Hansard: NCOP: Unrevised hansard
House: National Council of Provinces
Date of Meeting: 20 Oct 2011
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2011
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
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The Council met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 14:03.
The Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr S H PLAATJIE: Hon Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council –
(1) notes the unacceptability of residents of townships, eg Alexandra, having to wait 17 years for housing promised by the ANC-led government, considering that resources for that purpose have regularly been made available in every parliamentary budget;
(2) further notes the total failure of government to implement measures that would have allowed a more progressive solution to the housing needs of the people; and
(3) calls on government to stop spending on conspicuous consumption, to stop the stealing of taxpayers’ money through tender manipulation and to concentrate expenditure on service delivery to the people.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, there is no mercy in regard to time today. I’m sure you have seen how long our Order Paper is. There’s only 20 minutes for motions and if your name is not called, just know that you are not within the 20 minutes.
Ms D Z RANTHO: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move:
That the Council –
(1) notes that the DA has allegedly cancelled all leases in respect of their constituency offices in the Western Cape and that they have consequently closed all such offices with the exception of two;
(2) further notes that despite the closure of such constituency offices, the full constituency allowances are still being paid to the DA by Parliament, which are allegedly being set aside by them as a war chest for the 2014 elections; and
(3) calls on Parliament and the Public Protector to ensure that these serious allegations are investigated and that in the meantime Parliament suspends the payment of constituency funds to the DA pending the outcome of such investigation.
Mr H B GROENEWALD: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the Council –
(1) notes that different departments in government let foreigners get into South Africa to help with skills development and the training of the people in the country;
(2) further notes that, once they have completed the training and skills development, these foreigners then remain in South Africa finding jobs in other companies and sectors; and
(3) proposes better control by the different departments and government entities to see to it that these foreigners go back to their own countries after training, in order to give the people of South Africa the opportunity to fulfil their dreams by having a job in their own country if they have the necessary skills.
Mr D V BLOEM: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council debates –
(1) the rape and brutal murder of a 17-year-old Hoërskool Die Burger learner, Louise de Waal, who was kidnapped on her way to school on Wednesday and whose body was found burnt beyond recognition;
(2) the drowning of five children - three boys and two girls aged 13, 10, 5, 4 and 2 - by their mother in 20-litre buckets of water;
(3) the fact that the safety of learners walking to school is a concern after another Hoërskool Die Burger learner was threatened with at screwdriver by a would-be abductor, which has instilled fear in her schoolmates and their parents; and
(4) the need for the Gauteng provincial department of education to step up security at schools at all hours on week days.
Ms B V MNCUBE: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move:
That the Council –
(1) notes with utmost concern and apprehension that despite Gauteng being the business centre of South Africa and the entire Southern African region, serious concerns have been raised by the private sector and government about the cost of doing business in the Gauteng province, leading to incomparably high prices of goods and services and putting a strain on the province’s long-established attractive investment climate on the African continent; and
(2) debates the increasing cost of doing business in Gauteng and the appropriate measures that should be taken to ensure that Gauteng continues to be the economic hub of South Africa and the African continent with its advanced business infrastructure and expertise.
Mr K A SINCLAIR: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council –
(1) notes the utter disregard for our country’s Constitution by the ANCYL President, who deliberately used the racially offensive and derogatory “amaKula” to heighten racial divisions in the already hostile atmosphere prevailing at Thembelihle township in Lenasia, considering that the SA Human Rights Commission had already declared the word to be highly offensive;
(2) further notes the failure of government to promptly denounce this transgression by the ANCYL youth leader, considering how the ANCYL has undone all the sterling work of Nelson Mandela; and
(3) calls on government to act on the matter decisively and promptly.
Mr M W MAKHUBELA: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the Council debates –
(1) the utter frustration of the Auditor-General in finding the same departments guilty of the same financial mismanagement offences year in and year out, leading to R26,4 billion in this financial year being declared fruitless and wasteful expenditure;
(2) the lack of will of this government to take severe and prompt action against those cadres in 34% of government departments who awarded state contracts to “officials and family members”;
(3) the totally puzzling attitude of government in keeping serial Public Finance Management Act, PMFA, offenders in their jobs, thereby depriving the poor and the jobless in our country of improvement in their living conditions; and
(4) the necessity for this government either to deal decisively and transparently with the transgression or to resign at once.
Mr F ADAMS: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the Council I shall move:
That the Council –
(1) notes that the ANC in the Western Cape legislature has written to President Zuma requesting him to urgently proclaim that the Special Investigating Unit, SIU, should investigate the following allegations of political interference in the Swellendam Municipality –
(a) that the Mayor of the City of Cape Town and leader of the now submerged and defunct ID, Patricia de Lille phoned the then chief financial officer of the Swellendam municipality, Nigel Delo, to influence the awarding of a tender and to ask him to not pressurise the mayor into following the law;
(b) that two previous municipal managers, Hendricks and Nel, have told the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, in the Western Cape that the then DA-ID mayor, Jansen, illegally instructed Hendricks to award a tender to Quadrix Asset Management, a company in business with the ID; and
(c) that the council authorised that R3 million should be invested with Quadrix Asset Management, but ultimately R8 million was illegally invested;
(2) further notes that this letter by the ANC in the Western Cape legislature comes after it emerged that despite Premier Helen Zille’s insistence that she had written to the President, no proof has emerged that such letter was ever written;
(3) takes this opportunity to call on the Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, to come clean on her role in this sordid conspiracy and to explain the link between Quadrix Asset Management and the ID, rather than just dismissing the issue by saying that the R8 million was paid back to the municipality; and
(4) calls on the Mayor of Cape Town to explain, firstly, how Quadrix Asset Management came to be paid and, secondly, why the money was paid back.
RETIREMENT OF DR BRIGALIA BAM AS CHAIRPERSON OF IEC
(Draft Resolution)
Ms D Z RANTHO: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes that Dr Brigalia Bam, who is the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, has taken a decision to retire after having served the IEC and South Africa with distinction for many years;
(2) further notes that under her competent and professional leadership, the IEC, as a key pillar of our democratic dispensation, has become a sterling example of an independent institution of excellence and best practice;
(3) takes this opportunity to commend and congratulate Dr Bam for her commitment and selfless service to the people of South Africa and for putting the IEC on the world map as a recognised and well-respected organisation of excellence and independence, and
(4) commends Dr Bam and her colleagues on their work and their professionalism, extends a vote of thanks to them for so meticulously steering the IEC, and wishes her well on her retirement.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
ESCALATION OF GANG VIOLENCE IN CAPE TOWN SUBURBS
(Draft Resolution)
Mnr M J R DE VILLIERS: Voorsitter, ek stel sonder kennisgewing voor:
Dat die Raad –
(1) kennis neem dat —
(a) bendeverwante geweld en skietery in woonbuurte in Kaapse voorstede kommerwekkend toeneem;
(b) selfs handgranate na huise geslinger word, en dat dit afgryslik is en getuig van die hoë misdaadvermoë waaroor die bendes beskik; en
(c) hierdie bendegroepe geen respek vir menselewens het nie en bewys lewer dat niks hulle sal keer om met hul misdaad, geweld en magsvertoon voort te gaan nie; en
(2) ’n beroep doen op die polisie en die nasionale en provinsiale Ministers om alle bronne te gebruik en in te span om hierdie dreigende en gewelddadige toestand te verhoed en stop te sit en so die gemeenskap se sekuriteit en veiligheid te verseker.
[Mr M J R DE VILLIERS: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes that -
(a) gang-related violence and shootings in residential areas in suburbs of Cape Town are increasing alarmingly;
(b) even handgrenades are being thrown at houses, and that this is despicable and testifies to the high level of criminal capacity of which the gangs are capable; and
(c) these groups of gangsters have no respect for human lives and provide proof of the fact that nothing will stop them from continuing with their crime, violence and show of force; and
(2) appeals to the police and the provincial and national Ministers to use and employ all resources to prevent and to end this threatening and violent situation and to ensure the security and safety of the community.]
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
APPLICATION BY DE BEERS TO REDUCE STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
(Draft Resolution)
Mr T A MASHAMAITE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes the proposal by diamond giant, De Beers Mining Company, to sell its vast Namaqualand mining company in the Northern Cape to a smaller company;
(2) further notes with great concern that De Beers has applied to the Department of Mineral Resources to reduce its statutory obligation of environmental rehabilitation, while it has failed to consult or involve the community in any way whatsoever;
(3) acknowledges that although mining companies are legally obliged to undertake environmental rehabilitation of the mine and the mining area on the decommissioning of the mine or the termination of mining activities, certain mining companies in other provinces have terminated mining activities and simply left without rehabilitating their mines, thereby leaving the burden and the costs of rehabilitation on the government and the taxpayers; and
(4) takes this opportunity to call on the hon Minister and the Department of Mineral Resources to review the transaction and not approve the application by De Beers to reduce its obligations, as well as to ensure that the interests of the community are not compromised and that the community is consulted at all times.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
KILLING OF CHILDREN THROUGHOUT SOUTH AFRICA
(Draft Resolution)
Mr G G MOKGORO: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes with utmost concern and apprehension the latest incidents of the killing of children throughout South Africa;
(2) further notes that several children were found brutally murdered in informal settlements around Khayelitsha and that recently three-year-old Athenkosi “Lovey” Nkone’s lifeless body was found stuffed into the suitcase of his 20-year-old neighbour, who had allegedly slit the boy’s throat and collected his blood in a bowl for muti purposes ...
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: You are protected. Hon Gunda and hon Sinclair, please behave.
Mr G G MOKGORO: Chairperson, I continue:
... Nkone’s lifeless body was found stuffed into the suitcase of his 20-year-old neighbour, who had allegedly slit the boy’s throat and collected his blood in a bowl for muti purposes;
(3) also notes that Louise de Waal, who was kidnapped on her way to school, was found brutally murdered and burnt on a farm in Magaliesburg;
(4) further notes that a woman was arrested on Tuesday for murdering her five children in Lower Majeakgoro Village in Pampierstad, Northern Cape; and
(5) takes this opportunity to convey its heartfelt condolences to the families of these children and calls on communities to rise to the call of national duty and the African spirit of “my neighbour’s child is my child” by shielding children in our communities from heartless criminals who have no regard for human life.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
VACANT POSTS AND INCOMPETENCE IN MUNICIPALITIES CONTRIBUTING TO WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M H MOKGOBI: I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes the audit reports by the Auditor-General on municipalities and the findings that severe deficiencies exist in municipalities, which give rise to unauthorised, wasteful and fruitless expenditure of millions of rand;
(2) further notes that such deficiencies, among others, include the vacant positions of chief financial officers, the poor performance of existing CFOs, the lack of capacity, the lack of competent officials, the failure to fill senior posts, and non-compliance with supply chain management, directives and policies;
(3) further notes that the report also states that the deficiencies have resulted in many municipalities throughout the country engaging the services of financial consultants to assist in the preparation of their financial statements without the officials being hands-on or being capacitated to do so; and
(4) takes this opportunity to commend those municipalities with clean audit reports and calls on the leadership of other municipalities to fill vacant positions with competent, experienced and professional officials, to take appropriate action against poor-performing municipal managers, CFOs and other managers, and to exercise effective and regular oversight.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
ALLEGATIONS OF RAMPANT MALADMINISTRATION, FRAUD AND CORRUPTION AT ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY
(Draft Resolution)
Mr D B FELDMAN: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes the lack of prompt action by the government regarding serious allegations of rampant maladministration, fraud and corruption at the eThekwini Municipality, considering that the commission found that city officials, councillors and workers, or their close relatives, were benefiting illegally from more than R147 million through irregularly awarded tenders;
(2) further notes the total failure of this beleaguered government to put a stop to the practice of the ANC-led administrations bypassing the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, as revealed by the Auditor-General, Terence Nombembe, in July, in respect of R262 million’s worth of contracts which had been awarded in the municipality without going through the required competitive bidding process; and
(3) calls on government to prosecute all offenders and to fire elected representatives implicated in these serious financial misdemeanors.
Mr D V BLOEM: They are guilty!
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Is there any objection to the motion? [Interjections.] There is. In the light of the objection to the motion, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become a notice of motion.
FAILURE OF BAFANA BAFANA TO QUALIFY FOR AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M G BOROTO: Chairperson, I hereby move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes with utmost disappointment the failure of Bafana Bafana to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to take place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon early in 2012 after playing to a goalless draw with Sierra Leone at Mbombela Stadium on 8 October 2011;
(2) further notes with utmost embarrassment that Bafana Bafana and its technical team celebrated after the goalless draw with the misunderstanding that they had qualified for this prestigious African tournament;
(3) takes this opportunity to condemn in the harshest possible terms the national embarrassment caused by the Bafana Bafana technical team with their failure to properly acquaint themselves with the Rules of the Confederation of African Football, CAF; and
(4) calls on the SA Football Association to ensure that those responsible for this national embarrassment are called to account and that all management and technical support staff working for Bafana Bafana, including their coach Pitso Mosimane, are taken on a compulsory course on the rules of all competitions in which Bafana Bafana takes part, including the CAF rules.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
POOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND LACK OF COMPLIANCE IN NORTH WEST PROVINCE MUNICIPALITIES
(Draft Resolution)
Mr C J DE BEER: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes the recent visit of the Select Committee on Finance from 10-14 October 2011, a follow-up visit to its July 2010 visit;
(2) further notes with concern the number of governance structures that are either nonexistent or, if established, not functioning effectively in a number of municipalities that appeared before the committee;
(3) recognises that annual reports and oversight reports were not tabled in the municipal councils as per legislation, as well as the poor financial management capacity;
(4) acknowledges that North West municipalities’ audit findings have regressed since the last oversight visit in 2010;
(5) notes the lack of performance management systems and compliance with performance management policies;
(6) further notes that the provincial department of local government and traditional affairs has not fulfilled its role and responsibilities effectively; and
(7) referring to the resolutions agreed upon with the committee 14 months ago, demands an immediate action plan from the national and provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs with National and provincial Treasury in terms of section 104 of the Constitution and section 34 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, to assist these municipalities in building the capacity for efficient, effective and transparent financial management.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Mr D V BLOEM: Mooi, De Beer! [Well said, De Beer!]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: The time for motions without notice is over, but I will allow the additional two hon members to proceed if they are brief. If you are long-winded, I will cut you short.
DA-LED MUNICIPALITY IN SWELLENDAM FAILS TO LEGALLY ADOPT ITS RATING POLICY AND TARIFFS FOR 2009
(Draft Resolution)
Mr A G MATILA: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes that at the end of September it emerged that the DA-led municipality in Swellendam did not legally adopt its rating policy and tariffs in 2009;
(2) further notes that this means that more can 900 ratepayers can claim the rates they paid back, as they were illegally collected by the municipality;
(3) acknowledges that this is one of the many issues that are emerging to show the DA’s utter disregard for governance issues and how it has plunged Swellendam into a serious crisis which requires urgent intervention to ensure that the people of Swellendam continue to receive services;
(4) acknowledges that the provincial MEC responsible for local government in the Western Cape, MEC Anton Bredell, has shown the most unacceptable levels of incapability and unwillingness to intervene in the municipality; and
(5) takes this opportunity to call on the national government to establish a task team to investigate DA mismanagement in Swellendam and how it has led to a crisis in the delivery of quality services to the people of Swellendam.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Are there any objections? [Interjections.] In the light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become a notice of motion.
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IRREGULARLY AWARDS COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT WORTH R70 MILLION
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M P JACOBS: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council –
(1) notes the recent revelations that the Western Cape Provincial Government irregularly awarded a communications contract worth R70 million and that DA personnel, and particularly their adviser Ryan Coetzee, were integrally involved in ensuring that this contract was awarded to a specific contractor, who is alleged to have links with the DA and some of its officials and political leaders;
(2) further notes that the awarding of the contract happened with the full knowledge of the Premier of the Western Cape, Premier Helen Zille; and
(3) takes this opportunity to support the call that the contract be investigated by the Public Protector and that criminal charges be laid against Ryan Coetzee for his undue and unwarranted influence in the awarding of the tender.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Are there any objections? [Interjections.] In the light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become a notice of motion. [Interjections.] Order! Order, hon members!
RURAL WOMEN AS DRIVERS OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Subject for Discussion)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Hon Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, hon chairperson of the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs, hon MECs from the Northern Cape, North West, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Western Cape provinces, hon members of the NCOP, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to address this august body and to share ideas with you today. I will first address the specific subject matter of this debate before concluding with some general comments on rural development.
This debate, focusing on the important role of rural women in agriculture and rural development, comes shortly after Women’s Month, reminding us of our commitment as government and as a movement to the goals of women’s emancipation and empowerment and to a proud tradition of the struggles led by women in this country.
It also comes just a few days after the International Day of Rural Women on 15 October. In this connection, a caucus on rural women was organised to commemorate this occasion, culminating in a march to the Union Buildings to deliver a memorandum to the relevant government departments last Saturday, 15 October. The women spelled out their concerns in no uncertain terms. The memorandum lambasted the record of Land Reform in their failing to adequately address the needs of rural women. As the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, we welcome this kind of robust engagement and acknowledge the women’s legitimate concerns. I hope we are beginning to address these.
Globally, women produce more than half of the food that is grown and are primarily responsible for preparing, storing and processing food. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, in many countries women are the last family members to eat - their nutritional needs are met only when and if the men and children have had enough.
As the main implementer of land reform in South Africa, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is guided by constitutional and policy imperatives to redress gender inequalities in land distribution.
In addition, the department is guided by South Africa’s Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, the national gender machinery and international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Cedaw, and the Beijing Platform for Action. The latest Cedaw country report specifically refers to the challenges faced by South African rural women in relation to landownership, amongst others.
For the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform the starting point is to measure the impact of our programmes on opportunities for women and persons living with disabilities. I might add that if you cannot measure it, you do not know what impact your programme is having. This is one of the benefits of having adopted the outcomes approach to service delivery.
So, as a department we have established our own directorate for women, children and persons living with disabilities with the express mandate to address issues of equity and inclusion within the department and to monitor and interrogate our programmes with this in mind.
I can assure you that gender equity and profiling are at the heart of the departmental flagship programme for rural development – that is, the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, CRDP. Thus, in the original nine CRDP pilot sites, a gender-sensitive needs assessment was carried out to guide the implementation.
Similarly, land reform projects are sensitive to the need for women’s empowerment. I will give you the statistics later but, as an example, in Free State we have trained women in the commercial production of lavender for medical and cosmetic purposes. Let me hasten to add that in Free State we also support women farmers who specialise in red meat production.
Let me give you a sense of the proportion of women affected by the land reform programmes: In the period April 2008 to March 2009, out of 9 217 beneficiaries of land and tenure reform, 4 030 were women – that is 44%.
In the period April 2009 to March 2010 – we picked up the pace – out of 11 362 beneficiaries, 5 795 were women, and that is 55%.
The latest figures for a shorter period, that is April 2010 to January 2011, indicate that out of 1 582 beneficiaries, 758 are were women – that is 48%.
Let me look at the figures for successful land restitution claims: In the period April 2008 to March 2009, out of 29 772 households with successful claims, 13 000 were female-headed households – that is 46%.
In the period April 2009 to March 2010, out of 9 294 households with successful restitution claims, 4 177 were female-headed households – that is 45%.
The latest figures for a shorter period again, April 2010 to January 2011, indicate that out of 8 658 households with successful claims, 4 412 were female-headed households – that is 51%.
So, in relation to restitution and land reform, we are moving close to gender parity. I have to tell you, however, that the figures for people living with disabilities are disappointing. For the last statistics on restitution claims I gave you, the figure for people living with disabilities is, I am ashamed to say, 0,04% - miniscule – and these figures for land reform are even worse. This calls for urgent action and consultation with the appropriate representative bodies.
I want to broaden the discussion on rural development and report to the NCOP on the more general progress in relation to rural development. About half of our people living in the rural areas are of the poorest and most disadvantaged. That is why at Polokwane the manifesto and the President identified rural development as a national and societal priority.
That is why Outcome 7, for which our department is the leading department, calls for vibrant, sustainable and equitable rural communities and food security.
At Polokwane, we resolved on an integrated programme of rural development and land reform based on four pillars.
The first pillar was the provision of social and economic infrastructure and the extension of quality government services, particularly in health and education, to the rural areas.
This is exactly what the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme seeks to achieve. We have said that the department’s mission is to initiate, facilitate, co-ordinate, catalyse and implement an integrated rural development programme. The department, therefore, has to work with - and through - other relevant departments like Education, Health and Public Works to achieve its goals. The CRDP pilot schemes are to be rolled out in every rural ward.
Some examples are the following. In the village of Muyexe, in Greater Giyani Municipality in Limpopo province, the 36-strong Macena Women’s Co-operative is producing and selling a variety of seasonal vegetables in a 15 ha community garden. Retailers and customers come from as far afield as Mozambique.
In Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal, KZN, Asisukume Women is a women-led group of 500 women, cultivating 560 ha of land for crop farming. This has yielded a bountiful harvest of maize, which is currently being sold commercially to the nearest miller.
Over 55 women’s co-operatives have been established and registered, with a membership of 450 women that have been trained in a variety of arts and crafts in four different provinces, namely Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These women are now producing and selling their arts and crafts products locally and internationally. They have secured a three-year contract to supply a Californian retailer in the United States.
In Diyatalawa in the Free State, there are 33 former farm worker households who are now in full control of 2 000 ha of land - 55% are women-led households. Of the 2 000 ha, 418 ha were planted with wheat and the land yielded mostly A-grade wheat, which was sold to Premier Foods for just under R1 million. There is also a herd of 240 stud-quality beef cattle which will generate a sustainable income for all households in Diyatalawa.
We are now busy with the design of a modern dairy parlour. On completion of its construction, we are intending to bring in a new, more productive, dairy herd. The vision is to facilitate a move from simple primary production to a vibrant, value-adding industry that creates permanent jobs. We have facilitated the transition of all these families from mud-structure housing into conventional three-bedroomed houses in collaboration with the provincial department of human settlements in the Free State.
The second pillar of the Polokwane resolution is the fundamental change in the patterns of landownership through the redistribution of 30% of agricultural land before 2014, in the context of the comprehensive support programmes to ensure sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of the rural poor, farm dwellers and small farmers, especially women.
Minister Nkwinti, in his budget speech, addressed the challenges of restitution and redistribution, and detailed the steps being taken to finalise the existing claims. He also highlighted the new Recapitalisation and Development Programme, which was initially established to rescue failed restitution and land reform projects, and to revitalise irrigation schemes in the former homelands, particularly in the Northern Cape and North West, but is now also used to support all the new land reform projects.
Let us acknowledge that we gave people land after 1994, without providing adequate follow-up training, and there was no credit and other support. We were setting people up for failure! Going forward, all restitution and land reform projects are now accompanied by viable business plans which include training, mentorship, partnerships and other forms of support. Only the ANC-led government can do that; others do not want to accept their own mistakes.
This last point reflects a crucial shift from the approach of handing out land just willy-nilly, with the inherent danger of failure, to a productive model of development which stresses empowerment and skilling people to create their own employment opportunities, with the necessary support from the government, of course.
The third pillar of the Polokwane resolution is agrarian change with a view to supporting subsistence food production, expanding the role and productivity of modern smallholder farming and maintaining a vibrant and competitive agricultural sector. Let me mention here that the department’s programmes support school and household gardens, and there is also the Animal and Veld Management Programme which, amongst others, provides fencing to small farmers.
The fourth pillar of Polokwane is defending and advancing the rights and economic position of farm dwellers, including through improved organisation and better enforcement of existing laws. One background statistic, which should make us all pause, is that between 1994 and 2003 approximately 940 000 farm dwellers were evicted and only 1% was in accordance with the Constitution through a court order. That is why we need to tighten up legislation on the security of tenure for farm dwellers. Members will be interacting with the Land Tenure Security Bill.
In the meantime, it is vital to enforce the laws that exist. This means providing legal assistance to the approximately three million farm workers who are left on white commercial farms. Let me mention two departmental projects in this respect. There is the Legal Services Project, which is handled by Cheadle Thompson & Haysom attorneys, under an advisory board chaired by the late Prof Kader Asmal. Over three years the panel dealt with 1 020 cases affecting 20 500 occupiers directly. Of the cases that were settled, there was an 86% success rate in favour of the occupiers. The vast majority of the cases related to evictions, but livestock and burial disputes were also featured. Again here, the majority of the victims were women and children.
Then, the mediation services and the Transformation Practice of the Land Rights Management project in a three-year period dealt with 670 land rights disputes and the majority related to evictions and grazing rights. Mediators reported massive tensions as they tried to balance the rights of often illiterate occupiers with the stance of obstinate farmers who often did not understand the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, Esta.
More positively, of the 599 closed cases, 77% were mediated, suggesting that progress is being made.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Deputy Minister, your time has expired, but I am giving you two minutes to wrap up.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Thank you. I need also to say a word about the farm equity schemes. There are cases of genuine partnerships between commercial farmers and farm workers, but all too often these became bailout schemes for undercapitalised farms, where the farmers tried to keep control – and profit – in their own hands. This is why the Minister had to place a moratorium on such schemes. This was partially lifted this year, on a case-by-case basis, with each case being dealt with on its own merits.
I would have loved to say more, Chairperson, about one of the flexi programmes where we have a 50:50 ratio. This a programme which we call the National Rural Youth Service Corps, Narysec. It has 50:50 gender parity, and Narysec is targeted at young people. I thank you. [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! There is a bell, ding dong, in front here. When it rings, it means your time has expired. It will say, “Titi! Titi! Titi!” [Laughter.] When it does that, it means your time is over.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, I hope “ding dong” will not ring for me only.
Hon members, Chairperson of the NCOP, our condolences go to the families of Zikhona Qhayi and Athenkosi Nkone, the De Waal family, and all families who have sadly lost their loved ones in the past two weeks. As government, we commit ourselves to doing everything in our power to ensure that those who are guilty of these atrocious crimes are brought to book.
Sithi mababolele ejele badilikelwe yijele. [We say they must rot in jail and stay there for the rest of their lives.]
They don’t belong in our communities; they are a danger to our children and the women of South Africa.
I would like to commend the NCOP for organising this important debate, which takes place just after the commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women and World Food Day.
Last weekend, 15 October was International Day of Rural Women. The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities held a commemoration of this day at Port St John’s Local Municipality, where we observed World Rural Women’s Day together with thousands of women who had come from the rural areas of the Eastern Cape. Included were women who came from eight provinces nationally, and also from the rural areas.
On this day we partnered with the municipality of Port St John and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. We want to thank them for the role they played. We were able to deliver agricultural implements, seeds and inputs to local women, who were instructed on how to cultivate the land and how to plant those vegetable seeds. We also distributed a 3-month supply of sanitary towels to indigent girls and women in these areas. The Deputy Minister of Tourism also joined us to raise awareness about opportunities in rural tourism.
In the past year our department has focused firmly on the development of rural women in line with the priority theme of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, matters which our country will participate in next year. The theme for the 56th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is: “The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.” We will ensure that our rural women are represented in this 56th session. We will also ensure that we engage with rural women throughout the year so that they can bring their reports to the United Nations. We acknowledge that, despite the progress made in the last three terms of our democratic government, a large number of our people in rural areas still face harsh conditions of poverty, and a lack of access to land and various basic services.
All of us know that women constitute the majority of the people living in the rural areas, and they should therefore be the greatest beneficiaries of the country’s rural development programme and land reform. I’m glad that the Deputy Minister reported that they have audited the impact of land reform on women. However, I think he left out a very important part - land redistribution. It is important for us to look at each province in order to determine how much of the state’s funds have been given to women and how much land has been made available to them.
I have a faint memory that the major beneficiaries have been male. Even in land restitution women do not have power. Women are there ... eMquqaba [in Mquqaba].
But, in terms of leadership and control, it’s still men. So, we can have 55% women in the land restitution claims as beneficiaries, but they have no say. It is something that we have to work on together.
Over the past months, we have had a programme in which we organised a summit for rural women in Limpopo, in the Mopane District. During this summit, we were able to visit a number of projects headed and run by women. Women’s groups who benefited from the land reform programme have been able - with assistance from government and other institutions – to establish farms that are profitable and productive. They are increasing the scale of production and opening up new markets for the sale of their products. From the profits they have made, they are able to pay off their loans to start up their businesses. Other projects have remained very small-scale, mainly due to a lack of support and access to finance. They also need stable markets.
In the discussions that followed at the summit, women from across our country outlined the challenges they face, and most of them were concerned about access to land and water for them to initiate sustainable development projects. Those who have secured land need development finance and access to markets for their produce. They also need skills development programmes in order to develop and to grow their projects into commercial or agricultural schemes or businesses and also to get to the level of the export market.
We are working together with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to ensure that the aspirations of rural women are integrated into the rural development Strategy that the Minister is working on. Women in rural areas need opportunities to develop themselves.
Rural areas include traditional communal areas that are state land. I know there is a big debate about that land, but I believe the Minister responsible for land affairs has a right over that land. The concern again is that that land, or most of it throughout the country, is lying idle.
Mr D V BLOEM: Send Malema! He will take it!
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: You will find that men like hon Bloem want to own this land, but most of the time they don’t work it.
Bahlala ebharini imini le yonke elangeni besela utywala, bamise ngento yokuba ngumhlaba wakwaBloem lo akukho mntu uza kuwuphatha. Sithi ke kuMphathiswa, makancedise afake isandla. Laa mhlaba mawukhululwe. Ukuba laa mhlaba ubunokunikwa amakhosikazi ubungasoze ulale nje, bekuza kubakho imveliso ukuze abantwana balale betyile. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[They sit at the bar in the sun drinking alcohol, and keep on saying this is Bloem’s land - no one will touch it. We say the Minister must intervene. That land must be made available. If it were given to women, it wouldn’t be left uncultivated; they would plough it so that the children could have something to eat.]
Mr D V BLOEM: Kroonstad belongs to me!
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: We believe, if you put cash in the hands of a woman, you have fed the family and the nation. Therefore ...
... oomama mabancediswe ... [... the women must be assisted ...]
... to access development finance so that they can grow their farms, and their agricultural produce, in order to reach the level of commercial farmers.
Again, in that meeting we had a contribution from the Deputy Minister of Tourism who talked about the opportunities that our government has opened for rural tourism.
Firstly, she talked about the opportunities in training for young people, including young people in the rural areas. She also talked about opportunities in the private sector, with companies such as Sun International and many other huge hotels, which are ready to take in young people as interns and train them in the hospitality industry so that they can grow and be exposed to that industry. She also shared that they have bursaries available for young people, including young girls and young people in the rural areas, to study in this sector.
There are also opportunities for training women in the rural areas ...
... baguqule ooronta babo babe zindawo zokulala zoshishino ukuze bapheke umngqusho, upensi nepapa ... [... to convert their rondavels into bed and breakfast establishments, so that they can cook samp, tripe and pap ...]
... because the tourists from America and Europe don’t want McDonald’s food when they come here; they want to experience African culture and how our people live in this country.
These are some of the opportunities that are open for our people, and the Department of Tourism is ready to be of support and is also ready with training.
We also discussed some of the challenges in these areas ...
... apho sifumanisa ukuba abantwana bethu bathengisa imizimba. Sikholelwa ukuba le nto ibangelwa yintlupheko nokuswela imisebenzi. Singoomama siye sathethana ukuba masinqande noko ayizange ibe khona le nto kumasiko nakwimbali yakuthi yokuba abantwana abangantombazana bathengise ngemizimba yabo. Sonke silapha nje sakhuliswa ngabahlolokazi behlupheka kodwa abazange bathengise ngemizimba, koko babethengisa ii-orenji nama-apile.Kwaye satsho sakwazi ukufunda nokuya esikolweni. Singurhulumente sithi ke, ngale mizamo, mabasukume. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[... where we find that our children are prostitutes. We believe that this is caused by poverty and unemployment. As women we agreed that we should put an end to this, because it has never happened in our history that girls have to become prostitutes. All of us here were brought up by widows who were suffering, but they never became prostitutes; instead they sold oranges and apples, and we were able to go to school. As government we say, with these efforts, they must make something out of their lives.]
Let them organise themselves into co-operatives; let them organise themselves into small businesses. The Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Tourism, as well as the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, are ready to support people in the rural areas, including women and young people.
We also have a problem with ukuthwala [forced marriage] in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. We agreed with the women in the area that we would come back again during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign to discuss these issues, the ukuthwala, which is killing them.
Abantu ababulawa ngobugqwirha ngoomama. Sonke xa sigugile kuza kuthiwa sibabi, singamagqwirha kwaye siyathakatha. Ngoke ke ... [The people who are killed because of witchcraft are women. All of us in our old age will be told that we are ugly, we are witches and we practice witchcraft. Therefore it ...]
... is abuse against women and children, because ...
... la makhulu ubulawa kunye nabazukulwana bakhe abagcinileyo abangamahlwempu kula ronta. Ngoko ke kufuneka siyilwe le ngxaki kuba kaloku yingxaki yoomama kwaye siza kuyifaka phaya kwela phulo leentsuku ezili-16. Nale yokubulawa kwabantwana bethu kabuhlungu kangaka kuba kufunw a ukwenziwa amayenza ngamalungu omzimba wabo, nayo ingena kula mba wokuxhatshazwa kwabasetyhini kunye nabantwana. Sithi ke obu bundlobongela asizokubenza kwiphulo leentsuku ezili-16 kuphela siza kubenza kwisiCwangciso seNtshukumo yeSizwe bube seentsuku ezingama-365 ukulwa ubundlobongela obukhoyo nobukhule kangaka eMzantsi Afrika.
Yonke loo nto kufana neziyobisi eziphandle apha eziphambhanisa abantu babe nengqondo enobusathana benze imikhuba esingazange sayibona elizweni lakowethu. Ndithetha nje ndivela kuloZikhona, umntwana oye wadlwengulwa eneminyaka esibhozo, wafakwa isanti emlonyeni nasezimpumlweni ukuze angakwazi ukukhala.
Ndiyile nokuloLovely Nkone, umntwana oye wanqunyulwa okwebhokhwe, waqotywa wafakwa ekasini ngumfana onama-20 wakwaBhentsela, obethunywe nguyise olixhwele. Kuthe kanti le kasi eyipakisha nje uza kuyinika uyise. Sithi la maxhwele abulalayo ayingomaxhwele; thina sazi amaxhwele azinyanga ezinyangayo. La angoku awasanyangi koko abulala abantu, kwaye asiwabizi ngokuba ngamaxhwele koko zizig ebenga zamagqwirha. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Sithi ke urhulumente wethu makawabambe la maxhwele abulalayo kwaye angene kwesimnyama isisele. Kule veki iphelileyo besiseNkundleni kwityala likaMashego Gomo, apho isangoma esingekabanjwa nangoku. Sithi makujongwe ingcambu yoku kubulala.
Ngalo mazwi ndifuna ukubulela i-NCOP ngeli thuba. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[... that poor old woman was killed with her grandchildren whom she was caring for in that rondavel. We therefore need to address this problem because it concerns women, and we will include it in the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. Even the issue of the brutal killing of our children, all because of their body parts which are needed for traditional medicine, forms part of the abuse against women and children. We say we will not only deal with violence against women and children during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, but even in the National Action Plan for 365 days, and address the existing violence which keeps on increasing in South Africa.
All of this is the same as the drugs that are driving people mad, who are possessed by evil which leads them into doing the unthinkable. As I am talking I have come from Zikhona’s home; she was raped at the age of eight years and sand was stuffed into her mouth and nostrils to stop her from crying.
I also went to Lovely Nkone’s home, a child who was killed like a goat, cut into pieces and packed in a wooden box by a 20-year-old young man from Bhentsela, on his father’s instructions - a traditional healer. He packed this box for his father. We say the traditional healers who kill are not real traditional healers; we know traditional healers who focus more on healing. The traditional healers we find these days are not healing but killing, and we don’t refer to them as traditional healers but murderers and witches. [Applause.]
We say our government must arrest these traditional healers and send them to maximum security prison. Last week we were in court in Mashego Gomo’s case, where the traditional healer has not yet been arrested. We say the root cause for this killing must be investigated.
With those words, I would like to thank the NCOP for this opportunity. Thank you.]
Mr G G MOKGORO: Chair, all protocol observed, rural women are the drivers of agricultural and rural development in South Africa.
Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Chief Whip, Acting ... [Inaudible.][Laughter.] ... and hon members of this distinguished House, it gives me pleasure this afternoon to add my voice to those celebrating the rural women of our country, who not only are the drivers of agriculture and rural development, but who strive against all odds to achieve the impossible under harsh conditions in our rural areas.
The members of this House have just come from conducting an oversight visit in KwaZulu-Natal and many of us experienced first-hand the harsh realities of living in rural areas. The shortage of water and infrastructure to support agricultural production and access to markets is a key inhibitor of agricultural development. This was specifically evident in the area of Mvoti and Msinga which we visited.
The Qedusizi Women’s Agricultural Project in Tugela Ferry is one project that needs appropriate support so that the project can achieve its full potential. Here, the women are committed to making the vegetable gardens productive and they cultivate a wide variety of fresh produce, but they have no access to markets to sell their goods. They farm along the banks of the great Tugela River but there are no pump and irrigation pipes for them to water their gardens.
Therefore, small interventions are needed to ensure that these rural women can develop themselves into proper emerging farmers. Since the basic resources are there, as well as their eagerness to farm and the water, all that is further needed is support from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in providing extension services, a pump station and irrigation pipes.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has great potential to assist our rural women in the fight against poverty and for food security, as they play a central and critical role in providing employment, producing food for the country, and generating income and the subsistence of rural women.
The role that agriculture and forestry play in food security and forests in providing goods and services to women makes them very important sectors in a country like ours. These three sectors have the potential to revive the rural economy of South Africa and, with appropriate policies and financial support, they can make significant contributions in addressing our country’s current socioeconomic challenges, specifically those experienced by rural women.
Currently the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has developed the Forestry Charter to broadly address transformation in the sector and now, with the small-scale fisheries policy and the proposed Fishery Charter, our task is to make sure that rural women can be featured to ensure economic empowerment in the agricultural sector.
Creating vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security for all is Outcome 7 of our government’s outcomes approach. This policy was drafted to address the needs of the broader South African society. In order to achieve this priority, the needs of rural women must be prioritised.
Rural development cannot happen without the inclusion and empowerment of rural women. Malibongwe. [Let them be praised.] [Laughter.] Special measures have been taken and are under way to address the needs of rural women, who continue to be the most oppressed. These measures are being taken to empower women through various institutions and the establishment of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities bears testimony to this. Also, the impact of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme on the lives of rural women is being felt in some of the provinces.
These programmes specifically seek to advantage women in making sure that they participate in the projects that promote rural development and ensure that the rural economy and infrastructure is stimulated and upgraded.
Providing women with better opportunities to grow their own crops and sell them, undertake paid work in the agro-industry, or take on other paid activities in the rural sector is critical to increasing their bargaining power within the home, and can legitimise their control over key material resources, such as land and credit. This is important because it elevates their status within families and communities, and also because women are more likely than men to invest their income in food and basic needs for the household.
Research conducted in rural areas indicates that there is a two-way relationship between women’s involvement and economic development, that is, as economic development takes place there is a likelihood that more women will become involved in economic and sociopolitical activities, but they need to be provided with the opportunity to do so.
While women and youth are the ones most likely to be affected, the traditional system does not fully recognise their role in decision-making forums and bodies. Decisions about the environment and economic activities are mainly shaped and made by men. Men, are you listening?
Especially in rural traditional authorities, the point is that although women are particularly vulnerable under the traditional and communal land tenure systems, they are not guaranteed land rights under any system of tenure, whilst societal values remain fundamentally patriarchal.
A tenure system is determined by the value of the community, the power relations in the community and the unspoken assumptions that operate in the community, rather than by a set of official rules. Therefore, although government has policies that promote and favour women’s empowerment, it is difficult for any government to change a tenure system without the community’s supporting this change.
The circumstances and problems experienced by women living in rural areas demand urgent attention in the form of support and facilitation. We have a Rural Development Strategy that seeks out opportunities which will serve the interests of all stakeholders, including women and youth organisations. Without their joint commitment, the development efforts cannot succeed. There is an urgent need for a well co-ordinated and integrated approach towards addressing rural problems and unlocking the development potential of rural areas or regions.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in December 1995. Specifically, article 14 of the convention recognises rural women as a group with special problems who should be empowered to participate in and benefit from rural development.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Your time has expired, hon member.
Mr G G MOKGORO: Just a minute, Chair. The convention states that women make a significant contribution to the economic survival of their families, which includes unpaid labour. [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order!
Mr G G MOKGORO: I conclude, sir, thank you. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Okay, it is all right. I understand.
Mr D A WORTH: Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, MECs present, hon members, one of the key objectives of the land reform programme is to eliminate gender discrimination with regard to the allocation of agricultural land to women. In South Africa, as is the case on the African continent, the ability to access land is a fundamental issue for women in general, and for rural women in particular.
Land is significant for rural women because it is a fundamental resource determining their living conditions, their economic empowerment and, to some extent, their struggle for equity and equality within a patriarchal society.
Statistics show that 52% of South Africa’s total population are women. Of those, almost half, 47%, live in rural areas. In South Africa the unemployment rate amongst rural women amounts to 53% for all population groups, compared to 37% amongst rural men.
Furthermore, women provide the backbone of the rural economy in much of Africa. It is stated that rural women are responsible for half of the world’s food production and produce between 60% and 80% of the food in most developing countries.
Despite the importance of landownership to women, the overriding feature in women’s relationship to land is their lack of security of tenure. This is largely as a result of economic and social discrimination against women, more particularly gender-biased laws, policies and traditions that prevent women from owning and inheriting land in their own right.
Many black South Africans were dispossessed of their land during the colonial and apartheid era. The apartheid laws were harsher for women, especially the Black Areas Land Regulations of 1969, which provided that land might be allocated only to the males of the family. In addition, the Black Administration Act and customary law regarded women as minors who could not hold property contracts in their own right.
The lack of access of the poor to socioeconomic services, public amenities and government services, their lack of access to water resources for household and agricultural development, and their lack of access to economic activities and job opportunities, as well as low literacy and skills levels, have all contributed to the migratory labour practice. This has had a negative impact on family units, resulting in an increased number of child and woman-headed households.
The recognition of the role of women in agriculture and rural society is fundamental to agriculture and rural development in Africa. The number of female households is increasing significantly in rural areas in many developing countries as rural men migrate due to the lack of employment and other income-generating opportunities.
Subsistence agriculture is usually the only safety net for food security for most women in rural areas. Women often find themselves in the position of farming land and providing for their families without legal rights to water and the land.
In rural areas there is a severe shortage of hospitals and medical care facilities, especially for women. There is also a severe shortage of proper infrastructure, such as roads, transportation and electricity. The lack of these basic services increases the burden of labour for rural women.
Having water points nearer to their homes will reduce the distance women and girls have to walk, allowing time for other activities, including child care, growing food and income generation. Water nearer to homes produces significant improvements in nutrition and health.
Women in rural areas are also affected by the lack of marketing facilities for agricultural products, as we have heard, and are vulnerable to intermediaries who exploit the situation.
The lack of access to extension services implies that women farmers do not get informed of new technologies and plant varieties.
The challenge for a gendered agriculture and rural development policy is to ensure the empowerment of women and to shift the emphasis away from simply growing agricultural produce for subsistence farming to the production of surplus for trade and competitiveness, increasing investments and improving the management of agricultural resources.
However, women in Africa as a whole continue to face enormous obstacles. Women are still the ones who constitute the majority of the poor, and who live mostly in the rural areas and bear the brunt of the burden of finding alternatives because of the lack of services. Even in the case of South Africa, where there is a constitutional obligation on the government to ensure access to resources, these have not been realised due to the lack of capacity and the remaining inaccessibility to basic needs. As a result, rural women continue to be the poorest of the poor, remain excluded from social and economic development and growth, and are often denied access to the services so desperately needed. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mrs N W Magadla): Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, hon Minister Xingwana in her absence, hon Deputy Minister Thulas Nxesi, hon MECs present, hon acting Chief Whip of the Council, and hon permanent delegates, as well as special delegates, historically South African black women in general have had to endure what was referred to as a triple oppression: as a class, nation and race.
If we understand that the women’s question in South Africa was the most critical challenge in our liberation struggle, we will draw correct conclusions about when and how we empower them in regard to their experiences at different stages of our revolution. It should be clear that the total emancipation of women will only be realised under a developmental state, and only if at each stage of our revolution we organise and educate them as part of the people to participate fully and raise their aspirations, demands and needs. The struggle for women’s emancipation is not a struggle against men, but it is a struggle by people against ...
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I am sorry, hon member, to disturb you. Hon members, I’ve got to go and swear in a member who will be taking his seat in this House, and I would like to be excused. I will ask hon Freddie Adams to assist us and come to the Chair. As you can see, we are depleted today with respect to presiding officers. Thank you very much.
I must also congratulate the provinces and particularly thank them for their attendance, hon Nxesi. I am surprised about the attendance. This is a very important topic, and I wish they could always come and participate. Thank you very much. [Applause.] We have not taken your time, hon Magadla. We have noted your time.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mrs N W Magadla): I want to repeat that the struggle for women’s emancipation is not a struggle against men, but a struggle by people against systems and structures of gender oppression and exploitation.
The Freedom Charter states that the “land shall be shared among those who work it!” Have we ourselves ever had an opportunity to assess and evaluate who those who work the land are? Rural women of our country have been the biggest victims of the triple oppression. Under traditional and patriarchal forms of family relations women’s area of productive work was the home – seeing to the domestic economy, growing and cooking food, and caring for and socialising the children were the order of the day. The migrant labour system disrupted family lives; it is the rural women who looked after the homes while the husbands were migrating from one town to another in search of job opportunities.
The Reconstruction and Development Programme, RDP, had this to say about rural development, “The RDP aims to improve the quality of rural life.” Development efforts must address the special position of women, as they make up the majority of small-scale farmers and bear the brunt of poverty, overcrowding and hunger in the rural areas. They take responsibility for all aspects of their families’ lives, including the need to obtain food, fuel and water, and often travel long distances, but they are excluded from decision-making structures. Their priorities include accessible water, housing, training local development committees and disaster relief fund markets for their production.
Food security, a topical issue in the world, can also be obtained through the exploitation of opportunities within government through the creation of government markets. Hon members, I am always heartened when I come across energetic women producing vegetables, but at the same time heartbroken when they report that their produce rots in their gardens because of a lack of markets! Communities should embrace the One Home One Garden campaign. We call upon all municipalities to establish fresh produce markets by empowering women through various programmes.
Hon members, another area of priority is the empowerment of women in rural areas through various programmes, including co-operatives, as has been mentioned by previous speakers. Women have long been sidelined by society, but their contribution in the country in the areas of agriculture and rural development can fast-track local economic development. They form a resource which could assist government in eliminating poverty, food insecurity and other social ills.
Women as drivers of agriculture and rural development need practical access to health, education and support for entrepreneurship, financial services, welfare and so on. We are singing one song with the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
Since 1994 women in our country have made many advances under the ANC-led government. Rural women must be empowered to be able to play a decisive role in the regulation of landownership in their areas. I want to tell the director-general that they must be able to play an active role in issues such as land reform, restitution and redistribution, and access to land. I am happy because the Deputy Minister, as well as the Minister, has alluded to that. They must participate fully in the processes that seek to address inequality, redress and social justice. Critical here is their role in public hearings that seek to legislate on all matters that concern rural development.
Training in construction and maintenance should be provided for them so that they can participate in programmes to renovate mud schools and transform them into proper, safe structures to ensure that the culture of teaching and learning can proceed unhindered in rural areas. The rural women should lead structures that build and maintain infrastructure such as roads, clinics and irrigation schemes.
Far more critical is training and development that will empower them to participate in rebuilding the culture of agricultural livelihoods and rural entrepreneurship. In this regard, programmes with proper monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustainable improvements in livelihoods for the rural poor, farm workers, farm dwellers and small farmers should be put in place. They should actively participate in organs that seek to democratise the allocation of customary land, which the Minister has alluded to, in a manner that empowers rural women and supports the building of democratic community structures at village level, capable of driving and co-ordinating local development processes.
Chairperson, climate change is a new threat on a global scale and lays an enormous burden upon South Africa and Africans as a whole, because we are the most vulnerable to its effects. In South Africa, the impact of climate change is predicted to include a reduction in rainfall and an increase in drought, especially on the western side of the country. This will increase water scarcity and have potentially devastating effects on agricultural production.
For us to advance, defend and deepen our democratic gains, we must endeavour as a country to place the aspirations of rural women at the centre of our developmental agenda.
I thank you, Temporary Chairperson. [Applause.]
Mrs Z CAPA (Eastern Cape): Hon Chairperson, hon Adams, Minister, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, colleagues from provinces, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, I bring greetings from the Eastern Cape, especially from the millions of rural women in that part of our country.
We have come a long way, with the support of those women, in all the struggles that we have had. I therefore wish to add my voice to those who have congratulated this House, the NCOP, for taking time to hold this debate, acknowledging 15 October as the day when rural women’s lives are celebrated. In order to put this debate on our country’s map and even that of the world, I feel that I need to say that I appreciate this. I also appreciate the opportunity offered to me to join such a gathering. Thank you very much.
Apart from our actually debating issues of rural women, I think all our hearts, as South Africans, irrespective of our political affiliation, go out to those women who are so unfortunate as to have no shelter, no roof over their heads, as we speak, and who will struggle to put together a decent meal for their families tonight. We also send our condolences to the families of those who have passed on, who have been killed, murdered mercilessly, during this month. We know that in November more people always get hurt, for reasons that we are not able to explain.
Let us look outside South Africa. In Spain they celebrated this month by having an International Day of Rural Women, with the theme “Women in agriculture and rural development in managing the change as social change agents”. Also looking at how rural women outside South Africa have addressed issues that this House has decided to address, we find that research in Australia, which is a First World country, has actually looked into the issues of rural women. Surprisingly, there are similarities between us, although we are at the level of a developing country.
I am not going to bore this House by giving the actual numbers of what we are doing, but I will definitely be effective in my use of time and look into the challenges. That is because our visit here is not so much to compete, but to co-operate; to learn how things have been done outside the Eastern Cape; and also to listen to other departments, like the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, of which the Deputy Minister is here, and hear what they have to say about women in our provincial areas. I am happy that I have listened to you, hon Deputy Minister. I will highlight some of the issues, so that the platform provided for us as MECs is utilised effectively to send some honest messages to your office.
Women out there are not as organised as we would like to think. Therefore, in order to assist them all, we need to be very organised and integrated at the national level, so that the programmes that are meant to help those women are streamlined and customised down to the local government level. Because of that, we will be able to know and evaluate how many have benefited and how many are still outstanding. That is a tedious job. When you go and celebrate one village’s success and you leave that particular village, you are then confronted with the worst situations, needing your urgent attention. This I say because of my experience; honestly, it is not good out there.
Many, many women are still as they were many years ago, because the tendency is to look at the 15 years and not at the details. These women are now 70 and 80 years old and have endured the struggle. Not only is the situation urgent for the parties that came into power 15 years ago, but it also calls out to everyone out there that the oppression is not 15 years old. These women have endured a terrible life throughout their lifetimes!
What we have to do, and the little that the Eastern Cape has done, is to see that if Social Development gives out something that is regarded as a starter pack, it is a good start. If someone does not come to add value, the value of the idea diminishes and Social Development is always accused of being somewhat corrupt. If you look at what they get, it is like giving them a cellphone with a little airtime, which means more airtime has to be added to what Social Development has given.
This is the reason why the MECs for social development and special programmes, rural development and agrarian reform, and for public works, roads and transport, have come together to form a permanent cluster, so that when they budget, they ensure that their strategies are completely integrated.
This is because of the following challenges. If you wanted to assist women to run a restaurant in a small town, where would you get accommodation to do so? If you wanted to do it in the rural areas, would you get the electricity to do so? If you wanted an irrigation scheme next to a place where there was sufficient water, how would you have the irrigation scheme if there was no electricity?
Should your vegetables be so good that you could sell them in any market, how would you take them from there when there was no road? We know that we have a market in Mthatha, but their produce is always second class because it travels for a very long time before it arrives and it has already lost its value. So, we must put our house in order and determine what the priorities are. Therefore, Public Works must be there to ensure access to road networks, small markets, and then regional markets.
Secondly, the issue of access to finance is a terrible one because people do not have collateral. Funnily enough, when I was reading on the Internet, I saw that in Bangladesh they were also complaining about collateral.
We as rural women also complain about a physical address, which we do not have in any way, although it is a requirement ... Thank you very much for the opportunity. Next time your time must be a little bit more favourable to the poor. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
WELCOMING OF GUESTS IN GALLERY
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Before I call our next speaker, hon Letsatsi-Duba, let me take this opportunity to welcome our guests in the gallery, our future leaders. Welcome to Parliament and to the NCOP.
NEW MEMBER
(Announcement)
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams):Let me also take this opportunity to welcome a member, who has just been sworn in in the office of the Chairperson. He will be accompanied by the hon Watson, who will lead him to his chair. Let me welcome hon Denis Joseph. [Applause.] Thank you, hon Watson. Hon Joseph, you can greet them later tonight when you buy them drinks! Do you want to say a few words? You’re fine? Thank you very much.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Chair, I just thought to myself that as part of the tradition of this institution the hon member should sing one of the best songs for us! [Laughter.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): He said he would invite us to sing at some other stage.
Mr K A SINCLAIR: Chairperson, I was just wondering whether hon Watson, who walked in here, had got married. [Laughter.] I don’t know whether his bride’s surname was Mazibuko. [Laughter.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Order, hon members!
Ms D LETSATSI-DUBA (Limpopo): Hon Chairperson of the House, hon M J Mahlangu, in absentia, Chairperson of the sitting now, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Nxesi, and hon members of this august House, allow me to join my colleagues in thanking the NCOP for affording us as the Limpopo province this opportunity to debate about rural development and its significance to rural women. This is an item which is high on the ANC’s agenda of transformation, as we strive to improve the lives of our people, including the rural poor.
Chairperson, allow me to start with a quotation from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, of the United Nations, which says:
Efforts by various national governments and the international community to achieve their goals for agricultural development, economic growth and food security will be strengthened and accelerated if they build on the contribution women make and the steps that they take to alleviate their constraints.
Our situation is no different from the one described by the FAO. The contribution of women in agriculture and rural development in all developing countries, including ours, has continued to be essential for a long period of time, and it will indeed continue to be so in the future.
Historically, rural women often managed complex household functions and also pursued multiple livelihood strategies, and the situation remains the same today. Women play a critical role in the production of agricultural crops and livestock, the processing and preparation of food, working in other rural enterprises for small or minimal wages, collecting fuel and water, and caring for their family members.
On an occasion of this nature it is very important to recognise and appreciate the role women have played in agriculture and rural development in general, and specifically the role they have played in the fight against poverty and food insecurity in Africa and other developing countries. The social and economic struggle for freedom cannot be separated from the struggle women have fought against hunger, poverty, malnutrition, diseases and other forms of suffering that continue to ravage our societies today.
With regard to women’s contribution to agricultural production worldwide, women contribute 40% to the agricultural labour force and in Africa it is 68%. It is difficult to separate food production that is run by women from the food production run by members of society in general. However, it is common knowledge that women play a significant role in this production.
If we take into consideration the role of women, we will realise that they have a greater role to play if we speak of issues of food security, HIV and other related ills in our societies. The department has implemented a number of projects which seek to promote women. I will not go into the whole list of these projects. I will only mention a few which we have initiated since 1998.
Let me refer to the achievements we have had since 1998. The primary objective of these programmes is to empower our women and also encourage them to participate in rural development and agriculture.
The Female Entrepreneur of the Year, which we started in 1999, has had a number of women entrants who have made a significant contribution in the production of credible and well-prepared food packages which are also recognised internationally.
Another thing that I want to mention is the rural co-operatives and formations that we have started in our province. One of these is in the Letsitele area in Tzaneen, where women have grouped themselves into eight groups that have managed to produce different crops including citrus, bananas, mangos and avocados. It is easier for us as a department to speak to these women because they are in structures - they are organised. This also enables us to train and advise them, as well as provide them with tractors so as to enable them to have production much more easily, as compared to relying on manual production only.
Furthermore, Limpopo has organised a rural development strategy that will focus on women, youth and young women. We want to train them to become entrepreneurs, and also develop small enterprises around the villages in our province. Despite all the problems we are experiencing as a province, namely land issues, water, market access and all the other issues that have been mentioned here, Limpopo has tried to initiate programmes that will enable women to access the market and also be trained as emerging entrepreneurs, and will in the future develop them into real entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
Lastly, we have a programme where we empower young women with skills, training them to look after irrigation schemes. We also have a whole range of activities where women are allowed to come and view our programmes. We explain to them how they can access our programmes and the advisory services of our officers. I thank you, Chairperson.
Mr G VAN RENSBURG (Western Cape): Chair, Deputy Minister Nxesi, fellow MECs, my colleagues and hon members, women are important. Let me begin with the women in my life. The first one is my mother. She is 90 years old and she taught me a love for agriculture. The second one is my wife, Christa, who works with me in agriculture. The third one is Premier Helen Zille who gave me the responsibility for Agriculture. The fourth one is my national Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson. The fifth one is the head of my department, Joyene Isaacs, and the sixth one is member Ellen Prins, the spokesperson for agriculture here in the Western Cape. These women have influenced my life so that I am the man I am today.
All South African women are crucial to the development, health and sustainability of our South African society. Women are also crucial for successful rural economies. [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Hon Gunda and hon Sinclair, this is an NCOP sitting. Please respect the decorum here and the Council.
Mr G VAN RENSBURG (Western Cape): Chair, it is very often our women who take responsibility for our children’s education. It is our women who educate girls in taking responsibility ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Will the hon Gunda come to order.
Mr J J GUNDA: Chair, I’m sorry. However, I ask you to please not be biased, as hon Tau is also guilty. Thank you, Chair.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon Gunda, I called out your name, because from where I was sitting I saw you and hon Sinclair. Thank you.
Mr G VAN RENSBURG (Western Cape): It is our women who educate young girls in taking responsibility for their own future. Needless to say men have an equally important role to play regarding these responsibilities. But let us give credit where it is due - our South African women have always been the anchors of our communities. Therefore, it is common sense that women should play an important role in our rural development initiatives as well. We also have very good examples of female farmers who excel in the rural areas.
Allow me to be proud of the women in my department. In 2010 the Western Cape Department of agriculture was nominated as the most female-empowered department in the country. This included national departments. The same department has now been crowned by the SA Institute of Government Auditors as the best overall South African department regarding its annual reporting.
It therefore comes as no surprise that agriculture and rural development have a distinctively female touch in the Western Cape. Maybe that is one of the reasons why we place so much emphasis on relationships when it comes to both agriculture and rural development in the Western Cape.
Rural development will only take off in communities where certain fundamental conditions are in place. These conditions can only be achieved when government and the community work together as a team. Impoverished communities in South Africa often hold much potential for economic development, but for some or other reason it is not happening in those communities. As government and as rural development officials we need to try to understand why this is the case.
To put it in a different light, why do the world’s rich and successful individuals and institutions still bank in Switzerland? Why does money flow to Switzerland but not to Doring Bay on our West Coast? Maybe it is because a Swiss bank account is associated with stability, peace and safety. We need to create this stability and peace in our rural communities. Investors are drawn into communities which are safe and where people live in harmony.
Investors are also drawn to places where there are skills, as well as opportunities for growth. South Africa is blessed with so many natural resources that I believe any community in our country has the potential for development of some kind or another, whether it is agriculture, mining, manufacturing or tourism.
All South African communities have a pool of skills but often, especially in remote areas, these skills are not formalised. People do not have proof of their skills. They do not have papers. This makes searching for a job very difficult, especially in places where people do not know you.
The same goes for investors entering our communities for the first time. How will they know which skills are locally available to drive their development projects? As government we can help communities to formalise all the skills already available in a specific community.
We can assist communities to structure themselves in a way that presents a unified front to potential investors. If investors interact with a unified community it will smooth the path for investment.
These initiatives to make our rural communities attractive for investment are fundamentally based on relationships, namely the relationships between community members, the relationship between communities and government, the relationships between different spheres of government and the relationship between government and private investors or the private sector.
We need our rural women to step to the fore in order to help establish and nurture these relationships. Women are the glue that holds our families together. They are also the glue that holds communities together.
In the same manner rural women can be the glue that holds government, rural communities and the private sector together. A mother knows what is best for her family. A woman knows what is best for her community. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): Deputy Minister Nxesi, colleagues, members of the executive councils of other provinces, distinguished members of the NCOP, let me begin by defining what the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is, starting from the beginning. In a simplified definition, it is a programme that seeks to change lives in rural areas where there is no life. It is a programme that seeks to bring modern amenities to rural areas where they have not been available. It is a programme that seeks to change the face of rural areas from the old to the new.
The implementation of this programme can only be safe in the hands of women. I am a person of the opposite sex, but I accept that reality. I’m not biased; I’m speaking about facts. Minister Xingwana asked:
Whether land has been given to men. That land is laying fallow because they are sitting somewhere doing something different from what they are supposed to be doing on the land.
I don’t know what she said, but she meant, “Niyanxila” [“You are drinking”].
You will recall that Outcome 7 of the government is an outcome that seeks to create sustainable and vibrant communities in rural areas. Once again, the objective of that outcome will not be realised if the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is not assigned to women.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order, MEC! Order! Hon Lees, are you rising on a point of order?
Mr R A LEES: Chairperson, is the MEC going to sit down while I have the floor?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Put your question.
Mr R A LEES: Chairperson, I would like to ask the MEC if he is willing to take a question.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): MEC, are you willing to take a question?
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): I’m prepared to take any question, Chairperson.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Put your question, hon Lees.
Mr R A LEES: Thank you, Chairperson. Hon MEC, I would like to know whether the implication of your statement about men drinking is that all men drink and are unproductive?
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): Hon Chairperson, the hon member is not a good listener. I was referring to what Minister Xingwana was saying, and I said I agreed with that. Now, the view he is expressing is the view I took from hon Xingwana. I said I agreed with that view because, in practice, if you were to give work to women and men respectively, the work that would be done would be that given to the women, because they would not do anything other than the work you had given them. Is there any other question? [Applause.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order, hon members!
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): He doesn’t have any more questions.
Mr A WATSON: But you are making a speech and not taking questions.
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): I just hope you are not wasting my time. The achievement of the objective of Outcome 7 can only be realised if this programme is given to women for implementation. All of us must thank the ANC and its Polokwane conference, because it is the ANC that accepted at that conference that rural areas had long been neglected. It said that the fact that they had been neglected meant that something needed to be done; hence the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is a programme that even seeks to address the lives of the relatives of the hon member who is speaking while I’m speaking. [Laughter.]
We are inviting all those who want to change the lives of rural people from bad to better, from no life to life. I invite the hon member to agree with me on this programme. This programme is the programme of the ANC.
Chairperson, the year 2011 has been declared the year of job creation. It is through this Comprehensive Rural Development Programme that we are creating jobs in the nine provinces, throughout the Republic of South Africa. We are answering the problems of the poor. Hon Minister, through this programme we will achieve our goals very easily and quickly.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order, hon MEC! Hon Bloem.
Mr D V BLOEM: Chairperson, will the hon member take a question?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon member, will you take a question?
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): I will take a question after my debate.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): After the debate, hon Bloem. Continue, hon MEC.
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): That is a tactic members are using to derail me. Chairperson, I’m saying that 2011 is the year of job creation. It is through the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme that we are answering the questions of poverty and unemployment, which are major problems across our country. These problems are not selective. It doesn’t matter whether you are DA or ANC; they cut across party lines. So, we invite the DA to join us in pursuing this programme because it will affect them as well.
We must use the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme to push back the frontiers of poverty. Some people out there are hungry, whilst others are not certain about their next meal. But it is only through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme that we can create enough food for domestic consumption and export. We must do so if we are serious about dealing with hunger.
Food is produced in rural areas and nowhere else in our country. That is what we should concentrate on. At the centre of this programme are women, because often men are out of the village for the better part of the week, going to factories and industries, while others are in Johannesburg, where food is not grown. The people who remain where the food is grown and produced are women. They remain in those villages. That is why they must be at the centre of this. I’m ready for you to ask the next question!
Chairperson, maybe I should illustrate this fact by using a small unit such as the family. When we leave here today we are not sure of what we are going to eat this evening. The only person who knows is the mother of the house. [Interjections.]
Mr D V BLOEM: I live alone, sir.
Mr B TSHWENE (North West): That’s your problem. [Laughter.] Every day it is the mother of the house who knows what we are going to eat for breakfast and lunch. Some of us are even going to ask the mother of the house, “What are we eating today?” It is a fact.
Therefore, Chairperson, women remain the pillar of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. They remain the pillar of agriculture. I’m an African in soul and blood. In the African history and tradition it is the women who grow the food and cook it.
Bomme ke bona batho ba ba tsayang mabele kwa masimong, ba bo ba a tlhobola, ba bangwe ga ba itse, ba a tlhobola, ba bo ba apaya, re bo re ja. Le mmidi o jewang ke bone, ba tlhobola setampa, “mqushe”, ba se kgobe setampa se, ba bo ba se apeye. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Women are the only people who harvest sorghum from the fields, grind it - some people do not know they grind it - and cook it, and then we eat. The same applies to the mielies that they consume. They grind the samp, “mqushe”, and they blend this samp and cook it.]
There is no question about the participation of women in the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. In fact, it is a women’s programme. They must drive it if we want to succeed. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.] I’m prepared to take a question now.
Mr D V BLOEM: Sir, I have forgotten the question! [Laughter.]
Me E PRINS (Wes-Kaap): Voorsitter, Ministers, LUR’e teenwoordig en lede van die NRVP, daar is ’n Wes-Kaap wat in foto’s en in mense se drome bestaan. Die Wes-Kaap wat ek vandag aan u wil uitlig, is die een wat met die agterpaaie bereik word, wat daar agter die groot huis, die kraalmuur, die stalle of buitegeboue, die dam of selfs agter bome versteek is. Dit is ’n Wes-Kaap van armoede en geen menswaardige bestaan nie, waar mense gedwing word om maar net “Ja, baas” te sê.
Dit is hierdie mense wat op plase bly en werk. Hulle is in wese sonder ’n eie heenkome, en word die heeltyd van boere afhanklik gehou. Mense wat miljarde rand se welvaart help skep, maar self met net die sente, die oorskot, die minimum, tevrede moet wees. So nie, moet hulle trap, of word hulle plaasplakkers genoem. Hulle word weggejaag om elders te gaan raap en skraap. Op van dié plase word die vee beter as die werkers behandel.
Ek gee erkenning aan daardie boere wat hul werkers reg behandel en waardeer, maar, Voorsitter, as ’n mens gaan kyk, dan kan jy daardie boere op een hand tel.
Op die platteland het ek baie probleme gesien. Ek het selfs foto’s geneem van haglike omstandighede. Dit is oor hierdie mense wat ek vandag wil praat.
Dié realiteit bestaan natuurlik glad nie vir Agri Wes-Kaap of die DA se LUR vir Landbou nie. Hulle vertel dat, as daar sulke boere is, hulle in die minderheid en net ’n paar vrot appels in die mandjie is.
Ek was verbaas oor die reaksie op verslae met talle bewysse van vergrype, mishandeling en ander onaanvaarbare behandeling wat mense op plase moet deurmaak.
Voorsitter, hier is ’n voorbeeld van vergrype wat op plase gebeur, en ek wil graag hê julle moet daarna kyk. Hierdie plaaswerker - kyk hoe hy verbrand is. Hy’s deurtrek van brandwonde wat hy opgedoen het terwyl hy op ’n plaas in Riebeeck-Wes tamatieplante met gevaarlike gifstowwe besproei het sonder dat hy van beskermende klere voorsien is. Dit is dié probleme waarvan ons praat wat die mense op sekere plase in hierdie Wes-Kaap ondervind.
Ons het ook vanjaar die verskoning gehoor van die DA se provinsiale leier – die LUR vir Gesondheid, Theuns Botha – toe daar vervalle werkershuise op ’n plaas by Riversdal wat deels aan hom behoort, gevind is, waar die arme mense in gehawende en nat toestande leef wat ongesond is.
Die Departement van Arbeid het ook bevind dat net sowat ’n derde van boere wetgewing nakom. Dit is daarom nie vreemd dat so baie boere na bewering van tyd tot tyd nog steeds werkers behandel asof hulle lyfbediendes of persoonlike slawe uit die tyd van Van Riebeeck is nie. Slawerny en apartheid is afgeskaf, maar die ingesteldheid van sekere grondeienaars het iewers in die verlede vasgehaak.
Die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland se Instituut vir Armoede, Grond en Landboustudies – in Engels bekend as Plaas – het verskeie ondersoeke gedoen en verslae met bewysse van ernstige probleme gepubliseer. Die SA Menseregtekommissie het al twee verslae die lig laat sien, waarin plaaswerkers se probleme met basiese regte en vergrype aangeteken is. Die landboubedryfsvereniging, die Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry, Bawsi, het selfs ’n verslag uitgebring waarin verskillende vergrype behoorlik geboekstaaf is. Die internasionale Human Rights Watch het ook ’n verslag van plaasbewoners se probleme in die Wes-Kaap saamgestel.
Dan is daar natuurlik ook die talle voorbeelde van boere wat hul voormanne en mense vermoor en mishandel, wat in hofverslae opgeteken is. Dit kom al oor eeue en dekades aan. Ons onthou almal die vermoorde meisie van Leeu-Gamka wat aan die brand gesteek is en in ’n ou watertenk weggesteek is. Ons onthou ook die volksanger, Tant Lena Nuwegeld van Beaufort-Wes, wat saam met twee vriende afgemaai is. Daar is genoeg bewysse dat ’n groot skroef in die Wes-Kaap los is.
Kom ons kyk na die werklike Wes-Kaap.
Bawsi het onwettige kinderarbied op plase aangetref. Human Rights Watch het na voorbeelde van die dopstelsel in hul verslag verwys. Te veel mense het toegang tot rantsoenwyn, en gevolglik word baie babas met fetale alkoholsindroom gebore.
Plaasafsettings is aan die orde van die dag in hierdie Wes-Kaap. My kantoor word daagliks oorval deur mense wat van plase afgesit is. Hulle word gereeld langs paaie gekry waar hulle in die winter sonder skuiling tussen hul aardse besittings moet sit en wag op ’n beter môre.
Die regte van vroulike plaaswerkers word in baie gevalle misken. Vroue wat swanger is, word gedwing om harde werk te doen. Hulle moet sonder toegang tot toiletgeriewe tussen mans werk. Hulle word misbruik en word in huwelike in gedwing. Hulle moet sonder kraamverlof klaarkom, of word nie betaal as hulle swanger of siek is nie. Vroue met kinders word minder as mans betaal vir dieselfde werk wat hulle doen. Baie van dié vroue is die broodwinners in hul gesinne. Van hulle moet sonder basiese dienste soos skoon water en riool klaarkom.
Gedurende die verkiesing verlede jaar het ek op haglike en verskriklike toestande afgekom. Ek het afgekom op ’n plaas naby Swellendam waar ’n ou dame geen toilet het nie. Sy kan nie loop nie; sy het ’n siekte, ek weet nie wat nie, maar hulle noem dit olifantsiekte; en sy lyk geswel. Die mense drink water uit die riviere waar riool aan die bokant inloop. Dít is die omstandighede op plase.
Die ander probleem wat ek graag hier wil opper, handel oor die klinieke wat na die gesondheid van veral die plaaslike vroue moet omsien. U weet wat die afstande is. Ek het dit eendag aanhangig gemaak tydens ’n interpellasie aan die Minister van Gesondheid. Die mense moet ver afstande loop om gesondheidsdienste te kry. As hulle by hul huise siek word, kan hulle die ambulansdienste bel om te sê: “Kom haal my; hier is ’n noodgeval.” Maar die probleem ontstaan egter wanneer hulle vanaf die hospitale terug huis toe moet reis, want dan is daar nie vir hulle vervoer nie. Gevolglik is so baie vroue al verkrag. Mense het weggeraak want hulle moet op eie stoom siek-siek na hul huise terug gaan.
Die ander probleem is die klinieke. Die kliniekdienste wat deur die distrikskliniek aangebied word, word “die bussie” genoem. Hulle noem dit so omdat ’n bussie uitgaan om dienste aan die vroue op die plase te lewer. Maar weet u wat die realiteit is? Baie van daardie dienste word langs die paaie aangebied. Die bussie kom tot by die pad. Die vrou moet dan tot by die pad loop en, as dit reën, dan moet van die vroue buitekant staan terwyl die suster met die een vrou binnekant besig is.
Dit is van die probleme wat ek dink deur die landelike ontwikkelingsprogram aangespreek moet word, om vir ons mense regtigwaar ’n menswaardige diens te lewer, en veral om te sien na die mense op plase wat ver van dorpe geleë is.
Wat noem ’n mens dit as ’n plaaswerker na ’n week se arbeid net 50 sent betaal word, terwyl die res na die boer se winkel op die plaas gaan? Dit is in koerante aangeteken.
’n AGB LID: Sluit hom toe!
Me E PRINS (Wes-Kaap): Mense moet eerder gehelp word om hul eie sake verantwoordelik te bestuur. In hierdie stadium is die keuse vir ’n plaaswerker: bid vir nog ’n skof, of spoed.
Agb De Villiers, dis maklik om te sê “gaan lê ’n klag”. Jy kom van ’n omgewing af waar van dié vergrype aan die orde van die dag is. Daardie mense is die swakste en weet nie eens hoe om vir hulp aansoek te doen nie.
Mnr M J R DE VILLIERS: Voorsitter, ek wil die agb lid vra of sy bereid is om ’n vraag te beantwoord.
Die TYDELIKE VOORSITTER (Mnr F Adams): Agb Prins, is u bereid om ’n vraag te vat?
Me E PRINS (Wes-Kaap): Voorsitter, nee dankie. Hy kan vir my die vraag kom vra wanneer ek klaar is met my toespraak.
Die TYDELIKE VOORSITTER (Mnr F Adams): Gaan maar voort, agb Prins.
Me E PRINS (Wes-Kaap): Voorsitter, daarom is dit nodig dat ons nasionale Departemente van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye en van Landelike Ontwikkeling en Grondhervorming groter toesighouding in hierdie provinsie moet uitvoer.
Die Wes-Kaap belê bitter min van sy eie geld hier vir landelike ontwikkeling. Al die geld, 126%, kom van die nasionale vlak, die ANC-regering, af. Maar wie maak aanspraak op die oorwinning van daardie geld wat in die Wes-Kaap bestee word? En kry ons waarde vir geld waar dit na toe moet kom? Kom daardie geld by die armstes van die armes uit? Dit is wat ons moet vra. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Ms E PRINS (Wes-Kaap): Chairperson, Ministers, MECs present and members of the NCOP, there is a Western Cape that exists in photographs and in people’s dreams. The Western Cape that I want to highlight for you today is the one reached along the backstreets, which is hidden away behind the large house, the kraal wall, the barns or outbuildings, the dam, or even behind trees. It is a Western Cape of poverty and without a dignified existence, where people are forced simply to say, “Ja, baas”.
These are the people who live and work on farms. They are essentially without a refuge of their own, and are kept constantly dependent on farmers. People who help to create billions of rands’ worth of prosperity but who themselves have to be content with just the few cents, the minimum which is left. If not, they have to go, or else they will be seen as squatting on the farm. They are chased away to go and scrape a living elsewhere. On some of these farms the livestock receive better treatment than the workers.
I acknowledge those farmers who are treating and appreciating their workers in the proper way but, Chairperson, if one were to investigate, one would be able to count those farmers on the fingers of one hand.
In the rural areas I have seen many problems. I have even taken photographs of precarious circumstances. It is about these people that I wish to speak today.
Of course, this reality does not exist at all for Agri Wes-Cape or the DA’s MEC for a griculture. They say that if such farmers do exist, they are in the minority and that they are only a few rotten apples in the basket. I was astounded by the reaction to reports containing extensive evidence of violations, maltreatment and other unacceptable treatment that people on farms have to endure.
Chairperson, here is an example of the violations happening on farms, and I would like you to look at it. This farm worker - look at how burnt he is. He is covered in burn wounds he sustained when he was spraying tomato plants on a farm in Riebeeck West with dangerous toxins, without having been provided with protective clothing. This is one of the problems that we are talking about experienced by people on certain farms here in the Western Cape.
We have also in the course of the year heard the excuse made by the provincial leader of the DA – the MEC for health, Theuns Botha – when derelict labourers’ cottages were found on a farm in Riversdale of which he is a co-owner, where the poor people are living under neglected and wet conditions that are unhealthy.
The Department of Labour has also found that only about a third of farmers comply with legislation. For that reason it is not strange that so many farmers allegedly still treat workers as if they were personal servants or slaves from the time of Van Riebeeck. Slavery and apartheid have been abolished, but the attitude of certain landowners has become bogged down somewhere in the past.
The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies – also known as Plaas – at the University of the Western Cape has conducted various investigations and published reports containing proof of serious problems. The SA Human Rights Commission has already produced two reports recording the problems experienced with basic rights and violations encountered by farm workers. The agricultural association, the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry, Bawsi, has even produced a report in which different violations are properly recorded. The international organisation Human Rights Watch has also compiled a report on problems experienced by people living on farms in the Western Cape.
Then, of course, there are also numerous examples of farmers who murder and maltreat their foremen and people living on their farms, which have been recorded in court reports. This has been manifested over centuries and decades. We all remember the murdered girl from Leeu-Gamka who was set alight and then hidden in an old water tank. We also remember the folk singer, Aunt Lena Nuwegeld of Beaufort West, who was mown down with two friends. There is enough evidence that something is amiss in the Western Cape.
Let us have a look at the real Western Cape.
Bawsi has encountered illegal child labour on farms. Human Rights Watch has referred to examples of the tot system in their report. Too many people have access to wine rations, and consequently many babies are born with foetal alcohol syndrome.
Farm evictions are a common practice in this Western Cape. My office is overwhelmed daily with appeals from people who have been evicted from farms. They are frequently found at roadsides where they have to sit among their earthly possessions without any shelter during winter, waiting for a better tomorrow.
The rights of female farm workers are, in many cases, denied. Women who are pregnant are forced to do hard work. They have to work among men without access to toilet facilities. They are maltreated and forced into marriages. They have to manage without maternity leave or are not paid if they are pregnant or ill. Women with children are paid less than men for doing the same work. Many of these women are the breadwinners in their families. Some of them have to manage without basic services such as clean water and sanitation.
During the election last year I came upon precarious and appalling conditions. I came upon a farm near Swellendam where an old lady had no toilet. She cannot walk; she has a disease, I do not know what, but they call it elephant disease; and she looks swollen. People drink water from the rivers with sewage flowing into the upper end. These are the circumstances on farms.
Another problem that I would like to raise here concerns the clinics providing for the health of particularly the local women. You know what the distances are. I once raised this during an interpellation to the Minister of Health. People have to walk great distances to receive health care services. If they become ill at home, they can call the ambulance service to say: “Come and fetch me; there is an emergency here.” But the problem arises when they need to be taken back home from the hospitals, because then there is no transport for them. Consequently many women have already been raped. People have disappeared because while they are still very sick they have to return home on their own.
The other problem is the clinics. The clinic services offered by the district clinic are called the “bussie”. They call it this because a little bus goes out to provide services to the women on the farms. But do you know what the real situation is? Many of those services are rendered at the roadside. The little bus arrives at the road. The woman has to walk as far as the road and, if it is raining, some of the women have to stand outside while the sister is busy with one woman inside.
These are some of the problems that I think should be addressed by the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, in order to provide a truly dignified service to our people, and particularly to look after the people on farms located far away from towns.
What does one call it when a farm worker, after a week’s labour, is paid only 50 cents while the rest goes to the farmer’s shop on the farm? This has been reported in newspapers.
An HON MEMBER: Lock him up!
Ms E PRINS (Western Cape): People should rather be assisted to manage their own affairs responsibly. At this stage the choice for a farm worker is: pray for another shift, or scoot off.
Hon De Villiers, it is easy to say “go and lay a charge”. You come from an environment where these violations happen as a matter of course. Those people are the weakest and do not even know how to apply for assistance.
Mr M J R DE VILLIERS: Chairperson, I would like to ask the hon member whether she is prepared to answer a question.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon Prins, are you prepared to answer a question?
Ms E PRINS (Western Cape): Chairperson, no thank you. He can come and ask me the question when I have finished my speech.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): You may continue, hon Prins.
Ms E PRINS (Western Cape): Chairperson, that is why it is necessary for our national Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and of Rural Development and Land Reform to exercise more extensive oversight in this province.
The Western Cape invests very little of its own money in rural development here. All the money that is received, 126%, comes from the national level, the ANC government. But who lays claim to the victory regarding the money that is spent in the Western Cape? And do we receive value for money where it should be going? Does that money reach the poorest of the poor? That is the question we should ask. Thank you very much.]
Mr N SHUSHU (Northern Cape): Hon Chairperson of the NCOP, Deputy Minister, members of the executive councils , MECs, from other provinces, hon members of the NCOP, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, the debate on rural development under the theme “Rural women as drivers of agricultural and rural development in South Africa” ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Western Cape, can you resolve your issues in the Western Cape and not make a noise here. Continue, hon MEC.
Mr N SHUSHU (Northern Cape): This debate takes place a few days after World Rural Women’s Day, which is celebreated around the world. It also takes place four days after World Food Day on 16 October which is also celebrated around the world. This is in recognition of the role played by women in agriculture for food production for the survival of humanity. It recognises that women, rural women in particular, are the tillers of the land and are always at the forefront of ensuring food security, and to a greater extent they are the main contributors to social and political stability. However, women continue to be deprived of the ownership of land as a result of patriarchal relations in society.
In order to give impetus to rural development and to recognise the role played by women, our government - the ANC-led government - has introduced a plethora of policies and legislation that seek to entrench women as drivers of rural development. They are the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development programme, LRAD, Micro-Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa, Mafisa, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, and other ancillary policies and legislation.
We must, however, be frank in our assessment that, though there is progress with respect to advancing rural women, the majority remain on the periphery and continue to live under conditions of abject poverty and squalor.
The 2008 World Development Report showed that agriculture is a critical component and source of livelihood for many women, particularly in developing societies. It correctly pointed out a situation where rural women are constrained in attaining their full potential as a result of limited access to agricultural inputs. This report also notes that rural women lack incentives to invest in agriculture, given their vulnerability and proportionally greater exposure to risk that comes about as a result of having fewer assets and the likelihood that once their niche in the agricultural value chain becomes commercially viable and profitable, it will be expropriated by men as a result of unequal power relations within society, particularly in the hinterland.
Women continue to play a critical role, as we have said, in agricultural production, and are actually at the centre of advancing sustainable livelihoods. In most developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa, they are part of the engine room of food production for subsistence and they play a critical role in economic development. It is therefore critical that the economic empowerment of rural women is enhanced and programmes and policies that deal with rural women are made a priority in order to promote agricultural production. The prioritisation of these policies and programmes is necessitated by the acknowledgement that women’s agricultural production is a significant source of economic growth and the promotion of rural livelihoods.
One of the challenges that face our rural areas and society in general is the continuing rise in food prices, which requires us to place more emphasis on the importance of investing heavily in agriculture, food, and nutrition security for domestic consumption. It is therefore important that we better appreciate the role that women play in the fight against food insecurity in our country and globally, particularly in the developing world.
Disparities and the omission of gender variables in our agricultural policy and intervention programmes will more than just represent opportunity costs; they will also harm the broader objectives of the emancipation of women within our society. In many rural communities women are exposed to fulfilling multiple tasks as producers, gatherers of water, gatherers of wood, and caregivers for children and the sick in the homestead. The demand for agricultural commodities is also changing rapidly and the out-migration of men to the cities in search of employment places an increased burden on the already overstretched rural women.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development has noted that rural poverty is deeply rooted in the imbalance between what women do and what they have.
It is therefore important that we actively work towards the development of gender-responsive action in order to improve rural women’s access to and control of resources which can lead to increased household productivity and the concomitant result, which is the sustained benefit to the rural economy. We need to acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all approach will not assist in the development of rural women as drivers of economic development. We need to be able to design programmes that specifically target women in order to improve their overall productivity. We need to ensure that we desist from a technocratic top-down approach to the development of rural women as drivers of economic development, and involve them in programmes that are designed to assist them.
We must give proper expression to our commitment to working together with our rural women in order to improve their conditions. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation noted that the full and equal participation of women and men in, and their full enjoyment of, the benefits from agricultural and rural development are essential for eradicating food insecurity and rural poverty, thereby enhancing agriculture and rural development.
In addressing the First All-Russia Congress of Working Women, Vladimir Lenin made the following observation, and I quote:
But the present revolution relies on the countryside, and therein lie its significance and strength. The experience of all liberation movements has shown that the success of a revolution depends on how much the women take part in it.
Therefore, our ability to turn the situation around in order to ensure that we as a country are able to produce food for domestic consumption, and ensure that the country is able to become more food secure for the benefit of the working class and the poor of our country is important.
The World Report 2008 for Agriculture Development aptly elucidates the point we are making above. Where women are the majority of smallholding farmers, failure to realise their full potential in agriculture is a contributing factor to low growth and food insecurity. Therefore, we must redouble our efforts to ensure that we support all initiatives geared to assisting women in our rural communities with agricultural development, and initiatives as drivers for development.
Our colleagues have indicated that at the centre of our Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is the empowerment of women. Also, women are actually the drivers of rural development because on a daily basis they take care of communities in the rural areas in order to advance sustainable livelihoods.
We believe that the programmes that we put in place as government must be complemented by the active participation of women, and also by the changing of ownership patterns in society. We need to be able to realise the potential that lies in the hands of rural women and enhance that in order to achieve the collectivisation of agriculture and the communal ownership of the means of production. Thank you very much.
Ms N SIKAKANE (Gauteng): Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, provincial MECs, and members, agriculture is a critical source of their livelihood for women in rural areas, and a key path out of poverty.
It is for this reason that Gauteng has a provincial women’s movement, named Women in Agriculture and Rural Development, Ward, which focuses on agriculture in rural areas. Many of these women reside in areas that are considered to be on the periphery of the province.
Opportunities also exist within the provincial department of agriculture and rural development, and throughout the Gauteng provincial government, for entrepreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
However, lack of infrastructure development, such as of roads, electricity, and basic water and sanitation, still poses a major challenge to the farming community. It affects mostly women farmers.
In Gauteng, access to markets for women is still not at an advanced stage. While the private sector has committed itself to opening markets for women to sell their produce, it should be noted that much still needs to be done to improve their livelihoods. This can be achieved through economic emancipation.
The large proportion of agricultural production that is attributable to women makes them important agents of economic development. The vast majority of food production that is attributable to women makes them the principle agents of food security and household welfare in rural areas.
The World Bank report of 2008, states that:
While the ongoing global food price crisis has refocused international attention on the importance of investing in agriculture, food and nutrition security will not be achieved unless we invest more in agriculture.
The budget for agriculture continues to be the same year after year, particularly in Gauteng, as the appropriation for the department has remained at 0,7% of the total provincial allocation. In the light of this, government should invest more in agriculture.
The province is experiencing an influx of rural women who could contribute significantly to agricultural production. The indigenous knowledge of rural women is still relevant. It should thus be nurtured so that it can continue to be used by the younger generation.
In many rural contexts women very often toil under the burden of fulfilling multiple tasks, such as being producers, gatherers of water, and caregivers of children and the elderly, and being at the forefront of working the land and building houses.
Furthermore, rural women often assume the dual responsibilities of being mothers and fathers. In areas with high rates of HIV and Aids, the mounting labour requirements often fall to women who are aging. This clearly indicates that women are overburdened with so many activities. This may lead to their being unproductive in the agricultural sector.
The land tenure system in some of the rural areas still favours men, and therefore women cannot participate in investing in land. This cannot be acceptable after so many years of freedom.
The appropriateness of innovations and technologies can be a crucial consideration for women, who have different needs. Appropriate technologies can upgrade women farmers’ technical skills and increase their knowledge of sustainable agricultural production methods.
The low level of female literacy in many rural societies needs to be addressed through outreach, or by extension services that seek to disseminate information in written form. Rural women are less likely to have access to financial services and technology. Government should take a stand and ensure that women are empowered through hands-on training, through skills acquisition and through formal education programmes such as Abet.
The majority of working women in the rural areas work in agriculture, but it is a well-known fact that they face ongoing discrimination from their male counterparts. It is reported that they still receive considerably lower salaries than men for doing the same jobs.
A food and agriculture organisation writes that over 70% of the world’s poor are in rural areas, and that a large number of those are children and young people.
Risks confronting the rural poor are compounded by factors such as climate change - we have just witnessed the damage that a tornado caused recently in Gauteng and the Free State - insecure land access and food price volatility.
Capital investments should focus on rural women who participate in the agriculture sector. They are needed mainly for capacity development, leadership and training in the field. It is also suggested that targeted investment can help women increase their yields and their livelihoods. More investment can be directed towards managing risks, such as in times of emergency food provision and during abnormally high food price hikes.
There is a need for the South African government and the private sector to rally behind rural women and ensure that they participate in decision-making in local, regional, national, and global forums that are related to food security, rural agricultural development, the environment and climate change.
The creation of employment opportunities for women in rural areas needs to be enhanced and intensified by government. In addition to that, commercial farmers have to begin to assume responsibility for supporting emerging women farmers with knowledge and technical skills. The knowledge and skills acquired by women should be applied from home gardens to the commercial level.
Government promotes the formation of rural co-operatives as a source of gaining access to formal markets, and also assists in creating sustainable employment for women.
More importantly, government should further enhance laws that have already been enacted, particularly those focusing on rural women. These laws should give more opportunities to women, in order for them to access basic services and economic freedom. The impact of these economic and social policies has seen a significant reduction in the level of severe poverty, and an improvement in the quality of life of rural women.
Before I take my seat, let me salute our rural women for the role that they have played in building this nation. If it were not for all the rural African women, we would not be encouraged to assume the roles that we have today as women. Many have chosen to remain behind in their rural homes in order to ensure that their families remain intact and so that we can have a better nation. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr T E CHAANE: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers and MECs, and hon members, by definition rural development in general denotes economic development and community development actions and initiatives taken to improve the standard of living in nonurban neighbourhoods, remote villages and the countryside. Economic activities typically relate to the primary sector production of foodstuffs and raw materials. It also integrates environmental management as a core component. Rural development aims to find ways to improve rural lives, with the participation of rural people, so as to meet their needs. Generally people themselves, particularly women - as they are in the majority in rural areas - have to participate in their sustainable rural development.
Since the dawn of democracy a lot has been done to improve the lives of our people in rural areas but much more still has to be done. The ANC has noted the challenges and constraints, as well as the slow pace towards the achievement of this noble objective. During its 52nd national congress in 2007, the ANC noted that joblessness and inequality are disproportionately high in rural areas, where the majority of those with jobs earn poverty wages. This burden of poverty falls hardest on women, who are in the majority in rural communities.
The ANC has further noted that water is critical for both agricultural production and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, but it is a scarce resource in South Africa. Access to water has been skewed by apartheid policies in ways that reinforce inequalities and foster waste.
Millions of our people farm on small agricultural plots and make contributions to poverty reduction and the creation of sustainable livelihoods in the most adverse conditions. Despite the enactment of progressive laws, the realities of abuse by both farmers and some traditional authorities continue to undermine the security of tenure in many rural communities. This is the reality that still exists today.
To take these views further, on 12 August 2009 the ANC-led government approved the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. The programme is one of the key priorities of government aimed at creating sustainable rural communities throughout the country. It is based on three key pillars, namely co-ordinated and integrated broad-based agrarian transformation; an improved land reform programme; and strategic investment in economic and social infrastructure in rural areas.
Hon Chairperson, during the launch of this programme in Giyani, Limpopo, on 17 August 2009, President Zuma had this to say and I quote:
The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is our national collective strategy in our joint fight against poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of development in our rural areas. It is an embodiment of our unshaken commitment that we shall not rest in our drive to eradicate poverty.
Hon Chairperson, the question then remains. How many of us as a collective are part of this war? Since then, much has been achieved and massive resources have been released towards the achievement of this noble goal, but the road ahead climbs over a huge mountain. Undoing the apartheid strategy of dispossessing African people of their land, the destruction of their farming, and the exploitation of farm labourers remains a challenge that we as a collective should overcome.
As a direct response to the call made by the President, women are at the forefront of this war against poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of development in rural areas. They continue to make strides towards achieving this goal, despite the fact that the support they are given remains inadequate. This view is supported by the harsh realities of poverty, inequality, underdevelopment and backwardness that our rural poor people are still facing.
During our visits to different provinces, the most recent being to KwaZulu-Natal and the North West, we were exposed to the harsh realities of life in rural communities.
We saw how women struggled to put food on the table every day and how they struggled to educate their children. We saw how women and children were forced to walk long distances, at times climbing mountains to fetch water. We saw how bad and dangerous the roads were, how difficult it was to sustain their food projects under the scorching sun, without shelter, water and proper fencing, and how huge dongas had developed as a result of soil erosion. We saw how they were forced to make a fire, even on hot days, to warm their bath water and cook, simply because they didn’t have electricity. In most instances they endured the indignity of having to jump over fences as the only way of gaining access to their plots.
We heard painful stories of how difficult and burdensome it was to send children to colleges and universities once they had completed their school years. We heard how some young girls were forced into early parenthood due to the deaths of their parents. Some were forced to leave school and look after their young siblings. We heard about all sorts of demeaning and painful things happening to our rural women. But one always saw hope, commitment and passion on their faces every time they saw leaders and government officials visiting them. To them, the thought of being remembered by the leadership, even if little or nothing was done, was very fulfilling and encouraging. Hope seems to be their only source of inspiration.
Hon Chairperson, with all these matters in mind, one should raise concerns about the continuing culture of underexpenditure on conditional grants and all the other financial resources that are meant to improve the lives of our poor people. Despite these being reported by the National Treasury, the Select Committee on Finance, the Select Committee on Appropriations and other committees, and such reports being tabled with recommendations, little has been done by the relevant Ministries and provinces to attend to these challenges. Whilst we note some of the beautiful things that have been mentioned here, the reality is contrary to all these reports that we are receiving.
During the second quarter of this financial year most provinces and departments were performing poorly in terms of expenditure and compliance with their own plans in regard to a number of grants that are aimed at improving the lives of rural poor people. These grants include, but are not limited to, the following: The provincial road maintenance grant, S’hamba Sonke, which is meant to improve and maintain the condition of roads in rural areas; secondly, the comprehensive HIV and Aids grant, aimed at enhancing awareness programmes offered by schools to prevent and mitigate the impact of HIV and Aids; and the land care programme grant meant to fight poverty and handle infrastructure development in order to promote the conservation of agricultural natural resources to optimise production. [Interjections.] Chairperson, the Western Cape are disrupting me again, or is it the DA? They are talking loudly.
The others are the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme to create a favourable and supportive agricultural service environment for the farming community, including subsistence, smallholder and commercial farmers; the Ilima/Letsema Programme Grant to reduce poverty through increased food production initiatives; the Mass Sport and Recreation Participation Programme Grant; the School Infrastructure Backlogs Grant for the eradication of inappropriate education structures and backlogs in basic services; and the National School Nutrition Programme Grant to enhance learning capacity and improve access to education.
Hon Chair, billions of rand are being put into all these programmes, including many more that I have not mentioned. These would have a serious impact on improving the lives of our people, but nothing is being done to make sure that the provinces and departments spend all this money on the people who need it most, that is the rural poor people. Every day in public hearings and even in the House we get reports from provincial MECs and departments telling us about their good plans and what they are doing. Yet, when it comes to spending, they spend nothing. Money is spent irregularly on a lot of other things, and we are expected to accept this and keep quiet when these things happen.
Hon Chairperson, our people in rural areas have suffered for many years over many generations. I believe that the time has come for them to have their basic needs met like their urban counterparts, so that they can begin to reap the fruits of democracy. As the case now stands, our people in the rural areas continue to suffer. We are not disregarding the good work that is being done, but the pace remains very slow. For how many years must our people continue to suffer? As I have already said, there are billions in resources that are available, but they end up in the pockets of those who are here and are raping the state on a daily basis. [Time expired.] I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Hon members, Rule 32 states that during the debate in the Council no member may converse aloud. You are exceeding the allowable noise levels. Please give the speakers a chance so that we can listen attentively and hear what they are saying.
Mr O DE BEER: Chairperson, all protocol observed, rural development is faced with massive man-made challenges. These range from a lack of infrastructure to a lack of water.
As if this were not enough, funds meant to revive depressed rural areas are mismanaged by government officials because of a lack of leadership. Dysfunctional projects are evidence of the mismanagement of funds. There are 852 distressed farms across the country that require government to intervene to bring them back to life again. This is a result of the lack of proper planning, monitoring and evaluation by the government.
Rural development is one of the key performance outcomes of government. The vision of the department is to develop vibrant, equitable, sustainable rural communities. Places like Muden and Kranskop, which we as NCOP members visited, were far from vibrancy.
Communities lack access to health because of a lack of facilities. This means patients are discharged early, without being properly treated. They are sent back home to be taken care of by the women. Learners lack access to school transport. It is left to their mothers to take them to school and fetch them again. In the rural areas 80% of agricultural labour proportionally is represented in the projects by women. For women, lack of access means walking long distances to get transport and to carry water on their heads. This exposes women to violence and ill health.
Cope believes that until the government shows political will by cracking down on corruption, and any irregular and wasteful expenditure, regardless of who is holding the card, women will remain at the bottom. The vision of vibrant and equitable rural development will never be realised by the current government.
Corruption and lack of service delivery in poor communities are caused by the same corruption patterns. Ministers and senior officials must stop using funds as their own personal banks, as well as frequenting establishments with a price range that far exceeds policy for travel expenditure. Thank you, Chairperson.
Cllr W NGOBEZA (Salga): Temporary Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, hon MECs, hon members of the NCOP and hon members of provincial legislatures, good afternoon. My surname is Ngobeza, not Nqobeza. It does not have a “q”. [Interjections.]
It is my pleasure to participate in this debate on rural development on behalf of the SA Local Government Association, Salga. My input will try to provide a local government perspective in the light of South Africa’s efforts to eradicate poverty, as well as highlight potential areas.
As we know, the history of apartheid in South Africa did not only promote separate development based on race, but also created development systems that ensured that poor rural areas and the homelands acted as labour reserves for the mines and factories. As organised local government, we applaud rural women and women in general for the developmental roles that they play in rural development. The SA Local Government Association, therefore, seeks a partnership with legislators to primarily reconsider the institutional and financial arrangements that are in place to better the lives of women.
Since 1995 the decline in poverty has been relatively minimal in spite of rising per capita income. This is evidenced by the economic inequality we see daily. Furthermore, the differences in the years of education between men and women have been narrowed.
In 2011 the European Forum on Rural Development made observations about the challenges that rural women in sub-Saharan Africa face with regard to food security. It was noted that in general, even though the majority of employed rural women are largely employed in agriculture, rural women continue to face discrimination. They are paid considerably less money than their counterparts, they tend to work longer hours than their male counterparts, they lack control over land and resources, and they spend more time and energy on accessing basic services such as water, electricity and infrastructure.
In 2011, as we look forward to the medium and long term, local government takes cognisance of the emphasis on job creation, local social infrastructure, and policies that bring about social cohesion. Chairperson, I put it to the House that local government can be incorporated further into the rural development agenda. Notwithstanding the adoption of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, CRDP, pilot sites as a response to rural underdevelopment, the institutional arrangements that are necessary for this strategic implementation of the rural development initiatives are not clearly defined.
Within the context of South Africa, the importance of agriculture in dealing with the challenge of rural poverty and the role of women cannot be overemphasised. In terms of the Division of Revenue Act of 2011, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries manages the following conditional grants: agricultural disaster management grant, comprehensive agricultural support programme, Ilima/Letsema projects grant; and the land care programme.
What is interesting is that these grants are for provincial governments. Service providers for the implementation of such grant funding are largely civil society organisations, private companies and municipalities. The municipalities, therefore, play a limited conditional role, if any, in regard to service providers.
Providing local continuous support systems for rural women in order to deal with rural poverty is a key issue. A great role for local government in this sphere can be based on the following needs: targeting resources of rural women; capacitating rural women and ensuring that more rural women actively take part in roles that have traditionally been reserved for men; and facilitating women’s leadership on key issues such as food security and climate change. Some of the challenges need urgent attention. Local government is aware of the pressing need to accelerate the attainment of rural development as a priority.
Allow me to share with this House the outcomes of Salga’s national conference, held in Durban from 29 August to 1 September 2011. Such a conference takes place only once every five years, to develop a policy framework and leadership framework for organised local government.
The 2011 Salga conference recognised that a major challenge in terms of government’s gender sensitivity is that women’s participation in government, especially local governance, remains low and limited. Salga is mindful of the fact that women still face many challenges in ensuring gender-related priorities.
It is within this broad context that Salga has endorsed the establishment of a Salga women’s commission to support the national developmental goals of women’s empowerment and gender equality. At the 2011 Salga conference it was resolved that over the next years municipalities and Salga would develop structures to mainstream gender in local government programmes and structures to monitor and evaluate implementation.
Hon Chairperson, I would like to thank you for recognising local government as a key sphere in rural development. It is my hope that as we deliberate today we will bear in mind that many who have voted for the government will get the fruits.
It is Salga’s opinion that women should play a greater role in development. It is Salga’s opinion that a greater role for local government is critical for such challenges to be addressed.
Such a role must be based on an accommodative financial and institutional arrangement. Currently, local government is not able to fund rural women’s projects to the extent that national and provincial governments fund similar projects. No local government is able to offer continuous support. However, we hope to work together with the NCOP as we begin to address the challenges facing rural women. Together we can build better communities. I thank you [Applause.].
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon members, I have just read out to you Rule 32, and I will read it out to you again. I ask that you respect the decorum of the House, please. Hon members on my right, please, you are conversing so loudly that we can’t even hear the hon member speaking. Rule 32 stipulates that during debate in the Council no member may converse aloud.
Mr A J NYAMBI: Chair, I don’t know whether I am going to be of assistance. Chair, in this very important sitting, is it parliamentary for the hon Watty to try to deal with all the provinces in regard to canvassing for the leadership of their next caucus? [Laughter.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon Nyambi, sit down, please.
Mr J J GUNDA: Chairperson, all protocol observed, indeed, let me agree with the hon Deputy Minister. The hon Deputy Minister understands the issues concerning rural development and agriculture. The strangest thing of all – I have listened to you in the People’s Assembly in Bloemfontein – is that what he is saying is true, but the biggest challenge will always remain a lack of political will.
We must stop making excuses for not delivering to the people. We must stop using processes that never get to the poor. We must stop that because as government we have a programme when we go out there to consult the people, but the people see no changes.
Let me say one more thing, Chairperson. Recently ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Hon Tau.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Hon Chair, I just wanted to check if the member is prepared to take a question?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Hon Gunda, are you prepared to take a question?
Mr J J GUNDA: Voorsitter, wanneer ek klaar gepraat het, dankie! [Chair, when I have finished speaking, thank you!]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): He says that he will when he has finished. Go on, hon Gunda!
Mr J J GUNDA: When we went on an oversight visit in KwaZulu-Natal recently, there was a project in Kranskop – the Ithuba Project. It is a successful rural development programme. The question still remains: Why is it difficult to take such a project throughout the country? There is plenty of fertile land throughout this country.
We need to develop the people on the ground; we need to develop women; and we need to look after the future of this country. It is crucial that government re-evaluates women’s role in ending poverty and creating more sustainable jobs in the agricultural sector. By repositioning agriculture as a sector, the possibilities of providing viable economic and growth opportunities, rather than its being merely a subsistent sector, are endless.
The Women in Agriculture and Rural Development, Ward; initiative, in 2006 was a step in the right direction. It served as a vehicle to streamline the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector. However, almost five years later, there is still a growing need for the promotion of women-friendly agrarian and land reform programmes, and the protection of the rights of female farm workers, including their land, tenure rights, and streamlining of access by women to finances and training opportunities.
In conclusion, let me say that the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are just a few of our provinces that are rich in fertile soil. Since many of these lands are found in our rural areas, it is crucial that government ropes in rural women from these particular areas and invests in the training and educational drives needed to develop the great potential they possess. I thank you, Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Hon Chair, Deputy Minister, MECs present, and of course special delegates, let me take this opportunity to extend a special welcome to Salga and express appreciation of its participation in this debate in this august House. One of the key issues we have always battled with is allowing Salga to play, and ensuring that it does play, its strategic role.
May I just deal with a few things before I get into my speech? The hon Worth made mention of fundamental things on which we agree. We all agree with these areas that he mentioned. It is quite important to link what hon Worth was saying with what hon Van Rensburg spoke about, when he made reference to Switzerland and why people send their money to Swiss Banks and so forth.
I think it is quite disingenuous to approach the debate in that particular way. The fundamental question we need to ask is: Who are the people that are investing their money there? Is it the poor? Is it the rural poor? Is it those people who are constantly being abused in the rural areas, and in the farm areas? No, it is not! It is big private capital. That is the issue that we need to respond to.
You can link this with what hon Worth raised in respect of what it is that needs to be done. The DA is not telling us what they are going to do to mobilise private big capital to also play a strategic role by investing in rural development or comprehensive rural development. Instead, what they do is to sit there and wait at the park for government to invest in rural development. They then follow up and rip our people off by making big profits and then investing their money in Switzerland. I would like to hear the DA standing up and ensuring that it profoundly calls on private capital to invest their money where it matters most, which is rural development in this instance.
Mr A WATSON: On a point of order: Is it parliamentary for the member to stand up and say that the DA, instead of doing this and that, goes and sits in the park and waits for the government to invest and then takes the money to Switzerland?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Sorry, hon Watson. That is not a point of order; it is a response. [Interjections.]
Mr A WATSON: It is a point of order!
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): No, no, it is a response! Hon Watson, can you take your seat, please? It is not a point of order; it is a response to the debate. Continue, hon Tau.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): It is typical of the disrespect they show. [Interjections.]
Mr A WATSON: May I ask you to please study the Hansard and come back with a reply?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): We will do that. Continue, hon Tau.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): This is a pity, and I am sorry to hear the hon Watson speak, because if you look at the speakers’ list, hon Worth spoke on behalf of the DA. So, what is he crying about? I am responding to what a member of the DA said, by saying to him that we would love to hear from them as a party, that they are going out there and mobilising private capital, for which they are a shop steward in this House, to invest their money where it matters most, which is in rural development in this instance. You cannot stop me from doing that.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr F Adams): Order! Hon Groenewald, can we allow hon Tau to conclude his speech please?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): The hon Van Rensburg speaks about investments that go with stability, and the fact that investors will only go where there are good relationships, where there is stability and where there are all sorts of things. Now I ask myself, how can there be a good relationship between rural women and private capital, when in actual fact these very same rural women’s children are being subjected to the tot system after work? How can you do that? What kind of relationship are you building?
In fact, the DA should be ashamed of the kind of society we are building in these rural areas, and particularly in the farming communities, when you look at the kind of young people that come out of these areas. What we have done, or what they are doing, is building what in isiZulu we call “imigulukudu” [criminals], who are just going to come into the city and contribute to the high current level of crime. They know nothing other than having the tot system and drinking themselves “f***ed up”. [Interjections.]
It is of critical importance that we should look at some of these issues. I am quite happy that the hon Deputy Minister spoke about some of the issues and accepted that, yes, we have moved on them. We have put systems in place, hon Gunda. There are gaps in these systems of course, but we are working on the gaps. Let me just identify a few things, hon Deputy Minister, which I think are matters that need the attention of the department.
On the stability of the communal property associations, CPAs, it is only through a stable and understanding environment for these CPAs to operate in that we shall have some form of stability and economic growth in some of these areas. This is one area where the department is lacking, because it is a matter that we have picked up throughout the country, and not only in one province. Whether you go to Limpopo, the Free State or KwaZulu-Natal it is there. The major issue that always brings about stagnation in regard to the predetermined goals to be achieved is the instability and infighting within the existing CPAs.
What we have also picked up is that at the heart of these forms of instability, as they manifest themselves, are corrupt officials. We need to stand up. As government we know that there are clear programmes for dealing with corruption - we are not going to be taught how to deal with corruption. We do have systems in place, and it is for us now to ensure that we deal with some of these officials that perpetuate the corruption that brings about instability in the CPAs, knowing very well that the javelin factor also plays an important role.
There is another new tendency that we see. I do not know what to call it; I will coin the term “rural tenderpreneurs”. These tenderpreneurs manifest themselves through rural women and young people in the rural areas. How do they do that? They organise these rural women and promise them all sorts of things, only for one to find that it is, in fact, big capital and private capital that are benefiting from these kinds of programmes that are funded by government. They do not have any interest in ensuring that those women benefit from the programmes. Of course, their shop steward will always be there to speak for them.
Another factor that we have picked up is the extent to which the recapitalisation programme is structured, and the manner in which it is being implemented. The experience here is that of KwaZulu-Natal, which is recent. We would love to go to Limpopo, the Free State and the Northern Cape to see how these recapitalisation programmes work there. With our programme of Taking Parliament to the People, and the reports that come out of our oversight activities and so forth, you can see the gaps as they present themselves. It is quite important that we learn from these.
The best practice on comprehensive rural development – I hope I am not doing it because my MEC is here and I am from the Northern Cape as well! – is the practice that we saw during the Provincial Week at the Riemvasmaak Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. It brings me to the centrality of Salga or local government. Not only does that programme address intergovernmental relations, but in the main it focuses on intergovernmental co-operation - not only relations, but co-operation as well.
We have national government, provincial government, district municipalities, district councils and local municipalities properly understanding what exactly it is that government wants to do. You even find local councillors at the forefront, able to explain the programme and how it should work. We think that this is a very important aspect if we are really serious about comprehensive rural development solutions to the problems of poverty, unemployment, rural illiteracy, and all that. It is through these programmes that skills will be transferred, and the working class and the poor in our areas will be able to appreciate and use the kind of knowledge that we will be receiving from government.
I want to use this opportunity to call on Salga as well to play the strategic role of ensuring that they are not only on the periphery of events and activities led by government, but at the centre. They must give leadership at that point, because, if anything goes wrong in whatever programme, the rural women, the rural young people, the rural illiterate and those who are left out are going to march to see that councillor. They are not going to march to Parliament. Therefore, the role of Salga becomes quite critical and important. I call on the Ministry to ensure that, as they develop their programmes, Salga becomes important.
May I turn to the theme of the day: “Rural women as drivers of agriculture and rural development in South Africa.” It was not by mistake that we requested the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Reform to participate. We wish we could have had the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well, to be part of this kind of debate, and to appreciate the kind of challenges that we as the NCOP and as a House are strategically placed to profile at the national level in the interests of local and provincial government. That is exactly what we intended to do. Thank you very much. [Time expired.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Chairperson, firstly, it is clear that we are faced with many challenges. The main one is that we need to be careful not to let ourselves be daunted by the sheer scale of the task we face. The systematic underdevelopment of the communities in the former homelands cannot be reversed overnight. This suggests that we all have to redouble our efforts in a co-ordinated manner at all levels of government. There is no time for shifting blame, and saying that this is a national matter and so on.
Let me also acknowledge what I would call the constructive criticism that we have received from NCOP members, especially based on the experiences of their provincial site visits. What you have done is highlight the challenges of poor communication, and inadequate co-ordination among departments and even among the levels of government. We, in turn, have factored these into our own strategies in trying to respond to those issues. That is why government, through the Presidency and in this term, of course, has come up with the idea of a proper co-ordination outcomes approach, which says that certain outcomes should be driven by the different departments.
Let me also say to hon Tau, regarding the issue of the communal property associations, CPAs, that it is precisely because we have also noticed these problems that we are no longer creating CPAs. We are reviewing the operations of the current CPAs, with the intention of tightening the legislation, because we have seen a lot of exploitation by the CPAs.
With regard to the issue of corruption, it’s precisely for this reason that our Minister initiated a proclamation, through the Presidency, to ensure that we have the Special Investigating Unit investigating, because we could see corruption. But, let me also raise this matter in line with some of the members who raised this issue. It has been a collusion between officials and the private sector, especially those who are in property. They shout very loudly as if corruption is in government, whereas it’s initiated by the private sector. We must record that. We are also saying that even if there is suspected corruption by politicians, it’s time that we act and do not just talk about it.
The credentials of the ANC-led government speak for themselves. It is this ANC government which has, in this administration, put a special focus on the rural poor by creating the department I’m in and on women by creating the department Minister Lulu Xingwana was speaking on behalf of. We are very sensitive to those issues.
Let me also raise this issue and let me put it ngolwimi lweenkobe [in my mother tongue].
Put your earphones on so that you hear this clearly.
Mandiyibulele into yokuba namhlanje ilungu elihloniphekileyo le-DA, uMnu Worth, livume phambi kwale Ndlu izono zooyisemkhulu zokuphathwa kakubi, ukuxhatshazwa nokucalucalulwa kwabantu basetyhini, ingakumbi emaphandleni. Uvumile namhlanje evumelana nathi ukuba abantu basemaphandleni, ingakumbi abamnyana, babexhatshazwa.
Kodwa ndifuna ukumbuza umbuzo wokuba kutheni bephelela nje ekuyithetheni, kuba into endiyibonayo kukuba iinkqubo zabo nemigaqo yabo ayivumelani nale nto i-ANC ifuna yenziwe. Kodwa beza apha bazokuthetha kamnandi babe bephikisana nezinto ethi i-ANC mazenziwe ukuze kutshintshwe ubomi babantu. Kutheni ke beyiphikisa loo nto ukuba bathetha le nto siyithethayo?
Okwesibini, mandenze isilumkiso malunga nalaa nto ibithethwa lilungu elihloniphekileyo le-ANC, uMnu Prins, yokuba abantu abangabasebenzi basezifama bayabahlonipha abaqeshi babo. Kodwa yintoni le nto bephethwe okwezinja ngaba baqeshi? Kutheni abaqeshi benganiki abantu bakuthi iimfanelo namalungelo abo? Umbuzo endifuna ukuwubuza ngowokuba ingaba la mafama afuna ntoni. Afuna kwenzeke ntoni eMzantsi Afrika?
DA nithulele ntoni abantu bakuthi bexhatshazwa, bephethwe ngenkohlakalo, bengawanikwa amalungelo? Niyakwazi ukubona okungalunganga kwabanye abantu kodwa kumalungu enu angamafama nithule nithe cwaka. Nithulele ntoni? [Kwaqhwatywa.] Nithi masithini kulo Mzantsi Afrika omtsha othetha ngamalungelo? Niyawafuna amalungelo, kodwa anifuni abantu benu banike abanye amalungelo.
Okokugqibela, ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Let me thank the hon Worth of the DA for acknowledging in the House today the atrocities of abuse and exploitation of, and discrimination against women by his forefathers, especially in the rural areas. He agreed today, concurring with us that people from the rural areas, Africans in particular, were exploited.
However, I want to question the lip service they are engaging in because what I have noticed is that their programmes and policies are in conflict with what the ANC wants to be done. They come here with sweet tongues but are against the proposals of the ANC to change people’s lives. Why are they against those if we are all on the same page?
Secondly, let me caution on what the hon member Prins of the ANC said about farm workers who are respectful of their employers. Why are they being treated like dogs by these employers? Why are the employers depriving them of their rights? The question I want to ask of the farmers is what they want to achieve from South Africa.
Members of the DA, why are you silent when our people are being exploited and treated wickedly, and being deprived of their rights? You are quick to judge other people but you turn a blind eye to your own members. Why are you silent? [Applause.] What are you expecting us to say in this new South Africa which speaks about rights? You want rights but you don’t want your people to recognise others’ rights.
Lastly ...]
... let me speak on the issue of communal land, because, in relation to the communal land in the former homelands, the DA devised a quick-fix solution when they were talking about the Private Member’s Bill on Communal Land Rights to subdivide, privatise and provide individual freehold.
They have forgotten one thing, that most of the land in the homelands is not arable. It was overcrowded as a result of the apartheid policies of dumping people there who were surplus to the requirements of the urban areas. Land that could be used for farming has often been degraded by years of overuse, without the necessary inputs with regard to the soil. Massive investment and support is required to revitalise that land.
I can only conclude that the DA is trying to divert attention away from the fundamental task of redistributing the viable commercial agricultural land, whilst divesting themeselves of responsibility for the poor state of farming in the former homelands. [Applause.] The DA’s proposal, in its present form, is a recipe for economic and social disintegration. The most likely scenario is that privatised land will be sold and lost to the communities forever.
Typically, good farming land will be snapped up by commercial farmers and land with potential for tourism and holiday homes, like the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, will be bought up by the developers.
Under the DA’s proposal, poor, fragile rural communities, already reeling under the strain of poverty and unemployment, would be subjected to the full rigours of the market. That communal land is owned by the state; we are not going to let it go because we want it to go to the market, but, we will give our people the right to use that particular land fully.
The social fabric - families and traditional authorities - would simply disintegrate, adding pressure to the urban areas. For a more detailed and academic critique, let me refer you to an article by Dr Ruth Hall and Prof Andries du Toit, which succinctly takes up the issues regarding your proposal. It says:
The history of land tenure systems in Africa and elsewhere indicates that communal and customary tenure can play a positive role in reducing poverty and vulnerability. Access to communal lands is an important safety net, and allows many people to survive who otherwise would be forced to migrate to the cities ... Rather than try to demolish customary tenure systems, government should try to strengthen them and make them more transparent and democratic. ...
... they can be instruments for the flexible allocation of land rights and access to those in need.
All over the developing world productive smallholder and subsistence farming takes place on land that is not under freehold title, because they want to steal it again once it’s under freehold and use their big monies to buy that land. [Interjections.]
Let me close by saying that we are going to take up all the challenges, as we have listened to them all very well.
But this story must be heard. Ladies, gentlemen and comrades, this one must be heard. Just two minutes. I’m retelling something for you. I had the privilege recently of sharing a platform with Prof Shadrack Gutto, Professor of Constitutional Law, a man with some experience in the rest of Africa. He told a story that took place in an African country after annexation by the British. A colonial official arrived in a village to survey the newly acquired land. They had defeated the natives there, now they had come to survey the land they wanted. The colonial official asked the local chief, “Who owns this land?” That was the question. The chief, after some reflection, answered, “The land belongs to the dead. It belongs to the few who currently use it and it belongs to the millions yet to come.” That is why we will never agree to the privatisation of the land. This is the future of the millions of our generations. [Applause.]
Ath’ amaXhosa - kwakhona mandiyibeke ngelenkobe - lo mhlaba sawushiyelwa ngoobawomkhulu abaleleyo, hayi abafileyo. Nathi ke thina bambalwa basaphilayo, basadl’ amazimba, sixhamla kuwo lo mhlaba. Siza kuwushiyela izigidi ngezigidi zezizukulwana zethu. Likamva lelizwe lethu. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[The isiXhosa-speaking people would say - again let me say this in my mother tongue – “This land was left for us by our forefathers who are not dead but sleeping. The few of us who are still alive are benefiting from this land. We shall leave it to the millions of our future generations. It is the future of our country.”]
This is the future of our country and if you are serious about what you are saying, talk to your members about opening up the issue of the land. You will never resolve anything until you have resolved the land question in this country. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LAWS AMENDMENT BILL
(Consideration of Bill and of Report thereon)
Mr T A MASHAMAITE: House Chair, the Memorandum to the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill reads as follows:
The Department of Science and Technology was established in 2004. Prior to 2004, it was part of the department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. The subsequent establishment of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has impacted on a number of Acts, under the authority of the Minister of Science and Technology.
The laws that were affected by the establishment of the Department of Science and Technology include the Scientific Research Council Act, Act 46 of 1988; the National Advisory Council on Innovation Act, Act 55 of 1997; the National Research Foundation Act, Act 23 of 1998; the Academy of Science of South Africa Act, Act 67 of 2001; the Africa Institute of South Africa Act, Act 68 of 2001; and the Natural Scientific Professions Act, Act 27 0f 2003.
The objectives of the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill include effecting technical corrections to certain definitions and references associated with the former Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in order to eliminate possible confusion or to enhance clarity.
For example, under the Scientific Research Council Act of 1988, some of the specific amendments include changing the title of the administrative head of the National Research Council, NRF, from president to chief executive officer, CEO, and providing for broad representivity on the board of the Scientific Research Council.
With regard to the National Advisory Council on Innovation Act, Act 55 of 1997, the Bill limits terms of office of members of the board; provides for the appointment of a full-time CEO of the National Advisory Council on Innovation, NACI; and sets a minimum period for meetings of the council per year.
As far as the National Research Foundation Act, Act 23 of 1998, is concerned, the Bill amends the title of the administrative head of the National Research Foundation, NRF, from president and CEO to CEO, limits the term of office of the board, sets grounds for disqualification of members of the board and provides for a staggered appointment of members of the board. I won’t address all of these Acts.
An HON MEMBER: Summarise, buddy.
Mr T A MASHAMAITE: With regard to the last one, Chair, the Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003, the Bill provides for broad representivity on the board and extends the requirements for professional qualification to state employees who are members of the board.
Now, the Select Committee on Education and Recreation, having considered the Bill tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, recommends that the House approves the Bill. I thank you.
Debate concluded.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Hon members, before we proceed, noting that we will now be voting for all the issues before us, may I appeal to you not to leave, please, because your departure may affect the quorum. That concludes the debate, I shall now put the question.
Mr J J GUNDA: Chair!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Am I out of order?
Mr J J GUNDA: No, you are not out of order. I just want to ask a question, Chair. The question is: Do we have a quorum to vote?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Yes, we do.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTORATE FOR 2009-10 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr B A MNGUNI: Chair, the Miner’s Phthisis Act, Act 19 of 1912, which made compensation for tuberculosis compulsory, was first published in 1911. The poor working conditions and the diet on the mines resulted in diseases such as scurvy, pneumonia and meningitis. Finally, due to public pressure, conditions were improved and the Chamber of Mines invited an American expert to visit South Africa. We would, therefore, like to believe that this expert played a leading role in the development of occupational health services.
It would be proper at this stage to applaud the Department of Mineral Resources for its initiative to restructure the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate so as to enhance its capacity. This is essential, since the inspectorate is crucial for the improvement of health and safety in mines.
Research studies conducted on mine health and safety usually identify the lack of capacity of the inspectorate as one of the contributing factors to poor performance. The restructuring is therefore a welcome initiative.
The upgrading of senior posts in the inspectorate is also important so as to ensure that posts reporting to them can be upgraded and thus contribute to staff retention. The improvement in the vacancy rate also needs to be maintained and improved further through staff retention and programmes.
The Select Committee on Economic Development, having considered the Annual Report of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate for 2009-10 of the Department of Mineral Resources, reports that it has concluded its deliberations thereon. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE – AGREEMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN TAX ADMINISTRATION FORUM
Mr C J DE BEER: House Chairperson, the inaugural conference on the establishment of the African Tax Administration Forum, Ataf, was held on 19 November 2009 in Kampala, Uganda. The establishment of the Ataf is in response to the identified need for African tax administrations to strengthen co-operation in their working relations with one another.
The Agreement on the Establishment of the Ataf provides for membership by all African states and their respective tax administrations, of which 31 African countries have pledged membership. The agreement also allows for non-African states and international organisations such as regional bodies wishing to collaborate with the Ataf to be accorded associate membership status. A council of 10 members has been selected, namely Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The focus of the Ataf will be to establish and develop bilateral and continental networks to regularly exchange ideas and best practice on all issues of taxation, examine ways to improve systems and mechanisms in African tax administrations, engage with the international community so as to imprint an African tax perspective on the global dialogue on tax issues and ensure greater synergy and co-operation in capacity development among all relevant stakeholders in order to give greater support to African tax administrations.
The Select Committee on Finance is, therefore, in favour of South Africa ratifying the Agreement on the Establishment of the African Tax Administration Forum and moves that the Council votes in favour of this agreement. I so move, hon House Chairperson. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
The Council adjourned at 17:58.
__________
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
1. Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159
(1) Independent System and Market Operator Bill, 2011, submitted by the Minister of Energy.
Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Energy and the Select Committee on Economic Development.
National Council of Provinces
The Chairperson
1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled
(1) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration:
(a) Revised Report and Financial Statements of the Public Protector South Africa for 2009-2010, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2009-2010 [RP 212-2010].
(b) Annual Report of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) for the year ended December 2010, tabled in terms of section 23(1)(c) of the National Conventional Arms Control Act, 2002 (Act No 41 of 2002).
(c) Report of the Independent Complaints Directorate on Domestic Violence for the period January – June 2010, tabled in terms of section 18(5)(c) of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No 116 of 1998).
(d) Report of the South African Law Reform Commission for 2009-2010 [RP 273-2010].
(e) First Report on the Implementation of the Child Justice Act, tabled in terms of section 96(3)(a) of the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No 75 of 2008).
(2) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Social Services:
(a) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Russian Federation regarding the Waiver of Visa Requirements for holders of Diplomatic or Service/Official Passports, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Swiss Federal Council regarding the Waiver of Visa Requirements for holders of valid Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(c) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Cuba regarding the Waiver of Visa Requirements for holders of Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(d) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China regarding the Waiver of Visa Requirements for holders of Diplomatic Passports, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(e) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique regarding the Temporary Joint Clearance for the duration of the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(f) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Immigration matters, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(3) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities for consideration:
(a) Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Engendering the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
(4) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Finance for consideration:
(a) Government Notice No R. 183 published in Government Gazette No 34070 dated 4 March 2011: Amendment of Regulation 28 of the Regulations made under section 36, in terms of the Pension Funds Act, 1956 (Act No 24 of 1956).
(b) Government Notice No R. 219 published in Government Gazette No 34113 dated 11 March 2011: Regulations made under section 13quat(9), in terms of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No 58 of 1962).
(c) Government Notice No R. 207 published in Government Gazette No 34092 dated 14 March 2011: Amendment of Rules (No DAR/86), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(d) Government Notice No R. 208 published in Government Gazette No 34092 dated 14 March 2011: Amendment of Rules (DAR/87), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(e) Government Notice No R. 225 published in Government Gazette No 34108 dated 11 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1423), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(f) Government Notice No 242 published in Government Gazette No 34142 dated 23 March 2011: Financial Services Board: Publication of regulations in respect of appeals to Appeal Board for public comment, in terms of the Financial Services Board Act, 1990 (Act No 97 of 1990).
(g) Government Notice No R. 254 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1424), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(h) Government Notice No R. 255 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/2B/154), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(i) Government Notice No R. 256 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/3B/14), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(j) Government Notice No R. 257 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/5A/152), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(k) Government Notice No R. 258 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/5B/153), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(l) Government Notice No R. 259 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/339), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(m) Government Notice No R. 260 published in Government Gazette No 34166 dated 28 March 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 6 (No 6/3/21), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(n) Government Notice No R. 273 published in Government Gazette No 34159 dated 1 April 2011: Appointment of an authorized dealer in foreign exchange: Albaraka Bank Limited, in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations.
(o) Government Notice No R. 274 published in Government Gazette No 34159 dated 1 April 2011: Cancellation of appointment of an authorised dealer in foreign exchange: The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., South African Branch, in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations.
(p) Government Notice No R. 272 published in Government Gazette No 34159 dated 1 April 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1425), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(5) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs for consideration:
(a) Regulations to provide for a disciplinary code and procedures for municipal managers and managers directly accountable to municipal managers, submitted for tabling on 25 March 2011 in accordance with section 120(7)(a) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (No 32 of 2000).
(6) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Public Services for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Thubelisha Homes for 2009-2010, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2009-2010.
(7) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration:
(a) Public Protector Proposed Functional Organisational Structure: 2011-2014 – Addendum to the Public Protector Vision 2010 and Strategic Plan: 2011-2014.
(8) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration and report:
(a) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republican of Iran on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republican of Iran on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
(c) Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Islamic Republican of Iran, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(d) Explanatory Memorandum to the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Islamic Republican of Iran.
(9) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Finance for consideration and report:
(a) Agreement on the establishment of the African Tax Administration Forum, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Note to the Agreement on the establishment of the African Tax Administration Forum.
(10) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development:
(a) Proclamation No R.5 published in Government Gazette No 34000 dated 4 February 2011: Commencement of section 1 in terms of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, 2008 (Act No 65 of 2008): Pietermaritzburg.
(b) Proclamation No R.6 published in Government Gazette No 34001 dated 4 February 2011: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1974 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(c) Proclamation No R.8 published in Government Gazette No 34031 dated 18 February 2011: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1974 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(d) Government Notice No R. 162 published in Government Gazette No 34060 dated 1 March 2011: Amendment of Regulations relating to Debt Collectors, 2003: Debt Collectors Act, 1998 (Act No 114 of 1998).
(e) The President of the Republic submitted a letter dated 23 May 2011 to the Chairperson: National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services.
(f) Register of Debt Collectors in terms of section 12(1)(a) of the Debt Collectors Act, 1998 (Act No 114 of 1998).
(g) Proclamation No R.33 published in Government Gazette No 34305 dated 20 May 2011: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1974 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(h) Proclamation No R.34 published in Government Gazette No 34306 dated 20 May 2011: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1974 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(i) The President of the Republic submitted a letter dated 17 June 2011 to the Chairperson: National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the extension of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in Mozambique waters and in international waters to monitor and deter piracy activities along the Southern African Coast of the Indian Ocean.
(j) Proclamation No R.58 published in Government Gazette No 33718 dated 29 October 2010: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1996 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(k) Proclamation No R.59 published in Government Gazette No 33718 dated 29 October 2010: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1996 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(l) Proclamation No R.62 published in Government Gazette No 33744 dated 08 November 2010: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1996 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(m) Proclamation No R.63 published in Government Gazette No 33744 dated 08 November 2010: Referral of matters to existing Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act , 1996 (Act No 74 of 1996).
(n) Proclamation No R.1047 published in Government Gazette No 33747 dated 10 November 2010: Withdrawal of Government Notice No R.2095 dated 13 September 1985 in terms of the Dangerous Weapons Act, 1968 (Act No 71 of 1968).
(o) Proclamation No R.1048 published in Government Gazette No 33747 dated 10 November 2010: Withdrawal of Government Notice No R.409 (Transkei) dated 7 March 1975 in terms of the Dangerous Weapons Act, 1968 (Act No 71 of 1968).
(11) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities for consideration and report:
(a) Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development.
(12) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Social Services:
(a) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Technical Co-operation in Migration Matters, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(13) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations:
(a) Companies Regulations, in terms of section 223 and Item 14 of Schedule 5 of the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No 71 of 2008).
(b) Final Report of the Gambling Review Commission submitted to the Minister of Trade and Industry on the Review of the South African Gambling Industry and its regulation – September 2010.
(14) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence:
(a) Proclamation No 31 published in Government Gazette No 34219 dated 15 April 2011: Commencement of the Defence Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No 22 of 2010).
(15) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Co-oporative Governance and Traditional Affairs for consideration:
(a) Draft regulation on proposed final determination of municipal taxes, other than property rates, that existed prior to the enactment of the Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Act, 2007 (Act No 12 of 2007), tabled for parliamentary scrutiny in terms of section 10(4)(c) of the Act.
(b) Consolidated General Report of the Auditor-General on the Local Government audit outcomes for 2009-10 [RP 92-2011].
(16) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Magalies Water for 2009-2010, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2009-2010.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights for 2010-2011 [RP 91-2011].
(17) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Appropriations and Select Committee on Finance for consideration:
(a) Submission of the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the Division of Revenue Bill for 2012-2013, tabled in terms of section 9(1) of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Act, 1997 (Act No 97 of 1997).
(b) Diagnostic Overview by the National Planning Commission, June 2011.
(18) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Finance:
(a) Register of shareholders of the South African Reserve Bank as at 31 March 2011, in terms of section 32 of the South African Reserve Bank Act, 1989 (Act No 90 of 1989).
(b) Government Notice No 401 published in Government Gazette No 34264 dated 5 May 2011: Area demarcated by Municipality of eThekwini as urban development zone, in terms of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No 58 of 1962).
(c) Government Notice No 421 published in Government Gazette No 34286 dated 12 May 2011: Exemption in terms of section 36, in terms of the Division of Revenue Act, 2011 (Act No 6 of 2011).
(d) Government Notice No R.406 published in Government Gazette No 34272 dated 13 May 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 5 (No 5/92), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(e) Government Notice No R.436 published in Government Gazette No 34294 dated 20 May 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/340), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(f) Government Notice No R.437 published in Government Gazette No 34294 dated 20 May 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 6 (No 6/22), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(g) Government Notice No R. 501 published in Government Gazette No 34350 dated 8 June 2011: Notice in terms of Section 1 (iii) (f), in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act No 5 of 2000).
(h) Government Notice No R. 502 published in Government Gazette No 34350 dated 8 June 2011: Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2011 , in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act No 5 of 2000).
(i) Proclamation No 35 published in Government Gazette No 34356 dated 20 June 2011: Fixing of a date on which section 36(1) shall come into operation, in terms of the Revenue Laws Second Amendment Act, 2008 (Act No 61 of 2008).
(j) Government Notice No R. 506 published in Government Gazette No 34363 dated 17 June 2011: Amendment of Rules (DAR/90), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(k) Government Notice No R. 507 published in Government Gazette No 34363 dated 17 June 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 2 (No 2/336), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(l) Government Notice No R. 508 published in Government Gazette No 34363 dated 17 June 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/341), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(m) Government Notice No R. 509 published in Government Gazette No 34363 dated 17 June 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 5 (No 5/93), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(n) Government Notice No R. 510 published in Government Gazette No 34363 dated 17 June 2011: Amendment of Schedule No 2 (No 2/336), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(o) Government Notice No R. 318 published in Government Gazette No 34204 dated 11 April 2011: Amendment of Rules (DAR/88), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(p) Government Notice No R. 345 published in Government Gazette No 34215 dated 21 April 2011: Amendment of Rules (DAR/89), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(q) Government Notice No 363 published in Government Gazette No 34233 dated 29 April 2011: Listing of public entities, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999).
(r) Government Notice No 364 published in Government Gazette No 34233 dated 29 April 2011: Listing of public entities, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999).
(s) Government Notice No 365 published in Government Gazette No 34233 dated 29 April 2011: Notice in terms of section 10 (1) (y) and paragraph 64A of the Eight Schedule , in terms of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No 58 of 1962).
(t) Government Notice No 366 published in Government Gazette No 34233 dated 29 April 2011: Notice in terms of section 10 (1) (y), in terms of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No 58 of 1962).
(19) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Appropriations for consideration:
(a) Submission of the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the Division of Revenue Bill for 2012-2013, tabled in terms of section 9(1) of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Act, 1997 (Act No 97 of 1997).
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Human Settlements
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 30 – Department of Human Settlements for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 30 for 2010-2011 [RP 93-2011].
2. The Minister of Correctional Services
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 20 – Department of Correctional Services for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 20 for 2010-2011 [RP 193-2011].
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
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National Council of Provinces
1. Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Bill [B 2B-2010], (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 21 September 2011:
The Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises, having considered the subject of the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Bill [B 2B-2010] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it, reports the Bill with proposed amendments as follows:
CLAUSE 4
1. On page 11, in line 26, to omit “concurrence” and to substitute “approval”.
CLAUSE 22
1. On page 12, in line 52, to omit “the National Assembly” and to substitute “Parliament”.
CLAUSE 25
1. On page 13, in line 56, to omit “the National Assembly” and to substitute “Parliament”.
CLAUSE 29
1. On page 15, in line 17, to omit “the National Assembly” and to substitute “Parliament”.
Report to be considered.
FRIDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Council of Provinces
The Chairperson
1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled
(1) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration and report:
(a) Legal Aid Guide 2011 (12th edition), including proposed amendments approved by the Board of Legal Aid South Africa, tabled in terms of section 3A(2) of the Legal Aid Act, 1969 (Act No 22 of 1969).
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Speaker and the Chairperson
(a) Annual Report of the Judicial Service Commission for the 18 months ending 31 December 2010.
2. The Minister of Energy
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Central Energy Fund (Proprietary) Limited Group of Companies (CEF) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General and the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of the Central Energy Fund (Proprietary) Limited Group of Companies for 2010-2011 [RP 95-2011].
(b) Annual Financial Statements of the Central Energy Fund (Proprietary) Limited Group of Companies (CEF) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General and the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of the Central Energy Fund (Proprietary) Limited Group of Companies for 2010-2011 [RP 95-2011] (Volumes 1 and 2).
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 198-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the National Nuclear Regulator for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Electricity Distribution Industrial Holdings (Pty) Ltd (EDIH) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2009-2010 [RP 218-2011].
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited (NECSA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 88-2011].
3. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (Palama) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 182-2011].
4. The Minister of Transport
(a) Reports and Financial Statements of the Ports Regulator of South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 254-2011].
5. The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
6. The Minister of Public Enterprises
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Airways (Pty) (Ltd) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Broadband Infraco (Pty) Limited for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Alexkor Limited for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
MONDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Trade and Industry
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 35 – Department of Trade and Industry for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 35 for 2010-2011 [RP 254-2011].
2. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the State Information Technology Agency (Pty) Ltd (SITA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 72-2011].
National Council of Provinces
1. The Chairperson
(a) Submission of a petition from Mr Paul Mkhize regarding the re-opening of an inquest on the death of his wife.
Referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals for consideration and report.
TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Finance
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 115-2011].
2. The Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Employment Equity Report of the Department of Home Affairs for 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010, in terms of section 22(2) of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No 55 of 1998).
3. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Water Research Commission for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 130-2011].
WEDNESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Speaker and the Chairperson
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for 2010- 2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 111-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 84-2011].
2. The Minister of Arts and Culture
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 13 – Department of Arts and Culture for 2010-11, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 13 for 2010-11.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 101-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Kwazulu-Natal Museum for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 203-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Luthuli Museum for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Market Theatre Foundation for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 112-2011].
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the Msunduzi/Voortrekker Museum and Ncome Museums for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [PR 56-2011].
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the National Arts Council for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 196-2011].
(h) Report and Financial Statements of the National English Literary Museum for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 188-2011].
(i) Report and Financial Statements of the National Film and Video Foundation for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 139-2011].
(j) Report and Financial Statements of the Freedom Park Trust for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 171-2011].
(k) Report and Financial Statements of the Ditsong Museums of South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 80-2011].
(l) Report and Financial Statements of Business and Arts South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 175-2011].
(m) Report and Financial Statements of the Blind SA for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 142-2011].
(n) Report and Financial Statements of the Artscape for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 170-2011].
(o) Report and Financial Statements of the Afrikaans Language Museum and Language Monument for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 168-2011].
(p) Report and Financial Statements of the Pan South African Language Board for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 229-2011].
(q) Report and Financial Statements of the National Heritage Council for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 228-2011].
(r) Report and Financial Statements of the National Library of South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 131-2011].
(s) Report and Financial Statements of the Natal Museum - Bloemfontein for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(t) Report and Financial Statements of the Nelson Mandela Museum for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 129-2011].
(u) Report and Financial Statements of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(v) Report and Financial Statements of the Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Company (The Playhouse Company) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 121-2011].
(w) Report and Financial Statements of the Robben Island Museum for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 179-2011].
(x) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Library for the Blind for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 177-2011].
(y) Report and Financial Statements of the South African State Theatre for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 89-2011].
(y) Report and Financial Statements of the War Museum of the Boer Republics for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(z) Report and Financial Statements of the William Humphreys Art Gallery for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(aa) Report and Financial Statements of the Windybrow Centre for the Arts for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
3. The Minister of Finance
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial Intelligence Centre for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 135-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Sasria (Limited) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2010-2011.
4. The Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Film and Publication Board for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
5. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
(a) Report dated 15 September 2011 on the suspension from office of Magistrate C M Dumani, a magistrate in Graaff‑Reinet, tabled in terms of section 13(4)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Criminal Assets Recovery Account for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 223-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the President’s Fund for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 222-2011].
(d) Report on Monies in Trust kept in the Guardian’s Fund for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on Monies in Trust kept in the Guardian’s Fund for 2010-2011 [RP 224-2011].
6. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 11 – Department of Public Service and Administration for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 11 for 2010-2011 [RP 187-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Centre for Public Service Innovation for 2010-2011.
7. The Minister of Social Development
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 18 – Department of Social Development for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 18 for 2010-2011 [RP 242-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the National Development Agency (NDA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 11-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 81-2011].
8. The Minister of Transport
(a) Report of the Regulating Committee to the Airports Company of South Africa and Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Search and Rescue Organisation for 2010-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Air Service Licensing Council (ASLC) for 2010-11.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the International Air Services Council (IASC) for 2010-11.
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Railway Safety Regulator on the State of Railway Safety in South Africa for 2009-2010 [RP 51-2011].
9. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Inkomati Catchment Management Agency (ICMA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 161-2011].
THURSDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 25 – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 25 for 2010-2011 [RP 205-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 137-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 108-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 174-2011].
2. The Minister of Basic Education
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 14 – Department of Basic Education for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 14 for 2010-2011 [RP 197-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of the Transformation Fund of the Education Labour Relations Council for 2010-2011 [RP 178-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training - UMALUSI for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Council for Educators for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
3. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa Limited (ARMSCOR) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Group Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 123-2011].
4. The Minister of Finance
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial Services Board for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 42-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Investment Corporation Limited for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 73-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Government Pensions Administration Agency for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
5. The Minister of International Relations and Co-operation
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 5 – Department of International Relations and Cooperation for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 5 for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the African Renaissance and International Co-operation Fund for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
6. The Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 4 – Department of Home Affairs for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 4 for 2010-2011 [RP 250-2011].
7. The Minister of Mineral Resources
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 31 – Department of Mineral Resources for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 31 for 2010-2011 [RP 59-2011].
8. The Minister in The Presidency: National Planning Commission
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 12 - Statistics South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 12 for 2010-2011 [RP 124-2011].
9. The Minister in The Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 8 – Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 8 for 2010-2011 [RP 249-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
10. The Minister of Police
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 22 – Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 22 for 2010-2011 [RP 246-2011].
11. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
12. The Minister of Science and Technology
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Africa Institute of South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2009-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National Energy Research Institute (Pty) Ltd for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Technology Innovation Agency for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Ncera Farms (Pty) Ltd for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Onderstepoort Biological Products (Ltd) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
2. The Minister of Communications
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 26 – Department of Communications for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 26 for 2010-2011 [RP 126-2010].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Post Office (Ltd) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of Sentech Limited for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 219-2011].
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) for 2010-2011, including the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) for 2010-2011 [RP 202-2010].
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Broadcasting Corporation Limited (SABC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2010-2011.
3. The Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 257-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 208-2011].
4. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 21 – Department of Defence and Military Veterans for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 21 for 2010-2011[RP 192-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Castle Control Board for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 74-2011].
5. The Minister of Economic Development
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 27 – Department of Economic Development for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 27 for 2010-2011.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Micro-Finance Apex Fund (SAMAF) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 76-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of Khula Enterprise Finance Limited for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 78-2011].
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Competition Commission for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 60-2011].
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the Competition Tribunal for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance information for 2010-2011 [RP 114-2011].
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 106-2011].
6. The Minister of Energy
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 28 – Department of Energy for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 28 for 2010-2011 [RP 255-2011].
7. The Minister of Health
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 15 – Department of Health for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 15 for 2010-2011 [RP 138-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 176-2011].
8. The Minister of Higher Education and Training
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 13 – Department of Higher Education for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 16 for 2010-2011 [RP 217-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSeta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 144-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (Bank-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 145-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of Construction Education Training Authority (CETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 147-2011].
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 152-2011].
(f) Report and Financial Statements of Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 148-2011].
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and other Financial Services Sector Education and Training Authority for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 149-2011].
(h) Report and Financial Statements of the Food and Beverages Manufacturing Industry Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (Foodbev-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 150-2011].
(i) Report and Financial Statements of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 151-2011].
(j) Report and Financial Statements of the Chemical Industries and Training Authority (CHIETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 146-2011].
(k) Report and Financial Statements of the Transport Sector Education and Training Authority (TETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 160-2011].
(l) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 186-2011].
(m) Report and Financial Statements of The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (Inseta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 154-2011].
(n) Report and Financial Statements of the Information System, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (Isett-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 153-2011].
(o) Report and Financial Statements of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Education and Training Authority (MER-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 156-2011].
(p) Report and Financial Statements of the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 206-2011].
(q) Report and Financial Statements of the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 157-2011].
(r) Report and Financial Statements of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 61-2011].
(s) Report and Financial Statements of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (Theta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance information for 2010-2011 [RP 162-2011].
(t) Report and Financial Statements of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 161-2011].
(u) Report and Financial Statements of the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 155-2011].
(v) Report and Financial Statements of the Forest Industries Sector Education and Training Authority (FIETA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 185-2011].
(w) Report and Financial Statements of the Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and Training Authority (MAPPP-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 184-2011].
(x) Report and Financial Statements of the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Sector Education and Training Authority (CTFL-Seta) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 183-2011].
(y) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 97-2011].
(z) Report and Financial Statements of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(aa) Report and Financial Statements of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for 2010-2010, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 164-2011].
9. The Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Government Printing Works (MDB) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 239-2011].
10. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 23 – Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 23 for 2010-2011 [RP 221-2011].
11. The Minister of Police
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
12. The Minister of Public Works
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 6 – Department of Public Works for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 6 for 2010-2011 [RP 259-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of Agrément South Africa (ASA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 126-2011].
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(h) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(i) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[R136-2011].
13. The Minister of Transport
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 36 – Department of Transport for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 36 for 2010-2011 [RP 253-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 234-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Intersite Asset Investments(Pty)Ltd for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the Autopax Passenger Services (Pty)Ltd for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 238-2011].
14. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
(a) White Paper on the National Climate Change Response.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Namakwa Water Board for the year ended 30 June 2010, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2010.
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011[RP 163-2011].
THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Finance
(a) Agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for the exchange of information between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
2. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
(a) Report dated 29 September 2011 on the provisional suspension from office of Magistrate P S Hole, a magistrate in Kimberley, tabled in terms of section 13(3)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(b) Report dated 29 September 2011 on withholding remuneration from Magistrate D Jacobs, a magistrate in Clocolan, tabled in terms of section 13(4A)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(c) Report dated 29 September 2011 on withholding remuneration from Magistrate I W O M Morake, a magistrate in Lichtenburg, tabled in terms of section 13(4A)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(d) Report dated 29 September 2011 on withholding remuneration from Magistrate T M Masinga, a magistrate in Emlazi, tabled in terms of section 13(4A)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(e) Report dated 29 September 2011 on withholding remuneration from Magistrate L B Maruwa, a magistrate in Benoni (Daveyton), tabled in terms of section 13(4A)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(f) Report dated 29 September 2011 on withholding remuneration from Magistrate C M Dumani, a magistrate in Graaff‑Reinet, tabled in terms of section 13(4A)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(g) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Debt Collectors for the period March 2010 to February 2011, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for March 2010 to February 2011.
(h) Government Notice No 702 published in Government Gazette No 34572 dated 31 August 2011: Practical Guidelines for Employees in terms of section 10 (4) (a) of the Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 (Act No 26 of 2000).
(i) Proclamation No R.46 published in Government Gazette No 34535 dated 19 August 2011: Transfer of functions under section 97 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: Stock Theft Act, 1959 (Act No 57 of 1959) and Game Theft Act, 1991 (Act No 105 of 1991.
3. The Minister of Trade and Industry
(a) Progress Report on the Implementation of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2) for the year 2010 – 2011.
National Council of Provinces
1, The Chairperson
(a) Submission of a petition from Mr Mthetheli Mana, regarding slow service delivery in the Fort Beaufort Municipality, Eastern Cape.
Referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals for consideration and report.
(b) Submission of a petition from Ms J N Mainama, regarding failure by the employer to pay Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits.
Referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals for consideration and report.
(c) The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 23 September 2011 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services for protection and safety of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa during his visit to Côte D'ivoire.
EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE FOR SERVICE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES FOR PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA DURING HIS VISIT TO CÔTE D'IVOIRE.
This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that I have employed Seventy Seven (77) South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services for protection and safety of the Deputy President of Republic of South Africa during his attendance of the inauguration ceremony of the President of Côte D'ivoire.
This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, l996.
This employment was for the period 14 May to 29 May 2011.
I will communicate this report to members of the National Assembly and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and wish to request that you bring the contents hereof to the attention of the National Council of Provinces.
Regards
signed
Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa
(d) The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 23 September 2011 to the to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services for protection and safety of the President of the Republic of South Africa during the visit to Libya.
EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE FOR SERVICE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES FOR PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE VISIT TO LIBYA.
This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that I have employed Seventy Seven (77) South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel, for service in co-operation with the South-African Police Services for my protection and safety during my visit to Libya as part of the African Union Peace Initiative.
This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 20l(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
This employment was for the period 30 May to 03 June 2011.
I will communicate this report to members of the National Assembly and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and wish to request that you bring the contents hereof to the attention of the National Council of Provinces.
Regards
signed
Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa
(e) The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 23 September 2011 to the to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force in co-operation with the South African Police Service in safeguard the repatriation of spent nuclear fuel from Pelindaba to Richards Bay and thereafter the shadowing of the Cargo vessel at sea until departure from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of South Africa.
EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE FOR SERVICE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES IN SAFEGUARDING THE REPATRIATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM PELINDABA TO RICHARDS BAY AND THEREAFTER THE SHADOWING OF THE CARGO VESSEL AT SEA UNTIL DEPARTURE FROM THE EXECLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ) OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.
This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that have employed One Hundred and Seventy Two (172) South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel, for service in co-operation with South African Police Service in safeguarding the repatriation of spent nuclear fuel from Pelindaba to Richards Bay and thereafter shadowing of the cargo vessel at sea until departure from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of South Africa.
This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions section 20l(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 read with section 19 of Defence Act (Act 42 of 2002).
This employment was for the period 18 July to 25 July 2011.
I will communicate this report to members of the National Assembly and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and wish to request that you bring the contents hereof to the attention of the National Council of Provinces.
Regards
signed
Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa
MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2011
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Sport and Recreation
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 17 – Sport and Recreation South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 17 for 2010-2011 [RP 176-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2010-2011 [RP 151-2009].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of Boxing South Africa for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
2. The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 7 – Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 7 for 2010-2011.
THURSDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Council of Provinces
The Chairperson
1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled
(1) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration:
(a) The President of the Republic submitted a letter dated 23 September 2011 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services for protection and safety of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa during his visit to Côte D'ivoire.
(b) The President of the Republic submitted a letter dated 23 September 2011 to the to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force for service in co-operation with the South African Police Services for protection and safety of the President of the Republic of South Africa during the visit to Libya.
(c) The President of the Republic submitted a letter dated 23 September 2011 to the to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force in co-operation with the South African Police Service in safeguard the repatriation of spent nuclear fuel from Pelindaba to Richards Bay and thereafter the shadowing of the Cargo vessel at sea until departure from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of South Africa.
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Arts and Culture
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 181-2011].
2. The Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) for 2010-2011 [RP 227-2011].
3. The Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Ghana regarding the Waiver of Visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official or Service Passports, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
4. The Minister of Transport
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Road Traffic Management Corporation for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 89-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Driving License Card Account for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 199-2011].
5. The Minister of Trade and Industry
(a) Government Notice No R.711 published in Government Gazette No 34586 dated 9 September 2011: Introduction of amendments to the National Building Regulations to introduce requirements for Energy Usage in Buildings in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No 103 of 1977).
National Council of Provinces
1. The Chairperson
(a) Annual Industrial Action Report 2010.
Referred to the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises for consideration.
(b) Submission of a petition from Mr Simon Motau, regarding slow service delivery in Mafefe Village, Limpopo.
Referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals for consideration and report.
WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Council of Provinces
The Chairperson
1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled
(1) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Finance for consideration and report:
(a) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Bermuda for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Bermuda for the exchange of information relating to tax matters.
(c) Protocol and additional protocol amending the convention between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Austria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital, signed on 4 March 1996, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(d) Explanatory Memorandum on the protocol Amending the Double Taxation convention between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Austria.
(e) Agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(f) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for the exchange of information between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
(g) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of San Marino for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
(h) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for exchange of information between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of San Marino.
(i) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Jersey for the exchange of information with respect to taxes, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(j) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for the exchange of information between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Jersey.
(k) Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Seychelles and the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(l) Explanatory Memorandum on the Protocol Amending the Double Taxation agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles.
(m) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the States of Guernsey for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
(n) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for exchange of information between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and Government of the States of Guernsey.
(o) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Cayman Islands for the exchange of information relating to tax matters, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
(p) Explanatory Memorandum on the agreement for exchange of information between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Cayman Islands.
(q) Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Malaysia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, signed at Pretoria on 26 July 2005, tabled in terms of Section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(r) Explanatory Memorandum on the Protocol Amending the Double Taxation agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Malaysia.
(2) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on Economic Development and the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations for consideration:
(a) Report of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate for 2010-2011 [RP 109-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 10-2011].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Mineral Technology (Mintek) for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 16-2011].
(d) Report and Financial Statements of the State Diamond Trader for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011.
(e) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Geoscience for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 67-2011].
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 237-2011].
(3) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 24 – Department of Police for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 24 for 2010-2011 [RP 194-2011].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 20 – Department of Correctional Services for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 20 for 2010-2011 [RP 193-2011].
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Ingonyama Trust Board for 2010-2011, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-2011 [RP 252-2011].
2. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
(a) General Notice No 501 published in Government Gazette No 34487 dated 29 July 2011: Draft Biodiversity Management Plan for Pelargonium Sidoides in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004).
(b) Notice No 515 published in Government Gazette No 34493 dated 5 August 2011: Proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter of Aerodynamic Diameter less than 2,5 Micron Meters in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No 39 of 2004).
(c) Notice No 516 published in Government Gazette No 34493 dated 5 August 2011: Nominations for appointment of suitable persons to serve as Members of the Board of South African National Parks in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003).
(d) General Notice No 538 published in Government Gazette No 34520 dated 11 August 2011: Board of South African Weather Services (SAWS): Nominations for the appointment of suitable persons as members, in terms of the South African Weather Service Act, 2001 (Act No 8 of 2001).
(e) General Notice No 586 published in Government Gazette No 34558 dated 26 August 2011: National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2011: For public comments.
National Council of Provinces
1. The Chairperson
(a) Submission of a petition from the concerned Artisans of Boksburg Correctional Services (Gauteng), regarding the alleged discrimination against Artisans of Boksburg Correctional Services by the Department of Correctional Services.
Referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals for consideration and report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Council of Provinces
1. Report of the Select Committee on Finance on the Government Employees Pension Law Amendment Bill [B15-2011] (National Assembly- section 75), dated 19 October 2011.
The Select Committee on Finance, having considered and examined the Government Employees Pension Law Amendment Bill [B15-2011] (National Assembly- section 75), referred to it, and classified by the JTM as a section 75 Bill, reports the Bill without amendments.
Report to be considered.
THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
1. Bills passed by Houses – to be submitted to President for assent
(1) Bill passed by National Council of Provinces on 20 October 2011:
(a) Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill [B 5B – 2011] (National Assembly – sec 75).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Council of Provinces
PRINTER INSERT - T111020e-insert2 – PAGES 3264-3275
20 OCTOBER 2011 PAGE: 212 of 212
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