or whatsoever, the CFO must make sure that he/she takes over the issues of finances in the colleges so as to make sure that in future we don't see much of the administrators, because most of the time it is because of financial mismanagement and the like.
We really applaud those good steps that the Minister and the department have taken. Hopefully, we are going to see some changes in those FET colleges, and thus avoiding having more of them under administration. Members of the portfolio committee have already discussed these thing and we all applauded them. It is only political posturing when we see parties coming here just to shout about these things, when these are things that we discussed and agreed upon in the committee. Thank you. [Applause.]
Declarations of vote made on behalf of the Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People, Inkatha Freedom Party and African National Congress.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
THIRD ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 298
SECOND ORDER
CONSIDERATION OF CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT
Mr J B SIBANYONI: Deputy Speaker and hon Members of Parliament, this was tabled as the Code of Judicial Conduct and Regulations on Judges' Disclosure of Registrable Interests. In the beginning there was a joint committee consisting of the ad hoc committee on the National Assembly and the ad hoc committee for the National Council of Provinces. Later on, it was realised that the work will be easier if the joint committee splits and then the ad hoc committee on the National Assembly continued with the work.
I am, today, presenting the one portion where we were dealing with the code for judge's conduct or judicial conduct. The public hearings have been held, completed and finalised. What we are dealing with here is the first part that deals with the code for judge's conduct. The second part that deals with the regulations on judge's disclosure of registrable interests is still outstanding. The reason being because there are discussions between the heads of courts and the Chief Justice, and it is expected that some consensus will be reached between the two.
Now for the interest of this House, what are we talking about here? We are talking about the code which is intended to assist every judge in dealing with ethical and professional issues and to inform the public about judicial ethos of the Republic. Further on, it deals with the judicial independence, namely that a judge must uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary. Further on, it also deals with the need that a judge should act honourably.
There is also a section that deals with equality, namely that a judge must, all times, give special attention to the rights to equality before the law, and the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. There are also sections dealing with transparency, fair trial and diligence, namely that a judge must perform all assigned judicial duties diligently. This code of conduct also deals with association, namely that a judge must not belong to any political party or a secret organisation. There is also a section that deals with extra judicial income. I must say that sometimes it happens that a judge will be doing some work and receive royalties for legal books written or edited. The code then says that there must be a written consent from the Minister acting in consultation with the Chief Justice.
I would like to thank all the members of the ad hoc committee who participated in this committee. I must say that they made my work, as the Chairperson, very easy. It was unanimously agreed that this code of conduct should be adopted. As a result; I hereby table this for consideration. Ngiyathokoza, inaga ayilale [Peace be with you]. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Mrs D A SCHÄFER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 298
Mr J B SIBANYONI
Declarations of Vote:
Mrs D A SCHÄFER: Mr Speaker, the judge's code of conduct which we are approving here today is a very long time coming. It should have been approved within four months of the coming into operation of the Judicial Services Commission Amendment Act of 2008. Nevertheless, we welcome the approval of the judge's code of conduct today, which will, hopefully, bring more certainty to the process of disciplinary action against judges for misconduct.
The separation by the justice committee of the code from the judges' declaration of interests will allow us more time to consider the submissions of judges in that regard and the implications it has for the disclosure of interest of spouses of judges as well as retired judges in particular.
The code is necessary in terms of Section 12(1) of the Judicial Services Commission Amendment Act, in order to define what amounts to misconduct for which judges can be removed in terms of Section 177(1) of the Constitution. There has been much said about the necessity of this code being approved prior to the Judicial Services Commission being able to take action against a judge. We have been quite mystified by this as it is trite that legislation cannot be retrospective. How then are complaints lodged before the approval of this code to be dealt with?
One of the most obvious examples is Judge Motata. Judge Motata thought that he would exploit this perceived gap to apply to court for an order that he cannot face the disciplinary hearing because the code has not been passed and cannot operate with respectively. We are delighted at Judge Nepgen's ruling about a week ago, that it is ludicrous to suggest that because there is no code of conduct defining gross misconduct, no disciplinary action can be taken against the judge until such time as the code is approved.
He said that this contention is so contrary to the expressed provision of Section 177(1) of the Constitution that it cannot be upheld. We sincerely trust that the JSC will now expedite the hearing of this matter in particular, which has been dragging on since 2008.
Recent reports suggest that this code is prohibiting judges from accepting remuneration other than their salary as a judge. This is incorrect. The Judicial Service Commission Amendment Act already provides this, except in the event of royalties for books written or edited by judges and with the expressed permission of the Minister in consultation with the Chief Justice; it is not new in terms of this code.
The DA is particularly pleased that, despite some lively discussion on this matter, it was agreed by the committee that acting judges should, like judges, also not belong to a political party. We are strongly of the view that the same considerations apply to acting judges as to judges and if judges are not permitted to be members of political parties, neither should acting judges. Acting judges are fulfilling the same role as a judge and we believe that it is in the interest of justice that the perception of their independence must be maintained.
The DA therefore supports this code of conduct. [Applause.]
Mr N J J van R KOORNHOF
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 298
Mrs D A SCHÄFER
Mr N J J van R KOORNHOF: Mr Speaker, it is very important that, when a country wants to be successful, it must protect and nurture its various institutions. One of those institutions is the judiciary. We can be proud of our judiciary in South Africa and the majority of judges have set an impeccable record of good conduct. Without an independent and trustworthy judiciary, there cannot be economic growth in South Africa or any other country.
We must realise that South African policy-makers find themselves at a loss on how to promote economic growth. Perhaps the starting point is to realise how little control we, in fact, have, but we do have control over our various institutions. Let us support and protect the judiciary at all costs. This code of conduct is an attempt to strengthen the judiciary and Cope shall support it. Thank you.
Declarations of vote made on behalf of the Democratic Alliance and Congress of the People.
Code of Judicial Conduct accordingly approved.
FOURTH ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 299
THIRD ORDER
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - THIRD QUARTER EXPENDITURE FOR 2011-12 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr E M SOGONI: Deputy Speaker, hon members, comrades, friends, it is an honour to present to the House the work undertaken by the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the Third Quarter Expenditure Report for the 2011-12 financial year, as adopted on 11 May 2012. The committee remains committed to rigorous scrutiny of government spending in order to ensure that service delivery is improved. Given the constrained fiscal framework environment, it is imperative that government finds the correct balance between actual expenditure and actual performance.
The Third Quarter Expenditure Report provides a detailed overview of government's spending for the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011. The committee treats the Third Quarter Expenditure Report with the utmost importance as it provides an indication as to how departments will be able to effectively spend their budgets by the end of the financial year. In many instances departments spend around 60% at the end of the third quarter, and at the end of the year departments exhaust their budgets.
The committee is of the view that it is not possible and it is reflective of fiscal dumping, which does not translate into actual service delivery. The committee found that in some instances departments did not prioritise projects earmarked for job creation. In particular, departments are prone to shift funds away from planned job creation projects to other priorities. The committee recommends that National Treasury, as a custodian of public finances, ensures that funds allocated for job creation to line departments are used for that purpose.
It is important that Parliament arrests the situation as a lot of programmes intended to change the lives of the poor are compromised. For example, by the end of the third quarter, the Department of Communications had budgeted for the establishment of 112 call centres but has not utilised this budget. These 112 call centres would have created a number of job opportunities and promoted a number of SMEs.
The Departments of Water and Environmental Affairs and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have also not performed well on the programmes that promote job creation like Working for Water. An amount of R118 million was budgeted for that programme but nothing was spent at the end of the third quarter. An amount of R60 million was budgeted for Working for Fire, and nothing was spent at the end of the third quarter. The water infrastructure programme was allocated a budget of R2,6 billion but spent only R803 million or 33,7% at the end of the third quarter.
The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have also been delaying the construction of water dams such as Nandoni, and this is a cause for concern, since it compromises the delivery of water to the people of Limpopo. Another example is the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the restitution programme, which is Programme 4 of the department, spent only 36% at the end of the third quarter. This is a critical government programme for the transformation of landownership in South Africa.
The department, as at the end of the third quarter, had a backlog of over 8 000 claims that were registered. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is another example of where there was underspending due to municipalities not having central banks, as required by law.
In conclusion, the committee commends many government departments that have spent according to their projection. Thank you.
There was no debate.
The Chief Whip of the Majority Party: Deputy Speaker, I move that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
FIFTH ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 300
FOURTH ORDER
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - STRATEGIC PLAN AND BUDGET ON DEPARTMENT IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR PERFOMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Mr E M SOGONI: Hon Speaker, the mandate of the Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation includes the facilitation of the development of plans or delivery agreements for the crosscutting priorities, or outcomes of government and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of these plans. It is also responsible for assisting the President to put in place performance agreements for each Minister, to provide support to the President and Deputy President on Cabinet memorandum, to monitor the performance of individual national and provincial government departments and municipalities, to monitor frontline service delivery, to carry out evaluations, to promote good monitoring and evaluation practices in government and to produce government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks.
Moreover, there is an additional mandate of managing the Presidential Hotline and evaluation. The purpose of the transfer of the function was to give effect to the focus of government on monitoring and evaluation by promoting interface between government and the citizens.
The budget of the department has increased from R106 million in 2011-12 to R204 million over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF. The department informed the committee that it had made use of consultants mainly to conduct evaluations of government performance. This was normally done to ensure that there was an independent opinion in the evaluation process of government departments. This was also done to take advantage of the capacity and the expertise of evaluation in the private sector and to ensure that there was proper, efficient, effective and credible measures – this was identified as one of the international best practices.
The mandate of the department has got four programmes namely: administration; outcome; monitoring; and evaluation, which is responsible for, amongst others, to assist the President to monitor the performance of individual Ministers against their performance agreements and to support the Deputy President and the Minister in the Presidency with advice including briefing notes on Cabinet submissions.
Programme 3, monitoring and evaluations, is responsible for co-ordinating and supporting an integrated government-wide performance monitoring and evaluation system through policy development and capacity-building. It is also responsible for creating policy platforms for the monitoring and evaluation system and building monitoring and evaluation capacity across government. The committee noted with concern that the performance indicators provided by the department were only in terms of percentages without providing baselines from which it would make it possible for the committee to track progress on performance.
Programme 4, the public sector oversight, is responsible for monitoring the compliance and quality of management practices in all the national and provincial departments on an annual basis; on site monitoring of quality of frontline service delivery at 260 sites over the MTEF, the development of the Presidential Hotline as an effective monitoring and evaluation tool to strengthen government-wide citizens based on monitoring.
The committee also noted that the department had conducted its first evaluation programme, which was on early childhood development, employing the services of the Human Science Research Council, HSRC. Furthermore, the committee expressed concern at the lack of human resource and ICT capacity at the department to effectively deal with the additional mandate of the Presidential Hotline. The department promised that it will double the number of call operators in order to address the call throttling changes.
In conclusion, the committee notes the important work that the department is doing; however, it is the committee's view that the department will have to increase its capacity in order to effectively deliver on its mandate. I thank you, hon Speaker.
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SIXTH ORDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 301
FIFTH ORDER
DEBATE ON CITIZENSHIP, IDENTITY, LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN A GLOBALISED WORLD
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon members of this august House, the South African nation is a melting pot of multiple identities based on race, class, gender, age, language, religion, geographic location, etc, brought together along our history of conquest, dispossession, discrimination, segregation and, later, democracy. This is no more evident than in our Constitution, a document which protects and celebrates the differences in our cultures as a right of each person of this country, by acknowledging and compensating for the imbalances of the past. Our diversity, be it linguistic, ethnic, cultural, racial or religious, has always been a feature of our rich history.
In his public lecture, titled The Regeneration of Africa, Pixley ka Isaka Seme called for the rebirth of Africa and the creation of a unique civilisation for Africa and Africans. This unique civilisation would not be based on a racial ideology. After his election as the president-general of the ANC, Chief Albert Luthuli maintained that cultural homogeneity was not a prerequisite for the establishment of an inclusive democratic society. He maintained that the ANC would surprise the world by creating an inclusive democratic society based on human values in a culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse South Africa. In other words, the uniqueness of the new African civilisation envisaged by Seme would be based on the values and principles of Ubuntu. Chief Albert Luthuli was vindicated by the Freedom Charter, a document produced by all the people of South Africa, both black and white, which said in its opening paragraph that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. This provision meant that sections of the oppressed and the oppressors reached out to one another.
Even more importantly, the Freedom Charter recognised the diversity in culture, religions and languages but consolidated the idea that the people of South Africa, black and white, are one in diversity. This eventually found expression in our Constitution. A period of 18 years on, our young democracy has been challenged by the magnification of our cultural differences. This leads us to lose sight of our common humanity, Ubuntu, and appears to be the underlying catalyst to numerous conflicts.
We have all seen the recent news footage of the violent protests in the Muslim world which was triggered by the making of an anti-Islam film. Here at home, we witnessed the xenophobic violence which was primarily directed against foreigners living in some of the poorest urban areas of the country. We were also transported back to our apartheid era when the intolerance of faith led to the death of Mr Muhammad Fayaz Kazi, who was brutally attacked by two white Afrikaans-speaking men who hurled racial abuse at him before viciously and fatally wounding him. Incidents such as these are not peculiar to South Africa.
In the 2009 Unesco World Report 2: Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue, it is argued that-
... globalisation has increased the points of interaction and friction between cultures, giving rise to identity-linked tensions, withdrawals and claims, particularly of a religious nature, which can become potential sources of dispute.
It thus becomes the primary responsibility of our government and this Parliament to manage and build common values within this increasing diversity of a globalised world. Since the dawn of democracy, the ANC in a postapartheid South Africa had, as its ideological aim, equal representation of the people of this country while correcting the racial inequalities of the past. During former President Nelson Mandela's term of office, his presidency became synonymous with building a rainbow nation. This campaign celebrated the numerous cultures, ethnicities and religions of the peoples of South Africa, and reconciliation and nation-building became the cornerstones of Madiba's presidency. Madiba also maintained that our triple heritage of African religion, Islam and Christianity has a role to play in the rebirth, renewal and development of Africa and her people.
Much like Rev Zaccheus Mahabane, the third president-general of the ANC, who maintained that the recovery of the African humanity was a prerequisite for the recovery of the humanity of all the people of South Africa, both black and white, the African Renaissance spoke of overcoming the current challenges confronting the continent and achieving cultural, scientific and economic renewal.
In this term, current President Jacob Zuma has advanced social cohesion and nation-building as a key programme. The recent nation-building and social cohesion summit on 4 and 5 July 2012, which was initiated by President Jacob Zuma in response to the growing levels of intolerance amongst the various groups in the country, served as a platform for a national conversation aimed at strengthening social cohesion and nation-building. The deliberations and outcomes of the summit are encouraging and heartening and consolidated the commitment to build a nonracial, nonsexist and democratic society in which the values of every citizen are measured by our common humanity. Those who attended the summit committed themselves to: enhance sound family and community values; uphold honesty, integrity and loyalty; ensure harmony in culture, belief and conscience; show respect and concern for all people; strive for justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence; and protect the environment.
At its 116th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in May 2007, the gathering recognised that all religions have made valuable contributions to civilisation and that there are common values shared by humankind. It also recognised that interfaith dialogue and understanding, including the awareness of differences and commonalities among peoples and civilisations, contribute to the peaceful resolutions of conflicts and disputes, reduce the potential for animosity, clashes or violence, and enable people to perceive ethnic, cultural and religious diversity as a source of cultural enrichment.
It went further to emphasise that interfaith dialogue should focus on what religions have in common instead of what divides them, and serve to strengthen relations between cultures and civilisations and resolve practical problems while, at the same time, avoiding the entrenchment or even creation of artificial ethnic, cultural or religious identities or faultlines within and between societies. It is thus important to promote cultural or religious groups in a spirit of tolerance, and dialogue is central.
In his address titled "From liberation to transformation", former President Mandela recognised that our Constitution rightly ensures the separation of religion and state within a secular state but pointed out that politicians have spiritual responsibilities and religions have political responsibilities. Having acknowledged that some initiatives had been taken, Mandela posed two questions. The first question was whether participation of organised religions in our programmes of reconstruction and development can be strengthened at national or local level through co-operative endeavours with each other and with government and the community. The second question addressed the spiritual health and vitality of our people. He maintained that in its pursuit for political and economic development, the ANC recognises that social transformation cannot be separated from spiritual transformation.
Answering the two questions, Madiba suggested that we ought to be able to co-operate to transform the spiritual life of our country. More specifically, he proposed that a way be devised for the leadership of all religions to come together to analyse the cause of the spiritual degradation and find ways to tackling it. He maintained that for such an initiative to be effective, it would also require religions to come together at local levels in our neighbourhoods to establish a co-operative approach to solutions and set a practical timetable to achieve their goal.
On 5 September 2011, the National Interfaith Council of South Africa, Nicsa, was launched, bringing together the National Religious Leaders Forum and the National Interfaith Leadership Council. The uniting of these two bodies now serves as a home for all the country's religious leaders and institutions. As its collective mission, the Nicsa will help fulfil the South African dream of unity in diversity, working to build social cohesion, working towards eradicating poverty and social ills, and building partnerships with communities, Parliament, government, nongovernmental organisations, NGOs, and the business sector.
Next month from 28 to 30 October 2012, the Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa, Ifapa, together with Nicsa will be hosting the fourth Ifapa Summit under the theme of "Free, fair and democratic elections in Africa". The deliberations based on this theme will ultimately lead to an outcome document entitled "Fundamental commitments for sustainable peace in Africa in our lifetime".
The National launch of Nicsa will take place within the context of the Ifapa summit on 30 October 2012. Ifapa recognises the significance of Nicsa's contributions and will ensure that an enabling environment is created for this pan-African initiative to seek peace in Africa.
Hon Speaker, all spheres of government are required by the Constitution to respect the law of the country. We are disappointed and concerned to hear that Mr A S A de Klerk, the municipal manager of the Midvaal Local Municipality refused Mrs Netsiyanda the right to perform her ancestral ritual which is an integral part of African religion. We have called on the Commission for Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Affairs to intervene because no official or sphere of government can prevent people who have rights under the Constitution from exercising those rights.
Hon Speaker, we also know that the October 2011 report of the IPU committee on United Nations affairs, outlined recommendations with regards to-
... the need: to organise regular debates in parliament on matters relating to multiculturalism, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue; to establish specific mechanisms to help maintain these issues on the parliamentary agenda and continuing to take follow-up action with a view to implementing the recommendations of the resolution of the 116th Assembly of the IPU; to play an active role in the elaboration and implementation of national strategies for intercultural dialogue; and to join national delegations to the annual Forums of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, UNAOC.
In conclusion, hon Speaker, in the Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted in 2001, Unesco notes that-
... in our increasingly diverse societies, it is essential to ensure harmonious interaction among people and groups with plural, varied and dynamic cultural identities as well as their willingness to live together. Policies for the inclusion and participation of all citizens are guarantees of social cohesion, the vitality of civil society and peace. Thus defined ...
The SPEAKER: Kindly conclude, hon Chief Whip.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: ... cultural pluralism gives policy expression to the reality of our cultural diversity.
I thank you, hon Speaker, for the opportunity to address this august House. [Applause.]
Mr T D LEE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 302
THE CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
Mr T D LEE: Mr Speaker, as we stand on the threshold of another Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, conference, it is important for South Africans to take stock of the reality and status quo of citizenship, identity, and linguistic and cultural diversity within our country.
In 1994, Nelson Mandela and most South Africans were determined to embrace a vision for a South Africa united in its diversity. Promoting a democracy, which protected our cultural identity and cultural rights, while complying with our Constitution and international laws to ensure full citizenship for each and every South African, was our dream.
However, the past two administrations have not protected the cultural rights and cultural identity of all South Africans. The full adoption and implementation of related national and international agreements and correct policies to protect these voiceless people – the minority people of South Africa – have ensured the systematic and steady dilution of the individual identities of these people.
Recently, President Zuma hosted a conference on social cohesion at Kliptown. My question to you, however, is this: What is the motive of a conference of this nature when the minority people of South Africa are not even officially acknowledged within our Constitution and policies, and official statistics do not even reflect the presence of indigenous first-nation people in this country?
Afrikaans:
Daar is twee gebeure wat in die onlangse verlede plaasgevind het wat my, as bruin man, geruk het. Die eerste gaan oor 'n sekere mnr Christo February, wat by die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste werk. Alhoewel hy die beste kandidaat was, is hy nie in 'n sekere pos aangestel nie. Hy moes hom tot die howe wend om 'n billike kans tot volle burgerskap – dit wil sê 'n werk – te kry. Ek wag met opgehoue asem en in spanning af oor wat die gevolge hiervan sal wees.
Die tweede voorval wat my diep getref het was gedurende die Carnegie 3-konferensie by die Universiteit van Kaapstad. Daar het 'n jong bruin seun sy lot oor die nuwe Suid-Afrika bekla. Volgens Kyle – want dit is sy naam – van Manenberg, is hy en sy vriende vergeet in die nuwe Suid-Afrika. Hulle kry glad nie erkenning nie, en voel totaal gemarginaliseer.
English:
Kyle says, "We are a nobody people, just thrown away and forgotten."
Afrikaans:
Mense soos Kyle voel uitgesluit uit die ekonomiese sowel as die kulturele geleenthede van hierdie land. Bruin mense en mense soos Kyle wil ook met 'n lied in hul hart vir die nuwe Suid-Afrika rondloop, maar hoe kan hulle as hulle so behandel word?
Afrikaans is ons taal, maar daar word nou daarna verwys as die taal van die onderdrukker. Ek het Afrikaans aan my moedersknie geleer. Is my moeder dus 'n onderdrukker? My Afrikaanse onderwyser, mnr August Mitchell, is vandag oorlede – vanoggend, verstaan ek. Aan sy familie wil ek sê, "Ons diepste medelye", want dit is ook 'n man wat deel gehad het in my opleiding in Afrikaans, en in die uitbrei en uitbou van ons taal. [Tussenwerpsels.]
Geen mens, of hy nou wit, bruin, swart of Indier is, hoef vir iemand asseblief te vra, of te smeek om sy of haar grondwetlike regte uit te leef nie. Die gebruik van jou taal, die beskerming van jou kultuurregte, die voorliefde vir jou geskiedenis, is alles regte en nie voorregte nie. Niemand se regte mag van hom af weggeneem word nie.
Daar is kulturele ikone in elke kultuurgroep in Suid-Afrika en elkeen verdien erkenning. Hugh Masekela en Miriam Makeba se invloed op Suid-Afrikaanse musiek is onmeetbaar groot.
Agb LEDE: Hoor! Hoor!
Mnr T D LEE: So ook is mense soos Adam Small en P J Philander se invloed op die digkuns, en dié van mense soos Danny Williams, Lionel Petersen, Richard John Smith en Jonathan Butler op musiek. Dan moet ons ook nie vergeet van mense soos Mimi Coertse, Gé Korsten en Carike Keuzenkamp nie. Ons moet hulle almal eer en onthou – ja, Steve Hofmeyr ook!
English:
To quote Stuart Hall:
When we constitute an identity which leaves some voices more marginal and leaves some voices out, that which is excluded almost always picks itself off the floor, gets itself together, and walks around to the back door, breaks a window and comes back in. It comes back in to trouble the fixed, settled, well-ordered structure of who-is-in and who-is-out.
Be careful that, in that moment of constituting the us, we don't forget to hear the them. Who is the them left out? Who is in the margin? Who is excluded? The excluded aren't going to be excluded all the time. They are going to come back and trouble the way in which we are trying to organise and classify the world.
As South Africa takes stock of the reality and status quo of citizenship, identity, and linguistic and cultural diversity within our country, let us be mindful of the statement made by President Zuma on 13 September 2012 when answering questions in this Parliament, when he stressed that, in a democracy, the majority have more rights than the minority. [Interjections.] If that is so, according to the President of South Africa, full citizenship, which includes cultural rights, will happen at the whim of the majority.
According to the IPU, and let us listen to what the world says, governments and Parliaments have a primary responsibility for managing and building common values amidst the increasing diversity of a globalised world. Indeed, their task is increasingly to protect diversity as a global value, and within the context of President Zuma's recent statements, I wish to ask the House what our contribution at the IPU will be.
Afrikaans:
Want elke Suid-Afrikaner verdien om 100% Suid-Afrikaner te wees. Die dae van tweede- en derdeklas burgers is verby. [Tussenwerpsels.] Ek dank u. [Applous.]
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 303
Mr T D Lee
Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Chairperson, diversity of our societies and civilisations is a prominent feature of an ever more globalised and interconnected world. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon members, take your seats, please.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Not one experience is common to all. A series of man-made firewalls protect national cultures. Societies belonging to racial, religious, linguistic and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable to political, economic and social alienation and discrimination socially. What these societies are to their communities, so is the globalised world to its citizens.
Racial profiling, gender discrimination and cultural exclusions are but some of the global challenges. A failure to take account of the role of these sequential firewalls has commonly led to exaggerated assessments of the risks to national diversity.
Cope would like to begin by looking at the foundation of our Constitution, indulging as we do, with an approach and a view of looking at the world outside ourselves with an attitude that begs the question: What does the Constitution of our country say about culture and diversity? What does it say about a common nationhood or respect for others?
Governments and parliaments have a primary responsibility to manage and build common values and balancing diversity with social cohesion within the framework provided by international law and standards. This is the key to advancing social justice, co-operation and peaceful relations at the national, regional and international levels.
Debates about the supposed peril arising from cultural imperialism, Coca-colonisation, or McDonaldisation have raged for almost half a century. South Africa comes from a deeply fractured society. The subsequent change brought about by our new Constitution in 1996, revealed that apartheid in South Africa committed massive cultural and linguistic genocide. Other languages were marginalised and suppressed and one dominates – Afrikaans for example. Once again, thanks to an esteemed South African Constitution where all cultures and languages are recognised. Equally, that famous speech by our former President Mbeki "I am an African", crowned it all.
What lesson of global significance do we learn from the Marikana saga, the Arab Spring, the Libyan or Sudan conflict? Unfortunately, populist movements of minority views are gaining more seats in parliaments around the globe, reflecting a lack of universal confidence in the political establishment.
It is Cope's belief that citizenship is an act of belonging to a community, which revolves around politics and rights. Citizenship always has a political dimension, because citizens have the capacity to determine the law, oversee the respect for universal justice, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Citizenship stresses the notion of equal respect and dignity even where there is unequal power.
The European Commission of Human Rights, European Union, EU, in its constitutional preamble also says the twin pillars of political values are an effective political democracy on the one hand, and a common understanding and observance of human rights on other.
Finally, reconciliation, the legacy of first democratic President Nelson Mandela and the work of Bishop Desmond Tutu, calls upon us to have a global sense of recognition and a realisation of a common nationhood. Events of torture against foreigners, acts of xenophobia and increasing arrests of innocent asylumseekers and refugees is a sign that we still have a mountain to climb in our quest for internationalism.
In conclusion, our Constitution does not disregard the spirit of internationalism. It values the human rights across the globe and human standpoints as we guide across the country.
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 303
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE: Chairperson, this topic will be discussed next month by all parliaments of the world in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, in Canada. The question to be debated is: What becomes of one's language, identity and culture in a globalised world? Are we losing or retaining them? There is evidence of massive disappearance of languages. When American Indians arrived in North America some 30 thousand years ago, approximately 600 languages were spoken. The indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines and the others had been there for 50 000 years when the whites arrived in 1788. They were speaking about 250 languages. What has become of them?
The diversity of our planet is breathtaking. There are currently about seven billion people on earth and 193 nations are represented at the United Nations. In respect of religion there are at least 38 000 Christian denominations and many, many other faiths.
In Africa alone there are one billion people speaking 3 000 languages. The crucial question is: What becomes of your and my mother language, our culture and our identities in this globalised world? It appears that we have two choices: Either to retain our identities, languages and cultures, or to trade them in for new ones so that the world eventually becomes as close as possible to one huge homogeneous place. I personally choose to retain my mother language, Afrikaans. I also speak English, reasonable French and some Portuguese. Gape ke a leka go bua Sesotho, [I try to speak Sesotho.] and ngiyazama ukukhuluma IsiZulu futhi. [I also try to speak IsiZulu.] But the critical question remains: Are these languages also going to disappear in some distant future?
To summarise, I believe that even in a globalised world all nations, ethnic groups and language groups are entitled to retain their mother languages, cultural diversity, identities, their religions and their citizenships in a globalised world. Thank you.
Mr S Z NTAPANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 303
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
Mr S Z NTAPANE: Hon Chairperson and hon members, globalisation, immigration and its causes, raises serious questions about the conceptions of citizenship. Worldwide there seems to be difficulties in integrating new immigrants into receiving countries.
Evils such as xenophobia and human rights abuses continue to rear their ugly heads, even as immigrants later decide to take up citizenship in the destination countries.
Nevertheless, there are numerous benefits to the relative ease with which people move and settle in a country or region to which they are not natives. Chief among the plethora of benefits is that the free movement of the people create new forms of multinational diversity through an export of national cultures from country of origin to domiciles of choice.
It is natural that people with varying experiences and perspectives in life would be able to generate unique ideas and solutions to the problems.
When a country is a multicultural zebra, made up of people with diverse background and experiences, it is likely to surprise the world with its creative and innovative ideas. But the failure to properly manage diversity, whether in cultural, religious or ethno linguistic terms, could pose a serious challenge to social cohesion.
Therefore, the political leadership has an important role to play in building a common set of values that bind our diverse nations together in a globalised world.
In conclusion, as a small and developing country operating in a globalised world, we need to preserve and protect our cultural and linguistic diversity rather than build regional and international relations that seek to assimilate and conform to the hegemony of western culture. Thank you, hon Chairperson.
Dr C P MULDER
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 303
Mr S Z NTAPANE
Afrikaans:
Dr C P MULDER: Agb Voorsitter, ek weet nie of die kollegas vanmiddag opgelet het nie, maar hier is 'n interessante tendens aan die ontwikkel. Dit gaan, wat dit my betref, oor 'n strategie van die DA. U sal opgelet het dat die agb kollega Lee vanmiddag begin het deur aan ons te verduidelik hoe goed dinge rondom die tyd van mnr Mandela was. Dit is nie 'n nuwe ding nie. Mev Zille het Maandag presies dieselfde gedoen.
U moet in gedagte hou dat die DA van mnr Mandela 'n "good guy DA person" gaan maak, met die oog op die verkiesing. Hou dop, u sal dit sien.
English:
Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world.
Afrikaans:
Die vraag is: Waarom is dit vandag ter sake?
English:
Why is that debated?
Afrikaans:
Na die Tweede Wêreldoorlog, as gevolg van die vergrype in terme van individuele regte, het die klem op "human rights" geval – "the protection of human rights". Dit is waarop die die klem was na die Tweede Wêreldoorlog, maar in die moderne tyd, waarin ons vandag leef, het die klem verskuif, verder weg. "Individual human rights" is nie meer alleen goed genoeg nie. Dit gaan nou verder. Die vraag ontstaan: Hoe word na die verskillende indentiteite van mense, gemeenskappe, "linguistic and cultural diversity" gekyk en hoe word dit geakkommodeer as die ware toets in 'n samelewing?
Die probleem in Suid-Afrika is dat die ANC as 'n politieke party in terme van 'n meerderheid dink. Hulle dink nie in terme van hierdie verskeidenheid nie, ten spyte van die woorde wat ons hoor. Ons het dit vanmiddag gesien met die agb Minister van Arbeid toe sy verwys het na die Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, Amcu. Amcu word nie in die onderhandelinge by Marikana gehoor nie ...
English:
... because they represent a minority. They do not have a majority.
Afrikaans:
Ons het dieselfde van die agb President verlede Woensdag hier in die Parlement tydens vraetyd gehoor, toe hy duidelik gesê het dat die meerderheid meer regte het en dat minderheidsregte nie regtig tel nie. Ons het dieselfde van die Minister van Binnelandse Sake by die Kohesieberaad, 4 Julie in Sowetu, gehoor toe sy gesê het, "Word deel van die meerderheid".
Dit is 'n tipiese uitganspunt van meerderhede. Hulle kan hul nooit indink oor hoe die minderheid en verskillende diverse gemeenskappe hulself posisioneer en akkommodeer nie.
Die toets vir 'n werklike moderne staat is: Hoe akkommodeer mens daardie verskeidenheid? Suid-Afika het 'n baie goeie Grondwet, maar hy raak agter, omdat ons nie meer daardie verskeindenhied akkommodeer nie. Ons sal dit moet doen, dan is ons weer op die spoor. Dankie.
Mrs M T KUBAYI
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 304
Dr C P MULDER
Sesotho:
Mot M T KUBAYI: Ke a leboha Modulasetulo. Ke rata ho qala ka ho dumedisa Maloko a Palamente ena. La pele, ha nke ke tshohle seo se builweng ke Mohlompehi Lee, eo e leng leloko la DA.
English:
I think it is incorrect to say that our Constitution does not provide the support and protection for people of minority groups, because that is what you said. The Constitution is very clear in that it protects all South Africans and gives rights to all people of the country; the citizens. It is not correct to stand here and misguide the public by saying that the Constitution does not protect the rights of the minorities.
The other issue that I want to raise, which is very sharp and about which I am passionate, is that when you deal with the issues of Afrikaans you have got to understand where this country comes from. I grew up in Soweto as a black child. I understand the impact of Afrikaans being enforced upon us as young people who wanted to be educated and being forced to learn a foreign language.
As much as we want the Afrikaans language to be recognised and be given the status that the Constitution protects, you have got to appreciate the past. You have got to appreciate the impact of it on ordinary people, including ourselves. So, you have got to listen, hon Lee, while I speak so that you can understand and appreciate where many of us grew up as young people wanting education. We were forced to learn up to a level that we did not understand, and which created a sense of inferiority within our society. You should not come here and underplay the impact of what Afrikaans did to us as black children who grew up in townships, especially being a child growing up in Soweto. [Applause.]
My focus area is specifically on the work that I do in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, being a rapporteur of the third Standing Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is focused on the use of media, including social media, to enhance public engagement and democracy. This is linked to the main topic that we have got to understand. Therefore, as we look into this, we look at the role that the media has to play and that it is currently playing in terms of providing and enhancing the role of public engagement and democracy.
The Hansard Society highlights two barriers to political and parliamentary engagements. These are a lack of knowledge about and interest in politics, and low participation and satisfaction levels. The Hansard Society submits that these barriers indicate that there is a lot that needs to be done by parliaments to improve levels of public knowledge about the institution. As such, continued improvement in the public engagement area is fundamental in the long-term if the reputation of Parliament with the public is to be repaired and fostered in the future.
The rapid growth of information and communication technology, ICT, has changed the environment within which parliaments operate, particularly in the developed countries. However, due to the high cost associated with the use of ICT, traditional news sources, such as newspapers, radio and television, remain popular and influential information providers and points of connection between the public and parliaments. For instance, the IPU notes that radio broadcasting is the principle source of information in many parts of the world and many parliaments are effectively using it, particularly in Africa, the Pacific Islands and parts of Central Asia. Furthermore, according to the IPU, radio is often the only medium available to the vast majority living in rural areas where literacy levels are often low.
The traditional media can play a positive role in a political system if there is an environment that enables them to do so. Journalists need to be equipped with the appropriate skills for the level of in-depth reporting that a new democracy can benefit from. There should also be mechanisms in place to ensure that the media and journalists can be held accountable to the public through the explicit enforcement of ethical and professional standards. The independence of the media is essential and can be guaranteed if media organisations are financially viable, free from intervention, and operate in a competitive environment. The media should also be accessible to as many people in society as possible.
In addition, the media has been accused of sensationalism and superficiality, particularly because of the selection of stories that are covered and the way the information is presented to the general public. Despite this, the idea that the media can be a watchdog, a guardian of public interest, and a channel of communication between leaders and the people they govern remains firmly entrenched in many places across the globe. The concern still remains that traditional media can, for example write a front-page story which is factually not correct, and then later retract it in a small apology in the back of the newspaper. These are some of the things which we are still concerned about.
The media can assist us, especially in Parliament ...
Sesotho:
Hore haholoholo re kgone ho bona ho bona mosebetsi oo re o etsang re le Maloko a Palamente. Ha ngata ha o sheba seo batho ba se buang kwana ka ntle o fumana hore batho ba bua hore Maloko a Palamente tho eo ba e etsang ke ho fofela Kapa mona ba tlisa ho robala feela.
Menahano e jwalo ke eo e leng hore e etswa ke boqulotsi ...
English:
... because most of the time, when you look at our work, it is not covered by the media. The fact that, most of the time, ordinary Members of Parliament arrive at eight o'clock in the morning and finish at eight o'clock in the evening is not covered. The majority of the work that is done in committees is not covered either, and that's why we have an entrenched perception that the majority of Members of Parliament come to Cape Town just to sleep.
This is why we are appealing to our media to assist us in ensuring that what we do as parliamentarians, committees, and the entire Parliament is accessible to all members of the public, so that they can be able to understand what we do.
The majority of the concerning issues that we need to raise is, for example, that you'll find the IFP marching to the SABC ...
IsiZulu:
... bathi akuvezwa loku okuthize kweIFP. Uma ubheka ezinye izinto okufanele siziphakamise...
English:
... is that, even while covering a sitting of the House, most of the time ...
IsiZulu:
... baba uMpontshane uthola ukuthi uma ubheka ngenkathi inkulumompikiswano iqeda ukuphela usuthi ubheka izindaba ebusuku awutholi lutho okushiwoyo ngamaLungu ombutho obusayo. Konke okuvezwayo kumayelana nemibutho ephikisayo.
English:
... is about opposition parties. These are some of the concerns that we have. We have got to look at these issues. What is the role of the media in terms of promoting participation and in terms of enhancing democracy?
At times you find the media taking a stand against the ruling party. That is not what the media is supposed to be doing. When we enhance democracy, the media is supposed to be objective and balanced in terms of their reporting, not to contest elections against the ANC. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
The term social media as well broadly refers to internet-based tools and services that allow users to engage with each other, generate content, distribute, as well as search for information online.
In recent years, there has been significant growth in the uptake and engagement with some of these platforms by African citizens due to improvements in infrastructure, the arrival of wireless access technologies, as well as lower tariffs. For example, the social network site Facebook has been widely adopted as a communicative tool across the African continent, with approximately 40 million registered users as of 31 March 2012. However, this number is low when compared with Europe, which stands at more than 200 million registered users, and Asia with more than 100 million users.
Blogging, including the micro-blog service Twitter launched in 2006, has also been embraced by African citizens. A study conducted by social media monitor Semiocast found that, as of July 2012, more than 300 million people used Twitter.
In many countries the various social media platforms outlined above play a key role in facilitating the interactive relationship between citizens and political representatives, as they allow citizens to engage with their political leaders at local and national levels.
There are a number of challenges that impede the usage of social platforms in facilitating political participation. These include distrust, socioeconomic conditions and institutional arrangements. In recent years there has been a growing distrust of these platforms by various autocratic regimes. Such regimes have blocked, censored and/or threatened to block or intercept the use of these platforms.
Online and mobile social media remain largely the tools of the metropolitan social elite and middle class population. The economically wealthy are usually the ones who enjoy access to these networks and have the skills to use them. For instance, when it comes to Internet usage, Africa has approximately 130 million users and a population of more than 1 billion, compared to more than 500 million users in Europe with a population of more than 800 million. So this is clearly visible in terms of how we can be able to use the impact of social media.
In addition, what we need to be concerned about is that social media platforms are not regulated by any code of ethics, making it difficult for parliaments and members to identify and address attacks that are published via these platforms. Further, it can be difficult to prosecute individuals for making defamatory statements online, since many people use false identities on these platforms.
What is ofgreater concern is that there is no mechanism to restrict what is published.
Sesotho:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Mme, o felletswe ke nako!
English:
Mrs M T KUBAYI: I still have 13 seconds, hon House Chairperson.
In conclusion, it is important that all media houses assist the country in building a society that we can all be proud of. More efforts need to be taken by Parliament to engage with citizens through media and social media.
Mrs S V KALYAN: House Chairperson, may I address you on a point of order? When the presiding officer gives a ruling the speaker at the podium should adhere to that!
Mrs M T KUBAYI: I am looking at the time!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): She has concluded, Madam.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: I was looking at the time!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Thank you, hon member!
Mrs M T KUBAYI: Yes, just to say lastly that Parliament should look at the mechanism to regulate the social media. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon member your time has expired. Do not do that, your time has expired!
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson, may we place it on record that the decorum of this House has degenerated because the opposition benches are howling at all times when the members of the majority party are debating. Is this how we are going to run Parliament as we proceed?
Mrs C DUDLEY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 306
Mrs M T KUBAYI
Mrs C DUDLEY: House Chairperson, this one-minute contribution feels like a drop in the ocean, but hopefully it will add something to the conversation. Building a nation of people from many nations and kingdoms is a creative, daring and amazing thing – well, it is in my book, at least. Citizenship, it is said, requires a sense of belonging, because without it, individuals are unlikely to be able to contribute or achieve full responsible citizenship. With all our differences, one thing we do have in common is our need to belong or to have a sense of belonging. That is important to keep in mind, I think.
South Africa's recent participation in the Olympics gave us another opportunity to get to experience that sense of belonging. The successes of our athletes were an added bonus, bolstering a collective national esteem and pride in being South African. A magnificent picture of unity in diversity!
Unity is something the ACDP highly values and we are committed to a shared future for all people living in South Africa. We also value diversity and are committed to protecting our freedoms, including religion and culture. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Chairperson, I didn't want to disturb the speaker at the podium, but may I address you on the statement made by the hon Chief Whip of the Majority Party? This is the blanket statement he has made that the opposition parties are disturbing the decorum of the House. I think that is too general because as far as we are concerned, the IFP was not involved in that.
THE HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon member, that is noted.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: House Chairperson, I want to agree with the IFP and withdraw, because the IFP behaves very well.
THE HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon member, that is not a ...
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: It is the DA who doesn't behave well. [Laughter.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon members, I think if you want to raise points of order, you should go back and look at the Rules about what points of order are. [Interjections.] You don't make these kinds of statements all the time. Your points of order are either on procedure or conduct, not on the substance that is there. These are debates.
Mr I S MFUNDISI
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 306
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B SKOSANA)
Mr I S MFUNDISI: Hon House Chairperson and hon members, diversity is a norm in the ever more globalised and interconnected world. South Africa is one such country where there is a plethora of linguistic, ethnic, cultural, racial and religious differences. However, we are able to live and let live.
It is unfortunate that, in spite of the prevailing tolerance of one another, linguistic and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable to political, economic, and social alienation and discrimination.
The one issue that threatens to polarise our country at present is the Traditional Courts Bill, which women feel is loaded against them. One remains astounded at how it was passed by Cabinet in the first place.
We look forward to balancing these diversities with social cohesion within the framework provided by law in the country and internationally. The UCDP believes that if particular care is paid to the vulnerability of women in society, there can be mutual respect and understanding. We look forward to the enhancement of political participation and representation of minorities – with an emphasis on minorities - and indigenous people in all spheres of life.
We believe that the multiparty Parliament should promote democracy by ensuring that all are heard and not called upon to decorate seats. A social cohesion platform ... Ngiyabonga. [Thank you.] [Time expired.]
Mr G D SCHNEEMANN
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 Take: 306
Mr I S MFUNDISI
Mr G D SCHNEEMANN: Chairperson and hon members, the topics that will be discussed at this year's Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, Assembly in Quebec, Canada, are the overall theme which we are debating now, which is, "Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world".
The theme of the First Standing Committee on Peace and International Security is "Enforcing the responsibility to protect: The role of Parliament in safeguarding civilians' lives". The theme of the second committee is, "Fair trade and innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development". That of the third committee is, "The use of media, including social media, to enhance citizen engagement and democracy". The hon Kubayi will be presenting a paper in the third standing committee and the hon Ramatlakane will be presenting a paper in the first standing committee. I would like to wish them well in their work at the IPU as they represent our Parliament.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states in section 3(2):
All citizens are equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship.
I think we need to ask ourselves, as members here in this House, whether we are doing sufficient work, both as Parliament and as Members of Parliament to ensure the realisation of what the Constitution says in section 3(2).
A further question we need to ask ourselves is whether the citizens of our country fully understand their rights, benefits and privileges, as well as what their duties and responsibilities are. I would want to submit that we need to do a lot more work in engaging with the citizens of our country.
During the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, we saw a level of unity and national pride on a score not often witnessed in our short history as a new democracy. Not only did the country unite behind our soccer team, but what was of particular significance was the display of and identify with our national flag. As a country, we have made progress in creating a national identity.
However, what does concern me at times is the possible lack of identity with some of our national days. Political parties are being invited to attend and often participate in many of the celebrations of our national days. However, I would submit that we, as a Parliament and members in our constituencies, need to do a lot more work in mobilising communities and informing them about what these national days signify.
Section 6 of our Constitution recognises 11 official languages. Again, we need to ask ourselves whether, here, as a Parliament, we are doing sufficient work to promote the use of the 11 languages. Committee meetings and the business of this House are generally in English. Perhaps, we should be doing more to promote the use of our official languages in our work, here in Parliament, in committees and in the House. I also think that we, as Members of Parliament, need to lead by example. We also need to be sure that we are able to speak more than one language.
Section 30 and 31 of the Constitution states:
Everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice, but no one exercising these rights may do so in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights.
It further states:
Persons belonging to a cultural, religious or linguistic community may not be denied the right, with other members of that community –
to enjoy their culture, practise their religion and use their language; and to form, join and maintain cultural, religious and linguistic associations, and other organs of civil society.As a country, we are diverse and extremely rich in culture, religion and language. I think that we should be taking a lot more time to learn and gain more understanding about each other's culture, religion and language. As we take time to learn about each other, we will find that many of the suspicions and mistrust which we have about each other will start to diminish.
During the recent National Summit on Social Cohesion, President Jacob Zuma stated:
Today's summit is an important gathering of our new nation. This summit confirms that the promotion of social cohesion, nation-building, and national identity are on the list of priorities for our country. As we proceed along this journey, we will have to ask and answer difficult questions.
We will also have to confront complex and uncomfortable realities. However, as South Africans, we have on many occasions proven to ourselves to be a nation that thrives and finds solutions to difficult problems through dialogue, discussions and reaching out to one another. It was through dialogue and reaching out to one another that we were able to produce what is now fondly referred to as the South African miracle.
As a country, I think we all need to admit that we have made progress, but we must also ensure that we continue along the road of unity in diversity.
Parliaments, including our own Parliament at the IPU, need to ensure that their respective governments amongst others, promote intercultural dialogue to bridge cultural differences; preserve cultural identity; nurture the diversity of cultural expressions; promote mutual interaction; support and empower individuals, communities and organisations involved in initiatives aimed at promoting acceptance and respect of cultural diversity; and to combat the spread of cultural illiteracy, which often refers to a lack of the ability to accept cultural difference and to welcome them without being unsettled by them.
As I conclude, together as Members of Parliament in this Parliament, let us increase our efforts in promoting unity, reconciliation, nation-building and cohesion. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The House adjourned at 17:17.
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