Hansard: NA: Mini-plenary 2
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 26 May 2022
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Minutes
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MINI PLENARY 2 - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (VIRTUAL)
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PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
CHAMBER
Watch: Mini-Plenary
Members of the mini-plenary session met in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 14:00
The Acting chairperson, as the Chairperson, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers and meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Good afternoon hon members, I would like to remind you that the virtual mini- plenary is deemed to be in the precinct of Parliament and constitute a meeting of the National Assembly for debating purposes only. In addition to the rules of virtual sitting,
the rules of the National Assembly, including the Rules of the national debate, shall apply.
Members enjoy the same powers and privileges that apply in the sitting of the National Assembly. Members should equally note that anything that said in the virtual platform is deemed to have been said in the House and may be ruled upon. All members who have locked in shall be considered to be present and are requested to mute their microphones and only unmute when they are recognised to speak. This is because the mics are sensitive and will pick up any noise which might disturb the attention of other members. Hon members, when you are recognised to speak, please unmute your microphone and connect your video.
Members may make use of the icons on the bar at the bottom of their gadgets or at the top right of their gadget, depending on what type of a gadget you are using, which has an option that allows you to put up your hand to raise a point of order or if you have an intention to raise a point of order. The
Secretariat will assist in alerting the Acting Chairperson, which is myself, for members who are requesting to speak. When using a virtual system, members are urged to refrain and desist from unnecessary point of orders or interjections. Lastly, hon members, as house-keeping matters, I wish to remind you that, we are meeting in a mini-plenary session, and therefore, any decision will be taken in a full plenary session of the Assembly if need arises. Hon members, the first Subject for Discussion is on the Order Paper. It is the Subject for Discussion in the name of hon B S Yabo on the
following topic: Addressing inequality to advance the socioeconomic rights of all and leave no one behind.
ADDRESSING INEQUALITY TO ADVANCE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS OF ALL AND LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND
(Subject for Discussion)
Mr B S YABO: Thank you very much, House Chair. Let me greet everyone on the platform. Yesterday we celebrated Africa Day, commemorating 59 years since the organisation of the African Union was established in 1963. The Continent of Africa has travelled a long journey since the independence of Ghana from British colonialism in 1957, since then, country after country in Africa freed itself from colonial rule, including South Africa which attained its political freedom in 1994. The question then records, how far have we traversed from the embryonal state of flagging democracy to eradicating what has come to being known as the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment today? To respond to that question, we must give an account of the development of our country to the lenses of historical materialism. In 1652, the first European merchants and traders arrived in our shawls, with them, a colonial system of the oppression of the mythos was established and grew from strength to strength. The legacy of colonial expansion excluded a majority of Africans for exercising their socioeconomic rights and access to equal opportunities.
This has resulted in deep levels of poverty and inequality in our society. One of the pillars of the democratic South Africa, is addressing the injustices of the past. Though the democratic government has made strides in improving the conditions of living in many South Africans, the levels of
inequality in our country has grown over the years, which shows the structural exclusion of black people and ...
[Inaudible.] The global measure of the gap between the haves and have nots, known as the gecko efficia, has grown to be the highest out of 164 sovereign countries.
The top 10% of the population in South Africa, holds 80,6% of financial assets, comparatively, the figures are 61,2% for Botswana and 65,5% for Namibia. Many households in the bottom 10% have almost none assets, and survive largely on transfers from other households or social security. The levels of
unemployment amongst the youth are harbouring at a staggering 66,5%. According to the fourth quarter of labour report, 2021,
an urgent paradigm shift is required to turn the tide of the results of over 340 years of colonial conquest around, no one must be left behind. Leaving no one behind means, the state should empower the marginalised for self-liberation. Our Constitution enshrines, the socioeconomic rights of all
South Africans, and places the whole responsibility on the government to undertake reasonable measures to realise. For all South Africans to enjoy their economic rights, the state should empower the marginalised to meaningfully participate in the economy. The state should deploy a state capital
meaningfully and deliberately to shrink the inequality gap. It is this imperative that has ensured that the ANC government, places education as an apex priority and provides a safety net to eradicate poverty and ameliorate other deprivations. While the ANC government has created a conducive environment
to commerce, to be undertaken at ease, the role of the private sector cannot be understated in the creation of jobs. However, for most government and the private sector, we need to have a,more symbiotic relationship towards the achievement of what
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may seem to be diverge and boost. Transformative policies need
to be supported and implemented where capital both public and
private is deployed for the reduction of inequality.
Inequality must be dealt with in whatever form it rears it
fit.
To eradicate poverty and inequality, the ANC government has
placed education as an apex priority as stated earlier, to
increase the level of literacy in our country and to enable
South Africans to acquire diverse skills which will enable
them to be part of the productive forces of the economy. To
leave no one behind, the ANC government has ensured that it
realises the call of the Freedom Charter of opening the doors
of learning and culture. Free basic education and free higher
education are a humongous progress in removing variants to
learning.
Many families have seen their children grow up to attain
higher education qualifications despite destitute conditions
they come from. Today, that graduate, would assist her or his
siblings to focus on education, and provide support in his or
her household, or his or her own life. Hon members and hon
House Chair, these success stories have become a norm in our
society. We are empowering people for self-liberation. Their
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impact on addressing inequality and poverty will likely
behind. We need to break the circle of inequality which will
require a country to equalise opportunities and reduce the
disadvantages that people face because of their circumstances
at best.
It is for this reason, that we continue to call for the
expansion of higher education, to create spaces for the youth
who are not in employment or training. Gone are the days when
access to educational opportunities was a privilege for the
few, but has become a true public good for all. We must review
a culture where in our society it becomes through knowledge
that we will be able to develop solutions to the complex
challenges facing our nation. Our economy has a lot of
structural barriers which has enable vast informal economic
sectors to go and thrive.
However, the limitation to informal economic participants, is
their inability to access financial institutions, and the lack
of recognition of a formal skills attainment. This is due to
high transactional costs detriment to a lack of integrations
of the informal sector to the mainstream economy. The
financial sector needs to device new products and criteria to
help buttress the informal sector which will in turn, bore
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growth in those informal businesses gradually, graduating a
number of them into a formal economy which will have positive
still offer for sale, OFS, in the creation of jobs.
House Chair, it is important for us to realise today that, a
stable country where peace strives, is important for an
economy to grow, and it is important for investments to
happen. Violence has become a rising problem or phenomenon in
our society that hinders the socioeconomic rights of South
Africa. The increase in gender-based violence and femicide,
and the discrimination against women, people with disabilities
and discrimination against people with different sexual
orientation, flags how people that are disadvantaged can be
treated equally, taking away their human rights. This
increase, ... [Interjections.]
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Just one second, hon
Dikgale, please mute your mic. You may proceed and wrap up,
hon member. Over to you.
Mr B S YABO: Thank you very much, hon House Chair.
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The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Thank you very much,
hon Yabo, of the ANC. Now I recognise hon De Villiers of the
DA. Over to you, hon member.
Mr J N DE VILLIERS: Thank you, Chair. Chairperson, in the
famous fable about the frog and the scorpion, the scorpion
asks a frog to please carry him across a river. The frog looks
shock at the scorpion and said, that’s absolute idea, I can’t
carry you over the river. You will just sign me halfway and I
will drown.
The scorpion counter, no dear frog I will not stung you
halfway across a river because if I stung you, we will both
drown. The frog thought about this from minute and agree. And
so, the scorpion climb into its back and they started to cross
the river.
Now, as the story goes halfway across the river the scorpion
did exactly what it said it will not do. It stung the frog. As
the frog realised it was to return to the scorpion and said,
why did you do that and the scorpion just look at the frog and
said, it’s in my nature.
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Chairperson, in 1994 South Africa found itself on one side of
a river. It was the side of inequality, poverty and
unemployment and general socioeconomic injustice. On the other
side of the river is still the land of socioeconomic equality
where South Africans would have equal opportunity to rise to
the fullest potential. This is the side of the river where the
new South Africa to wanted to find itself.
But to get to that destination just like a frog we had to
cross a river vast and dangerous. And for this we needed a
captain that should direct our efforts to cross the river. To
get to our destination the captain and skipper had to see our
country in a way that growth the economy, creates jobs, build
hostels, schools, roads, dams and importantly, keeps lights
on.
The captain and skipper has to both embrace business as a
partner but also stand in the state ability to look after
those vulnerable members of society who cannot look after
themselves.
So, in 1994, the ANC turned towards voters and said, we are
the captain, the skipper that can get our country across the
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river. And so in 1994 South Africa trusted the ANC to get us
cross the river.
Chairperson, it goes without saying the ANC has failed to get
us across the river. In the last 30 years, every time South
Africans has trusted the ANC to get us across the river, there
are stingless just like the scorpion. These things are too
many to list. But they all carried the same poison, the poison
of corruption. As our country or stung a thousand fails for
almost 30 years we will paralyse in our efforts and drafted
back to the shore of rising inequality, poverty and
unemployment.
Chair, the difference between the scorpion and the ANC is,
unlike the scorpion the ANC cannot admit why it is killing us
because is still wants us trust them. The untenable prove
however that the nature of the organisation is corrupt, it is
deeply embedded organisation culture. Nothing else than this
culture of corruption will vividly than the theft of Covid
relief funding after the President promised it will never
happen.
In the darkest hour of our country’s desperate need for Covid
assistance the scorpion stingless because that is its nature
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which brings us to today, Chair, as we will trust over after
Covid pandemic and we see inflation running wild on the back
of the Ukraine War. Winter is upon our river. The next few
years will not be easier, the river will get wider and it will
get tough to swim or drown.
In 2024, the ANC will again turn to water and say we cannot
get across the river. Madam Speaker, we have been stunned too
many times and in 2024 we will turn against the ANC as a
country and say, you cannot get us across the river because
you will sting us, it is in your nature.
Ms J HERMANS: Thank you very much, hon House Chair, hon
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, hon members and fellow South
Africans, as we celebrate Africa Month we are reminded of the
difficulties of our forebears to overcome and then since they
encountered from foreign powers that had much to gain from
exploiting division on the continent. We can hear from the
power of perseverance, sacrifice and dedication. And that an
Africa United can overcome the greatest challenges.
We mark this Africa Month under the shadow of Covid-19 and the
real impact of climate change on our lives and livelihoods.
The extreme of the events highlight the importance of
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mitigating the effect of climate change. We must be more
systematic in how we plan for and mange impact for climate
change on our people and the economy.
The floods in KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Eastern Cape had
shown us how vulnerable the poor are. This calls on us to
double our efforts in transforming our economy and making it
more inclusive for all South Africans. The process of
structural transformation requires our economy to move from
low productivity to higher productivity and in the process
ensure high value in the activities. We need this to develop
our country. We have however not made significance progress in
transforming our economy.
South Africa has made some serious mistakes of
deindustrialising prematurely. At the same time our economy
remains highly concentrated and unequal. Some of the
structural constraints that continue to reproduce our
challenges include, amongst others, the lack of coherence
between our skills development policy and our industrial
policy, which means that firms turn to privatise the necessary
raining with public provision which implies a bias against
smaller firms.
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According to the Competition Commission latest report on
measuring the concentration and participation in the South
African economy, the number of large firms’ have grown by an
average of 9% from 2012 to 2016. This indicates that there is
a poor survival rate of SMMEs in our economy. Yet there are
key creative of jobs and without the increase participation,
we may not be able to effectively liberate our people from the
clutches of poverty and joblessness. The effectiveness of
addressing high levels of concentration and low levels of
participation in the economy extends beyond the Competition
Commission to all areas of government and civil society.
Regulatory frameworks, licensing processes and procurement
across government directly impacted freedom of ownership and
opportunities for effective participation in the economy,
which will ultimately impact on situation.
Some proactive interventions are achievable to Competition
Commission ability to undertake marketing enquiries. The
Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan by the reimagine
industrial strategy and places emphasis on master plan as key
drivers to attract investment local industries and create
jobs.
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Localisation has been a key component of the ANC’s economic
policy to build and protect local industrial capacity. Some
dictators have attempted to accused the ANC-led government of
nationalism and protectionism. The sector of economic
condition dictates that our national interest must reside all
others. Many of the world largest economies including the
United State, China, India and countries in the European Union
are doing the same and they are actively protecting and
promoting the domestic firms.
The ANC–led government industrialisation and localisation
powers is aimed at developing, upgrading and is funding
production to supply both domestic and private markets,
promoting employment growth and supporting wider economic
development and transformation.
In response to the recommended retail price, RRP, the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is placing great
emphasis on an integrated approach across the interventions to
driving industrialisation that support economic recovery. This
approach incorporates Industry Master Plan that target key
sectors that are drivers of economic growth and job creation.
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To datre, six Industries Master Plan in the automotive,
poultry, sugar, furniture, steel, textiles and clothing
sectors have been completed and the implementation is in
different phases.
Work is currently being done to finalise the Plastic and
Chemicals Master Plan. In conjunction with the master plan,
the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition offers
industrial financing support in the form of grants loans and
tax allowances to the manufacturing sector.
The support measures include grants offered to the agro-
processing and automotive sectors to black industrialist. This
is targeted increasing productive capacity employment,
competitiveness and transformation. In addition, concretionary
funding is being offered by the Industrial Development
Corporation, IDC, to manage manufacturing businesses to
sustain existing jobs and improve productive capacity.
This support is to provide relieve to businesses that have
been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the unrest that
occurred in July 2021 as well as to accelerate the economic
recovery in the country.
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SEZs are an important element of reigniting manufacturing-led
industrialisation in an accelerated manner in giving effect to
the District Development Model.
A new SEZ approach has been developed to ensure proper co-
ordination and management of SEZ. SEZ create a sustainable
environment for foreign and domestic direct investment and
both sector industry to which how the South African economy to
develop strategic industry capabilities.
They serve as a key programme underpinning Spatial Integrated
Industrial Development particularly in the context of
unlocking or optimising South Africa’s comparative and
competitive advantages. Dividing industrial parks is to
promote the decentralisation of industrialisation to the less
economic activity like an area such as townships and senior
rural areas.
The revitalisation programme is made to promote, to improve
industrial infrastructure which has aged and vandalised.
The South African Township Economy is estimated at
R100 billion. And it is therefore essential that industrial
parks be the catalyst for the township and rural economy. Work
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is currently underway with provincial government to attract
investors to sit in these parks and create jobs. To date,
R717 million has been approved through the Department of
Trade, Industry and Competition, is critical infrastructure
programme fund for the revitalisation of set of industrial
parks in seven provinces.
In conclusion, inequality and poverty remains a threat to the
stability of our country and we owe to address as a matter of
urgency. It is only through structural reform that we will be
able to dissolve the structural challenges that continue to
reproduce themselves. We call on all patriotic South Africans
to support the effect of government to transform the economy
in the interest of our nation. I thank you.
Ms S A BUTHELEZI: House Chair, kindly allow me to not activate
my camera due to having an unstable connection. [Inaudible]
... upon us to improve the quality of lives of all citizens
and free the potential of each person. Our country is founded
on among others, the values of human dignity, the achievement
of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.
Our blueprint for our preferred future, the National
Development Plan aims to eliminate poverty and reduce
inequality by 2030.
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in particular
Goal 10 further entreat us both as a nation state and a member
of the global community, to reduce inequality within and
amongst countries. Yes, South Africa faces an uphill battle.
Even before the ravages of COVID-19, the July 2021 unrest and
the recent widespread flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the
Eastern Cape, South Africa was ranked according to the World
Population Review as the ... [Interjections.]
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): No, no, one second
hon Buthelezi. Hon members, those who have their microphones
on, may you please mute yourselves. You are disturbing the
proceedings; I will come back to the EFF. Proceed hon member
Buthelezi.
Ms S A BUTHELEZI: Thank you House Chair. Even before the
ravages of COVID-19, the July 2021 unrest and the recent
widespread flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape,
South Africa was ranked according to the World Population
Review as the country with the lowest level of income equality
in the world. We had a Gini coefficient of 63,0 when last
measured in 2014. This means that the richest 10% holds 71% of
the wealth, whilst the poorest 60% holds just 7% of the
wealth. Additionally, more than half of South Africa’s
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population lives in poverty. What must be done so as to leave
no one behind?
According to the architects of the National Development Plan,
NDP, the future we must construct is one where no person lives
in poverty, and where together we deal decisively to root out
the deep inequality that we have inherited. The IFP as
servants of the people are committed to this vision and to
building a just prosperous and moral society, whose citizens
engage with each other on the basis of
IsiXhosa:
...Ubuntu (humanity), ...
Sesotho
... Botho.
As the IFP we know that what is needed and will lead by
example where we govern. As the IFP we know what is - pardon
me, my phone rang, I apologise Chair. We need a government
that is accountable to the people and that serves with
integrity. We need a government that delivers basic services,
create sustainable jobs, provides quality education and
supplies accessible health care. Instead, we have a government
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that is rotten to the core. If you need evidence of that, just
read the Zondo Commission Report, which revealed the wide
scale theft and corruption perpetrated by leaders and
officials in positions of authority.
Not only did they betray the very people who placed their
trust in them, not only did they steal billions of rand from
the public purse, but hundreds of millions were then spent to
uncover all these atrocities. Surely hundreds of millions more
will be needed to attempt to bring those criminals to justice.
Corruption is the true companion of inequality and poverty.
Where could South Africa have been if all those stolen monies
have been directed towards uplifting those trapped in the
cycle of poverty? As we look to 2030, let us commit to
remaining vigilant as Members of Parliament and public
representatives across all spheres of government ...
[Inaudible] ... [Time expired.]
Dr W J BOSHOFF: Hon House Chair, maybe one should look at the
phenomenon of inequality from a fundamental perspective. The
idea of equality among human beings is one which sets free a
vast amount of potential. In an unequal society, where one’s
prospects are dependent on one’s station in life, the serf who
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happens to be a genius in mathematics, would possibly pass
life as an awkward soul, out of touch with real life.
However, the basic inequality of humans pervaded social
relations for millennia. As soon as wealth entered a culture,
social stratification emerged, with inequality soon perceived
as ordained by divine will. In many cultures it was akin to
sacrilege to attempt to improve one’s status. In fact, the
inequality of a new born child to his or her parents is a
fundamental reality. Parents should attempt to bring up their
children to not only become their equals, but even to surpass
them by making more opportunities available than them
themselves had. Of course, that does not always happen, as
opportunities represent an invitation and not a guarantee.
Then of course, people are endowed with different abilities.
An excellent chemistry professor may be a hopeless pharmacist.
Someone who mastered animal husbandry, may be awful at
business and therefore not a good farmer.
Success is dependent on the wisdom to know oneself and the
ability to manage one’s abilities, weaknesses and interests.
One person may measure success in money, another in the
happiness of family life, and another in professional
accolades. What equality exactly means against that background
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is not easy to determine. Economic relation is a function of
cultural values, beliefs and practices. It goes without saying
that to be socially successful in a foreign cultural
framework, is difficult. It is less obvious that the economic
success has the same impediments.
In the Bible, the story of exile by the Babylonians
illustrates this. Those Judeans deemed equal to the task,
could study at the king’s court. The invitation was clear, lay
down your own, and acquire the Babylonian identity, then you
can advance to any position within your ability. Daniel and
his friends succeeded in adding the dominant identity, without
losing their own.
Fast forward to the twentieth century. Western colonialism had
long dominated social and economic systems all over the world.
Subordinate peoples and countries had to liberate themselves
from a mental and economic Western stranglehold. Oriental
nations were first to beat the West at its own game and its
own rules, by framing themselves as competitors rather than
victims. Arabian countries did the same, using oil as a
foundation to build service economies. After the Anglo Boer
War Afrikaners had the same choice. Those who could, could
enter society, as long as they would don an English cloak over
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their Afrikaans rags. Some accepted, but many declined and
created an own Afrikaans society, in order not to leave some
behind.
Charterist and Pan Africanist ideologists made the opposite
decision. Colonial languages were embraced to facilitate
liberation, and African languages were perceived as a medium
for divide and rule. Upward mobility implied aspiring to a
foreign identity and downplaying their own. Twice the victim!
Therefore, economic growth without benefit to all. At present,
socioeconomic inequality prevails, not despite the
government’s best efforts, but as a consequence of it. I thank
you.
Mr S N SWART: House Chair, the ACDP would like to first wish
all Christians a blessed and happy Ascension Day today. We
welcome this topic for discussion, given increased levels of
unemployment, inequality, and poverty in society. Despite the
fact that South Africa is a net exporter of food, there are
roughly 6 million people in the country who do not have enough
food to eat. What is even more alarming being that, many
people, including children, are dying from malnutrition. While
acknowledging the sterling work that many churches and other
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civil organisations are doing to alleviate this shocking state
of affairs, more can and must be done in this regard.
However, the country has an arguably one of the most developed
social protection systems among middle income economies
globally, this is to help the poorest of the poor. The levels
of income inequality would have been even higher in the
absence of this social protection system. The temporary
extension of the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress
Grant, though minimal, was widely welcomed as it brought a
small measure of relief to the poorest of the poor.
Unfortunately, as the need increases, increasing the social
protection system, though very necessary becomes unsustainable
over the long-term.
The ACDP believes that it is only through sustained economic
growth, that we can create enough jobs to reduce poverty and
inequality. Sadly, the country has experienced more than a
decade of economic stagnation due to poor policy choices,
state capture and corruption. The economy has further been
severely impacted by the COVID-19 hard lockdown, last July’s
rioting, and more recently the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and
other provinces. State capture and corruption has lowered our
economic growth potential, made the country fiscally more
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vulnerable, and severely weakened the capability of the
country. It has discouraged investment, both foreign and
domestic.
All these issues have contributed to high levels of
unemployment and inequality. This can result in tremendous
social problems, and holds the potential for political
instability and economic stability, as we saw last year.
The ...[Inaudible] ... into the riots found that, poorly
rolled out service delivery and unacceptable living
conditions, the state of the economy, and persistent levels of
poverty served to provide the ripe environment to light the
tinder box that was the incarceration of former president
Zuma, that led to many poor and desperate people joining in
the looting, alongside those more calculating in their
objectives and motivation.
This is a clear warning sign to all of us that, unless the
persistent high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality
are dealt with decisively, last year’s riots could repeat
themselves. What is required is a concerted effort by
government and the private sector to partner in much needed
jobs. Government infrastructure, power, roads, rails, harbours
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and the private sector are ... [Inaudible] ... investment.
Together we can and must do more. I thank you House Chair.
Afrikaans:
Me G OPPERMAN: Werkloosheid is die hoof oorsaak van armoede en
het van 6,1 miljoen na 9,3 miljoen gestyg in die Zuma-era,
maar knap voor die COVID-19 pandemie het die werkloosheidsyfer
onder President Ramaphosa na 10,4 miljoen gestyg. Hongersnood
het verdubbel tydens die staat van inperking. Te midde die
grendelstaat periode, het ons verneem dat kaders kospakkies
steel terwyl die kinders van Peddie in die Oos-Kaap wilde
veldplante eet om hongerpyne te stil.
’n Week gelede is dit onthul dat kinders in Matikwe sand eet
van hongerte, maar oor die R22 miljoen se vlag word dit gelag.
Gaan kyk nou in Calvinia in die Noord-Kaap hoe kinders op die
asgate rondkrap vir kos en loop sien in die diamantvelde van
die Richtersveld hoedat ... [Onhoorbaar.] ... geëet word net
om vol te voel. Dan praat ons van niemand agterlos nie.
Het ons almal hier dan vergeet hoe droë brood en suikerwater
en slap mieliemeel pap sonder sout smaak? Wel, 10 miljoen
Suid-Afrikaners het nie. Hulle onthou elke dag terwyl hulle op
daardie R350 wag en die ergste hongersnood in 28 jaar ervaar.
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Volgende jaar sal 18,9 miljoen mense afhanklik van
maatskaplike toelaes wees en vanaand gaan een uit elke vier
mense honger slaap. So, hoera vir Suid-Afrika! Ons is ’n slag
nommer een uit 164 lande vir die mees-ongelyke land ter
wêreld. Twalf miljoen Suid-Afrikaners is ondervoed en
13,7 miljoen het nie toegang tot voedsame kos nie. Hierdie
amptelike statistieke sal egter nooit die geleefde realiteit
van armoede, hongersnood en die daaglikse stryd om oorlewing
kan verwoord nie. Dit is toe nie ’n beter lewe vir almal nie,
maar ’n bitter lewe van mislukte geleenthede, verpletterde
drome en vermorsde potensiaal, want hierdie onbevoegde staat
is ryk aan beleid maar arm in uitvoering.
Die COVID-19 pandemie het slegs die swak ekonomiese toestand
van ons land kom blootlê. Ons spandeer meer as wat ons kan
bekostig en die ekonomiese groeikoers is al vir meer as ’n
dekade laer as ’n Minora lemmetjie.
Die hoof redes waarom die gaping tussen die wat het en die wat
nie het nie vergroot is ’n kwart eeu van onvoldoende groei, ’n
onbevoegde regering wat na 30 jaar totaal vasgevang sit in
apartheidsnalatenskap, wat boonop vererger is deur ’n dekade
van staatskaping, kader-ontplooiing, ’n oor-invloedryke
vakbondsektor en ’n geweldige vaardigheidstekort.
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Daar is ... [Onhoorbaar.] ... een ding nodig om hierdie
ongelykhede aan te spreek nie. Die DA het vier vinnige
voorstelle. Lok meer kapitaal na die ... [Onhoorbaar.] ...
ekonomie waar welvaart geskep word eerder as herverdeel word;
besnoei die staat se loonrekening drasties; desentraliseer
magte en dienste, insluitende vervoer, elektrisiteit en
polisiëring; en skort beswarende arbeidswetgewing op wat dit
moeilik maak om mense aan te stel.
Ons benodig nie onvolhoubare hand-tot-mond informele werk nie.
Ons benodig die soort groei wat op alle vlakke ervaar word.
Eers dan kan ons praat van niemand agterlaat nie. Ek dank u.
English:
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Thank you, hon
member. I now recognise hon Shaik Emam of the NFP.
[Interjections.] Is there a point of order? I don’t see a hand
on the platform.
Mr M K MONTWEDI: It’s the EFF, Chair. You called here but I
had connection problems.
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The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Okay, but next time
you must raise your hand so that I can recognise you. Allow me
to ...
Mr M K MONTWEDI: Thank you very much, Chair.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Okay, we will come
back to you because I’ve already called on hon Shaik Emam of
the NFP. You will follow him.
Mr M K MONTWEDI: Okay, Chair.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Hon Shaik Emam?
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Thank for that, House Chair. I’m about to
speak on the other side as well. Let me start off by talking
about the issue of advancing the socioeconomic rights of all
our people. Yes, indeed, if you look at the socioeconomic
conditions ... [No audio]
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): I suspect that you
are frozen, hon member. Hon Shaik Emam?
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Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: ... not talking about any one particular
political party. Wherever ... [No audio] Yes, even in KwaZulu-
Natal for that matter. I’ll give you a good example of
Nongoma. Why do people have to walk seven kilometres for
water? So, the socioeconomic conditions that our people live
under are as a result of the leadership that they choose.
Now, what is the requirements for leadership? ... should be
ethical, ... should have high levels of morals, passion and
commitment. Is that what we really look for in them? No! Our
communities are so vulnerable that when politicians and
political parties go out there, exploit the situation and
manipulate them into ... [Inaudible.] ... by of course
providing food parcels once in five years. That’s what
motivates these people, with the hope and prayer that one day
their lives will change.
So, if we want to change the socioeconomic conditions under
which our people live, I think the first requirement is to
ensure that you identify ethical leaders that will be able to
lead you and take you forward.
Now, the question that we need to ask again is the following.
Why is it that in the entire Africa we are going backwards? I
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gave some examples yesterday in the debate on Africa Day,
where the African continent will only be able to provide
enough ... 13% of the food needs of its countries, yet you
have 40% of the arable land in the world and you have 30% of
all the minerals in the world. Why is it so? It is because we
on the African continent tend to be selfish. We will enrich
ourselves rather than enrich the nation at large. It’s not
about the nation. It’s about self-interest. It’s about power.
It’s about control. Are you asking me to leave, Chairperson?
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): No, I will tell you
...
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Chairperson, are you asking ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Please try to wrap
up. You are left with 30 seconds.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Alright. In order to improve the quality of
life of our people and to bridge that gap, I think we need to
provide quality education. In order to provide quality
education, we need to have conducive learning areas, like
schools and the infrastructure and things, which we are having
great difficulty with.
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So, I think what we need is a holistic approach to address the
challenges that the people face on the ground, and let us
leave the issues of race and religion out of these things.
There are ... challenges all over the country but all over the
world. My plea is, let us come together in the interest of the
people we serve. Thank you very much.
Mr M K MONTWEDI: Hon Chair, we are aware of the mandate of the
Perishable Products Export ... [Inaudible.]
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Hon member, one
minute. Are you seeking permission not to switch on your video
or are you still going to switch it on?
Mr M K MONTWEDI: Oh, my apologies, Chair. The network where I
am is very bad. I am seeking permission to not switch on my
video.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Permission granted,
okay.
Mr M K MONTWEDI; Thank you very much, Chair. We are aware of
the mandate of the Perishable Products Export Control Board to
conduct food safety audits and inspections in terms of
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Agricultural Product Standards Act on all food business
operators exporting perishable products of ... [Inaudible.]
... origin. Despite that, it is a self-funded company and does
not receive a parliamentary grant but generates its own
revenue through fees and levies charged. It has generated a
total revenue of R487 million during the period. It is the
only entity of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development that has maintained clean audit outcomes for
more than 13 successive years. Its work is commendable and we
encourage the entity to continue with its good work.
Also, on District Six ... because ... Chair ... is that this
year marks the 56th anniversary of District Six being declared
a white’s only area under the apartheid Group Areas Act. This
must be the very last and final year in which Parliament shall
have a debate about a yet to be completed process of bringing
our people back to the land which rightfully belongs to them.
There is excitement about the settlement of all District Six
land claims and celebration of the completed units. Frankly,
as shown below, it took years to get to where the process is
and there are still people waiting for houses to return to
District Six.
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The return of land victims and descendants of people who were
forcibly removed from the only place they called home in
District Six is long overdue. This is ... almost two decades
of waiting. Whilst the settlement of old claims is noted and
appreciated, it is the finalisation of District Six that we
are concerned about. District Six is not finalised. It was
reported that 954 residential complexes for the remaining old-
order claims will be developed in ... [Inaudible.] ... Bills.
That too must be finalised. The delay in the finalising of
District Six, as shown in the committee report, resulted in
extending the completion date from the end of 2023, with an
estimated cost of R1,5 billion. That too must be finalised.
Now, let’s cut this unnecessary extension and ensure that the
people occupy the land and houses built for them, and restore
their sense of pride and dignity. The EFF supports ... [no
audio] Thank you, Chair.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): Oh, you are done.
Thank you very much, hon member. Hon member of the EFF, I’m
not sure whether it was deliberate. It seems that you were
talking on the issue of agriculture. However, I decided to
allow you because you can opt to speak on any subject matter,
not specifically on the motion before us. With that hon
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members, we shall proceed. I recognise hon Hendricks of Al
Jama-ah. Over to you, member. Hon Hendricks? It seems as if
hon Hendricks is not on the platform. We shall proceed. I
recognise hon Tseki of the ANC.
Mr M A TSEKI: Good afternoon House Chairperson, I am not sure
whether comrade Yabo has finished his minutes? I thought there
was one minute that was left, House Chair, can you clarify
that as I continue?
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma): No, there was zero-
minute left.
Mr M A TSEKI: House Chairperson and the House, one stand here
today as an African, and recognise Africa Month as a
propellant for us to lead transformation. Africa Day was
celebrated yesterday to validate that we as Africans are
humans again. We say this against the onslaught of apartheid-
colonialism.
When we say land and human are creators of wealth, we mean of
an urgent need for South Africans to have access to land. To
develop their economic social standing in a society.
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House Chair, let me just brush on what some of the opposition
parties have said. And Mr De Villiers is correct about the
scorpion and the frog scenario. When settlers came here they
found as frogs and they were scorpions. They found peaceful
and they pretended to be peaceful. And, then they clamp on our
heads and our shoulders. But, at the end they sting us to
death and took us our land.
Mr Boshoff says the wisdom in cultural believes, are the
creators of wealth, that is also a myth that is concentrated
to also white superiority. And also Ms Opperman, I think at
least I could say to her, that she has recognise that
apartheid has created a legacy but she only realise now,
during COVID-19 and state capture that, that legacy has
actually exacerbated the imbalances of society in South
Africa.
Hon members, leaving one behind means that we need to empower
and protect the most vulnerable citizens in our society. We
should grow in solidarity not in welfarism. We must understand
inequality from the multidimensional aspect. It is
multidimensional because people experience different
deprivation of poverty, unemployment and criminality.
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The National Development Plan is a vision that has been
supported by various social partners including the opposition
parties in this House, which is a significant commitment. The
National Development Plan commits all of us to contribute to
the eradication of inequality in our country.
It is for this reason that the ANC government has placed
comprehensive social security system to protect the poor and
the most vulnerable. The comprehensive social system also
recognise that we empower people to be economically active,
hence it is comprehensive to respond to the multidimensional
aspect of ensuring the wellbeing of all.
For those in labour which is workers, we recognise that job
security is a concern and also that it will arise one day. In
this regard the ANC-led government has ensured that
Unemployment Insurance Fund exist to protect those that will
lose their jobs. Also the Department of Employment and Labour
has developed programmes for the job seekers to register into
the Department of Employment and Labour system for them not to
travel long distances and save their fares.
As the government of the people we should learn from COVID-19.
His Excellency, President Ramaphosa has urged the Department
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of Social Development and a broader society to have a meaning
discussions on consideration of the base income grant for
those who are between an age of 18 and 59, because currently
we are only covered by the social relief.
Recognising the current economic climate, we welcome the
social relief distress of R350 payment extension to March
2023. For it provides relief for the unemployed. Those who do
not understand the precarious state of unemployment, like Mr
De Villiers and Mr Boshoff. They will not understand; they
will always downplay the significant of this grant.
We know as a matter of fact that the R350 grants have enable
many South Africans to put food on theirs tables and assist in
searching for work opportunities, while others have begun
microenterprises.
All these positive outcomes demonstrate that our people yearn
to work and contribute to economic development of their
nation. The social assistant is currently covering
18,9 million South Africans. By these interventions government
to build a developmental state.
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House Chairperson, the Department of Social Development has an
automated access to National Student Financial Aid system. And
we should further integrate grants recipients to work
opportunities in the public and the private sector, like what
the Department of Employment and Labour has already initiated.
Our comprehensive social security should be underpinned by
developmental approach of self-liberation, of individuals and
communities.
Today our education system is being strengthened to improve
the learning outcomes to create more equitable opportunities
for all South Africans. The interventions to provide nutrition
meal and meals, schools transport, no fees schools and many
other support measures play an important role in making sure
we empower the poor not to be left behind.
A percentage of individual ... [Inaudible.] ... not have an
education, decreased from 11% in 2002 to 2,9% in 2020. While
those with at least a grade 12 qualification increased from
30% to 50% in the same period. This is what we call a tangible
progress.
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The ANC government spends 59% of its national budget on the
social wage to alleviate poverty. Hon members, the ANC is
committed to building a developmental state, which must take
reasonable measures ... [Inaudible.] ... to a trajectory of
inclusive growth and address the market concentration and
ensure that the equitable distribution income is realised.
Hon members and House Chairperson, the Bill of Rights entails
numerous rights which the democratic government should
progressively realize within its means.
In 1994 we begin a process of reconstruction and development
programme, which must be geared to change the living
conditions of our people through an expanding access to
electricity, which has distributed a spatially in a skew
manner. Today access to electricity has been expanded to rural
and far-flung areas. An increase in the percentage of
household that were connected to the electricity grid,
increased from 76% in 2002 to 90% in 2020, that’s a tangible
progress we are talking about.
The Housing project has created a shelter for millions of
South Africans and today we have evolved the programme into
human settlement programme. And, that has access to water,
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sanitation, road infrastructure, health facility, police
services and many other social services which enable the
creation of a better live and a protection the wellbeing.
The introduction of the National Health Insurance is another
key component of addressing inequality in our health system,
as only 13% of South Africans are on medical aid, leading to
unequal distribution of the resources of the National Health
Insurance, NHI, fund. With NHI fund we seek to create a single
pool fund which will purchase health services and it will also
lead to the realisation of the universal health care coverage
in South Africa. House Chairperson, a healthy nation is a
wealthy nation, and this a right that we should protect.
The ... [Inaudible.] ...climate change disaster and occurrence
of pandemics which are predicted to be prevalent in future. We
will have to build a climate change resilient infrastructure
and undertake mitigation measures to weaken the potential
negative impacts of climate change.
In pursuance of this social development intervention, House
Chairperson, our objectives and mission is transform the
structural economic system, our country has experienced since
the globalisation of capitalism.
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We commit not in words but in actions. From birth to
university a child from a poor community is catered for by
this interventionist government.
Xitsonga:
Hi khensile ngopfu ...
Setswana:
... Modulastulo.
Mr M J CUTHBERT: House Chair, I really wish that the ANC
Whippery would send someone out better than one fit for the
beating, but nonetheless let’s get on with the debate.
According to the World Bank, South Africa is the most unequal
country in the world with the Gini coefficient of 0,63 which
we have heard ad nauseam in this particular debate. Noting
that a score of zero refers to absolute equality and a score
of one refers to absolute inequality.
Since the bank started assessing South Africa’s performance in
1993, where we registered a coefficient of 0,593, it has
steadily increased by 0,037 points. As ... [Inaudible.] ... as
this sounds, South Africa has become more unequal under the
democratic dispensation than it was at the end of apartheid.
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This has occurred despite the ANC having pursued ...
[Inaudible.] ... distributed economic policies. Concurrent to
this steep increase in inequality, is been a shock decrease in
our Gross Domestic Product per capita.
According to Statistics SA and the local publication Business
Tech, while South Africa may have largely avoided headline GDP
decline over the years of economic venture, prior to the
pandemic, on per capita basis, citizens have been getting
poorer. This means that economic growth is struggling to keep
up with population growth as GDP per capita decreased in 2020
to a level last seen in 2005. So, consider both of these
metrics together and you will realise that the same government
which prefers to fight against the triple challenges of
inequality, poverty and unemployment has made our citizens -
regardless of race - most considerably more unequal and
substantially poorer.
In these types of debates, there has never a moment of honest
reflection from the governing party benches, to the role they
have played in leading us towards the proverbial cliff.
Instead we will hear how settlers, minorities, capitalism, the
global laws, immigrants, viruses and every other imaginable
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excuse under the sun, are responsible for the omnishambles we
find ourselves in.
There is no country in the world that has achieved high levels
of socioeconomic development without generating sustainable
levels of economic growth first. Yet, the ANC are intent on
splitting the existing par in a hope that it will solve the
stubbornly high levels of inequality that persist. Simply put,
this requires a lot more than redistribution of taxes
collected from an ever shrinking tax purse.
It requires a steadfast commitment to key reforms such as
cheap and reliable energy supply, investment in new and the
maintenance of existing infrastructure, access to quality ...
[Inaudible.] ... higher education, prudent fiscal management
and market deregulation and trade promotion. The ...
[Inaudible.] ... of these reforms is no ways an attempt to ...
[Inaudible.] ... reduction ... [Inaudible.] ... . However, it
is well documented that this is the basic policy formula that
has been replicated time and time again to create a prosperous
society.
So my suggestion to the ANC members in this House, drop the
pretence, acknowledge your failures and embrace the reforms
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that are acquired. It is universally accepted that the only
way citizens can realise their socioeconomic rights, is
through a growing economy, and not feeble attempts to ...
[Inaudible.] ... the existing ... [Inaudible.] ... I thank
you, House Chair.
Mr B S YABO: House Chair, the track record of the ANC for
building a capable developmental state with a vision of
growing the economy, while ensuring equality ... [Inaudible.]
... the ANC remains the parliament of the people with the
pragmatic grasp of workable solutions. The ANC remains ...
[Inaudible.] ... because it has identified corruption as an
immediate impediment towards the eradication of poverty,
inequality and unemployment.
The ANC government is on course to dealing with the increasing
fraud, crime and corruption. This malice has resulted in many
citizens and entrepreneurs being negatively affected as
corrupt individuals in our society, whether being in the
private sector or the public sector, extort funds from them at
worst, hinder them from exercising their economic rights, thus
disadvantaging the economic participation of many at the grass
roots.
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The July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng has
displayed the negative impact of poverty, unemployment and
inequality on economic development, as economic activity was
disrupted and economic facilities destroyed because of the
desperation of the people. The recent unrest can only
demonstrate to us the urgency in which we need to prioritise
closing the inequality gap, eradicating poverty and creating
jobs. A further delay in addressing these triple challenges
together, will further put us on the ... [Inaudible.] ... of
unstable and uncertain footing for the future. Peace and
stability are a prerequisite for investment in any functional
and thriving economy.
Poverty and inequality do not breed social values as enshrined
in the Constitution, which respects the lives of all. Though
we cannot justify the level of destruction we witnessed, the
fact of the matter is that the triple challenges were a causal
factor, in one way or another in the unrest we witnessed. More
than 60% of the youth in our country are unemployed and this
youth ... [Inaudible.] ... is an immediate challenge for
stability in our country. We are on an unstable path as a
nation and to create a better future for all, we need to
empower the marginalised black majority.
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The ANC government needs to take bold decisions for the
future, to leap from this country’s economy into double digit
grow and start to create jobs. As a Philosopher, Jean-Jacques
Rousseau once said: “when the people shall have nothing more
to eat, they will eat the rich”. Maintaining the status quo
will not be of any benefit for all of us. A more equitable
distribution of per capita income ... [Inaudible.] ... is the
only logical way forward to create a peaceful and stable
country. I thank you, Chair.
Debate concluded
REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON PUBLIC
PROTECTOR REPORT (No 37 of 2018-19) ON A SYSTEMIC
INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF GOODS-
CARRYING TOYOTA QUANTUM PANEL VANS INTO PASSENGER-CARRYING
MINIBUS TAXIS TO TRANSPORT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR REWARD
Ms J HERMANS: Hon Acting House Chairperson, on 17 May 2019,
the Public Protector tabled a report on the systemic
investigation into the allegations of illegal conversions of
goods carrying Toyata Quantum panel vans into passenger-
carrying mini bus taxis to transport members of the public for
reward which was then referred to the Portfolio Committees on
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Transport and Trade, Industry and Competition for
consideration of the report.
The Public Protector’s investigation was conducted following a
complaint lodged by Mr Hennie De Beer on 9 March 2012, in both
his private capacity as well as in his representative capacity
of several taxi owners affected by the conversions of the
panel vans. Various other complaints regarding similar
conversions of Toyota Quantum Panel Vans into passenger-
carrying taxis were received during the Public Protector’s
National Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue in 2012 and various
provinces raised similar issues.
Taxi owners complained that their vehicles have been
impounded, or were declared to be unfit to carry passengers by
traffic authorities after it was established that the vehicles
could only be licensed to carry three passengers. In relation
to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s
entities, the Public Protector Report focused on the
following:
Whether the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications,
NRCS, in its official capacity as a National Regulator
responsible for the maintenance of compulsory specifications,
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failed to take effective and efficient steps to ensure that
all automotive manufacturers, importers and builders comply
with the compulsory specifications as envisaged by the
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act so as to
restrict the illegal conversions of these vehicles into
minibus taxis.
Whether the SA Bureau of Standards, Sabs conducted adequate
quality assurance tests when it was requested to do so by the
Department of Transport in 2009 so as to make a determination
of whether or not the Toyota Quantum Panel Vans that have been
illegally converted into minibus taxis could be retrofitted to
ensure the safety of commuters using these vehicles.
The Public Protector found out the: In terms of the issue
relating to the NRCS, it had failed to take effective and
efficient steps to ensure that all automotive manufacturers,
importers and builders complied with the compulsory
specifications as envisaged by the National Regulator for
Compulsory Specifications Act so as to restrict the illegal
conversions of these vehicles into minibus taxis.
In conclusion, this report was referred to the committee for
consideration and report and to determine whether the Minister
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had complied with the recommendations of the Public Protector
in this regard. I thank you Chair.
Mr C H H HUNGSINGER: Hon House Chairperson, the DA welcomes
the finality and release of this report which addressed the
issue of Toyota panel vans being converted into taxis. It is
most concerning that limited to no consideration was given to
several underlying aspects. Sadly, is the fact that we are
dealing with the majority stakeholder in the public transport
sector which requires the view of the DA far more remedial
action and recommendations to address this ongoing and
expanded risk. An ongoing risk because we cannot only have
over 300 000 taxis on South African roads.
This report confined its comments to a fraction of this
number. This report assumes 2 353 of converted taxis as
determined by the RTMC and the Department of Transport way
back in 2008. With this very selective approach the risk to
commuters and other road users is being downplayed and many
others severely exposed. The content of this report is ignored
to the expanded risk illegal conversions from freight carrying
panel vans to passenger-carrying mini bus taxis are not
limited to Toyota as converted in this report but also many
other vehicle makes.
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Most concerning is the fact that illegal conversions are also
not limited to public transport as a sector but also include
illegal conversions of ambulances, labour transportation of
vehicles and sight-seeing vehicles used in the tourism sector.
This ignorance by the Public Protector should be placed next
to the fact that the complaint was laid as far back as 2012.
From the DA’s perspective, it is no solution to ignore the
role of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
Act as the watchdog of the allegations homologations. Far more
needs to be done and we expect firm directives to improve the
system procedures and processes. Improve the alignment and
legislative amendment have sadly been ignored as part of the
remedial action offered in this report.
Not just the recommendations of the RTMC as the guidance of
the national administration traffic information system, NaTIS
under the Department of Transport is needed but improved
controls with upgraded responsibilities are needed. The
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act and the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition must act
accordingly following the recommendations by our DA
colleagues, a Portfolio Committee on Transport Subcommittee
was formed to extend on the limitations presented in this
report. This included interviews with the National Regulator
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for Compulsory Specifications, SABS and the Department of
Trade, Industry and Competition. The lack of controls is one
thing and the exploitation of unsuspecting and unsophisticated
buyers is something else.
In this process, huge financial gains have been made and
buyers have been deceived by well-known international brand
names and financiers. This is despite overarching agreement
like the Paris Conference and the Berne Agreement. A good
approach and remedial action to simply impound and scrap
vehicles is not fair ...
The ACTING CHAIPERSON (Ms R M M Lesoma:) Hon member, wait just
one second. Hon Msimang, just switch off your microphone. We
will highly appreciate that. Thank you, very much.
Mr C H H HUNGSINGER: ... to the unsuspecting and misled buyers
believing that it is a legal taxi. A business may be destroyed
as a result. How could one ever seen that it was fair to
impound a vehicle that someone has bought, not knowing that it
was an illegal conversion? How could it be acceptable to
replace a vehicle worth nearly half a million rand with
R129 000? Fair compensation is needed and yes, these vehicles
should be removed from the road. Some of which have been
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described as [Inaudible.] in the media. What should have been
addressed is the contravention of the principles of duty of
care, the regulatory failure and the failure of government’s
systems and the variety of exploitations which disappointingly
have not been addressed at all.
The problem also extends to the role of the Ombudsman consumer
protection, application of internationally safety regulations
and legal financing. All of which will not address at all. The
Office of the Public Protector has done its duty by delivering
this pocket size, 136 report but no satisfactory service has
been done to the industry, least of all to the people.
IsiXhosa:
Ndiyabulela ngexesha enindiphe lona.
English:
I thank you.
Mr M TSHWAKU: Hon Acting House Chairperson, the EFF notes and
welcomes the report from the Public Protector and the remedial
action that must take effect. These findings show a bad state
of the entities of the Department of Trade, Industry and
Competition. It was not surprising because for years, the
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Department of Transport lacks leadership because it has also
useless and incompetent Minister with talk but now show. It is
a very cursed and bewitched that the department finds itself
in.
These findings by the Public Protector also paint a bad
picture on the National Regulator for Compulsory
Specifications Act. You know, we must put this into context an
...
The ACTING CHAIPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Hon Tshwaku, my
apologies, hon Radebe, your hand is up.
Mr B A RADEBE: Hon Acting House Chairperson, on Point of
order: I am rising on Rule 84. In the past, the issue of
calling a Member of Parliament a witch was declared
unparliamental. Thank you, Chair.
The ACTING CHAIPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): I missed that one hon
Radebe. I will take counsel from the Table. Can you please
proceed hon Tshwaku?
Mr M TSHWAKU: Thank you very much Chair. It is clear that the
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications was advised
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by the vehicle manufacturers that the quantum panel vans were
not suitable for conversions into passenger-carrying vehicles.
They were advised. Now in the National Regulator for
Compulsory Specifications failed to stop that conversion and
the approval. The blame must be put at the door steps of the
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications and the heads
must roll.
These findings also paint a bad picture about the integrity of
SABS which is supposed to be controlling our standards.
Someone whispered to their ears but they also failed to act.
It also shows the state of the SABS because we all know that
the SABS has been put under administration. There is no
leadership and nothing is happening there. The department is
taking time to install a board. There is no board and SABS is
falling apart.
This era has affected the taxi industry negatively and we want
the department to make sure that the taxis are compliant.
There must no costs to the taxi bosses and the taxi industry
because the blame can be put squarely on the doorstep of the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the
Department of Transport.
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The involvement of the white monopoly capitalist banks, like
your ABSA, FNB and all other financial banks, I think Nedbank
is also involved, they agreed to finance illegal converted
vehicles. It must be put here on record. The banks have
colluded with these departments to ensure that they actually
financed these vehicles that they knew are not in good
condition. I would have wished that the Public Protector would
have found findings on these counter revolutionary racist
banks which ensure that they do not care about the safety of
our people. This is in particularly black people. It must be
put here on record.
We will ensure as the EFF, sitting in that committee that the
remedial actions are implemented and those who were actually
found to be negligent they face their music. Banks must also
take the responsibility for financing these illegal cars and
must not claim any payments from ordinary owners who have
actually bought these. We accept the remedial actions and we
propose that they have already been proposed by the Public
Protector. I thank you, Chairperson.
Prof C T MSIMANG: Hon Chairperson, arising from the Public
Protector’s investigation and subsequent report into the
conversion of goods-carrying Toyota Quantum panel vans into
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passenger-carrying minibus taxis to transport members of the
public for reward, and specifically whether the Minister had
complied with remedial actions determined by the Public
Protector, the IFP is of the position and opinion that
compliance with the findings of the Public Protector is
binding until set aside by a court on review. Therefore,
compliance in terms of remedial action is mandatory.
Initially, there appear to have some confusions as to which
entity such remedial action was directed to. After subsequent
intervention by the Department of Trade, Industry and
Competition in interactions with the Portfolio Committee On
DTIC, we agreed that despite lack of clarity by the findings
of the Public Protector, but in the spirit of co-operative
governance, its remedial action would be implemented.
The DTIC and the Minister facilitated the creation of the
memorandum of understanding that formalised the areas of co-
operation and collaboration between the National Regulator for
Compulsory Specifications, NRCS, and the SA Bureau of
Standards, SABS.
Chairperson, this is a good example of a solution-oriented
approach by the DTIC. Instead of challenging the remedial
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action determined by the Public Protector and thus delaying
attending to the problem, the DTIC and its entities involved
are now working towards formally structured memorandum of
understanding, MoU, and reset of areas of co-operation,
collaboration and information sharing. The IFP supports the
committee report. I thank you, hon House Chair.
Mr F J MULDER: Hon House Chair, the National Regulator for
Compulsory Specifications as an agency of the Department of
Trade, Industry and Competition has indeed an important role
to play in promoting public health and safety and
environmental protection and has failed to comply in this
instance. The mere fact that 2 353 illegally converted panel
vans have already been discovered in 2008 but were allowed to
transport passengers in South African roads as modified taxis
without adherence to standards and quality control, is
unfortunate. A large number of these taxes around the streets
are posing a serious threat to the wellbeing of South
Africans.
Chair, the FF Plus welcomes this remedial intervention. The
report of the Public Protector expresses its concern that it
took more than 12 years since the existence of this specific
vehicles were discovered to get to this stage of the
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intervention. Minister Ebrahim Patel should take urgent and
effective steps to harness and foster a better effective and
more efficient working relationship between the National
Regulator for Compulsory Specifications and the SA Bureau of
Standards. Thank you, Chair.
Mr S H MBUYANE: Chair, maybe the hon Malematja has some
challenges in terms of dealing with the report. Chair, the ANC
believe in a safe and protection of the South Africans as
these are continually embedded imperatives necessary for the
growth and transformation of our society.
As the ANC we plead with the intervention by the Depart of
Trade, Industry and Completion in responding to the remedial
action of the Public Protector regarding the illegal
conversion of minibus taxis. The SABS and NRCS are entitled
with the mandate to assist local industry production as part
of local products and protect the public from unsafe products
that may be placed in the national markets through testing and
inspection. The role of these entities essentially is the
implementation of our localisation policy which ensures that
all industries meet the necessary quality checks needed for
industrial competitiveness.
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Although not direct or adverse finding were made against the
department, the department and its two entities, the SA Bureau
of Standards and the National Regulator Compulsory
Specifications, have in the spirit of co-operative governance
committed to attend to the remedial action of the Public
Protector as it relates to the DTIC and its entities to
improve its services to the people of South Africa.
The department has since facilitated the process where the
entities concluded a memorandum of understanding. As a result
of the memorandum of understanding, MoU, the joint working
committee comprising representatives from both entities was
established to manage co-operation and consultation on matters
dealt with by both entities, implement mutual agreements,
programme and project and share information.
The essence of the MoU between the two entities as to ensure a
collaborative and co-operative relation between the two
entities is a step in a right direction. The department will
ensure that these two entities provide them with quarterly
reports on the progress made in its efforts to maintain and
enhance quality assurance particularly regarding the remedial
action.
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The DTIC and the Department of Transport will also regularly
share ideas on strategies and support the automotive vehicle
industry and regulatory measures. This is welcomed as it does
away with the silo mental of working and also ensuring good
intergovernmental co-operation between the two departments.
In conclusion, having considered all these, the ANC is pleased
that the department has put measures in place to strengthen
the relation between the two entities and ensure that it
complement each other in the interest of government. The ANC
supports the adoption of the report. Thank you very much.
UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE
(Ruling)
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Hon members, there
was a point of order raised by hon Radebe against hon Tshwaku.
I promised to come back. Hon Tshwaku referred the Minister as
useless and ineffective. Referring to a member of the House as
such has previously been deemed unparliamentary. May I call on
the hon Tshwaku to withdraw the statement.
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Hon Tshwaku, hon Tshwaku! The Table will advise me if he is in
the system and we will take action as such. If he is not in
... I am advised that hon Tshwaku is online. Hon Tshwaku, hon
Tshwaku!
Table staff, can you please remove hon Tshwaku from the
system. Thank you very much.
Debate concluded.
REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO PERISHABLE PRODUCTS
EXPORT CONTROL BOARD AND DISTRICT SIX, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE
ON 29 MARCH AND 1 APRIL 2022
Ink Z M D MANDELA: Greetings hon Chairperson, hon members,
fellow South Africans. The Constitution of the Republic of
South Africa is the cornerstone in the Launchpad to the
creation of a national democratic society based on the
principle of non-racism, non-sexism and unity in our
diversity.
We have three arms of state in our country based on the
provisions of our Constitution. The three arms of state enjoy
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the separation of powers and it is expected that one arm of
state must not encroach on the other arm of state. Cooperation
between all three arms of state is essential in order to
realise our developmental goals and meet our people’s
aspirations in terms of transforming the structures of our
society and creation of a just, inclusive and equitable
society.
Hon members, within this context, Parliament has an important
role to play towards the eradication of the triple challenges
of poverty, unemployment and inequality faced by millions of
our citizens.
Hon Chairperson, on the 29th of March and the 1st of April
2022, the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development went on an oversite visit to the Perishable
Products Export Control Board, PPECB, and to the District six
housing development respectively.
Our visit to PPECB was to strengthen and enhance committee’s
oversite role on the public entity reporting under the
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
and to better understand their challenges in terms of
agricultural export market industry.
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The PPECB is one of the agricultural public entities
responsible for the provision of independent quality
certification and cold chain management service for producers
and exporters of perishable food products and most
importantly, it performs inspections on food safety services.
At the PPECB, we took note of the following, the Perishable
Products Export Control Act is under review. PPECB is self-
funded and employs about 1000 people. Through their
agricultural export technology programme, PPECB educates and
trains young people on the export value chain.
Our biggest export destinations are the European Union, Asia
and the Middle East. On our visit to the District Six
development, one of the flagship programmes of the Department
of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform.
Under its land restitution programme, we took notice on an
impressive phase 3 development of residential units for
successful placement of District six forced removals. These
successful projects will restore the dignity of our people.
[Time expired.] Chair, I conclude by tabling this budget
before the House. Thank you.
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Mr N P MASIPA: House Chairperson, the Perishable Products
Exports Control Board is constituted and mandated in terms of
Perishable Product Export Control Act 9 of 1983 to perform
cold chain services. It conducts inspections and food safety
services under the APS, Agricultural Product Standards Act of
1990.
The export industry this institution is recognised and
approved third party country under the European Commission
regulation 543 of 2011. Therefore, this agreement renders the
South African inspections systems as equivalent to that of the
EU inspection bodies and therefore ensures less frequent
checks at the EU port.
Chair, allow me to outline some of the key services provided
by PPECB as we seldom call it. The PPECB ensures that
importers goods are of sound quality and adhere to the
technical equipment specifications, hygiene standards, product
conformity and temperature requirements of the importing
country.
Further, the PPECB provides exporters with inspections and
approval of equipment such as containers, specialised reserves
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and cold stores, monitoring loading processes and the end
route temperature management of the produce.
House Chair, PPECB found itself as the only institution under
this Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural
Development with clean audit and fit for purpose leadership.
The PPCEB board is well constituted with members from the
industry.
However, the biggest threat of this world class institution
remains the poor ports infrastructure and the ANC government
policy. The Bill sitting before Parliament [Inaudible.] Bill
is also creating a threat for this particular institution. The
Upper Bill will lead to some exporters not being able to
export disappear completely.
If export volumes decline, it will have a detrimental impact
on the income of the PPECB as its income is derived fees on
inspection of the export produce.
The Bill will also have a potential negative impact on the
long term planning of Transnet on increasing efficiency of the
container terminal which handles fresh produce in ports. As
such planning is based on increase in export volumes.
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The industry has a figure of 35% increase in fruit export
volumes by 2030.
If the Bill goes through, this percentage will be reduced.
Again to the detriment of the sustainability of the industry
especially smaller and emerging exporters.
The DA urges the committee of the member of the agricultural
land reform and rural development to hold all harmful Bills to
agriculture and the economy at large.
House Chair, regarding our oversite visits to District Six, we
witnessed the work of the Land Claims Commission. After a long
wait at least 48% are eligible to move into their homes. The
committee was informed that 52% opted for financial
compensation.
A concern to be raised with this House is while the ANC
government dragged its feet, many of the original claimants
have passed on without realising their lifelong dream of
moving back to their roots. Claimants have complained bitterly
about the quality of the first two phases of housing so much
that the facilitation of District Six Development Trust was
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terminated and phase three was facilitated by the rural
infrastructure development branch in the department.
The portfolio committee inspected the 108 vacant high rise
units, the stairs to the top units were rather steep and there
was no provision for a lift for older people, 954 claimants
are still waiting for houses which the department hopes to
complete by December 2040 at the cost of R1,87 billion,
A concern was raised about the vandalism or illegal occupation
of the vacant units. The DA urges the department to finalise
negotiations with other stakeholders involved in the
completion of phase 3 to fast track occupation of the units.
Elderly claimants must be prioritised in the allocation of the
units by a transparent process.
Sesotho:
Ke a leboha Modulasetulo.
Mr M MONTWEDI: House Chair, may kindly request your permission
not to turn on my video due to network?
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Please proceed.
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Mr M MONTWEDI: House Chair, we are aware of the mandate of the
Perishable Products Exports Control Board to conduct food
safety and inspections in [Inaudible.] only entity of the
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
that has maintained clean audit outcome for more than 13
successive years. Its work is commendable and we encourage the
entity to continue with its good work
Hon House Chair, this year marks 56th anniversary of the
District Six being declared a whites only area under Apartheid
Group Areas Act. This must be the very last time and final
year in which Parliament shall have a debate about a yet to be
completed process to bring our black people to the land which
rightfully belongs to them.
There is excitement about District Six land claims,
[Inaudible.] acceleration. It took years to get to where the
process is today and there are still people waiting for houses
to return to the District Six.
The return of the land to victims and descendants of people
who were forcibly removed from the only place they called home
in District Six is long overdue. This is almost two decades of
waiting.
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Once the settlement of all claims is noted appreciated, it is
the finalisation of the District Six that we are concerned
about. District Six is not finalised. It was reported that 954
residential units for the remaining old order claims will be
developed in two builds, that too must be finalised.
The delay in the finalisation of District Six as shown in the
committee report resulted in extending the completion the
completion date to the end of 2023 estimated to the cost of
R1,5 billion to December 2024 estimated to the cost of
R1,87 billion.
Let us cut this unnecessary extension and ensure that people
occupy the land and houses built for them and restore their
sense of pride and dignity.
The EFF supports this report. Thank you very much House Chair.
Mr K P SITHOLE: Hon Chairperson, I am reading this report on
behalf Inkosi Cebekhulu. He is the main member of this
portfolio committee. It remains of vital importance that
perishable food products exported from South African are of
the highest quality and great for our country to compete
successfully in global markets.
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In today’s difficult trade climate, and when taken into
account, the added pressure that pandemics such as the Covid-
19 and the increasing event of national disasters created, it
is critical that we integrate supply chain ... [Inaudible.]
... into our perishable food export supply chain, especially
with regard to cold chain management.
Parliament, through the portfolio committee, has an extremely
important responsibility, to ensure that entities such as the
Perishable Products Export Control Board, PPECB, are not only
compliant with national standards, but also with
internationally accepted best practice, if South Africa is to
retain a competitive edge in the perishable export supply
market. The oversight visit, additionally, provided the
portfolio committee members with greater insight and
understanding of the operational environment of the entity, as
well as its current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats. The conditions at ports as well as the challenge,
firstly by inland producers in transporting their produce to
markets must be prioritised for attention by the department
and the PPECB.
We are also pleased to note that, in meeting customer demand,
the PPECB is focused on becoming more customer centric,
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embracing technology, increasing efficiency through digital
transformation.
Its strategic projects that include the self-funded
Agricultural Export Technology Programme for Youth; Women in
Leadership Programme that is funded in collaboration with
AgriSeta and a development programme on people with
disabilities had to be applauded, as they ensure equal
opportunity for all South Africans.
Of concern to us is the small amount of South Africa’s food
that is exported to the continent. This market must receive
greater ... [Inaudible.] The IFP supports the report. Thank
you very much.
Mr W W WESSELS: House Chairperson, I read this declaration on
behalf of hon Breedt. The Perishable Products Export Control
Board, PPECB, is what is right in this department. They do not
wait for the department to instruct or assist. They have
clear-cut goals, plans of action to get there, clear financial
savvy and a focused team that all work together to reach the
same goal. They are self-funded, have 32 national offices that
service 1 492 activity points. Its strategic projects include
the self-funder Agricultural Export Technology Programme for
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youth; Women in Leadership Programme that is funded in
collaboration with AgriSeta and the development programme on
people with disabilities.
The PPECB is focusing on becoming more customer centric,
introducing data analytics and business intelligent
capabilities, redesigning the PPECB service delivery model to
increase efficiencies and contain cost, improving business
process efficiencies through digital transformation and
improving business sustainability of black smallholder farmers
and suppliers.
They do however, face challenge, not of their own making,
conditions at ports and some harvest are negatively impacting
the PPECB inspection personnel.
The need for investment on agriculture and rail infrastructure
in light of the challenges that they are facing are mostly
located in remote areas of the country and remains a
challenge.
The committee’s recommendations clearly speak to the
challenges faced by the PPECB and hopefully we will see the
Minister and her department take responsibility for what needs
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to be done to improve, not only the ports and harbours, but
also accessibility to the export market and youth involvement
in the industry.
Afrikaans:
Niemand was verbaas toe die herontwikkeling van Distrik Ses,
met stampe en stote, uiteindelik in die hof beland het nie.
Dit was ook nie ’n verassing toe verskeie eisers hul
noodgedownge tot die portefeuljekomitee gewend het nie. Die
Distrik Ses-werksgroep en ander applikante wat die Departement
van Landbou, Grondhervorming en Landelike Ontwikkeling hof toe
geneem het, was net opsoek na ’n plan en tydlyn.
Soos ouder gewoonte het die departement die mense vir wie hul
moet veg, gevaal. Die besoek aan Fase 3 van die ontwikkeling
het getoon dat daar vele leemtes met die huise, geboue en
omgewing is. Omdat die geboue nie in ’n toestand is vir
persone om hul intrek te neem nie, is ’n sekuriteitsmaatskappy
vir tyd en wyl aangestel. Die bedoeling is baie edel, maar
verkwis net geld, terwyl die mense ly.
Die herontwikkeling van Distrik Ses en al die probleme wat tot
dusver ervaar is, herbevestig die silobenadering van
verskillende vlakke van regering, wat niemand baat nie.
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Die aanbevelings van die komitee is eintlik voor die hand
liggend ... [Tyd verstreke.] ... hofsaak moes wees. Ek dank u.
Mr M G E HENDRICKS: Hon House Chair, hot on the heels of the
Deputy President’s visit to fast-track restitution in District
Six, it was amazing and welcomed that the portfolio committee
also visited a week later. Thank you very much for this
report.
Two envoys of the governing party were engaged by Al Jama-ah
with regard to restitution, memorialisation and nomination of
District Six as an international heritage site. Now, why an
international heritage site? That is simply to remind the
world not to practice forced removals and demolishing of
houses, which was the heart of apartheid. Now, they call it
spatial development, but that is an apartheid construct.
Comrade Jessie Duarte, the first envoy to come and see Al
Jama-ah in Cape Town, wanted to get South Africans and
international visitors to see a large empty sight of prime
land, as they drive along Nelson Mandela drive and Philip
Skosana, to remind them that wonderful people lived in that
street but were forcibly removed.
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I reminded a second envoy that we visited in Johannesburg,
comrade Jeff Radebe, of this vision. Many of these wonderful
people were resistance fighters like my mom and I was nine
years old when we were taking ... [Inaudible.] ... to visit
her son on Robben Island.
The Minister of Agriculture and Land Reform, co-academics of
the ... [Inaudible.] ... Mafeji lived in our safe house in
District Six. Judge Fikile Bam was arrested in the street next
to Rochester Road, where I lived. Here is a street in District
Six, where the judge was arrested. Judge Desai, who worked in
my mom’s kitchen to feed resistance fighters gave an
undertaking on Nakpar Day that he will continue to remind the
world of atrocities committed in Palestine and District Six.
So, there is hope that forced removals and demolishing of
houses for oppressive and occupational reasons will come to an
end all over the world.
Yesterday, we greeted one another a happy Africa Liberation
Day. President Thabo Mbekhi wanted African Renaissance to be
launched on District Six because of the symbolism to continue
our fight against apartheid and groups areas across.
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Al Jama-ah wants the African Parliament to be built on land in
District Six, but then the City of Cape must also return the
other 50 hectares of the District Six land.
How the Minister of Arts and Culture will add in his budget
received funds to get District Six declared a heritage site,
with the support of ... We once again, thank you this
portfolio committee for the report. ... [Inaudible.] An amount
of 60 000 ... [Inaudible.] ... also tell Parliament why R4
billion was paid for a unit in District Six and it was built
for just R400 000. Thank you.
Ms N P MAHLO: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers and hon Deputy
Ministers, hon members of this House, members of the media and
fellow South Africans, on the development of the agricultural
sector, we will not only mean the growth of our democratic
economy, but we will also speak expansion of our export
market. The Perishable Product Export Board, PPECB, contribute
directly to the success of this goal.
The African continental free trade area agreement provides our
agricultural sector with viable economic opportunities for
expansion and for the creation of million job opportunities
referred in our National Development Plan, NDP. Given the
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complexity and the sophistication of the agricultural export
market, there is absolutely need for our effective regulatory
framework for the agricultural export produce urgency and
practice.
It is for this reason of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework
spoke of a review of the inhabiting standards on the South
African goods agricultural practice and global gap in order to
enable the smallholder farmers to participate in the
democratic and global economy.
As the ANC, as much as we are very impressed, with the
performance of the PPECB, we are equally concerned with some
of the of the challenges faced by the entity. Those include,
conditions at our ports and some harbours that we have, that
are negatively impacting on their inspection work.
The need for investment in agriculture rail infrastructure in
order to stimulate agricultural activities by smallholder
producers, will be a key issue that is needed to be taken into
consideration located mainly in land and in the remote areas
of our country, like Bochum.
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The need for investment in agricultural infrastructure cannot
be overemphasized this time. We need to make sure that we deal
with that.
The development of District Six residential area is a painful
reminder of our history in this country. It is also evident
that the ANC-led government is committed towards our land
restitution programme as we speak. We will like to reiterate
that the extreme importance of continuous communication with
the beneficiaries of District Six during the Phase 4 of this
programme.
Hon Chairperson, the ANC support the tabling of this report.
After careful consideration, we duly declare our support of
the adoption. I thank you, hon Chairperson.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Hon members, thank
you very much and I must inform you that Tshwaku attempted to
come back. He was duly refused to come back, because at the
time he was in the platform there was no response.
That concludes the debate and this virtual mini-plenary
session. The mini-plenary will now rise. Thank you very much.
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The mini-plenary session rose at 15:59
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