Hansard: NA: Unrevised Hansard
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 15 Jun 2017
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
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THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2017
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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The House met at 14:04.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members
to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
WELCOMING OF THE YOUTH VISIT AS PART OF THEIR JUNE MONTH
ACTIVITIES
(Announcement)
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, before we start, I would
like to join me in welcoming the young people in the
gallery who are visitors to our public education unit as
part of their June month activities, and the rest of the
visitors in the gallery. Welcome! [Applause.]
EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE
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(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker,
I move the motion printed in my name on the Order Paper
as follows:
That the House extends the deadline by which the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Review of the Powers and Privileges Act
has to complete its task to 30 November 2017.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I put the motion.
Motion agreed to.
Hon Members, before I proceed let me also acknowledge the
presence in the gallery of the first deaf President of
the Gallaudet University, Washington, DC and her spouse
Mary Baremore, you are welcome to our Parliament.
[Applause.]
PROTECTED DISCLOSURES AMENDMENT BILL
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(Consideration of Bill and of Report of Portfolio
committee on Justice and Correctional services on
amendments proposed by the NCOP)
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJAKE: Deputy Speaker, members of the
House, members of the executive, members the public, good
afternoon. The Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill was
duly adopted by the House and referred to the NCOP that
amended clause 9 of the Bill to make it inclusive.
The committee deliberated on the amendment and have
accepted the amendment with the DA and the ACDP
indicating that they support the amendments even though
they did not support the Bill; the report is to be
considered. Thank you.
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I
move that the Bill as amended be passed.
Declarations of vote:
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Adv G BREYTENBACH: Deputy Speaker, this Bill emanates
from the South African Law Reform Commission‘s Report on
Protected Disclosures, and the Bill aims to extend the
application of the Protected Disclosures Act beyond the
traditional employer employee relationship amend the
principal Act in order to regulate joint liability;
introduce a duty to inform employees or workers who have
made disclosures and to provide immunity against civil or
criminal liability in certain circumstances and create an
offence in the case of false disclosure.
Three public interested organisations made representation
with regard to this piece of legislation and the men
trusted their representations was that the
criminalisation of false disclosures will have chilling
effect on whistle blowing for fear of prosecution.
Hon members, you will recall that when this Bill was
debated in this House the DA pointed out that
specifically the provision that a person who
intentionally discloses false information and or
reasonably to have known that the information is false be
guilty of an offence, and liable upon conviction to a
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fine or imprisonment for a period of up to two years or
both.
This would have a deterring effect on potential
whistleblowers. The argument remains that the phrase
ought reasonable to have known places an unduly a duty on
potential whistleblowers to verify to a point the
veracity of information in question. Evaluation of
whether a person reasonably ought to have known was
supposed to be an objective exercise lends itself to
different interpretations and even possibly abuse.
The fact that the criminalisation clause requires an
intentional disclosure and the intent to cause harm to
the affected party does not mitigate the potential for
abuse as it can be argued that even a valued disclosure
will usually carry some intention quite validly to cause
harm to the affected party.
Measured against the ethos of the Bill of Rights,
specifically the equality clause as well as the
constitutional duty placed upon the legislature to ensure
that legislation passed by this House should enhance
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rather than hamper, just administrative action and
promote an efficient administration, and this Bill does
not meet these standards.
If this Bill is passed again by this House today, the DA
will consider a petitioning the President, that is,
President Zuma not the Gupta to not sign the Bill into law
in its current form. Because, as long as the
criminalisation clause, remains in this piece of fraud
legislation the DA cannot support it. [Applause.]
Ms N V MENTE: Hon Deputy Speaker, when we presented our
views for the Second Reading debate of this Bill last
year, we were empathic in our rejection of it on the
basis that it did not offer comprehensive protection for
those who are as disgusted as we are by the corruption
promoted by the ―Zuma-Gupta alliance‖ in this country. We
indicated then that its definition of occupational
detriment, the Bill sought to protect employees against
being subjected to any civil claim for the alleged breach
of a duty of confidentiality. [Interjections.]
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes. Sorry, hon member, please take
your seat.
Prof C T MSIMANG: Deputy Speaker, can you please ask the
DA members if they can learn to live quietly because
there is a speaker on the podium. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: All members must settle down and
listen to the debate; that‘s what I am ruling on. Yes,
please. Order, hon members. Order! Order, hon members.
Order! Go ahead, hon member.
Ms N V MENTE: We indicated then that its definition of
occupational detriment, the Bill sought to protect
employees against being subjected to any civil claim for
the alleged breach of a duty of confidentiality or a
confidentiality agreement arising out of a disclosure of
a criminal offense. The current amendment adds that
employees are also protected when disclosing information
which shows contraventions or failure to comply with the
law or the presence of a possibility of such failure
happening in the future.
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This is part of what we asked for in the Bill, to offer
water-tight protection of whistle-blowers but still it is
not comprehensive enough. As we argued before, the Bill
protects employees against civil claims for each of the
contracts or duties of confidentiality. This in our view
is not adequate protection for employees, it leaves them
open or to criminal litigation by companies or those
implicated in corruption. Lastly, the Bill itself is
defeating in that it explicitly offers no protection to
employees who make claims or corruption that may later be
proven to be untrue. This lack of protection for such
matters will prevent many employees from airing their
suspicions for corruption because should those be later
proven to be untrue, employees will be left vulnerable.
This defeats the whole purpose of the Bill and will
prevent people - some that were indicated in the emails
of the Sunday Times from disclosing this massive
corruption because they know that they will use the state
funds to access the best lawyers to defend this
corruption. For these reasons, the EFF does not support.
Mr M S MBATHA: Hon Deputy Speaker, the Protected
Disclosures Amendment Bill stems from the national
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Development Plan, NDP, recommendations that the Protected
Disclosure Act of 2000 be reviewed with the objective of
strengthening support for whistle-blowers. This was owing
to the findings by the NDP that the said Act does not
afford to the whistle-blower sufficient protection. The
IFP concurs with the NDP in succession that the
protection of the whistle-blowers is key to a strong and
resilient anticorruption system.
In fact, the decline in the number of members of society
who are prepared to come forward as whistle-blowers can
be ascribed to this lack of sufficient protection. This
is unfortunate because our law enforcement agencies rely
to a large measure on the assistance of the public in a
successful apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators
of corrupt cases including fraud, bribery, theft of
public funds, etc. Indeed, the Bill does strengthen the
protection of whistle-blowers by extending the ambit of
the said Act beyond the traditional employer-employee
relationship. It also grants the whistle-blower immunity
from criminal and civil liability. It goes further and
makes it an offense to knowingly and intentionally make a
false disclosure. Although the portfolio committees were
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welcome to the amendments, members were not unanimous
regarding the inclusion of the clause that criminalises
intentional false disclosure. They feel that this will
have a chilling affect on potential whistle-blowers. The
IFP, however, goes along with those parties, especially
the ANC who argue that the impact of a false disclosure
is so serious on the innocent victim that the whistleblower who is guilty of false disclosure should not go
unpunished. The IFP supports this report. I thank you.
[Applause.]
Mr S C MNCWABE: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, guests
in the gallery, South Africa has 45 points out of 100
according to Transparency International, which ranks
countries according to the perceived level of corruption
through surveys and assessments. This is four points up
from a record low of 41% in 2011 and suggests that South
Africa is perceived to be a generally corrupt country.
The NFP welcomes any measures that will contribute
towards rooting out corruption in South Africa. One such
measure to root out corruption is the Protected
Disclosures Amendment Bill. The Bill creates additional
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safeguard for employees - more commonly known as whistleblowers, who make a protected disclosure and it also
contributes to an environment in which whistle-blowers
may freely disclose information that exposes corruption
in the workplace. The amendment proposed by the portfolio
committee fortifies the environment by fine-tuning and
expanding on the definition of occupational detriment to
employees to who make a protected disclosure. The NFP
welcomes this proposed amendment. The occupational
detriment is a real threat and a hindrance to the freedom
to make a protected disclosure and our current
legislation does not provide sufficient protection in
this regard. Very often, whistle-blowers are victimised
after a protected disclosure and the threat of pleading
civil actions has thus far escaped the scope of
legislative protection. By adopting this amendment
proposed today, we will take one more small step closer
to drawing a legislative net around corruption in South
Africa. The NFP supports this report. Thank you.
Mr M P GALO: Hon Deputy Speaker, the history of the
victimisation of whistle-blowers and the politicisation
of criminal justice have by and large energised our
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collective effort to create the new normal in the new
democratic dispensation. The Protected Disclosures
Amendment Bill introduced in 2015 was thus long overdue.
It replaces a consolidation of apartheid‘s vague and
narrow blanket provisions in the Bill‘s principal Act of
2000. The apartheid style, if you think of the
terminology employed to catalogue the protection of
independent contractors, consultants and agents. The Bill
has widened the scope of the original definition of
employees to mean any person who works or worked for the
state or another person or who in any manner assists or
assisted in carrying on or conducting the business of the
employer or client as an independent contractor,
consultant or agent or person who renders services to a
client while being employed by a temporary employment
service.
The extension of the production of the disclosures to
different contractors, consultants and agents in the
Bill, implicitly confers to this marginalised workers who
by any other law after 1994 were unable preserve their
inherited dignity. The original conception in the
Protected Disclosures Act of 2000 to exclude independent
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contractors from the scheme of protected disclosures was
inherited flawed and ill-equipped. The protection of the
disclosures of information does not, however, extend to
the disclosure of false information. This would in the
strict sense of the word not protect information peddlers
who furnish incorrect disclosures. The ANC supports the
adoption of the Bill. I thank you.
Adv B T BONGO: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers and
Deputy Ministers present, members and fellow South
Africans. I should say this at the outset that the Bill
before us was brought before Parliament earlier.
Parliament has dealt with this Bill in its entirety.
After the Bill was read for the second and was sent to
the NCOP, it was then that the NCOP requested that as a
further protection, we should insert one sentence in the
Bill which says that anything we do about this Protected
Disclosure must be subject to any civil claim for the
alleged breach and the duty of confidentiality or
confidentiality agreement arising out of this protected
disclosure must be a criminal offense. What is important
about this Bill is that it seeks to protect not only the
employees of the state but also the employees of the
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private sector who have information that may be used
against the employers who by any means do some of the
things that are unscrupulous. The Bill seeks to protect
all those people who must give information to the state.
I think it is disingenuous for the DA to leave. Their
supporters must see that when we do serious legislation
in the interest of the people they just leave the House
and go to the bar. [Interjections.] The EFF is also doing
the same, the people must see this. The only time you see
their leader ... he is busy...
Mr I M OLLIS: On a point of order, Deputy Chairperson.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member. Please take your
seat, hon member. Hon Bongo, take your seat. Yes, hon
member?
Mr I M OLLIS: Would you ask the hon member on the podium
whether he will take a question about what he has just
said? [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, wait for him to take ...
Hon Bongo, would you like to take a question?
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Adv B T BONGO: How would I take a question when they are
all not here? I can‘t take a question, hon Deputy
Speaker.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, the answer is no. Hon
Ollis. [Interjections.]
Adv B T BONGO: You know, I don‘t know the EFF has turned
into these days. They don‘t come to the House; every time
you see their leader ... they have turned into a
―mamgobhozi party‖ [gossiping party]. [Interjections.]
All leaks are known by them. Everything that is going
wrong in the country is known by them and they just go to
the media. We are here and we must pass serious
legislation that protects people who have issues of
corruption that they must bring to the state. They are in
the bar with their alliance - the DA.
AS the ANC we support the fact that we need to protect
people who are employed by the state or the private
sector to bring information that assist us. Similarly,
with anyone else in the country who has any information
about anything must be able to bring it to book in a
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manner that is just and illegal – that is what we would
like to say. We support. Thank you very much.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Chief Whip, what are you rising
on, sir.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker,
I am rising on Rule 98, requesting that the decision on
this question be postponed to a later date. [Laughter.]
[Interjections.] Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, any objection to that
proposal.
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, maybe you can ask why.
[Interjections.] Is it because the ANC member aren‘t here
... [Interjections.] ... a party with 249 Members of
Parliament ... [Interjections.] ... pass their own
legislation.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There have been no objections. It is
agreed to. The question is thereby postponed.
[Interjections.]
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The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Deputy Speaker, is it possible
that you can call the members of the DA who are blocking
traffic outside to come inside the House?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No. No, hon member, that‘s not a
point of order. The secretary ... Hon member?
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order. Can we
get someone that ... [Inaudible.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, that‘s not a point of
order. [laughter.]
CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL SECTOR REGULATION BILL AND
REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE ON AMENDMENTS
PROPOSED BY THE NCOP
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Mthethwa.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: I am still Mthembu
hon Deputy Speaker.
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: In my notes it is written Mthethwa. I
don‘t know why I‘m misguided here and I am sorry about
it. Go ahead hon member.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: My apologies Deputy
Speaker. I move in terms of Rule 309(3) that the Bill,
the proposed amendments and Report of the Standing
Committee on Finance thereon accordingly referred back to
the Standing Committee on Finance for reconsideration and
further report.
Agreed to.
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR PERMISSION IN TERMS OF RULE
286(4)(C) TO INQUIRE INTO AMENDING OTHER PROVISIONS OF
TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK ACT, 2003
(ACT NO 41 OF 2003) (INTERIM REPORT OF PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL
AFFAIRS ON TRADITIONAL
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
FRAMEWORK AMENDMENT BILL
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: My notes give me a different name. Is
that you Sir? [Laughing.] I know hon Masondo but what I
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have in my notes is hon Mthethwa and I don‘t see him
here. Chief Whip, please send me appropriate names next
time. Hon Masondo, please proceed.
Mr M S A MASONDO: Deputy Speaker, hon members, esteemed
visitors in the gallery; it is my privilege to stand here
on behalf of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs, Cogta, Portfolio Committee to indicate to you
that the Committee has been ceased with the task of
considering and discussing the Traditional Leadership and
Governance Framework Bill [B8 – 2017]
This Bill seeks to amend the provision of Traditional
Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003, the
Principal Act. Having realised that this work may require
the Committee to get the permission of this House in
compliance with NA Rule 2863 (b), we hereby urge you to
support this worthy endeavour and proposal. Thank you
very much.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections to the
Committee being granted permission in terms of Rule 2864
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(c) to enquire into amending other provisions of the
Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework?
Declarations of Vote:
Mr K J MILEHAM: Chairperson, let‘s make no bones about
this. We are only having this discussion because the
National House of Traditional Leaders, which have been
part of the legislative process on the Traditional
Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill from
the very start, arrived at the last minute while the
Portfolio Committee was going through the draft Bill
clause by clause with further amendments that made
substantial changes to areas of the legislation that had
not initially under review.
It should be noted that other stakeholders made
submissions to the Committee within the prescribed
timeframe and they presented their concerns. The National
House of Traditional Leaders was present for this but
they made no submissions of their own. Their proposed
amendments have not been subject participation input and
would be considered by the Committee in isolation thus
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potentially opening this legislation up to constitutional
challenge.
While the DA supports the motion on this matter, if we
are truly the people‘s Parliament, it is important that
the public participation process be reopened before this
Bill is tabled in the House. This is in line with section
59 (1) (a) of the Constitution, which requires that the
National Assembly must facilitate public involvement in
the legislative process. And has been supported by the
recent Constitutional Court judgement in the Land Access
Movement of South Africa and others versus the
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, NCOP
and others with the Court held that:
South Africa‘s democracy contains both representative
and participatory elements. These elements are not
mutually exclusive. Rather they support and buttress
one another. The Court has rejected the argument that
the public need not participate in the legislative
processes as its elected representatives are speaking
on the public‘s behalf.
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In the New Clicks judgement, Judge Sachs wrote: ―What
matters is that at the end of the day a reasonable
opportunity is offered to members of the public and all
interested parties to know about the issues and have an
adequate say.‖ In a concurring judgement in Doctors for
Life, he took the view that public involvement is of
particular significance for members of groups that had
been victims of processes of historical silencing.
Nowhere could this be truer than in a case of traditional
communities and those that represent them.
The DA supports this motion on the proviso that
meaningful public participation is permitted and that
those who have commented earlier be permitted an
opportunity to respond to the proposals of the National
House of Traditional Leaders before the Bill is
considered by the committee for adoption. Thank you.
Inkosi R N CEBEKHULU: Deputy Speaker,
IsiZulu:
Ngiqale ngokuthi ilungu elihloniphekile elisuka la,
kufanele sikufunde ukwamukela ukuthi izinhlaka
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zinezindlela zazo zokusebenza. Ngakho ukubambeleleka
kwazo akusho ukuthi kufuneka kube nomsindo ngalokho.
Bonke abantu babekelwe ithuba ukuthi bakwazi ukwenza
imisebenzi yabo ngendlela efanele.
English:
The recognition of traditional communities, the
establishment and recognition of traditional councils and
the provision of a pragmatic statutory framework within
which traditional leaders can operate the objectives and
principles of the Traditional Leadership and Governance
Framework Act. However, we still find the non-alignment
of terms of office of traditional leadership structures
and provincial legislation which provides for the
relationship between Kings and Queens and provincial
houses problematic. Firstly, because the King‘s councils
and the Kings and Queens councils are still excluded and
then there is also the fact that no provision is yet made
for the funding of these structures. Then there is the
issue of other provincial houses that fail to honour and
establish the legislation timeously to align their
councils yet it has taken a long time but for these
structures it is necessary.
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The institution of traditional leadership in South Africa
has a definite role to play in our country and its
future. This was confirmed by the Deputy President at the
recently held indaba on the institution. Traditional
leadership though still remains the only structure that
does not have clearly defined roles and functions in the
Constitution, which is Chapter 12 of the Constitution; it
only talks about the recognition only. In our democratic
South Africa there is no reason why traditional
leadership cannot coexist with democratic governance
under the rule of law. The IFP supports the move. Thank
you. [Applause.]
IsiZulu:
Solz N M KHUBISA: Sekela Somlomo, neNdlu yonke,
nezihambeli zethu ezihloniphekile kwigalari, siyavuma
ukuthi iqhaza lobuholi bendabuko njengoba libhaliwe
kusigaba [section] u-211 nesigaba u-212
woMthethosisekelo, alanele. Kukhona okungenziwa
ukulandisa. Lokhu okulana nje ...
English:
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... no, Chapter 9, we feel that more should be done with
it. Now, the NFP believes that empowering our traditional
leaders will assist in achieving one of the major
objectives of the Act, namely, to restore the integrity
and the legitimacy of the institution of traditional
leadership in line with the customary law and practices.
We have always maintained that traditional leadership has
a crucial role to play in the governance of our people
particularly so in rural areas. It is the traditional
leadership that our people turn to in times of strife,
for comfort and reassurance. It is in traditional
leadership where we vest the power to serve as custodians
of our cultural and historical values. Moreover,
traditional leadership represents continuity with our
past and it helps us reclaim our identity as Africans and
represents a focal rally point for expression of our
cultural diversity as aspirations. The NFP would like to
that our traditional leaders be given more direct powers
of governance at municipal and district level. If we are
to give serious effect to Section 31 of our Constitution,
which guarantees everyone the right, their cultural,
religious and linguistic communities, then traditional
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leadership should play a far more prominent role in local
government than what is currently provided.
We believe that our traditional leaders need to be
assisted financially to go out about their way of
representing the interests of the people living in their
jurisdiction and to be the conduit for meaningful rural
development. It is through traditional leaders that
people will be able to formulate their voice in matters
that concern them and their communities freely and
sufficient resources must be made available to facilitate
such opportunities. We support this report Chairperson.
Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Permission accordingly granted to the Portfolio Committee
on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to
inquire into amending other provisions of Traditional
Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 (Act No 41
of 2003) in terms of Rule 286(4)(c).
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE
AND INDUSTRY ON 7TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR
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PARLIAMENTARIANS AS PART OF 67TH INTERNATIONAL
ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS HELD IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Ms J L FUBBS: Hon Deputy Speaker, indeed, this is the
report of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry,
but we were working jointly with the Portfolio Committee
on Science and Technology – a back-to-back approach. We
visited Mexico and we attended the congress at the end of
September 2016. Our space is not that remote. As
children, we thought of the stars and the moon there,
etc, and we even had nursery rhymes, but the reality is,
as planet earth, we are part of this universe. As we are
considering, as planet earth, of inhabiting Mars, it
becomes even more important to develop sound policies and
principles on good governance.
Trade and Industry deals with one Act and this is the
beauty of our country, balancing everything. On the one
side, Trade and Industry deals with the regulatory and
the governance and Science and Technology has its great
thinkers and innovators that look towards the technology,
the research and development. It is a great idea. One set
with a mandate and Minister for the governance and
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another set ... If Japan had followed this route, we may
not have had that catastrophe there.
So, we are also fortunate. South Africa has never said
that the winner takes it all. We want to share. So,
although we did bid and we wanted the Square Kilometre
Array SKA, etc, we, as South Africa, were happy to be
announced as one of the partners. Really, I must
congratulate you, Minister Naledi Pandor of Science and
Technology - I know the economic cluster is here,
represented by Minister Patel – because we have the
Southern African Large Telescope, Salt. Most of us know
it as it was the MeerKat or Salt and then we have the,
SKA. It is not a very good abbreviation because of its
connotations, but SKA is the way forward. Go and visit
there and occupy all those bed and breakfasts and grow it
out.
So, the thing is that you go there and all the others are
Doctor S and Professor Y and so on and you feel quite
small, until you are told: ―As parliamentarians, you are
the voice of your people and therefore, we need you to
tell us as scientists
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Mr I M OLLIS: Are you a scientist?
Ms J L FUBBS: No, I have just explained that I am not,
but you are not listening. [Laughter.] ―As
parliamentarians, you are the voice of your people and
therefore, we need you to tell us as scientists how to
govern because the most important thing is people? How do
we serve our people? Science must be made to serve our
people and it can. It can help us to develop policy, to
develop planning and most of all, to implement.
We now have, in this international fraternity,
Unispace+50, and that emphasises the four thematic
pillars – space economy, space society, space
accessibility and believe it or not, space diplomacy. I
think I should start applying now to be diplomat on Mars.
I may get that one.
And the most important thing ... I am so glad that I was
delayed until now to present this report, because this is
youth month and one of the big recommendations is that,
in terms of capacity building up there, the young people
are our future. [Interjections.] They have told us to
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please involve youth. They said, not you madam, but youth
in the space inclination. [Interjections.] [Laughter.]
So, we are going to do just that.
So, I commend this report to you as we reach for the
stars – Mars - to inhabit and help build a better life on
planet earth, South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]
Declarations of vote:
Mr D W MACPHERSON: Thank you, Hon Deputy Speaker, and
good afternoon to all of our young guests in the gallery.
Certainly, every time hon Fubbs comes up here, she is one
of the more lively and energetic members that we have in
the House. Every year, she continues to qualify for Youth
Month. So, it is good to still see her here with us.
[Interjections.]
Space exploration provides us with an opportunity for
increased investment and job creation in South Africa,
something we desperately need in times of the recession
that we are currently in. However, for such investment
and job creation to take place, we need to ensure that we
have an enabling environment that allows for
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multinational companies to invest in our budding
scientists and entrepreneurs, for them to continue with
their research and development, as we reach for the
stars.
Space is certainly a place where South Africa can play a
greater part in, where our voice can be heard more loudly
on the international space stage. However, we also need
to recognise the great technological advances that we
stand to benefit through this, especially when it comes
to predicting natural disasters. We have just seen one
horrific disaster is Knysna. If one looks at
international trends, specifically in the United States
and Australia, they are using space technology to predict
such wild fires and the spread of them. Hopefully, in the
future, we can use such technology to mitigate these
types of disasters.
In order to take full appreciation of these technologies,
we need to ensure that there is greater co-operation
between the Department of Science and Technology and our
Department of Trade and Industry, Minister.
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Mars is the next frontier and we need to be prepared to
forge ahead into this new period of space exploration and
development. The Democratic Alliance will support the
report.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, please join me to also
welcome a parliamentary commission from Uganda, led by
Cecilia Atheme Gaulle, visiting us in South Africa.
[Applause.] Welcome to South Africa and Parliament.
Mr Z R XALISA: Deputy Speaker, while we, as the EFF, do
not object to the adoption of the report of the Portfolio
Committee on Trade and Industry on the 7th international
meeting for parliamentarians as part of the 67th
International Astronautical Congress in Mexico, it is
necessary for lawmakers to continue to be part and parcel
of spaces that are dedicated to information, new research
and innovation.
As the report clearly demonstrates, the space is becoming
more and more important and an integral part of the
global economy. Regarding the element of sustainability
and affordability of exploration, it is clear that it
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should not only be environment-friendly, but it should
also take into account the broader needs of society.
South Africa must continue to participate in programmes
of space exploration. We must be part of creation and
discovery of innovation. However, the history of space
exploration has demonstrated the prioritisation of
economic benefits for a few multinational corporations
over societal programmes, and at times, with programmes
that are full of discrepancies and loss of billions.
It is therefore important that there is a clear
consideration of limited resources. Our involvement in
space exploration must benefit humanity and in future,
these trips must include other parties. If we are
increasing the delegation, it must not mean we are
increasing the number of the people from the ANC. Other
parties must get opportunities. Tomorrow, we will have to
decide on these policies and laws when we are in power.
Mr J A ESTERHUIZEN: Hon Deputy Speaker, the conference‘s
aim was to show emerging countries like South Africa the
benefits of becoming more involved, after this programme
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was being dominated by the US and Russia for years. The
challenge of space exploration has sparked new scientific
and technical knowledge and inherent value to humankind.
Computers became exponentially better in understanding
the world. Software will disrupt most traditional
industries in the new future. The Goddard Space Flight
Centre listed 2 271 satellites in orbit during the
duration of the astronautical congress. We witnessed as
one was purposely being destroyed on screen. Russia has
the most satellites currently in orbit, with 1 324
satellites and the United State follows with 658.
This is only space craft and not 5500 000 pieces of small
orbital debris that circle earth. An amount of 22 000 are
big enough for officials on the ground to track and even
the smaller pieces of space junk that float on the
earth‘s orbit have speed exceeding 35 000 km an hour.
That is roughly eight km a second. Several solutions to
retrieve or move the space junks have been put forward by
the University of New Brunswick, Space and Technology,
but it was also unsuccessful.
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Changes in the rotation of the earth‘s core can be
detected by the changes in the earth‘s magnetic field. In
his presentation, Prof Dumberry said that the earth‘s
core has accelerated. His theory was that huge glaciers
such as Argentina‘s Perito Moreno that contained huge
amounts of mass near the poles close to the earth‘s axis
of rotation are melting. When glaciers melt, the melt
water ends up in the ocean, moving the weight away from
the axis and accelerating the earth‘s rotation.
Our solar system is just over 4,5 billion years old and
the sun that is burning hydrogen into helium is running
out of hydrogen to burn. It is already noticeably
brighter. It is estimated by scientists that, after about
a billion years from now, the sun will become hot enough
to boil our oceans.
To a great extent, the benefits from space exploration
are rooted in a generation of new knowledge, which is the
first reward and which has inherent value to humankind.
Space technology has helped us to understand how earth
works and how we can keep it healthy. Space is already
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becoming the link among systems of systems and its
enabling function may therefore represent the new element
that will help to bring our society towards a goal of a
sustainable living on the planet for all. Thank you.
Prof N M KHUBISA: Deputy Speaker, space and space
exploration are undeniably a new frontier where science
and technology meet. Hence, it is fitting that our
Parliament should be represented by the Portfolio
Committee on Trade and Industry and the Portfolio on
Science and Technology and other relevant portfolios.
The benefits for South Africa and our people of actively
participating in this frontier could be immense at many
levels, for example, economic, social and political
levels. The responsibility rests with our representatives
and role players in this field, to ensure that we get
maximum benefit.
The National Freedom Party understands and accepts that
humanity‘s journey into space is a reality and we welcome
the fact that there is now full recognition that the
benefits of this journey of humanity should be motivation
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for further technological developments and exploration
into space.
Yes, we know that there is unanimous agreement among
countries that there is a need for development of
stronger space governance frameworks and mechanisms,
which we welcome. We do, however, wish to pause and ask
these questions: What ethical guidelines are in place to
ensure that this journey is not one of exploitation? What
mechanisms will be in place to ensure compliance? And
more importantly, what institutional enforcement options
will be available to ensure that all humanity share
equally and equitably in this journey?
We trust that our representatives to future international
meetings for parliamentarians will vigorously canvass
these issues and ensure that our participation does not
transgress the values which we stand for and serves to
espouse our voice, at the same time.
On a reflective concluding, note, discussing this report
here today reveals a bitter irony in the states of
affairs in South Africa. On the one hand, we are
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participating, as a country, at the cutting edge of
technology and science, taking a proud place in a global
environment, geared up to expand our technology and human
capital into space. Yet, at the same time, men of our
people do not have access to basic human dignities, such
as clean and safe drinking water, decent sanitation and
secure homes.
The National Freedom Party says that it is good to keep
an eye on the future, but at the same time, we should not
neglect to address the challenges of the present. We
support this report.
Afrikaans:
Mev S R VAN SCHALKWYK: Agb Adjunkspeaker, dit is vir my
‘n aangename voorreg as ‘n lid van die ANC, maar ook as
‘n inwoner van die Noord-Kaap om te sien dat vooruitgang
wel plassvind. Hierdie is ‘n baie groot geleentheid vir
inwoners van die Noord-Kaap en spesifiek, vir die area
van die Square Kilometre Array, SKA, om te sien dat
jongmense bemagtig word.
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Ons sien alreeds veranderinge en uitdagings wat
aangespreek word. Dit is tipies van die ANC-regering dat
hulle nog altyd beywer om die jongmense, maar ook die
inwoners van agtergeblewe gemeenskappe se omstandighede
te verander deur bemagtiging.
Dit is waarom dit so belangrik is om te sê dat ons trots
op die ANC-geleide regering is. Ons sien dus uit daarna
om te sien dat dinge wel plaasvind en dat dit nie net in
woord is nie, maar ook wel in daad. Daarom ondersteun ons
dit. Dankie.
Ms J L Fubbs, as Chairperson of the Committee, introduced
the Report.
There was no debate.
Declarations of vote made on behalf of the Democratic
Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom
Party, National Freedom Party and African National
Congress.
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The Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the
Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted
DEBATE ON YOUTH DAY: ADVANCING YOUTH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Hon
Deputy Speaker, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon
members, young people in the gallery and fellow South
Africans, I rise to open this important debate on youth
day during this year of Oliver Tambo and when we honour
the 1976 martyres, who 41 years ago, led the milestone
student protests against a decree issued by the then
Education Department that Afrikaans was to become a
language of instruction in all our schools.
The rioting soon spread from Soweto to other townships in
the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town and
developed into the largest outbreak of violence that
South Africa has ever experienced. These were noble and
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dedicated students, who showed reckless disregard for
their own safety and in emulating their forebears, they
cauragously rejected the bantu education system,
demanding quality education for all which was in turn
going to allow our youth to claim their rightful place in
history.
Former President Oliver Tambo, a towering intellectual
and a mathematics teacher who converted to become a
lawyer, showing his outstanding intellectual abilities
concluded and said and I quote:
There is no vocabulary to describe the nobility and
the pathos of the conscious sacrifices that the
black youth of South Africa have made... to free
themselves, their people and their country from
forces that are determined to keep us forever their
chattels.
Hon Deputy Speaker, 41 years later and as we celebrate
the great strides we have made to defeat the tyranny of
apartheid and it skewed policies that favoured the white
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minority, we have got to consolidate the gains of freedom
as young people of South Africa for history has now
imposed on us to occupy the forward trenches in the final
assault on poverty, unemployment and ignorance. We should
be able to identify the gap for development and actively
pursue the objectives that seek to uplift our people and
renew our society.
The 1994 democratic breakthrough saw us embarking on a
process of rewriting history. We had to re-engineer our
education system and I am happy to report that whilst
there are still outstanding issues of transformation and
ensuring that access is followed by success, but we now
have legislative and policy frameworks in place which
guide us on our new trajectory and which we use as an
expression of the future we aspire particular for our
postschool system.
Fellow South Africans, education remains an indispensable
device of social transformation. It has the propensity to
enhance the employability of our youth and assist them in
reading from themselves the bondage of poverty and
underdevelopment.
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We believe that skilling our labour force will play a
role in fighting unemployment directly by providing
skilled people to a skilled starved economy, but also
indirectly by providing a stimulus to economic growth and
the development of new and existing industries and
economic sectors.
We are also aware that this is a ticking time bomb that
such a big number of young and energetic population of
our society is out of school and out of jobs, yet we
continue to import skills. This is the reason why our
government took an informed decision to make education,
job creation and decent work its number one priority for
the current period and in this regard we would like to
highlight the fact that education and training are indeed
a critical component of achieving growth and development
of the various priority economic sectors.
Hon members, over the past decade, we have been highly
engaged in the process of restructuring our Sector
Education and Training Authorities, Setas, and
positioning them ideally to facilitate sector specific
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training initiatives with both the private and the public
sectors.
I can report that contrary to popular belief that these
are corrupt institutions that they are now in contact
with the overwhelming number of employers in the country
and we have invested sufficient resources for them to
facilitate partnerships between our training institutions
and employers. These partnerships will benefit the large
number of youth of students of our country, who will now
be able to access both theoretical and practical
knowledge.
It is indeed concerning hon members that we have a number
of both universities of technology and Technical and
Vocational Education and Training, TVET, college students
who cannot complete their studies and graduate because
they do not posses the workplace learning component
required to do so. This has compelled the Setas to
expedite their efforts to forge these linkages and indeed
we are beginning to see results.
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Again as part of addressing the above challenges as
government, we have signed a skills accord together with
labour, business and community constituencies at National
Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac and
through this accord we want to turn every workplace into
a training space.
Hon Deputy Speaker, I need to indicate that in our
country there is this wrong notion that postschool
education only means university education. This is not
the case and we are trying very hard to dispel this
notion and in our quest to promote TVET colleges or the
TVET college sector, we are hoping that our young people
will find them equally attractive.
As directed by the National Development Plan, NDP, we
want to reverse the anomaly of having more young people
in our university system than in our TVET system. Our
view is that at least by 2030, we should be having a
ratio of three TVET students to one university student.
We see the TVET college sector as a viable option for
young people, because it is our strong belief that the
courses offered at our vocational education and training
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centres are appropriate to build the critical skillsbased that our economy needs and in turn will make our
young people more eligible for employment opportunities.
We are putting systems in place to ensure that the
outputs from these institutions are not for the sake of
producing graduates and hence we are progressively
influencing the modification of the curriculum in order
to proactively respond to the needs of the labour market.
We continue to urge our young people to consider taking
up careers along technical and vocational skills, this
within a context of a very serious shortage of mid-level
personnel in the country.
We certainly have to do more in prioritising this area,
as people with these skills are able to fill the many
jobs which are necessary to expand the economy and in
turn help our young people achieve their own sustainable
livelihoods.
We have declared 2014 to 2024, as the decade of the
artisan with the sole aim of creating a pipeline of
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qualified artisans who can play a crucial role in growing
the emerging sectors of our economy.
Our government is determined to change the deep-seated
structural inequality that faces our youth who constitute
by the way the largest proportion of the South African
populace. In our quest to sharpen the country‘s global
competitive urge an industrial productive capacity, the
White Paper for Postschool Education and Training system
endeavours to train 30 000 artisans per annum by 2030 as
directed by the National Development Plan.
Hon Deputy Speaker, the Department of Higher Education
and Training has been leading in encouraging all spheres
of government to increase their intake of internships and
we are confident that this trend will grow steadily.
On the issue of access to higher education of course, we
have been concerned about our poor, yet academically
deserving students who are failing to access postschool
education and training opportunities because they do not
have the means to actually do so.
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The National Student and Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, has
been doing a sterling job in this regard, but there is no
doubt that the demand for funding has been too huge. To
date the scheme has benefited more than 2 million South
Africans who have sins joined the ranks of the black
middle class. We have massively extended the reach of
NSFAS since the genuine call of student for a no-fee
increment, but obviously as I said as we increase the
allocation the demand also increases. However, we will be
making pronouncements after the commission that was
appointed by the President has concluded its work and its
report has been considered by government.
I feel obliged hon Deputy Speaker and hon members, to
digress and express my heartfelt condolences to the
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade
Nzimande and his family, for the loss of his mother, to
whom we remain indebted for giving us such an industrious
intellectual who I have been assigned by the President to
ably lead the Ministry and the department with. Thank you
very much, hon Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]
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Mr Y CASSIM: Hon Deputy Speaker, as it has become typical
of the ANC for a debate of this importance and as we
commemorate the youth of 1976, ANC members and Cabinet
Ministers just haven‘t seen it important enough to pitch
up.
The ANC has sold out my generation - particularly young
black South Africans. There can be no doubt that the
legacy of colonialism and apartheid continues to dictate
our life stories. The circumstances of our birth still
dictate our success and these circumstances have a colour
to it.
Why then do I blame the ANC? It is perhaps because I am a
DA member? Or maybe... maybe it is because despite being
23 years into our democratic dispensation and despite
spending one fifth of our budget on education, a black
child in South Africa will receive an education that is
considered amongst the very worst in the world.
It is therefore no coincidence that the same child is
still a hundred times more likely to grow up in poverty
than a white child. The reality is that, if you had the
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misfortune of being a poor black child growing up in
South Africa, you would most likely be one of the 50% of
Grade 1 pupils who never live to write a matric
examination.
You would most certainly be one of the 80% of children
who would receive an education that is considered among
the very worst in the world — an education that will
consign you to a lifetime in poverty.
If, through sheer grit and determination, you manage to
beat these odds and actually write and pass a matric
examination, chances are that you would be part of the
75% of matriculants without a bachelor‘s pass. Without a
decent education, any form of economic empowerment for
black South Africans will remain elusive.
I have no doubt that the ANC will continue to blame all
of this on colonialism and apartheid and they are quite
right. But what South Africans have come to learn is that
whilst colonialism and apartheid placed young black South
Africans in a state of economic disempowerment, it is the
ANC-led government that has kept them there. [Applause.]
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This is not the ANC that we supported growing up. This is
the ANC that has sold out an entire generation to the
Guptas, South African Democratic Teachers‘ Union, SATDU,
and patronage politics. For those naive enough to
believe, even amongst your own benches, that electing
―CR17‖ at the conference will somehow cause the ANC to
self-correct - one must only listen to his brown nosing
of SADTU, calling them great and powerful in order to
gain their political support. Selling out our children
... [Interjections.]
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJEKE: Deputy Speaker. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Yes, hon member? Hon Cassim,
please take your seat?
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJEKE: Is the member ready to take a
question as whether there is anything he can ever debate
outside the Gupta issue? [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Wait, let the hon member indicate.
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Mr Y CASSIM: I think South Africans had enough of the
Guptas and your President quite frankly. I am not willing
to take your question.
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJEKE: Is there anything you can ever
debate?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Go ahead hon member.
Mr Y CASSIM: Selling out our children is apparently a
prerequisite to leading the ANC, no wonder there is
something broken.
Hon Deputy Speaker, it is all about priorities and
choices. Youth economic empowerment will forever remain
an empty rhetoric if the ANC is entrusted with the
choices that will define our generations. Time must
surely be up.
Young black South Africans face unemployment levels of
over 60%; over three million South Africans referred to
as NEETs, are "Not in Education, Employment, or Training―
and over 9 million South Africans are unemployed.
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Our youth is suffocating and yet the ANC is too self
obsessed to realise it. Take the ANC Mayor of Ethekwini
as an example, her answer to youth month is to spend rate
payers‘ money on a breakfast for Babes Wodumo and Nasty
C. Now I must admit that since I don‘t listen to music, I
have no idea who these people are although I have reason
to believe that at least one of them is nasty and I am
referring to the ANC Mayor. [Applause.][Interjections.]
The point though is that it shouldn‘t be about fancy
shindigs or gaining popularity to win an ANC leadership
battle. It should be about making the choices required to
save an entire generation who have been set up to fail
and never make it out of poverty.
The DA is the only party that can make these choices,
South Africans must choose a different government if we
are to truly empower our youth. Since the DA became the
government in the Western Cape, we have broken new ground
and have both the highest retention rates and bachelor‘s
pass rates in the country.
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The pass rate for the most disadvantaged schools in the
province has been improved to 75%, having been 57% when
the DA took over from the ANC in the Western Cape in
2006. A DA-led government in 2019 is surely the best hope
for true empowerment of young black South Africans.
Opening opportunities for young South Africans and
preparing them for these opportunities will be our
greatest focus.
When leading government, post 2019, we will: ensure that
young black South Africans have access to a quality basic
education which will empower learners to succeed; provide
a free year of vocational training to all matriculants;
offer free quality higher education and training to poor
qualifying students up to a postgraduate level; invest
heavily in internships and learnership opportunities
including a meaningful youth wage subsidy; invest in
small businesses and support young people to build and
employ others.
We can do all this and more because as the DA we are not
beholden to the same forces which have captured the ANC.
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A DA-led government would surely put young people first.
Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr M S MBATHA: Deputy Speaker, our young students and
youth at the gallery, colleagues and friends, the best
present for South Africans is to take the ANC out of
power because just like in any circumstance it is a
liberation movement that has run out of its own course.
On the occasion of 41th Anniversary of June 16, we would
like to salute the generation of 1976. This generation
took everything it has, irrespective of the shortcomings
of their time. They decided that as a generation will
define their own struggles informed by their own
oppression. In this, they excel in their own struggle. As
a Marxist-Leninist-Fanonian movement, we draw our
aspirations and our struggles to continue the course of
economic freedom in our lifetime from June 16, 1976
movement.
Our struggle for economic freedom for young people means
the following: to obtain an education free from daycare
to high school and continue from high school to higher
education up to first degree. That is the distance that
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we can go as a loving government. In paying tributes to
these young lions of 1976, the gallant fighters of our
time, we would like to thank them for a life well lived
and well cherished for our nation to be born today.
Hector Peterson and Tsietsi Mashinini were gallant
fighters that continue to lead the symbolism of this
great struggle. They fought against Afrikaans as a medium
of instruction, but that was not the only struggle. It
was a struggle to decolonise education as a whole. It was
a struggle to put the best interest of the black
oppressed in the hearts of the equation of what was fair
and what was just. This is the struggle that draws the
international community and the armed struggle closer.
While the ANC leaders were busy drinking beer in Lusaka
and sipping whisky in London [Interjections.] our young
people fought the apartheid force in the streets daily.
Our young people continued the cry, they said freedom or
death, victory is certain.
We also wish to link the struggle of 1976 with a very
unique struggle. The struggle of the United Democratic
Front, Curnick Mthakathi Ndlovu, Archie Gumede, Hector
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Peterson and Tsietsi Mashinini. Hector Peterson and
Tsietsi Mashinini never met Archie Gumede neither did
they met Curnick Mthakathi Ndlovu, but these two
struggles co-authored, co-created a journey and
conditions that made our people both inside and outside
the country, meaning those involved in the armed struggle
and in the international isolation to have a fertile
ground.
Our youth today are fighting for economic freedom in our
lifetime not because it has to be a destination. It‘s a
continued journey because until we have our land, freedom
means nothing. We would continue to fight unemployment
because it is skyrocketing under the ANC ruling party. We
will continue to fight inequalities because the ANC has
no shame. [Applause.]
Mr M HLENGWA: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members and the
youth of South Africa and the gallery and at home, let us
salute the youth of 1976 and from their commitment to
freedom, democracy and education. Let us also then do
what they have done and continue that struggle to ensure
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that South Africa becomes a better place for all young
South Africans.
In 2017 the youth of South Africa is faced with high
unemployment 27%, stunt economic growth, junk status, a
technical recession, poverty, inequality, social ills and
the lack of leadership. Yet, we come here and speak about
economic freedom. Hon Deputy Speaker, since 2012 when I
got to this Parliament, I have raised the issue and shall
continue doing so, that for so long as you do not have a
dedicated and focussed parliamentary committee to deal
with youth matters. We are leaving the youth behind.
There is a Multiparty Women‘s Caucus; yet, there is no
formal structure of Parliament. To add the very least,
begin meditating on the issues of young people. Last
year, we had an issue of fees must fall and an ad hoc
arrangements was made just for us to come and sit
together. It materialises to nothing. Then it bears the
question: Why is the Multiparty Youth Caucus not
receiving attention? Well, it is because out of 249
Members of Parliament of the ANC inside of the House only
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one of them is below the age of 35 out of 249.
[Interjections.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, fees have not fallen. Decolonised
education remains unachieved. The National Student
Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, remains complicated and
corrupt and those who needed it most do not get.
[Interjections.] So, how did we get there? Well, during
the days of the struggle, the ANC said ―liberation now
education later.‖ Thank you to the sanity of the IFP and
Prince Buthelezi we said ―education for liberation.‖ If
we can go back to those basics and focus on ensuring that
we create knowledge, skills and expertise which our
economy needs. For us to begin and identify scientific
technological and innovative capabilities in our country
beneficiates around them and create new economies will be
able to grow this education.
Colleges of education must be reopened so that we have
got quality teachers who can go back into our schools and
give quality teaching. We are recycling ignorance. We
have got teachers who are incapable to teach because the
system is incapable of teaching them how to teach. They
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go back into the classroom and actually meet out what it
is that they are failing to do.
Hon Deputy Speaker, let us address the land question for
the sake of economic growth and economic development, but
the bottom line as I have said before, hon House
Chairperson, the ANC has failed the people of South
Africa. The ANC has failed the youth and I gave you a red
card before and I am giving you a red card again.
[interjections.] Pack your bags and go. You have failed
the youth. [Applause.] ... [Time expired.]
Mr S C MNCWABE: Chairperson, hon members and guests, when
our hard-fought democracy came into being, paid for by
the blood and sacrifices of the Class of 1976, the youth
had hoped that we were at the dawn of a new era. The
youth had dreamed of the day when everybody would be
equal, where dignity would be a cornerstone of our social
fabric, and a bright future would beckon to all. Looking
back, we can see that we were somehow deceived and we
have to ask ourselves today: Will we have the courage to
see that we are still being deceived, or will we be quick
to hope once more?
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Empowering our youth at an economic level is the key for
a better future, a future of hope and a future of
possibilities. If we are to address youth economic
empowerment, we will have to address the burning issue of
youth unemployment and skills development. Chairperson,
our current youth unemployment rate is almost 48% and has
worsened over the past eight years, despite a great deal
of policy attention and the implementation of a range of
public and private interventions. From the submissions
made today, it is clear that the challenge of youth
unemployment in South Africa is a structural issue which
will require massive policy investments, political will
and time. It is fine that we invest in long-term
strategic goals, but the NFP believes that it is equally
important to concentrate on what can be done in the
interim, what can be done right now. May be hon Deputy
Minister Manamela will have also to visit the issue of
curriculum in our tertiary institutions. Is it fine we
keep on popping money in NSFAS but the graduate are not
what the labour market wants.
IsiZulu:
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Ngeke kusisize ukufaka izimali emaNyuvesi singabhekanga
ukuthi into efundwayo khona yile efunwa ngabaqashi na.
Okunye loko okwenza ukuthi sibe nentsha ehlezi emakhaya
ngoba izifundo esinazo azikhulumi kulokhu okufunwa
ngabaqashi. Kufanele sikuvakashele lokhu, sikubheke
ukuthi imali yethu iyasisebenzela na.
English:
The NFP believes that if the issue of youth unemployment
is not addressed as a matter of urgency, the situation
can be expected to increase the levels of frustration and
impatience among our youth, and will contribute to a
cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty which has to be
avoided at all costs. But, whatever we do, let us not
deceive our youth again with empty promises. Thank you
Mr M L W FILTANE: Hon House Chair, the 41st anniversary
of the national Youth Day is marked against the reality
of a country that is experiencing economic hardships,
with sky rocketing youth unemployment, chronic poverty
and deprivation. These challenges mean that government
needy to increase investment on human capital
development.
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In addition to improving basic education, the training
systems must be transformed so that young people can
acquire relevant and quality skills that can help them
master their lives and contribute to the socioeconomic
development of their country.
For this to happen, it will amongst other things, require
the following: increase investment in the training
institutions; reorienting the curriculum to introduce
practical entrepreneurship training; decentralizing
training to local authorities, including local artisans
at village level; and linking training institutions to
the labour market for absorption.
We also need to promote youth citizenship in an inclusive
manner. The number of youth that is forced to go to the
streets is on the rise as a result of poverty, lack of
employment and loss of hope. In this regard, there is a
need to decriminalise socially alienated street youth.
They should be made feel secure and should be facilitated
to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities in
the mainstream society.
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More efforts should be put in place to rehabilitate young
offenders and drug addicts. This calls for a change in
attitude and outlook amongst policy-makers in respect to
the activities and aspiration of young people, especially
those in the streets.
We need a strategy to assist young people to be
entrepreneurs and this strategy should include, but not
be limited to: continuously improvement of the National
Youth Policy 2020; continuously monitoring, evaluating
and improving youth access to credit; continuously and
consistently providing business development service for
youth; and improving institutional and enterprise
network.
Given that not all young people can be entrepreneurs, the
labour intensive-based methods for infrastructure
development will have to be seriously reconsidered. At
the core of the issues that weigh against young people;
is corruption, especially among those who are charged
with the important task of governance, of ensuring that
the dividends of democracy reach all our people,
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including youth, corruption must be rooted out together
with its branches.
Further, youth as an integral part of the South African
society are equally facing a variety of other challenges,
including residual social racism, tribalism, xenophobia
and other forms of social pathologies choking off our
vision of a free and just society.
Whilst these challenges affect our young people, female
youth are significantly worse off and special priority
needs to be applied to the social, cultural and political
recognition they deserve. Accordingly, youth must,
working together as a social force and as integral party
of a broader society; take lead in the championing their
own development and dictate their own destiny. This work
must be done and must be done now. Thank you
Mr W M MADISHA: The Youth Day in our country is linked to
the uprising of students on 16 June 1976 in Soweto and
beyond Soweto borders. We know that the uprising related
to the introduction of Bantu education and the
introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in
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schools. It was an attempt by the apartheid regime to
ossify apartheid. We know that as a consequence of June
16, many students stopped going to school and joined the
liberation movements.
We know that others simply stopped going to school; that
as a consequence they gained no skills and thus never had
the opportunity of gainful employment. We know that this
led to many turning to gangsterism, thuggery, criminality
and social decay.
June 16, was the spark that ignited our liberation
struggle. It was the youth that started our internal
revolution. It‘s hard not to see parallels between 16
June 1976 and the challenges that face our youth today.
More than 20 years into democracy, young people are still
languishing in poverty and are plagued by crime,
violence, unemployment and lack of education.
Today our youth are subjected to failing state schooling.
Our state schools condemn more than half of our country‘s
youth to a future of unemployment and welfare dependency.
Over half of our youth between the ages 21 and 25 are not
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in education or employment. Six out of ever 10 youth
younger than 25 years are unable to find any employment
at all.
Today, our jails are filled with youth but not through
their involvement in the liberation struggles but rather
through hunger. The anger of the youth is more palpable
than ever.
We have witnessed their anger on our university campuses.
But those at university represent a small and somewhat
elite portion of our youth. If the frustrations of the
millions of young people in the townships, who feel badly
let down by this failing government, erupt into action
for the most basic human rights such as water,
sanitation, etc, we have a problem and indeed ... [Time
expired.]
Ms C DUDLEY: House Chair, today‘s youth are as awesome as
any generation before and it is their time to create
opportunities for future generations to build on. The
ACDP would like to see Youth Month facilitating
opportunities for the passion of young people to be
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ignited and for them to take practical steps to follow
their dreams.
On the subject of economic empowerment, the ACDP calls
upon the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, which
has been allocated a budget of R430 million and business
to commit to partnering to ensure relevant skills
development, youth entrepreneurial opportunities and
other initiatives that can help young people gain
relevant experience.
Then there is the fourth industrial revolution on our
doorstep with the World Economic Forum estimating that
60% of all children in primary school this year will be
in jobs that don‘t exist today. This is as troubling as
it is exciting. If our young people are to be in these
jobs it will be crucial for them to study courses that
will give them an opportunity to compete in the job
market and for South Africans to compete globally to
ensure a better future for everyone living in South
Africa.
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And then there is the latest buzz word that has captured
the imagination of young people far and wide but even
more so in South African universities - decolonisation
and more specifically decolonisation of education. The
vigorous interchange of ideas is both encouraging and
somewhat concerning.
The ACDP understands decolonisation of education to mean
that a nation must become independent with regards to the
acquiring of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and
customs, and this makes sense. What make no sense are
students‘ statements along the lines of: for decolonised
education to be introduced, the existing system must be
overthrown and the people it‘s supposed to serve must
define it for themselves.
The curricula of schools and tertiary institutions will
be worth very little if they do not build on the best
knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits from around
the world. These cannot be limited to one country nor one
continent.
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Much of the excellent work done in South Africa‘s
universities could in fact be undone if students push
this philosophy. The vice President of the Academy of
Science at the University of Pretoria puts it like this:
―If we isolate ourselves, knowledge wise, South Africa‘s
own amazing advances would be lost to the rest of the
world. Other countries are happy to benefit from our
discoveries. We should continue to benefit from their
discoveries, too. Without a healthy balance South Africa
could find itself rejecting all the advances of modern
education, science and medicine that originate in other
parts of the world including penicillin, and HIV/Aids
antiretroviral treatment drugs neither of which were
developed in Africa.
We cannot limit the knowledge base of South Africa‘s next
generations to only regional knowledge and culture. We
must of course, be locally relevant and celebrate
research and researchers in South Africa. The ACDP has
confidence in today‘s youth. Thank you.
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Ms G K TSEKE: Hon Ministers present, hon members of
Parliament, the learners and guests in the gallery...
Setswana:
...dumelang.
English:
Allow me to join my progressive comrades in celebrating
the lives of our fearless, young people, who paid the
ultimate price of death for the heroic and revolutionary
role they played in objecting to the discriminatory
apartheid education system; who saw it befitting to fight
for their rights, and to fight for the liberation of our
own people.
The struggle fought by Cde Peter Mokaba, Tsietsi
Mashinini, Solomon Mahlangu, Andrew Madi, should not be
lost in vain, but we must soldier on as young people in
making sure that we radically transform the socioeconomic empowerment of young people in the dusty streets
of Marapyane, Tlaakgameng, Matatiele and the rest of the
country.
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As we celebrate the centenary of our former President,
Oliver Reginald Tambo, we must take stock of where we
come from. What are the legacies they have left in the
country, and how best can we shape our future for the
generations to come. The ANC-led government is committed
in moving this country forward; in making sure that young
people including young people with disabilities receives
job opportunities.
I must say House Chairperson, that the legacy of more
than 300 years of colonialism and slavery cannot and will
never be erased in 23 years, that‘s a fact hon Cassim.
Let me also remind all hon members, that the youth of
this country is not lost. As we celebrate this year‘s
June 16, we must remember that the lost generation are
the ones who stole our land and today they claim that if
we take back our land there will be civil war;
nonetheless, we are not frightened nor threatened by
white monopoly capitalists who forever want to enrich
themselves and [Interjection.]
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MR C T FROLICK): Hon Tseke, will
you just take your seat please. Hon Cassim, you can‘t
take phone calls in the House. It‘s quite clear and I‘ll
ask the Whips of the DA to please address the member.
Continue hon member. Hon Tseke, you may continue.
Ms G K TSEKE: Thank you very much. On top of that
situation, lost generation House Chairperson. The lost
generation are the ones who stole our land and today they
claim that if we take back our land there will be civil
war; nonetheless, we are not frightened nor threatened by
white monopoly capitalists who forever want to enrich
themselves and has robbed our forefathers of their
belongings. The ANC as a leader of the society must
continue radically so, to represent the voice of the
voiceless and implement the mandate that was given by the
62% of our voters in the 2014 National Elections.
South Africa has a generation that must find its way more
comfortably and productively in a rapid changing country
and world. By investing in a focused and strategic way in
this generation, we are guaranteeing a great and a bright
future for our country. Oliver Tambo once said, a
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country, a movement, a person that does not value its
youth and children does not deserve its future.
As we declared 2017 a year of Oliver Tambo, we must
continue to move our great country towards the vision of
a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and
prosperous society, that‘s the strategic objective of the
National Democratic Revolution, NDR.
House Chairperson, the path which our country has chosen
is complex and invites extreme commitment and dedication
from those assigned to lead. South Africa belongs to all
its people and the future of our country it‘s a
collective future. Doing good for youth is good for
business. As we pay tribute to the 1976 youth we
acknowledge that their struggle was not in vain.
Setswana:
Jaaka re tlotlomatsa baša ba 1976 re gopole go amogela
maitapiso a bone e se maitapiso fela. Re dira jaana ka
kitso e e feleletseng ya mafoko a ga Solomon Mahlangu ao
a reng, Madi a rona a tla nonotsha sethlare sa
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kgololosego.
English:
House Chairperson, South Africa has made enormous strides
in youth development over the years. Government has spend
more than R730 million to support over 15 O00
entrepreneurships, spent billions of rands in
learnerships, internships and scholarships programmes,
the Art and Culture Department has introduced the Mzansi
golden economy strategy and a number of high impact
programmes targeting youth and women in the arts have
been identified. The Expanded Public Works Programme,
EPWP, initiatives that sees young people involved in the
refurbishment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of
community infrastructure across the country.
House Chairperson, the ANC Government is making progress
with the National Rural Youth Service Corps, Narysec,
which is also implemented in the very same province that
we are in. Western Cape. I know they can claim it.
Narysec‘s main goal is to recruit and develop rural youth
to be para-professionals by training them to render much
needed community services where they live. More than,
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4 500 youths have completed training in various
disciplines, and in the construction sector.
A further 855 have been trained in records management,
and are currently involved in the scanning and tallying
of land claim files in all provinces. Thus far a total of
19 000 young people have been absorbed into the
programme.
More jobs have been created, mainly in the construction
linked to the National Infrastructure Plan; amongst
others we saw the trade sector, government programmes,
business services, transport and communication as part of
the nine point plan launched by the President of this
country, amongst others we saw the launch of HBM factory
in Ladysmith which produces latex condoms, the Moloto
rail corridor in Mpumalanga which will unlock job
opportunities amongst young people, the expansion of a
instant coffee production – I stay in Mpumalanga, you can
ask me outside, I‘ll inform you - in KwaZulu-Natal, KZN,
and R17 billion has been invested and more than 5000 jobs
have unlocked in the ocean economy.
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I can tell you that we are active in every part of our
country and we have a footprint in every province. That‘s
the ANC-led government that I‘m talking about. Hon
members, empowering the youth is building a nation. We
agree that a lot still needs to be done and we have
capacity and vigour to create more job opportunities.
South Africa must also start to prepare the youth for the
digital and the 4th industrial revolution, the use of
Information and Communication Technology, ICT, tools in
all human activities as outlined in the National
Development Plan, NDP. The ANC in its policy document,
outline the process in a proper context of creating an
environment that will be conducive to the generations to
come. The ANC also recommends that government must
establish a 4th industrial revolution commission in order
to make recommendations on immediate, medium and long
term priorities and goals for the society as a whole.
This forum will engage different sectors of society on
the implementation and benefits in the digital
development that will surely affect young people.
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Apart from the fact that young people constitute 50% of
South Africa‘s population, they are indeed a group worth
considering when putting together effective business
strategies. Despite significant progress, our country
remains divided, with opportunity still shaped by the
legacy of apartheid. In particular, young people and
women are denied the opportunities to lead the lives that
they desire. Our Constitution, which emanates from the
Freedom Charter, obliges all of us to tackle these
challenges.
House Chairperson, each generation has a positive
responsibility to take affirmative steps to prepare the
next generation for successful economic participation.
House Chairperson, let me also conclude because I can see
that I‘m left with few minutes. In conclusion, especially
to hon Cassim and Mbatha, TD Jakesonce said [Time
Expired.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MR C T FROLICK): No, unfortunately
hon member, you did not have a few minutes, you had a few
seconds. Your time has expired, thank you.
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Mr L M NTSHAYISA: Hon House Chairperson, I take that the
hands that were being clapped was just a sign of
welcoming me to the podium, thank you very much.
[Laughter.]
Hon House chairperson, June 16 1976 was a turning point
in the South African politics. The contribution made by
the then students towards political freedom we are
enjoying today will never be forgotten.
Soweto uprising also coincides with the manifestation of
odious elements on our shores, which, admittedly, have
stifled the objective priority strategies of inclusive
growth and youth development. It is unfortunate that the
South African economy is still in the hands of the few.
It is for this reason that we have to advance the youth
economic empowerment.
The attention and interest of our youth should be drawn
to the fields of agriculture, accountancy, marketing and
other skills that will contribute to the youth economic
empowerment.
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On top of the political freedom we gained, economic
freedom is urgently required. The economic empowerment of
our youth is the best option. Youth should stay away from
drugs and other intoxicating substances.
We should as result take leaf from the 1976 generation,
whose character and fortitude reminds us that our
struggle for a just society has just begun.
The agenda 2020 project, which seeks to quantum leap the
role and contribution of young people in technology,
innovation and trade, must rally young people to selfflagellate on their failures and work on their strength.
The current irritations in the political, however, with
their attendant undertones to undermine our sovereignty,
will stop at nothing to derail our course. It is this
irritation that should propel us into action.
So we must ask, do we simply wither in difficult times?
Or like Thabo Mbeki has said, wallow in despondency to
defeat adversity to defeat adversity, we choose neither.
Neither is lethal to help annihilate the capture of the
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state and the erosion of values that the Constitution
commits us to uphold.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, and
National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, opportunities
should be properly implemented and corrupt individuals
should be out aside so that we have got progress in our
country; then we are in a position now, to engage on
youth development and economic empowerment. I thank you.
Mr M A PLOUAMMA: Hon Chair and hon members, first, we
need to apologise to all the young people who sacrificed
their lives for free quality education and yet it is
still a pipe dream. Those who are not employed and
watching with dismay when those who are in power,
continue to distribute patronage. Hon members, the truth
is, the youth of our country has been thrown into a gas
chamber. Our young people are suffocated when their
future fade before their eyes. You only need to be a
member of the ANC to be connected with opportunities.
You look at the number of graduates who are not working
living under conditions of shameful poverty. The ANC must
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bow their heads in shame. One begins to doubt whether the
ANC education policy are not perpetuating P W Botha
reforms. The ANC government betrayed the youth of this
country by advocating a liberal paradigm of institutional
integration and corporatisation in 2003. Conscious or
unconsciously entrenched the terms of the apartheid
leader. Hon members, our young people are banished to a
life of inferior and despair. The 23 years of ANC rule
can be characterised of years of lost opportunity to
create conducive platform for our young people to reach
their potential. Young people deserve a productive and
fulfilling future.
I want to say to young people, do not give up and succumb
to challenges. These challenges will make you stronger
and a better person. There is hope and light at the end
of the tunnel. Come 2019, the ANC will be out and leaders
of merit will act according to the mandate of the
governed. Do not commit suicide and loose hope when
confronted with difficulties. More especially in the
rural areas where even when you are not employed you are
still required to travel and buy data to search for
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employment. You cannot afford to live in town since you
are not employed.
Government must commit seriously to work in hand with the
youth. We know you have created a jungle of nepotism and
patronage but at least change for the sake of the youth.
In 2019, when AgangSA and other parties take over from
the ANC, we will make sure that we don‘t misuse young
people and indoctrinate them like Hitler did to pounce on
perceived enemy to intimidate those who differ with
authority of the day. Institutions that are meant for the
youth are even used to distribute patronage. Our young
people are bright and creative but lack opportunity.
Hon members, I am asking for this, these are the
solutions that we are pushing forward; we are saying all
young people must get data for free, they must get free
transport to ... [Time expired.]
Ms L S MAKHUBELE-MASHELE: Good afternoon, hon members.
Afrikaans:
Die arme skepsel ...
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English:
Plouamma has just spoken and so disillusioned thinking
that he can win elections when he is just the only member
in this House. Members, the main economic objective of
the ANC-led government since the dawn of democracy has
been skills development for job creation, the reduction
of poverty and inequality and the overall sustainable
growth of the wealth of the country.
Young people are a major resource for the development of
the country and act as key agents for social change and
economic expansion and innovation. A significant number
of our young people across the country are not prepared
for work, thus, are unproductive potential workers. It is
of principal importance that steps be taken to prevent
this waste of our nations‘ human resource by providing
skills, development and training. The theme of youth
month seeks to mainstream the youth development agenda
and participation of young people into the broader
economy.
Youth economic empowerment is the means through which the
youth of the country can be assisted to succeed in life.
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Youth targeted interventions are needed to enable young
South Africans to actively participate and engage in the
economy. Many in the opposition benches think that
economic empowerment is the function of government only.
No, youth empowerment must be a shared responsibility
that calls for all partnerships between government, the
private sector and the broader civil society. Giving
young people access to skills development programmes and
jobs remains the priority of government. Our government
recognises that the youth of today have completely
different struggles, which is; high unemployment rate,
alcohol and substance abuse.
We understand that the political freedom on its own is
not enough. The youth who form the majority of the
population are hungry for economic empowerment. The class
of 1976, stood for what they believed in, which was
better education. They stood up against armed police and
brought us the freedom that we are enjoying today.
Today‘s struggles are about the economy and the
opportunities. We must emulate the youth of 1976, by
standing up against all forms of corruptions which erode
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equal opportunities for young people. We must unite and
rise against unemployment and inequality.
The urgency for the participation of youth at the top end
of the economy has been emphasised by the recent
unemployment statistics. These unemployment figures paint
a disturbing picture which shows that the country is
regressing rather than improving. We welcome the youth
set aside budget of about R23 billion for the next five
years tabled by the Minister of Economic Development in
his recent Budget approved by this House. Increasing
investment in young people is the key to their
development and empowerment. It is a step in the right
direction in the alleviation of poverty.
Hon members, our government continues to invest in the
youth of the country. There are many initiatives and
structured programmes tailor made to benefit the youth.
To date, over 1,7 millions of South Africans have joined
the ranks of the middle class. These are young
professionals and a well skilled workforce that is much
needed for our economy to grow. Majority of this
population of the middle class structure, are the black
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middle class who benefited from the National Skills Fund.
The National Skills Fund is the aid scheme of government
which is a vehicle to educate and skill the youth and
prepare them to enter the formal labour force and be
productive citizens.
One of the primary aims of the skills development is to
improve access to labour market in the formal economy,
increase income and strengthen social networks for
poverty reduction. Learning vocational skills helps to
ensure food security and rural development both in which
are important for fighting against poverty and
inequalities. To date, about R1,7 million from the
National Skills Fund was allocated towards Transnet to
train about 1000 artisans over three years. Training is
delivered across the country. About R1,73 million as
taken from the skills fund towards Eskom to train about 1
250 artisans and about R23 million from the skills fund
towards South African Airways to train about 136 artisans
over the period of three years.
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Hon members, nothing is more powerful than an idea whose
time has come. This is by Victor Hugo who is the famous
French literature scholar, stated it better when he said,
―Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come‖
The fourth industrial revolution is that idea which
builds on the digital revolution and presenting new ways
in which technology becomes embedded and breakthroughs in
a number of fields. Our youth has to position themselves
to engage proactively with these rapidly evolving
technologies.
We have within our means the capacity to harness the
potential of this technology and to improve the lives of
South Africans. Our government has to ensure that our
people, in particular, the youth are not left behind and
that technology benefit society as a whole. Training,
skilling and long life learning is the only journey to
develop the correct and relevant skills for this fourth
industrial revolution. Demand continues to grow for
skills that enable us to keep up with structural changes
in the economy brought about by urbanisation,
technological change, shifting patterns and consumer
demand.
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Hon members, the question that we must ask ourselves as
Members of Parliament is that, how do we measure the
impact of empowerment programmes through our oversight
work? Consolidating and integrating youth development
into the mainstream economy in government should be our
work when the departments come before Parliament on their
strategic plans and APPs, Annual Performance Plans. As
young Members of Parliament we should be asking ourselves
if these programmes are really doing what they are doing
on the ground and our oversight work should be towards
ensuring that these programmes do work for our young
people instead of coming here and politicking.
Various departments come before this House year in and
year out and table their APPs and strategic plans, our
eyes must be focused on every government department to
ensure that policies and budget talk to youth
development. If the youth want to take ownership and
leadership of tomorrow, strengthening their capacity and
widening their vision is the only choice. There are no
short cuts to development and empowerment. I thank you.
[Applause.]
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Adv A de W ALBERTS: Chairperson, many of the debates in
this House feel like déjà vu. A study on the many youth
debates conducted since 2009 reveals that they mostly
concern the economic status of the youth and an
opportunity that would be lost if we do not create an
environment for the youth to become employed and propel
the economy forward. Whilst the workforce of First World
countries is aging, we have available to us a demographic
dividend. It is however sad to say that the debates
remain the same, the solutions proposed by the opposition
ignored, and our youth lost.
Afrikaans:
Wat wel verander is die dringendheid van die kwessie,
want die jeug raak algaande meer ongeduldig. Dit voorspel
niks goeds vir maatskaplike samehorigheid nie.
English:
Perhaps a historical approach would be of better
assistance to ensure the matter is better understood. The
quagmire of economic stagnation and poor service delivery
has not come from nowhere. It came about due to certain
decisions and actions taken by the ANC after 1994. One
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thing leads to another. This is known as causality, and
this universal law leads to that phenomenon also known as
the chickens coming home to roost.
The ANC‘s first task post 1994 was to replace the mainly
experienced Public Service employees with their cadres.
Those who could not be convinced to take packages were
forced, thereby destroying institutional memory and
wiping out swathes of experience that could have been
used to deliver proper services and, importantly, provide
education and mentorship to the new people. It is to be
noted that experienced teachers were also forced out of
their profession. Since then, the ANC has been treating
the youth like mushrooms: feeding them a basic education
equal to bull-derived manure and keeping them in the Dark
Ages.
Afrikaans:
Die ANC se kaderontplooiing het mense wat meestal die
mentaliteit van Hlaudi Motsoeneng openbaar in belangrike
posisies geplaas, naamlik mense oortuig daarvan dat hulle
‘n funksie kan verrig waarvoor hulle eintlik glad nie
gereed is of opgelei is nie. Dit het die effek gehad dat
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talle arm swartmense endemies blootgestel is aan swak
dienslewering in Suid-Afrika en die jeug aan substandaard
onderwys. Ongelukkig is dit steeds vandag die geval.
Daarby het die ANC ook nog geëksperimenteer met ons jeug
deur uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys wat talle jongmense
ongeletterd gelaat het.
English:
So, what is the answer then? How do we save the youth and
build a future for them? Given the fact that we have the
same debate and ignorance from the ANC year on year, it
is clear that we will have to bring merit back into the
system by ridding the country of the unmeritorious ANC
and its failed policies. I thank you.
Ms H BUCWA: Chairperson and hon members, once again, the
ANC has exposed its intellectual bankruptcy. They have
shown that they do not care about the youth of South
Africa. Surely, this is not the best you could do. Your
benches are empty because you do not care about the youth
of this country. [Applause.]
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You have also shown that the only young person, by the
way, that you care about is Duduzane Zuma. How can you
even begin to understand the struggles of young people
when you are so far removed from them? In fact, the ANC
doesn‘t even have young people. They do not even give
them a chance to lead. The ANC benches are like a
retirement village. [Laughter.] They have less than 0%
Members of Parliament, MPs, whilst the DA has just over
13%. Our members are young. Our members are leading, and
we are showing you how it is done. [Interjections.]
Chair, with all due respect ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members! [Interjections.] Order! Continue, hon member.
Ms H BUCWA: Chairperson, with all due respect, the Deputy
Minister of Higher Education and Training must be
somewhat delusional. [Interjections.] He claims that
there are more than two million young people ...
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members! Continue, hon member.
Ms H BUCWA: He claims there are more than two million
young people who have entered the ―missing middle‖, and I
want to understand how, when more than 50% of young
people, particularly those funded by the National Student
Financial Aid Scheme, do not make it past their first
year. [Interjections.] These students don‘t excel because
there is no adequate funding. They are not given
allowances well in advance, particularly when it comes to
their textbooks ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member,
please take your seat. Hon members, order!
[Interjections.] Order! Hon members, order! Hon Minister,
order! Hon members, whilst interjections are allowed, you
are not allowed to drown out the speaker at the podium.
[Interjections.] Please, let us also keep track of the
debate so that the interjections at least are relevant to
what the hon member is saying. Continue, hon member.
Adv B T BONGO: House Chairperson, on a point of order ...
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members! Hon members, I want to take the point of order
at the back. [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: Does he look old?
Adv B T BONGO: Chairperson, I just want to know whether
she sees an old person when she looks at me.
[Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, that
is not a point of order. Just continue, hon member.
Ms H BUCWA: Chairperson, he is probably twenty years
older than me, so it is possible. [Interjections.] We
will once again hear the same recycled jargon from old
ANC people masquerading as poster boys for young people –
like the next speaker. So, allow me to bring us back to
this debate. I am reminded of the words of Frantz Fanon
when he argues that ―each generation must, out of
relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or
betray it‖.
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Today I stand before you 41 years after a momentous
occasion, a day in which the books of history were
rewritten when the youth of South Africa rose up and
said: Our generation will change the status quo.
[Interjections.] On the morning of 16 June 1976,
thousands of black students came together with one common
purpose: to stand up against an unjust government. They
understood they were not fighting a race, or a man, but
the unjust system that had suppressed black Africans for
decades – a system that refused to give quality education
to the majority of young people in South Africa, an
education system that suppressed free thinking and
limited people from pursuing their dreams. Therefore, one
cannot ignore the fundamental role the youth played in
our liberation and the role that still lies before them.
On that day, many young people across the country died.
Their death was not in vain. Their legacy lives on, and
it shines as a beacon of hope to many of us. If I were to
state one of the qualities that I admire about this
youth, it is their selflessness, the ability to think
beyond their own individualistic concerns.
[Interjections.] You see, Chairperson, when South Africa
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held its first democratic election, I was only 14 months
old. [Interjections.] My mother carried me on her back to
cast her first democratic vote. [Applause.] She cast her
vote with the hope – you must listen attentively. You
must begin to listen! Her hope was that I, as her child
...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members!
Ms H BUCWA: Her hope was that I would have a different
life, that I would never be judged by the colour of my
skin but the content of my character, that I would have
equal opportunities in a free and a fair society.
[Interjections.]
The only government I have experienced is that of the
ANC, and I submit to you that we are no longer led by
selfless beings. We are no longer led by men and women of
integrity. We are no longer led by principles because if
we were, our country never would have been sold for a
house in Dubai. [Applause.] We would not be led by those
who continue to loot and steal from the poor. We would
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not have the highest unemployment rate. We would not have
more than six million young people that are not in
education, employment or training.
Hon members, there is no true freedom in poverty. There
is no true freedom in unemployment. There is no true
freedom in sitting at home without an education due to
the circumstances of your birth. There is no true freedom
when young women are raped and killed on a daily basis
and then the Minister says the slain woman was weak.
[Interjections.] That is probably why she is howling at
me today because she does not care about women.
[Interjections.] There is no true freedom when we are
scared to walk free in our own country. There is no true
freedom in junk status or a recession.
If we are serious about empowering the youth of South
Africa, we must begin to understand that education is the
path to freedom.
IsiXhosa:
Uyangxola, mama! [You are making a noise, mama!]
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English:
The DA believes that an educated and skilled workforce is
essential to grow the economy. Education, training and
skills programmes should aim to unlock the vast potential
of young South Africans and the unemployed.
We must therefore fix our education system. We must
ensure, Deputy Minister, that qualifying students have
access to the doors of education and are given the
necessary support to excel. The high cost associated with
higher education poses a significant barrier for many
young South Africans. Our Technical and Vocational
Education and Training colleges play a pivotal role in
filling the current gaps in the South African labour
market. We should increase internships and learnerships
with the aim of having more professionals in our economy.
You see, the present challenges cannot be fixed by the
very mentality that created them.
We must have job creation and innovation through
entrepreneurship. We must create opportunities for people
for instead of a bloated, corrupt state that is only
dragging us backwards. The hands of time have done a
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complete 360°. It is now five minutes to the midnight
hour of change. The ANC will have a rude awakening in
2019. [Applause.]
The youth of South Africa must rise above their political
lines, racial divisions and class and come together for
the sake of our nation and our future children. Hon
members, as a young person, it is very disturbing to
stand here and then be asked why I am not in school. I am
here to advocate for my fellow South Africans. I am here
to advocate for young people whose struggles I see on a
daily basis. By the way, I still am a law student. You
should go and read about it. [Interjections.]
To my fellow South Africans sitting up in the gallery,
like the youth of 1976, we must also find our mission.
Allow me to suggest that our mission is to eradicate the
social injustices that still prevail. Our mission is to
create a free and fair society with equal opportunities
for all. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: Hon House
Chairperson, greetings to the members of the Masibambane,
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Hector Peterson and Bloekombos High Schools and the
Khayelitsha College students who are here today, waving
their beautiful, new South African flags and showing
their solidarity. [Applause.]
As we commemorate the 14th anniversary of the youth
uprising on June 16, we are reminded just how far young
people have come over the decades since that fateful day.
This debate must make an honest reflection of the strides
we have made as a country to improve the lives of the
millions of young people. To suggest that 1976 is no
different to 1994 and that 1994 is no different to 2017
is, essentially, to be blind to the truth that every
South African sees on a daily basis: South Africa in 2017
has changed dramatically, compared to 1976. Yes, there
are still challenges and we are hard at work to ensure
that we deal with those challenges.
Contrary to popular belief and, as suggested in many
quarters, young people are not lazy, nor do they feel
entitled. Young people do not want handouts. Rather, they
want a hand-up. They look to us, as the political leaders
of this country, to create an enabling environment in
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which they can succeed. This situation of the youth, in
many ways, mirrors the development of our country over
the last two decades.
The freedom pathway to democracy and development has not
been an easy one. It is an uneven pathway, characterised
by strife, fits, starts, leapfrogs and obstacles. Good
development progress has been made, with our democracy
restoring the dignity of millions of South Africans and
changing their lives for the better. However, we are
reminded that more needs to be done as we tackle the
unemployment, inequality, crime, racism, corruption and
substance abuse that threaten to derail us.
While we have made good progress in youth development, we
recognise that this is not enough and that more needs to
be done. We must institutionalise youth development. We
must build apparatus for oversight mechanisms,
structures, systems and programmes that can stand firmly
and advance youth development.
The National Youth Policy 2020 is our key instrument for
youth development. It was informed by the African Youth
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Charter, which suggests that a national youth policy must
be cross-sectoral in nature and must enable youth
development to be integrated and mainstreamed into all
planning and decision-making, as well as programme
development. Effective oversight and monitoring of policy
implementation must follow. Thus, the Presidential Youth
Working Group is central in ensuring that we conduct this
particular oversight.
The hon Cassim suggests that there has not been progress
at all. He, in fact, is almost blind to the progress that
has been made. The hon Cassim is so out of touch. I want
to use this opportunity to congratulate Babes Wodumo and
Nasty C. Those young people there know who we are talking
about, but he is so out of touch with them and I am
certain that the hon D J Maynier here may teach you a
thing or two about Babes Wodumo, Nasty C, Kwesta, and
many others. [Interjections.]
How can he be so out of touch with the cultural interests
of young people and yet come here and claim that he
speaks to the same young people? It is probably because
he is overindulged with the lyrics of Steve Hofmeyer,
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which he comes and repeats here on a daily basis.
[Interjections.]
Not only did he say it, but both the hon Bucwa and the
hon Mbatha reminded me of my engagement with young people
at the Hector Peterson High School. They insisted that we
put history as part of our education system.
Now, to suggest here that people, such as Solomon
Mahlangu, who died in 1979 at the hands of the apartheid
regime, sacrificed his life ... that Solomon Mahlangu
spent his time drinking wine and whisky in exile is,
actually, blasphemous. To suggest that people like
Patrick Chamusso, who was deployed into the country to
bomb Sasol and disrupt the apartheid regime and its
economy and that those who trained him were living a
lavish lifestyle in exile, is actually blasphemous. To
suggest that people like Ruth First, who died from a
letter bomb ... and to come here into this House and
rubbish that history is blasphemous. You and the hon
Bucwa need to be taught History ABC.
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Mr M S MBATHA: Chairperson, on a point of order: Is the
Deputy Minister willing to take a question?
[Interjections.]
IsiZulu:
Uyabubona ubugwala ... babephuza laphaya.
English:
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: No.
Shame on you! Shame on you! Shame on you for desecrating
the democracy that has been achieved and established, and
for actually rubbishing the efforts that have been made
by many others in order to ensure that we realise our
freedom.
The hon Hlengwa comes here and says that there is no
multiparty youth forum because the ANC has got only one
young person below the age of 35. However, he wouldn‘t
tell us how many young people in the IFP are actually
under the age of 35, because he is the only one.
[Interjections.] Even worse, he came here looking much
older than the hon Ben Martins, there. [Interjections.]
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Hlengwa, why
are you rising?
Mr M HLENGWA: House Chair, I think that ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Why are you
rising? I don‘t want to hear what you think.
[Interjections.]
Mr M HLENGWA: He asked a question. I must respond! He
asked me a question, so I must respond. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): No, hon member.
Please take your seat.
Mr M HLENGWA: Oh! So I can‘t respond?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Take your seat,
hon member.
Mr M HLENGWA: Oh - but there is still one!
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Continue, hon
Deputy Minister.
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: Thank you. It is
such a pity that young people, such as the hon Hlengwa
and the hon Bucwa who come here and parade their age, are
actually more senile than the oldest people I know; more
hard of hearing than some of the older people I know; and
lose their memory as soon as they are sent to this
podium. [Laughter.] [Interjections.]
Mr M H HOOSEN: Chairperson, on a point of order: Is it
parliamentary for that very old hon member to call other
hon members ―senile‖?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, take
your seat.
Mr M H HOOSEN: Is that parliamentary? [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Take your seat,
hon member. [Interjections.] Take your seat, hon member.
Continue, hon Deputy Minister.
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The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: Hon House
Chairperson, let me illustrate their loss of memory. As
part of the address by the hon Manana, he comes and opens
the debate, and 15 minutes, later, all these hon members
forget. That‘s how they lose their memory, listening and
displaying their senility.
Higher education enrolment, today, stands at close to
900 000. In 1976, there were fewer than 100 young, black
people in universities. [Interjections.] That, in itself,
represents progress. The number of university students
graduating from higher education increased by 6% from
180 000 in 2013 to 191 000 in 2015.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Deputy
Minister, just take your seat. Why are you rising, hon
member?
Mr M S MBATHA: I‘m rising to correct the Deputy Minister.
He‘s lying, Chairperson. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): No, hon member.
That‘s not a point of order.
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Mr M S MBATHA: The University of ... [Inaudible.] ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): That‘s a point of
debate. Take your seat. I‘m switching off your
microphone.
Mr M S MBATHA: Don‘t lie here! [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Continue, Deputy
Minister. Order, hon members!
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: Now, part of the
thing is that not only are they hard of hearing and all
of that, they are also blind. They are blind to the fact
that more than 15 000 in the last financial year have
been trained as interns and as part of the Graduate
Development Programme. Many of these young people will be
integrated into the public sector. [Applause.]
A total of 15 000 young people will be trained as part of
the Working for Water programme. More than 18 000 young
people have gone through the National Rural Youth Service
Corps, Narysec, programme and many of them have changed
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their lives as a result of that particular programme. Of
the 1,1 million young people who are participating in the
Extended Public Works Programme, many are young people
who had given up hope. They now see hope, because it
gives them an opportunity to change their lives.
In 2016, 48 000 young people graduated as artisans. The
old, verkrampte apartheid regime did not allow young,
black South Africans to be trained as artisans.
[Applause.] Today, this ANC-led government is making
progress with regard to that. As we speak, the Premier of
Gauteng is launching Tshepo 1 Million, in Gauteng. More
than 350 000 young people have already gone through this
project.
What is sad is that those who came here, like the hon
Bucwa, drunk in her ageism, are drunk in only seeing
people‘s weaknesses on the basis of their age and lack
objectivity in terms of what needs to be done for young
people. She is blind to fact that her own DA in Tshwane
is counselling the Tshepo 500 000. [Interjections.]
That‘s why the ANC-led government in the province of
Gauteng is upscaling this to a million more. So, you can
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come here and be young and expose the fact that you are
more reactionary than some of the very progressive, old
people who are sitting in this House. [Interjections.]
[Applause.]
What is sadder, in fact, on the part of the hon Bucwa, is
to think that her party is led by a young, black male.
[Interjections.] I think the events of this history have
shown to the contrary. They have shown that, inasmuch as
the hon Maimane, a young, black man, occupies this seat,
there is some remote control sitting somewhere ...
[Interjections.] [Applause.] ... and what happened this
week was to stage-manage the process to try and induce
back the votes which he may have lost.
I want to tell you now, no matter how long the wool is,
you will not succeed in pulling it over the eyes of young
people, because they can see the lies that you are trying
to project. [Applause.] They know who is in charge. They
know that none of you, especially the absentee Leader of
the Opposition, is in charge.
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members! Order! [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: Part of the things
which the opposition almost always comes here and talks
about – and I‘m sure you‘ve noticed they‘ve never said
anything about it ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members!
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: ... is their
consistent complaint about the National Youth Development
Agency, NYDA. Do you know why? It is because they are
very impressed with what the NYDA has been doing for the
last three to four years. That‘s why none of them came
here to complain about the NYDA.
Part of the progress and success that the NYDA has
achieved includes the training of more than 1 000 young
people into entrepreneurship and inducting them into
small businesses. The successful Youthbuild programme,
which they are doing with the Department of Human
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Settlements, is creating jobs through its limited and
meagre resources. In addition, more than 1 500 young
people are benefiting from the Solomon Mahlangu
Scholarship and more than 1 million young people have
gone through the NYDA career-guidance programme.
That is why none of them will come here and rubbish the
NYDA. They know young people are watching this debate and
they will be disappointed with them in terms of saying
the NYDA is working.
To the young people out there, I want to say yes, we have
listened to you. In terms of access to NYDA services and,
as part of the next financial year, the NYDA will be
opening two new branches, one in Mthatha and the other in
Newcastle. This is part of expanding services and
ensuring that we give quality service to young people.
[Applause.]
Hon Cassim, Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha, young people who
keep young people on the dance floor, are actually very
excited about the prospects of this country. So, young
people who know what they are talking about created
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something called ―Ninomona‖ [you are jealous]. You have
jealousy.
You came here and shouted that the ANC would lose in
2019, and so on. Let me tell you now. The electorate will
be telling you, ―Ninomona‖. The ANC has built houses for
the majority of our people and they will say to you, when
they go to the ballot box, ―Ninomona‖. [Interjections.]
They will tell you they have people with access to
education. We‘ve got so many young people that this
government has listened to. Today, we have been kept in
institutions of learning. When they go to the ballot box,
they will say to the opposition parties, ―Ninomona‖. They
will tell you that this, here, is where all of you belong
and that only the ANC will change this country for the
better. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
POINTS OF ORDER RAISED ON REMARKS MADE IN THE HOUSE
(Ruling)
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon
members! Order! Thank you. You may take your seats.
Order, hon members! Hon members, before I proceed to the
next item on the Order Paper, I want to make the
following ruling. Order!
Hon members will recall that last week, I made a partruling in terms of points of order that were raised
during the debate on the Budget Vote of the Presidency on
Wednesday, 31 May 2017. I now want to deal with the
second part of the ruling that was made then.
The ruling deals with points of order that were raised in
response to certain remarks made by the hon Plouamma and
the hon Deputy Minister. I have dealt with that part –
the second part, that is, of the Deputy Minister. At the
time of the remarks being made, I indicated that I would
study the Hansard and revert to the House with considered
rulings. Having had the opportunity to look at the
contested remarks and the Rules of the House, I wish to
rule, as follows.
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Various members contended that the hon Plouamma had,
during the course of his speech and when referring to the
President, contravened Rule 85 and imputed improper
motives to the head of state. Having looked at the
transcript, I can confirm that the member made various
allegations that were, indeed, prefixed by allegations
and also other types of remarks. He also made the
following statement, on which a specific point of order
was taken. He said that the President was ―handing over
our country to dark forces, crooks‖.
Rule 85 refers to reflection upon members, the President,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not members of the
Assembly. It states that no member may impute improper
motives to any other member or cast personal reflection
upon the member‘s integrity or dignity or verbally abuse
a member in another way.
Rule 85(2) states that a member who wishes to bring any
improper or unethical conduct on the part of another
member to the attention of the House may do so only by
way of a separate, substantive motion comprising a
clearly formulated and properly substantiated charge
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that, in the opinion of the Speaker, prima facie,
warrants consideration by the House.
Hon Plouamma, your statement was a clear violation of
Rule 85 and I must ask you to withdraw that remark.
Mr M A PLOUAMMA: I withdraw, Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Thank you.
EXHUMATION OF UDF POLITICAL PRISONERS’ REMAINS
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: House Chair, on
behalf of the ANC I move without notice:
That the House —
(1) notes the exhumation of eight United Democratic
Front, UDF, political prisoners on 31 May 2017,
who were buried in the Mamelodi Cemetery in
Tshwane;
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(2) further notes that the eight UDF members were
hanged for politically motivated offences between
1986 and 1989, and were buried in unmarked
graves;
(3) acknowledges that the eight UDF members were part
of the 140 political prisoners hanged between
1960 and 1989, and buried as paupers in
cemeteries around Tshwane;
(4) further acknowledges that the exhumations form
part of the Gallows Exhumation Project launched
in 2016, which is aimed at recovering the remains
of political prisoners who were hanged prior to
the suspension of the death penalty in 1990;
(5) recalls that the task to recover the graves of
the political prisoners was given to the Missing
Persons Task Team, MPTT, in the National
Prosecuting Authority to conduct the exhumations;
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(6) commends the MPTT for the sterling work in
recovering the remains of the former missing
political prisoners; and lastly;
(7) urges the MPTT to continue in its endeavours to
recover all political prisoners and activists
buried inhumanely in unmarked mass graves
throughout the length and breadth of our country.
Agreed to.
DEATH OF AUTHOR KAREL SCHOEMAN
(Draft Resolution)
Afrikaans:
Mev A M DREYER: Madam Voorsitter, namens die DA stel ek
sonder kennisgewing voor:
Dat die Huis—
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(1) kennis neem van die afsterwe van Karel Schoeman,
bekroonde vertaler, historikus en skrywer op 77jarige ouderdom in Bloemfontein;
(2) verder kennis neem dat Schoeman aan die Hoër
Jongenskool in Paarl matrikuleer het, ‘n BA-graad
aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat behaal het,
aan die Rooms-Katolieke Seminarium in Pretoria
studeer het, en tot die Orde van die Franciskane
in Ierland toegetree het maar besluit het om nie
sy eed as priester af te lê nie en om terug na
Bloemfontein te keer waar hy die Hoër Diploma in
Biblioteekunde behaal het;
(3) ook kennis neem dat hy tydens ‘n lang loopbaan
ook gewerk het as ‘n bibliotekaris in Nederland,
as ‘n verpleër in Skotland en as argivaris van
die Suid-Afrikaanse Biblioteek in Kaapstad;
(4) erkenning gee dat Karel Schoeman bo alles ‘n
skrywer was en telkens bekroon is, waaronder drie
keer met die Hertzogprys, en is al beskryf as die
Shakespeare of die Dostoyevsky van Afrikaans;
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(5) onthou dat vertalings van sy romans in Duits,
Engels, Frans, Nederlands en Russies verskyn het;
(6) ook onthou dat hy in 1999 die Orde van
Voortreflike Diens van oud-president Nelson
Mandela ontvang het; en
(7) spesiaal instemming betuig met wat sy medeskrywer Breyten Breytenbach oor hom sê dat: ―Hy
het net ‘n tree gegee oor die skeiding na ‘n
helderde lig waar skadu‘s nie meer die syn bevlek
nie. ... Selde, indien ooit, het die land en dus
sy mense so tydloos weergalm as in Schoeman se
werk.‖
Goedgekeur.
SETTLEMENT BUILDING PROJECT IN OCCUPIED WEST BANK
(Draft Resolution)
English:
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Mr Z R XALISA: Thank you Chair. On behalf of the EFF I
move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes the biggest settlement building project in
the occupied West Bank in 25 years and the
cutting of 40% of the electricity supply to the
Gaza Strip by the apartheid state of Israel;
(2) further notes that this forms part of the broader
colonial settler project of turning the land of
Palestine into a Zionist national state;
(3) acknowledges that this colonial settler project
has been built on the dispossession and expulsion
of over seven million Palestinians from their
land;
(4) further acknowledges that the illegal settlement
building in the West Bank and the cutting off of
electricity to the Gaza Strip are acts of
aggression against defenceless people;
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(5) recognises that the consequences of this action
will leave hospitals and water treatment
facilities without electricity, and the creation
of more Palestinian refugees;
(6) further recognises that this is all taking place
during the holy month of Ramadan which is of
great importance to many Palestinians;
(7) also acknowledges the many similarities in the
policies and methods of the old apartheid
government and the current government of Israel;
(8) also recognises the need to isolate the
government of Israel and support the Palestinian
people; and
(9) condemns the government of Israel for the
building of settlements in the West Bank and the
cutting off of electricity to the Gaza Strip.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you. Are
there any objections to the motion?
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Ms C DUDLEY: Objection Madam Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay, your
objection will be noted.
The motion without notice not being agreed to becomes a
notice of motion.
WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
(Draft Resolution)
Ms L A MNGANGA-GCABASHE: Thank you Chairperson. On behalf
of the ANC I move without notice:
That the House —
(1) notes that the UN General Assembly, in its
Resolution 66/127, designated 15 June as World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day;
(2) acknowledges that 15 June represents the one day
in the year when the whole world voices its
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opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted
on some of our older generations;
(3) believes that elder abuse is a global social
issue which affects the health and human rights
of millions of older persons around the world,
and that it is an issue which deserves the
attention of the international community;
(4) understands that maltreatment of the older
generation can lead to serious physical injuries
and long-term psychological consequences;
(5) recalls that recent research findings draw
specific attention to the financial exploitation
and material abuse of older persons as a common
and serious problem; and
(6) calls upon member states and civil society to
strengthen their resolve and redouble their
efforts to eliminate all forms of violence and
abuse against older people.
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Agreed to.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you. Are
there objections to the motion? No objections. Agreed to.
Let me clarify that the previous motion of the EFF that
was objected to by the ACDP falls away.
INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY
(Draft Resolution)
Mr N SINGH: Thank you hon Chairperson. On behalf of the
IFP I move without notice:
That the House —
(1) notes that on Tuesday, 13 June 2017, the world
observed International Albinism Awareness Day;
(2) further notes that albinism is still profoundly
misunderstood socially and medically, and that
this leads to various forms of stigma and
discrimination;
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(3) acknowledges that in several cultures around the
world, and particularly in many African
countries, people with albinism live in constant
fear of murder;
(4) further acknowledges that in some countries
people with albinism, children included, are
killed and dismembered for ritual purposes, with
parts of their bodies sold for thousands of
dollars by criminal witch doctors; and finally
(5) calls on all relevant arms of government to heed
the call by the UN to spread awareness and to
continue their efforts to protect and preserve
the rights of persons with albinism to life,
dignity and security, as well as their right not
to be subjected to torture and cruel, inhumane or
degrading treatment or punishment.
Agreed to.
RICHARDS BAY ORGANISED CRIME UNIT DRUG BUST
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(Draft Resolution)
Prof N M KHUBISA: Thank you Madam Chairperson. On behalf
of the NFP I move without notice:
That the House —
(1) notes that law enforcement authorities in
Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal seized heroin worth
over R100 million on Monday, 12 June 2017;
(2) further notes that the drug bust came after
members of Pretoria‘s crime intelligence had
gathered information about a vehicle with drugs
which was going to enter South Africa through the
Kosi Bay port of entry from Mozambique;
(3) also notes that a 27-year-old man in possession
of the heroin was immediately arrested, and
intensive investigations followed which led the
Hawks to Gauteng where two foreign nationals,
aged 24 and 29 years, were arrested and found
with R50 000 in cash in their possession;
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(4) congratulates the Richards Bay Organised Crime
Unit, along with crime intelligence officers in
Empangeni and Pretoria, as well as the Hawks, on
a job well done; and
(5) encourages our law enforcement agencies to
continue co-operating with vigour and commitment
in their war on drugs.
Agreed to.
DEATH OF ACTOR JABU KHUBHEKA
(Draft Resolution)
Ms L M MNGANGA-GCBASHE: Chairperson, I move without
notice:
That the House -
(1)
notes with sadness the untimely death of yet
another South African Broadcasting
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Corporation, SABC actor, Jabu Khubheka, on
Monday, 12 June 2017 at the age of 48;
(2)
further notes that Kubheka, who was popularly
known as ‗Gunman‘ from his role on Yizo Yizo,
was found dead in his Soshanguve home in
Tshwane;
(3)
remembers that Khubeka also appeared in other
TV productions including Zone 14, Zabalaza and
Gold Diggers, which is a clear indicator that
he was an entertainer;
(4)
recalls that he was a charismatic actor, who
was talented both in acting and music;
(5)
understands that the police are awaiting postmortem results to confirm the exact cause of
his death;
(6)
believes that Kubheka‘s untimely death has
robbed the broadcaster and South Africa of
great talent; and
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(7)
conveys its condolences to his wife, family
and friends.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
ESCAPE FROM ZWELITSHA MAGISTRATE’S COURT
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M L W M FILTANE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House –
(1)
notes -
(a)
that two dangerous criminals convicted of
serious crimes, and who made a daring
escape from the Zwelitsha Magistrate‘s
Court on May 24, in the Eastern Cape, have
been arrested;
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(b)
further notes that these two criminals
were arrested two weeks after they escaped
from court, where they were appearing on
additional charges related to motor
vehicle theft;
(c)
recalls that the two criminals had
overpowered a prison guard before fleeing
in a correctional service vehicle;
(d)
acknowledges that at the time of arrest,
the criminals were heavily armed with a
9mm pistol and R5 rounds of ammunition,
but the law enforcement officers
apprehended them;
(e)
commends the swift action by the law
enforcement agencies, in particular the SA
Police Service officers and the
Correctional Services officers; and
(f)
calls for the relevant authorities to
increase the security of the courts and
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close the possibility of criminals
escaping when attending the court
hearings.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
CITY OF TSHWANE THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITY
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S C MOTAU: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House –
(1)
notes that -
(a)
the City of Tshwane was recently named the
most eco-friendly municipality at the 2017
Eco-Logic Awards;
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(b)
further notes that the Eco-Logic Awards
identify and reward individuals,
organisations and communities that
contribute towards creating a greener and
more sustainable world;
(c)
acknowledges that the annual award
ceremony was established in 2011 by
Enviropaedia and has grown from strength
to strength – becoming one of Africa‘s
most prestigious events on the ecocalendar;
(d)
further acknowledges that in the
municipality category, the award is
bestowed on a municipality that has
achieved developing solutions using its
risk assessment and management expertise,
forming strategic partnerships to improve
sustainability, as well as service
delivery in municipal functions;
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(e)
congratulates the City of Tshwane on
receiving this award and wishes them well
in their continued efforts to create a
greener and cleaner Metro for all who live
in it; and
(f)
thanks Enviropaedia and the organisers of
the 2017 Eco-logic Awards for the awards.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
FOOD AT PARLIAMENT
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House –
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(1)
notes the procurement of imported foodstuffs by
the caterers and eating facilities of
Parliament‘s kitchen;
(2)
further notes that these imported food items
include butter from Denmark and chicken from
Canada;
(3)
acknowledges that this is happening while the
poultry industry is on the brink of collapse
because of the unfair competition;
(4)
further acknowledges that because of the
imported food goods, in this case chicken, tens
of thousands of South Africans are
unnecessarily losing their jobs, adding to our
growing unemployment rate and poverty;
(5)
note that this is not a product like cars which
we do not produce, but food which we are very
capable and are currently producing;
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(6)
which represents the people of South Africa,
some who work in the food production industry,
ensures that all food catered and supplied by
Parliament is produced in South Africa, and
supports South African jobs and families;
(7)
sets an example of consuming proudly South
African products, including food; and
(8)
calls for SA Parliament to only contract with
companies that procure all foods that it
caters for in Parliament kitchen from local
producers and suppliers.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Chairperson, just clarity. That sounded
more like a member‘s statements than a motion. We didn‘t
hear within the presentation of it the typical
formulation of a statement.
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): It is a motion
without notice. Thank you.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Well then it is very ugly formulated
Chair.
WAYDE VAN NIEKERK’S SUPERB PERFORMANCE
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S M RALEGOMA: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House –
(1)
notes that -
(a)
South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk
delivered another superb performance on
Saturday, 10 June 2017, by smashing the
national 200m record at a meeting in
Kingston, Jamaica;
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(b)
further notes that the versatile
speedster, who holds the 400m world
record, broke the two-year-old mark of
19,87, previously held by another South
African, Anaso Jobodwana;
(c)
understands that Van Niekerk was
performing at the Racers Grand Prix,
Jaimaican sprinter Usain Bolt‘s farewell
tour where he raced in his final 100m on
his home soil;
(d)
recalls that Van Niekerk finished ahead of
Jamaican Rasheed Dwyer and London 2012
bronze medallist, Warren Weir;
(e)
remembers that two years ago Van Niekerk
became the first South African to break
through the 20-second barrier in the 200m
when he blitzed to a time of 19,97 in a
‗B‘ final at a meeting in Lucerne; and
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(f)
congratulates Wayde Van Niekerk for
raising the flag of South Africa once
again.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
THE DEATH OF A CAPE TOWN RUNNER NEZAAM ISAACS
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S M RALEGOMA: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1)
notes with sadness the death of a well-known
Cape Town runner Nezaam Isaacs, who was killed
in a hit-and-run incident in Claremont, Cape
Town, early on Tuesday, 6 June 2017;
(2)
understands that the 42-year-old Nezaam
Isaacs, who was part of the Itheko running
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club, was doing his morning run when he was
knocked down just after 4am;
(3)
further understands that the eye witnesses
assisted the police and the patrolling security
services by sharing the number plate of a
silver Volkswagen GTI vehicle;
(4)
believes that Isaacs was an avid runner with a
huge amount of experience and was known for
being a dedicated athlete; and
(5)
conveys its condolences to his family, friends
and the Itheko running club.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BIDVEST WITS FOOTBALL CLUB FOR WINNING
THEIR FIRST ABSA PREMIERSHIP TITLE
(Draft Resolution)
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Ms L M MNGANGA-GCBASHE: Chairperson, I move without
notice:
That the House –
(1)
congratulates Bidvest Wits Football club
for winning the first Absa Premiership
title, and crowned 2016-17 champions on
Saturday 27 May 2017;
(2)
recalls that this is the first Premier
Soccer League title for the club since
their inception in 1996 and their second
trophy this season, after they have won
the MTN 8 earlier this season;
(3)
further recalls that this is also coach
Gavin Hunt‘s fourth league championship
win;
(4)
understands that the Braamfontein based
club secured South Africa‘s most
prestigious football title after a long,
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incredible, entertaining and arguable one
of the best season in which football fans
witnessed plenty spectacular goals in a
long while;
(5)
acknowledges that Bidvest Wits deserved to
win the 2016-17 league, as they were a
force to reckon with, and were also
consistent and playing brilliant football;
and
(6)
conveys warm wishes to the Wits following
their title victory, and wishes them well
in the upcoming season.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
TVET COLLEGES
(Draft Resolution)
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Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN: Chairperson, I move without
notice:
That the House –
(1)
acknowledges the dire circumstances in which
students at Technical and Vocational Education
and Training, TVET colleges, who have not been
able to secure accommodation during their
studies, find themselves;
(2)
recognises that students staying in makeshift
lodgings, such as empty college offices, face
real threats to their health, safety and
academic careers;
(3)
notes with concern the admission by the
Minister of Higher Education and Training that
his department does not currently know how many
beds are available for student accommodation at
TVET colleges;
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(4)
agrees that such information is crucial to
addressing the student housing crisis; and
(5)
urges the government to prioritise the building
and maintenance of student accommodation in
order to ensure access to a safe learning
environment and the educational opportunities
offered by TVET colleges.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
WELCOMES THE APPOINTMENT OF TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS
FROM ETHIOPIA, AS THE FIRST AFRICAN TO LEAD THE WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S M RALEGOMA: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House –
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(1)
welcomes the appointment of Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus from Ethiopia, as the first African
to lead the World Health Organization, on
Tuesday, 24 May 2017;
(2)
recalls that Tedros led a comprehensive reform
effort of Ethiopia‘s health system, creating
health centres as well as jobs;
(3)
understands that his appointment has been
welcomed by the international medical bodies,
charities and the United States government;
(4)
believes that his appointment is in recognition
that Africa is rising, and like any other
continent has capable leaders with the ability
to successfully lead international
institutions;
(5)
further believes that Mr Tedros will perform
his task with the best of his ability and will
make universal healthcare his priority;
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(6)
thanks him for carrying the African continent
to the international arena; and
(7)
wishes him much success in his new position of
responsibility.
Thank you.
Agreed to.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): The next item on
the Order Paper is Members‘ Statements. Does any member
of the ANC wish to make a statement?
Mr M WATERS: Chairperson, on a point of order.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): On what point of
order are you rising, hon member?
Mr M WATERS: Chairperson, Members‘ Statements are a
crucial tool for Members of Parliament to hold the
executive to account. We have the second-largest Cabinet
in the world, but we have one Cabinet Minister here.
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Thank you very much, hon Pandor, for being here.
[Interjections.] Look at the empty benches! It‘s a
disgrace. It‘s an insult to Members of Parliament on both
sides of the House.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): On the programme
... Yes, I get you. Thank you very much.
Mr M WATERS: May I ask what action is going to be taken,
Chairperson?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): I can‘t respond to
what ... [Inaudible.]
Mr M WATERS: Well, may I suggest that the presiding
officers write to The Leader of Government Business and
highlight this?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Waters, I
think you know what should be done. Please ...
Mr M WATERS: Which is what?
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): I think you know.
Please take your seat.
Mr M WATERS: [Inaudible.] ... the Ministers.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): What you have said
is noted.
Hon members, the item on the Order Paper, now, is
Members‘ Statements.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: House Chair ...
An HON MEMBER: Chairperson ...
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Through you, House
Chair, our sincere apologies. We concur with the
expression made by hon Waters. Of course, we do have ...
while we have one Minister, we do have three ... in fact,
we have two Ministers in the House.
An HON MEMBER: Yay! [Interjections.]
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: We have three
Deputy Ministers. Therefore, indeed, it is a matter that
we will follow up through the relevant instruments that
are here in Parliament. We thank you, House Chair.
ANC SUCCESSFULLY RETAINS ALL THREE WARDS - PREVIOUSLY
UNDER THEIR STEWARDSHIP - IN BY-ELECTIONS
(Member‘s Statement)
IsiNdebele:
Mnu J J SKOSANA (ANC): Sihlalo weNdlu, ihlangano ekulu
indlov‘enebatha, i-ANC, iragela phambili ngokuthumba
amakhetho abuyelelwako ebakabanjwe ngomhlaka 14
kuMgwengweni – izolo lokhu.
Abantu beSewula Afrika, ngokuyithemba nokuyithanda,
bayayisekela ihlangano le ukuze iqine ibe yikutana.
Kungebanga lelo ithumbe amakhetho amawodini alandelako:
Iwodi ye-7 ePongola KwaZulu-Natal, iwodi ye-15 Eastern
Cape eMnquma newodi ya-45 eBarbeton eMpumalanga lapha iANC ibhudabhude khona i-EFF.
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Amawodi la bekangaphasi kwehlangano ye-ANC ngaphambilini.
Sithokoza isitjhaba seSewula Afrika ngokusekela ihlangano
yesizwe i-ANC. Angeze inilahle; izokuba nani ngaso soke
isikhathi. Sithokoza ne-IEC ngokusingatha amakhetho kuhle
kangaka. Siragela phambili nekutani, ikakaramba, ithemba
lesitjhaba i-ANC. Ngiyathoza.
MINISTER DES VAN ROOYEN’S LINKS TO THE GUPTA FAMILY
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr K J MILEHAM (DA): Chairperson, revelations over the
past few weeks of Gupta influence in all spheres of
government have raised question marks over the Minister
of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and
his connections to this corrupt shadow state.
In April last year, Minister Des van Rooyen stated
categorically that his one day, in-and-out trip to Dubai,
shortly after his appointment, was in his private
capacity, and that he had paid for it personally. The
fact of the matter — as revealed in the Guptaleaks emails
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— is that the trip was paid for by the influential Gupta
family.
In parliamentary questions and in the media, the Minister
has repeatedly denied his association with the Guptas.
Yet, his own Chief of Staff and special advisor have
direct links with them. In fact, shortly after the oh-sohonourable Van Rooyen‘s appointment as Finance Minister,
said Chief of Staff sent an email to Gupta affiliates
entitled, ―Gents, finally‖.
So the questions we need to ask are these: Why are we
being lied to? What do they seek to gain from his
appointment?
And the answer is right there before us. They want to get
their hands on the R440 billion annual municipal
expenditure. Not content with robbing our state-owned
enterprises blind, they now seek to loot our
municipalities too.
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How much longer must we put up with useless Ministers,
corrupt officials, and the shadowy hand of the Saxonwold
mafia? [Applause.]
FAILURE OF THE HAWKS TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION AT PRASA
UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF MR SFISO BUTHELEZI
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr M S MBATHA (EFF): House Chair, this week, the
chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA, Prasa,
board, Mr Popo Molefe, expressed disgust at the failure
of the Hawks to investigate corruption which happened at
Prasa under the chairpersonship of a certain Mr Sfiso
Buthelezi, who is now the Deputy Minister of Finance.
The allegations of corruption against Mr Buthelezi while
he was at Prasa are not new. This House will recall that
the former Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela,
released a report about corruption at Prasa which was
called ―Derailed.‖ In that report, she recommended that
Mr Buthelezi and his board be criminally charged for
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contravening several sections of the Public Finance
Management Act.
In the course of awarding at least 30 contracts, there is
valid evidence and proof that the then chairperson of
Prasa, Mr Buthelezi, deliberately misled the board about
his knowledge and knowhow of certain companies that were
bidding.
A separate investigation by Treasury‘s chief procurement
officer also recommended that Mr Buthelezi be criminally
charged for overlooking and benefitting from unbridled
corruption at Prasa.
Out of 216 contracts ... [Interjections.]
IsiZulu:
Yini inkinga yakho manje wena?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): On what point are
you rising, hon member?
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Ms L A MNGANGA-GBASHE: I rise on Rule 85(2). The member
must substantiate the statement that he is making.
Mr M S MBATHA: I‘m doing it now!
Ms L A MNGANGA-GBASHE: In writing! [Interjections.] In
writing!
Mr M S MBATHA: I‘m on a roll! [Interjections.]
Ms L A MNGANGA-GBASHE: In writing!
Mr M S MBATHA: Wait! I‘m on a roll!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mbatha,
please, don‘t respond. This is a point of order. Please!
Hon member, the allegations and all that says you must
have a substantive motion. We know that. Continue, hon
Mbatha.
Mr M S MBATHA: Chairperson, that point of order is
extremely out of order.
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mbatha, I have
ruled. Please continue.
Mr M S MBATHA: Yes. Thank you very much.
Under his chairpersonship, his brother‘s company was also
awarded a R150 million shipping and logistics contract.
Now, Mr Buthelezi has complete ... [Interjections.]
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Point of order!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, your
time has expired.
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Point of order,
Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you.
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Chairperson ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Oh!
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The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: I don‘t quite
understand your response to the point of order that was
raised.
Mr M S MBATHA: The reason is that you are old!
HON MEMBERS: Ooh!
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Chairperson,
could you ask that hon member to withdraw what he has
just said.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MS M G Boroto): Hon Mbatha, can we
please respect one another in the House? To refer a
member of this House ... just to say, yes, because you
are old, is unparliamentary. Can you please withdraw
that? Please.
Mr M S MBATHA: She‘s young at heart. [Laughter.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mbatha, please
withdraw.
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Mr M S MBATHA: I withdraw.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you. Hon
Minister?
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: I thank the hon
Mbatha for withdrawing, but I‘m not surprised. Actually,
I think these insults of senior citizens — whether I am
one or not — are really not worthy of a House of our
character. So I do think we should look at it.
[Interjections.]
However, I am rising with respect to Rule 85(2). The hon
Mbatha made allegations against a member of this House,
and has not brought a substantive motion which is
properly motivated. A statement, as determined by the
Rules, is not a substantive motion. Alleged misconduct
must be brought to the attention of the House only by way
of a separate substantive motion. You should then have
ruled the hon Mbatha out of order, and not allowed him to
continue.
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Yes, you are
correct. Hon member, thank you very much for that. I
think I alerted hon Mbatha that it is true; it must be a
substantive motion. Thank you. [Interjections.]
Ms V L MENTE: Chairperson, may I address you?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Yes.
Ms V L MENTE: Chairperson, there is no need for a
substantive motion on the issue hon Mbatha has raised.
The information that hon Mbatha read was even presented
to the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Accounts some
time ago this year by Prasa. That information is public
knowledge. Prasa is in actual fact supposed to summon all
those people to come and ... [Inaudible.] They are
crooks!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you, hon
member. I think I have ruled on that matter, hon Mente. I
have ruled and we continue. Thank you.
Mr M L W FILTANE: Point of order, Chair ...
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Filtane, on
which Rule are you rising?
Mr M L W FILTANE: May I address you on this matter,
Chair?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): No, not on this
matter. I have already ruled on it. Please ...
Mr M L W FILTANE: On your ruling ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): No, we have ruled
on that matter. Can I have a ... Yes, hon member?
THE RISE OF AFRIKANER NATIONALISM AND NEO-NAZI SENTIMENTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH
(Member‘s Statement)
Ms S MCHUNU (ANC): Chairperson, the ANC condemns the rise
of Afrikaner nationalism and neo-Nazi sentiments which
recently surfaced at the University of Stellenbosch. On
9 May 2017, we learnt with dismay about blatant, overt
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racism and propagation of white supremacy by a certain
sector of the student community in an effort to reverse
the gains of the former exclusively white Afrikaner
university in the Boland region. Posters with Nazi
undertones were put up on the campus. The posters had a
big heading, ―The Anglo-Afrikaner student‖, while the
slogan ―Fight for Stellenbosch‖ was used to advertise a
meeting at a university venue organised by an
organisation called The New Right. The image on the
poster is reminiscent of Nazi-era propaganda.
The ANC welcomes the university‘s statement condemning
racism, racial superiority and any attempt to polarise
the institution. We understand that, in 2016, the
institution officially amended its language policy to
reflect an inclusive and constitutional approach to
education. However, we call upon the university to expose
and reject incidents of this nature, and to apply harsh
punishments to the perpetrators. The demon of racism has
to be uprooted in its totality. Thank you.
LEARNERS ARE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON
THE BASIS OF RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
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(Member‘s Statement)
Prof C T MSIMANG (IFP): Hon House Chairperson, 23 years
into our constitutional democracy some learners are still
being turned away from our public schools on the basis of
religious intolerance. It has been brought to our
attention that a learner and adherent of a sick religion
was not permitted entry at Benoni High School, because of
the fact that long hair and tebencenne which are too
cardinal tenants of the seek religion are not permitted
in term of the school‘s code of conduct.
The school principal didn‘t reply to any parliamentary
correspondence we sent him in this regard and we are
accordingly referred the matter to the Gauteng Provincial
Education Department for immediate investigation and
possible disciplinary action.
To date this matter remains unresolved and the learner
was forced to find an alternative school so as not to
miss the second year. This is a violation of the
learner‘s constitutional rights not only to education but
to equality, dignity, freedom of religion and to having
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his best interest being of paramount importance in every
matter concerning his person.
This learner has been discriminated against by an
apartheid style high school operation run by Principal J
V Ceronio and I now feel that the hon Minister of Basic
Education should get involved in this matter. I thank
you.
SPORTS HERO YUSUF LORGAT DIED
(Member‘s Statement)
Ms B L ABRAHAMS (ANC): Hon Chairperson, the ANC sends
condolences to the Lorgat family on the passing on of
Yusuf Lorgat on Sunday 11 June 2017. Yusuf was a sports
hero and administrator who promoted non-racial sport when
it was not fashionable to do so.
He was a giant who advocated that there can be no normal
sport in an abnormal society. He will remain one of the
sportspersons that transformed sport in South Africa.
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Lorgat stood tall among men like Khaya Majola, George
Singh, Norman Middleton, R K Naidoo, Dan Twala, Rama
Reddy, Cassim Bassa, Morgan Naidoo, Percy Sonn, Hassan
Howa, Errol Vawda, S K Chetty, Frank Van Der Horst, Colin
Clarke, Adullah Abass, Sam Ramsamy, Irish Mackerdjui,
Bill Jardine, Makenkesi Stofile, Muleleke George, Raymond
Uren, Errol Heynes, Danny Jordaan and many others
including women leaders in sport, all of them in a league
of their own. Many of the above had passed on over the
years.
We pay tribute to these anti-apartheid struggle sport
heroes including you Yusuf Lorgat who chose a difficult
journey and sacrificed a life time for an equitable nonracial sports dispensation in South Africa. May his soul
rest in peace and rise in glory? Thank you.
NINE PEOPLE DIED AFTER ATM SHOOT-OUT BETWEEN POLICE AND
SUSPECTED CRIMINALS IN HAMMERSDALE, WEST OF DURBAN
(Member‘s Statement)
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Ms M P MMOLA (ANC): House Chairperson, the ANC has
committed itself to actively combating serious and
violent crime by being tougher on criminals and organised
syndicates. We therefore commend the swift police
response to a tip-off a plot to bomb an ATM in
Hammersdale, west of Durban on Sunday night, 04 June
2017.
This move led to a shootout between the suspects and the
police resulting in nine people, including a police
officer being killed.
Police have recovered two rifles, four handguns, five
explosives devices, two detonators, a gas mask, a goggle,
a pair of gloves and two cars. The ANC commends the
police for standing their ground against an armed group
who were prepared to kill law enforcement members and had
the fire power to do so. We share and mourn with them the
loss of the warrant officer.
The ANC also commends the South African public for
working with the police, reporting acts of criminality,
especially before they happen. It is only by working
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together the ANC believes that we can defeat crime. I
thank you
THE RELEASE OF THE 3RD VERSION OF THE MINING CHARTER
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr D W MACPHERSON (DA): House Chairperson, the release of
the Mining Charter today is proof that the ANC government
doesn‘t care about long term and sustainable
transformation in the mining sector. Version three of the
Mining Charter will be a disaster for the mining
industry.
In presenting its new rules which amount to a massive
give away of mine value to the ANC‘s favoured groups,
Minister Zwane has opened doors to more ANC crony
enrichments.
The DA supports share schemes for miners where they have
been structured to benefit the workers and are
economically viable. One way of diversifying the mining
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sector would be to bring mine workers into mining
schemes.
It is pointless to try and diversify if it leads to the
collapse of companies. Almost 45 000 South Africans work
directly for the mines. At least as many gain work in
associated industries.
The future of their jobs is now in doubt. Mr Zwane‘s and
Mr Zuma‘s grasping charter will be to blame in the end. I
thank you.
EVICTION OF PEOPLE AT DUNBRODY ESTATE IN THE EASTERN CAPE
(Member‘s Statement)
Ms N V MENTE (EFF): Chairperson, when the EFF stood here
last week and argued that the extension of security of
tenure Act was just a legal mechanism for evicting people
from the land, the ANC laughed at us. The truth of the
matter is that eviction of our people from the land is
still ongoing. We were horrified and dismayed when we
were notified that people residing at Dunbrody Estate
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between Kirkwood and Addo in the Eastern Cape are being
evicted from their land by white farmers.
This people have been residing on that piece of land for
generations and have been subjected to various forms of
eviction through that period. They were not held to lodge
a land claim before 1998 cut-off date and were one of the
first groups to lodge a claim when the Restitution
Amendment Act, 1914 was passed.
Despite this, they face an uncertain future in the land
of their forefathers. When Mr Nkwinti was still the MEC
in the Eastern Cape, this matter was reported to him by
Mr Festile who leads that community. Mr Nkwinti failed to
provide leadership then and he is failing to help those
people today.
We urge the department to engage Mr Festile and find
lasting solutions with the problems in that estate. We
condemn the department‘s prioritisation of the needs of
white commercial interest over the interest of justice
and rapid land redistribution. We further condemn the
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ineptitude of Mr Nkwinti who has known about this matter
but have done nothing about it.
POLICE ARRESTS 50 RHINO POACHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
(Member‘s Statement)
Ms H B KEKANA (ANC): House Chairperson, the ANC welcomes
the milestone achievement by the police and other role
players in the fight against rhino poaching, especially
in Limpopo in the past two months.
The multidisciplinary rhino poaching task team has
arrested 50 suspects and recovered 13 rhino horns, two
elephant tusks and 19 hunting rifles during ongoing
police operations in various parts of the country over
the past two months. The team also recovered 15
silencers, two pistols, one shotgun and 155 rounds of
ammunition, among various other items of evidential value
during the operations.
As per standard procedure, the rifles and pistols were
sent to the SAPS‘s Forensic Science Laboratory in
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Pretoria for ballistic testing, to determine if they had
been used to commit other crimes.
The suspects appeared in various courts across the three
provinces for different charges. On 5 June 2017, the
police in Hoedspruit outside Phalaborwa in Limpopo
arrested three members of a suspected cross-border rhino
poaching syndicate linked to two cases of rhino poaching.
UNFORGIVABLE INJUSTICE
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr M A PLOUAMMA (AgangSA): Hon Chair, this year cannot be
the year of O R Tambo. This is the year of Brian Molefe,
Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Minister Bathabile Dlamini. We
cannot associate these incompetent leaders with O R
Tambo. This will be an unforgivable injustice to his
legacy and contributions. We have committed a serious
transgression to use O R Tambo under this administration
where the only currency is betrayal and treachery. With
the Guptas and Duduzane Zuma as the new oligarchy with
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their get rich quick schemes, O R Tambo cannot be
associated with these dog fleas.
The Zuma administration has put our economy on its knees.
The bottom line is that our country is sold. Those who
are supposed to be the guardians of our Constitution in
our country are running faster than Caster Semenya to
Dubai. [Laughter.] I want to urge all South Africans to
come together and fight this virus called corruption. Our
public life is poisoned by greed and dishonesty. We have
lost a confidence and task to the ANC – we have lost it.
We must take over our country in 2019 when we kick out
the ANC. [Applause.]
RURAL KWAZULU-NATAL YOUTH BECOME COMMUNITY TEACHERS
(Member‘s Statement)
Ms C Q MADLOPHA (ANC): Hon Chairperson, the ANC believes
that the graduation of 776 new Foundation Phase teachers
who recently received teaching degrees from the Sants
Private Higher Education Institution will go a long way
in terms of improving the quality of schooling in rural
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areas. Most of these graduates were previously unemployed
youth from the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and were
beneficiaries of bursaries from the provincial Department
of Education. They were originally targeted for their
desire to remain in their communities after completing
their studies.
The department and Sants recognised that the cost of
enrolling in a university away from home doubled for
students from rural areas. Therefore, after registration
students were trained at nine student support centres
across KwaZulu-Natal, KZN. Learners in rural areas now
have a chance for a better education, in their own home
language, from teachers who come from their communities.
I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
MGOBODE STILL HAS NO RUNNING WATER
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr K P ROBERTSON (DA): Hon Chair, Mgobode ward 15 a rural
community in Nkomazi Municipality still has no running
water after being promised water firstly for 2011
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elections. Six years of promises or what keeps residents
to wake at night as they know that tomorrow one of them
will have to walk one or one and half kilometres to go
and fetch water from a stream that the entire community
has to share.
Yes, there is water delivered but not by the
municipality, it is delivered by water entrepreneurs who
charge R30 for their services. To add aggravation to the
situation Nkomazi Municipality has a High Court interdict
against them and a sheriff of the court has already
impounded 30 of the municipality‘s vehicles due to a
complex web of nonpayment to service providers.
The DA is particularly worried about this as these
vehicles are contributors to an already strain service
delivery in the municipality. This would not happen if
Nkomazi was a DA-led municipality. As we are synonymous
with clean audits and effective service delivery. Who is
jealous now? Residents of Mgobode have been waiting 23
years for the ANC and still nothing has come. Minister
Mokonyane when are you ever going to intervene?
[Applause.]
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ENVIRONMENTAL LITTERING
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr X MABASA (ANC): Hon Chairperson, littering and dumping
can cause diseases to communities especially to the poor.
Littering is wrong and costly to the government and
society. It strips a residential and business area off
the dignity. It is incorrect of any community members to
dump rubbish at places where that rubbish invites rats,
illnesses and pollution of water. This practise of
littering robs children off a safe playing environment.
It is wrong of any vehicle driver to throw a bottle out
of a moving car disregarding the safety of other drivers
and pedestrians.
The value of the houses can dramatically reduce because
of people who are tempering with beautiful natural
vegetation through littering. This dirty practise is also
done by industries that dispose of acids and other
dangerous chemicals into streams of water. The ANC urges
all South Africans to love themselves and to love their
country by stopping littering. We call upon community
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leaders to promote campaigns educating and creating
awareness among residents and businesses that the act of
littering is dangerous and harmful.
Xitsonga:
Ndza khensa Manana. [Thank you, Madam.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): That concludes
Member‘s Statements. Are there any Ministerial ...
[Interjections.] What is it hon Filtane, you are on your
feet? [Interjections.] I did and there was no response.
The UDM I called it and you didn‘t come up. You were not
there and you didn‘t respond. I did and I know. We can
check even the Hansard next time. Thank you. Do you want
me to allow you? Okay, it is fine.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
(Member‘s Statement)
Mr M L W FILTANE (UDM): Hon Chair, June 1 is an
international day of protection of children and this
House, we mark this day while we were at the same time
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acknowledging the youth month. Little did we know that in
the Eastern Cape the child welfare nonprofit
organisations are closing down due to lack of sufficient
financial support from the provincial Department of
Social Development. On Monday 12 June 2017, the child
welfare in East London ceased operations due to drastic
state budget cuts.
The Eastern Cape Social Development Department cut its
annual budget from R2,2 million in the last financial
year to R235 000 only from April this year. More than 900
abused children under the care of this organisation will
no longer get support. Hundreds of families who used to
relieve from physical abuse as well as psychological
support from the sender will now be turned away as it
battles to manage its new financial position. This seems
to be a trend in the Eastern Cape as the Nelson Mandela
Bay society has already received communication to the
fact that its funds will also be cut by the same
department. I hope that this is not another Esidimeni
tragedy in the making with a different form. Thank you.
[Time expired.]
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FAILURE OF THE HAWKS TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FORMER CHAIRPERSON OF PASSENGER RAIL
AGENCY OF SA, PRASA, MR SFISO BUTHELEZI
THE RISE OF AFRIKANER NATIONALISM AND NEO-NAZI SENTIMENTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH
(Minister‘s Response)
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Once more in
response to a number of the statements I wish to
reiterate that the provision of 85(2) provides hon
members with the opportunity to substantively deal with
corruption as we must. And we should then submit
substantive motions properly motivated so that all these
allegations are investigated. The rules allow that to be
done – The rules permits that it can be done.
Chairperson, we welcome the victory by the ANC in five
wards in different parts of the country. [Applause.] This
is merely part of the march to 2019 where the ANC will
decisively win the national elections. [Applause.] We
will continue to work hard as it is illustrated by the
delivery of housing, the provision of education and the
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improvement of facilities for sports throughout the
country.
We agree with those hon members who say we must reject
racism and any association with fascist conduct or
believe in our schools as well as in our tertiary
institutions. And we would urge all members to ensure
that all our education institutions hold up the highest
regard for the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. Thank
you Chairperson.
THE RELEASE OF THE 3RD VERSION OF THE MINING CHARTER
(Minister‘s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES: Chairperson, we
also welcome the statement by the DA on the Mining
Charter. However, it must be noted that the Mining
Charter is the transformation agenda of the country in
the mining industry and what we need here is co-operation
– A co-operation between the Department of Mineral
Sources especially with the Chamber of Mines and other
stakeholders.
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We do agree that in this transformation agenda, the broad
based nature of it must include the workers, communities
and also the entrepreneurs in general. We do agree also
that we could handle this matter better. That means that
the leadership within the mining industry and within our
government must come together to look into this matter so
that we can deal with it and have some engagement to find
some solutions. But to try and shoot it as antitransformation stunt will not help because in the mining
industry, that‘s where we need this transformation. And
the tool that is agreed upon in terms of the law of the
country, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development
Act, MPRDA is the Mining Charter. So the content must be
handled better going forward and this message is taken in
that order. Thank you very much.
THE RISE OF AFRIKANER NATIONALISM AND NEO-NAZI SENTIMENTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH
(Minister‘s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: Chairperson,
certainly racism whether it is at our universities,
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schools or on the farms cannot be tolerated in this day
and age. And I wonder if these tendencies in our
societies are not reflected in some of the actions of our
political leaders and very often our actions and
statements in this very Parliament.
Our social compact in 1994, our Constitution which
everybody claims to support must be upheld at all costs.
And very often we find political leaders saying things
and doing things that are overtly racist. And perhaps in
this matter we should all begin to reflect and start by
asking all political parties to expel members of their
party who show themselves in favour of racism and
colonialism.
The hon member of the DA claims that the DA is synonymous
with good governance. Is it good governance Chairperson,
to earmark prime agricultural land in Cape Town which is
very scared for housing when there are so many other
options – Is it good governance Chairperson, to destroy
people‘s shacks when it is stormy and cold on a winter‘s
morning as has been done just last week in Masi in the
Cape Metro – Is it good governance Chairperson, to
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continue employing a convicted fraudster and money
launderer and paying them about a R100 000 per month as
is being done in the DA led Mossel Bay Municipality?
[Interjections.] I think not. The DA is synonymous with
disaster. [Interjections.]
NOTICES OF MOTION
Ms H B KEKANA: Chairperson, 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 the investment in
electricity, rail, water and transportation
infrastructure as key to the country‘s
transformation.
I so move.
Ms C V KING: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on
the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf
of the DA:
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That the House debates debates how indigenous
knowledge systems can contribute to food security
and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Thank you.
IsiZulu:
Nks M S KHAWULA: Sihlalo, nginikeza isaziso sokuthi uma
iNdlu ihlala ngosuku olulandelayo:
Ukuthi iNdlu –
(i)
ikhulume ngodaba lwe-Prasa njengoba kunenkinga
yokuthi abantu ukuthi baze bacishe baphelelwe
yimisebenzi ngenxa yale nkampani engakwazi
ukwenza umsebenzi wabo;
(ii)
iphinde ikhulume nangodaba lwamatekisi
njengoba kunenkinga yokuthi osomatekisi baze
bangene emigwaqeni ukuthi uhulumeni ake
angenelele alalele izikhalo zabantu ngoba
isikhathi esikusona manje siphelile, manje
isikhathi sokuthi kukhohlwe izinkinga abantu
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ababhekene nazo ngoba ekugcineni kugcina
sekuneziteleka futhi kuphinde kushiswe
nezitimela. Sicela uNgqongqoshe Wezokuthutha
ake alusukumele lolu daba. Ngiyabonga.
Ms M P MMOLA: Chairperson, 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 promoting good governance,
democracy, human rights, justice and the rule of law
on the African continent.
I thank you.
Mr M HLENGWA: Chairperson, 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 noting the periodic taxi
strikes which have caused major delays in Gauteng
and KwaZulu-Natal leaving thousands of commuters and
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school children stranded and the negative impacts
that this has on the economy.
I thank you, Chairperson.
Mr S C MNCWABE: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on
the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf
of the NFP:
That the House debates and deliberates on the need
for national dialogue to foster cohesive racial
unity in our society which is increasingly becoming
polarised along racial devisions.
I so move
Mr M HLENGWA: Chairperson, on a point of order: If hon
Sbu wants to make allegations he must use Rule 85, and
not these allegations that he is making about me. He must
submit a substantive motion.
IsiZulu:
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USIHLALO WENDLU (NKs M G Boroto): Angizwanga mina,
ngiyaxolisa.
Mr M HLENGWA: Sihlalo, ikhona i-Hansard. USbus kumele
asebenzise uMthetho 85.
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you very
much. Thank you ...
IsiZulu:
... angizizwanga lezo zinto ngakho-ke angiyithathi
njenge-point of order, ngiyayichitha.
Ms C Q MADLOPHA: Chairperson, 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 transformation of ownership
and broad-based empowerment in the tourist sector to
ensure that black South Africans secure increased
opportunities.
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Thank you.
Mr M L W FILTANE: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that
on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on
behalf of the UDM:
That the House debates the funding model for the
ocean economy in the context of the great need to
expand our economy and to create more employment
opportunities in particular for the youth.
I so move.
Mr Z N MBELE: Chairperson, 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 SA Police Service‘s
commitment in addressing high levels of violence
against women and children when only one in every
six police stations is covered by a family violence
child protection and sexual offence units.
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I so move.
Mr M O MOKAUSE: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on
the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf
of the EFF:
That the House –
(1)
debates that while various parts of South
Africa have been experiencing drought over
the last two years leading to restrictions
on the already limited supply of water,
golf courses continue to remain green and
waste our limited water supply;
(2)
notes that Rand Water Board estimated that
there are around 500 golf courses in South
Africa which use on average between 1,2 to
3 million megalitres of water per day;
(3)
further notes that this illustrate how
little has changed since apartheid with
municipalities throughout the country
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telling people to decrease their water
consumption for essentials like showering,
cooking and washing while golf courses
remain green; and
(4)
debates the waste of valuable water by golf
courses.
Thank you.
Xitsonga:
Nkul X MABASA: Mutshamaxitulu, ndzi nyika xitiviso xa
leswaku eka ntshamo lowu landzelaka wa Huvo ndzi ta
susumeta hi ku yimela ANC:
Leswaku Huvo yi va na njhekanjhekisano hi leswaku
vadyondzisi i tiphuphu ta nhluvukiso wa tiko
rin‘wana na rinwana naswona va fanele ku tekeriwa
enhlokweni tanihi loko va humesa van‘watisayense,
madokodela, tiphayiloto, vaongori na vadyondzisi
van‘wana.
Ndza khensa.
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Ms B L ABRAHAMS: Chairperson, 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 transport infrastructure as
an important determinant of economic growth, job
creation and poverty reduction.
Thank you.
Mr L M NTHAYISA: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that
on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on
behalf of the AIC:
That the House debates proper plans and measures on
how to protect learners and teachers at our schools
so as to make schools conducive for proper and safe
for teaching and learning.
I so move.
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Ms S MCHUNU: Chairperson, 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 promoting and strengthening
technical schools as centres of excellence focusing
on specific discipline and skill sets.
I so move.
Ms H BUCWA: Chairperson, 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 shockingly high youth
unemployment rate of 38,6%.
The House adjourned at 17:37.
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