Hansard: NA: Unrevised hansard

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 27 Oct 2015

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

 

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2015

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

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The House met at 14:02.

 

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House, notwithstanding Rule 29 which provides for the sequence of proceedings, gives precedence before Notices of Motion, Motions without Notice and Members Statements, to the debate on higher education transformation and the introduction of Bills by the Minister of Finance as they appear on the Order Paper.

 

Agreed to.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Madam Speaker, Cabinet colleagues, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training and hon members, today is the birthday ... oh yes, and the students; you are right. [Applause.] Today is the birthday of our late giant, ANC president O R Tambo, as well as that of the late Jabulani Mzala Nxumalo, ANC cadre and communist till the end. Also on this day in 1992 the then deputy chair of the ANC Midlands region, Comrade Reggie Hadebe was killed in an ambush in KwaZulu-Natal. I give this ministerial statement today in their honour and memory.

 

My department welcomes the announcement by President Zuma that there will be no fee increase in the 2016 academic year in our universities. This has helped to bring to a close discussions and negotiations I had opened with all the stakeholders at the beginning of last week and earlier. [Applause.] [Interjections.] This decision will bring much-needed monetary relief, especially to poor, working class and lower middle class families with university students.

 

I also welcome the show of unity and common purpose from the academic community, students, academics, support and management staff, to demonstrate a commitment to making higher education more accessible. Unless key stakeholders take up the struggle for transformation, government alone will not succeed in these efforts.

 

The meeting between the President and university stakeholders also agreed to take forward discussions on all other matters raised by the protesting students and workers. Perhaps the three most urgent are the issues of free university education; institutional autonomy and public accountability; and bringing support staff at our universities back onto university payrolls and liberating them from labour brokers. Resolving these will build upon the many agreements struck at the Higher Education Summit that my department convened on 15 to 17 October 2015 at eThekwini, which Prof Bozzoli was a part of.

 

We as government are already working at full steam on implementing our side of the President's agreement and we believe the vice chancellors are too. We call on all students to stick to their side of the agreement and to resume the academic programmes in all of our institutions. We wish to congratulate those students who have gone back to class after the agreement on Friday. [Applause.] Disrupting the end of year examinations will have a devastating effect not only on our system but also on the lives of thousands of individual students and their families.

 

What is the nub of the matter we are dealing with here? The nub of the matter is that we are victims of our own successes as the ANC government ... [Interjections.] ... over the last 21 years. The funding allocation to universities from the fiscus increased by 30% between 2004-05 and 2015-16, from R9,8 billion to R30,38 billion. However, between 1994 and 2014 we doubled the number of students in higher education. This huge increase saw larger numbers of poor students entering the university system. Today we are sitting with about a million university students, of which about 72% are black African, 6% coloured, 5% Indian and 58% women. However, the increase in financial contributions has not risen in line with the increase that we have had. This is what has increased the reliance of our universities on student fees. In this context we have to closely examine whether universities themselves are spending their monies, including those with reserves, prudently and indeed whether they are prioritising transformative programmes.

 

We could not cap fees because we are not legally entitled to do so. However, and as part of investigating and dealing with the totality of cost drivers in the university sector, government will have to set up a regulatory mechanism for fee increases as resolved by the ANC’s national general council. [Applause.]

 

As the ANC government we know the challenges facing our students and communities because these are our children that we care deeply for and we are dealing with these challenges and problems. It is precisely because we knew of the expensive nature of higher education that we set up the National Students Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, to support students who are academically capable but come from poor families. We know the problem; we have the answers as the ANC. [Interjections.]

 

NSFAS provides loans upfront to poor students, interest free for the duration of their studies and converts a large portion of the loan to a bursary for students who successfully complete in the expected time. Successful graduates are expected to start paying back their loans once they are employed and earning a salary above R30 000 per annum. The scheme provides funding for tuition as well as accommodation and other basic costs.

 

Since its inception at the insistence of President Mandela in 1991 in the form of the Tertiary Education Fund for SA, NSFAS has awarded R50,5 billion to approximately 1,5 million poor students in universities and more recently in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, colleges as well. [Applause.] Overwhelmingly for most of these students, their parents have never seen the door of a college or university.

 

Funding from the department was R2,6 billion in the 2011-12 financial year and will increase to R4,3 billion in the 2016-17 financial year. Allocations have increased from R578 million to R4,09 billion from 2004-05 to 2015-16; a 602% increase. Since 2009, we have increased the total number of students supported by 44,2%. From the 2012 academic year to the 2015 academic year, the average full cost of study increased by 32,4%. The average NSFAS award increased by 48,7% in the period.

 

We have also attempted to reverse other shortfalls in terms of infrastructure because indeed we are victims of our own successes. For example, we recently released about R1,7 billion into the system as a whole for student accommodation, with the bulk targeted at historically black campuses.

 

To implement the 2007 Polokwane resolution of the ANC on fee-free education for the poor, I convened a ministerial working group which reported in 2013. [Interjections.] This is the famous report which has been much mentioned in the past week as having been suppressed by me and my department. In fact, the main contents of the report were circulated to all the stakeholders and tabled in various decision-making structures, both inside government and the ANC national executive committee’s makgotla.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Hon Speaker, I want to check whether the hon Minister is prepared to take a question.

 

The SPEAKER: Do you want to take a question, hon Minister?

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: If I have time at the end; not now, hon Speaker.

 

This report has not been suppressed. Two key issues exposed were raising the threshold of eligibility for NSFAS support and providing full support for cost of attendance for poor students. Detailed modeling of various options were developed and the report suggests that an additional amount of R37 billion in 2011 rand value is required in the baseline over the 2016-17 to 2018-19 Medium Term Expenditure Framework to cover the full cost of study loans for poor and working class students.

 

In the absence of that amount of money being available in the fiscus we have made various interventions, such as a possible loan scheme for the students identified as falling through the cracks, which would not require sureties from parents. In 2013 and 2014, a large cohort of students eligible for NSFAS loans were enrolled at various universities with the understanding that additional funds would be secured from various sources to settle their debts. We have co-ordinated a process of quantifying the NSFAS funding shortfalls for the 2013 and 2014 academic years across all universities. Cheers to that. [Interjections.]

 

We have also instituted various measures to improve administration; find additional funds; improve recoveries so that more students can be supported; improve on policies governing the allocation of funds; as well as root out possible fraud and corruption. We changed the interest accumulation which used to kick in from the inception of the loan to initiating it one year after graduation, because as the ANC we are the only ones who know the problems and we are the only ones who are capable of providing answers. [Interjections.]

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: On a point of order, Speaker. Minister, you must sit down. When I call a point of order you must sit down. [Interjections.] You need to sit down.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, if you want to rise on a point of order you wait for the Chair to recognise you and then you can take the floor. Go on, what’s your point of order?

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Speaker, the Minister must not take to the podium and mislead the nation and this House.

 

The SPEAKER: No, hon member.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: He knows very well ...

 

The SPEAKER: That’s not a point of order.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: He knows very well that what the ANC has right now is plan after plan.

The SPEAKER: Hon member, take your seat.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: The country needs free education.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member ...

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: You must never take a stand and mislead the nation. You are misleading us.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member ... Please proceed, Minister.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: The hon member can raise her point but she has no power whatsoever to instruct me to sit down.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: On a point of order.

 

The SPEAKER: What’s your point of order, hon member?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: The point of order is that even you can’t address the member directly. What we are saying is that ... [Inaudible.] That is why today the students are on the streets fighting for free quality education.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, take your seat. Can you take your seat?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Your government has ... [Inaudible.] ... failed to give the students free quality education. That’s all that we want to hear.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, take your seat.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Don’t mislead the nation. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Please proceed, hon Minister.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Let me briefly inform the House of my actions over the past few weeks, as contrary to what my detractors say, I have not been absent. [Interjections.]

 

An HON MEMBER: Tell the students that.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: I have been engaging the vice chancellors and other stakeholders on the issue of fees for some time. The week before last I set aside three days to meet with representatives of the university community on a wide number of issues at the Durban summit. [Interjections.]

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: On a point of order, hon Speaker.

 

The SPEAKER: What’s your point of order, hon member?

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: The Minister knows very well that he’s not telling the truth. For the past two weeks we have seen protests throughout higher education institutions.

 

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, hon member.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: The Minister must not derail this debate. He must not derail this debate.

 

The SPEAKER: Take your seat, hon member. Please proceed, hon Minister.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: As I said, the week before last I was at the Durban summit and held an additional meeting with student representatives on the sidelines of the summit. When it became apparent that students nationally were embarking on protest actions, I immediately called a meeting of vice chancellors, worker leaders and the national student leadership last Tuesday, and I continued to engage with the stakeholders until the President made the announcement on Friday.

 

Ms N V MENTE: On a point of order.

 

The SPEAKER: What’s your point of order?

 

Ms N V MENTE: The Minister must not deal with stakeholders. Students are clear; he must be speaking to them.

The SPEAKER: That’s not a point of order, hon member.

 

Ms N V MENTE: He cannot be dealing with stakeholders. He must deal with the students.

 

The SPEAKER: It’s not a point of order. Please take your seat.

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: To resolve the immediate shortfall of an estimated R2,6 billion required to cover the 0% fee increase, we are working out exactly what different sectors will contribute, together with the Minister of Finance. The details will be announced on Thursday afternoon after a meeting with the President. From our side we have identified sources of funds that can be reprioritised, obviously not at a cost to our other planned programmes, although some will be affected. The wealthier universities have committed to making a contribution.

 

Nevertheless, in the long term we estimate that an appropriately funded higher education sector, based on our current funding formula in terms of international comparable benchmark funding levels, would require an additional R19,7 billion per annum in the baseline for university subsidies, excluding NSFAS, with an annual increment for inflation and enrolment growth to meet the National Development Plan, NDP, targets. In the last week many different funding models have been touted, including greater contributions from the private sector, a wealth tax, a graduate tax, an increase in the skills levy or prescribed assets and others. We have explored some of these in the past, while others are somewhat new. We are open to exploring all possibilities that have a transformational impact.

 

However, we need to be careful about raiding the skills levy money all the time as that could amount to robbing the poor to pay the poor. The skills levy money is desperately needed to train workers and provide skills training to millions of youth and adults that are either unemployed or in a variety of vocational or short skills programmes and adult education programmes.

 

On the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter we must ensure that the doors of learning and culture are open to all, and we commit ourselves to going even beyond the call in the charter because the call in the charter says that higher education and technical training and scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit. I would like to argue that our country has enough money to support free higher education for the poor. However, the problem is that more resources are in the private sector than in the government fiscus. My own considered view is that government must have the political will to tax the rich and wealthy to fund higher education. [Applause.] None of us must develop cold feet about the necessity of taxing the rich to fund higher education.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Hon Speaker?

 

The SPEAKER: What’s the issue, hon member? Sit down, hon Minister.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Can I address you in terms of Rule 50?

 

The SPEAKER: About what, hon member?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: I think the Minister is not actually relevant to the discussion of today because ... [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: No, hon member.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: ... the crisis in the country is all about the fees ... [Inaudible.] We thought that the Minister was going to say that from today going forward all universities should be free. They will never be charged.

The SPEAKER: Hon member, take your seat and let the Minister finish his speech. Hon Minister, please conclude.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: I think he must address that, Speaker. Can he please do so?

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: As I conclude, we need to always bear in mind that the struggle for access to quality higher education is simultaneously a struggle against poverty and inequality. Our late leader Nelson Mandela's words must remain our guide in this regard:

 

Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.

 

Thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

Ms N GINA: Hon Speaker, allow me to greet the hon Ministers and members in the House, as well as visitors in the gallery.

 

Let me first appreciate and welcome the decision to put this debate on Higher Education Transformation ... Let me repeat that, hon Speaker. The debate that we are engaged on today is on Higher Education Transformation, and in no way where we can be narrow and talk about one issue, whereas when we look at higher education, we need to talk about the transformation of the sector as a whole. [Interjections.]

 

Let me thank you, hon Speaker, for putting this on the agenda of this august House today. There could be no better time to debate this matter before us than now.

 

This debate comes nine days after the Minister of Higher Education and Training convened a second National Higher Education Summit to take stock of progress of the 2010 Higher Education Summit Resolutions and current transformation challenges in the sector and a way forward.

 

This shows that this debate is not only a reaction to the national shutdown by students, but is there to take stock of what is happening in the sector as a whole.

 

Government has been hard at work trying to find ways of accelerating transformation in the higher education sector and has noted how some of the institutions use autonomy as a weapon against transformation.

 

Minister, we commend you for taking such a bold step and we will monitor the implementation ... [Interjections.] ... of the resolutions of the summit that has just taken place. [Interjections.]

 

The ANC, through its policies and legislative framework, has guaranteed and endorsed the principle of institutional autonomy. In its yellow book, A Policy Framework for Education and Training, it is stated that –

 

Autonomy relates to the policies which govern the overall running of the institutions, their general direction in relation to development strategies, and hence issues such as specialisation and differentiation.

 

Higher educational institutions must have a high degree of autonomy in determining their affairs. This must be balanced with the need for the monitoring, evaluation and public accountability of the higher education system, especially in relation to the redress of inequalities, quality of provision, and the efficient utilisation of resources.

In determining government policies in the post-1994 establishment of a democratic system, the concept of institutional autonomy was further explored by the National Commission on Higher Education. Its report concluded:

 

Co-operative governance offers a strong steering model with a planning and a strong co-ordination role which provides for increased and stronger government and stakeholder participation, as well as expert input from the sector. The model allows for the mobilisation of policy and implementation capacity outside of government. A fundamental tenet is that stakeholders will participate in policy development and structures and mechanisms should be put into place to give effect to this.

 

White Paper 3: A Programme for the Transformation of Higher Education endorses the co-operative governance model as a policy for the South African higher education system, based on the principle of autonomous institutions working co-operatively with a proactive government in a range of partnerships.

 

This autonomy, remember, also adds ... it calls for the additional responsibility of the institution in mobilising for more resources for those institutions to run.

Despite these policy provisions, one of the current challenges in the governance of higher education institutions in South Africa has been to find the above-stated balance proposed by the National Commission on Higher Education in the co-operative governance model. On the one hand, government has tended to rely on and put faith in the legislative multistakeholder councils – which are the supreme governing bodies of the individual universities – to correctly interpret and apply this concept. By so doing, government, which according to the National

Commission on Higher Education is the main role player, has lessened its authority and powers which it should exercise in a transparent, equitable and accountable manner and in the pursuit of the public good.

 

On the other hand, the respective councils have tended to shift away from national transformation imperatives and tended to view themselves as completely autonomous of government. They tended to confine the role of government to be strictly supervisory and not the driver of higher education towards the attainment of social and economic development of the country.

 

Hence, when you see the department coming in, we get the sense that the Minister is intervening and, when he pulls out, we take the view that the Minister is absent. So, that is the balance that we need to strike on this issue of autonomy.

 

These councils have ignored the fact that the country is following a transformative agenda and that it cannot afford the legacy of exclusion and marginalisation to continue after 20 years of democracy. Some of these councils are just paying lip service to the country by developing transformation charters and plans for compliance without any intentions of implementing them.

 

There were many recommendations made in the Report of the Ministerial Committee on Transformation and Social Cohesion and Elimination of Discrimination in Public Higher Education Institutions. It had to take students to create the “Luister” video to expose racism at Stellenbosch University, the “Rhodes Must Fall” movement at the University of Cape Town, and the “Open Rhodes” campaign at Rhodes University, to mention but few, to push for transformation.

 

Lectures are conducted in Afrikaans at some of these institutions to the advantage of the Afrikaans-speaking students, while non-Afrikaans speakers have to listen to translation devices. These devices are sometimes inaudible and, in some cases, translators fail to translate some of the concepts, leaving the students to struggle on their own. This cannot be justified at this juncture.

 

While respecting the rights of Afrikaans speakers to be taught in their language as enshrined in the Constitution, this right cannot override the rights of other students who are non-Afrikaans speakers to be given a fair opportunity to succeed in education. We must tackle this head-on and call for the immediate implementation of parallel-medium instruction.

 

Unwelcoming institutional cultures must be changed. There can never be a university in a democratic South Africa which is the preserve of one culture.

 

It would appear, therefore, that this disproportionate imbalance has gone beyond what the National Commission on Higher Education referred to as the “maximum degree of autonomy”. The acceptable degree of institutional autonomy has to be continuously determined through relevant institutional structures and through dialogues with national role players and stakeholders. Indicators of transformation in higher education institutions have to be developed, and this is the task of the Transformation Oversight Committee, which the Minister established in 2013.

Universities were given the opportunity to transform; instead they hid behind autonomy. I want to recommend that the Minister should implement as a matter of urgency the performance management agreements or contracts with Vice-Chancellors in respect of implementing transformation targets at their respective universities.

 

We trust that, through the Higher Education Bill that will soon be tabled in Parliament, we will find the proper balance between institutional autonomy and public accountability and that the government will exercise its power and authority in a transparent, equitable manner ... I thank you. [Time expired.]

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: South African young people are facing a crisis of opportunities. [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order, hon Leader of the Opposition, can you take your seat.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, when the Leader of the Opposition took his place at the podium, that teletubby over there shouted “Sell-out” [Interjections.] I would ask you to please rule that that is unparliamentary, and ask him to withdraw that. [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members [Interjections.] No, hon member! [Interjections.]

 

Ms E N LOUW: Speaker, on a point of order, that white boy must not come and undermine black people here!

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, whoever in those benches called the hon the Leader of the Opposition a sell-out, can you please withdraw that? Who said that? [Interjections.] Hon members of the EFF, who said that, I would have to deal with this matter outside of this sitting. Can the Leader of the Opposition take the podium? [Interjections.] 

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Speaker, on a point of order.

 

The SPEAKER: Yes, hon member, what is the point of order?

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: This man stood up today here and called one member here a teletubby ... [Laughter.] this man must be asked to withdraw that. [Interjections.] You heard him, you heard him!

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, hon member ... [Interjections.]

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: No! He must withdraw ... [Interjections.] you heard him! [Interjections.] I am listening!

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, hon member! [Interjections.] Hon member, just take your seat. Can the Leader of the Opposition proceed.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: But, hon Speaker, can I ask you? The hon member stood up here ... [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, what is the problem? [Interjections.]

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Hon Speaker, the hon member stood up here ... [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: No! Don’t tell me what happened because I saw it and I heard it and I have asked the hon member to take a seat. [Interjections.]

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Yes, can you tell the hon member to withdraw that. [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: No! I am not going to do it, please take your seat.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: In terms of Rule 64 ... [Interjections.] can you ask the hon member to withdraw that, please hon Speaker! Hon speaker can you please help us, tell the hon member there to withdraw.

 

The SPEAKER: Take you seat, hon member! I am not going to be led by you in what to do. The hon Leader of the Opposition ... [Interjections.] Hon members, I know that you have discussed that you must disrupt the House, I know that ... [Interjections.]

 

Mrs N V MENTE: No! We did not! [Interjections.] Whoever told you that lied to you.

 

The SPEAKER: Of course, you did not tell me but I know it and I am saying take your seat.

 

Mrs N V MENTE: Then you must tell us. It is clear and it is easy. If ever you are saying we must call each other Teletubbies we will do that, there is no problem. If it is allowed we will do that! Please rule on that! [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat!

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Hon Speaker, may I address you.

 

The SPEAKER: Address me on what hon member?

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: It must be noted that when things are said by the EFF we asked to withdraw or the bouncers are coming. But because you are in bed with the DA you can’t call the DA to order. It is in public now and it is known that you are in bed with the DA.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, take your seat. Hon Leader of the Opposition, continue.

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: South African young people are facing a crisis an opportunity. Someone must fall, and if it is up the Minister Nzimande, students must fall. In fact, as far as he is concerned listening to the address earlier on, everything is going well. The truth is that the students have fallen in the past number of years under this ANC government.

 

Madam Speaker, hon members, students in the gallery, bagaetsho, dumelang.

 

In 1976, students in Soweto rose up against an evil system that sought to deny them right to education - a system that also sought to see students fall. The system responded with the full force of the police. But instead of engaging with the students it sought to break them down.

 

Last week, young people across South Africa went to the Union Buildings to fight for the opportunity to study. The vast majority went in peace to protest against the continued exclusion of particularly young South Africans from institutions of higher learning.

 

They too were met with force and police brutality by a government that wanted students to fall.

 

I would like to share a post by a mother who said to her daughter:

 

If you march again, take a wet bandana with you. Your chances of getting tear gassed are increasing and it is horrible. Cover your mouth and nose as soon as you hear the whizzing noise of the grenades, before they explode; try to get to higher ground – tear gas is heavy and sinks. I really didn’t expect to be teaching my children this.

This post reminded me about how history can repeat itself.

People are still mobilising for their basic right of inclusion and access to opportunity.

 

The struggle for education continues four decades after the Soweto Uprising. The ANC government has failed young people. Just last week, hon Blade Nzimande and the President sat here in silence while students protested outside. This is the greatest injustice of our democratic era. It is a government that has not prioritised opportunities for young people and remained silent while our campuses burn.

 

Minister Nzimande, this is not a new crisis. It is a crisis that you have sat on past two years; it is dated back as far as 2010 and sets out the funding crisis. So, what remains to be true is that, actually the # must be “No, Blade must fall”. [Applause.]

 

This, hon members, includes the missing middle – the students who are left out because their parents earn too much but too little to fund themselves.

 

Hon members, I want to highlight that the students who we are fighting for are in that missing middle. They have no money and ultimately a 0% cap on tuition increases, certainly does not change their circumstances.

 

This crisis was created by an executive that failed to act. The President failed to act; Minister Nzimande failed to act; and now we face the consequences. But in truth, we have always held a proposal that says that the doors of learning must be open.

 

In fact, in the 2014 the DA Manifesto was clear in that no qualifying student should be left out of higher learning, and in fact, should never be financially excluded. [Applause.]

 

We have argued that we must create access and make sure that no student is left behind. We must increase the NSFAS funding.

 

Therefore, we were standing in this House asking his Parliament to, in fact, reprioritise funding. I reject the idea by Minister Nzimande that there is no money available, and that is why he first proposed the 6%. It is clear that the ANC’s priorities are in funding the BRICS Bank rather than opening the doors of learning for our students. [Applause.]

 

It is clear, ladies and gentlemen, hon members that the R720 million allocated to our foreign missions are a priority for the ANC to keep deployed cadres living well in foreign missions rather than funding the students. It is clear that the R69,7 million allocated to additional security for Cabinet members that are bloated. You are self-serving rather than serving the students of South Africa. [Applause.]

 

Therefore, hon members, I am asking you, particularly members on my right here that it is time that we work together and reclaim the position of Parliament. Parliament can allow the executive to table a budget that does not speak to the students. We have an opportunity as Parliament to amend this budget before the 20th and the 21st. Let us find the money and open opportunities for students in this country. It is our opportunity to reclaim that space as Parliament rather than simply caw-cawing to this Cabinet that is sitting in front of us.

 

Therefore, hon members, every budgetary cycle presents an opportunity to provide young people with opportunities by funding their future. We cannot allow this crisis to go to waste. [Interjections.]

 

The MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Hon Speaker!

 

The SPEAKER: Yes, hon Minister.

The MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Will the hon member take a questions whether he was chased by the students or not.

 

The SPEAKER: No! Hon member, you must let him decide whether he wants to take the question or not. Hon Leader of the Opposition do you want to take the question?

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: No! [Applause.] [Laughter.]

 

The SPEAKER: Please, proceed.

 

The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: I suppose the best response is to ask, where was Minister Zulu when the campuses were burning? [Applause.] Perhaps, living in a VIP protected household whilst students simply do not have funding today; perhaps, simply protecting President Zuma instead of protecting the students of this country ... [Applause.]

 

But Arch Desmond Tutu once said: “Universal education is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity, to pave the way toward making many more nations self-sufficient and self-sustaining”.

 

Without broad access to higher education, South Africa will not be able to achieve the goal of an inclusive, nonracial South Africa, based on the values of freedom, fairness and opportunity.

 

Hon members we have come too far not to take a stand against the injustice of the exclusion of young people from pursuing higher education. History books will judge us by how we deal with this particular crisis. And I urge you, hon members, let us stand together and amend this budget so that we can find appropriate finding.

 

We must be on the right side of history. We must ultimately open the doors of learning and opportunity, but I guess as I hear the rumblings from members on my side that it is clear that the dream of an included South Africa will not happen while this government is in place. Therefore, it begs a new #, I guess, the “#ANC must fall”. I thank you. [Applause.] [Laughter.]

 

Mrs N V MENTE: Hon Speaker, the reality is that, despite the courageous struggles of students from almost all institutions of higher learning in South Africa over the past two weeks, fees have not fallen. We stand here, as the EFF, to proclaim that all fees must fall in institutions of higher learning.

South Africa spends less than 2% of its GDP on post-secondary education and training. As such, it is far less than what many developing countries on the African continent and in the world spend on the education and skills of their people.

 

It is a fact that the EFF is the only organisation in this Parliament which said in its election manifesto that the EFF government would provide free, quality education for the poor, from early childhood development to the attainment of post-secondary education ... [Interjections.] ... and that it would put in place mechanisms to encourage students to attain post-graduate degrees and qualifications. [Interjections.]

 

The founding principles and programme of the EFF are that of fighting for free, quality education as one of its cardinal pillars. Since the beginning of this Fifth, democratic Parliament, the EFF is the only organisation that has consistently called for the provision of free, quality education up to higher education level. In all our debates on education, our call has been that the state should introduce free, quality education. The ruling party, with other opportunistic political parties, rejected our demand and call for free education.

 

Our call for the nationalisation of the mines, banks and other strategic sectors of the economy has always been linked to the provision of free, quality education. [Interjections.] Our call for an end to corruption in all government departments, municipalities and Nkandla has been linked to our demand for free, quality education. Our call for the state to deal decisively with transfer pricing, profit shifting and base erosion of billions of rand has been linked to the need for free education. Our call for the increase of corporate taxes has always been linked to the provision of free education. By the way, our election manifesto states:

 

... introduce education and training taxes from all private corporations to a minimum of 2% of the total revenue of all corporations employing more than 25 people, and this will fund all education and training activities and programmes performed by the state.

 

We launched the EFF Student Command on 16 June. The founding principle of the EFF Student Command is that of fighting for free, quality education. We know that, since 1994, the ruling party has made empty promises of free education and has not moved to the commitment of the Freedom Charter, which states that the doors of learning and culture shall be opened. Yet, they proclaim that this is the year of the Freedom Charter.

 

This is what you must be doing. Part of the immediate solutions will be the following: addressing the issue of aggressive tax avoidance, which the EFF has been bringing to the attention of this Parliament; dealing with corruption that steals more than R30 billion from the budget; and shelving the nuclear build programme, on which the ANC on my right intends to spend R1 trillion to build and take bribes for.

 

Free higher education for South Africa is possible. What is needed is the will of the politicians to introduce free education for all.

 

We want to know, Minister, where is the report? Perhaps it is shelved in your alcohol cabinet at home. [Interjections.] You must bring it here. We also want to know where you were, Mr Minister – or perhaps you were doing a slyza tsotsi [runner] – when the students were standing outside looking for you and your report. Mr Minister, you must tell the students what is to be done from today onwards.

 

Give the students free education. Stop sending the police to the innocent and loyal students of South Africa. You must treat the students like you do your own children – take them abroad for education. [Interjections.] They belong to the poor South Africans. They belong to South Africa.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, on a point of order ...

 

Mrs N V MENTE: Yet, perhaps you do not understand because you can afford a better quality education.

 

THE SPEAKER: Hon member, can you take your seat? There’s a point of order. Yes, Chief Whip?

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, on a point of order: The member is addressing the Minister as if they are in conversation. This is a debate for the whole House. [Interjections.] She should be addressing you, not the Minister.

 

THE SPEAKER: Hon member, do refrain from addressing the hon the Minister.

 

Mrs N V MENTE: It’s a point of debate ...

The SPEAKER: Please proceed. [Interjections.]

 

Mrs N V MENTE: We cannot leave the future of this country to uneducated leaders, because they will lead us nowhere, as is the case today. Free education is possible. Allow us to give you solutions on how free education will come about. Fees must genuinely fall. [Applause.]

 

Mr M HLENGWA: Hon Speaker, the greatest single threat in any time of crisis is a lack or absence of leadership, and what we have come to witness over the past two weeks has been exactly that – an absence of leadership.

 

Today, we are called upon to debate transformation in the higher education sector and, of course, there is widespread agreement, which the IFP subscribes to, that change and transformation in higher education is necessary for nation-building, social cohesion and strengthening our democratic discourse, underpinned by inclusivity and access. Such an agenda needs leaders who are fit for purpose.

 

Since 2009, the Department of Higher Education and Training has been tripping from failure to failure. This culminated in the Fees Must Fall campaign over the past two weeks. In reality, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, the hon Dr Blade Nzimande, is not fit for purpose. He no longer enjoys the support and confidence of the constituency he has been deployed to serve. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, is in a perpetual state of chaos and remains largely untransformed, thus being a big let-down for its intended recipients.

 

The hon Minister must, therefore, do the honourable thing and resign. [Interjections.] South Africa can ill afford to continue on this slippery slope of incompetence and failure. The nerve, cheek and audacity of the Minister to quip that students must fall speaks volumes about the lack of seriousness he ascribes to the concerns of the students. [Applause.] This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The hon Minister’s gaffe was insensitive and indicative of a Minister who is out of touch with and detached from reality.

 

Furthermore, the utterances of the Deputy Minister of Police, the hon Maggie Sotyu, must be seen in the same light of insensitivity – but escalated to a higher level of concern. On her watch, the police meted out brutal force against unarmed students, taking us right back to the apartheid style of policing last seen in 1976. Acts of violence and destruction of property seen during the past few days are totally unacceptable, and give the Fees Must Fall campaign hallmarks of chaos, not progress.

 

To the hon Minister ...

 

... Zulu angibhedi futhi awukwazi ukuthi umuntu omdala ofana nawe athi ngiyabheda. Zihloniphe nje singathi sikhuluma izindaba ezibalulekile kangaka zokuhlupheka kwentsha eNingizimu Afrika ... (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

 

[... Zulu I am not taking nonsense and a person as old as you are cannot say that I am talking nonsense. Respect yourself, we are discussing serious matters about our suffering South African youth ...]

 

... and your only solution ...

 

... ukuzongihhahhameza ungitshele ukuthi ngiyabheda. [... is to howl at me telling me that I am taking nonsense.]

 

I think now, finally, you, yourself must fall. You are out of order ...

 

... unguNgqongqoshe wonke wakahulumeni. Indlela oziphethe ngayo ayigculisi neze neze - umdala kangaka. Uzothi ngiyabheda umdala kangaka. [Ubuwelewele.] UNgqongqoshe wonke athi ngiyabheda. Emdala kangaka. Unjani uma unje? Unjani uma unje? (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

 

[... the whole Minister in government. Your behavior is not pleasing at all. You are telling me I am talking nonsense, as old as you are. [Interjections.] The whole Minister saying that I am talking nonsense. As old as she is. What kind of a person are you? What kind of a person are you?]

 

Free education must be at the forefront of the benefits for the poor. We must resist everything possible whereby education becomes for sale for those with deep pockets, leaving the poor struggling and vulnerable, languishing in socioeconomic conditions and a political wilderness where they cannot make their lives better. Fees must fall in the genuine sense of the word, and the 0% fee increment does not address fees falling.

 

Kusadlalwa ngathi nje. Le yinganekwane, yimbudane abantu abasha abanikezwe imfundo yamahhala njengoba beyifuna. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] [They are still playing us. This is a myth, it is rubbish the youth must be given the free education because they want it. Thank you. [Applause.]]

 

The SPEAKER: May I take this opportunity to appeal to the gallery not to participate by clapping? You are very welcome, as our guests, and we would appreciate it if you just refrained from participating by applauding anyone.

 

Mr S C MNCWABE: Hon Speaker, hon members, hon Ministers, the recent mass action led by students from institutions of higher learning across the country has sharply brought into focus, the challenges and lack of transformation in higher education. The mass action also brought into question the autonomy of universities and the role of government in the transformation of higher education.

 

The major issues that were raised by students centered largely on fees and the costs of attending universities, the slow pace of transformation in universities and racism, which is still prevalent, either openly or concealed.

 

The Constitution of our country provides in section 29 that everybody has the right to basic education and importantly, also gives an obligation to government to make higher education progressively accessible, within the limits of its resources. The students reminded the ANC government of this obligation.

 

The government’s announcement last week that there will be no increase in fees for 2016 is cold comfort for the students who have risen up and asked for what is rightfully theirs. Free higher education for the deserving is the ultimate aim, which the students strive for and which we should all embrace. When we invest in higher education, we invest in the future of our country.

 

Issues of transformation within many of the institutions of higher learning are another concern which the students have raised. Not enough is being done to ensure that black academics achieve positions of seniority in our universities, nor are the curricula of these institutions reflective of the South African society, at large.

 

The National Freedom Party supports the call of students for our universities to accelerate their transformation, to become truly reflective of the South African society.

 

Racism, our bitter legacy of colonialism and apartheid, is still alive 21 years after we have achieved our democratic freedom. It is unacceptable that the dignity of any South African be impaired on the basis of his or her race. This social evil must swiftly be rooted out whenever it is found. The NFP would encourage the students to continue to be vigilant and expose racism whenever and wherever they come across it.

 

Finally, the NFP wholly supports the core demands of students. It is important that the government now reassesses the low priority it has thus far given to the transformation of our higher education and makes available the necessary resources to provide our deserving students with quality, free education. I thank you.

 

Mr N L S KWANKWA: Madam Speaker, hon members, we should all take a leaf out of the students’ book because during their protests they were able to rise above narrow sectarian interests to fight for a common cause, something which is becoming rarer and rarer in our national politics.

 

The second lesson is that, apart from other political dynamics that were at play, the rejection of political parties during the student protests, though strategic on the one hand, pointed to a yawning disconnect between political parties and voters, on the other. It is clear that we have some soul-searching to do.

Coming back to the theme of the debate today, the United Democratic Movement supports the students’ call for free higher education and the reasons are as follows.

 

Firstly, government has room to eliminate wasteful expenditure in its departments, which runs into billions of rands annually, and to reallocate the money to tertiary education.

 

Secondly, government should compel universities to be transparent about their cost structures and to identify opportunities for cost cutting. Furthermore, steps should be taken to ensure that institutions of higher learning are transparent about and accountable for their use of public funds. The Auditor-General must get to a point where he audits the books of universities.

 

Thirdly, government should redirect some of the money that is sitting with Skills Education Training Authorities, Setas, to higher education and make free education a reality, as these Setas are increasingly becoming ineffective employment agencies for the ruling party and its cronies.

 

Fourthly, on transformation, hon Minister, ensuring access to higher education is only one aspect of a complex problem. Government should address issues of racism in the sector, issues of alienating the institutional culture for the majority of students, concerns around the lack of advancement of black academics and general concerns about the language of tuition in some of the universities.

 

Whilst still on the subject of transformation, Mr Minister, I wish to ask you two questions. The first question: Of the universities that have been placed under administration, how many of the administrators are black? The second question: How many black consultants have been used by these administrators over the years?

 

Fifthly, we propose that the task team that has been established to look into the provision of free higher education, be opened up to other civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

 

Fellow compatriots, the time for political blame game is over. We must now work together to put forward a comprehensive plan that will ensure that, through free education, our children are able to escape the vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment and inequality. Indeed, fees must fall. I thank you.

 

Dr P W A MULDER: Madam Speaker, there is a saying in English: The chickens come home to roost. In Afrikaans, we say: ...

 

... Wat jy saai, sal jy maai. [... As you sow, so shall you reap.]

 

Prior to the 2009 elections, and again before the 2014 elections at its Mangaung Conference, the ANC promised free tertiary education, creating expectations. Until 2015, they did nothing about it.

 

Now the chickens are coming home to roost. How does the ANC get away with it? They are getting away with it by brainwashing voters to blame anything but the ANC for their problems, from white capital to neo-colonialism or apartheid. You know all the words.

 

The hon Minister of Higher Education as the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, SACP, is excellent at this. Normally, he just puts the blame for any problem on anti-majoritarian counter-revolutionary forces. I have heard him saying that. [Laughter.] I do have sympathy with the Minister.

 

The hon Nzimande has for the past 20 years agitated for a popular revolution. When it finally arrived, he was on the wrong side - the receiving end of trying to make a speech and shouting “amandla” through the fences around Parliament. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

 

Who are the real authors of this mess? I must congratulate the students that they were not brainwashed or fooled this time. They immediately set their sights on the real authors of this mess, the ANC government. So they marched, not to other places, but to Luthuli House, Parliament and the Union Buildings.

 

The ANC’s initial feigned solidarity with the students and the ANC’s call on its members to join the protest did not fool the students. At Luthuli House, Jessy Duarte and Gwede Mantashe still tried to blame the vice-rectors. That did not work. All that they succeeded in was to change the cry that the fees must fall into the ANC must fall, at that stage.

 

In this campaign, fees were the rallying call, but everyone knows that it is about a broader anger towards the government that only makes promises and fails voters.

 

Meneer, die VF Plus veroordeel geweld, - studentegeweld en ook polisiegeweld. Enkele polisielede het onnodig geweld gebruik hier, omdat hulle so min was, dink ek. Ek het egter self gesien hoe polisielede geskop en getart is aan die ander kant.

 

Toe die studente by die Parlement hier die hekke breek, het ek die ANC-lede aan daardie kant van die raad dopgehou. Hulle het met groot en benoude oë gesit en gehoor hoe die studente al nader kom en die geskreeu het tot by die deure van die Parlement gekom.

 

Minder as 10 polisielede het voorkom dat die studente hier ingekom het by die Parlement. Wat goen die ANC? Geen dank aan die polisie nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

 

[Sir, the FF Plus condemns violence – student violence and also police violence. Certain members of the police force used unnecessary violence here, because there were so few of them, I think. However, I myself saw how members of the police force were kicked and taunted on the other hand.

 

When the students were breaking through the gates here at Parliament, I was watching the ANC members on that side of the house. They sat with wide, anxious eyes, listening to how the students were getting ever closer, and the screaming carried as far as the doors of Parliament.

 

Fewer than 10 police officers prevented the students from entering this building of Parliament. What did the ANC do? No thanks to the police.]

 

The ANC’s Moloto Mothapo said in a media release: “We completely and out rightly condemn the heavy-handedness of the police and the students presented no threat.”

 

Nou, as dit waar is, wil ek vir ons polisielede daar buite sê – ek hoop hulle kyk op hul televisieskerms – volgende keer as hulle weer hier aankom, dan staan julle opsy. Julle help die studente binne die Parlement in. Hulle is mos nie ’n threat [bedreiging] nie. Ek sal hier binne vir hulle wys watter Ministers en mense eintlik die verantwoordelikes is met wie hulle hulle ding moet doen. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)

 

[Now if this is true, I would like to tell our police officers out there – I hope they are watching on their television screens – next time they arrive here again, then you should stand aside. You should assist the students to get into Parliament. After all, they are not a threat. I will show them here inside which Ministers and people are actually the responsible ones with whom they should do the deed. [Applause.]]

 

At the moment, we all took part in that and we are grateful that the fees will not be increased, but the fact that the ANC has dragged its feet to address the problem has now created a financial and tenable situation. [Time has expired.] I thank you.

 

Mr M G P LEKOTA: Madam Speaker, today I think we must forget about zero prevent increase because zero percent increase next year means increase year after next. We don’t want that; we want zero fees! [Interjections.] [Applause.]

 

When our forebears promised that the doors of learning shall be opened for all, they meant that all the children of this country will have to have access to education without all this drama that is going on. Many of us followed our senior into exile, onto Robben Island and other prisons with burning orders in search of the right to have the doors of learning opened. [Interjections.]

 

Having come to government in 1994, year in and year out, we have budgeted increase amounts of money so that the doors of learning are open for all the children of this country, black or white. [Applause.] That has not happened. Today the money we budget stands at 6% of GDP.

 

Now, the big problem here why there is no free education now which we should have been progressing to is because the ruling party has been mismanaging our funds. They are misusing public funds; they are not doing with it what we give them to do! [Interjections.] At the end of the fourth democratic Parliament, I stood here and I asked you: ...

 

Iphi imali yethu bafowethu? [Where is our money, comrades?] [Interjections.] [Applause.]]

 

I asked you that question because in the first time that we were about R83 billion or above on wasteful expenditure, you could not explain on the record as demanded by the Auditor-General. As we stand here, only two years in this term, we are already R62,7 billion into fruitless and futile expenditure. [Interjections.]

 

Iphi imali yethu bafowethu? [Where is our money, comrades?]

 

Le entseng ka tjhelete ya rona, bana ba se na thuto tjena?

E kae tjhelete ya rona? [What did you do with our money, when our kids are even getting education? Where is our money?]

 

We must ask you this! [Interjections.] You have been wasting this money, creating the impression that there is no money to give education to each and every child in this country. All this money has gone through this wastage that you have been doing, but that is not all. [Interjections.] By the way, If there was any doubt in anybody’s mind about this, that is not all!

 

The second issue is that this country, with 50 million people, does not need a Cabinet the size of the student body of the University of Limpopo. [Applause.] [Time expired.] It is going to be reduced and the departments must be cut down so that we divert money towards education! [Interjections.] If we don’t do that there is no future for our children of this country. [Applause.]

 

Mr Y CASSIM: For too long, Minister Nzimande and the ANC government have ducked any responsibility for the crisis suffered by mostly poor students across this country. Whenever the legitimate anger of our students raise its head, the ANC’s lackey, namely SA Student Congress, Sasco, hastily turned it away from government and towards universities. It is no wonder that this blunt hon Minister reaction to student protests is: Crisis. What crisis?

 

We have seen these protests every year, hon Minister, and we have been a part of them. We have seen shutdowns longer than what we have seen in the past two weeks. Last year, during one such shutdown, the DA staged an all night sit-in outside your offices. We then continued to warn you about the crisis snowballing and challenged you to commit that no student will be excluded. You laughed in response. The protests occurred again this year; again you laughed.

 

Now, as students finally ask a very legitimate question: Uphi uBlade [Where is Blade]? [Interjections.]  They chant: Blade must fall! Yet again, you continue to laugh, cruelly chuckling: Students must fall! Yours and your government’s day of reckoning has come, yet you remain oblivious like a frog in a pot of boiling water.

 

Indeed, the ANC’s call to join the students protest to the Union Buildings, bussing in students and throwing around t-shirts is not only hypocritical, but insults the intellect of the South African electorate by being disingenuous. We see you - marching against yourselves! Did you not think we’d notice that even you think you are failing? [Interjections.] I find it quite strange that in this entire debate, not a single ANC member of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training is even trusted to speak at this platform. [Interjections.]

 

I have said it before, and I will say it again: You, hon Minister, have become a curse to the students of our country. [Interjections.] You have destroyed National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, through planting your SACP cronies. You have done the same with Sector Education and Training Authorities, SETAs. You have failed to secure funding for Higher Education as is your job. Please don’t come and tell us about this meeting you had with students at the Higher Education Summit. We know what you said!

 

You told students: Go and tell Treasury to give money! It is not the job of students to tell Treasure to giver money. Why do we have a Minister? [Interjections.] Now, this has resulted in universities resorting to outsource workers and raise fees. It also meant a gross lack of funds for poor students who are being excluded or riddled with massive debts, and had indebted graduates who are unable to access their certificates and find jobs.

Many students, in the so-called ‘missing middle,’ are left in the lurch, apparently too rich to access NSFAS and too poor to get a student loan. NSFAS promised us a plan. You probably don’t know about it Minister, but we still waiting. All the while you are more concerned with leading the SACP than doing the job you are being paid to do. [Interjections.]

 

The reluctance of the ANC-led government to take any responsibility for this crisis is best epitomised in the opening remarks of President Zuma, on Friday, asserting that the protests are between students and universities. It is of no surprise that this farcical meeting, designed as a public relations exercise, PR exercise, with Sasco leaders instructed to say anything but talk about government to account, and has produced no reprieve for students that will remain excluded.

 

The zero percent fee increase trumpeted by the ANC does not do justice to the collective struggle of students.

 

Government refuses to commit to funding our universities appropriately, yet forcing students remain excluded and indebted. The workers are exploited and fees remain high with double-digit increases from the previous year.

 

This will not change until either the ANC government’s priorities are corrected or the ANC falls. Since leadership is beyond your government, let us provide it for you. Number one, shuffle hon Blade out - the SACP can have him all to themselves. [Interjections.] Two, increase the state subsidy to universities and NSFAS to support poor students up to a postgraduate level. Three, convert NSFAS into a bursary upon completion of a student’s studies. Four, provide state sureties for those students who cannot access financial aid but require a student loan. Five, provide mechanisms for public accountability at universities whilst preserving institutional autonomy. Lastly, scrap the bureaucratic Setas and ensure that the skills money is used directly to skill our people.

 

Higher education and training is the best investment a government can make. Let me assure you of something for those on the righten side of this house: The fees will fall. The only question is: What will fall fist - the fees or the ANC-led government? [Applause.]

 

Mr B M MKONGI: Hon Speaker, members, I am not surprised that the political opportunism of the EFF and the hypocrisy of the DA have raised its head again today. They are both in an unholy alliance of deceit and showcasing. The fact is that, as a consequence of the sustained attacks against the ANC and transformation by the DA and some sections of the media, we are standing at this crossroads today. The DA’s endless and unnecessary court cases against the state are wasting the fiscus and taxpayer’s money.

 

Since 1994, the DA has been fighting transformation and change through courts, including on important matters of higher education. [Interjections.]

 

Mr D W MACPHERSON: Madam Speaker, is the hon Mkongi prepared to take a question?

 

Mr B M MKONGI: Hey awunaxesha mfondini, awuyifuni le nto siyithethayo apha. [You don’t have time man, you don’t want to hear what we are talking about here.]

 

Since 1994, the DA has been fighting transformation and change through courts, including on important matters of basic and higher education. Today they come here and grandstand as if they are a viable alternative. What is so surprising today is that even parties who do not have free education as the base of their policies have an audacity to stand here and demand free education. [Interjections.]

One of the important achievements of the 2015 student struggle was their unity, especially the nonracial significance of the marches and protests. This should be welcome and it should also be said that we have also witnessed the emergence of anarchists and hooligans who attempted to highjack these noble struggles of students for criminality and criminal actions wherein both the public and private property became the targets of these charlatans. [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: What is the point of order hon member? Hon Mkongi, please take your seat, what is your point of order?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: I just want to check whether the hon member will be prepared to take a question?

 

The SPEAKER: No, hon member, a point of order is a point of order; it is about procedure; it is not about a member taking a question or otherwise. He does not want to.

 

Mr B M MKONGI: We are aware that some opposition parties and foreign countries who are opposed to the cause of the South African people and the ANC have taken upon themselves to finance anarchy and hooligans in South Africa. They are funding and financing some sections of youth and students to cause chaos in this country. Therefore, we call on all our young people especially the students to be vigilant during these trying times. We know that these foreign forces are using some sections of desperate students giving them money not to write exams. They are mobilising for anarchism and hooliganism to emerge and therefore destabilise our hard-won peaceful democracy.

 

It is against this background that we need to remind all students that they are members of the society before they are students. Their aspirations are intertwined with the strategic interest of the nation. Their challenges cannot be divorced from the collective aspirations of the broader needs of society. Their defeat in their conduct of the revolution and the miscarriage of victory is a threat to progress and defeat of our collective drive for a better life for all our people. [Applause.]

 

Therefore, students should never betray the moral standard which our people expect them to observe. They should not be tempted to conduct struggles that are going to undermine the overall victory. Students of our country must not allow themselves to be used by foreign hooligans and foreign institutions to destroy and destabilise our country. It is not in their immediate and future interest to do so.

Having said that, allow me to take this opportunity, to remind the ... [Interjections.]

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Point of order: The hon member must never undermine the students and say that they have been used. I think he is totally out of order.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, that is not a point of order. Hon member, a point of order is about the procedure here in the House.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Ingxaki yakho... [Your problem...]

 

...you are not vigilant!

 

Mr B M MKONGI: Having said that, let me take this opportunity to remind the nation that the struggle for better and free education in South Africa is not a new phenomenon of the 21st century. This struggle is the epitome of the generations of the struggles of young people in South Africa since the birth of the ANC Youth League in 1944. [Applause.]

 

This is why we can boldly say today, that the ANC knows the problems and it is dealing with them. In fact, all the generations following the 1994...

 

Aliz’ ukuphela ixesha lam, liza kubanjwa. [My time won’t expire, it is on put on hold.]

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: On a point of order Speaker: If the ANC knew about the problems of the students long time ago we would have never had protests for two weeks. So, the ANC must not come here and grandstand. You are grandstanding and you know it. Your government is incompetent.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, that is not a point of order.

 

Mr B M MKONGI: In fact, Speaker, all the generations following the 1944 generation of youth made it their generational mission to achieve and deal with the problems of our country. These generations of militant young people in this country could not achieve free quality education under the apartheid colonial regime. They knew that they will never achieve it. Their role was to strengthen the hand of the ANC in the struggle to defeat the apartheid colonial regime as a guarantee to free quality education for all.

As a matter of fact, on 14 December 1943, the ANC adopted African claims which avers that:

 

The education of the African is a matter of national importance that requires state efforts for its proper realisation. The magnitude of the task at hand places it beyond the limit of resources of the state, missionary or private endeavour. The right of the African child to education like those of children of all other sections in society must be respected and recognised by the state. The African child is subjected to serious educational, political and economic disabilities and discrimination which are a chief cause of their apparent slow progress.

 

Since the capturing of the beach-head in 1994, the ANC has put in place laws governing higher education system in this country as an instrument to realise the above-mentioned commitments made by past generations. The ANC as a leader of a society is therefore called upon to take the nation on board to fulfil this mission. This is a collective task of all South Africans and should be observed by all sectors of society.

 

It is not only an ANC task to fulfil a generational mandate. If you do not fulfil this mandate as a nation, the democracy we have built since 1994 could be in danger. It should be communicated that since 1994, some government policies for change in higher education have been met with fierce opposition and resistance from some sections of academia and university managers, especially by historically white institutions in partnership with some sections of print white media.

 

Some political parties in this House have made it their business to fight transformation in all its forms. As a result of the lack of transformation and the systematic introduction of exorbitant fees at these institutions, our students were left with no option but to resort to going to the streets to call for fees to fall. These students are correct because they are not even consulted by the vice chancellors. The ANC and government did not increase fees. Fees were increased by the university management. [Applause.]

 

Therefore, the continuing commercialisation and commodification of public universities by university managers in South Africa is a daunting challenge. It needs to be attended to. By the way, it is a conscious intention to deny access and limit the state hand on matters of higher education provision. Some vice-chancellors and university managers have become a law unto themselves. They do not respect the will of the people.

Today we are called upon to reflect on these matters. Thank you very much. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

 

Rev K R J MESHOE: Madam Speaker, South Africans agree that tertiary education in South Africa has become very expensive and unaffordable for most of the students across diverse communities. That is why the ACDP has supported and will continue to support the legitimate demands of students and their non-violent protests.

 

We have noted with great disappointment that, over the years, rather than increasing financial aid for tertiary education, the government has been reducing it. We agree with the vice-chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, Mr Adam Habib, that a decline in government subsidies has led to most universities needing to increase fees to ensure that the quality of education in their institutions is not compromised.

 

The ACDP therefore, calls on government to revise this negative trend and start prioritising the educational needs of the future leaders of our country. The ACDP believes that poor funding of universities undermines the National Development Plan, NDP, which places education at the centre of efforts to deal with unemployment, inequality and poverty.

It is estimated that about R2,6 billion is needed to cover the funding gap due to the zero increase for 2016 which has been guaranteed by the President. The relevant question that has been asked by many is, where is this shortfall of R2,6 billion going to be found. While government is looking at all possibilities, universities are also looking at re-prioritising and making adjustments to their programmes.

 

We also need to consider the impact of corruption as it robs our nation of urgently needed resources that should be used to finance tertiary education in our country. It is estimated that approximately R30 billion is lost per year to wasteful and corrupt government expenditure. If this figure were recovered, it would cover not only the shortfall, but would also fund free quality tertiary education.

 

Additionally, it was reported by Global Financial Integrity last year that South Africa is losing roughly about R147 billion per year to the illegal movement of money out of the country. The ACDP believes that government should urgently find innovative ways to stop all elicit financial outflows from our country. These illegal outflows, together with funds lost through corruption, are monies that, if recovered, could be used to give our students the best possible education while ensuring that their qualified and experienced lecturers receive competitive salaries for the work they are doing.

 

Despite the success of the “fees must fall” protests, there are unfortunately some who want the strikes to continue until free education is guaranteed. This does not bode well for students who want to write their exams and for those who hope to graduate this year. The ACDP would like to echo the voices of those calling on all students to write their exams and encourage those expected to graduate to do so. This will ensure that this academic year is not lost and that 2015 ends on a high note, which is justice and affordable education for all university students in our beautiful country. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

Mr M P GALO: Hon Speaker, the AIC has been founded by the poorest of poor people from the rural households of Matatiele on 12 December 2005 ... [Interjections.] ... after having been disappointed by the old liberation movement in this country, mostly for not keeping the promises this movement makes to the people of this country year in and year out and before elections.

 

Free quality education should have been the first priority of the democratic government post-1994. The nation cannot be free with an education system that is in tatters.

 

If this country were led by values-based leaders like Fidel Castro of Cuba, it would have covered a lot of ground in terms of education and social transformation. In the 1950s, the Cuban government’s corruption led to Fidel Castro’s violent rise to power. The day of the victory of Castro’s revolution, led by Fidel Castro himself in 1959, led to the establishment of the present government in Cuba.

 

Since 1961 the education system in Cuba is 100% subsidised by the government. This means that Cuban students at all levels can attend school for free. The Cuban government has been investing a substantial part of its budget in education for many years. Cuba is a communist state. Hon Minister, are you not a Red, a communist? That is the question.

 

According to a 2014 report by the World Bank, Cuba has the best education system in Latin America and the Caribbean and is the only country on the continent to have a high-level teaching faculty.

 

South Africa can do the same if the political will is there. With political will, the introduction of free quality varsity education for the poor students from rural households is feasible. We must not be told that Rome was never built overnight. We are tired of those political cheatings. We want action in this regard.

 

The AIC would advise the President to downsize his Cabinet by 50%. That would save a lot of taxpayers’ money and that money could be invested in education. Reduce the number of provinces to four and save more or less R10 billion in each financial year. Any profit generated from government-owned entities like Eskom, Transnet, etc must not be used to pay fat bonuses to their CEOs. Thank you. [Time expired.]

 

Mr M A PLOUAMMA: Hon Speaker, those who are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Higher Education, hon Blade Nzimande, have no understanding of this problem. The hon Minister is a victim of circumstances ... [Interjections.] ... circumstances caused by apartheid in South Africa. All the Minister can do is to run around like a headless chicken and apply cosmetics and semantics while the status quo remains the same. What is needed is a total overhaul – a radical approach towards the institutions of higher learning. What we need is serious government involvement to clean the stinking past of institutionalised racism, and transform an education system that still makes our people feel inferior. All we need is free quality education to be implemented with immediate effect.

 

We need bold and courageous leaders who can implement radical decisions to create an environment which supports those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our young people will not sit for long and they will not remain beggars in this country for long. Therefore a very serious and very brave leadership is required.

 

The biggest sin which I think the ruling party committed was to believe that, after 1994, everybody, including even those who benefited from apartheid, believed in our democracy, and that they would change and become good people. What we have learned now is that we still have those who are still defending the remnants of the South Africa of the past. Such people know very well that making quality education available to young people will actually propel them to human excellence, and that is a path they are not interested in.

 

Quality education is the only hope that most of young people have to pull themselves out of their misery. Free and quality education is the only answer, period. We as Agang SA, we say the private sector must pay half. The time for nursing and begging the private sector must come to an end. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

Mr L R MBINDA: Hon Speaker, as the PAC it has always been our belief that education should be free for all and we have been very consistent about this. It gives us joy that South Africans, especially the youth, have learnt to understand our preachings as well as that of other progressive forces. We must remember that uncle Zeph, the second President of the PAC, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for leading the student uprising. At that time he was 65 years old.

 

This government has also been preaching free education for all since the crafting of the so-called Freedom Charter in 1955. In the lead-up to the 1994 general elections, they were screaming their lungs out, promising our people free education, amongst many other promises made. After 21 years of being in Parliament, this government is unable to account to South Africans how far they are in implementing their promises.

 

It is utterly disrespectful to our people that task teams and committees will now be constituted because of the current national student protest. As they say to us, nothing has been done since 1994 and that is an insult to them, our young people.

 

Secondly, it is worth mentioning how untrustworthy this government behaves towards the people of this country. It is a false norm that South Africa cannot afford free education. This is popular within the circles of the ANC. Our question is, when did they realise that education is not affordable? Was it before 1994 or after 1994? The reason that it seems we cannot afford free education is the fact that we are not in charge of our own economy as South Africans.

 

Section 25 of the Constitution must be repealed because the Constitution on its own is holding the nation to ransom. We must be in full control of our mines, farms, economy and all other strategic means of production. The profits we make there will be more than enough for us to offer our youth free education.

 

You see, tax evasions by these multinational companies, as well as corruption, amount to trillions that can be pumped into the provision of free education. The use of luxurious and extremely expensive vehicles, hotels, and so forth, as well as President Zuma’s Nkandla expenses are too much for us to tell our children that there is no money for them to go to school. The monies that we are using, hon Deputy President, to buy buffalos ... [Interjections.] ... for millions and to build retirement homes for hundreds of millions, only to tell our kids that there is no money! The children will laugh at us.

 

Therefore, students are correct to demand what was promised. Let us stop calling the police and running away from realities. Indeed, fees must fall now. Not after our life time. They must not confuse you about our life time. [Time expired.]

 

Mr N T GODI: Hon Speaker, comrades and hon members, the transformation need of higher education can not be looked at in isolation from the transformation deficiency of the whole country. Like the mine workers uprising in 2012, the student activism is sending a loud message that the consensus of 1993 which had not substantively changed the apartheid social pecking order resting on the shoulders of the suffering African people has run its course.

 

We need as a country a new consensus, a far reaching social transformation to give substantive and material meaning to the freedom that we have. The issues brought forth by the student have given the nation food for thought. As the APC we believe that all the issues raised by the students have merit. The African people constitute 80% of the population this country, but this is not reflected in the culture, curriculum, and template of knowledge, production, staff and administration in many universities.

 

The APC believes that free education at tertiary levels is possible and desirable. There is need for serious reprioritisation of our spending patterns, curb corruption waste, duplication and maladministration. That is what government must do.

 

What about the private sector? About 70% of this country’s economy is in the hands of the private sector. At best the capitalists have been in different to progressive change.

 

The APC believes that government should increase greatly its stake in the economy to create jobs, reducing equality and generate the necessary resources to fund social services like education.

 

The APC believes that education from primary to tertiary level must be strongly regulated to ensure that tertiary institutions are in line with national goals.

 

Autonomy of tertiary institutions needs to be reviewed. We need greater public accountability on how funds are used, whether there are priorities and spending patterns are prudent and economic. We need a new paradigm away from capitalism. For under capitalism everything is co modified including education. Yes, fees must fall, so must capitalism. I thank you.

 

Prof B BOZZOLI: Madam Speaker, through you, I direct my comment directly to members of the ANC. Today should be a day of accountability for what has happened to higher education and your party is accountable.

 

You have done to universities exactly what you did to Electricity Supply Commission, Eskom. When you first came into power you respected universities. Your Higher Education Act of 1997 praises university autonomy, creativity and research. Our first three Presidents had a love of ideas and an admiration of intellectuals, but you also wanted to dominate universities.

 

It was part of your overall agenda of control the commanding heights, but that pesky university autonomy was an obstacle. So you went behind the scene and manipulated the appointment of Vice Chancellors and today you have almost tame cohort of them and you interfered with Councils.

You did this with the support of your shock troops the amalaitas of SASCO and Nehawu. You mobilised the pain and hardship of the poorest students and used for your own ends, to build the ANC and to extends control over universities.

 

The student’s leaders were rewarded with government posts and memberships of Parliament, but the shock troops themselves, the majority of poor students remain poor.

 

Your doubled the number of students in universities, worthy indeed, but you did so with no regard for the quality of education that we are getting. You used universities as places where the youth could be parked and their energies channelled away from you.

 

After the Malema sponsored election of President Zuma, your respect for Universities diminished to vanishing point. The President today thinks that they are expensive, unpatriotic places full of clever blacks. Vice-Chancellors can be publicly humiliated with barely a squeak from you. There is a whiff of the Cultural Revolution about.

 

And funding? While you threw money at grandiose projects and the bill for corruption grew exponentially, the funding for Universities fell in real terms by 30%.

 

Your Higher Education Act failed here, it did not define the levels at which universities should be funded. You commissioned three formal enquiries into funding. All of them said this was a crisis waiting to happen. You ignored them.

 

So universities were subjected to constant protests, year in year out, mainly about funding. They included looting, vandalism, the burning of buildings and intimidation of staff and students. You could turn these protests on and off. Usually for a price from universities.

 

You encouraged the belief amongst the poor students that universities could solve all their problems and inched further towards control over them each time. Every year the universities became further degraded by these attacks on them. And the problems were always insoluble without more money.

 

What a breath of fresh air ”#Fees Must Fall” has been. Students saw through these games and suddenly protest was directed at you. You failed to rise to their challenge.

You seem not to have practical solutions to the short or long term problem. No mention of a new norm for the level of funding, let alone making up for the past neglect. No pledge to find money elsewhere in your badly designed budget. Instead you have tried desperately to change the subject. The private sector must pay. Universities must pay. The Department must pay. SETAs must pay.

 

“We are victims of our successes”, SAYS Minister Nzimande. Victims? You are in charge! And have been for 20 years. You have failed to accept responsibility. Instead you are busy restoring the old regime with Universities as places to be manipulated, despised and attacked; and SASCO as the natural holder of the right to protest, preferably violently.

 

President Zuma hated every minute of his announcement. You are going to make universities pay for government’s humiliation. In retribution you will subordinate universities even further. You dislike the fact that no matter how much manipulation you use behind the scenes or mayhem you because universities have not bent fully to your will.

 

And so you attack university autonomy and now a swearword in your critics. You encourage students to believe that this would be a solution. It would not. It will not magically supply more funding. It is a millenarian dream, like all your dreams of nationalisation.

 

The Ugandan academic Mahmoud Mamdani said of Makerere University after independence:

 

“The new state to stepped in as the guarantor of social justice. We celebrated, but not for long. Soon the state altered the mode of governance of universities; and we came to confront state appointed Vice-Chancellors, Deans and even Heads of Department. We then discovered the importance of university autonomy.

 

Decades later the Kampala Declaration set out to restore university autonomy. Fifty years later you want to repeat Uganda’s failed experiment.

 

The DA will do everything in its power to prevent the destruction and decay of universities and protect their autonomy. Those who love education are disgusted at your thoughtless lack of care for these precious national assets.

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Hon Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon Members of Parliament, students and students’ leaders, distinguished guests, fellow South Africans, thank you very much. [Interjections.]

 

The events of the last two weeks saw a generation of students across the political spectrum defining their moment in history, calling on their government to make sound interventions to their education and training by helping cap fee increments for the 2016 academic year. They further pleaded with their government to urgently put measures to realise free and quality education for the poor.

 

We have listened to the cries of our young people and to this end; we will be employing extraordinary strategies to realise the strategic goals we have set ourselves for, fully understanding the critical role education and training can play in liberating our people from unemployment and poverty.

 

Our government, led by President Zuma, did not hesitate in putting short-term measures in dealing with the plight of students because we remained inspired by their zeal and commitment as they almost emulated the determination of the 1976 generation to succeed in their struggle and bring about a turning point in our country’s higher education system.

 

At the same time, we must admit that all of us have been humiliated by a small number of young people who have sought to hijack this noble struggle of students and allow themselves to lead criminal attacks against the state and its institutions. We must individually and collectively condemn this practice as their conduct is nothing more than acts of criminality at best and barbarism at worst.

 

Fellow South Africans, for a considerable period of time now, our progressive students formation have been involved in a protracted struggle to realise free and quality education for the poor as asserted in our Freedom Charter that higher education and technical training shall be open to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit.

 

This was further given impetus by our policy position as the ANC that free and quality education shall be extended to the poor, at least until undergraduate level. This protest, therefore, had sought to highlight the need for government to expedite efforts to ensure that there is progressive realisation of free and quality education in our lifetime.

 

The current fee structure of privileged universities has reached absolute elasticity and is beyond the reach of the poor and marginalised communities and as government, we assert ourselves that the high fee increment above inflation rate is indeed unjustifiable and simply unbearable for our poor students.

 

It would be disingenuous of me if I do not mention that in the last twenty years, we have been able to grow the education sector exponentially and in that, this government has ensured that 90% of technical and vocational education and training, Tvet, students study for free at Tvet colleges and that successful final year university students that are National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Nsfas, beneficiaries have their final year fees converted into full bursaries, fostering funding linked to academic excellence. Though these are incremental efforts towards free education, more of our young people still experience financial exclusions because they are highly indebted to institutions - of course, coupled by the fact that funding for our education system remains acutely inadequate.

 

This important task occurs in reality in which South Africa is the most unequal society in the world, punctuated by stubborn unemployment rate and poverty afflicting a significant proportion of our society - especially the youth who constitute the majority of the population.

 

What is to be done? Firstly, we have to urgently explore ways and means to improve funding for higher education and this connection, the department will approach National Treasury to effect reprioritisation measures in order to fast-track the attainment and realisation of free education for the poor.

 

Secondly, in considering the many proposals, the one of increasing the Skills Development Levy as articulated by the Minister will be put on the table as we explore the possibility of ringfencing some of these resources in order to fund higher education whilst being mindful of the fact that approximately 16 million unskilled youth are depended on the levy for skills acquisition in order to enhance their employability and participation in the economy.

 

Thirdly, whilst we remain deeply concerned by the palpable silence of the private sector in the current discourse about funding for free higher education; perhaps this is the most appropriate time for us as the department - working with National Treasury, to seriously consider the proposals for corporate education tax directed especially at Johannesburg Stock Exchange, JSE, listed companies and profitable business entities. [Applause.]

 

Big business may have surely realised the nature that students possess especially when they are resolute in their convictions. We therefore expect no hardline stance from the side of business as we embark on these processes because your contribution will go a long way in improving the skills of our poor people so that they can develop themselves as well-rounded individuals.

 

It is funny, hon Cassim, that today for the first time you made proposals, but chose to exonerate business from taking part in the education of the African child. [Interjections.]

 

I have undertaken to work closely with students formations and we will start with national road shows early next, visiting institutions and communities to explain and outline a clear road map to free education and the realisation of other matters that the President raised when addressing the nation last Friday. [Applause.] This will be amongst many quick feedback mechanisms that we will develop so that we are kept abreast regarding our efforts and progress in this regard.

 

We also wish to send a sterling warning to our universities never to allow institutional autonomy to be used as a buffer to drive necessary transformation in the education system. We need to take radical steps to balance institutional autonomy and public accountability but strengthen our policies as well by first guaranteeing the right to academic freedom as enshrined in the Constitution but demand more accountability especially for decisions that have dire and ripple effects on our country.

 

Once again, we thank the President of the Republic of South Africa as head of government for his swift intervention that has ensured a zero-fee increment for 2016. [Applause.] [Interjections.]

 

The President has pointed out other important matters which the sector must deal with. We undertake to work with all stakeholders in dealing with these matters. By the way, hon Maimane, DA Student Organisation, Daso, was part of the meeting that was convened by the President and they did not oppose to all the proposals that were put on the table. [Interjections.] [Applause.]

Fellow students of our South Africa’s universities, you led a noble fight; a fight for a right to education. We witnessed visuals and images of students united in their diversity, placing on the national agenda the issue of affordable higher education.

 

We, in government, despite this trying time, remained fearless and did not panic because we understood your call to be that of reminding government - your government, to fast-track the goals and objectives it has set itself for. [Applause.]

 

I now urge you to return to class and start working towards preparations for examinations. We have agreed that examinations will be postponed and a new timetable will now reflect new dates. We request all of you to allow the academic programme and activities to resume and we congratulate all universities that have managed to reach out to student’s demands by putting in place plans and measures to address these issues within a reasonable period.

 

As students, it is more an obligation to yourselves than a right to write examinations and therefore do not allow yourselves to be persuaded otherwise. [Applause.] We also urge parents to support us as we address these legitimate demands and aspirations of our students. Good luck with your examinations! It has been a long week in the streets, but I am sure you will excel beyond measure. Forward with free education in our lifetime! Thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Hon Speaker, I am very disappointed with the opposition. They are so flat footed actually. [Interjections.] I don’t know what they said, except populist grandstanding. [Interjections.] The DA doesn’t even have free higher education in their policies, but because it sounds like it is fashionable; they are coming actually here to come and say: “Free higher education”, in order to try and appear relevant.

 

In fact, strangely, the only one hon member I come close to is hon Galo. It shows that at some stage he flirted with the SA Communist Party in the Natal Midlands ...[laughter.] ... because he comes closer to the truth that capitalist societies are often unable to fund free higher education, unless or with the exception of welfare states that we actually know about in capitalist societies. That comes closer to the truth because it comes to what we were saying and what the Deputy Minister was emphasising now that we need to confront the issue of the role of the private sector and we need decisive action by government.

Hon Hlengwa, I really try to avoid the grandstanding of the IFP because when we start taking the history of the IFP and the education struggles in this country, there are lots of problems. All I can say is that we are far away Ubuntu-Botho syllabus of the KwaZulu government ... [Laughter.] ... which we have changed and done away with. You remember what your party did when Congress of SA Students, Cosas, and students marched in KwaMashu in 1979? [Interjections.] And today you come and grandstand. What happened at the University of Zululand in 1983? We have come a long way from that because the ANC imposed peace including in KwaZulu-Natal. [Interjections.]

 

Honestly, the DA member, hon Bozzoli was at the summit. She kept quiet. I never heard her talking because it was safe when the stakeholders were there. We have been silent on racism in universities; we have been silent in institutional culture; and in fact the DA admonished Daso for the removal of Rhodes’ statue here at University of Cape Town. Yes, you were clashing with your own organisation; why are you denying that? [Interjections.]

 

We are not sending to Cuba. I don’t like this thing, hon Cassim. You can disagree with me, but don’t come and say something that is not true. I never said the students must march to Treasury. I am not an opportunist as a Minister that I will say students must march to my colleague. I never said that. You can disagree with me. The fact of the matter is that you have no solution to the problems facing this country. [Interjections.] That we have not reached the goal of free higher education does not mean that we are not going there and we are increasing the budget year in year out. [Applause.]

 

Ukhongolose loyo, hhayi abaphangimathuba. [That is the ANC, not the opportunists.]

 

POINT OF ORDER AND UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE

 

(Ruling)

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members, that concludes the debate. Hon members, earlier in the sitting the hon Chief Whip of the Opposition rose on a point of order, contending that the Leader of the Opposition was called a sellout when he approached the podium. He then proceeded to ask that I request the Tellytubby to withdraw the remarks. [Interjections.] I must state that raising a point of order and coupling it to equally unparliamentarily language is wrong.

 

As the presiding officer, I cannot rule on remarks that I have not heard. I therefore did ask the hon members of the EFF to indicate if they had made the remark attributed to them by the Chief Whip of the Opposition. No one took responsibility for the remark. As such, it is not possible for the presiding officer to rule on the matter unless it can be verified by Hansard and attributed to a specific member.

 

Hon Steenhuisen, I therefore now turn to you to ask you if when you used the word “Teletubby”, you were referring to a specific member of this House? [Interjections.] Hon Steenhuisen?

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, I could not work out whether it was Tinky-Winky, Laa-Laa or Po, but I withdraw. [Laughter.]

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members, given that the hon Steenhuisen has withdrawn that remark towards a member of the EFF, that concludes that matter. However, we still remain at sea on the issue of the sellout remark, which is regrettable.

 

The Secretary will read the Second to the Fourth Orders together.

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

Ms N V MENTE: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates nationalisation of mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy to fund free, quality education.

 

Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the issue of the recent reports that workers employed by the Post Office have only been paid half their monthly salary and the significance of the failure of a state entity to honour its obligation towards its employees.

 

Mr J A ESTERHUIZEN: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the current poor state of government support to the creative industries and the steps required to provide greater financial and skills support to these industries so that our investment in cultural sectors is on par with our support to other sectors of our economy.

 

Ms T GQADA: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the lengthy, expensive and complicated child adoption process in South Africa.

 

Mr J L MAHLANGU: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the illegal deductions of money from pensioners.

 

Ms D G MAHLANGU: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates that 40% of government tenders be given to women and female-owned companies.

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the current overlapping of role functions between Prasa and Transnet and how to resolve this problem.

 

Dr C Q MADLOPHA: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates rotating police officers in order to combat crime and avoid corruption.

 

Ms S J NKOMO: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates how recently adopted travel regulations almost crippled the South African tourism market and the additional checks and balances that should be put in place to avoid such reckless legislation from being enacted by the majority party through sheer force of numbers when such legislation is clearly detrimental to the country.

 

Ms N T NOVEMBER: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates creating more black industrialists in the country.

 

Mr K J MILEHAM: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the status of debt owed to municipalities by government departments and entities and measures to reduce this burden which hampers service delivery.

 

Mr A M MUDAU: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates paying the youth for artisanal skills as government addresses the youth unemployment and skills shortage.

 

Mr L J BASSON: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

 

That the House debates the confusing mixed messages and lack of agreement on the African Growth and Opportunity Act and how this will affect our export economy and job-creation drive.

 

BEST WISHES TO THE MATRICULANTS

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr N SINGH: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that it is that time of the year again, where the country’s Grade 12 pupils have commenced with their final matric examinations;

 

  1. acknowledges that the matric learners are under an immense amount of pressure, not just to simply make it, but to also pass well enough to make it into the various desired fields of further education next year;

 

  1. further acknowledges the efforts of the uMkomaas Secondary School youth tutorship programme, the school principal and members of the school governing body that help Grade 12 pupils stand a better chance of doing well;

 

  1. appreciates the young university students who volunteered their weekends to tutor the pupils in the uMkomaas area south of Durban, namely: Nkosikhona Raphael Duma, Kevalin Pillay, Phakamani Maphumulo, Nkosingiphile Duma, Lebohang Dube, Waris Asmal, Sasha-Lee Moodley, Cassandra Dorosamy, Pretty Zinhle Khoza, Andria Naidoo, Zanele Ngcobo, Fisokuhle Mazibuko and Lindokuhle Mhlongo; and

 

  1. wishes all the matriculants of 2015 the best of luck with their final exams.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

NEW COMMISSIONER FOR THE IEC

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms L A MNGANGA-GCABASHE: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. welcomes the appointment of Vuma Mashinini as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa on Wednesday, 14 October 2015;

 

  1. notes that President Zuma has appointed Mashinini in terms of section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act of 1996 and, on the recommendation of the National Assembly;

 

  1. further notes that the IEC has not had a chairperson since the resignation of former chairwoman Pansy Tlakula in 2014;

 

  1. recalls that Mashinini was the deputy chief electoral officer of the IEC between 1998 and 2001 where he was responsible for the establishment and administration of the national head office, all nine provincial electoral offices and approximately 350 municipal electoral offices;

 

  1. believes that Mashinini will be able to discharge his responsibility with professionalism, integrity and commitment to the country and all its citizens; and

 

  1. congratulates Vuma Mashinini on his appointment as the new head of the IEC.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

POST OFFICE STAFF IN CRISIS

(Draft resolution)

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that the state-owned Post Office South Africa failed to pay workers’ salaries, while others received just 50% of their salaries in the month of October.

 

  1. condemns the Minister of Telecommunication and the Minister of Finance for letting the situation to get to such state of crisis, with financial administration that has completely collapsed, and the entire Post Office system is in the verge of collapse;
  2. further notes that it is not only the Post Office that is in such a crisis state, but the majority of the state-owned entities mainly due to lack of coherent and consistent policy on state-owned entities by the ANC government; and

 

  1. acknowledges thousands of Post Office workers, who many work under difficult condition without further training or education, and their plight for better salaries;

 

  1. calls on the Communication Workers Union to reaffirm their march to the Post Office as an act of disobedience to poor salaries and working conditions, until such time workers have received their full salaries.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

SAMMY MOETI PASSED ON

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr M W RABOTAPI: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that on Monday, 13 October 2015, veteran South African actor, Sammy Moeti, sadly passed away after a long illness;

 

  1. also notes that Moeti was best known for his role as Vho-Mushasha in the popular show, Muvhango;

 

  1. recalls the amazing acting talent Moeti possessed, which made him a renowned performer and entertainer;

 

  1. acknowledges the massive void his passing leaves in the entertainment industry;

 

  1. conveys our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

DEATH OF BABIES AT BONGANI HOSPITAL

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr A SHAIK-EMAM: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that on Friday, 16 October 2015, five babies died at Bongani Hospital in the Free State town of Welkom;

 

  1. also notes that the Office of Health Standards Compliance is investigating the possibility that the deaths are due to Klebsiella, caused by an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection that causes symptoms similar to pneumonia;

 

  1. finally, notes that it’s very difficult to treat Klebsiella which has a 50% mortality rate;

 

  1. calls upon this honourable House to extend its condolences to the grieving families of the babies who had died; and

 

  1. call upon the Office of Health Standards Compliance to expedite it’s investigation into the death of the babies so that the Department of Health can follow all due processes if it was found that negligence played a role in the death of the babies.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

BEST WISHES FOR THE MATRICULANTS

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mrs D CARTER: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that students all over South Africa started writing their Grade 12 examinations today;

 

  1. notes further that this is a very important milestone in the life of any young person;
  2. recognises that students who do exceptionally well in these examinations will have interesting and fulfilling career paths open to them;

 

  1. acknowledges that most students will have invested heavily in time and effort to jump over the first major hurdle of their lives and will have received enormous support from parents and educators; and

 

  1. therefore calls on students and educators alike to do their utmost to preserve the integrity of the exams, themselves and the institution they belong to, and in urging utmost honesty takes this opportunity of wishing all learners sweet success for the long years they spent studying and poring over books.

 

Agreed to.

 

CONDOLENCES TO THE AMBUSHED SOLDIERS

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr S J F MARAIS: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that on 26 September, SA National Defence Force soldier Private Toto Malashe, was killed in a battle;

 

  1. also notes that Private Malashe was part of the SA Infantry Battalion who were on a peacekeeping duty when they were ambushed in Darfur region, Sudan;

 

  1. further notes that three other soldiers were wounded during the incidence;

 

  1. conveys our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Private Malashe who tragically lost his life whilst protecting others;

 

  1. also conveys our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the injured soldiers and wishes them a speedy recovery.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

CONDOLENCES TO THE PASSING ON OF MLUNGISI SISULU

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr X MABASA: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes with great sadness the passing on of Mlungisi Sisulu following a long battle with pancreatic cancer,  on Tuesday, 13 October 2015, at Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg;

 

  1. further notes that Mlungisi is the second son of anti-apartheid stalwarts Walter and Albertina, who was, like his parents, a dedicated activists in the liberation struggle;

 

  1. recalls that Mlungisi was best known as a businessman who was involved in a number of business ventures, including, in the 1980s, a small shop in Soweto affectionately known as Shop 7, and later a poultry wholesale business called Fine Foods, as well as  spending a number of years as a director of a construction company, Arup;

 

  1. recognises that Mlungisi played an active role in the ANC underground structures in the 1980s, harbouring uMkhonto weSizwe units in Shop 7 at great risk to himself;

 

  1. further recognises that  he also provided unstinting support to his brother Jongi Sisulu and other uMkhonto weSizwe, MK, cadres during the terrorism trials of the 1980s;

 

  1. believes that he has  played his part in the liberation of the people of South Africa against apartheid colonialism;

 

  1. further believes that his contribution will be solely missed at the time when we journeyed into the radical socioeconomic transformation phase; and 

 

  1. conveys its condolences to the Sisulu family, friends and the ANC

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

CRISIS AT THEMBELIHLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that Thembelihle Local Municipality is a rural municipality just 120 kilometers outside of Kimberly, Northern Cape, under the leadership of honourable Danny Jonas, who was voted in as an independent, so this municipality is not ANC run, an indication of what is going to happen next year when the EFF takes over most of the municipalities in that province and elsewhere in the country;

 

  1. further notes that on 12 June 2014, the mayor wrote to the Minister of Human Settlements, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, alerting her that the municipality had not had housing projects in a very long time, and that allocations are made and then shifted elsewhere on a regular basis by both the national and provincial departments of infrastructure, the leadership of the municipality. To this date, the Minister has not intervened as she promised in her response to the letter by the mayor;

 

  1. acknowledges that this is causing tension between the leadership and the communities, resulting in communities protesting for a swift delivery of services, not knowing that lack of housing is a carefully managed process by the ANC, aimed at discrediting the leadership of Thembelihle Municipality in the eyes of the public;

 

  1. further acknowledges that on 13 November 2014, a small township of Hopetown in the municipality was hit by a natural disaster in the form of thunderstorms, which led to about 94 families having to be moved to a temporal place of residence in a community hall and surrounding churches;

 

  1. once again, the mayor wrote to the MEC of the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Coghsta, in the Northern Cape, Alvin Botes, for assistance, and to this day, the MEC has not intervened;

 

  1. further acknowledges that Coghsta in the Northern Cape has colluded to prevent the Thembelihle Local Municipality from receiving municipal infrastructure grant funding, and also colluded with Eskom to refuse to install electricity at the water purification pumps, which exposes residents to a potential health risk as they consume water that has not been purified;

 

  1. we call on the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene in the Northern Cape and ensure that government treats all citizens the same, whether they are ANC voters or not;

 

  1. we further call on Eskom to stop playing politics when it has to deliver services to our people; and

 

  1. we further call on the Minister of Human Settlements to put the people of the country first and resolve the matter in Thembelihle.

 

HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): If there are no objections I put the motion.

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

Mr M S MALATSI: I hereby move on behalf of the DA:

 

That the House –

 

  1. notes that Banyana Banyana did our country proud by qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro;

 

  1. further notes that they booked their score by beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 on 18 October 2015;

 

  1. acknowledges that this is an incredible achievement for women’s football in South Africa;

 

  1. congratulates the team management, coach and players for their successful campaign and

 

  1. further wishes them luck as they prepare for the Olympic Games.

 

Not agreed to.

 

Mr S C MNCWABE: I move without notice on behalf of the NFP:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that Mfundo Radebe, an 18 year old scholar of Umlazi in Durban, won top honours in the seniors category of My Magna Carta International creative essay competition at a ceremony in the United Kingdom;

 

  1. also notes that young people in the United Kingdom, UK, and common wealth countries were invited to create their own version of the Magna Carta to create a charter document that safeguards and promotes the rights, privileges and liberties of either their own country or the whole world;

 

  1. finally notes that this Grade 12 scholar at Crawford College who is passionate about politics and the law tackled the issue of “limiting the powers of government, South Africa’s Magna Carta” in his winning essay; and

 

  1. therefore calls upon this House to congratulate and encourage all young South Africans to follow Mfundo Radebe’s example and develop a positive and proactive yet critical way of thinking about our country.

 

Not agreed to.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon Mncwabe, please forgive me. That is a very interesting corner in the House. At times I’m never sure whether it is the ANC that’s raising the hand or other members. So, do forgive me. Perhaps next time you will just have to shift the desk. I don’t know. Hon Nqweniso.

 

Ms N V MENTE: I hereby move without notice on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House –

 

  1. notes that thousands of our people, who despite the heat, came out in numbers to participate in the EFF march for a radical economic transformation to achieve economic freedom in our lifetime. This is the march I’m talking about. These are the people who came out;

 

  1. notes that the memoranda handed out to SA Reserve Bank, Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Mines outline clearly the demands which will ensure all South Africans share in the wealth of the country; demand nationalisation of mines, a state-owned bank, ban of labour brokers, R12 500 minimum wage for all mineworkers, national minimum wage, use of local service providers, procurement of local goods, local beneficiation, private sector contribution to education and vocational training, and other financial sector related matters

 

  1. acknowledges young, old, unemployed and economically excluded who are saying they are tired of living like slaves and that it is time they start living like human beings, by going to the source of the problem as the ANC government has failed our people,

 

  1. calls on all the recipients of memoranda of demand to take them seriously and swiftly move to address all outlined demands as soon as possible;

 

  1. warns that if the demands are not met the EFF will escalate the protest to more confrontational methods and forms of occupation and picketing protests; [Interjections.] We will show you;

 

  1. further calls on the broader private sector to work with the Chamber of Mines, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and SA Reserve Bank to ensure the EFF demands are met.

 

Not agreed to.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon members! Hon members, can we please allow the hon member who is reading a motion without notice to proceed?

 

Ms L A MNGANGA-GCABASHE: I herby move without notice on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes with great sadness the passing away of the Ajax Cape Town Football Club player, Cecil Lolo, on Saturday, 24 October 2015 at Khayelitsha in Cape Town;

 

  1. further notes that the 28 year old Lolo was one of the two men killed when a VW Golf GTI collided with a bakkie on Spine Road, just off the N2 highway near Khayelitsha;

 

  1. acknowledges that Cecil Lolo has been with the Ajax Cape Town Football Club since 2010 playing as a defender;

 

  1. recalls that he made his premier soccer league debut for the Urban Warriors in their 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club on 27 August 2010;

 

  1. further recalls that the versatile player made 97 appearances and scored two goals for the iKamva based club over the last six seasons, and

 

  1. conveys condolences to the Lolo family, Ajax Cape Town Football Club and the soccer fraternity.

 

Not agreed to.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: I hereby move without notice on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes the lack of black counsellors in the landmark silicosis class action case against gold mining companies;

 

  1. notes the racist remarks by Richard Spoor, an attorney from an all white law firm, representing some of the former mineworkers, who made it public that black counsellors are incompetent, unintelligent, greedy and that they were not interested in public interest cases;

 

  1. further notes that a statement, signed by more than 100 black advocates, was read out by the Johannesburg Bar council chairman and the EFF national chairperson, Advocate Dali Mpofu, ... [Interjections.] ... which reaffirms the call for a change of discriminatory briefing patterns in the past 21 years;

 

  1. condemns such racial bigotry and prejudiced statements that are inimical to gross violation of the spirit and the letter of our democratic Constitution;

 

  1. acknowledges that government is also a culprit to such discriminatory briefing patterns which continue to favour white only law firms based on racial bigotry and prejudice as black counsellors are seen as incompetent;

 

  1. calls on government to take steps to ensure that discriminatory briefing patterns must come to an end; and

 

  1. ensures that all law firms, in particular black law firms, are given a fair opportunity and progressive steps must be taken to ensure that the injustices of the past are redressed.

 

Not agreed to.

 

ECONOMIC FREEDOM MARCH

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: House Chairperson, I hereby move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that thousands of our people who, despite the heat, came out in numbers to participate in the Economic Freedom Front march for a radical economic transformation to achieve economic freedom in our lifetime;

 

  1. further notes that the memoranda handed to the South African Reserve Bank, Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Mines, which outline clearly the demands which will ensure all South Africans share in the wealth of the country;

 

  1. acknowledges that the demand for nationalisation of mines, state owned bank, banning of labour brokers, a R12 500 minimum wage for all mine workers, a national minimum wage, the use of local services providers, procurement of local goods, local beneficiation, private sector contribution to education and vocational training, and other financial sector related matters;

 

  1. further acknowledges that all young, old, unemployed, oppressed, and economically excluded, who are saying they are tired of living like slaves. It is time that they start living like human beings by going to the source of the problem as the ANC government has failed them;

 

  1. calls on all the recipients of the memorandum of demands to take them serious, and swiftly move to address all outlined demands as soon as possible;

 

  1. warns that if the demands are not met, the EFF will escalate the protest to more confrontational methods by way of occupation and picketing protests;

 

  1. calls on the broader private sector to work with the Chamber of Mines, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and South African Reserve Bank to ensure that the Economic Freedom Front march demands are met.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

CONDOLENCE MOTION ON THE PASSING OF CECIL LOLO

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr X MABASA: House Chairperson, I hereby move without notice:

 

That the House -

  1. notes with great sadness the passing of the Ajax Football Club player Cecil Lolo on Saturday 25 October 2015 at Khayelitsha in Cape Town;

 

  1. further notes that the 28 years old Lolo was one of the two men killed when a VW Golf GTI collided with a bakkie on Spine Road just off the N2 highway near Khayelitsha;

 

  1. acknowledges that Cecil Lolo had been with the Ajax Football Club since 2010 playing as a defender;

 

  1. recalls that he made his Premier Soccer League debut for the Urban Warriors in their two nil victory over Bloemfontein Celtics on 27 August 2010;

 

  1. further recalls that the versatile player made 97 appearances and scored two goals for the Ikamva based club over the last six seasons; and

 

  1. conveys condolences to his family, Ajax Football club and the soccer fraternity.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

DISCRIMINATION OF BLACK LAWYERS

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes the lack of black counsel in the landmark Silicosis class action case against gold mining companies;

 

  1. further notes that the racist remarks by Richard Spoor, an attorney from an all white law firm representing some of the former mine workers, who publicly made it clear that black counsels are incompetent, unintelligent, greedy, and that they were not interested in public interest cases;

 

  1. also notes that a statement signed by more than 100 black advocates that was read out by the Johannesburg bar council chairman and EFF national chairperson, Advocate Dali Mpofu, which reaffirms the call for a change of discriminatory briefing patterns in the past 21 years;

 

  1. condemns such racial bigotry and prejudice statements that is inimical to and in gross violation of the spirit and letter of our democratic constitution;

 

  1. acknowledges that government is also a culprit to such discriminatory briefing patterns that continue to favour white only law firms, based on racial bigotry and prejudice as black counsel are seen as incompetent;

 

  1. calls on government to take steps to ensure that discriminatory briefing patterns come to an end, and ensure that all law firms in particular black law firms, are given a fair opportunity and progressive steps must be taken to ensure that past injustices are redressed.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

STATE OF DECAY OF PUBLIC SERVICES

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: House Chairperson, I hereby move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes the continued state of decay of public services provided by the ANC, which are primarily caused by the phenomenon of deploying incompetent ANC cadres to run critical departments and functions in government;

 

  1. further notes that in John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, there are two hospitals that are struggling to provide the health services needed by the community, the Kuruman Hospital and Tshwaragano Hospital. This is because the ANC deployed a clueless district manager named Masego Kaotsane, who has completely frustrated the functioning of entire health system in the district;

 

  1. acknowledges that the hospitals are in a total state of decay, without enough beds and medical equipments, even though the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, not long ago donated medical equipments and beds to the hospital with the help of mining companies;

 

  1. further acknowledges that we still find patients admitted to these hospitals being asked to sleep on the floor because there aren’t enough beds;

 

  1. notes that this is despite the two hospitals having sufficiently qualified hospital managers, who cannot function because of the bossy district manager who throws her weight around, frustrating the manner these hospital managers should be running their hospitals;
  2. further notes that this district manager was appointed merely based on the connections she has with top ANC leadership in the Northern Cape, and not for her skills or qualifications;

 

  1. also notes that at this stage of our development, we should not be gambling with the health of our communities, by appointing our friends and comrades;

 

  1. calls on the Minister, together with the MEC for Health in Northern Cape to do a proper investigation on all the complaints brought in by the community and civic organizations about the state of health in that district.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

SOUTH AFRICAN YEAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS HOSTED BY ANN7

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr X MABASA: House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes that on Sunday, 17 August 2015, the Dome in Johannesburg hosted ANN7 2015 South African of the year awards ceremony to honor extraordinary South Africans from all walks of life;

 

  1. further notes that the 24-hour news channel ANN7 created these awards to celebrate extraordinary citizens who are making a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens;

 

  1. acknowledges that the following individuals were honored in different categories: Dr Nkosazana Zuma, the South African of the Year 2015, rapper Cassper Nyovest, the Trendsetting Celebrity of the Year, Nedbank’s Ke Yona Soccer Development Initiative Campaign of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, Fundisile Mketeni, CEO of SA National Parks, Spirit of Humanity, Sibusiso Leope Education Foundation, Lifetime Achievement Award, Hugh Masekela, Entrepreneur of the Year, Thabo Molefe, Sportsperson of the Year, AB de Villiers, Business Leader of the Year, Jabu Mabuza, Young Person of the Year, Kgomotso Pooe, and;
     
  2. congratulates all the winners on the night for their wonderful achievements.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

POOR ROADS IN MAKHUDUTHAMAGA MUNICIPALITY

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

That the House -

 

  1. notes the shocking state of roads between Zebediela and Roetan, Mashishing, Mamone and other areas in Makhuduthamaga Municipality, which are nothing but potholes;

 

  1. further notes that thousands of motorist across the country are forced to drive on these dangerous roads and lives are lost on a daily basis;

 

  1. also notes that the Department of Transport has failed to maintain roads, instead the Minister is spending most of her time trying to implement a collapsing e-tolling system that must be scrapped;

 

  1. concedes that majority of dysfunctional municipalities who are failing to maintain roads are instead, channelling funds to ANC local government election campaigns while important motorist put their lives in danger by driving on unsuitable roads, it’s because they lack internal capacity to do anything;

 

  1. calls on all municipalities to stop outsourcing roads maintenance and build internal capacity, employ millions of young people, give tools, training, decent salaries and proper supervision to maintain roads.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice now becomes a notice of a motion on the Order Paper.

 

UNVEILING THE MATOLA RAID MONUMENT

 

(Member’s Statement)

Mr J L MAHLANGU: The ANC welcomes the unveiling of the Matola Raid Monument and the Interpretative Centre by President Jacob Zuma in Mozambique, which is in commemoration of the demise of South Africans who fell at the hands of apartheid mercenaries in 1981.

 

This monument embodies the sacrifices of our men and women who dared fight the injustices of apartheid and its terroristic violence. It symbolizes the bond that developed between peoples of the two countries who were prepared to bring lasting change under the leadership of the ANC and Frelimo, irrespective of its cost in lives and limb.

 

Moreover, the ANC commends the government for keeping these memories alive to ensure that future generations could quantify the cost of oppression and disregard for human lives, as well as saluting the people of Mozambique for their resolute commitment to provide support to South African refugees in the face of apartheid aggression.

 

MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr D J MAYNIER: House Chair, the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement reflects the complete failure to prioritise the needs of our people and of our students. Let every student struggling to pay their fees know this; we do not have money for students but we do have R2 billion for the BRICS Bank; we do not have money for the students but we do have R720 million for foreign missions; we do not have money for students but we do have R69,7 million for bodyguards; we do not have money for students but we do have R7,5 million for the South African Network of Women Transport Summit; we do not have money for students but we do have R1,10 million for the moral regeneration movement; and we do not have money for students but we do have R540 000 to purchase bulls for reproductive purposes.

 

Yes, you heard me. Correctional Services would be spending R540 000 to purchase bulls. That amount could have been used to pay the fees of nearly 11 students in need. It is simply wrong and that’s why Minister Blade must fall; that’s why President Zuma must fall and ultimately that’s why the ANC must fall. [Applause.]

 

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

 

(Member’s Statement)

Ms M O MOKAUSE (EFF): House Chair, the month of October is regarded as mental health awareness month. In South Africa this kind of disease is overlooked while mental illness is on the rise. The province of the Northern Cape does not take mental health seriously. The institution that is currently used to house and treat mental health patients in the Northern Cape, the West End Hospital in Kimberley, is currently in the state of utter decay and dilapidation with no security and easy access to drugs and alcohol. The situation is so bad that patients get lost without the hospital even taking note.

 

During the time when the current Minister of Transport hon Dipuo Peters was the premier of the Northern Cape, the new Kimberley mental health project was kick started with an estimated construction budget of about R290 million. Till today the project has not been completed. Political interference and appointment of contractors, who are linked to the ANC heavyweights in the province while sidelining experienced contractors, disrupted the completion of the project and led to the current state of affairs.

 

Like many other Public Works projects in the Northern Cape, the appointment of inexperienced contractors who are linked to the ANC politicians has always led to incomplete projects. This is in the case with many projects relating to construction of clinics in the province.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member! Hon member! Hon member, order! Hon member, just round up. All of you have one and a half minutes. You all have the same minutes. So, you are exceeding your minutes. I will give you a second to complete.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE (EFF): The Minister of Public Works Thulas Nxesi, went there not so long ago and promised the people of the Northern Cape to root out corruption. Does he really have the backbone to carry that promise? [Time expired.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon members, can I remind you. A statement is not supposed to be more than one and a half minutes.

 

WELL WISHES TO THE 2015 MATRICULANTS

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr D MNGUNI (ANC): The ANC wishes good luck to all the Grade 12 learners who started their National Senior Certificate examinations on 26 October 2015, and will be finishing on 30 November 2015. These examination will be administered across a total of 6 797 centres in the country. A total of 801 688 candidates have enrolled for these examinations, of which 674 232 are fulltime and 127 456 are part time.

 

All provinces have reported readiness to administer these exams and are also prepared for marking, with all the marking centres ready for this process. We urge parents to continue giving their children the necessary support during the examination time. We also thank all stakeholders who have contributed in ensuring that our learners get quality education they deserve, and the teachers for the hard work and commitment they have continuously shown. I thank you.

 

KWAZULU-NATAL BY-ELECTIONS

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M HLENGWA (IFP): Hon Chairperson, on 30 September by-elections were held across the length and breadth of the country, and we would want to congratulate the IFP for winning Ward 13 in Ulundi, and importantly for winning Ward 3 at the Big Five False Bay, taking the ward from the ANC and thus effectively recapturing the municipality.

 

We believe that this is good for the people of the northern KwaZulu-Natal to ensure that they receive service delivery that they aspire. We know that the municipality of KwaHlabisa and the Big Five False Bay are going to merge post the 2016 local government elections. Therefore, this victory could have afforded us a better time for us to facilitate a better merge of these municipalities because the fallen corruption that was taking place there, people stealing money for their own benefit, we have stopped it.

 

I would want to wish the newly elected mayor, Mayor Khumalo and his team, well to make sure that they continue servicing the people as we have been doing before we were interrupted by the coalition that took place in 2011.

 

Ngakho-ke siyithathile iwadi yingakho nje nabanye oNgqongqoshe besaqhubeka nokusihhahhameza namanje, isilungulela siphezulu kanye nokuphatheka kabi kuphezulu ngoba thina siza njengeguzu kanti nina niyaqhasha nje. Sesifike qathatha enkundleni yokuphatha. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

 

[We have won a ward that is why other Ministers are still howling at us, their hearts are sore and they are sad because we are coming in a train and you are in the fast lane. We have arrived in the government platform.]

 

WATER CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

(Member’s Statement)

Mr M SHELEMBE (NFP): Hon Chairperson, South Africa is a water stressed country where this precious life giving resource had been used as an instrument of racial subjugation by government in the past stripping our people of our dignity. Today, we are facing a serious challenge in the water security of our country. Again, the dignity of our people could be impaired if we do not address the looming crisis now.

 

Ageing and crumbling infrastructure, lack of building more dams and inadequate forward planning to accommodate rapid urbanisation have all contributed to the water shortage we face as a country.

 

The province of KwaZulu-Natal, for example, is currently in the grip of crippling drought which has brought agriculture to its knees. Communities have to rely on untreated water from polluted streams, dams and irregular supply of fresh water from water tankers every second and third week. Yet, the response from the ANC-led provincial government is to organise prayer meetings for the rain whereas it should be fulfilling its mandate, an obligation to provide all our people with sufficient clean water for their daily needs.

 

It is a national shame that 21 years after attaining our democracy young black girls in rural areas still have to walk several kilometres going to fetch water and carry it on their own hands. It is a national shame that our people still have to rely on muddy dams and polluted streams for drinking water. This shame will continue for as long as the ANC is in power. I thank you.

 

CONDOLENCES TO M1 HIGHWAY VICTIMS

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr A M MUDAU (ANC): Chairperson, the ANC extend condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on 14 October, during the collapse of the bridge along the M1 Highway in Sandton, Johannesburg.

 

It is believed the structure which belonged to the construction company, Murray & Roberts, collapsed when the scaffolding around the under construction bridge curved in.

 

We also wish those who were injured during the accident a speedy recovery. We urge the authorities to swiftly investigate the circumstances that led to the collapse of this temporary bridge. We also call on big construction companies to beef up their technical capacities to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in future. Thank you, Madam Chair.

 

MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr W MADISHA (COPE): Chairperson, that the majority of the South Africans are unemployed, poor and continuously go to sleep hungry, is a fact. The struggle for liberation was to guarantee that the people shall indeed govern and have a state that addresses all problems and pains South Africans are facing. Cope is furious to learn that the state interior decorators are looking for French fabrics curtains. The prestige portfolio has blown billions of expensive Persian rugs, furnishing, fancy lighting, swimming pools, furniture and fittings.

Public Works blew R15 million on renovations for the fancy lifestyles of Minister Nkwinti and Deputy Minister Chikunga. They got upgrades of over ... [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member Chikunga! Can you take your seat! Hon Chikunga, can you please take your seat. Hon Madisha, can you please finish your statement.

 

Mr W MADISHA: She got that. The President received upgrades of over R240 million. There are too many Marie Antoinettes sitting on that side of the House.

 

In the 2011-12 financial year, Public Works spent R65 million on upgrading 27 ministerial homes. Last year, it spent even more. This is terrible and a lot has to be changed.

 

HONOURING OLIVER TAMBO’S LEGACY

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms J M MALULEKE: House Chair, the month of October is the month dedicated to honour the memory of Oliver Reginald Tambo, the late president of the ANC. OR Tambo’s legacy in South Africa was internationalism, which was one of the four pillars of our struggle. Today is OR Tambo’s birthday and he would have turned 98.

 

OR Tambo championed an international campaign to release President Mandela and other political prisoners. The campaign for sanctions against apartheid and the creation of an understanding of South Africa under apartheid were done under his leadership.

 

His skilful diplomatic skills also led to the recognition of the ANC by the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations. The declaration of apartheid as a crime against humanity was due to his tireless leadership.

 

Through President OR, the anti-apartheid movement flourished and became one of the greatest multiclass, multireligious and international solidarity movements ever seen in history. Tambo established ANC missions in Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco and in London by 1990; the ANC had acquired missions in 27 countries. Long live the spirit of OR Tambo! Thank you.

 

EMBARRASSMENT BY JULIUS MALEMA ON THE JUDICIAL SERVICES COMMISION

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr D W MACPHERSON: House Chairperson, the DA in KwaZulu-Natal is deeply disappointed and deeply embarrassed by the hon Malema of the EFF, a Commissioner on the Judicial Services Commission, JSC, questioning of High Court Judge Shyam Gyanda in an interview for the vacant deputy judge president position. This reflected the poverty, of his abilities to fathom the realities of our new found democracy.

 

In an attempt to demonise the judge simply because of him being an Indian candidate is a sad, yet pathetic reflection of the hon Malema’s almost rudimentary understanding of what our freedom entail. Under apartheid, people were classified and excluded based on race, hon Malema is attempting to do the same and now determining who is African and who is not. In fact, apartheid thinking ... [Interjection.] ...

 

Ms N V NQWENISO: On a point of order.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member! What is the point of order?

 

Ms N V NQWENISO: The Commander-in-Chief, CIC, never uttered what this man is saying. He must not mislead the House and say things that the CIC didn’t say.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order! Hon member, can you please take your seat. The proceedings of the JSE are open to the public. So, people are able to see and they can make their views. Let’s allow the hon member to finish.

 

Mr D W MACPHERSON: Chair, in fact, apartheid thinking and hon Malema’s thinking are two sides of the same coin. Just as people in apartheid were excluded or included based on race that is what hon Malema has shown in these interviews. His version of racial classification is just a more extreme version of racial nationalism. We believe ...

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Point of order.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member! What is the point of order you are risen to?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: The point of order is that the commander-in-chief never uttered those words that the gentleman is reading.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member! Hon me

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: He can never be ...

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member, can you take your seat.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: That man cannot lie here.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member, hon member.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: The man must not lie.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member! Hon member, can you please withdraw. Can you please withdraw the word you have just used because it unparliamentary – the word lie.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Okay, I withdraw that one, but he is not telling the truth. He must not mislead us.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you, you can take a seat. Can you take a seat, hon member? Hon member, can I please advise as I said earlier proceedings of the judicial services commission are open to the public. People will have their views on what commissioners or even candidates say. I think, hon member, statements are made by the parties to make their expressions of whatever issue. If the members want to object, they can do so in writing since these are statements, but I think we must allow members to make their statements uninterrupted.

 

Mr D W MACPHERSON: Chairperson, we believe that everyone who calls South Africa ... [Interjections.]

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Chair, can I address you.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member, what are you addressing me on?

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Really I want to be helped by you, hon House Chair. If somebody does not really tell the truth, how are we supposed to put it so that we can be in accordance with the rules?

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order! Hon member, as I indicated I am suggesting that you can write formally to the Speaker. In this instance, the member is making a statement on his views, on what he saw publicly on the media. Surely, his interpretation may not be the same as yours. However, I am saying let’s allow the member to finish his statement.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam House Chairperson, I would like to address you on rule 70 if I may. Madam Chairperson, points of order are meant very specifically to bring the Presiding Officers attention to a transgression of the rules of Parliament. That is what generally the practice that when we rise, we point to the rule that we believe is being transgressed. What we see repeatedly happening in the House, are people trying to extend the debating time by raising points of order that are not points of order. I would ask the Presiding Officers to apply their minds to this and to ensure that parties get the same speaking time proportionate to what the election results were and they should stop trying to eject themselves into the debates every time somebody says something they don’t agree with.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T DIDIZA): Thank you, hon Steenhuisen, I am sure this applies to all members in the House. Hon Nqweniso, can we please allow the hon member to finish the point.

 

Ms NV NQWENISO: No, Chairperson, I need your guidance. We also have that book and unfortunately we did go to school. We went to school. So, don’t come here and think that you can lecture us. Don’t, don’t do that. Don’t think that you can lecture us.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order! Hon member, you can proceed with your speech.

 

Mr D W MACPHERSON: Thank you, Chairperson, hon Malema said:

 

In the context with KZN where we have an Indian question particularly the Africans feel Indians are dominating life in every sphere.

 

That is discriminatory. We believe that anyone who calls South Africa their home is a South African. South African’s of Indian descent despite being of a minority, or are as much equals as any other racially classified group and cannot and must not be denied their rights of contribution with participation.

 

The EFF, with hon leader as its leader, have repeatedly flaunted on the race group as ... [Time expired.]

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Hon House Chair, may I address you. I just want to bring to your attention that whatever is said or is going to be said by the ANC or the DA about the young and the upcoming leader Julius Malema ... [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member, you are making a statement and I have asked for a point of order, which you have not given.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: I am giving you a point of order.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Take your seat. Can you please take your seat? Hon members, I know you might have views of whatever nature but this is the statements time. The EFF did have its slot but you are not addressing any point of order. I am not giving you the space, can you please allow us to proceed.

 

ANC’S 4TH NATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL HELD IN GALLAGHER ESTATE

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms D G MAHLANGU: Hon Chairperson, 4 000 ANC delegates, including delegations from the alliance partners gathered for the ANC’s 4th National General Council, NGC, from 12-14 October 2015 at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand. [Applause.] This was the most successful NGC which saw some serious introspection being done about the state of the party and the challenges it faces.

 

This gathering was a huge success, despite attempts by some section of the media and other detractors to predict that the gathering was going to be a political showdown and a dress rehearsal for 2017. If indeed it was a dress rehearsal for 2017, it showed an ANC that has gone a long way in uniting its forces and more than ready to take this unity to new heights.

 

The NGC started with a presentation on uncomfortable and serious challenges facing the movement but it went a long way to achieve what we had expected from it and somehow even went beyond. The renewal of ANC as an organisation has been one of the main themes of the NGC.

 

The NGC further emphasised the absolute necessity of our alliance ... [Time expired.]

 

REMINANTS OF APARTHEID ERA – SHARE

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr A PLOUAMMA (Agang SA): Chairperson, we must never shy away from the truth that negotiated settlements are always problematic. We need an outright victory against remnants of racist economy. The rainbow nation has become a lightening that strikes its own people. South Africa has become two worlds because of the conditions created by apartheid.

 

The ruling party is massaging the skewed odd of things. We therefore need a revolution that will fully restore the dignity of our people. Our people are tired of being mobbed by those who benefited from the past and spent their time creating the new Abel Muzorewa just to protect what they have stolen, instead of voluntarily embarking on investing to our poor communities.

 

The advice we want to give as Agang SA is that, we need to share and that should happen now. If that does not happen, this country will burn. Those who benefited from the exploitative ways of the past must commit to share with our people. This nation was oppressed for more than 300 years, and if we want to avoid a violent revolution in the future, we must share now and help our people with sincerity and not manipulation. I thank you.

 

ANC RAPID DECLINE

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms P T VAN DAMME (DA): Chairperson, the ANC is a party in rapid decline. More and more South Africans are joining the DA while the ANC lose its membership faster than Usain Bolt can run as this was revealed at its recent National General Council, NGC just as ... liciniso libuhlungu, akunjalo? [The truth hurts, is it not so?]

 

Just last week, the ANC Proportional Representation, PR councillor, Linda Landu from Mbekweni in Cape Town, chose the DA as her new political home. As with many South Africans, Landu became disillusioned with the ANC. This came mere days after another ANC councillor in the City of Cape Town, Siseko Mabidiza from Kraaifontein, also joined the DA. South Africans from all walks of life and from different backgrounds are choosing the DA which is the party for all South Africans. The DA is looking forward to welcome many more South Africans who want to join the blue wave in putting South Africa first. Thank you.

 

MYCITI BUS ROUTE - WYNBERG

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr A F MADELLA (ANC): On 13 October the Western Cape High Court effectively stopped plans by the City of Cape Town to build a new MyCiTi route in the area of Wynberg. A total of 26 families would have lost their homes because their homes would have been demolished if the city was not stopped by the High Court. The court found that the families hadn’t been adequately consulted by the DA-led City of Cape Town regarding the expanding of the bus route in the area, something that the ANC in particular has been warning the DA against for years.

 

Today we hear that they are planning to appeal this progressive court outcome. We say good luck to them because they are in for another lecture on the importance of public consultation. The ANC wish to remind the DA once more to take public consultation and participation seriously, otherwise they are compromising the very founding principles of our constitutional democracy.

 

It did not take the courts long to impress upon them something very simple and reasonable, to let the people decide what is good for them. The ANC welcomes this ruling which protected our people from the City of Cape Town’s dismissive and disdain of this one important pillar of our democracy which is public participation and public consultation. We certainly believe and support this campaign. We will therefore intensify it, hashtag the DA must fall.

 

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

PRESTIGE PORTFOLIO

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: House Chair, on the two matters which reflect on the Department of Public Works, firstly, Kimberly psychiatric hospital. This has been and remains a Northern Cape Provincial project. The original contractor asked to come on board in the process, failed to do an effective job and the contact was terminated by the Provincial Department of Public Works, the contractor was suspended. Unfortunately, the contractor then open up a court case and it meant that the building site was secure but left open to the weather and other elements. For two years, inability to put a new contractor into place was delayed.

 

I visited the site along with hon Minister Nxesi to assist the provincial department, and we were satisfied that the new contractor is moving ahead effectively. The Minister certainly didn’t say the deadline will be met on time because two years have been lost in the process, but we are very determined to ensure that these kinds of problems don’t recur.

 

As to the prestige portfolio which the hon Madisha raised, we are very aware that the Department of Public Works nationally, like Public Works Departments internationally are very exposed to the dangers of corruption. Hon Minister Nxesi has been driving a very hard tough process of eliminating corruption from our department.

 

There has been serious price inflation in many of the prestige projects. There are some indications that in some cases this involves corruption within the department. As a result, we have pressed a number of charges, laid criminal charges, there have been disciplinary actions against senior personnel within our department, dismissals and we have also opened cases through the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit, SIU. We are also then taking out civil action against private contractors who often inflate both the prices and the scope of what is required.

 

We realised that in order to correct this thing apart from dealing efficiently and firmly with corruption, we also need to improve the professionalism of the Department of Public Works. For that reason, we have introduced Property Management Trading Entity so that we deal professional with our property portfolio. We are also trying to rebuild our workshop capacity so that we ... Thank you very much, House Chair. [Time expired.]

 

UNAVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR STUDENTS

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Hon Chairperson, I would like to respond to the point raised by the hon Maynier, who claims that the challenges that we are confronted with for post-school education is as simple as he puts it. He says, take R720 million which was for the rand depreciation and allocate it to education, demonstrating complete ignorance and misunderstanding of the issues. R2 billion for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, bank, take it to education.

 

I take it that we are responsible hon Members of Parliament here, that political posturing should not stand in the way of us being reasonable and taking ... You are Parliament and it is for that reason that the processes that are unfolding, are going to come back with a process to this Parliament so that we don’t stand out on populist grandstanding and political posturing, so that we take sensible decisions and allocate resources where they are due, and that all stakeholders - and we have seen it taking hold already, that all stakeholders are sitting around the table to find a solution to the challenge. All the grandstanders, when we come to the committees to deal with the matters will be nowhere to be found. The ANC government stands firm and resolute that this challenge will be addressed. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]

 

WATER AVAILABILITY IN RURAL AREAS

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION: Thank you very much, House Chair. The issue raised by the hon member from the NFP, with regard to water availability in the rural areas and the impact on women, is something that we have also taken into consideration, giving the following realities; the reality of global warming as well as the rising temperatures in South Africa have also exacerbated the ability to provide water. But, what is it that we have been able to do? We have looked at the capacity of local government with the declaration of a disaster in KwaZulu-Natal, the second phase. We have been able to work with all local authorities through the provincial government and the Umungeni and Mhlathuze Water Boards in providing water through alternative means.

 

We are also refurbishing water infrastructure so that we minimise water losses due to the leakages. We have also rolled out the war on leaks that, also trains young people so that we deal with the capacity of local government concerning water security management.

 

What is also important, is an investment on raising public awareness concerning roads and responsibilities so that whilst South Africans have a right to clean and sustainable water supply, we also have to change our behaviour with regard to water use and water management. However, one of the things that we have to celebrate as this House is that, through Statistics SA, it has been proven that South Africa has actually increased the percentage of water access by particularly the most disadvantage of our communities in the rural areas to 67%. That shows again a relief and an intervention to those who are most vulnerable, the women and the girl child. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS

 

(Minister’s response)

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Chairperson, I am a teetotaler. So, I don’t drink alcohol. I just want to mention madam, an amendment that there isn’t any house that I am occupying that is under construction or being renovated.

 

Hon Madisha comes to the House. He makes statements and he brandishes our names without checking with us. There isn’t a house that I am occupying that has been renovated. I just want to place it on record. Therefore, what he is saying is not true. I am Sindi Chikunga. [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you hon member. I thought hon Cronin, the Minister responsible for public works when the matter was referred to, has adequately answered on the matters of prestige. Thank you, hon member.

 

RESPONSE IN RESPECT OF POST OFFICE WORKERS

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF TELECOMMUNICATION AND POSTAL SERVICES: Thank you, House Chair. I am told that while I was busy with some urgent issues two parties raised issues, I think the EFF and the NFP about the payments of the staff at SA Post Office, Sapo. I am rising to make members aware that the post office has some cash flow problems, not necessarily because of it’s own making. I want to assure the members that I met management of the post office today and directed them that they should pay the workers and prioritise the payment of the workers.

 

The key problem is Private Capital which runs to court every month, which has had a wrong contract, driving the post office to courts and demanding the money. That’s what we are dealing with. By tomorrow all the workers should be paid and Private Capital should wait. That’s what we have decided with the post office. Thank you very much.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you. Are there any other Ministerial statements? If there are none, this concludes ...

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY: There is a deliberate issue that because of grandstanding and political posturing has been raised here, that has misled the House. The Deputy Minister has raised the issue. I think the ethics committee must deal with it.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you, hon Chief Whip. I think the appropriate action by the member to formally lodge a complaint; will have to be done accordingly to the appropriate committee as you have indicated. Thank you. This concludes ministerial statements and member’s statements.

 

Ms S P MABE: Chair, I am proud because I look like my father, so, I have no hard feelings. Hon Chair, Parliament is obligated in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Public Service Commission Act, Act 46 of 1997, to recommend candidates for appointment as National Public Service Commissioners. Section 196 of the Constitution empowers the portfolio committee to appoint five commissioners for the National Public Service Commission. Each commissioner should serve for a period of five years renewable term.

 

On 22 October 2014, the advertisement of the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, PSC, was published in the national newspapers and the portfolio committee appointed its members to conduct the short-listing and interviews of the applicants. Two hundred applicants responded to the advert and most of the candidates who responded were at post graduate level. Candidates were shortlisted based on their previous background, knowledge and experience in the administration of the public service.

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration as well as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, unanimously resolved to recommend that the House approves the appointment of Mr Ben Mkhonto-Mthembu to the position of the National Public Service Commissioner. I move that the House adopts the report. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

Mr M WATERS: Chair, the DA would like to make a declaration, please. Thank you.

 

Declarations of votes:

Mr A P VAN DER WESTHUIZEN: Hon Chairperson, hon members, as you’ve heard the DA supports the nomination of Mr Ben Mkhonto-Mthembu as a member of the Public Service Commission, yet I struggle to find words to describe my frustration that it took this House more than a year to fill this vacancy. A vacancy that need not come about unexpectedly! No! It occurred when Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu’s previous term of office as a chair of the commission expired last year.

 

Any competent body would commence with the filling of an expected vacancy early enough to avoid disruption and to ensure a seamless transition. This clearly is not the case with this nomination. This is just another signal that this country, and particularly Parliament, is indeed in need of new and strong leadership.

 

The National Development Plan is quite clear on the importance of a good, strong and efficient public service – a public service in which an individual’s career would not be influenced by his or her support for a particular cause. It is the important mandate of the Public Service Commission to ensure that the public service adheres to the values and principles of good public administration.

 

Parliament’s failure to act independently and Parliament having to wait for the word “go” from Luthuli House resulted in the Public Service Commission wafting leaderless for more than a year. This situation was exacerbated when also the position of deputy chair was left vacant for a year. What has government’s response been to this lack of action and the manifestation of poor planning and execution by Parliament? More legislation! The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration has been served with proposed amendments to the Public Service Commission Act in order for the commission itself to, in future, name a temporary Chairperson should Parliament again fail to ensure that such a vacancy is filled in good time.

 

It is clear that even the department has zero confidence in Parliament and its processes. This delay is also proof that Luthuli House first needed to express itself with regard to the process, those shortlisted and the preferred candidate before it could be brought to Parliament.

 

Hon members, for how long will you allow yourselves to be controlled by an outside body? The National Development Plan speaks of a strong independent chair of the Public Service Commission who must carry cross party support. We would like to see that the ANC will now allow Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu and the commissioners, many of whom are not as politically independent as envisaged in the Constitution, to address the failures in the public service without having to account to Luthuli House first. I thank you.

 

Ms N V MENTE:  Hon House Chair, the EFF supports the appointment of Mr Ben Mkhonto-Mthembu to another term as a commissioner in the Public Service Commission. No, don’t just say that, please. We do so simply because over the past five years, he has demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of unprecedented interference from the ANC in the functioning of the public service.

 

We also know that Mr Mkonto-Mthembu has been recommended because the ANC’s preferred person for the job was not competent enough in the interviews, unable to answer the most basic questions while Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu proved to all that he is not just independent, but he has a very strong backbone too. The EFF takes the role of the Public Service Commission very seriously in the fight against malpractice and corruption in the public service to ensure that government’s functions are performed.

 

The Public Service Commission should therefore be empowered to recommend tough actions against components of the public service found to be consistently failing to do what they ought to be doing. Commissioner Mkhonto-Mthembu has been consistent over the period of time to ensure that the public service does what the public service has to do, but his efforts have been frustrated by the ruling party, of course. The tendency by the ANC to marginalise constitutional bodies which go against the ANC’s culture of corruption is deeply embedded.

 

We must guard against them doing what they are doing to the Public Protector’s office. We must support the appointment of Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu and, as the EFF, we vow to protect his office from further marginalisation by the ANC. Indeed, it is frustrating and leaves much to be desired why it took over a year for the chairperson of such an important commission to be appointed. The answer lies in Luthuli House. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

Mr S C MNCWABE: The Public Service Commission is tasked and empowered to investigate, monitor and evaluate the organisation and the administration of the public service. This mandate also entails the evaluation of the achievements or lack of the government’s programmes. The PSC also has an obligation to promote measures that would ensure effective and efficient performance within the public service and to promote values and principles of public administration as set out in the Constitution of the country throughout the public service.

 

The incumbent commissioner Mr Ben Mkhonto-Mthembu is ideally equipped to resume the service in the PSC as former chairperson of the PSC since 2011 and a member of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration. He has a wealth of experience to draw upon in executing his task. In addition to his expertise and previous background knowledge, Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu is suitably qualified for the post as a commissioner, holding a master’s degree in public and development management together with a host of other post graduate qualifications. The NFP firmly believes these qualifications will enable him to fulfil his mandate as a commissioner and make a positive contribution in combating the wave of corruption which is threatening to engulf government and public administration. The NFP welcomes the portfolio committee report to support the appointment of Mr Mkhonto-Mthembu as a national public service commissioner.

 

Sihlalo, siyi-NFP siyamxhasa uMvelase waseQhudeni, Ebathenjini [Inaudible.] [Chairperson, as the NFP we support Mvelase from eQhudeni, Ebathenjini clan [Inaudible.]]

 

Mr M HLENGWA: Chairperson, the IFP the supports the name of Mr Ben Mthembu, but we do want to point out that, failing to plan is planning to fail. The slow pace at which at times the processes of Parliament are seen to be carried out is a major problem in the stability and the functioning of the institutions which have been set up to safeguard the work of government and public service in this case. And so, the delay in this appointment is a major problem and is something that should not happen again, because for as long as we do that, we hamper the full functioning of those institutions.

 

We depend on the Public Service Commission, PSC, and hope that he will observe the batho pele principles in order to ensure that people who are in the public service are competent and efficient. We will rely of on the PSC to maintain a healthy system of checks and balances in public service administration. Whenever we are looking at the work - particularly the finance due processes, the National Treasury’s observance of the PFMA and other regulation - it is important that institutions that have been set up to move government’s governance machinery forward make sure that that happens. But the slow pace at times ... We have been down this road before and it goes back to planning.

 

So, moving forward, the expiry dates of the contracts of the commissioners are known on the date of their appointment, therefore it shouldn’t be that we wait until the contract or the term expires before we begin with the process. We must be able to have the foresight which says to us that we have got the collective interests of the functioning of these institutions at heart. So, we wish Mr Mthembu well in his duties. He has been a commissioner before and we hope that the experience and the retention of continuity in the institution is going to assist the PSC to do its work better, smarter and faster. But we must really get our ducks in a row as Parliament in order to avoid a situation whereby

 

... sisuka emva kwesikhathi. [... we react after the effect.]

 

Ms R M M LESOMA: Hon House Chair, firstly, to the hon member of the EFF, no candidate came closer or near Mr Mthembu. That is a known fact. Secondly, to the hon member from the DA who was part of the whole process ... It is quite unfortunate that the Opposition just oppose for the sake of opposing. I hope that one of the good days they will rise up from their petty politics.

 

Having said that, we collectively and without any dissenting voice agreed on the shortlisted candidates and also ... [Interjections.] ... and also ... Listen to me. And also ... [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, please continue.

 

Ms R M M LESOMA: And also ... [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order, hon members!

 

Ms R M M LESOMA: Hon Chairperson, all of us agreed on the shortlisted candidates and the appointment of Mr Mthembu. The reasons for that were very clear, namely, his wide experience in public service and strong leadership skill, not Luthuli House. Don’t bring Luthuli House into this because it will mean that even the DA agreed with Luthuli House.

 

Question put: That the House approves the nomination of Mr Ben Mkhonto Mthembu to fill the position of commissioner on the Public Service Commission.

 

AYES - 258: Abrahams, B L; Adams, F; Adams, P E; Bagraim  , M; Baker, T E; Balindlela, Z B N; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Basson, L J; Basson, J V; Bekwa, S D; Bergman, D; Beukman, F; Bhengu, P; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, F; Bilankulu, N K; Bongo, B T; Booi, M S; Boshoff, H S; Bozzoli, B; Brauteseth, T J; Breytenbach, G; Brown, L; Buthelezi, M G; Capa, R N; Capa, N; Cardo, M J; Carrim, Y I; Carter, D; Cassim, Y; Cebekhulu, R N; Cele, B H; Cele, M A; Chance, R W T; Chikunga, L S; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; Davies, R H; Davis, G R; De Kock, K; Didiza, A T; Dirks, M A; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlulane, B N; Dreyer, A M; Dunjwa, M L; Edwards, J; Esau, S; Esterhuizen, J A; Faku, Z C; Figg, M J; Figlan, A M; Fubbs, J L; Gamede, D D; Gana, S M; Gcwabaza, N E; Gina, N; Goqwana, M B; Gqada, T; Grootboom, G A; Gumede, D M; Hadebe, T Z; Hanekom, D A; Hlengwa, M; Horn, W; Hunsinger, C H H; James, L V; James, W G; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, M; Jongbloed, Z; Kalyan, S V; Kekana, H B; Kekana, C D; Kekana, M D; Kekana , E; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Khosa, D H; Khoza, M B; Khoza, T Z M; Kohler, D; Koornhof, G W; Kopane, S P; Kruger, H C C; Krumbock, G R; Lees, R A;  Lekota, M G P; Lesoma, R M  M; Letsatsi-Duba, D B; Lovemore, A T; Luyenge, Z; Luzipo, S; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabe, B P; Mabe, P P; Mabija, L; Mabika, M S; Mabilo, S P; Mabudafhasi, T R; Mackay, G; Macpherson, D W; Madella, A F; Madisha, W M; Madlopha, C Q; Maesela, P; Mafu, N N; Magadla, N W; Magadzi, D P; Mahambehlala, T; Mahlalela, A F; Mahlangu, J L; Mahlangu, D G; Majola, F Z; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makondo, T; Makwetla, S P; Malatsi, M S; Malgas, H H; Maluleke, J M; Maluleke, B J; Manana, D P; Manana, M C; Manana, M N S; Mandela, Z M D; Mapulane, M P; Marais, S J F; Marais, E J; Martins, B A D; Masango, B S; Masango, M S A; Masehela, E K M; Maseko, L M; Mashatile, S P; Mashego-Dlamini, K C; Mashile, B L; Masondo, N A; Masuku, M B; Masutha, T M; Mathale, C C; Mathebe, D H; Matsepe, C D; Matshoba, M O; Matsimbi, C; Mavunda, R T; Maxegwana, C H M; Mazzone, N W A; Mbhele, Z N; Mchunu, S; Mcloughlin, A R; Mdakane, M R; Memela, T C; Mente, N V; Mhlongo, T W; Mileham, K J; Mjobo, L N; Mkongi, B M; Mmemezi, H M Z; Mmola, M P; Mmusi, S G; Mncwabe, S C; Mncwango, M A; Mnganga - Gcabashe, L A; Mnguni, D; Mnisi, N A; Mogotsi, V P; Mokause, M O; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morapela, K Z; Morutoa, M R; Mosala, I; Motau, S C; Mothapo, M R M; Motimele, M S; Mpumlwana, L K B; Msimang, C T; Mthembu, J M; Mthethwa, E M; Mudau, A M; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Nene, N M; Nesi, B A; Ngcobo, B T; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nkadimeng, M F; Nkomo, S J; November, N T; Ntombela, M L D; Nyalungu, R E; Nyambi, H V; Oliphant, M N; Ollis, I M; Patel, E; Peters, E D; Phosa, Y N; Pikinini, I A; Qikani, A D N; Rabotapi, M W; Radebe, B A; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantho, D Z; Raphuti, D D; Redelinghuys, M H; Robertson, K P; Robinson, D; Ross, D C; Schmidt, H C; Semenya, M R; September, C C; Shabangu, S; Shaik Emam, A M; Shelembe, M L; Shinn, M R; Sibande, M P; Singh, N; Sisulu, L N; Sithole, K P; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Skwatsha, M; Sotyu, M M; Steenhuisen, J H; Steyn, A; Stubbe, D J; Thabethe, E; Tleane, S A; Tobias, T V; Tom, X S; Tongwane, T M A; Tseke, G K; Tseli, R M; Tuck, A; v R Koornhof, N J J; Van Dalen, P; Van Damme, P T; Van Der Merwe, L L; Van Der Walt, D; Van Der Westhuizen, A P; Van Dyk, V; Van Rooyen, D D D; Van Schalkwyk, S R; Vos, J; Walters, T C R; Waters, M; Williams, A J; Wilson, E R; Xego-Sovita, S T; Zulu, L D.

 

Question agreed to.

 

Nomination accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 196(8)(a) of the Constitution.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM - 2015 TOURISM INDABA

 

Ms B T NGCOBO: Hon Chairperson, hon members ...

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order hon members, the noise is high! Continue hon member.

 

Ms B T NGCOBO: ... the Portfolio Committee on Tourism was at the Indaba from 9-11 May 2015. The Indaba is one of the policy instruments used by government to drive the attainment of the National Development Plan targets of creating 11 million jobs by 2030. The latest satellite tourism account is showing figures of 2013. The tourism sector in South Africa provided 665 direct jobs and a total of 1,5 million jobs including the indirect jobs.

 

The World Travel and Tourism Council job index indicates that tourism in South Africa is responsible for one in every 11 jobs. The latest 2014 statistics show that the sector contributed R357 billion to the gross domestic product, GDP, which constitutes 10% of the total GDP of the country.

 

Tourism Indaba plays a pivotal role in facilitating business transactions amongst various businesses. The 2014 Indaba brought together a myriad of southern Africa tourism products and services to this international travel show which serves as a single point of contact with high-paced relevant engagements delivering seamless access to all that Africa offers in terms of leisure and tourism. The trade show was attended by 1 000 exhibitors from 20 African countries, 200 buyers from world tourism source markets and 750 members of the media.

 

Indaba creates a platform for emerging local tourism business to get access to international markets. The 2014 Indaba brought 40 tourism small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, which were exposed to markets and over two days they were engaged in speed market sessions.

 

Indaba also serves as a tool for communicating positive images about South Africa and pushing the Pan Africanism needed in the sector to claim its rightful place in the world. Indaba 2015 presented an opportunity to ameliorate the image of South Africa and mitigate against bad publicity the country had received through Ebola epidemic and xenophobic attacks.

 

The committee had an opportunity to attend the 2nd Indaba Ministerial Roundtable discussions hosted by the Minister of Tourism. The theme of this roundtable was “Africa: Open for Tourism Business”, and this session afforded 13 African Ministers and key tourism industry players an opportunity to discuss and debate the current state of Tourism in Africa with a view to collectively formulate solutions to grow and develop tourism on the continent.

 

Having observed proceedings at the Indaba and considered inherent issues, the committee recommends to the Minister of Tourism that the South African Tourism: conducts an impact analysis of other shows such as the World Tourism Market Africa show on Indaba to ascertain if these contributed to dwindling attendance at Indaba; conducts an impact assessment of the recent xenophobic attacks on destination image for South Africa as whole, and Indaba in particular; engages the Tourism Business Council of SA to prevent tourism establishments from inflating prices during Indaba; and improve and modernise Indaba to ensure that it serves the industry well and grows to be a true number one African Tourism Show.

 

Furthermore, the Department of Tourism and South African Tourism should introduce mechanisms to support emerging tourism enterprises to meaningfully attend Indaba; Indaba should incorporate more of industry talks or enhance the Techzone talks to become full-blown conference themes held alongside Indaba; and African countries should be hosted under one venue to facilitate interaction and comparison of African products for buyers.

 

The committee asks Parliament to adopt this report. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

There was no debate.

 

The Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the Report be adopted.

 

Declaration(s) of vote:

Mr J VOS: Organisers recorded a drop in attendance figures at the recent Tourism Indaba. Some countries even boycotted the event and this all while the Minister of Tourism conceded that this travel showpiece needs a boost and that the next Indaba will be run together with an international partner. Hopefully, this move will assist in repairing our tourism brand as a result of the draconian travel regulations implemented last year.

 

While some of the recently announced concessions could provide some assistance, the DA maintains that the introduction of electronic visas should be the way forward for South Africa. These technologies have proven to be very efficient, safe and have improved turnaround times in the countries in which they have been adopted. It is also a measure to streamline tourist facilitation to your country.

 

Moving on, the Tourism Indaba is one of the largest marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three events of its kind on the global tourism calendar. It goes without saying that more should be done to ensure that the Tourism Indaba connects the right players with the right products that will lead to increases in both domestic and international arrivals.

 

What is needed Madam Chair, is an economy-wide analysis of the distributional effects of tourism expansion and therefore, offering a means to the question: Can tourism help alleviate poverty in South Africa? Therefore, Madam Chair, our debate should actually shift to deal with the current discourse between tourism and poverty alleviation. The mere fact that tourism takes place does not imply that money trickles down to the poor. We need real measures to ensure that tourism does reduce poverty and ultimately economic benefits for host communities. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: The potential growth and development that is catalysed by tourism in this country has yet to be fully understood and taken advantage of. While it is claimed that tourism currently employs 1,5 million people contributing about 9% of the country’s GDP, we are of the same view that this potential could be much more. Unfortunately, the 2015 Tourism Indaba held at Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in May this year continued to do what previous tourism Indabas did, and that is promoting the very same kinds of tourism destinations in the country and the continent.

 

Your own studies, as the Department of Tourism, shows that there remains an untapped potential for cultural and historical tourism in the country, and that the majority of black people do not tour the country as much as they should be. This is because most of the areas punted as tourist attractions have nothing to do with black people but everything to do with celebrating Eurocentric values. So, we cannot support the continued use of public money to stage the Tourism Indaba that does very little to transform the tourism landscape in this country. 

 

Secondly, this country has been hosting this Tourism Indaba since 1979 but there has never been a study by government to assess the impact on tourism that this Indaba has. Is it necessary to host it? Does it add any value in promoting South African tourism? We do not know the answers but we keep on pumping public money into it. We are a government that has suspended thinking.

 

Thirdly, as much as tourism may be employing a certain number of people, very little has been done to change the demographic make-up of real beneficiaries of tourism, the guesthouses, game farms and so on. People with land and who are able to capitalise on the land have not made lots of money. Tourists essentially come to see various landmarks that represent cultural practices of a country. In our case, the majority of people do not have land and all that land enables tourism operators to benefit. Therefore, tourism remains an enclave of those advantaged by apartheid with very little multiplier effect.

 

The Tourism Indaba just glosses over these inequalities and presents a much faked picture of South Africa. We therefore reject this report.

 

Mr R N CEBEKHULU: Chairperson, the 2015 Tourism Indaba held at Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 8-11 May was a resounding success and congratulations to its organiser, the SA Tourism for its continued success. With tourism accounting for nearly 10% of the gross domestic product on the African continent as well as directly and indirectly supporting 20,5 million jobs, it is an industry that requires our utmost support and continued impetus.

 

Africa hosted over 56 million tourists in 2014 and this figure is expected to increase in 2015. We, as a continent and as a country, need to ensure that we create an environment that attracts rather than scare tourists. Our universities are world class and attract a large number of tertiary “tourism” through foreign students seeking to complete full or part-time degrees up to PhD level at such institutes. We must be mindful of not alienating this revenue stream through local instability as we want to see growth and not contraction in South Africa’s share of the modern education market.

 

The issue of xenophobia is another critical concern and we, accordingly, call upon all South Africans to eradicate this kind of mentality; it has no place in our rainbow nation and will not assist us in continuing to be the premier tourist destination. The IFP supports the report.

 

Declarations of vote:

Ms D CARTER: Chairperson, tourism is the key drive of our economy and we need to ensure that South Africa and Africa continue to attract tourism; an issue like the Tourism Indaba having a permanent home should be discussed with all role players and resolved speedily. Uncertainty and respective hosting must be removed.

 

It is also imperative that the implementation of the Indaba reveals innovative and creative approaches. The Indaba indeed does represent Africa under one roof, and it is the only 360 degree mass marketing of tourism on the African continent.

 

In the words of the report, it showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and it tracks significant international buyers, media and travel bloggers from around the world. It is regrettable that the show has reached the point where it has become stagnant and needs a complete overhaul. The African tourism show must be as good as its international counterparts such as the world trade markets, the ITB and others.

Tourism in Africa directly and indirectly supports 20,5 million jobs and represents 8,1% of Africa’s gross domestic products, GDP. African Ministers must get together with the view to collectively formulating solutions to grow and develop tourism on the continent. The African market must invest in infrastructure development, visa facilitation and connectivity.

 

It is anticipated that by 2020, Africa will receive 85 million international tourist arrivals. This number will rise to 134 million by 2030 representing 6,3% and 7,4% of international tourist arrivals worldwide.

 

Cope believes that the AU should include tourism on its agenda in order to elevate tourism as the economic driver in the continent. That body must give serious consideration to putting systems in place to advance and the univisa regime on the continent. Africa is a truly unique and authentic destination in the world to visit, but we have to ask the question: How long will it take to restart the tourism engine, which was so abruptly switched off by Minister Gigaba? The opposition warned and warned, and even called for snap debates on the issue.

 

However, months later, millions that even cost job losses in the industry, then decisions are just simply retracted; but Cope supports the report. Thank you.

 

Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: House Chair, hon members of the House, the tourism Indaba, has for years, been the undisputed jewel in the crown of tourism in South Africa but has recently lost its luster. The question is, what can be done to halt a decline in attendance and to steer the event on a path of glory again.

 

We are particularly encouraged by the realistic assessment of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism it has made regarding the decline of this prestigious event and agreed the entire concept needs to be evaluated, improved and modernised. Most important however, is to determine a permanent home for the Tourism Indaba to source a suitable venue that will meet the demands of this important marketing event, the largest on the African tourism calendar and to identify an international partner that will bring much needed international expertise to the table.

 

The portfolio committee report is unfortunately silent on the devastating effect that recent visa requirements have had on the South African tourism sector. Whereas in Africa is experiencing unprecedented growth in the tourism sector, South Africa has experienced a decline, particularly with the arrival of families, which has dropped by 10% since the implementation of the new visa regulations in June 2015.

 

However, Chairperson, the NFP welcomes the latest intervention in this regard which will certainly go a long way in boosting tourism once again and further create more jobs to boost our economy. In conclusion, the NFP accepts the Portfolio Committee Report on Tourism. Thank you.

 

Ms Z S MAKHUBELE: House Chair, tourism Indaba continues to be the pillar of the South African tourism market as a platform. The strides made by this premiere show are noticeable. One of the recommendations that we are putting in this report is that Indaba must be improved in format and in content.

 

It must also be modernised to ensure that it serves the industry well as one of the best tourism show. It must include the rethinking and the remodeling of the event in terms of its space, the versatility of the event and the products that the tourism industry is bringing to the platform.

 

The growth of this Tourism Indaba has become a Pan African show, which indicates the role played by the South African tourism sector not only as an economic driver but also in social cohesion?

 

Lastly, Indaba represents Africa under one roof. It is a 360 degree mass-marketing tourism show that the African continent host and all we can do is to make Tourism Indaba bigger, and better. I thank you.

 

Motion agreed to (EFF dissenting).

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION ON PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THEFT AND VANDALISM OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Mr L JOHNSON: Chairperson and Members of Parliament, this is a report that has to do with vandalism and theft of water infrastructure in South Africa today. There were 12 submissions, four of which were oral, which demonstrated serious collaboration among the affected stakeholders. Various departments had to be involved and these include the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Department of Police, the state-owned enterprises and private sectors, especially those that are directly involved in this scheme related to scrap metal.

 

Also to be cited in this whole exercise was the water plan that was identified as to be one of the major concerns, this includes maintenance and, of course, this exercise of catching culprits or transgressors of the law. The arrests and the fines that get to be meted out as penalties against those who transgress leave a lot to be desired. In some instances, if you are to be fined, arrested or convicted, you will be fined R5000 which is equal to five years imprisonment. So those that transgress easily walk smiling to pay the R5000 fines.

 

Equally important as we are engaging this exercise was recognition of the fact that these water facilities that are being vandalised and stolen are a national key point in our country today. And, of course, also what leads up to this whole exercise of theft and vandalism are additions to the water loses that our country is confronted with, which is 37% as we stand now.

 

There has also been a need for us to identify and recognise copper as a precious metal so that anybody carrying copper, just like anybody who would be carrying gold or platinum, that person must have the requisite documents or a license, so to speak.

 

Lastly, I submit this report for consideration by this august House. Thank you, Chairperson.

 

There was no debate.

 

The Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the Report be adopted.

 

Declarations:

Mr L BASSON: Honourable Chair, South Africa is currently facing a critical challenge with regards to the vandalism and theft of water infrastructure as well as theft of electrical copper cables. During September and October 2014, thousands of residence in parts of Gauteng went without water for almost two weeks. Minister Nomvula Mokonyane called this, a technical glitch. These kinds of glitches are costing South Africa billions. Theft and vandalism have become major challenges to municipalities. The replacement value of stolen and vandalised infrastructure is currently close to R500 billion per annum.

 

Vandalism can also be linked to the tankering of drinking water. We see more and more water tankers delivering water to areas that have previously received pipe water in their homes. This has become an easy way to loot the coffers of municipalities, with little to no control over the delivery of water in townships. The DA believes that the only way to stop the vandalism is to assist municipalities to buy their own water tankers and supply water to communities in need, thereby remove the need from private contractors. This will bring accountability to municipalities, stop corruption and jobs for connected ANC cadres. The DA supports this report. Thank you.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: House Chair, the greatest vandalism of water infrastructure in this country is committed by the ANC-led government by ignoring to fix ageing infrastructure and depending on infrastructure that was built by apartheid government and which was not meant to cater for the water needs of black people. The Minister of Water and Sanitation indicated last year that 10% of existing water systems were dysfunctional and that a further 26% were not reliable. This, from the Minister, is a gross underestimation of the real problem facing water infrastructure.

 

According to your own norms and standards, each person must get a basic free allowance of 25litres a day even though a bath uses 80litres and flushing a toilet 10litres. This is 6 000litres per household a month. The water must be available within 200metres of person’s house and with a 98% guarantee of supply throughout the year. But because we have invested very little in the water infrastructure, many South African’s households do not have access to water and the ageing infrastructure is going to make matters worse. The problem therefore is not the vandalism of the infrastructure by poor South Africans, but the problem is the government acting criminally by not fixing infrastructure or investing in new water infrastructure.

 

It is reported that the country will need over R600 billion over the next 10 years to fix current challenges with regard to water infrastructure problems, but the government is not willing to make any substantial investments in fixing these challenges. The figure needed is 10 times more than what the government is currently spending on water infrastructure. People are demanding water infrastructure because they are frustrated by the government treating them as second-hand class citizens. We urge the government to stop criminalising the poor who as a result of being frustrated by the ANC end up showing their frustration by destroying water infrastructure. The real criminals are those who are refusing to treat water security as an urgent matter, which in this case is the ANC-led government and its Minister. The EFF therefore rejects this report.

 

Mr R N CEBEKHULU: Chairperson, water resource management in South Africa has never been in a more peculiar stage than it is right now. Access to water that is clean and safe as well as the efficient and sustainable use of water for economic growth and social equity are key challenges that we face today in South Africa. Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure in this country are only compounding the problem and currently dealing a crippling blow to an already faltering system. This is an issue that we currently have little data on as we have not been paying much attention to it up until recently, but reports are clear that it is only going to get worse if allowed to continue on its unchecked trajectory.

 

Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure must carry heavy criminal sanctions and must be prosecuted to the full extend of the law. SA Police Service, SAPS, must ensure that such cases are not merely dismissed out of hand as being minor or petty, as these crimes can lead to serious problems for the communities in which they occur. Government must do everything in its power to increase, protect, maintain and conserve our water infrastructure and ensure that all have access to this precious resource. The IFP supports this report. Thank you.

 

Mr M L SHELEMBE: Hon Chairperson, the report tabled by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation lists theft and vandalism together with a lack of operations and maintenance, water resources availability and lack of bulk infrastructure as major sources of interruption in the supply of water to our communities. The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation recommends that there should be greater co-ordination amongst relevant department and stakeholders in implementing legislation dealing with the theft and vandalism of water infrastructure. The NFP fully supports this recommendation. We agree that the issue of theft and vandalism is complex. On the one hand, theft is largely driven by organised syndicates, vandalism on the other hand is a symptom of our people who have still not taken ownership of our resources, a legacy which is a result of many years of apartheid and a systematic suppression of our people.

 

The NFP also supports the recommendation of expanding existing legislation that will broaden the powers of policing and in particular the trade in scrap metal in an effort to prevent theft. Increased and refined legislation, however, is not the answer in itself. Efficient implementation of the legislation will also be needed.

 

The portfolio committee’s recommendation that the department should consider the creation of a national mobilisation and awareness effort and programme has, in our view, merit but a bit vague. To combat vandalism we need to get the message out to our people that vandalising our water infrastructure is unacceptable social behaviour.

 

We need to encourage our communities to take ownership of the water infrastructure and work together with local authorities to protect this life-giving resource which we will all depend upon everyday of our lives. In short, we need to get serious about water in South Africa. The NFP accepts the portfolio committee’s report on water and sanitation. I thank you.

 

Mme J M MALULEKA: Re le mokgatlho wa ANC re tshegetsa tshitsinyo enoe gonne e tla thusa gore lefapha la rona le tswelelepele go dira tiro ya lona. Fa lefapha le boela kwa morago mo tirong ya lona, re feleletsa re tlogela ditiro tse di botlhokwa. Gape, re tshegetsa tshitsinyo eno gore ba sepodisi le bosiamisi ba thatafatse melao ya bonae mo go tshwareng babelaelwa ba ba re utswetsang gore ba seka ba tlhola ba dira jalo. Dikgwebo tse di rekang disenke tse dikgologoloke tsona tse di re senyetsang, ka jalo, ke tshitsinya gore di kwadisiwe ka fa molaong. Ke a leboga! (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)

 

[Ms J M MALULEKA: The ANC supports this motion because it will help our department to continue doing its work. If the department does not function effectively, it will also forget to do its important duties. Furthermore, we support this motion because it would enable the police and the justice system to have tough laws that would ensure that the suspects do not repeat the offence. The illegal scrap metals businesses are the cause of trouble. In this regard, I suggest that they be regulated. Thank you.]

 

Motion agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION ON PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THEFT AND VANDALISM OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Mr L JOHNSON: Chair, again this is a visit to Gauteng that started off in Germiston, visiting your asset mine drainage plant which is looking into short term solution to the acid water produced by the mines in the Gauteng area. What has become very clear abundantly so is a need that is critical and urgent for a long term solution.

 

We have been briefed by the department that, that shall take us eight to twenty four months to come. We are awaiting that and this has become quite an urgent matter especially for the people of Gauteng as this acid water has got its own negative consequences.

 

Out of that we would have been to Mfuleni wherein your raw sewage becomes as we continue even today a health hazard to the community especially in Everton, with spillages that go out into the open raising a need for an urgent Sebokeng waste water treatment plant which will cover the entire region not only of Sedibeng but also of Johannesburg and other parts in the country within that Gauteng area.

 

The last area that we had to deal with was the shortages of water in Gauteng. This became quite an urgent matter that required an attention an also Rand Waters emergency solution. What came very clear here was that again copper was stolen at the Palm station that led to the shortage of water for a two week period.

 

Our multi party committee visited the operational centres and we were exposed to the working of the system at the Rand Water facilities. We were also impressed to the speed in which the solution was found especially with the swift communication that had to me meted with the affected communities as far as Rusternburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. The extent in which that Palm station supply this water, as the committee is tabling this report for consideration. I thank you.

 

There was no debate.

 

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party: Hon House Chair, I move that the report be adopted.

 

Declarations of vote:

Ms T E BAKER: Madam Speaker, hon members, by its own admission the Department of Water and Sanitation has stated that Acid Mine Drainage, AMD, is one the country’s greatest environmental challenges. Experts in the field agreed that the current AMD treatment process is not practical or efficient.

 

In fact the current measures of flooding the basins will only further influence the already over burdened and heavily polluted Vaal River System, which will put further pressure on the drinking water sources of Gauteng which as we know is currently under threat of water shedding due to draught. But what is more threatening to our country as a whole is a draught of another kind. A draught of national leadership in government which is clearly evident in the current state of affairs of the country, as well as in the Department of Water and Sanitation under spending of its budget as highlighted in the latest AG report.

 

It is estimated that the construction of desalination plants will cost the department R10 billion which it does not have. At the same time our national average water loss sits at 37% which equates to R7.2 billion literally flowing down the drain as we speak.

 

The department’s approach to the AMD crisis is mostly reactionary. We need a most solid proactive approach. The polluter pays principle as outlined in the National Water Act must be strongly imposed. This very reports state that, the department needs to be strong enough to follow up on recounted mine in municipalities. What a telling comment indeed. I appeal to you Minister to have the courage to deviate from the ANC’s national script of in action to take some decisive action before is too late to save our precious water resources. However the DA will support this report. I thank you.

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: House Chair, the EFF didn’t go to this oversight visits, because we report to parliament everyday about threat to this country’s water security. We are on the ground at all times, listening to the poor masses of South Africa which the ANC is frustrating.

 

We also note that this oversight was only attended by ANC members so this report is not different from any another report that comes from the caucus of the ANC. SOUTH Africa is a semi-arid ecosystem and our capacity to ensure to ensure sustainability of water supply is under constant threat.

 

A country that is aware of the gravity of such challenges therefore would take care not to endanger the very little resources of water it has, but not South Africa under the leadership of the ANC.

 

Of all the critical environment challenges that we face none is spontentially dangerous at the effect of acid mine drainage. It is thus of outmost importance that government in collaboration with other sectors create a coherent policy framework that will draw up the initiatives of actors across a variety of sectors in order to mitigate this issue. However it is precisely an integrated policy framework that appears to be lacking when dealing with this dilemma. As a results of this mention impact of AMD of South Africa’s residential communities, but also its natural ecosystem. It may be summarised that this effects will persist for the next hundred years.

 

This oversight visit to Gauteng demonstrated just how the ANC government has allowed mining companies to go scot-free and not allowed to account and take responsibility for the damage they have caused to South African ecosystem.

 

There have been various reports by a number of research institutions including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on what ought to be done to prevent this phenomenon. But the Department of Water and Sanitation has been ignoring all the scientific advice.

 

This department together with the department of Minerals are empowered to even revoke mining licences of mining companies that refuse to ensure that the are no acid mining leakages from their mines or to ensure that when such happens they take responsibility to mitigate against effects. But to this day no mining licence was ever revoked while our communities and water sources are continuing to be endangered by this mining drainage.

 

We all know why the ANC government can’t take action against this mines it is because their own Deputy President is involved in this mining companies. The EFF reject this report.

 

Motion agreed to (EFF dissenting).

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

Ms D CARTER: Chairperson, the issue of acid mine drainage, AMD, in the central basin and the spilling of raw sewerage into streams require urgent and extensive attention. Mines that had the responsibility of dealing with AMD chose to be liquidated or maybe they belong to some highly political connected people.

 

The discharge of partially treated sewerage into the Rietspruit and all other rivers, including the Berg River in the Western Cape, is a growing problem. I personally raised several concerns about the sewerage flowing into the Midmar Dam affecting the drinking water of hundreds of thousands of people.

 

Major causes were listed as the following: Inadequate infrastructure; high volume of sewerage; noncompliant effluent from the waste water treatment works; unreliability of aging bulk infrastructure; sewer collection; and outdated designs of pump stations.

 

The South African national water policy of 1996 and the National Water Act are explicit and must be implemented. Although Cope supports this report and trusts that the department will act on the committee’s recommendation, I need to state the following. There is a serious disconnect between Water and Sanitation, Environmental Affairs and municipalities, and if we do not get that right we will not get it right. Each of the three organs of state is failing to carry out its constitutional obligation, collectively creating a situation which is multiplied by their failings. It is symptomatic of poor governance and the failing government. The Minister, who was also the previous Premier of Gauteng, agreed to accompany Carte Blanche three weeks ago on its investigative tour but the Minister pulled a hashtag blade. The Minister went missing in action. Is this how we are going to implement the recommendations of a report by simply going missing in action while the sewerage and the AMD flows down our rivers and into our drinking water?

 

Well, if they are not listening it just shows the interest they actually have. I thank you.

 

Mr M L SHELEMBE: Hon Chairperson, the portfolio committee report tabled here has provided us with a useful summary to understand some of the problems we are facing with regard to water security. The issue of AMD and inadequate sewerage treatment poses serious threats to our scarce water resources. If we fail to pay urgent attention to these challenges, future generations will pay dearly for our inability to find solutions today.

 

The management of acid water drainage from worked out and abandoned mines are complex and costly. Unfortunately adopting the polluter pays principle does not address the challenge of these nines which we inherited from an era when environmental awareness and conservation was not a high priority of the apartheid government.

 

Raw sewerage spills like acid water drainage threatens the quality of our water, and if left unchecked will affect many of our people, particularly those who live close to raw sewerage spills. Most often we find that those most affected are also the poorest of the poor who live in informal settlements.

 

Crumbling infrastructure and lack of capacity to treat sewerage have been highlighted as a major cause of such sewerage spills in Everton. The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation also highlighted the financial limitations which hamper efforts to address the growing crisis which raw sewerage spillage in the Emfuleni Local Municipality will have on the Rietspruit ecosystem.

 

Yet, despite an accurate analysis of the problems surrounding acid mine drainage and raw sewerage spills, the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation did not provide us with concrete recommendations to deal with these challenges swiftly and effectively. Requesting more reports will not make the problems go away. We need clear and straightforward recommendations that will go beyond paying lip service to the looming crisis we are facing.

 

Water is a cornerstone of human survival, and access to clean and safe water is a right of every South African citizen. The longer we delay in dealing with sources of water pollution the more we infringe on the right of our people to clean and safe water, and future generations will judge us harshly. The NFP therefore accepts the portfolio committee’s report. I thank you.

 

Mr T MAKONDO: Chair, indeed the portfolio committee undertook an oversight visit to Gauteng on AMD and to Emfuleni where sewerage spills into the river. Indeed we are happy with the interventions by the department and its entity in bringing a permanent solution to AMD by 2018. Again we are happy with the intervention by Rand Water in Emfuleni to resolve the sewerage spillages and also with the department’s commitment to upgrade the Vaal sewer plant. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

Question put. That the report be adopted.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: House Chair, please record the objection of the EFF.

 

Motion agreed to (EFF dissenting).

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ARTS AND CULTURE – VISIT TO NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM, PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OF FREE STATE AND WINDYBROW THEATRE

 

Ms X S TOM: House Chair, the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture conducted an oversight visit to the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, PACOFS, and the Windybrow Theatre on 24 to 26 November 2014.

 

As the country is working towards achieving the goals of the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 and the 2014-2019 Medium-Term Strategic Framework, these institutions that I have mentioned play a crucial role in building a nation that is socially cohesive and founded on the basic constitutional values of respect for human rights, nonracialism, human dignity and nonsexism. These institutions had been identified by the portfolio committee during the strategic planning session due to the challenges that they were facing and the negative audit outcomes that were received from the Auditor-General.

 

As the portfolio committee, during our oversight visits, we adopted an approach where we would meet with different levels of staff in order to understand the nature of the problems and how these problems can be resolved. As the committee, we are of the view that in order for these institutions to improve their performance, every member of staff should strive towards a solution. The portfolio committee found that these institutions have a variety of challenges that range from management to financial compliance.

 

At the Nelson Mandela Museum and the performing arts centre, the portfolio committee found that these institutions had challenges with regard to required management expertise, performance management and financial compliance. Whilst the portfolio committee was concerned about the state of affairs at the Windybrow Theatre, we were satisfied with the work that the Market Theatre was doing in managing the Windybrow Theatre.

 

It is against this background that we have made recommendations to the Minister of Arts and Culture, as well as the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa. Through the oversight visit of the portfolio committee, there has been a measure of improvement within some of these institutions. The portfolio committee’s oversight visits to the Nelson Mandela Museum has assisted the museum in terms of improvement. As we speak, PACOFS has a new chairperson of the council, and the council is working hard to turn the organisation around.

 

I really appreciate the commitment of the members of the portfolio committee and the manner in which they conduct their oversight in a robust manner, as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. I table the report for consideration and adoption. I thank you.

 

There was no debate.

 

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the Report be adopted.

 

Declarations of vote:

Dr G A GROOTBOOM: Chairperson, popular opinion has it that there is no money for the “no fee increase”. I give the Minister permission to take R1 billion from the part that is still in motion.

 

As members, we sometimes question oversight excursions as a waste of time, but this one was timely and necessary to arrest the scourge that has beset our government institutions. All these entities that we visited started well, but the good start didn’t last long. The Nelson Mandela Museum regressed from an unqualified audit opinion to a qualified audit opinion with findings. PACOFS and Windybrow also have negative audit opinions.

 

At the heart of these audit opinions is fruitless and wasteful expenditure, as well as an increase in irregular expenditure like salaries. For example, symptomatic to government contracting is dubious contractors, and this has seen ongoing renovations for close to three years at Nelson Mandela Museum. The same has happened at the Windybrow Theatre with R54 million missing without any work being done. A forensic investigation is currently under way.

 

In the meantime, the artistic community suffers. All three of these entities are currently leaderless. In some cases, court cases are pending, and some heads of departments are placed on compulsory leave. The DA will continue to fight against the redeployment of clueless deployees. We believe in fairness and opportunities for all.

 

The committee has recommended that drastic action be taken to arrest the scourge of abuse in these entities. This has since been done at PACOFS, and we hope that this will continue to the others and that action would be taken without fear or favour. The DA supports this report because it sees the value in positive oversight that works without any fear or favour.

 

Mr K Z MORAPELA: Chairperson, the Department of Arts and Culture is a perfect example of how not to run a government department. This department is presiding over entities that are dysfunctional, that do not adhere to existing laws and regulations, and that are cadre deployment avenues where people with very little expertise are employed to manage affairs that are very important to the preservation of our culture and heritage.

 

The Nelson Mandela Museum is not immune from this rot. With multiple adverse findings by the Auditor-General and the illegal suspension of the chief executive officer by the board, the administration of this museum is an insult to the name of Nelson Mandela.

 

The same can be said about the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State. Bad administrative choices by corrupt deployees prevent the centre from playing the role it should be playing in ensuring that the performing arts is the force it should be in this country. The appointment of the current chief executive officer of the performing arts centre is said to have not followed due process, and this was done to ensure that another ANC cadre could be deployed.

 

The Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow is not clean, with no-one accounting for more than R65 million meant for the refurbishment of the theatre. All these examples of mismanagement point to the failure of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, in providing leadership to this department and its entities. No-one ever follows up on a series of Auditor-General findings on these entities, but government keeps pumping money into it, knowing full well that it would not be spent properly.

 

We condemn the promotion of corruption in the department and its entities. We also call on President Zuma to fire Minister Nathi Mthethwa and place all entities of this department under administration. [Interjections.] Not all entities are performing well, and Minister Nathi Mthethwa is doing nothing about any of these things. He must really fall. He is failing in this particular department. We therefore reject this report. [Interjections.]

 

Mr J A ESTERHUIZEN: Chairperson, because of various commitments with other committees, I unfortunately could not be part of this important oversight visit but would still like to raise a few concerns, as well as commendations.

 

Heritage management and cultural legislation have always existed in this country. However, a lack of proactive measures from within heritage management, as well as external factors such as poor management and staff problems were noticeably experienced as a huge stumbling block at the Nelson Mandela Museum by the committee. This constitutes a clear threat to the ongoing existence of heritage in South Africa.

 

There are two challenges that feature prominently in this report. They are the lack of community development and the difficulty in enforcing the law, a point in case being the failure in the responsibility of developing local artists, especially in the Free State province where very little has been done. At the Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, renovations resulted in this more than a century-old building being closed down due to further damage caused mainly by the incompetence of the executive management team at the time. Financial and operational mismanagement is the enemy of sustainable growth and maintenance in the department and must be eradicated wherever it takes root.

 

The visit to the Market Theatre was positive, as this theatre is well managed and run. This model clearly should be duplicated and implemented at other theatres throughout the country. In support of this report, the department must continue with its commitment to support the emerging shifts in arts and culture, as well as protect our existing heritage, as this is what is required to increase the growth, development, and safekeeping of the heritage of this important sector. I thank you.

Mr M S MABIKA: Chairperson, this report makes reference to civil service maladministration and organisational failure which is fast becoming the norm. The NFP is not surprised since the Department of Arts and Culture is known to be the dumping site of incompetent political ANC Ministers who have failed to make the grade elsewhere.

 

The NFP acknowledges the recommendations made in the portfolio committee report but believes that these amount to a mere slap on the wrist. The current recommendations merely call upon the councils of the Nelson Mandela Museum, the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State and the Windybrow Theatre to do their jobs properly. We would prefer to see recommendations that facilitate accountability in addition to the insistence that due process must be followed and adhered to.

 

For example, we would like to see a recommendation that the former executive managers of the Windybrow Theatre be made to repay the money which had been squandered on the so-called refurbishment of the theatre. Similarly, we would like to see a recommendation that the disciplinary proceedings against the former chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Museum be expedited for his failure to comply with financial regulations.

 

Accountability would also be enhanced if the portfolio committee was to recommend that the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State’s managers vacate the cottages of the organisation that are meant to accommodate resident artists, that disciplinary action be taken against them for abuse of state property, and that they be instructed to reimburse the state for the difference between the market-related rent and the token rent which they have paid with impunity.

 

In conclusion, the NFP supports the recommendation contained in the portfolio committee report and calls upon the portfolio committee to consider the additional recommendations we have highlighted. I thank you.

 

Mr J L MAHLANGU: Sihlalo, ngibawa bona khesikhuthaze ilunga le-NFP nele-EFF aqeda ukuhlala phasi bona nawo abekhona lokha thina njengabosopolotiki sivakatjhela iindawo lapho kuhlala khona abantu, ngoba nabangenzinjalo bazakugcina bazele inarha, kungabanento abangasisiza ngayo. Ngihlonipha ilunga le-IFP lona elithe nalibona bona aliphumeleli evakatjhweni lenza isitatimende sangokomthetho esitjhoko bona libambekile. Alo-ke lokho kwenza bona nanyana ilunga elihloniphekileko likhuluma likhulume ngesibindi, okuyinto engafaniko naleyo eyenziwa ngilabo abathi ngokufunda umbiko bafikelele sabo isiphetho.

USihlalo besele atjhwile bona nanyana ubudisi begade bukhona imikhandlo le eqalene nabo, kodwana namhlanje kuyasijabulisa ukwizwa bona izinto sele zikhamba kuhle. Namhlanje begade sihlangene ne-Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, i-PACOFS, lapho usihlalo wayo omutjha asinikele isiqiniseko ukuthi izinto zikhamba kuhle kwamambala begodu sele kunomJaphethe weHloko yesiGungu. Okumele ngikuveze ngaphakathi kweNdlu le njenganje kukuthi, ukutjhatjhululwa emsebenzini kweHloko yesiGungu ebigade iphethe ngaphambilini yinto eyaphasiswa yikomidi le. Alo-ke ayikho into esingathi ayikhambi kuhle lapho. Ngiyo ikomidi le eyathi ibawa bona iHloko yesiGungu isuswe ukuze kwenziwe iphenyo mayelana nezinto ebezisenziwa ngokungakafaneli ukuze zikwazi ukulungiswa. Okusijabulisako thina kukuthi, lokha usihlalo nakajame la, usitjhele bona ngenyanga edlulileko kubenezehlakalo ezenzekako ezingaphezu kwezimatjhumi amathathu la e-PACOFS. Ngamanye amagama lokho kusibikela bona izinto zikhamba kuhle e-PACOFS.

 

I-Windybrow Theatre isezandleni ezazi umsebenzi begodu inomlando wokwenza izinto kuhle. Ngebanga lemizamo eyenziwako nginesiqiniseko bona eminyakeni emibili ezako i-Nelson Mandela Municipality izakwazi ukwethula umbiko ongasolekiko mayelana nokuhlolwa kweencwadi ovela kumHloliincwadi maZombe begodu naku-PACOFS. Ngalawo magama thina njenge-ANC siyawusekela umbiko lo. Ngiyathokoza. (Translation of isiNdebele paragraphs follows.)

 

[Mr M J MAHLANGU: Chairperson, I would like us to encourage members of the NFP and the EFF, who have just taken their seats now, that they should be available when we as politicians visit places where people are staying, because if they don’t do that they will end up roaming around the whole country and have nothing to help us about. I respect the member of the IFP who decided to make a statement of apology after realising that he had some commitments and it would be impossible for him to be part of the visit. That hon member speaks with courage, which is different to that which is done by those who read the report and arrive at their own conclusion.

 

The Chairperson mentioned that there were challenges faced by the councils they are working with, but today we are happy to hear that things are going well. Today we met with the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS), where the new chairperson assured us that everything is going well and there is an acting regional head. What I want to disclose in this House now is that, the release from work of the then regional head is something that was agreed to by this committee. Therefore there is nothing that we can say is not going well there. It is this committee that requested the removal of the regional head so that there would be an investigation regarding some of the things that were done improperly, so that we can correct them. What makes us happy is that, when the chairperson was standing here, he told us that last month there were about 30 activities that took place here at PACOFS. In other words, it means things are going well at PACOFS.

 

The Windybrow Theatre is in good hands and it has a good history of doing things correctly. As a result of efforts that were put in place, I am sure that in the next coming two years the Nelson Mandela Municipality will be able to present a report that is not suspicious regarding its audit from the Auditor-General and PACOFS. With those words, as the ANC we support this report. Thank you.]

 

Motion agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

The House adjourned at 19:02.

__________

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2015

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

National Assembly

 

The Speaker

 

1.         Referral of matter to Rules Committee

 

(a)        The removal of the following members of the Economic Freedom Fighers (EFF) from the Chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday, 21 October 2015, together with the unrevised Hansard, minutes and video recording of the proceedings in question, have been referred to the Rules Committee in terms of Rule 53A(12) for consideration of the circumstances of their removal: Dr H Chewane, Mr M M Dlamini, Ms V Ketabahle, Ms M S Khawula, Mr N P Khoza, Mr N Paulsen, Mr N S Matiase, Mr A M Matlhoko, Ms A Matshobeni, Ms H O Maxon, Mr M S Mbatha, Mr S P Mhlongo, Mr P G Moteka, Mr T E Mulaudzi, Mr P Ntobongwana, Mr N F Shivambu and Ms N P Sonti.

 

TABLINGS

 

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1.      The Minister of Finance

 

  1. Report and Financial Statements of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) for 2014-15, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2014-15.  

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

National Assembly

 

Please see pages 4214 – 4366 of the ATCs.

 

FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2015

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

National Assembly

 

Please see pages 4309 - 4361 of the ATCs.

 

MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2015

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

National Assembly

 

Please see pages 4462 – 4583 of the ATCs.

 

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2015

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

 

The Speaker and the Chairperson

 

1.      Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159

 

  1. Foreign Service Bill, 2015, submitted by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

 

Referred to the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations.

 

  1. Financial Sector Regulation Bill, 2015, submitted by the Minister of Finance.

 

Referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Finance.

 

  1. Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2015, submitted by the Minister of Finance.

 

Referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Finance.

 

National Assembly

 

The Speaker

 

1.   Introduction of Bills

 

  1. The Minister of Finance

 

  1. Taxation Laws Amendment Bill [B 29 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 77).

 

  1. Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill [B 30 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 75) [Explanatory summary of Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No 39310 of 22 October 2015.]

 

  1. Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill [B 33 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 75) [Explanatory summary of Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No 39277 of 9 October 2015.]

 

  1. Financial Sector Regulation Bill [B 34 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 75) [Explanatory summary of Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No 39127 of 21 August 2015.]

 

Introduction and referral to the Standing Committee on Finance of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160.

 

In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of the Bills may be submitted to the JTM. The Bills may only be classified after the expiry of at least three parliamentary working days since introduction.

 

  1. Finance Bill [B 31 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 77).

 

  1. New Development Bank Special Appropriation Bill [B 32 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 77).

 

Introduction and referral to the Standing Committee on Appropriations of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160.

 

In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of the Bills may be submitted to the JTM. The Bills may only be classified after the expiry of at least three parliamentary working days since introduction.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

National Assembly

 

Please see pages 4591 - 4644 of the ATCs.


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