Hansard: JS: President on debate on State-of-the-nation Address

House: Joint (NA + NCOP)

Date of Meeting: 20 Jun 2014

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

JOINT SITTING

20 JUNE 2014

PAGE: 1

FRIDAY, 20 JUNE 2014

PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING

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Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 10:02.

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces took the Chair.

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Start of Day

REPLY BY PRESIDENT TO DEBATE ON STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: Hon Presiding Officers,
hon Deputy President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, fellow South Africans, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank all hon members for their contributions to the debate on the state of the nation address.

We believe that we all have the same goal: to move South Africa forward. Your inputs were thus received in that light and are most appreciated. We have placed before the nation this week a programme of action that we believe will go a long way towards injecting new life into the economy, to drive back poverty, inequality and unemployment. It is designed to boost economic growth and job creation in key sectors, such as infrastructure development, energy, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, the green economy and mining. The programme will also improve the delivery of services by government and, in particular, revitalise distressed areas such as mining towns and local service delivery hotspots. It is also designed to strengthen partnerships between government and the people, as well as government and all sectors, including business and labour, in taking forward transformation.

Hon Carrim and hon Davies explained eloquently what we mean by radical socioeconomic transformation and economic transformation, in particular. We have placed a growth target of 5% by 2019 and will do everything to move towards that goal. We need to change the structure of the economy and create employment-creating growth, and we can achieve these goals with focus and determination.

Hon Sisulu reminded the House of the services delivered by government to our people in the past few years and the remarkable progress made in a short space of time. From houses to water, electricity, social assistance and other services, life gets better for more people. We will build on that progress to take the country forward. Work will now begin in earnest to ensure the implementation of the work outlined.

Hon Godi warned us about the need to bridge the gap between policy and implementation and on the need to ensure quality and timely service. Indeed, we are changing our approach. We will use planning to solve problems that delay implementation. We will next month launch an adaptation of the Big Fast Results methodology that we have been discussing with the government of Malaysia, as indicated by Minister Radebe. The methodology involves setting clear targets and following up with on-going monitoring of progress and making the results public. Using this implementation methodology, the government of Malaysia was able to register impressive results within a short period of time.

In South Africa, we have renamed the Malaysian approach Operation Phakisa, to emphasise its critical role in fast-tracking delivery on the priorities included in the National Development Plan: Vision for 2030. [Applause.] The first implementation of Operation Phakisa will be led by the Department of Environmental Affairs. It will focus on unlocking the economic potential of South Africa's oceans, which are estimated to have the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to GDP by 2033 compared to R54 billion in 2010. We will also pilot this methodology to improve service delivery in our clinics nationwide, promoting Minister Motsoaledi's Ideal Clinic initiative. We want to find methods that work, that will deliver results, and we believe Operation Phakisa may provide the key.

While the economy will take centre stage in the next five years, we will also invest our energies and resources in improving the performance of the state and, in particular, the Public Service. We want government to deliver services faster and more efficiently. More importantly, we want members of the public seeking services to be treated with respect, patience, understanding and courtesy. [Applause.] The Batho Pele programme will thus be revitalised this term, accompanied by the promotion of the new Public Service Charter, under the leadership of the Department of Public Service and Administration. We also intend to ensure that all levels of this administration treat complaints management as a priority issue, so that we can achieve the goal of being a government that is accessible and responsive to citizens.

When I introduced the Presidential Hotline in September 2009, my intention was to contribute to a more accessible and responsive government. To date, more than 190 000 citizens have logged complaints and queries through this system. The overwhelming response from citizens to this initiative has been positive, and the Presidential Hotline has also contributed to government understanding how important it is to have well-functioning and responsive complaint systems.

To further encourage performance, the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency will continue to conduct unannounced visits to service delivery sites in order to monitor indicators such as queue management and waiting times, dignified treatment, cleanliness and comfort. The focus is on facilities where the public is directly served, such as Home Affairs offices, SA Social Security Agency offices, police stations, health facilities, driving license centres, municipal customer care centres, schools and courts.

I must point out as well that many departments are already improving services on their own. The Department of Health has established an Office of Health Standards Compliance to help us improve patient care and has trained and recruited inspectors as outlined by Minister Motsoaledi. The Department of Social Development runs its own integrated service delivery-monitoring initiative, Project Mikondzo, as outlined by Minister Dlamini. Communities provide feedback on the services rendered.

During this term, all departments will mainstream public outreach programmes to enable the public to raise their concerns and suggestions directly with government. Indeed, government is improving the way it delivers services. A new culture of accountability and seeking to do better is coming into being. While a lot of good work is being done by public servants, some improvements are needed.

Management practices have to improve further. There is a need to enhance skills development in areas such as financial management. Shortcomings become glaring each time the Auditor-General releases his annual report. We agree with hon members that part of improving the performance of the state is to get government to pay small businesses and other suppliers promptly within 30 days. [Applause.] National Treasury and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation have put in place a system to monitor the payment of suppliers within 30 days by national and provincial departments. There will now be more emphasis on assisting departments with large numbers of invoices that are paid late. This will draw on case studies of the best performing departments.

The emphasis on radical socioeconomic transformation necessitates that we develop the necessary skills. The infrastructure and industrialisation programmes require more artisans, engineers and other skilled professionals. Hon Manana outlined in detail the skills development programme of government, including the Decade of the Artisan campaign aimed at meeting the target of producing 30 000 artisans by 2030. We urge the private sector to join government and offer apprenticeships in this initiative in line with the Youth Employment Accord.

Hon Mokgalapa questioned the statement that we open one school a week in the Eastern Cape. This has actually been a very successful and exciting campaign. [Applause.] The state of the art schools are built as part of the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative, Asidi, a national programme that addresses infrastructure backlogs in the country, especially the inappropriate, unsafe and mud schools. The programme includes the provision of basic services to schools where there are none, such as the provision of water, sanitation and electricity. The first phase of the programme targeted the building of 49 schools. As at 15 November 2013, 40 schools had been completed. [Applause.]

The first school completed, Mphathiswa Senior Primary in Libode District, was officially handed over by the President to the community in October 2012. The programme to hand over one Asidi school per week to communities in the Eastern Cape was thereafter launched by the Minister of Basic Education in July 2013. Since then, various Ministers, premiers, Deputy Ministers and MECs have been deployed to hand over the beautiful new schools to communities. [Applause.] Two schools have also been completed in the Western Cape, while 12 remaining ones are at various stages of construction in the province. The programme is going very well indeed. The programme will continue until the end of this year.

We appreciate the concern raised by hon members about poor performance in mathematics and science in some schools. The Department of Basic Education has identified just fewer than 100 schools that do not offer mathematics in Grade 12, and we are working with provinces to ensure that all schools offer mathematics as a subject. All posts for mathematics, science and accounting teachers and subject advisers will be filled as a matter of urgency in all provinces.

Government will also invest in science and technology training and research development. From 2015, the Department of Science and Technology will invest an additional R400 million per annum to support postgraduate students in fields related to science, technology and innovation to guide and build a human capital development pipeline towards a doctoral qualification. [Applause.]

The department has also established centres of excellence at the universities of Witwatersrand, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch and KwaZulu-Natal. The centres focus on areas that will assist government to address several priority areas, including mining, child development, food security, energy and evidence-based decision making. [Applause.] The new centres will also increase the number of world-class researchers and attract and retain research excellence. We invest R140 million per annum in this programme.

Hon Van Damme, your concern about education is noted especially the call for more teachers to be trained per year. Government's Funza Lushaka bursary scheme enrols students each year. Indeed, we need more teachers especially for the foundation phase. The same applies to social work as a career. We provide a social work bursary and need to attract more students each year to this field given the social challenges in our communities.

IsiZulu:

Lungu elihloniphekile Kubayi, siyabonga ngokukhumbuza kwakho intsha ukuthi kufanele ibuye isukume izenzele izinto ingathembeli kuhulumeni kuphela. Maningi amathuba okwenza impilo ibe ngcono manje eNingizimu Afrika. [Ihlombe.]

English:

We agree with hon Cllr Nawa, the Deputy Chairperson of the SA Local Government Association, Salga, that democratic local government has made a significant contribution in the expansion of social infrastructure and services to poor households and to development generally in the country. Indeed, looking back over the past 14 years, it is clear that we have made tremendous strides in addressing access to basic services, such as water, energy, waste, sanitation, transport, and human settlements at a local government level. We have a good story to tell. [Applause.]

Hon Meshoe, you raised concerns that we may be throwing money at municipalities and not providing more solutions. Indeed, more supporting than just money will be provided. Tangible technical support will include assisting municipalities to prepare cash-backed budgets. The municipalities will also be assisted with revenue collection strategies and to improve governance through the establishment of functional accountability and oversight structures and systems, such as the Municipal Public Accounts Committees and audit committees. The fundamental purpose of the support will be to ensure that all municipalities are able to provide simple services, such as providing lights and water, cutting grass, and ensuring functioning street and traffic lights, consistent refuse removal and credible billing for services. [Applause.] Hon Holomisa, we agree with you on the importance of appointing people with the correct technical skills to municipalities, which is something that Salga is also committed to.

Hon Dreyer referred to a tender board in the Presidency. The Office of the Chief Procurement Officer is actually located in the National Treasury. [Applause.] We look forward to the results of the piloted procurement of furniture for schools in the Eastern Cape in August. We will draw lessons from that exercise to be used in improving centralised procurement. We welcome the comment from Deputy Minister Magwaza-Msibi that central procurement may lead to bottlenecks and unintended consequences of delays in decision making and implementation. We will be alive to all these possible consequences as we pilot the plan. I think what must be borne in mind is that we have introduced this because we are dealing with one problem, and we will have to solve the problem. Of course, we will certainly be watching out for possible developments that could hamper the progress to what we are doing.

Hon Jordan reminded us of the need to find African solutions to our problems and the need to combat forces that can compromise African independence in the continent. As the African Union meets next week, we will certainly fight for Africa to create stronger institutions to solve its security problems in particular, for example the African Standby Force. There is a need to strengthen the African Peace and Security Architecture and to redefine the instruments that deal with unconstitutional changes of government and discourage illegitimate rebellions. Thus we need to treat with urgency the need to establish the African Standby Force for rapid deployment in crisis areas without delay. The African Standby Force, as a vital mechanism of conflict prevention, was initially planned to be operationalised by 2008 but was deferred to 2013 and further to 2015. The need for an intervention brigade has become more crucial in light of the situations of instability in some parts of our continent.

On the emotive land question, the situation, as we have stated before, calls for co-operation among those who must obtain land and those who must release land, as we have been reminded by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, hon Sizani. We need this co-operation as we speed up land reform. Our programme of action is a call for all of us to put South Africa first and do what is best for our country and for the future. Our people have elected us so that we can lead them to a prosperous future. The National Development Plan outlines the future we want: a society free of poverty, inequality and unemployment. That society is achievable if we work together.

One of our primary focus areas in the next five years should be sports development. Our country must be able to compete with other nations on the sports field. [Applause.] Our sport stars of the future will emerge from schools. We must therefore invest in school sports. [Applause.] I wish that the Minister of Sport and Recreation has been watching what is happening in Brazil. The standard is very high. As a result, no-one can predict who will win the soccer World Cup. This intervention requires the provision and maintenance of adequate sports facilities in our residential areas.

I trust that hon members will encourage their constituencies to organise sporting events, leagues and championships and build more united and cohesive communities. [Applause.] I am sure the Minister of Sport and Recreation could also think about provincial competitions, as an incentive. [Applause.] As part of the empowerment of women and the girl child in sport, government has also launched the national Netball Premier League. [Applause.] We urge all to support the development of netball and all sports played by women. [Applause.]

Hon members, on a sad note, may I take this opportunity to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Metro FM radio presenter Mr Eddie Zondi who passed away this week. He had contributed immensely to the entertainment sector in our country, especially radio broadcasting, and had earned a special place in the hearts of thousands of radio listeners. Rest in peace, ndodana.

Let me once again thank all for participating in the state of the nation address debate. I would be missing an important point if I do not remind colleagues who made the contribution that – in the final analysis – do no not assist the country to go forward. At times, as some hon members walk to the podium, you can actually tell what they are going to say because they have been saying it all the time. [Interjections.] What we need is a debate that enriches ideas, that helps us to push our country forward. [Applause.] I have often said that I would highly respect opposition that is constructive because it is about our country. We all want a successful South Africa. We might differ in the routes taken to reach our destination. Some may be traveling by water, others on foot paths, others on roads, others by airways, and therefore some might reach their destination first. Others will reach it long after some others had reached it. The reality is that the destination is one. [Applause.]

I always take the debate on the state of the nation, particularly, as an important debate for political parties to demonstrate their thinking, their ideas, their love of the country, so that, as they continue to debate, the ordinary people – the voters – see something in them so that they continue voting for them. I think the evidence of the decline, very dramatic in other parties, indicates that they do not take their voters seriously. [Applause.] [Interjections.]

We are about South Africa in the main. The fact that we belong to different parties is because we choose different methods and ideas of reaching there. However, you are about South Africa, and I would like to appeal that, as you continue the debates, we must be seen by the country as all loving our country and not dealing with one another as individuals. That reduces the debate of the country to individual debates. In my view, it does not help. [Applause.] I think our voters watch this programme, and they know who are keen on seeing South Africa succeed, not only because it is our parties but because we want our people to gain by changing the quality of their lives. I would really like to appeal, once again, and I have appealed before, that we have debates that will actually help us move forward. [Applause.]

I thank the Presiding Officers, as well, for indulging us when we requested a change in the date for the state of the nation address. Thank you very much for your understanding. We are also grateful to the Presiding Officers for making this the first state of the nation address debate in which both Houses of Parliament participated. [Applause.] This is highly appreciated. It completed the meaning of us calling such a sitting a "Joint Sitting".

IsiZulu:

Into enhle nengoma emnandi iyaphindwa. Sengathi ningenza njalo nibadedele laba bethu abenza inkulumompikiswano ngale eMkhandlwini kaZwelonke weziFundazwe bengabonakali sibabone lapha ukuthi beyenza kanjani inkulumompikiswano. Yebo.

Sesotho:

Re leboha haholo baheso.

English:

Having members of the National Council of Provinces has certainly enriched the debate and has given meaning to the fact that the state of the nation address takes place during a Joint Sitting of Parliament. I emphasise this because, to me, it enriches democratic practices. We certainly look forward to working with both Houses as we implement this programme of action. Together, let us move South Africa forward. I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP

The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR BY EFF MEMBERS WHILST EXITING CHAMBER

(Statement)

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Thank you, hon President. Hon members, I wish to make a statement on the serious incident that occurred in the Joint Sitting yesterday after my considered Ruling on the remarks made by the hon J S Malema.

The hon member refused to withdraw remarks when directed to do so by the Chair, where after he was called upon to withdraw from the Chamber in terms of the Rules. As hon members will recall, the other members of his party followed suit. Whilst leaving, disruptive and unacceptable behaviour was demonstrated by a number of those hon members. Parliament has Rules and Procedures which outline the order of proceedings and provide guidelines for appropriate behaviour. The type of behaviour manifested in the House is not in keeping with the decorum of Parliament and cannot be ignored.

I will not go into detail, except to indicate that I have asked for the Hansard and audio-visual recordings of the incident. As this is a Joint Sittings, and members from both Houses are affected, I have to confer with the Speaker of the National Assembly on this matter, as well as take advice on it. This may very well be a matter that could reside under the mandate of the powers and privileges committees in terms of section 12 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, Act 4 of 2004. The House will be informed on the action to be taken on this matter.

The Joint Sitting adjourned at 10:55.

/Mia

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