Hansard: NA: Unrevised hansard

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 07 Sep 2021

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2021

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Watch video here: PLENARY (HYBRID)

 

The House met at 14:02.

 

 

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

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, as we normally do, we wish to remind you to please stay in your allocated seats. Let’s keep the distance and try to keep your masks on. I would like to repeat the reason I don’t put on the mask - seated where I am, it is because there are people who do interpretation, who wants to read our lips when they do that from this point of view. We thought we should explain that.

I notice that out of respect and consideration for others, even when we speak in public elsewhere, let’s remember that the mask muffles your voice when you speak. Those who are sitting together and wants to hear cannot hear you properly because they can’t read your lips. So, let’s make it our responsibility to raise awareness of that. I am saying so because of what I saw during the past couple of days when people speaking with their masks on – it’s very difficult.

Hon Mazzone, you had a good weekend clearly. The first motion on the Order Paper is the motion in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party. The Chief Whip?

 

The Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the House designates Ms N N Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly, to replace Ms T R Modise as a member of the Judicial Service Commission.

 

 

Question put.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

ANC WELCOMES NEW SEAWATER DESALINATION PLANT IN EASTERN CAPE

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms G K TSEKE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the ANC welcomes the new seawater desalination plant which aims to deal with the crippling water crisis brought on by protracted periods of

 

 

drought in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape. The new plant which is fitted with state-of-the-art engineering technology to treat and process seawater so that it is suitable for human consumption, is a viable solution to the water challenges.

After the water is processed in the plant, it is pumped to the municipal reservoir, which in turn takes care of the reticulation.

 

 

This is the third project of this kind undertaken by the Quality Filtration Systems company, following similar ventures in Beaufort West in the Western Cape and Ballito in KwaZulu- Natal. It produces 2 million litres of water a day, while the wastewater plant produces 3 million litres. The salt is removed from the seawater through reverse osmosis, and the water product goes to the final water tank and gets pumped to the municipal reservoir, which is about 2,5km from the place. The ANC is committed in bringing permanent water solution to the affected municipalities.

 

 

Sepedi:

 

Ke a leboga ...

 

 

English:

 

... Deputy Speaker.

 

 

FOR ACCOUNTABILITY BY POLICE

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr J R B LORIMER (DA): At the Johannesburg burial of the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veteran of Kebby Maphatsoe on Sunday, numbers of mourners fired shots in the air. Two hundred and thirty-six cartridges have been found so far - AK

47 R5 and a 9mm gun. Senior police officers present at the funeral did nothing. Police also did nothing when the Eeufees Old Age home in Westdene phoned the Sophiatown Police Station saying one of their 76-year old resident was hit in the leg by a bullet. Only the next day when they realise the story was out, did police take an interest.

 

 

Two other houses in Westdene were hit by bullets. In Montgomery Park a bullet smashed through a bedroom window, narrowly missing an 87-year-old man. Another bullet went through a car window. Shots have been fired at gangster funerals at Westpark Cemetery for years, and the police say they can do nothing. It seems they have no manpower organisations, care or courage to do their job. So, must the residents around Westpark Cemetery hide in their cupboards or under their beds every time it’s a burial of a gang leader or

 

 

an ANC leader? I am not hopeful that the police would be held accountable for this dereliction of duty. This government’s idea of consequence management is to manage to escape all consequences for their actions.

 

 

I join the residents of my constituency in their outrage and disgust at this behaviour by the ANC and at this pathetic banana republic excuse for policing.

 

 

EQUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY AS FOUNDATIONAL VALUES INFORMING INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION EMPHASISED

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr N M PAULSEN (EFF): Deputy Speaker, in March 2020, the South African government declared COVID-19 a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002.

This Act introduced overnight regulations and prescribed activities essential services to society. This national level intervention ironically but tragically exposed the underbelly of postapartheid state. The lockdown regulation set in motion of series of administrative reactions that have revealed more starkly the deep seated and stubborn inequalities in South Africa.

 

 

Contemporary forms of exclusion through neoliberal capitalism and a persistence of racism entangled with the distinctive racist and oppressive practices of the apartheid past, South Africa subsistence fiscus from our coastal villages – from Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape to Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape to Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape, and as far as Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal and surrounding districts found themselves quoting the net of regulatory distortions because of failed attempts to address past discriminations and exclusions in fisheries policies post-1994.

 

 

The marginalisation of the exclusion of subsistence fishing continue in the sector. The basic tenets of the Constitution is to do away with all the economic and social disadvantages such as poverty, inequality and lack of access to basic human rights. ... [Inaudible.] ... the objectives of the Constitution. Equality and human dignity are foundational values that inform the interpretation of the Constitution and these fundamental rights are the main tenets of the Bill of Rights. Long before greedy colonisers arrived at our shores, subsistence fishers had a symbiotic relationship with the environment, including the ocean. There was never ...

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, your time has expired - almost

 

twenty seconds. No, let’s not ...

 

 

Mr N M PAULSEN (EFF): No, I just started.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Don’t protest, go home and do it better

 

there. IFP?

 

 

Mr N M PAULSEN (EFF): You are a very rude person.

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: But Deputy Speaker, why do you always want to behave like a child? Stop making remarks like that, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Ntlangwini, can you please mute ... [Inaudible] ... and you are breaking the Rules of the House. You will be thrown out, I promise you. There is no question about you speaking whenever you want as if there are no Rules here! IFP?

 

 

Ms N E NTLANGWINI: May I rise on a point of order?

 

 

CORRUPTION AND POOR SERVICE DELIVERY WITHIN THE POLICE A CONCERN

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms Z MAJOZI (IFP): Deputy Speaker, the IFP has noted that the SA Police Service has never really enjoyed the best reputation through opposed democracy. It was further tarnished in the few first weeks of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown as videos depicting abuses went viral. Over the years, the good attitude of the communities towards the police has increasingly diminished. The levels of trust and co-operation have dwindled. Corruption within the police and involvement with criminal elements as well as poor service delivery have all contributed to this.

 

 

The Constitution’s statutory law, common law and the SAPS code of conduct and disciplinary regulations all include norms aimed at preventing and addressing police misconduct. The Police Minister published the crimes statistics for first quarter in 2021 for 2022. With the significant increase in cases reported across several crimes categories, the 6,2% increase in murders is a grave cause for concern. Further, the rate at which police officers have been dying in the line of duty needs to be addressed with urgency. We cannot continue to function successfully as a nation if our police remain targets of criminals. I thank you.

 

 

FF PLUS’S CONCERN ON WATER SHORTAGES AND SEWAGE ISSUES IN

 

MUNICIPALITIES

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms T BREEDT (FF Plus): Deputy Speaker, in the Free State water is not a basic human right, it is not even the rule in most towns, it is the exception to the rule. Sewage, now that however, that is not an exception but the rule. Hon Minister, you may be the new incumbent in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, but the fact of the matter is your predecessor, your department and you party have failed the people of the Free State.

 

 

In Ngwathe Local Municipality - Parys, Schonkenville and Tumahole, have been without water for weeks, and some parts as long as 61 days today. What does it help your department brags about the upgraded trident water treatment plant, but there are no working pipes for the water to feed through? And the JoJo tanks being used for water are not the green tanks for water, but the yellow tanks for sewage.

 

 

Kroonstad in Moqhaka Local Municipality has such a huge sewage problem, that besides the smell, you will be forgiven for

 

 

mistaking sewage for the Vals River. Certain residents cannot enter their homes without wearing gumboots. In Matjhabeng Local Municipality, sewage has become so bad that the standing sewage has developed its own ecosystem, with plants, ducks paddling in the water.

 

 

In Dewetsdorp and Morojaneng in Mangaung Metro has become so used to only having water for two hours once a week, that when they have water they phone to find out why. If every household in those two town flushes their toilet once, the newly built reservoir is empty and needs to be refilled - meaning no water. Hon Minister this is not how people are supposed to be living - not in a pandemic, not ever! I thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, don’t give yourselves time you don’t have. You have no authority to do that. DA?

 

 

LOCALISATION POLICY WITH NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr M J CUTHBERT (DA): Hon Deputy Speaker, the DA strongly supports the suggestion by the Department of Trade, Industry

 

 

and Competition’s lead negotiator on the African continental free trade agreement, Dr Morgan Ipile, that plans to reduce imports by 20% under the auspices of Minister Ibrahim Patel’s policy of localisation must be withdrawn.

 

 

What is clear from her public statement is the fact that Minister Patel doesn’t make evidence-based policy decisions but rather he adheres strictly to his own ideological dogma. This dogma dictates that the state must control as much of the economy that it can get its hands on, regardless of the dire economic consequences it entails.

 

 

Therefore, I ask the House to take note of the following: That both the commentariat and opposition politicians have warned against the dire economic consequences that such a policy entails. The Minister’s draft towards import substitution may well lead to an increase in price and decrease in the quality of goods and services available to the South African public, and that Mao Zedong’s China, Kim Jong-il’s North Korea and Stalin’s USSR experience not only macroeconomic destruction but widespread hunger and famine as a result of pursuing such policies. The DA will continue to fight against policies that seek to centralise economic activity within the locos of the state and plunge people into poverty. South Africa needs more

 

 

market and less debt in order to achieve economic prosperity. I thank you.

 

 

MURDER OF MS BABITA DEOKARAN

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms N H MASEKO-JELE (ANC): [Inaudible] ... Deokaran, a senior finance official in the Gauteng Department of Health, on Monday, 23 August 2021. She had just returned from dropping her child at school when gunmen ambushed and shot her multiple times. Her killing is suspected to be linked to her role in the probe into dodgy R332 million ... [Inaudible.] ...

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

USEKELA SOMLOMO: Akusiyena omoshayo. Musani ukusola umuntu ngento engekho. Siyasho nje ukuthi ... [Ubuwelewele.] ... Kahleni! Kahleni!

 

 

English:

 

Wait a minute. Hon Radebe, you keep rising and standing. What is your story Ntane?

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE: Chairperson, I’m the duty Whip here. Can I take

 

over from my colleague?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: But you should ask. You did not. When she became clearer you chose to retreat. You were operating sensibly but I request that you finish that and let’s do it. You can’t be going back and up. Please, man, just do it.

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. We are saddened by

 

...

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Let’s explain. Because of the breakdown in technology, that is the only reason we are allowing this to happen. Please, no one else must take chances. Go ahead, sir.

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE: We are saddened and angered at the senseless killing of Ms Babita Deokaran a senior finance official in the Gauteng Department of Health on Monday, 23 August 2021. She had just returned from dropping her children at school when gunmen ambushed and shot her multiple times. Her killing is suspected to be linked to her role in the probe into dodgy R332 million personal protective equipment contracts in the province where she was reportedly a key witness.

 

 

We are encouraged by the swift action of the Hawks, who have arrested eight men in connection with her death. A combined heavily armed team of about 20 members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Johannesburg East Crime Intelligence, SAPS Johannesburg K9 Unit, SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Special Task Force alongside private security companies such as Fidelity Specialised Services and the Community Active Protection surrounded the area and arrested the suspects.

 

 

Ms Deokaran was a woman of principle and fought fearlessly against fraud and corruption. Her death should not be in vein. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. I thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Sorry, Deputy Speaker, Steve Swart here. My colleague is muted. Can someone unmute her?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Go ahead.

 

 

Ms M SUKER: Deputy Speaker, can you hear me now?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, I can hear you now. Please go ahead.

 

 

HOLISTIC FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN FIGHTING COVID-19

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms M E SUKERS: The ACDP notes that South Africa has been at the forefront with combating HIV/AIDS through holistic focus on prevention and disease management for those living with HIV/AIDS.

 

 

We have a model of home-based care treatment and positive messaging to eradicate stigma in communities and combating fear of those infected with HIV. These strategies have proven successful in improving the health outcomes for those living with the virus.

 

 

Why is this holistic focus not implemented in the fight against COVID-19? Where is the focus on optimal treatment and early medical intervention to prevent escalation of disease? The ACDP puts it on record again that government is failing in implementing comprehensive communication strategies to combat COVID, which include early treatment to improve health outcomes for those battling COVID-19.

 

 

In my constituency here in Western Cape the failure of early intervention is clear in the fact that most deaths occurred where medical intervention was sought after 10 or more days of illness. We are in a prolonged third wave with this disease fast being considered as endemic. We need to do a course correction on how we communicate on COVID-19 that does not only focus on prevention but includes intervention measures to improve care at a community and primary care level. Thank you.

 

 

CITY OF CAPE TOWN TO BLAME FOR THE DEATH OF TWO-YEAR-OLD IMTHANDE SWAARTBOOI

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr B M HADEBE (ANC): The City of Cape Town’s negligence should be blamed for the death of two-year-old Imthande Swaartbooi, who drowned after falling into an open sewage drain outside his family home in Greenpoint, Khayelitsha, on 29 August. As an MP deployed in Khayelitsha, this is not the first time a child has fallen into the drain, but Imthande had been the first one to die as a result of the city’s negligence in failing to fix broken, blocked and overflowing drains in poor working-class communities.

 

 

The child was discovered by his mother, Busisiwe Swaartbooi, who had been looking for him around the house. The drain was right outside the family home, and had been left open for weeks by the city officials while residents have been repeatedly asking the municipal trucks operating in the area to fix and cover the drain, the city had ignored their requests. Only after I have spoken to the member of Water and Sanitation and alerted her of the incident did they dispatch their trucks to fix the drain. The ANC conveys condolences to the parents of Imthande and people of Khayelitsha on the tragic passing of their child. Unfortunately, Deputy Speaker, the 79 old grandmother of Imthandile was also overwhelmed by the sad news and later passed on in hospital.

 

 

The pertinent question that we should ask ourselves is what is it exactly that the DA mean when they say where they govern they govern better when a black child had to first die for the drain to be fixed. I thank you.

 

 

CSIR RECEIVES ESTATION TO UTILIZE EARTH OBSERVATION DATA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr W T LETSIE (ANC): The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, through the Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa consortium, has received one of 12 Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa programme e-stations that enable access to critical Earth Observation, EO, data.

 

 

The installation of the European-funded and African Union- managed programme will enable regional partners and various research, academic, and industry organisations access to EO data and the portal to support the implementation of sustainable development policies at continental, regional and national level.

 

 

Installation of the e-station at the Pretoria campus, was completed in June this year. The project aims to maintain, further develop and provide a sustainable platform for local, institutional, human and technical capabilities across Southern African countries. The e-station is an operational distributable open-source data processing tool that aims to build and strengthen capacities in Africa to receive, process, analyse and exploit EO data for environmental management. It consists of an outdoor and indoor unit. There is currently no

 

 

other active e-station for marine and coastal applications in Southern Africa.

 

 

SWIFT JUSTICE CALLED FOR IN TAZNE VAN WYK’S MURDER

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms A L A ABRAHAMS(DA): Deputy Speaker, on 7 February 2020, eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk from Ravensmead walked to the tuckshop opposite her home, never to return. Twelve days later Tazne was found raped, mutilated and murdered left in a storm water drain along the N1 highway.

 

 

With a serious criminal record dating back decades, a suspect in the society having passed the tick box exercise of the parole board, he had absconded parole conditions before Tazne’s murder.

 

 

President Ramaphosa, the Minister for Justice and Correctional Services, Minister for Social Development, Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Minister of Police, all visited Tazne’s family to offer condolences. After all these high profile visits, public apology and commitment

 

 

for swift justice, the case is once again postponed for the sixth time to 16 May 2022.

 

 

If this visit was not just a publicity stunt, the President and the Ministers must honour their commitment. Swift justice must prevail not only to bring closure and healing to Tazne’s family and the community, but to restore South African’s faith and confidence in the justice system. Thank you.

 

 

FARM OWNER CLAIMS TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT RELIEF SCHEME USING WORKERS INFORMATION

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms C N MKHONTO (EFF): Deputy Speaker, on 2 December 2020 the EFF called and notified the office of the Minister of Employment and Labour about JJ Wagner where the farm owner claimed TERS using the names and identity numbers of the workers but never gave it to them.

 

 

Upon refusing to sign the document to confirm that they have received their share they were unfairly dismissed. The office of the Minister directed the EFF to the Limpopo labour centre

 

 

provincial head Ms Johanna Lucia Mashaba. Since then she never contacted the workers nor updated the EFF on the matter.

 

 

Now, those workers are being sent from pillar to post by the department of Labour in Limpopo. Mr JJ Wagner had disappeared without giving the workers necessary documentation to claim their UIF and Provident Fund. Some of the workers have worked on that farm for close to 20 years and have nowhere to go as they have now been evicted by JJ Wagner.

 

 

The EFF calls upon the office of the Minister to make sure that Mr JJ Wagner is reported to the police with regard to the fraud because during his meeting with the EFF he admitted that he did claim the TERS though COVID-19 never affected his farming activities. Those workers must be helped to locate JJ Wagner. [Time Expired.]

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION PARTNERS WITH JP MORGAN

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Ms N E MOTAUNG(ANC): The recently formed partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and

 

 

international financial services firm, JP Morgan, will see an equity equivalent fund established that hopes to unlock

R2 billion to aid small businesses. The Abadali Equity Equivalent Investment Programme seeks to support small, medium and micro-enterprises, — especially in the green economy and manufacturing - with funding and mentorship. The goal is to create a thousand new jobs, mostly from the green and industrial sectors.

 

 

South African small businesses are widely regarded as a potential source of jobs growth, but it has been having challenges even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abadali will see JP Morgan investment R340 million into loans and grants for small businesses, as well as offering short, medium and long term finance to qualifying firms over an eight-year period.

 

 

We commend JP Morgan for being the first international financial services firm to participate in such a programme alongside government. [Time expired.]

 

 

REINTEGRATION OF REFUGEES INTO COMMUNITIES

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

Mr K B PILLAY (ANC): We welcome the reintegration of approximately 860 refugees into communities or whom have voluntarily returned to their country of origin. This comes in the wake of about 1 500 refugees and asylum seekers who were accommodated in Bellville at Paint City and Wingfield in Kensington in Cape Town.

 

 

This group first occupied the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town and had protested outside of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, offices in 2019 demanding relocation to other countries. They were then moved to the two sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19 last year. They were given the option to either reintegrate into communities or repatriate back to their home countries.

 

 

A number of 305 individuals have voluntarily departed from South Africa and UNHCR has provided assistance for people willing to reintegrate back in the local communities or repatriate to their countries of origin as part of their mandate. Interested refugees were offered a reintegration package to cover basic rentals and necessities for three months, as well as counselling support. I thank you.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, that concludes Member’s Statements. Before I ask for Ministerial responses, I would like to just remind us that Rules of the National Assembly in your book of Rules suggest that the Rules must be strictly adhered to by the members. Secondly, section 10 there under contempt says,

 

 

A member who wilfully fails and refuses to obey any Rule, order or resolution of the House may be found guilty of contempt of Parliament in terms of the Powers and Privileges Act of 2004.

 

 

And finally, under section 69, grossly disorderly conduct:

 

 

Repeatedly undermining the authority of the presiding officer or repeatedly refusing to obey rulings of the presiding officer or repeatedly disrespecting and interrupting the presiding officer while the latter is addressing the House is wrong.

 

 

So, I’m reading this to remind us and to say that please, so that ... and we do appreciate on behalf of other presiding officers that life happens. But when you are asked to stop, we appreciate those who stop without resisting and debating. That

 

 

is appropriate. I thought I should remind us of that and then invite any Ministerial responses on the Statements presented by members.

 

 

FARM OWNER ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDED FARM WORKERS OF COVID-19 TEMPORARY EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELIEF SCHEME (TERS) FUNDS

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR: Deputy Speaker, Nxesi. Deputy Speaker, Nxesi.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

USEKELA SOMLOMO: Tshela uTshabalala avale umbhobo wakhe wokukhuluma.

 

 

English:

 

Who is rising? Any Ministerial responses? Do I see anybody?

 

 

The MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR: Nxesi.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Nxesi. Okay.

 

 

The MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR: Deputy Speaker, I’ve

 

noted the issue raised by the hon member from the EFF. The matter is still under investigation. We will be able to give a report back later on. Thank you very much.

 

 

RECENT INSTALLATION OF ESTATION AT COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH WELCOMED

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES & ENVIRONMENT: Hon Deputy

 

Speaker, I want to welcome the eStation that was recently installed on the premises of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The earth-based observation services provided include c-state information in support of search and rescue efforts, harmful Algoblu monitoring for aquaculture, coral bleach alerts for ecosystem management and vessel monitoring for Maritime Domain Awareness and enforcement.

 

 

Additional services planned in the near future include water quality monitoring and oil-build detection. I also would like to remind hon Paulsen that throughout the emergency regulation, small scale fishing has been a service that has been allowed in its entirety. We have on numerous occasions

 

 

updated the portfolio committee and the public at large on the support functions we have given to small scale fishing to allow these fishermen and women to earn a viable income despite the emergency restrictions. I thank you.

 

 

PARTNERSHIP OF DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION WITH J P MORGAN WELCOMED

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Mr F Z Majola):

 

Deputy Speaker, this is in reply to the Statement by hon Motaung. Indeed, we welcome the contribution by J P Morgan and their participation in our Equity Equivalent Investment programme of about R340 million. This has the potential to unlock R8 billion down the value chain. J P Morgan has already undertaken to increase this investment to R386 million during implementation. I want to point out that J P Morgan adds to about 19 other multinationals who are participating in the programme. The programme now stands at R8 billion of investment. Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

WATER SCARCITY IN NDLAMBE, EASTERN CAPE

 

 

WATER AND SEWERAGE CHALLENGES IN NGWATHE AND MATJHABENG MUNICIPALITIES IN FREE STATE

 

 

IMTHANDE SWARTBOOI DROWNS AFTER FALLING INTO UNCOVERED MANHOLE IN CAPE TOWN

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION: Deputy Speaker,

 

there were three members who raised issues. The first one is Eastern Cape Ndlambe. We want to confirm that we are very pleased with the intervention done by the province through Premier Mabuyane and us. An amount of R100 million has been put in. The prowess of technology of using sea water and also waste water has come in very handy to confirm the correctness of the ANC-led government position on water mix.

 

 

We are very happy that this plant will commission the second part on the waste water use part of it by the end of September. We were there with the Minister and the Premier. It will help to relieve the issues of lack of water in Ndlambe especially in Port Alfred but also restimulate the issues of tourism as part of economic development. Lastly, on this matter, we are also using technology beyond of reverse osmosis

 

 

on atmospheric water solution where you trap the air and convert the air into water. This is one of the solutions we are looking at.

 

 

On the question of the member who raised issues from Free State, Deputy Speaker, with your permission, the issues of Ngwathe, we have done an assessment in the province of Free State as we have met with them including the department. We did send our engineers on the ground. We understood the problem that the assets were not doing well. There was a road blockage and vandalism. We can confirm now that, through our intervention, currently water is running there. We are also helping Ngwathe Municipality to finish the refurbishment of the treatment plant. We are currently at 99% and an additional R26,5 million has been put aside to help them with issue of waste water management.

 

 

In Matjhabeng, there are issues there. We know that there is vandalism of infrastructure. The sewerage is running in the street. We want to work with our communities to stop the vandalism of critical infrastructure but we are also making input in terms of the budget in the upgrade of that infrastructure in the Free State.

 

 

The last matter that was raised is in the Western Cape. We want to join our hon member from the ANC for passing our condolences on behalf of government for the unfortunate incident where a child passed on because of issues of neglect. We’ll work with the City of Cape Town and other water services authorities that water and sanitation infrastructure is secured and manholes are attended to. I thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

SHOOTING AT MAPHATSOE FUNERAL

 

 

CORRUPTION IN SAPS

 

 

MURDER OF MS BABITA DEOKARAN

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The MINISTER OF POLICE: Deputy Speaker, on the cold-blooded killing of Babita Deokaran the police responded on 26 August by arresting seven people though one of those people’s case has been withdrawn. People who were arrested, as it has been said, came from the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Their names have been given because they have appeared in court. They are Phakamani Hadebe, Zitha Hadebe, Phinda Ndlovu, Sanele Mbele,

 

 

Siphiwe Mazibuko and Siphekayiswa Dlaldla. These were things found in their possession: one unlicensed firearm, one unlicensed pistol, VW Polo motor car, white Toyota Hilux and

18 cell phones that are in the hands of the police right now trying to find more information on them. They are going to court on 13 September for the bail application which we hope to oppose successfully because they gave the wrong addresses of Gauteng when they had only been three weeks in Gauteng. They did not give their addresses of KZN where they come from. So, the matter is there.

 

 

The second matter raised is the matter of the firing at the funeral of Cde Kebby Maphatsoe. Two cases there have been opened. The Bekkersdal 48/9/21 with three charges as follows: DMA Regulation, Firearm and Ammunition Act and the Robbery of Video Campaign. The police are continuing to investigate on that one. But another case that happened at the burial site has been opened at Sophiatown case number 68/9/2021 with three charges of DMA Regulation, Firearm Contravention and attempted murder because somebody got injured on the leg.

 

 

Deputy Speaker, it must be said that police were there. They tried by all means to avoid confrontation. When people were armed there, there were other people attending the funeral.

 

 

So, there could have been an exchange of fire and innocent people could have died. That doesn’t mean if the arrest is delayed, there’s no arrest. So, that arrest had to be delayed and the investigation is continuing.

 

 

On Ms Majozi, there are lots of problems she raised but there’s a lot of good work. The police have worked in the best way in dealing with the communities in the protection of the property and the communities when that thing happened in July.

 

 

The last case raised in Cape Town is in court. The less said about it, the better because it is in court. Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

EARTH OBSERVATION DATA ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 

 

(Minister’s Response)

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND

 

INNOVATION: Deputy Speaker, I acknowledge the Statement from the ANC on the Earth Observation Data on Environmental Management and just to add on that through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR through the Marine and Coastal Operation for Southern Africa Consortium contract

 

 

with the African Union, we have successfully installed eStation on 30 June 2021. The setup is being processed by the SA National Space Agency. The eStation is providing data from the centennial products for Southern Africa to benefit Global Monitoring for Environment Security, GMes and Africa participants.

 

 

The received data is mainly terrestrial data. Whilst the installation was successful, Deputy Speaker, the data products for the ocean are limited mostly to chlorophyll and Sirsa phase temperature. Also there is no Copernicus automation identification system to assist in the ship traffic services. The CSIR will be looking into this and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast for Sea Rescue and Fisheries services. Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The last Ministerial response will be done by hon Motsoaledi. I’m sorry, members. Unfortunately, there are only six spaces. So, yes. Seven? Okay, you have read Rules more than me. It’s fascinating. Hon Papo, you didn’t tip me.

What’s wrong with you these days? Okay, in that case, the

 

names I have is Motsoaledi and Gordhan.

 

 

AN HON MEMBER: There’s only one.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Oh, yes, so ...

 

 

Sesotho:

 

... ntate Motsoaledi bua. Re qetile jwale ka mora hao.

 

 

English:

 

We’ll have finished after you. There will be seven, who have

 

spoken.

 

 

Sesotho:

 

Ha a tsamaye le nna. Ha ke tsebe moo a leng teng. Ho lokile ntate. Tswela pele moreso.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

Qhubeka.

 

 

ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN ERADICATING HIV/AIDS AND COMBATING COVID-19

 

 

(Member’s Statement)

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH: Hon Deputy Speaker, on the Statement made by hon Sukers of the ACDP, she got it right when she said the health care workers depended so much on the

 

 

community health care workers in terms of supporting our HIV programmes. That was very correct but then she didn’t get it right when she said on our campaign mobilisation on Covid-19, we are not using and having this cadre of workers participating. They contribute significantly to this public health education and health promotion. In fact, Covid-19 has a lot of social behavioural changes that we need to actually inculcate in our society and the best cadre of leaders are health care workers.

 

 

We would want to continue encouraging to check the information that is coming in from the various provinces in particular, Limpopo and Western Cape. Currently, we are sitting at over 70% of the senior citizens of 60 years and above, who have been vaccinated. The people who have been on the ground more than all of us are the health care workers. So, I think that is actually not correct to say we have shunned the people we know have contributed so much to strengthen our health systems previously on HIV and TB. We continue to use them and they continue to contribute again in this type of a pandemic that we’ve seen. Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you very much, Deputy Minister.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

Ngiyathemba nami uyangifaka kuloluhlu labaneminyaka engaphezu kweminyaka engama-60 asebegomile. Ungangishiyi ngaphandle.

 

 

English:

 

Thank you very much. Hon members, that concludes Ministerial Responses.

 

 

The MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: What about me, hon Deputy Speaker? What about me?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, seven Ministerial Responses are done, Sir. Unfortunately, we cannot add you.

 

 

The MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: It was me before Dlomo. How did he overtake me?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Because you didn’t speak, so we proceeded. I’m sorry about that.

 

 

The MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: I raised my hand. So, it means the system is not working. Others were shouting when I raised my hand.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ntate Motsoaledi, don’t debate it. I’m

 

afraid the time is gone for Ministerial Responses.

 

 

The MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: I am just communicating that I raised my hand while others were shouting. In future, I will also shout.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Motsoaledi, don’t do that. Don’t do that, please with respect, I said to you the time is gone. So, there is no way we can reverse it. Thank you very much. Hon Mazzone, you’ve been on your feet as I address the House. You know that’s out of order - right.

 

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY: But you were looking at me, Deputy Speaker. I was wondering when you were going to say my name.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, that is not in the rules, hon Mazzone, that when I look at you, you must stand. No.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY: But I respect you that much, Sir that I want to stand when you look at me.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Go ahead.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY: Deputy Speaker, all jokes aside. I want to say that I’m so pleased at how this particular session just went ... [Inaudible] ... but I must also be the first one to compliment that we actually have Ministers, who are now wanting and waiting to speak. They have finally answered our prayers, for them to come. And I think, that is a very good sign going forward. Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Thank you very much, hon Deputy Speaker.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

USEKELA SOMLOMO: Nawe usuyasukuma, ngikubuka nje.

 

 

USOSWEBHU OMKHULU WEQEMBU ELIBUSAYO: Ngoba uma usibheka, uyasisukumisa.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Go ahead, hon member.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Thank you very much, hon Speaker, in seconding what hon Mazzone is saying, last time it was not very good, and we pledged our support through the motion to say we are going to make it a point that Ministers appear and respond to questions. We want to thank them very much, if you can increase up to 10.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

Bayabonakala bafuna ukusebenza.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

USOSWEBHU OMKHULU WEQEMBU ELIBUSAYO: Phakathi. [Inside.]

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you very much. I will support that, especially ... [Inaudible]...

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: What’s the point of order?

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: No, Deputy Speaker, finally they are doing

 

their work. We can’t praise a fish for swimming. This is their

 

 

work. They must come to work when the need to come to work, and the hon Motsoaledi mustn’t think this is the ANC NEC meeting.

 

 

Ms S T NDABENI-ABTRAHAMS: Give compliment where its due.

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: We want to see them every time as vigorous as this, not because its local government elections. Now they are all running and even fighting you to want to speak. Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you very much, I will not enter the politics, but it is especially during elections that everybody must speak with the public that represented them. Everybody across the isles. It’s your obligation. In other words, you are breaking the constitutional requirement for public engagement, robustly.

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: You must speak throughout the years not only on elections, throughout. Now he even wants to run through the screen, to want to speak.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Natasha Ntlangwini, hon member. Don’t

 

speak when you want to and I read the rules here that you are

 

 

violating. There are others that I didn’t read and you are violating them. Please don’t do that.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Ek vra, asseblief. Asseblief!

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY: Deputy Speaker, may I rise on the point of order.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: What’s the point of order.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I just want to point out that’s why I call myself Tasha not Natasha. [Laughter.]

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, no, no, no, no! Hon Chief Whip of the Opposition, please don’t go there. Hon members, no.

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: Deputy Speaker, that’s why I call myself

 

Alaka not Natasha no more, but she wouldn’t know because ...

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

... khange asigqibe isikolo. [Kwahlekwa.]

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay, okay.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Julle is alwee buite orde. Asseblief.

 

 

Mr T M LANGA: She must go back to school that one.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Chief Whip please keep your name to yourself. “Asseblief” [Please.]. We will read it when your time comes.

 

 

FINANCIAL SECTOR LAWS AMENDMENT BILL

 

 

(Consideration of Bill and Report)

 

 

There was no debate.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move:

 

 

That the Report be adopted.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

 

FINANCIAL SECTOR LAWS AMENDMENT BILL

 

 

(Second Reading debate)

 

 

Xitsonga:

 

Tat M J MASWANGANYI: Xandla xa Xipikara, Swirho swa Huvo yo Endla Milawu na Vaholobye, ndza mi losa. Ndzi kombela ku endla xiviko xa Komiti ya Swa Timali hi mayelana na nawumbisi wa Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill.

 

 

English:

 

The Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill seeks to establish a framework for the resolution of banks systematically important nonbank financial institutions and the holding companies of these institutions. Resolution refers to a process during which the resolution authority, which the Bill proposes to be the SA Reserve Bank, takes over control and management of the affairs of a designated institution that is failing or is likely to fail in order to restructure or resolve it with the use of resolution tools in a manner that seeks to protect financial stability and minimise the reliance on public funds.

 

 

The aim of creating a resolution framework is to ensure that the impact of a failure by these institutions is managed in an orderly manner. The Bill also makes provisions for certain amendments to the Financial Sector Regulation Act of 2017. A new chapter, Chapter 12(a) through this Bill, will be inserted in the Financial Sector Regulation Act, FSRA, in order to deal with the resolution objectives, powers and functions of the SA Reserve Bank. This new chapter also provides for the establishment of the deposit insurance fund or the insurance to administer the fund.

 

 

The Bill will amend 11 legislations. I won’t go through these legislations, hon Deputy Speaker. The amendments will give effect to the objectives of this Bill. This Bill is part of a suite of measures aimed at financial sector reforms and regulations that began after the global financial crisis of 2008. In 2011, South Africa published a broad policy document titled A Safer Financial Sector to Serve South Africa Better which outlines crosscutting reforms for the regulation of systemically improved financial institutions. This culminated in what is referred to as the Twin Peaks.

 

 

The proposed reforms included the improvement of South

 

Africa’s resolution and crisis management framework aimed at

 

 

managing systemic failures in the financial sector which this Bill is all about.

 

 

In 2015, the National Treasury, Reserve Bank and Financial Sector Conduct Authority, then known as the Financial Service Board, FSB, published a policy document entitled Strengthening South Africa’s Resolution Framework which formed the basis of the proposals contained in this Bill. Amongst these were measures in which banks and systemically important nonbank financial institutions should be resolved, the powers and functions of the Reserve Bank as the resolution authority and the establishment of the deposit insurance fund.

 

 

In view of the risk of serious disruptions and potential outright systemic failure to the financial system caused by the failure of a bank, a speedy resolution of designated institutions was viewed to be a more appropriate action than the current framework which primarily entails curatorship, business rescue proceedings and judicial management to a lesser extent.

 

 

Resolution in an orderly fashion, managed and controlled by the Reserve Bank, affords greater protection to depositors and taxpayers who might otherwise bail out financially distressed

 

 

institutions as it happened in many countries during the global financial crisis.

 

 

Section 12 of the Financial Sector Regulation Act 2017, already specifically tasked the Reserve Bank to monitor risks to financial stability and to take steps to mitigate those risks. The framework provided for in this Bill adds to that framework. It also proposes the establishment of the fund which will help to ensure that holders of covered deposits at a bank in resolution will have access to their funds. This in turn will limit the severe financial hardships for bank depositors and limit the exposure of public funds to rescue designated failing financial institutions.

 

 

The Bill further proposes that the fund be financed by premiums from licenced banks which will be members of the corporations that will administer the fund.

 

 

The committee was briefed on the Bill by the National Treasury and the Reserve Bank on 16 March 2021 after the Minister has tabled the Bill in the National Assembly in August 2020. After receiving the initial briefing, the committee called for public comments and the committee received submissions from different stakeholders. The stakeholders raised substantive

 

 

issues with regard to the protection of depositors and competition issues as a result of the powers and functions that will be given to the SA Reserve Bank as a resolution authority.

 

 

The National Treasury and the Reserve Bank responded to all written and oral submission on 26 May 2021, clarifying further questions and comments from members and stakeholders. A final updated response document was sent to the committee by the National Treasury and the Reserve Bank on 27 May 2021. On 02 June 2021, the committee deliberated on the Bill and adopted this report.

 

 

The key objectives of the Bill are to provide a framework for the resolution of banks and systemic important nonbank financial institutions; designates the Reserve Bank as the resolution authority with commensurate powers and functions; establish the deposit insurance fund and the corporation for deposit insurance; and create a creditor hierarchy that ensures the protection of vulnerable depositors when banks undergo a resolution process.

 

 

The resolution framework is aimed at maintaining financial stability, protection of depositors, orderly resolution and

 

 

management of affairs of designated institutions ensuring that the critical functions of designated institutions continue.

Resolution planning and empowering the Minister of Finance to place designated institutions in a resolution.

 

 

As a resolution authority, the Bill gives powers and functions to the SA Reserve Bank which include the power to remove and replace management and recover monies from those [Inaudible.] or assigned contractual agreements; the appointment of resolution practitioners with delegated powers; the power to establish power to establish bridge institution and institutions and transfer selected assets and liabilities; and lastly, the power to take bail-in action whilst respecting hierarchy of claims in liquidation.

 

 

The committee notes that this Bill is historic in nature as it introduces the deposit insurance fund and the corporation for the deposit insurance which will administer the fund in South Africa. The committee believes that this scheme is long overdue and will eliminate reliance on public funds to bailout failing banks and nonbank financial institutions. The committee notes that this Bill aims to fill a number of legal gaps in the protection of depositors of banks and financial stability in the country. The committee notes and welcomes

 

 

that the Bill seeks to mitigate against lapses by introducing a consolidated resolution framework under the management of the SA Reserve Bank. The committee further notes and welcomes that the Bill establishes resolution planning for he nonfinancial bank institutions.

 

 

In conclusion, the committee adopted the Bill with amendments. I therefore, hon Deputy Speaker, move that the report be adopted.

 

 

Xitsonga:

 

Ndza khensa.

 

 

Dr D T GEORGE: Deputy Speaker, the global financial crisis that swept across the world after it was triggered in the United States in 2007 was at that time, the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. Although South Africa did not experience the collapse of financial institutions, the economic fallout resulted in lower growth and drove our unemployment numbers even higher than they were before the crisis.

 

 

This is the result of incoherent and hopelessly inadequate economic policy that left us vulnerable to the global crisis.

 

 

In November 2009, Max Sisulu - then Speaker of the National Assembly - led a delegation to the United Nations in New York. Our delegation debated the impact of the crisis on our economy and considered how regulators needed to respond to the root causes of the regulatory failure. The result was a report detailing steps to be taken to prevent another crisis in the financial sector. Our economic recovery was slower than other developing economies that emerged stronger after the crisis because the government made poor policy choices. Our regulatory response was even slower with the government taking almost a decade to implement a new regulatory framework. The crisis resulted in significant pressure on the global financial system to the extent that a real possibility existed that the system would collapse as large interconnected financial institutions failed under the circumstances they had become too big to fail and to avert this disaster, the governments intervened to bail them out at significant cost.

Taxpayers, central banks across the world, lowered interest rates and flooded the markets with cash to ensure that the financial system remained liquid.

 

 

The global response to the crisis, in many jurisdictions, was to implement the Twin Peaks regulatory model that introduced two regulatory approaches. A macro-prudential approach to

 

 

limit system-wide distress and the micro-prudential approach to limited limit distress on individual institutions. This model was eventually implemented in South Africa in 2018 with the establishment of the Prudential Authority tasked with overseeing the soundness of financial institutions and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority responsible for market conduct, regulation and supervision. The Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill is a continuation of the process that began with the implementation of the Twin Peaks model rather than having to bail out failed financial institutions at a significant cost to taxpayers. The legislation establishes a process for the financial institution to fail in any event that an institution is likely to fail or failing the SA Reserve Bank will be the resolution authority. The Reserve Bank will take control over the institution and implement a resolution framework that aims to protect financial stability and ensure that the impact of the failure is managed.

 

 

The intention is to enable the institution to fail without putting the financial system at risk, and to avoid having to rely on a taxpayer bailout. This also means that depositors in a failed bank carry the risk of its failure. Under these circumstances, it is often the most vulnerable savers who

 

 

experienced the worst consequences, such as pensioners and low-income households.

 

 

To alleviate that burden, the Deposit Insurance Fund is proposed and a Corporation for Deposit Insurance to administer it, in the event of a failure, the bank depositors will be insured to a specific amount, thus softening the financial impact of a failure. Financial institutions, like any other business, should fold if they're not viable. The authority does, however, have an obligation to ensure that the institution is effectively monitored and that an intervention can be initiated as early as possible to prevent its failure.

 

 

The success of the Deposit Insurance Fund will depend on how well it is administered. Banks will pay the insurance premiums and should therefore have oversight over how the Corporation for Deposit Insurance is managed. The government has no money of its own. It all belongs to the people and the people should not be expected to bail out failing enterprises, even if their failure has potentially significant consequences.

 

 

The government made the wrong policy choices following the crisis. Instead of encouraging entrepreneurs to grow by making business easier to do, it added to the bureaucratic burden of

 

 

doing business. Instead of designing a pathway out of poverty and unemployment, as its name promised it would, broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE, the biggest government intervention in the history of our economy, created a small, extremely rich elite without any economic growth to show for it. Instead of tackling deep-rooted corruption, it allowed the state to be captured.

 

 

The government also did exactly what the cross has highlighted it shouldn't do. Instead of allowing the failed hopelessly bankrupt state-owned enterprises, SOEs, to fail, it bailed them out with the people's money. This crowded out economic growth and opportunity. If the people should not be expected to bail out failed private sector institutions, they should also not be expected to bail out failed state-owned enterprises. The government needs to assure taxpayers that it will not expect them to keep its failed enterprises afloat when they are hopelessly bankrupt, despite the billions in taxpayer funds that have been squandered on them. We now have another crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s sluggish response is no different.

 

 

The government is incapable of responding rapidly and consistently makes the wrong choices to the detriment of the

 

 

most vulnerable members of our society and the benefit of a few politically connected beneficiaries. It is abundantly clear that the so-called Developmental State Model that places the government at the centre of our economy has failed spectacularly. A failed, incapable state at the centre of our economy will ensure that our economy never grows stronger. And we never break the cycle of unemployment and poverty.

 

 

The role of the government is to provide the services that it gets paid generously to deliver and to create an environment in which individuals can exercise their freedom to become everything that they are capable of being. In seven weeks, the people will decide whether they want more of the same incapable government or whether they want to get things done. Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

Nksz Y N YAKO: Ndiyabulela ...

 

 

Deputy Speaker, the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill tabled by the Finance Minister seeks to provide some sort of security for depositors who put their hard-earned money into financial institutions. While the Bill seeks to address what many would see and accept as sensible and practical measures

 

 

to safeguard workers, small businesses, pensioners and taxpayers’ money as depositors, the legislation has become an international trend.

 

 

On paper, yes, the legislation is good, but, as a country, we will not be able to legislate systematic and structural challenges that many of our people will face when they entrust financial institutions – mainly banks – with either their money or when they seek financial services.

 

 

South Africa continues to amend legislation to cater to a financial sector that is one of the most important components of its economy – one which remains untransformed and continues to fail to facilitate meaningful participation of mostly black people in the economy. Banks are the most untransformed institutions that entrench racism in the system. The five largest banks collectively hold more than 90% of total banking assets. These are the very same that have become revolving doors for senior managers from the SA Reserve Bank, the Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

 

We are supposed to trust that legislation such as this is not driven by profit.

 

 

While the Bill seeks to give the SA Reserve Bank as the institution entrusted with oversight of banks through the Prudential Authority some powers, who is getting these powers when the SA Reserve Bank remains in the hands of private interests and not that of the state?

 

 

So, we must legislate. We must protect depositors. We must safeguard pensioners and small businesses and, yes, we must protect the whole economy from what has not become too-big-to- fail institutions.

 

 

However, the financial sector – banks in particular – has only become too-big-to-fail institutions in South Africa and worldwide because of the financialisation of our livelihoods. As a result, every aspect of our lives is now part of a chain of greed-driven financial transactions.

 

 

As the EFF, we have proposed the creation of state banks. Despite the commitment by Mr Ramaphosa that there is and will be support for the creation of state banks as early as 2019, there is still not a state bank today.

 

 

We proposed as early as 2019 that government had to use shares held by the SA Reserve Bank in African Bank to create a state

 

 

bank. This too has been ignored and we are not shocked that the Rothchildes - of which Trevor Manual is a member of its management – is now entrusted with the transaction to sell the Reserve Bank’s stake in African Bank.

 

 

We must all remain vigilant. While the proposed deposit insurance scheme is important, we must ensure that this is not another opportunity for profit-making wherein premiums are unaffordable as it only becomes only insurance for wealthy depositors who already benefit as favourable creditors.

 

 

We must ensure that we criminalise reckless behaviour by people entrusted with depositors’ money and loot. This must not be reserved for a few but for all, including white bank managers who have collapsed banks in the past without facing any consequences.

 

 

Lastly, we must all accept that we are here today with a Bill of this nature because the Reserve Bank continues to fail to transform the financial sector, particularly banks. Even with all the legislation that empowers the central bank, we put this institution under serious microscope and ask difficult questions. Who is the Reserve Bank serving today? Thank you.

 

 

Mr E M BUTHELEZI: Deputy Speaker, the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill intends to, via the SA Reserve Bank, create a long-overdue framework for the ... [Inaudible.] ... of banks, systematically important non-bank financial institutions and holding companies of this institution.

 

 

The IFP notes that, once the Bill is adopted and in operation, it will eliminate the bailing out of failing banks and hopefully relieve the pressure on Treasury and provide the necessary protection for depositors. This will provide for the speedy resolution of ... [Inaudible.] ... institutions in the event of serious disruption and potential systemic failure of financial systems caused by the failure of a bank.

 

 

The IFP further echoes the committee’s sentiments in regard to the establishment of a Deposit Insurance Fund and a Corporation of Deposit Insurance.

 

 

This fund’s existence should not allow banks to operate recklessly simply because there is insurance. The IFP will always be in support of mechanisms put in place to hold institutions to account. That’s why we support the implementation of an effective oversight system for both the fund and corporation as included in this Bill.

 

 

We trust that the legal gaps identified at the start of this process will be covered. However, it must be noted that, while we seek to close gaps as we strengthen the legal framework which governs how we spend, transact and protect our money in this country, we know that this won’t change the status quo.

What must we do?

 

 

As a first step, we must amend and remove the party in control of the public purse. This indeed the biggest gap in the system. A deficit of honest leadership in all spheres of government must be addressed. This deficit has certainly widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots - those who are able to eat lavish dinners and consume expensive beverages while the rest of our people sit and worry about where their next meal will come from.

 

 

What we must amend as a matter of public importance is to stop the ongoing looting and corruption at all levels of government. It cannot continue unabated. The erosion of the institutions we have fought for and built during the early years our democracy is no joke and cannot be left to continue.

 

 

This Bill includes many great intentions to protect our National Treasury and does, to an extent, cover banks and

 

 

institutions which would benefit from its implementation, but let us not forget what we must address first. The IFP supports the report. Thank you.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: Deputy Speaker, the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill endeavours to help the banking sector and South Africa’s economy to withstand bank-related storms. It seeks to prevent and mitigate the dire consequences seen following the collapse of the VBS Mutual Bank in 2018, and African Bank in 2014.

 

 

The Reserve Bank has the mandate to ensure financial stability. It is of utmost importance that consumers – in most cases, the most vulnerable in our society – be protected in the event of a bank’s collapse. A resolution regime for banks and financial institutions will introduce a deposit insurance.

 

 

Further, the Bill will bolster legislation such as the Companies Act to protect the economy.

 

 

The consolidated resolution framework will seek to clear the gaps between the Banks Act – which provides for curatorship, the Companies Act – which provides for business rescue, and the Insolvency Act – which does not recognise depositors as

 

 

preferred creditors. These pieces of legislation were inadequate in protecting the depositors of banks.

 

 

The resolution framework is aimed at maintaining financial stability. South Africa is the only country among the G20 not to have a specific deposit insurance.

 

 

The recent looting of the VBS Mutual Bank by the EFF fat cats to the detriment of the poorest of the poor proved the need for such a resolution framework.

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: Point of order, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, what is the point of order?

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: This unfounded information that this Wouter is giving here ... the hon Wouter ... it’s unfounded. No EFF leader has ever been prosecuted or been in court. It was ANC members that were always lined up on the court benches. So he must get his information straight! [Interjections.]

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I want you to please take this member off. Take her off ... download her, please!

 

 

Ms E N NTLANGWINI: For rising on a point of order that is correct? [Interjections.] For rising on a point of order that is correct? Why are you scared of this Wouter?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Take her off, please! Please take her off!

 

 

Mr K CEZA: On another ... [Inaudible.] ... hon member.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: She is continuing the violation of the Rules. I warned her; she continues. In the first place, that is not a point of order. It’s got nothing to do with her privilege or any process matter that is affecting her badly. This is about her debating a political point. That’s out of order! We don’t accept it, and she must be taken off because she repeatedly violates the Rules. Take her off, please!

 

 

Hon Steve Swart, it is your turn.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: May I continue?

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Oh, you haven’t concluded? Sorry! Go

 

ahead, hon member.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: Thank you, Deputy Speaker ...

 

 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: And, hon members, no matter how angry you are, the Rules require you to address members not just by their names as if they’re your friends or something. Even if they are, you must obey the Rules. This is absolutely objectionable! Go ahead, hon member.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: Deputy Speaker, the truth does hurt. [Interjections.]

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member who is asking to speak, what are you rising on?

 

 

Mr K CEZA: Respectfully, hon Deputy Speaker, the last two days I was declaring ... I read a declaration. I was called to order in the House, because there were names of hon members in the House that were implicated in some of the submissions that I made. I was called to order, and I refrained.

 

 

Now, the FF Plus is implicating ... is talking to the issues of theft of a bank. Where have they been implicated? It is inconsistent that when we call the FF Plus ... [Interjections.] ... [Inaudible.] ...

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Ceza, I am speaking to you. That’s not a point of order. Go and read your Rules. Don’t debate the politics of what the hon member is saying when it is not your turn to speak. This is as simple as that. You cannot, on the grounds that you disagree with his politics, speak and argue the matter when it is not your turn to speak. You are out of order, yourself!

 

 

Go ahead, hon Wessels.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker. The truth does hurt.

 

 

When a bank fails, it has significant consequences for the economy and ... [Interjections.]

 

 

Mr K CEZA: Deputy Speaker, please tell the member of the FF Plus not to provoke us. Please!

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, this is Parliament! This is a political institution! If you don’t want to be provoked, go home and do some farming! [Laughter.] No, no! Even there ...

 

 

Mr K CEZA: ... [Inaudible.] ... do those racist aspersions

 

... [Inaudible.] ... on the EFF here!

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am not going to do this here any longer! Can you take off hon ... [Inaudible.] ...

 

 

An HON MEMBER: Point of order.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please take him off! Take hon Ceza off, please! Please take him off! He must not come back.

 

 

Hon Wessels, please complete your speech.

 

 

Mr W W WESSELS: Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker. There is just something about big dogs and small dogs ...

 

 

When a bank fails, it has significant consequences for an economy and consumers. We can’t afford bailouts of institutions, especially when they are mismanaged and looted.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Om finansiële stabiliteit te verseker, moet ons ’n verantwoordelike regering hê, moet ons ontslae raak van politieke élites soos die EFF wat steel en wat korrup is. Ons

 

 

moet ontslae raak van ANC lede wie steel en korrup is. En ons moet ’n verantwoordelike regering hê. Dis die enigste manier om die ekonomie op die langtermyn te red. Dankie.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Deputy Speaker, the ACDP supports this Bill, which is drafted in a waded context of the 2008 financial crisis and its consequences; and this was pointed out by previous speakers as well.

 

 

It is aimed at protecting financial stability, minimised in reliance of public funds, that is the taxpayer, and securing depositor’s funds. And this is in the event that one or any number of South Africa’s financial institutions fail in their functions and responsibilities as a result of a systemic financial crisis.

 

 

This Bill and the provisions of it are, therefore, to be welcomed and supported.

 

 

And in particular, the ACDP notes the establishment of the deposit insurance fund and the establishment of the corporation for deposit insurance to administer this fund. And that the fund will be financed by premiums from licensed

 

 

banks, which will be members of the corporation that will administer the fund.

 

 

We are relatively satisfied that because of this Bill the taxpayers in future will not be required to pay the price of systemic and/or institutional failures. And in this regard we trust that banks in question will be able to absorb the premiums that will be required without passing the cost of these premiums onto clients and their customers.

 

 

We also appreciate that the committee, in its report, has warned that the presence of this fund should not cause banks to operate recklessly simply because there is this insurance and that there should be effective oversight over the fund and over the corporation. And of course, Parliament in exercising its oversight role also has an important role, in this regard, to play.

 

 

While the ACDP recognises the financial insecurity and systemic failure that in the interdependent and globalised world can result from the decisions and actions of those beyond our country’s borders, we call on the South African financial institutions to operate in discernment and

 

 

transparency while having the wellbeing of all stakeholders in mind and that, in particular, relating to the depositors.

 

 

We should remember that the failure of the same institutions in the United States to do just this was instrumental in causing the 2008 global financial crisis and this must be prevented at all costs.

 

 

The ACDP will support this Bill. I thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you very much.

 

 

Hon members, I would like to draw your attention to Rule 92(8)(9)(12). No member may raise a point of order again or a similar point of order if the presiding officer has ruled that it is not a point of order or that the matter is out of order. Members may not disrupt proceedings by raising points of order that do not comply with the rules. And if you are unhappy, that’s what 12 says, you must say it in writing to the Speaker so that the matter is addressed by the Speaker and/or through the Rules Committee.

 

 

Hon members, this is an ongoing headache in the House. I do not accept it and I hope that we will collaborate to make sure

 

 

that it doesn’t happen. I read, right at the beginning, that

 

the rules of the House must be complied with, strictly.

 

 

[Interjections.] Please, do respect farming. [Laughter.]

 

 

Ms P N ABRAHAM: Hon Deputy Speaker, it will be important for the National Assembly to remind itself where we are coming from with regard to the Financial Sector Loss Amendment Bill of 2020 and the driving role of the ANC in placing Parliament at the centre of the financial sector’s transformation debate; going back to 2011, some 10 years ago.

 

 

In 2007-08 the world was plunged into a global economic crisis due to the practice of insider trading, trading in derivatives, manipulation of regulatory processes and weak or non-existent regulations.

 

 

Unscrupulous financial institutions and banks in the United States of America, USA, consciously exposing the most vulnerable working class and lower middle structure, many of whom were black, to offers and loans which they were not in a position to repay; this, in particular, related to home loans.

 

 

The result was a start of a global financial collapse. Banks making their profits on debt and once that debt could not be repaid, panic set in, and the first bank, Lehman brothers, collapsed, followed by others.

 

 

The domino effect continued across the globe. South Africa was not spared, albeit that our financial sector regulatory environment has strict checks and balances, unlike USA, and if we did not have this we would have suffered more than we did.

 

 

We should never forget that we lost 1,3 million jobs.

 

 

The global crisis renewed the debate on the dangers of unregulated ventures in the financial sector and more broadly, the weaknesses in the economic system of capitalism.

 

 

As the Chair has outlined, National Treasury responded in 2011 with a start of a set of regulatory reforms referred to as twin-peaks regulatory reforms; designed to tighten up the regulatory environment in the financial sector.

 

 

Today’s amendment Bill forms part of the ongoing process of

 

regulatory reforms.

 

 

The ANC in Parliament, after a number of workshops, began to push, through the Standing Committee on Finance, the oversight role that Parliament has to play. Public hearings were called and key role players in the financial sector were summoned.

 

 

What needs to be borne in mind is that the financial sector is the largest sector in our economy; some 21% of the economy and like many other countries, our economy has many respects to become financialized.

 

 

Hon Buthelezi, those public hearings, headed by the ANC, were called the ‘transformation of the financial sector’. They were at the time the biggest public hearings that had been held on the transformation of the financial sector.

 

 

All strata of the financial sector were summoned to Parliament and this included the chief executive officers, CEOs, of the big four banks.

 

 

A Parliamentary Report was finally tabled in 2017 and debated in the National Assembly. We argued for a financial sector charter to address the transformative and regulatory changes that are needed.

 

 

The recommendations were taken forward to National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, who have done the preparatory work for the next summit.

 

 

The ANC’s 54th national conference agreed that the 2018 financial sector transformation summit must provide a clear framework for the acceleration and deepening of transformation in the sector. Critical recommendations included bank charges. But we must state that there has been a reluctance within the sector to act upon such proposals. This is where we expect National Treasury and the Reserve Bank to come in since the parliamentary process had called upon them to play a specific role.

 

 

This was not just about an increased regulatory environment, it is also about a key economic principle of the ANC. How we transform the financial sector for it to contribute to building a more inclusive economy in terms of easier access to capital but also transforming the sector along class, race and gender lines.

 

 

It is about new entrants into the financial sector, so long dominated by a monopoly in the financial sector.

 

 

From the initial summit we resolved that a financial sector charter must be put in place; which has not happened so far.

 

 

We are dealing with a sector that is dominant and thrives on capital accumulation and consolidating debts for which it receives huge interests.

 

 

In dealing with the financial sector we have to minimise risk for those who least can afford it.

 

 

A major component of this amendment Bill is the deposit insurance scheme as well as a proposed change in the ranking of creditors. Of major concern is the variable risk waited premiums in the deposit insurance scheme and the surpluses that will be generated in the environment where there would be no bank failure.

 

 

Surpluses lie at the heart of the accumulation path of the banking and financial sector, and how these are dealt with require far greater discussion. They are matters of social responsibility for a country like ours.

 

 

Obviously the ease of the state bank, hon Yako, is a resolution of the 54th national conference of the ANC. That will assist greatly and this process needs to be speeded up.

 

 

What we do want to raise here for Treasury and Reserve Bank is that we cannot, arising out of the passing of this amendment Bill, have another round of compliance costs being passed on to the consumer. Compliance is part of the economic responsibility and costs of the financial sector, and they must take economic responsibility for this and not want to pass it on to the consumer every time.

 

 

Regarding the future; the Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill. We need to state that the framework of such draft legislation must align itself with the philosophy that underpins a financial sector charter.

 

 

The ANC supports the amendment Bill. I thank you, Deputy Speaker.

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE: Thank you, Chair and hon members, I think hon Maswanganyi and other hon members have well-articulated the purpose for the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Deputy Minister, there is something wrong with your screen. I suggest you rather switch it off.

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE: Okay. Is it better now?

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): That’s better, yes.

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE: Thanks Chair for that advice. I was not aware. I was saying that, hon Maswanganyi, the Chair of the Committee and other hon members have well-articulated the purpose of the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill. And we really like to thank the committee for considering this Bill and leading the process of drafting this Bill, including the public hearings.

 

 

Indeed, the Bill establishes a deposit insurance scheme to be administered by the corporation of deposit insurance and this signifies government’s recognition that the most vulnerable amongst us should enjoy the strongest protection. And a key features of the deposit insurance scheme are that deposits up to R100 000 per person, per bank would be protected. This threshold represents over 90% of bank balances.

 

 

The deposit insurance scheme will aim to facilitate payment within seven days although initially this may take longer. The scheme will also facilitate greater competition by removing the risk of transferring primary banks to smaller banks.

 

 

The scheme will undertake extensive consumer education to inform depositors of the nature of the coverage to avoid rands into banks when the stress occurs.

 

 

In summary, Chair, indeed the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill will protect the financial system in the broader economy from the worst effects of any financial crisis. The Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill will do so through enhance, protection of depositors, the requirement for resolution planning and a creation of a broader range of tools to manage a crisis.

 

 

The Bill is both directly and indirectly socially progressive. Directly, it will provide protection to vulnerable depositors and boost competition. Indirectly, it will protect the fiscus and ensure expenditure is channelled at developmental objective rather than failing them.

 

 

We really want to thank the members for considering this Bill and we are looking forward to the implementation of the Bill and we will rely on this House to further monitor its implementation and making sure that our financial sector is transformed, its competitive and it also protect consumers.

Thank you, hon Chair.

 

 

Debate Concluded.

 

 

Bill read a second time.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION ON SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION IN MEETING ITS PRE-DETERMINED OBJECTIVES FOR 2020/21

 

 

Ms P B MBIQO-GIGABA: Thank you very much House Chairperson, and let me greet all the members. I want to start by thanking the members of our committee, for ongoing cooperation and collaboration in our formidable task of ensuring that at the centre of our work we invest time to scrutinize department’s report to make sure the goal of quality education is achieved. That each child in our schools is regarded as a national

 

 

asset. That each learner in our learning institutions is regarded as a national priority.

 

 

As we reflect on this second quarter report during the month of September a month in which we celebrate our diverse heritage, diverse languages and diverse cultures. Allow me to express my appreciation to the committee by saying and I quote:

 

 

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing the best today.

 

 

As we table the second quarterly report, the above citation demonstrates an expression that, there’s hope in growth achievement of performance targets, despite the limiting dynamism of the current pandemic.

 

 

As we are confronted with the challenges that go along side with COVID-19 pandemic. The portfolio committee ensured that its oversight function in holding the executive accountable is maintained, despite the pandemic. On 15 February in this year, the Department of Basic Education provided us, as the committee with an overview of the 2020-21 Second Quarterly Report in relation to plan strategic imperatives and targets

 

 

as set out in the department strategic plan and the annual performance plan.

 

 

House Chair, on the basis of what was presented to that committee. The Department of Basic Education strategic plan was revised to reflect more explicitly on the department’s core functions of policy development. Monitoring and permutation of policy and the oversight role it has to exercise over provinces as expressed in the National Education Policy Act.

 

 

In doing so the department outlined the centre goals which cover the different provincial plans and programmes. And, in fulfilling its role, the department as in the second quarter outlined its achievements against the set targets.

 

 

House Chair, as we reiterate our unflinching oversight commitment to this House, for the 2020-21 financial year. The Quarter Two information indicated that the department had a total of 69 educators for all five programmes combined. Of the 2020-21 indicators, 59 annual targets whilst nine the quarterly targets and one being biannual target. At the end of the Second Quarter of the 2020-21 financial year, the

 

 

department had fully achieved nine targets, which was 90% partially achieved and 0% did not meet one and one was 10%.

 

 

House Chair, this achievement is indicative of the collaborative work in the basic education sector. The school and entities, including the portfolio committees approach that is useful where we scrutinize the Department of Basic Education, DBE, targets to ensure that the department meets its targets. The achievement of the 90% target also signifies commendable growth in the growth and effective oversight function over the executive. And then we are dealing with five programmes in the department that I won’t be really mentioning because of time.

 

 

Under the financial report, the second quarter expenditure with regards to adjusted budget, the department for 2020-21 financial year, it amounted to R23,233 billion. The total actual expenditure of the department for the 2020-21 financial year second quarter, amounted to R12,851 billion. Expenditure amounts to R11,894 billion was made up of transfer payments are as follows; which was the conditional grant- R10 billion and the public entity was R78 billion and other transfers which was R1 billion. And remainder of the expenditure which is made up of following; which compensation of the employees,

 

 

examiners, of moderators, earmarked funds, departmental operations and so on.

 

 

Now, as we are concluding, our nation is expected of a better society, in abiding with its vision and enthusiasm of our people. As members of the portfolio committee we have an ongoing constructive engagement with the Department of Basic Education to consider the challenges and improve the areas where recommendations have been made. We therefore ask the House to accept and adopt the report. Thank you, House Chair.

 

 

Declaration of Vote:

 

Mr B B NODADA: Thank you, House Chairperson.

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

Sihlalo, malungu ahloniphekileyo ...

 

 

English:

 

... the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has a massive responsibility of ensuring that the financial and

non-financial targets set by the Department of Basic Education ensuring that they achieve their targets and have a tangible impact on the sector as a whole, especially for conducive learning environment, aught the opportunity through education.

 

 

The DA would like to commend the department for meeting 90% of its target, however we would like also to register our grave concerns about the performance of the department in three specific areas, generally and then one for the second quarter in particular.

 

 

One, budget cuts of R2,2 billion from the infrastructure grant and further underspending on programme four and programme two, has resulted in the department moving schools made of mud and asbestos from the safe and our child development, CD programmes. As result only 22 schools out of 2400 who had no access to water, were provided an assistance, yet are expected use water as a first line of defence against COVID-19.

 

 

More concerning, is that only 288 schools were provided with sanitations assistance, yet learners in 4200 schools were at risk of dying in pit toilets, despite President Ramaphosa promising that by 2020 March, pit toilets will be a thing of the past. A number of schools including ET Thabane Primary School, my constituency have been removed from their CD programme to be bought, as a result only four schools of the

21 envisaged to be bought are under construction.

 

 

Furthermore, implementing agencies are building schools far more than the golden value and in some instances with poor quality with no consequences for incomplete or poor work done, like Vezimfundo Primary School in Mpumalanga, which has been built on a wetland.

 

 

Number two, our concern as a curriculum relevance monitoring and performance targets for matrics achievements, particularly in the second quarter. The number of schools participating in coding, robotics and maritime schools using Information and communications technology, ICT, and entrepreneurship must be reviewed in order for the department to accelerate the need to offer a curriculum that offers skills desperately needed by the economy so that young people can participate.

 

 

Number three, safety and security measures in schools is a concern. Over 1800 schools have been vandalised to date, looted and torched from March 2020 to date. This has cost the department over R226 million. Despite this being raised almost every meeting there seems to be no impact for planning in place. The DA therefore recommends that the department should find a way of ensuring that budget cuts do not compromise the core function of the department such as getting rid of mud and dilapidated asbestos or pit toilets by engaging Treasury on

 

 

identified areas for such cuts to eliminate any negative impact.

 

 

Furthermore, National Treasury must assist in deregistering implement agencies that compromise the building or the affordability of quality schools. DBE must invite University of Cape Town, UCT, to learn from the online school as innovation that can alleviate overcrowding in classroom. The increase pressure of building schools and as a mechanism to strengthen the curriculum. Let’s use these COVID-19 lessons to our advantage rather than making them an excuse.

 

 

Thirdly, a full curriculum review must be instituted across all the types of schooling in the sector with a specific focus on specialising schools, collaboration in schools and skills needed by the economy, to avoid creating a further generation depending on grants and despite having them being at school, are not able to participate in the economy. This means more robotics, coding, aviation, maritime, entrepreneurship and innovations schools to be targeted by DBE.

 

 

Second lastly, a district and circuit approach security

 

cluster communities, public works and DBE’ safety and security

 

 

plan must be developed to win the war against vandalism, syndicate theft and arson in schools.

 

 

Lastly, target set by the department must not be a box ticking exercise but must be set to make tangible impact on the ground. The DA therefore notes this report. I thank you, House Chair.

 

 

Dr S S THEMBEKWAYO: Chairperson, this report must ... [Inaudible.] ... of our basic education that is otherwise well known in society. It fails to report that many rural towns have no facilities for disabled children or children with autism. As a result, many of these children are denied education opportunities.

 

 

It fails to report that there are small towns in this country, such as Rietbron in the Eastern Cape, where there is no high school at all; and that after grade seven, children have to go to the nearest high school which is located in the Willowmore about 68km away. The cost of transport between Rietbron and Willowmore is about R200 for a return trip; that is R1000 per week for each child; and R4000 per month.

 

 

As a result, many of these children just drop out of school, because no parent can afford that kind of transportation.

These are children that are condemned to a life of unemployment and suffering from an early age by the Department of Education. Obviously, these children are black. The department would not even dare ignore the plight of white children as it does to that of black children.

 

 

There are many instances of this nature such as the plight of the children of Mpindweni in the Libode in the Eastern Cape, who starts walking to school at 4:00am every morning in order to get to the classroom at 10:00 in the morning. No government worth the name can ever do this to the future of the nation.

 

 

The performance report that get tabled in this House every so often, hides these facts. They hide the pain that majority suffers, and they hide the neglect and incompetence of the department. They hide the fact that the department throws out of the system at least half a million children each year and that there is no one who accounts for the whereabouts of these children. We all know that, they too are condemned to a life of hard labour and suffering.

 

 

We therefore, rejects this report and rejects the shameless neglect this department shows to millions of black learners. Thank you, Chair.

 

 

Mr S L NGCOBO: Hon Chairperson, it is undeniable that the COVID-19 pandemic had ... [Inaudible.] ... future impact on

... [Inaudible.] ... vulnerable in our society. We cannot however allow this pandemic to further deepen the equality gap in South Africa, especially relating to education. As a country, this must be one of our key priorities in these uncertain times.

 

 

Upon consideration of the Department of Basic Education’s report on its performance in the second quarter of 2020-21, the IFP wholeheartedly agrees with the committee’s recommendations that the department should urgently find ways to ensure that budget cuts do not compromise core projects of the department. The department should also engage with national treasury on how to limit such negative impact.

 

 

The IFP however remains highly concerned about the slow progress in building the new schools and completing the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative. According to the report, at the end of the second quarter,

 

 

only four schools were built and the pandemic was blamed for affecting construction work. Furthermore, the number of schools provided with sanitation facilities at the end of second quarter, stood at only 22 schools. Again, the pandemic was blamed for the slow progress.

 

 

The IFP acknowledges the impact of the pandemic on construction. However, we wish to stress the importance of providing safe schools, as well as the department’s long history of failure to deliver on improving schools and ensuring safe sanitation facilities. We therefore, cannot accept this slow progress. This needs to be a critical priority for the department and cannot be blamed on the pandemic.

 

 

The IFP furthermore agrees with the committee that the issue of safety and security at schools remains a major problem and should be urgently addressed by the department. Less than three weeks ago, we read about the horrifying rape of a six- year-old grade one at Khensani Primary School in Tshwane, which allegedly happened in the school toilets.

 

 

These shocking news is without a great outcry; and we demand answers from the department. As the custodian of basic

 

 

education, the department has a constitutional mandate and responsibility to ensure that schools are safe and secure. The IFP will remain committed to demanding answers and holding this department accountable. The future of South Africa cannot and should not be squander. The IFP accepts the report.

 

 

Mr T M LANGA: Chairperson, on a point order. If you will check because we are on virtual, we can see that the Deputy Minister of Small Business left his video on and clearly he is displaying to us that this is how they take Parliament serious.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Thank you, hon member. We will check on that.

 

 

Ms M E SUKERS: House Chair, the ACDP notes the departments reached 76% of its targets in the Adolescent Girls and Young Women Programme. This comes against the backdrop of the disturbing reports on the increase of pregnancies amongst pre- teens and teenage girls. It is our contention that this programmes of Department of Basic Education, specifically Comprehensive Sexuality Education, CSE is failing, given that the department CSE has been part of the curriculum since 2000.

 

 

The programme is failing firstly because the Department of Basic Education does not have relevant detail and up to date research on learner pregnancies. Dr Granville Whittle admitted today in the committee that this was because of the cost of research that we therefore have to rely on third parties. The Department of Basic Education will have to shift resources within its budget to focus on research.

 

 

We are failing to use big data and artificial intelligence to improve efficiencies given our limited resources in regard to these programmes. For example, the little research that we do have, shows that the average boy who is sexually active has six partners. Our approach is to try and sweet talk these sweet talkers with nice words and pictures, to educate them. We need to rather identify the characteristics of these groups and specifically target boys who are likely to behave in this way with focus interventions.

 

 

Secondly, the landscape has significantly changed with the advent of social media and with it, new forms of abuse that affects all children. Please do not think that any racial or economic group is exempt from this. The only way the Department of Basic Education can keep up, is to have a robust

 

 

engagement with civil society, and not only with friendlies, but especially with those who seems to disagree with them.

 

 

The Department of Basic Education needs a robust 21st century engagement policy. Finally, the Department of Basic Education needs to understand their role. If they think they can replace parents and communities, including churches and traditional leaders, they are gravely mistaken and their programmes will continue to fail. They must understand that they are there to support, not to ... [Inaudible.] ... the rights of parents, extended families and communities. Parents, and where there are no parents or extended families, communities come first, then the Department of Basic Education and then the rest of the state.

 

 

To quote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 26 3:

 

 

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

 

 

We are Africans. Do not undermine our people by telling them what they must know. Ask them, respect their beliefs, engage

 

 

their wisdom to create the solutions for challenges we face with the children of our nation. Thank you, Chair.

 

 

Mr W T LETSIE: Hon Chair, the ANC believes that building an ethical and capable developmental state propels the realisation of creating a better life for all. A developmental state should have the capacity to plan, implement and innovate. The capacity of the state is also enhanced by the human capability development of the nation.

 

 

Basic education places a critical foundational base for the cognitive development of our children. It is through education that we can create equal opportunities for all South Africans. Education is a critical imperative for development of our country, with opportunities for all South Africans.

 

 

As part of our oversight function, performance reporting is critical in ensuring accountability by the executive on implementation of the predetermined outcome objectives as set in the APP of 2020-21.

 

 

The department had nine indicators in this period, which they reported on at a quarterly basis, while the remaining 57, which many of our members here from the opposition were

 

 

talking about, are annual indicators. The department’s implementation of infrastructure projects was impacted by the Disaster Act regulations, as the construction sector was impacted by the restrictions of covid-19 alert levels.

 

 

The implementation of the educator-employment initiative has also come with its own challenges, which were be caused by different factors such as submission of wrong banking details that has delayed payments.

 

 

In relation to the co-work of the school of teaching and learning on curriculum recovery, the provincial education departments have developed their different curriculum recovery plans, in order to recover lost time for teaching.

 

 

The biggest impact of the pandemic on our schools is the hampering of curriculum coverage. Learners from schools with ICT facilities and access to digital devices in their homes managed to continue learning during the school’s closure, while the learners without the support lost crucial learning time. The impact of learning loss to this group of learners will continue to impact their curriculum coverage, relative to previous grades.

 

 

In addressing security challenges, partnership with the South African Police Service should be tightened and integrated into the continuous work of SGBs.

 

 

The budget reprioritisation has also negatively impacted the infrastructure grant, despite the major backlog in social infrastructure. The budget reprioritisation for the fight against the corona virus pandemic was significant at about R2,1 billion.

 

 

This impact will be significant, but government interventions through specific infrastructure initiatives, such as the Accelerated School Infrastructure Development Initiative programmes will continuously address the backlog.

 

 

The ANC remains committed in the fight against corruption and the overall performance of the department will be considered in the fourth quarter report or in the annual report, to access whether the department delivered on its target.

 

 

Before we move to conclusions, I think it is important that we deal with a few misconceptions that were said here today. I think it is important to start by saying to hon Nodada of the DA and the member of the EFF who spoke about the APPs, but the

 

 

targets are not related to this second quarter report. It is related to the APPs. This is the report that we are considering here today. It speaks of the good work that the department at large, the Minister, Deputy Minister, the DG and their team have done in the second quarter. If they did not do a good job, I am sure, they would be speaking about issues that are under this report, but they are talking about APPs.

 

 

I think it is also important to remind them of the process of adopting APPs. Our colleagues never contribute to these things because with APPs, it is not a department that comes and imposes. They bring it the committee and the committee contributes to those things, instead of ... We understand that it is election time. These are nice opportunities for them to try and lobby people, based on nonfactual things.

 

 

So, they must not come here and argue as if we are dealing with APPs. If they want to deal with APPs, they know where to find the committee. We are very ready there for them, but here and now, we are dealing with the second quarter report. It is true to their colours – very dangerous for our country - to come to this podium in front of millions of people and lie to them, talking about APPs and not the second quarter report.

 

 

Hon Sukers, again, it is also important to note that misleading people is a sin. The ACDP must understand that it is a sin to mislead people, to come here and say the DBE wants to replace parents, communities on such critical issues. You mentioned issues that we are dealing with today - issues of GBV, rape and pregnancies. Hon Sukers says that the DBE wants to replace those stakeholders, whereas it was the Deputy Minister who, on that platform, told her that these things are not a departmental problem but a societal problem. It needs everybody else to be part of this particular thing in order for us to try and defeat it.

 

 

To the IFP, thank you very much. I am sure you will support the report. Even those who have noted the report, despite you trying to electioneer, we know you are going to support the report because it is a true reflection – 90% attainment of targets in the second quarter.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Dit is nie pap en vleis nie.

 

 

English:

 

The ANC supports the report of the second quarter performance of the department of 2021. Thank you.

 

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: House Chair, on a point of order: The hon member kept referring to us having to stand at the podium and campaign, but he does not realise that we don’t really need to campaign, because the ANC has hardly put in any councillors. So, don’t worry about it.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Hon House Chair, on a point of order: I want to ask you to look at the record as to the aspersion that was cast on Ms Sukers that she has committed sin, that she misled the House and I want to ask you to check the record as to whether that comment is unparliamentary. Thank you.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T FROLOCK): Hon Swart, I must

 

remind you that points of order must be raised at the time when the alleged breach of the Rules has taken place. We have moved on from that point. I listened to what the hon member has said and unfortunately, you did not raise a point of order at the time.

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

UMBHEXESHI OYINTLOKO WEQELA ELILAWULAYO: Enkosi kakhulu

 

Sihlalo weNdlu. Ndiphakamisa ukuba le Ndlu yamkele le ngxelo ithiwe thaca apha, ibonisa impumelelo. Enkosi.

 

 

There was no debate.

 

 

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

 

 

Declarations of vote made on behalf of the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party, African Christian Democratic Party and African National Congress.

 

 

Motion agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).

 

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GAUTENG PROVINCE (EKURHULENI NORTH EDUCATION DISTRICTS), KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE (UMZIMKHULU AND IXOPO EDUCATION DISTRICTS) AND EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE (MATATIELE AND MOUNT FLETCHER EDUCATION DISTRICTS)

 

 

Ms P B MBINQO-GIGABA: Thanks, House Chairperson ...

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

... ndidla imali yam namhlanje.

 

 

English:

 

We are sharing with the House the oversight visit which we had in Gauteng province, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. We are committed to give these three provinces priority because it is important to implement the constitutional oversight of the work of the executive in order to attain progressive quality learning and teaching in our schools. The education agenda reminds us that we show similar commitment to vastly deep rural areas and never forget nor waiver in our focus in supporting them, thus building strong institutions.

 

 

Hon House Chair, we identified KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape because they are the most vulnerable of our society, and are confined in rural communities with scarcity of resources.

KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have the potential. Whilst addressing skills gap in the local bases, we have to change the conversations so that our efforts also advance skills in rural areas to become schools of excellence as part of our national agenda.

 

 

Our obligations for the oversight effectively took place from 31st January to 6th February, this year. Districts that were visited are Ekurhuleni North in Gauteng, Ixopo and Umzimkhulu education district in KwaZulu-Natal, and Matatiele and Mount

 

 

Fletcher in the Eastern Cape. Our focus, primarily in terms of the purpose set out to do the oversight visit was to assess the reopening of schools and the state of school readiness for the 2021 academic year. This included, amongst others, the following areas of focus: the status and impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the reopening of schools, the regulations, the personal protective equipments, PPEs, procurement essentials, curriculum coverage, infrastructure, water and sanitation, scholar transport, school nutrition, the state of admission and registration of learners, the provision of Learner Teacher Support Materials, LTSM, staff establishments, the school governing body, SGB, vital role in school governance, the measures to deal with dropouts rate and return of learners, the access to ICT, the virtual platforms for learners during this pandemic and practical support spectrum for educators, nonteaching staff and learners impacted by COVID-19.

 

 

Hon House Chair, the delegation held meetings with all relevant stakeholders in order to gain first-hand information on the state of schooling and to discuss various challenges faced by the provincial Education Department, and those challenges have affected districts, specifically in response of the COVID-19 regulations.

 

 

In partnership with members of the provincial legislatures Committee on Education, members of the provincial Department of Education and the national Department of Education. These stakeholders came to their support during the oversight visit. The conversation also included the efforts from, SA Principals Association, SAPA, the education unions, the SGBs, and the associations, which we are thankful for their intensified efforts to support the schools in their provinces.

 

 

As members of the Portfolio Committee on Education, having conducted the oversight visit and having considered the issues that were highlighted, we are resolute that the Minister of Basic Education must address and ensure that these three provinces ... These are the issues that she needs to address: Under infrastructure, she must ensure that all schools receive in the provinces receive the necessary infrastructure and resources where such was reported to the portfolio committee; under water and sanitation, they need to ensure that schools are supplied with adequate water supply through collaboration with municipalities, digging boreholes and ensure water tanks are filled as required; under technical mathematics and science, they need to ensure that educators who teach these subjects receive ongoing support, training and development; under psychosocial support, in collaboration with the

 

 

Department of Health and Social Development, they need to ensure that both educators and learners have the services of psychologists and social workers to assist with the mental the health support; under educators with comorbidities, they must be accommodated. Where teachers applied for leave, it should be processed and managed; and under overcrowding, they need to ensure that schools were monitored and check the implementation of the admission policy and not to accept more learners that they cannot accommodate. It goes on and on, the school transport and school safety and security as well.

 

 

In conclusion, we thank the members of the committee, the provincial representatives, Department of Basic Education, and all stakeholders. We are, therefore, moving that the House accepts the report. Thank you very much.

 

 

Declarations of Vote:

 

Mr B B NODADA: House Chairperson, oversight visits are the most effective tools for testing the realities painted in boardrooms by Ministers and their departments, versus the realities that we daily live on the ground. It is an opportunity for MPs to monitor whether taxpayers’ money is being used to create a conducive learning environment.

 

 

The February oversight visit in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape followed a series of oversights conducted by myself and the deputy shadow minister, Desiree Van der Walt, across the country, which were aimed at investigating the state of readiness for schools to reopen.

 

 

The first school we visited with the committee in Ekurhuleni was Rhodesfield Technical High School. It is a specialisation school focused on technical skills and aviation. However, upon arrival, the principal took us to all their workshops, which were flooded with water despite over R2 million spent in repairs of the dilapidated asbestos structures, leaving most workshops unusable and equipment damaged.

 

 

This reinforces the importance and the need for consequence management and Treasury deregistering implementing agents and companies who looked maintenance challenges in schools at the expense of taxpayers’ money.

 

 

Furthermore, there is little to no support for technical maths and science, which are core subjects for their specialisation in aviation. There is a need to strengthen the curriculum review to focus on specialisation or collaborative schools,

 

 

which are essential in developmental skills needed by the economy.

 

 

The Gauteng Department of Education further sited safety and security in schools as a massive challenge. Cases range from vandalism to arson mainly directed at admin blocks, nutrition, information and communications technology, ICT, infrastructure and storage facilities. Three hundred and fifty-five schools have been vandalised and 131 of these schools have had repeat incidents like we have seen recently during the unrests, causing the department some R38 million.

 

 

KwaZulu-Natal painted a grim picture for conducive learning environment. When we visited the Harry Gwala and Ixopo district, which hosted the most mud schools in the province. Impunga Full Service School and Mhlabe are schools that are roofless as we speak. There is no money left for repairs.

Furthermore, there was no plan to rebuild these mud schools, let alone maintain the already existing infrastructure.

 

 

What was more concerning though was that there are over

 

120 000 learners eligible for scholar transport that are left behind to walk long kilometres to school with the risk of being mugged or raped like we saw at Nombewu Full Service

 

 

School. Additionally, there are over 3 000 schools with no access to water and have pit toilets. KwaZulu-Natal was also not spared from vandalism and theft, with over 465 schools vandalised due to poor security.

 

 

In the Eastern Cape, I personally took the portfolio committee and the department through my constituency of Alfred Nzo, with many dilapidated mud and asbestos schools. I visited and I ... [Inaudible.] ... specifically ... [Inaudible.] ... which is the only no fee paying school in Yugioh, with over 2000 learners dependent on their service. This school was budgeted for and went on tender through the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative, Asidi, programme and was later removed by the Department of Basic Education despite it being closed down by the Department of Environmental Affairs because it was unsafe for learners despite the department saying temporary measures will be put in place seven months ago, it still stands looking the same as I have been there the last time. It is schools like that that suffer when the department’s budget is cut to save failed state-owned enterprises, SOEs.

 

 

More embarrassingly, the department promised to call back an implementing agent that new built toilets, which were not

 

 

working at Mount Fletcher Special School within three months when we were there to visit. However, until now, learners with special needs still release themselves in pit toilets or in the bush.

 

 

The Eastern Cape has the most pit toilets in schools across all the provinces and only half have been prioritised despite President Ramaphosa lying to us about eradicating pit toilets by March 2020 in schools.

Generally, all schools complained about high dropouts, curriculum relevance and recovery, infrastructure ... [Inaudible.] ... [Interjections.]

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE: On a point of order.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): I want to recognise the hon member on the floor with a point of order.

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE: Thank you, House Chairperson, the member who is on the virtual platform said that the President is lying.

According to Rule 84, the statement falls under unparliamentary language.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Yes, you see, hon members, this word lie is loosely used in this House. What you are saying is actually very serious because it cast aspersions on the integrity of the member that you direct it to. I would request you, hon member, to withdraw the remark, and I would also caution other members who frequently use that word to be very careful by doing so. You should bring a substantive motion against the member. You must withdraw the remark, hon member.

 

 

Mr B B NODADA: The remark is withdrawn, House Chair. Despite President Ramaphosa indicated that pit toilets would be eradicated by March 2020, there are still many of them until now.

 

 

Generally, all schools complained about high dropouts, curriculum relevance and recovery, infrastructure, and safety and security. As the DA, we wrote a full report and a request for intervention to Minister Motshekga of the Department of Basic Education following these visits across the country and not just the ones visited by the portfolio committee.

 

 

We recommended the following even in the portfolio committee: Holding implementing agencies accountable for poor quality

 

 

work is important. Those that are unreliable must be taken out of the system so that they cannot continue and do the work and build poor quality structures or fail to complete their work; the Department of Basic Education must engage National Treasury on the Asidi programme or other sources of funding to ensure dilapidated mud and asbestos schools ...

 

 

Dr S S THEMBEKWAYO: Chairperson, this report deals with the oversight visits we undertook in January and February this year and were focussed on school readiness in light of the impact of the COVID pandemic.

 

 

The processing of reports like this is a serious concern because we are now almost at the tail end of the year and the adoption of these reports by Parliament becomes a mere box- ticking exercise. Parliament must find better means of processing these reports faster in order to allow Parliament to be in a better position to address some of these issues.

 

 

As for the oversight visits, it’s a serious concern to us that the Department of Education seems to have no capacity at all to learn from the past mistakes and there is no commitment to continuous improvements. We have known for a while, even

 

 

before COVID, that rural and township schools are ill-equipped and do not provide a conducive environment for learning.

 

 

In rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, learners still struggle with transport to and from schools, classrooms are inadequate to cater for the social distancing required to lower rates of infection. There are no gadgets to facilitate online learning.

 

 

Compared to schools that cater for predominantly white children, it’s difficult to reconcile that our education system is as fragmented by class and race as it is today. Poor black children are condemned to substandard facilities and have had their education severely compromised during this pandemic, while their white counterparts have had the benefits of online education with all the support they need to advance their education.

 

 

More disdainfully, the Department of Education saw the COVID pandemic as an opportunity to loot public resources instead of building up the capacity of schools to provide quality education. In Gauteng under Panyaza Lesufi, they spent almost half a billion sanitising empty schools ... an extravagant waste of public funds. In KwaZulu-Natal, they ransacked and

 

 

damaged schools in order to get tenders to refurbish the very same schools. The department is rotten to the core and has no care at all for the education of our children. Therefore, we reject this report. Thank you.

 

 

Mr S L NGCOBO: Hon Chairperson, the oversight visits to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape departments of Education provided the Portfolio Committee on Education with key insights into the practical challenges faced by schools in these provinces, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Despite the immense challenges brought about by the pandemic, it is critical that access to education is not further compromised and that we ensure that access to quality education remains our country’s top priority. The future of South Africa rests on the decisions we make now and the actions we take to ensure that the most vulnerable youth in our society are not left behind.

 

 

After consideration of the report, the IFP in general supports the committee’s recommendation that in all three provinces the aspect of infrastructure of schools should be a top priority. In particular, schools that have been identified as storm

 

 

damaged, dangerous and hazardous should receive urgent attention.

 

 

One of the greatest strategies we face is that, despite the constitutional mandate resting on the state to ensure that each child has access to education, the safety of schools, which form an integral part of that right, has been seriously neglected by the state. We have had countless litigation in this aspect, as well as horrifying reports of deaths caused due to unsafe pit latrines. We cannot allow any excuses, and as Parliament we need to closely monitor the department’s performance and demand accountability.

 

 

On the visit to Impunga Full Service School in Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal, the shortage of ablution facilities was very concerning. It was reported that only eight pit toilets were available for 600 learners. This appalling situation cannot be accepted. The school also faced serious challenges with regard to water and it was reported that the school has no running water, which is a clear contradiction of COVID-19 protocols.

Although we have been told that the department was in the process of erecting new toilets and that the school was earmarked for a borehole, this slow progress is simply unacceptable.

 

 

The IFP further agrees with the committee’s recommendation that safety and security should be a key priority for these three provincial departments. There should be collaboration with the security cluster to ensure that the schools are linked to their nearest police stations.

 

 

In conclusion, the IFP will closely monitor the performance of these three provincial educational departments, especially in relation to ensuring safe and secure schools. The IFP accepts the report.

 

 

Dr W J BOSHOFF: Hon Chair, the oversight visit to schools to

 

... [Inaudible.] ... the state of readiness, for a year which has since nearly been completed, focussed the attention on the amplification of established problems by the COVID pandemic.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Nou, as ons kyk na die vandalisering van skole, dan is dit die duidelike gevolg van gemeenskappe wat eenvoudig ... [Tussenwerpsels.] Ek weet nie waarmee agb De Freitas besig is nie maar kan ek voortgaan, agb Voorsitter?

 

 

English:

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member ... May I just request hon members who are on the platform to actually follow the proceedings because if you do that then you won’t accidentally switch your microphone or ... [Inaudible.] ... platform or your camera on. So, let us please just observe that, otherwise we are going to have to ... [Inaudible.] ... these disturbances. Continue hon member.

 

 

Afrikaans:

 

Dr W J BOSHOFF: Dankie, agb Voorsitter. Die vandalisering van skole is ’n duidelike teken van gemeenskappe wat eenvoudig nie eienaarskap oor hulle skole neem nie. Een van die groot vrae wat die hele onderwysopset van Suid-Afrika deurtrek is die vraag, waarom? Wat is dit wat dit veroorsaak? Nou, natuurlik is daar te min geld en ek moet sê die Komitee op Basiese Onderwys is een van verskeie instellings in Suid-Afrika wat dink hulle kan ’n werklikheid skep deur ’n woord te spreek.

Ongelukkig is dit ’n vermoë wat mense nie het nie; om iets in aansyn te roep deur die woord te sê. Om te sê dat daar meer geld op infrastruktuurontwikkeling bestee moet word kan enigiemand sien wanneer hy ’n skool sien waarvan die dak ingeval is of wat in ’n swak toestand is. Maar waar moet daardie geld vandaan kom, veral indien die skole dan nie deur die gemeenskappe waar dit gebou is, opgepas word nie?

 

 

Dieselfde geld vir die voorsiening van vervoer, aangesien die staat ’n beleid om kleiner skole toe te maak en mense van al hoe verder af na groter sentrale skole toe te vervoer, volg.

 

 

Waarmee ons te doen het is eintlik maar die doodgewone gevolg van ’n fiskale mislukking in Suid-Afrika. In die eerste plek word geld, wat die staatskas behoort te gebruik om instellings soos skole se infrastruktuur op te bou, gebruik om instellings wat finansiële bronne behoort te wees liewer te subsidieer in hul verliese. Dit beteken dat daar eenvoudig nie geld is om die soort van goed te doen wat die staat moet doen, omdat niemand anders dit kan bekostig nie.

 

 

Verder, het ons ’n algemene beleid wat ekonomiese groei teenwerk want daar word volhard met beleidsraamwerke wat nie meriete maar wel identiteit bevoordeel. Dit skep ’n onmededingende bevolking en ’n onmededingende ekonomie, nie as gevolg van enige inherente gebreke by mense om hard te werk of om slim te werk of om deeglik te werk nie, maar omdat daar ’n aanhoudende aanmoediging is om nie aan te dring op die beste werk nie maar om te sê, wat ek nie het nie is ek op geregtig op grond van watter faktore ook al.

 

 

Dit bring ons dan terug na die bevindinge wat die oorsigbesoek mee vorendag gekom het. Dit is almal baie goeie aanbevelings en die VF Plus kan homself daarmee vereenselwig. Die vraag is, kan dit gedoen word? Kan dit uitgevoer word? Ek is bevrees die antwoord is waarskynlik, nee, omdat die staatskas doodgewoon leeg is, en omdat daar maatskaplike pensioene is wat uitbetaal moet word en mislukte staatsondernemings wat gered moet word. Daarom kan skoolinfrastruktuur ongelukkig nie die geld kry wat dit verdien nie. Baie dankie, agb Voorsitter.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Thank you Chairperson. The ACDP supports this report and I think that there are a number of very positive recommendations that are contained in the report but again as previous speakers have indicated, the budgetary constraints in implementing these recommendations are there and we all are aware of that is the challenge in implementing the good recommendations of the portfolio committee.

 

 

That having been said, I would on behalf of the ACDP like to just reject any assertion that the hon Marie Sukers

...[Interjections.]

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T FROLICK): The hon Tseke, hon members, please follow the proceedings and those on the virtual platform, don’t disrupt the House. Continue hon Swart.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Thank you Chairperson, given the fact that I raised a point of order too late in the previous item, I would like to reject any assertion that hon Sukers serves on this portfolio committee diligently and in any way misled Parliament or as we all know we are all sinners. Having said that, the ACDP will support this report. I thank you.

 

 

Mr B S YABO: Thank you Chairperson and hon members good afternoon. The coronavirus pandemic has led to the destruction of teaching and learning as we know it. The Department of Basic Education had to adapt and undertake to comply with all health protocols and standards in the Disaster Management Act.

 

 

This showed the level of basic services backlog in some schools particularly in rural areas. As an oversight Body, it is critical for us as the portfolio committee to hold oversight visits to engage with different stakeholders in the basic education sector.

 

 

The portfolio committee has conducted this in Gauteng, Ekurhuleni district, KwaZulu-Natal, Umzimkhulu and Ixopo education district as well as Eastern Cape in Matatiele and Mount Fletcher Education District. This is important to understand the lead experience of learners, teachers, staff, school governing bodies and to respond to the challenges affecting our schools.

 

 

The coronavirus pandemic is a life threatening disease and if our schools are not compliant with the health protocols, they run the risk of being super spreaders.As the ANC, we support this report because it reflects the success of the oversight visit. The reopening of schools in 2021 was delayed due to the virus spark.

 

 

In our visit to Isiziba Primary School in Tembisa, the schools face various challenges which affect many schools and rural and townships which is lack of infrastructure due to a growing population in the surrounding communities. Lack of sporting facilities and minimal parental involvement.

 

 

The role of parents or guardians in the education of their children is so important and cannot be undermined. Parental involvement is important because it enable the parents to

 

 

support the learner as well as creating a conducive environment for the learner at home.

 

 

Whilst Rhodesfield Technical High School in Ekurhuleni North in Kempton Park had the opposite effect with partnerships with the aviation industry, the school has sufficient and reliable water and sanitation. The school complied with the school readiness health protocols and was also planning for a full connectivity. Despite these, the school has a governing body which does not entirely comprehend their role.

 

 

We support the recommendation by the portfolio committee to ensure that the school demographics are the representatives of their community as it is a free paying school which creates exclusion of mainly the poor.

 

 

These two opposites [Inaudible.] the structural socioeconomic inequalities which confronts our country. Our provincial department through the appropriation should prioritise closing the inequality gap through the development of facilities for learning and teaching. Access to sports facilities also contributes to the holistic growth of the learner. It is important that we develop sporting facilities for all our schools as it is good for the wellbeing of the student.

 

 

Ixopo High School situated in Moscow Field circuit KwaZulu- Natal raised challenges of use of drugs and smoking, bullying and theft of devices among others. These are social challenges which require multiple intervention at a family level, community level and broadly in society. Water and sanitation are prevailing challenges in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu- Natal.

 

 

The oversight visit has also enabled monitoring of various areas of concern which as the ANC we are gravely concerned with. Our concern is largely on the lack of basic services across the country and vandalism is one of the concerns.

 

 

Despite the numerous speculations from those in the opposition benches like the EFF on the closure of schools, contrary to that has been the progress attained by the department and using the limited resources in containing the spread of the coronavirus and continuing with the teaching and learning.

 

 

Provincial departments have ensured schools have the critical basic services such as water and sanitation, furniture and adequate teacher support material, personal protective equipment essentials amongst others.

 

 

The educator employment initiative as well has also resulted in making a difference in supporting the school reopening process. This has benefited 300 000 young people who have skills and workplace exposure which is important for their development.

 

 

This initiative requires consideration for the medium term at a sustainable basis for the youth. Chairperson, the ANC does not make promises but commitments. When the ANC led government says it will eradicate mud schools, this will indeed happen.

 

 

The ANC supports this report and will monitor the recommendations by the portfolio committee. The oversight visit helped the portfolio committee to focus on critical issues affecting our schools in urban rural areas. It will aid the recommendation of appropriate budgeting priorities as part of the budget in cycle of government.

 

 

In conclusion, it is unthinkable for the EFF member to come and say that the department has spent millions sanitizing an empty school. Remember a school is not just buildings, there are people involved. So I believe if that happened, there were people in that school. Thank you.

 

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Thank you, hon

 

House Chairperson. I move that the report be adopted.

 

 

Motion agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).

 

 

Report accordingly adopted.

 

 

TOKYO PARALYMPICS GAMES

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms R C ADAMS: The African National Congress moves without notice:

 

 

That the House -

 

 

(1) notes that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, a major International multisport Para-sports event took place in Tokyo, Japan between 24 August and 05 September 2021;

 

 

(2) further notes that team South Africa did the country proud by being awarded seven medals; four gold, one bronze and one silver;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that Ntando Mahlangu won 2 gold medals and set a new world record of 7,17m in the Long Jump, Andrew Meyers won gold in the 200m race, Nicholas Du Preez won gold in cycling, Louzanne Coetzee won silver in the 1 500m race and Sheryl James won bronze in the 400m race; and

 

 

(4) congratulates all the athletes who have participated in the Paralympics for flying the flag of the country high and wishes them well in their future endeavors.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

WOMAN DIES IN BURNING SHACK

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms A T KHANYILE: Thank you, House Chair. I hereby move on behalf of the Democratic Alliance without notice:

 

 

That this House –

 

 

(1) notes that Miss Nompumelelo Memela sadly passed away at the age of 23 years in a fire that engulfed the shack she was in in the Mqashi section in Sanditon on the 24 May 2021;

 

 

(2) further notes that Miss Memela’s boyfriend of more than three years who managed to escape the fire with some burnt wounds was arrested in connection with her death after suspecting that he could have started the fire;

 

 

(3) recall that the relationship between Miss Memela and her boyfriend was often marked with fighting, emphasises that the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence is a fight that needs all of us to stand together 365 days a year;

 

 

(4) acknowledges that Miss Memela has been described as a bubbly, humble and cheerful young woman, who will be dearly missed by her family and friends; and

 

 

(5) the ANC conveys its heartfelt condolences to Miss

 

Memela’s family and friends.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL FREAK ACCIDENT

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Dr S S THEMBEKWAYO: Thank you, Chairperson. I rise on behalf of the EFF to move without notice:

 

 

That the House –

 

 

(1) notes with sadness the death of the three educators from Umso High School in Colesberg in the Northern Cape province who were killed as a result of a car accident this past Saturday;

 

 

(2) further notes that are fourth teacher, who was with them in the car is critically injured and is in hospital fighting for his life;

 

 

(3) that the school and the whole basic education fraternity is indeed mourning;

 

 

(4) acknowledges further that the death of any teacher is one death too many in a country which is in desperate need of good teachers;

 

 

(5) notes that the death of three teachers from the same school is a monumental disaster that will affect not only their families but the pupils at the school too;

 

 

(6) further acknowledges that pupils, staff, families and communities are devastated by the untimely occurrence since the collective contribution of these teachers to learning has been ripped away from their peoples and the province; and

 

 

(7) sends its condolences to the families of the departed teachers as well as to Umso High School.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

MAHOTELA QUEENS FOUNDING MEMBER DIES

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms V P MALOMANE: Thank you, House Chair. On behalf of the African National Congress I move without notice:

 

 

That the House -

 

 

(1) notes with sadness the passing on of the founding member of the internationally acclaimed Mbaqanga group Mahotella Queens, Mama Nobesuthu Mbadu on Monday 31 August 2021;

 

 

(2) acknowledges that the 76-year-old legendary musician was part of a generation that put South African music on the world stage with unique melodies and signature dance moves;

 

 

(3) understands that her health started deteriorating in 2017 and she retired from performing;

 

 

(4) recalls that her career started when she was a 19- year-old teenager joining Mahotella Queens alongside fellow group members Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu;

 

 

(5) further recalls that the five Queens were then paired with a mbaqanga instrumental team, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and the vocals of the late Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde;

 

 

(6) remembers that she lives behind a full legacy of songs like Kazet - Gazette, Mbube, Africa and Melodi ya lla that have solidified their roles in the Mbaqanga genre; and

 

 

(7) conveys condolences to her family, colleagues and the music fraternity.

 

 

Motion agreed to.

 

 

GIFT OF THE GIVERS

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr N SINGH: Thank you, Chairperson. On behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party I move without notice:

 

 

That the House –

 

 

(1) notes all the efforts of the gift of the givers organisation founded by Dr Imtiaz Suleiman, who sprang into action in the wake of the devastating unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng a few months ago;

 

 

(2) acknowledges that the well-known humanitarian organisation in addition to supporting residents in the affected communities also provided the much needed support to medical personnel who were hit with food shortages while under intense pressure at hospitals;

 

 

(3) further acknowledges that in light of the recent observation of world humanitarian day marked a few weeks ago on Thursday, 19 August, it is important to acknowledge that the achievements of ordinary South Africans and the role of community and civil society organisations and their contribution to keeping society functional;

 

 

(4) encourages South Africans who are able to do their part to make a difference and addressed the challenging societal conditions exposed by the lockdown and the recent unrest; and

 

 

(5) calls on the government to provide the requisite assistance and to prioritise the rebuilding of these destabilised areas of the country in order to restore the economy.

 

 

 

 

KAAP LANGUAGE DICTIONARY

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms H DENNER: Thank you, House Chair. On behalf of the Freedom Front Plus I hereby move without notice:

 

 

That the House –

 

 

(1) acknowledges the launch of the first ever dictionary of

 

South Africa’s Kaap language,

 

 

(2) further acknowledges that the Kaap’s language commonly used by working class speakers on the Cape Flats has been in existence since the 1500, but I've never had a dictionary until now; and

 

 

(3) applauds the efforts by all parties involved in this very important project as well as the contribution and it makes to the cultural and language landscape of our country.

 

 

 

 

FOUR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA SET TO SAIL FOR THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr W T LESTIE: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes that four postgraduate students from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology are about to set sail for the South Atlantic;

 

 

(2) further notes that the all-female team of scientists will spend 36 days aboard the RV SA Agulhas II, which will be operated by the national Environmental Affairs department;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that as part of a programme supported by the National Research Foundation and the SA National Antarctic Programme, the students will

 

 

collect samples and conduct experiments in the ocean;

 

 

(4) understands that the Team of Mancha Mabaso, Caitlyn Fourie, Sade Magabotha and Francinah Ratsoma will focus their research on marine environments that are geographically strategic to Mzantsi [South Africa];

 

 

(5) believes the findings of this study will have greater implications for understanding climate change in the global economy; and

 

 

(6) wishes the team well for their first trip to the South Atlantic.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

PASSING OF MR JOHN GERALD APOLLOS

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms M E SUKERS: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes with sadness the passing of Mr John Gerald Apollos, a remarkable and beloved teacher;

 

 

(2) further notes that Mr Apollos as he was affectionately known, was a teacher for over 40 years, with 36 years of those as a teacher at Macassar High School;

 

 

(3) recalls that Mr Apollos started his career at Luckhoff High School, and remembers him for the impact he made on the lives of learners and the wider community; and

 

 

(4) extend its deepest condolences to the Apollos family and those close to Mr John Apollos.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

LAUNCH OF HOME RUN INITIATIVE BY MESSRS SOLLY MALATSI AND MAKASHULE GANA AT YOUTH MONTH

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr N P MASIPA: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes that Messrs Solly Malatsi and Makashule Gana launched their Home Run Initiative at the start of Youth Month, where they announced that they would be running the 500 kilometres run between Soweto and Tzaneen to raise money to assist learners to stay in school;

 

 

(2) further notes that Messrs Malatsi and Gana, who have a deep understanding of the plight of the many impoverished communities in the rural villages in Limpopo where they grew up, tapped their abilities as avid runners to raise funds for uniforms and sanitary pads to help the disadvantaged learners to stay in school;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that many girls miss valuable school days during their menstrual cycles because they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads, and that Messrs Malatsi and Gana believes that it is important that these obstacles are addressed by society;

 

 

(4) recalls that Messrs Malatsi and Gana hoped that they would inspire learners to take their education seriously and be able to escape a life of poverty through their Initiative;

 

 

(5) recognises that Messrs Malatsi and Gana raised over R350 000.00 and many donations in kind, including sanitary pads and school shoes, through their Initiative; and

 

 

(6) congratulates Messrs Malatsi and Gana on their great achievements and wishes them well in their future charitable endeavours.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

RAPID DETERIORATION OF SERVICES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms L F TITO: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes the rapid deterioration of the quality of services offered by the Department of Home Affairs across the country;

 

 

(2) further notes that the long queues in many of the Home Affairs offices, mean that people who needs services from that department must take a whole day leave in order to have any hope of being served, that even those who have been processed have to wait for months before getting their documentations;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that specifically, the people of Carolina at the Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, have been subjected to long queues at the Department of Home Affairs offices, and that since Friday, 3 September until to date, they are getting no services from the Department of Home Affairs due to offline systems;

 

 

(4) further acknowledges that if things do not change, Home Affairs incompetency will be the biggest threat to the fairness of the upcoming government elections, as many people will not have their ID documentation to enable them to vote; and

 

 

(5) instructs the Portfolio Committee of Home Affairs to closely monitor the Department of Home Affairs in order to fast-track the resolution of these problems.

 

 

Motion not agreed to.

 

 

PASSING OF STUDENT AT WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms K D MAHLATSI: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes with sadness the passing of a student at the Walter Sisulu University, who was stabbed to death, allegedly by a fellow student, during a squabble over the use of muti, at the university’s East London residence on Monday, 30 August 2021;

 

 

(2) further notes that the incident happened at the St Patrick’s Court student residence which houses 89 male students in Southernwood;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that the murdered student who was 24 years, came from Duncan Village outside East London, was in his final year studying Human Resources Management at the University’s Buffalo City campus;

 

 

(4) further acknowledges that his alleged attacker is a final year mechanical engineering student from Cambridge, which is also in East London;

 

 

(5) condemns this unfortunate act of violence and calls upon students to be more tolerant of each other’s culture and beliefs;

 

 

(6) calls on the law to take its course and for justice to prevail; and

 

 

(7) convey its condolences to the family of the deceased and the Walter Sisulu University students and academics.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

PASSING OF MR MOYIKWA SISULU ON 28 AUGUST 2021 DUE TO COVID-19

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr B M HADEBE: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes with shock and sadness the passing of Mr Moyikwa Sisulu, on Saturday 28 August 2021, who was the grandson of the South African struggle stalwarts Tata Walter and Mama Albertina Sisulu;

 

 

(2) further notes that the 41-year-old Moyikwa was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier in August;

 

 

(3) recalls that Sisulu was known for being an astute businessman with interests in mining, media, property, and other commercial endeavours;

 

 

(4) remembers him as a loyal and disciplined patriot with generosity and integrity;

 

 

(5) believes that his passing has robbed South Africa of one of its finest sons who was dedicated to economic

 

 

transformation, reconstruction and development of our country; and

 

 

(6) conveys its condolences to his family, friends and business associates.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY ON 8 SEPTEMBER

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr B S NKOSI: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes that the United Nations, UN, International Literacy Day takes place annually on September 8th to raise people’s awareness of and concern for literacy issues in the world;

 

 

(2) further notes that according to UNESCO, about

 

774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills, one in five adults are still not literate, two-thirds of

 

 

them are women and about 75 million children are out of school, and many more attend irregularly or drop out;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that International Literacy Day, ILD, in 2021 will be celebrated under the theme, “Literacy for a human centred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide;”

 

 

(4) further acknowledges that the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the learning of children, young people and adults on an unprecedented scale and has also magnified the pre-existing inequalities in access to meaningful literacy learning opportunities;

 

 

(5) understands that International Literacy Day 2021 will explore how literacy can contribute to building a solid foundation for a human centred recovery, with a special focus on the interplay of literacy and digital skills required by non-literate youth and adults; and

 

 

(6) calls on everyone to promote the day and raise people’s awareness of and concern for literacy problems within our own communities.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

YOUNGEST FIRST BLACK BELT CHAMPION IN KARATE FROM THE EASTERN CAPE, CALEB BARLOW

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms C V KING: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes that Caleb Barlow is the Eastern Cape’s youngest first black belt champion in karate at the young age of 13 years old;

 

 

(2) further notes that Caleb is a senpai, a master of the art of karate, which qualifies him to be a mentor and instructor of karate;

 

 

(3) recognises that Caleb, who started training as a karateka at the age of six years old, after being inspired by watching karate movies, has started to instruct both young and old people in his community of Buffalo Flats in East London;

 

 

(4) acknowledges the role that Caleb’s instructor, Shihan Stephen Martin, played in assisting him to achieve his first Dan at this young age through dedication and discipline;

 

 

(5) further acknowledges the unwavering support of Caleb’s parents and his family who often raises money for him to travel to the karate events;

 

 

(6) recognises that Caleb is committed to achieve his second Dan by the time he turns 16 years old; and

 

 

(7) congratulates Caleb Barlow on his achievements and wishes him all the best in reaching his goal of achieving a second Dan.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

PASSING OF SOUTH AFRICAN INTERNET PIONEER RUDI JANSEN

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Mr M G E HENDRICKS: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes the sadden sad passing of Mr Rudi Jansen, the South African Internet pioneer who died on Friday 3 September 2021;

 

 

(2) further notes that he will be best remembered in the Internet industry as a man who championed affordable and uncapped ADSL broadband in South Africa;

 

 

(3) recalls that Jansen who has felt that the uncapped ADSL was not sustainable;

 

 

(4) further recalls he proved them wrong and changed South African broadband landscape forever;

 

 

(5) acknowledges that uncapped broadband is now more widespread and more popular than ever and it has helped ignite many online industries in the country including online gaming, streaming and e-commerce;

 

 

(6) further, acknowledges his achievements were recognised with the Broadband Maverick of the Year Award in 2010, under MyBroadband Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012;

 

 

(7) understand that he was awarded a Pioneer of the Internet in 2002;

 

 

(8) believes that the progress that South Africa has made in this field is largely due to him creating the next generation jobs and new revenue streams;

 

 

(9) and extends its condolences to the family.

 

 

PATRICK O’LEARY WIN SECOND PRIZE IN MEDIA AWARDS

 

 

(Draft Resolution)

 

 

Ms N J KUBHEKA: Hon House Chairperson, I move without notice:

 

 

That the House—

 

 

(1) notes that Mr Patrick O’Leary has entered the Southern African Development Community, SADC, Media Awards and won second prize in the photo category of the regional competition on Tuesday,17 August 2021;

 

 

(2) further notes that the award was announced by the outgoing Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, during the opening ceremony of the 41st SADC Summit of Heads of State and government taking place in the Republic of Malawi;

 

 

(3) acknowledges that the SADC Media Awards are aimed at promoting excellence in the fields of print, radio, television and photo journalism;

 

 

(4) further acknowledges that the Media Awards also serve as a link for co-ordination and synchronization between formal structures of SADC member states and media;

 

 

(5) recalls that Mr Patrick O’Leary is a seasoned journalist specialising in motor journalism who has travelled across the region to cover stories affecting the trucking industry;

 

 

(6) and congratulates Mr Patrick O’Leary on his achievements and for raising the country’s flag high.

 

 

Agreed to.

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

 

Ms P P MAKHUBELE: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates the prevalence of workplace bullying in South Africa and whether there are differences in employees’ experiences of bullying with regard to sociodemographic, characteristics and diversity experiences. I thank you.

 

 

Mr C BRINK: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the DA:

 

 

That this House debates the need to devolve certain constitutional powers and functions to provinces and municipalities which are more capable of better fulfilling these powers and functions.

 

 

Ms Y N YAKO: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the EFF:

 

 

That this House discuss how industrial parks and trade parks can move closer to the youth in rural areas such that all information pertaining job regaining can be moved closer to them so that they can know what is happening.

 

 

Ms E D PETERS: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates finalisation and implementation of a social compact which steers the country towards active citizenry and ethical leadership. Thank you.

 

 

Ms Z MAJOZI: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:

 

 

That this House debates the rising levels of violence in schools and the urgent need to mobilise all the stakeholders to combat this alarming trend.

 

 

Mr P A VAN STADEN: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the FFPlus:

 

 

That the House debates the true value and necessity of the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, programme in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and whether or not, it actually contributes to sustainable employment creation in South Africa.

 

 

Ms P N ABRAHAM: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates strengthening and deepening South Africa’s economic diplomacy capabilities to ensure closer alignment between the diplomatic mission structures and the objectives of economic diplomacy, including in personnel and representation. I thank you.

 

 

Mr S N SWART: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ACDP:

 

 

That the House debates the challenges facing the mining sector in the country, particularly regarding rife criminality, murder and mayhem with mining companies having to horde off procurement mafia, illegal mining and crime syndicates that seriously threatens the viability of this sector.

 

 

Ms V VAN DYK: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the DA:

 

 

That the House debates the state of the Republic’s

 

heritage sites. I thank you.

 

 

Mrs L F TITO: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the EFF:

 

 

That the House debates the forever downtime computer systems at the Department of Home Affairs offices, the security of the department and the backlog of the Identity Documents.

 

 

Ms A S ZUMA: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates the development, impact of performance, monitoring and evaluation of government services, programmes and projects.

 

 

Mr P M P MODISE: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates the implementation and monitoring

 

of South Africa’s national climate change obligations.

 

 

Ms T V B MCHUNU: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates measures to protect key state witnesses, or whistle blowers, who may be in possession of sensitive information.

 

 

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

 

 

That the House debates the crucial role that the tourism sector can play in contributing to the much needed economic growth and job creation initiatives in the Republic’s post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery efforts.

 

 

Ms K D MAHLATSI: Hon House Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:

 

 

That the House debates strengthening the placement of graduates in workplaces so that they are work-ready for easy absorption into the world of work.

 

 

The House adjourned at 17:17.