Hansard: NA: Mini-Plenary (Debate on Vote 20 )
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 23 May 2023
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
MINI PLENARY - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TUESDAY, 23 MAY 2023
VOTE NO 20 – WOMEN, YOUTH AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HYBRID MINI-PLENARY SESSION – COMMITTEE ROOM M46
Watch: Mini-Plenary (Debate on Vote 20 )
Members of the mini-plenary session met at Committee Room M46 at 10:00.
House Chairperson, Ms M G Boroto, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 20 - Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities:
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Chairperson, chairperson of the portfolio committee, hon members who are here, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Chairperson of the Nyda, fellow South Africans, I am honoured to present Budget Vote 20 on the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for the first time.
Central to the mandate bestowed on this government by our Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, is the determination to build a sovereign and democratic South African state that is anchored on the values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and collective prosperity and wellbeing. Our Constitution foregrounds the Bill of Rights as the cornerstone of what should eventually resemble a just, equitable, and more humane society.
Despite the substantial and visible progress, we have made in all spheres of development, we remain one of the most dangerously unequal societies in the world, with more than half of our population living below the poverty line. We are the first to acknowledge that, despite our best intentions, the systemic legacy of over 300 years of colonial conquest and exploitation, the unabated plundering of the wealth producing resources of our land and the resultant underdevelopment cannot be corrected and redressed in just under three decades.
It is also a reality that since the dawn of democracy, every effort of transformation has been resisted and challenged by those who have deep pockets and an affinity for the past. They have taken every measure we have tried to transform ... [Inaudible.]
In the words of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and I quote: “Those who judge us merely by the heights we have achieved would do well to remember the depths from which we started”.
What persists and it is of particular concern to all of us is the extent to which our society remains characterised by an unhealthy concentration of income, wealth, power and opportunities in the hands of a few. The picture worsens when we turn our attention to wealth inequality, assets inequality and the disproportionate debt burden along racial lines. A study by Southern Centre for Inequality Studies and the World Inequality Lab revealed that the top 10% wealthiest South Africans own 85,6% of all wealth. With an average net worth of R486 million, the richest 3 500 South Africans own more wealth than the bottom 32 million altogether.
On average, the poorest half of the South African adult population owe more than they own. This means that if they were to sell everything they own, they would still be in debt.
Women, children, youth and persons with disabilities live in fear as they bear the worst of poverty, economic exclusion and an unprecedented nightmare of gender-based violence and femicide.
We are advocating for a significant change in our department’s positioning and character. In addition to advocacy, we are going to be implementing some projects primarily concerned with advancing the interests of women, youth and persons with disabilities. We have adopted an All-of-Government and All-of- Society Approach to Livelihood Restoration, Wealth Creation, Poverty and Hunger Alleviation through special projects that will be rolled across the country’s poorest districts, where the greatest need exists.
As the President so emphasised, we need a step-change for the purpose of completely disrupting the structural afterlives of an economy that, for decades, has thrived on unjust patterns of hyper-accumulation and concentration of resources in ways
that punish those who keep the very wheels of this ... [Inaudible.]
As things stand, we do not live as equals, communities live in fear due to violent crimes and GBVF, we do not live in peace and harmony, and neither are we free from fear and want.
The youth of this country represents a blessing with limitless potential and possibilities. However, the current state of poverty, idleness and general economic inactivity amongst our population in general and the youth in particular, cannot be left unattended.
In this financial year, under the guidance of the Commander- in-Chief, our department will rally all-of-government and all- of-society behind the finalisation and implementation of an SANDF-led National Service, primarily targeted at the Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, and will accelerate our nation’s post-pandemic recovery, reconstruction and the attainment of our national development goals.
The SANDF-led National Service we have in mind will train and capacitate our youth to be resilient and self-sustaining,
massify sector-specific skills development, power up our nation’s industrialisation aspirations, grow local economies and kick-start a deliberate skills revolution open to every South African son and daughter. We envisage that this programme will prepare young people to meet the country’s current and future professional needs, and for a future free of want and insecurity.
As households and communities come to terms with the extent of the social, economic and livelihood devastation that the
Covid-19 pandemic left behind, poverty-stricken families and communities face numerous challenges, including weakened livelihoods, hunger, limited or no economic opportunities.
These challenges contribute to a cycle of poverty, which disproportionately affects women, children, youth and persons with disabilities, particularly those in rural and township communities. I am told that ... [Inaudible.]
Ms M E SUKERS: Chair, sound is worse than when you started speaking. We are unable to follow the Minister’s address virtually.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Can you hear me now of the virtual platform? [Inaudible.]
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES: I don’t know if they can hear me now.
An HONOURABLE MEMBER: Yes, we can hear you better now, Minister.
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES: Against this backdrop, the department, in partnership with our universities, TVET colleges and existing civil society organisations with the capacity to train and empower participating communities, will be rolling out Integrated Farming Co-operatives in South Africa’s poorest districts during and beyond the 2023-24 financial year, with a particular focus on youth, women and persons with disabilities for poverty alleviation, livelihood restoration, food security and wealth creation.
The primary objectives of these projects are to reduce the impact of extreme poverty, hunger, unemployment, and basic socioeconomic insecurity, restore livelihoods and build
community wealth through Integrated Crop-Livestock Farming Co- operatives.
Agricultural co-operatives to be rolled out in these districts will seek to maximise mutual support and economies of scale by enabling farming individuals, families or communities to pool resources together, share equipment, and jointly purchase inputs to create economies of scale, lower costs, increase bargaining power with suppliers and buyers, and improve their productivity and competitiveness.
In addition to that, we are also collaborating with the Co- operative Banks Development Agency, CBDA, and other key stakeholders to develop a concept document to support more women, youth and persons with disabilities to establish co- operative banking institutions. Empowering co-operatives through this niche approach will improve the sustainability and viability of cooperative-based businesses.
Co-operative banks have always been an important part of many successful financial systems. We are confident that through our partnership with the Co-operative Banks Development Agency and other stakeholders will go a long way towards improving
financial and economic inclusion of the marginalised communities.
If you look at developed and developing countries, the majority of banks are co-operative banks, whether in France, Germany, Austria and many others.
We also learn from Miriam Makeba’s iconic career not to underestimate the power of the creative industry. This industry is not only central to the soul of a nation, it has the potential to create millions of jobs, as seen in Nollywood in Nigeria and Bollywood in India and the rest of the world.
This industry has a ripple effect on other sectors of the economy by generating a demand for goods and services from suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. A single production, for example, creates indirect job opportunities in related industries such as logistics, hospitality, fashion, project management, transport and many other economic sectors. Artists such as sports people also become ambassadors of the country.
In our bid to harness the potential of this industry, we are in discussions with various social partners to establish a community-based recording studio - at least one this year and maybe more later - to enable communities, particularly young people, to record music and explore their creative abilities.
Further, working with the Nyda, work has commenced toward the establishment of a radio station. We are told that we are advocating as a department, but where is the platform to advocate? Therefore, we are going to create a radio station, which will ensure a seamless communication and dissemination of information and receive feedback from communities about opportunities and the government’s collective work in support of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
There must also be preferential procurement for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and military veterans. The persistent lack of significant economic participation and representation across many socioeconomic categories has led to an increase in gender inequality in the nation.
There are several aspects of gender-based violence and femicide that are directly linked to the lack of women
empowerment. As a Department, our key areas of women empowerment are social and economic, wherein our focus on women empowerment envisages a South Africa where women participate fully in every area of human endeavour, whether academia, the judiciary, the economy, politics and many others. This is particularly because women’s empowerment is key for the empowerment of society, at large.
That is why we will be working on initiatives to revive the issue of the oceans economy. This sector is a big economic frontier that we have not yet fully explored.
This year’s National Women’s Month will spotlight one of the department’s priority programmes on the Ocean’s Economy under the theme: Harnessing Opportunities in the Ocean’s Economy for Women’s Socioeconomic Empowerment.
The programme will focus on the diverse sectors in the ocean’s economy, such as the maritime and maritime transport sector; aquaculture; underwater biodiversity; gas and oil exploration; related tourism; related leisure and; and many other related activities. This is not only for women but also for youth and persons with disabilities.
The current financial year, the Nyda will target the following: the training of more than 25 000 young people to be youth entrepreneurs; 2 000 youth-owned enterprises will receive financial assistance through the Nyda grant programme; these enterprises will go on to create 6 000 jobs in the economy; the Nyda will also support all of government approach
... [Inaudible.]; 10 000 young people will be placed in jobs through the National Pathway Management Network; 50 000 young people will be recruited in the structured National Youth Service where young people will earn an income, learn skills and increase their employability.
To date, through its partnerships with the private sector, the Youth Employment Service, Yes, has reached the milestone of
100 000 quality work opportunities for young South Africans, injecting over R4,6 billion into the economy through Yes Youth salaries alone.
The Nyda has identified an opportunity to support young people in the transport sector. With research showing a rapid rise in last mile delivery services and this market is expected to grow to reach $200 billion globally by 2027. So, Nyda will
assist young people to train to get a driver’s licence, whether it is cars or scooters.
Nyda will roll out a customised training programme for the last mile drivers that meets the specific needs of industries who have a last mile function.
Nyda will train 200 unemployed individuals from townships and rural areas as SMMEs, to take up last mile delivery opportunities, which will include a stipend, drivers licence training, venture creation training and customer service training.
Nyda will provide individuals with a combination of hard and soft skills required for the last mile transport industry. And ensure that trained individuals meet specified sets of employer’s requirements.
Nyda A will provide trained new start up business to secure opportunities by providing each young person with a motorcycle, helmet, gloves, cell phone and working capital and insurance support for four months.
Nyda will develop a vetted database of trained last mile drivers for industries to source both fully employed and independent drivers.
We are delighted that this august House has approved that South African Sign Language becomes the 12th official language in the country. The department working with the Pan South African Language Board, the deaf community and other stakeholders will develop a plan of action to mainstream sign language in our society.
As part of our advocacy work aimed at increasing the level of awareness, information and knowledge about the different disabilities, the department will be working with our partners to publish manuals on different areas of disability. The Deputy Minister will expand on these areas.
In partnership with the Department of Health and related stakeholders on disabilities we will develop guidelines in the following areas: mental health, autism, epilepsy, acceptable terminology on disability, wheelchair provision, deaf and blind disabilities. We will ensure that there is a campaign against the attack of persons with albinism in South Africa.
We will be partnering with academic and research institutions to shine a light on climate change adaptation and vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities.
The department will support the development of a framework on self-representation and we live up to the slogan “nothing about us without us”.
Women continue to suffer what the President calls, the second pandemic of gender-based violence and femicide. I want to quote the President:
I stand before the women and girls of South Africa this evening to talk about another pandemic that is raging in our country – the killing of women and children by the men of our country. As a man, as a husband and as a father, I am appalled at what is no less than a war being waged against the women and children of our country.
Together with that, I want to quote Gertrude Shope, when she said, and I quote: “Every generation has a responsibility to know what its mission is. Mine was to liberate the country, what is yours?”
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): I just want to inform the hon Minister that I did not want to disturb you and I took two minutes from your other slot.
Ms C N NDABA: House Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members, Deputy-Director of the department and the CEO of the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, distinguished guests and ...
IsiXhosa:
... bahlali baseMzantsi Afrika, siyabulisa.
English:
The ANC supports this budget.
IsiXhosa:
Tyhini, nifuna ukuthini?
English:
The Reconstruction and Development Programme, RDP, policy document provided a solid basis for many ANC polies and further translated to government’s calling for no one to be left behind in reconstructing our country for the better. It
argues, and I quote: “Regardless of race or sex or whether they are rural or urban, rich or poor, the people of South Africa must, together, shape their own future.”
The work of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and its entities, by virtue of its support for marginalised and disadvantage groups, is a driver of people- centred development aiming to ensure that women, youth and persons with disabilities are not excluded and reach their potential.
The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is responsible for oversight of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities as well as the Commission for Gender Equality, CGE, which is a Chapter 9 institution, and the NYDA, a key statutory entity.
The department, the NYDA and CGE have a combined focus on what is arguably the most important components of the South African population. With this in mind, programmes, targets and budgets must be carefully scrutinised with an aim at ensuring that the rights and development of women, young people and persons with disabilities are prioritised.
Over the last financial year there have been significant structural changes that included the appointment of a new Minister and a Deputy Minister, a new CGE chair, deputy chair, commissioners and CEO, and a new NYDA chief financial officer. This change will breathe new life and vigour into important structures in our country.
On 6 March 2023 the President appointed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma as the new Minister for the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and Deputy Minister Sisisi Tolashe. Under the new leadership we are confident that the department will continue to improve on its focus on uplifting the rights of women, youth and persons with disabilities through its mandate.
On mandate change, a notable change in the department’s mandate was the shift from being a regulatory department to the original mandate as per its Annual Performance Plan, APP, 2023-24 which state that the department is to lead on socioeconomic transformation and implementation of the empowerment and participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities through mainstreaming advocacy, monitoring and evaluation. This significant and important change is strongly
supported by the portfolio committee. This mandate is in line with the ANC 55th resolution when it calls for greater support for marginalised groups by all, and especially by government.
The element of monitoring is key to ensuring that all commitments are implemented. The ANC 55th Conference resolutions made this strong call that, and I quote: “The state has a responsibility to be biased towards disadvantaged and marginalised groups and that it has added responsibility and ensure their enjoyment of all their rights, including the rights to life, choice, privacy and security.”
During his state of the nation address, the President emphasised challenges related to women and youth in the country highlighting matters pertaining to gender-based violence and unemployment. In terms of the department’s budget, National Treasury indicated that over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, period the department will continue to focus on addressing gender-based violence and supporting empowerment, promoting responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation across government, supporting youth empowerment and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
Of the overall government’s budget, which is R1 trillion, a total of R1 billion, which is 0,1%, is allocated to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities under Vote 20 as per the National Treasury 2023 estimates of national expenditure. However, it must be noted that from this annual appropriation of R1 billion, the department facilitates transfer payments to two entities, namely, the CGE and the NYDA.
During the 2023-24 financial year the department is expected to transfer R94,1 million to CGE and R733 million to NYDA. This means that the department will be left with an actual operating budget of approximately R209 million to undertake its programmes and meet its targets for 2023-24. Of the
R209 million, R126 million, which is 60% of the department’s operating budget, is allocated to compensation of employees, R6,4 million, which is 36%, to goods and services and
R3,8 million to payments for capital assets.
Hon House Chair, we remain concerned about the lack of integration and co-ordination between programmes within the department, as well as the lack of synergy between the NYDA and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with
Disabilities, especially with Programme 4 of the department. This programme focuses on matters related to both youth and persons with disabilities. In this regard, a continued concern pertains to the merging of youth and disabilities into one programme. These are two very distinct target populations that require very specific interventions and consideration. In terms of legislation, the Disability Rights Bill must be prioritised as it has fallen off the department’s agenda and is no longer reflected in its APP.
Gender-based violence and femicide remains a growing concern in our country. The department must bolster its efforts to address this serious challenge. This must be reflected in the department’s targets as it appears to be lacking in this financial year’s APP. Furthermore, more information on the establishment, funding and implementation of rapid response teams across the country is imperative. Whilst we welcome a focus on the Women Economic Assembly, this should be sharpened to ensure tangible outcomes in terms of economic empowerment for women in the country. A considerable number of resources has been allocated to Sanitary Dignity Programme, SDP. While there is a need for uniformity in the implementation of the SDP across provinces, the programme itself is a necessary
intervention for young girls. Streamlining this programme can only enhance the development of young girls in learning institutions.
At present, women account for just 50% of the South African population. The department’s mandate also includes young people and persons with disabilities. While we support the budget as tabled, we emphasise the need to relook at the allocation in the new financial year in order to adequately give expression to the department’s mandate.
On the NYDA, the very important document of the ANC, Ready to Govern, underpins the basis of a South African youth policy to be guided by the following principle that, and I quote:
The ANC believes that society has a responsibility to develop and n nurture its youth to allow them to reach their potential in order to make a meaningful contribution as individuals and as members of society. Their resourcefulness, energy and enthusiasm must be harnessed to allow them to play their meaningful role in our country.
It is for this reason that institutions such as the NYDA must be supported and resourced. Young men and women are the backbone of any thriving community. Ensuring their development ensures the development of a nation. With that in mind, we commend the sterling work done by the NYDA. The NYDA’s values are underpinned by accountability, accessibility, respect, collaborative, agility and integrity. The NYDA’s vision is a credible, capable and activist development agency that is responsive to the plight of South Africa’s youth. I will not go to its mission because you know it, hon members.
As per the revised strategic plan 2022-25 and APP 2022-23, the NYDA now has three programmes, namely, Programme 1 Administration, Programme 2 ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, unfortunately your time is up.
IsiZulu:
Nk C N NDABA: Isikhathi sami siphelile?
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk M G Boroto): Yebo.
English:
Ms C N NDABA: Thank you very much, hon House Chair.
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk M G Boroto): Siphambi kwakho nje ...
English:
... so, you saw that you got an extra 12 seconds ... [Inaudible.]
Ms N K SHARRIF: House Chairperson, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is failing in its duty to bring about change in South Africa. The role of the department cannot be understated when looking at the realities and experiences of everyday life. The fact of the matter is, this government does not care about women, they do not care about young people, and they definitely, do not care about persons with disabilities. This is evident in their so-called Annual Performance Plan, APP, and their budget.
When this is interrogated, it is as clear that this department has no clue about what is happening on the ground and the issues faced by people every single day. After four years,
they have nothing to show for the work they are meant to be doing. If this is not an indication of their failure, I do not know what is. The truth is that this department is failing, and it is the people in this country that suffer. The only thing that the DA welcomes is the change in the department’s mandate, moving back to its original mandate is better aligned with what the department needs to do.
To provide leadership as well as co-ordinate government’s response to the issues facing women, youth and persons with disabilities. However, the lack of understanding of the mandate of the department internally, how it is operationalised, and overall understanding by the country at large, remains one of the department’s biggest challenges.
People do not know what you do, you need to get it together. The removal of key targets shows that the department is still far removed from the realities on the ground.
Everything you have mentioned, Minister, will mean nothing if there are no targets that are attached to your plans. By removing targets focused on key legislation and having targets that are simply to produce with - like literally, the target is to produce the reports, is not smart, it is not aligned to
the needs of the people, it is a waste of time, and honestly, a sign of mad disrespect. This APP cannot be accepted, and it must change in order to reflect the needs of all women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The high rates of gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF, in this country, and especially amongst young people, continue unabated.
The department is meant to lead the fight, and co-ordinate the government’s response to GBVF, and foster women empowerment, but Minister, Programmes 2 is underfunded. The activities and targets show a lack of vision, and nothing on leadership, innovation and solutions. The department must reassess its role in the fight against GBVF. It must take up the matter and fight without fear or favour for the safety of women and the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, asexual, LGBTIQ+, community.
The sanitary dignity programme is in disarray. The framework that is meant to be in place is not being implemented, there are no reporting lines, a lack of uniformity across provinces and any monitoring and evaluation in this department as reported on, is ineffective and it is weak. It is the girls in schools that are dependent on sanitary products that are once
again led down by this failing department. The Thuthuzela Care Centers, TCCs, across the country are falling apart because of the lack of resources and capacity. There is no uniformity of trust TCCs.
There are no specific reporting lines, no line item for TCCs, makes it exceptionally difficult to assess allocations for GBVF specific matters. The TCCs are so important, hon Minister, because it should be a one-stop for victims and survivors to get assistance when they have been assaulted and raped. The DA has consistently raised these issues in Parliament and yet, it continues to land on deaf ears. The merger of youth and persons with disabilities shows that the department does not take young people and persons with disabilities seriously, the lack of budget, the lack of spending and the lack of capacity speak loudly.
If this department cared, it would reflect in their APP and their budget, but it does not. Young people in Ennerdale, in Johannesburg, like many other young people across this country struggle with substance abuse, with most young people getting addicted by the young age of at least 15 years old. The department needs to do more to provide opportunities to young
people, as so many young people are already despondent and cannot see any positivity to motivate them to do better for themselves, their families and their communities.
The chances of young people succeeding in a broken system is already so low, and the department has no tangible plans to assist young people, they should hang their heads in shame.
Looking at the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, the DA welcomes the efforts by the NYDA to source funding through their own donor funding initiatives. The biggest challenges remain access to NYDA and its services. Young people in Ennerdale, Eldos and Saldanha, for example, have no idea who the NYDA is and what they do. Young people must be given opportunities to enter the job market and the economy.
The lack of skills development and mentorship programmes available for young people in these areas and across the country remains a challenge, and NYDA must ensure that they expand their reach. Chairperson, the Commission for Gender Equality, CGE, is a mess. I am unable to even speak on it because what we’ve received was embarrassing, copy and paste rush job of an APP and budget. The CGE must resubmit and stop
messing the women of this country around. As the Chapter 9 institution, you must do better.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma, you have a big task ahead of you in this new portfolio. We expect you to take the issues faced by women, youth and persons with disabilities seriously, to re- look at your APP and budget, and ensure that your department submit an erratum to change your APP, so it is more aligned with the needs of the people. I thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Mam’uKhawula, I saw that you were struggling. They said you are on virtual, but you managed to come. I really commend you. Please, ... [Inaudible.] ...
IsiZulu:
Nk M S KHAWULA: Ngibonge.
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, your time is up. Thank you very much.
IsiZulu:
Nk M S KHAWULA: Ngibonge, Sihlalo, ngibingelele umongameli wami umkhuzi omkhulu ... [Akuzwakali] ... niyasheshisa-ke ... Nkosazana, Ngqongqoshe, lo mnyango uhluleke ... hhayi indaba yokudlala ... 2014 ... [Akuzwakali.] ... lo mnyango ayikho into oyenzela abantu besifazane. Uyabona nje lo bhasikidi wenziwa ngabantu besifazane ukukhombisa ukuthi nehluleka kanjani laphaya ... [Akuzwakali.] ... Uyabo ukwatapheya lo, wenziwa ubani? Abantu besifazane bayalima. Angidlali, ubhatata lo, ulinywa ngabantu besifazane. Amadumbe lawa uyawazi, ubhanana lo, ngithathe omncane. Umbuzo wami uthi, abantu besifazane bayohlupheka kuze kubenini na?
Besikhala ngabelungu besikhathi sengcindizelo, namhlanje kukhona nina abantu abamnyama, yinina eniphethe iminyango. Nihlulwa nje ukuthuthukisa, e-Bulwer la uphuma khona abantu bayalima, abantu besifazane ubazi kahle, kukhona indawo la eNzinga baze basuse amanzi ezintabeni ngamapayipi bezothelela izingadi zabo nihluwa ukubathuthukisa.
Laba obhasikidi engikhuluma ngabo bakhiwa eMhlabuyalingana, lokhu ukudla kwaseNdwedwe oMaphumulo, yini eyenza ukuthi ningayi kulaba bantu besifazane nibanikeze izikhali ukuthi bakwazi ... [Akuzwakali.] ... Lana kukhona amanga akhulunywa
okuthi laba bantu njengakoMangethi KwaMaphumulo ... [Akuzwakali.] ... kwathiwa bazothengelwa umshini ukuze benze ama-chips, kuze kube yimanje anikaze nikwenze lokho.
Yini inking na? Aniyi kubantu, nikhipha izimali nizifake kwizifundazwe, kwizifundazwe iye komasipala bese ziyaphela zingayi kubantu. Ngiza kwi-NYDA, i-NYDA ayenzi lutho, ayiyi emakhaya abantu, ayaziwa. Ngiseku-ANC, kwakugcina nje kuxoxwa ngayo, ayiyi nhlobo kubantu kodwa izimali zikhona ziyaphuma. Ihlulwa ukwenza nje isizindalwazi sokuthi zingaki izingane okufanele ziyongena emanyuvesi ukuze lezi zingane zingagcini zihleli emakhaya zibe ziphase kahle. Ihlulwa ukwenza isizindalwazi yokuthi zingaki izingane ebeziphase emanyuvesi ukuze ihambe iyoxoxisana neminyango kaHulumeni nomasipala ukuba zifakwe emisebenzini kuyekwe ukufakwa izipoki lezi ezigcwele koThekwini.
Anikwazi ukwenza lokho ningumnyango wakwaNYDA. Yingakho nje ngithi angifuni ukubhalelwa umuntu inkulumo ngifuna ukuzikhulumela. La kunento yakwa-CGE, umnyango ebesiwuthembe kunayo yonke ngoba bengikwazi mina ngokwami ukuwufonela usukume uye ezindaweni kodwa manje unenkinga, awusakwenzi.
Usufika ... kufanele umbiko uwunikeze ngaphambi uwufikise
maje. Kuyimanje la eNtshonalanga Koloni livaliwe ihhovisi. Umbuzo wami ... eNtshonalanga Koloni ... yingakho ngijutshwe la ... eGugulethu, e-Philippi bayafa abantu, bayadlwengulwa bafakwe ngaphansi kwemibhede ngamasoka abo. Zizobikwa kuphi lezo zinkinga. Lento ingiphatha kabi ngoba umuntu uma engibona ungibiza ngomhlonishwa iLungu lePhalamende, yini engizoyijabulela ukuba yiLungu lePhalamende uma abantu bakithi behlupheka. Chesterville, kungcono Nkosazana Zuma ngoba kubekwe wena impela lana ... e-Chesterville kunomfana laphayana okuthiwa uNdlebe isibongo bambiza ukuthi u-Captain ngoba wayekade eboshiwe. Kusho ukuthi uma eboshiwe wakwazi ukuphuma watshela intsha ukuthi ijele linjani. Ukwazi ukuqoqa laba bantwana abangene ezidakamizweni, uyezwa, azame ukubakhipha kuzona kodwa kade engqongqoza ngisho emnyangweni uqobo kandunankulu kodwa akalutholi usizo. Kuyimanje lo mfana ngikhuluma nawe imoto yakhe bebethi ukuyiqeda ngoba laba abadayisa izidakamizwa kubuhlungu kubona ngoba ubaqedela amaklayenti abo.
Umbuzo wami uthi, ngempela yini enijabulisayo ukuthi ningomhlonishwa noma oNgqongqoshe ePhalamende kodwa intsha phansi iyafa. Emanyuvesi kwamakhelwane awo kukhona amajoyinti. Angikaze mina ngabona nilwisana nalokho ... [Akuzwakali.] ...
ngikuxolele kancane nje. Ngake ngakuzwa ngesikhathi sokuvalwa thaqa kwezwe uthi utshwala abuvalwe nogwayi, ngathanda lapho kodwa angikujabulisi kanti yini indaba na? Utshwala ibona osuyiqedile intsha, nithini nina njengoHulumeni? Amajoyinti avulwa amahora angu-24 phakathi emalokishini abantu into ebingekho phambilini. Ngizonitshela nje okukodwa bandla ekufanele ngabe niyakwenza, gqugquzelani le minyango iyeke ukuyogcina komasipala, hambelani emakhaya, emakhaya abantu bakhona abawazi amalungelo abo nokuthi umuntu wesifazane akakwazi ukuthi, hhayi namhlanje angifuni ukulala nawe ndoda ngoba aniyi ukuyobatshela. Wazi nje yena ukuthi uma engumfazi kufuneka indoda ... ahambe ayotheza izinkuni abuye lapho azokwenzenjani? Azolala nawe ukhathele, akakhathele.
Okwesibili, oLundi ngabe okwesibili okwesithathu, Olundi kunezinkubela ezibulawa yizilwane eziphuma esiqiwini, Nkosazana, ngicela uhambe uyoyilwa leya nto ngoba undunankulu naloDuma ndini lo uyile naye wayoqamba amanga laphaya, kuphuma izilwane laphayana zenzenjani? Ziluma ingane. Kunengane nje kumuzi wakwaButhelezi onengane okuthe kufika umama wayo eyokha amanzi emfuleni wafika iphelile ihamba namankentshana.
Sengigcina, angazi noma ngigcine noma ngiqhubeka. Ngicela ... [Akuzwakali.] ... sisakhuluma manje ... yebo. Uyamazi lo
sihlalo wethu wekomidi elibhekene nomsebenzi womnyango uyazimisele ukubona lo mnyango usebenza ... kodwa inkinga ikunina, anikwazi nokuqapha nje ... [Akuzwakali.] ... la emuva kwami ... anikwazi ukuqapha nokuthi izimali lezi enizikhiphayo ziyaya kumphakathi ... [Akuzwakali.] ... ngicela niyixazulule engithi niyabona ... [Akuzwakali.] ... [Kwaphela isikhathi.]
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, I just didn’t want to disturb you. You know what Rule 82 says about
...
IsiZulu:
Nk M S KHAWULA: Lesi sabelomali ngiyasichitha. Ngiyasichitha!
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): ...
IsiZulu:
... inhlonipho, ungambizi ngegama noma ubungathi uMama uNkosazana
English:
No, I didn’t want to disturb you. Secondly, you know that we have a rule in terms of bringing goods into the House, you must first get permission. However, what I like is that, it talks of dangerous things that’ s why I have allowed you to speak. ... [Interjections.] That’s what I’m saying.
Ms M D HLENGWA: Hon House Chair, let me say that the IFP supports this budget. According to Statistics South Africa, women make up 51,1% of South Africa’s population; youth aged
15 years and younger about 28,3%; youth, aged 15 to 34 years, account for 34%; and persons with disabilities, around 7,5% of our population. This department impacts the lives of more than half our population, and a vast majority of South Africa’s vulnerable persons.
The IFP agrees with the recent portfolio committee Report, that the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities can – and must – do more. It must follow through on targets it has committed to, and not just drop them from their APP without explanation.
The IFP is deeply concerned that:
Targets related to monitoring and evaluation of police stations and Thuthuzela Care Centres as well as court monitoring were discontinued and no longer appeared as targets in the APP under review.”
IsiZulu:
Ngifisa ukusho mama ukuthi njenge-IFP siyafisa ukugqugquzela ukuthi le mnyango esisebenza nayo nawe osebenza nayo uke ubone ukuthi kuyenzeka ukuthi nanxa sikubuka ukuthi kukhona laphaya esikoleni abakhubazekile abanganakiwe kunakwe laba bezihlalo zabakhubazekile kuphela.
Kukhona izikole mama ekuthiwa ama-full service lapho kukhona abafundi abane-autism, izingane zakhona zithola nje izimoto ezithutha abafundi ngakho bengingacela ukuthi mhlawumbe lo mnyango ubone kwezemfundo ukuthi izithuthi zabafundi kulezi zikole zabane-autism ngoba zona ziyi-full service zibakhona lezo zimoto.
English:
The women, children, and vulnerable persons who are victims of gender-based violence often report secondary victimisation by the authorities, or a lack of resources and support services.
How can monitoring and evaluation of police stations, Thuthuzela Care Centres and courts be discontinued? Who will speak for the voiceless?
According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s website, we currently have 54 Thuthuzela Care Centres in South Africa. We want more than that because these incidents have been occurring daily and so is the violation of these people who are vulnerable.
IsiZulu:
KwaNongoma nje kunesalukazi esadlwengulwa ngoba singakwazi ukuhamba sidlwengulwa umngani womntwana waso ngokwazi ukuthi akekho. Uyazi ukuthi uma kuvaliwe nje laphaya emnyango ngeke azafike. Waba yisisulu loyo gogo, KwaNongoma esigcemeni-9.
Ngakho ngiyafisa ukuthi lo mnyango uhambe ...
English:
...go the extra mile ...
IsiZulu:
... ikakhulukazi ama-CGE ethu. Siyakhala kakhulu nangesabelo mali, siyakhala futhi uma kuwukuthi kukhona la kusetshenziswe
imali engaphansi kunale ekade yebiwe khona. Siyafisa mama, siyakwethemba ukuthi akusazokwenzeka ukuba kusetshenziswe imali engaphansi kunale ekade yebiwe kube kukhona izidingo ezikhona.
English:
I thank you.
Ms T BREEDT: Hon. Chairperson, I’ve said this many times and will say it again: If the ANC really prioritised equal opportunities for all and focused on true empowerment of our youth, and had not just paid lip service to this, we would not be in the situation that we are currently in. As is, I do not know what this department or its youth development entity concretely does to empower the youth of South Africa.
This department, as it currently stands, is a farce. Statistics SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey was recently published and it showed that almost 250 000 young people lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2023. That is shocking!
This lead to the youth unemployment rate, measuring job- seekers between 15 and 24 years old, to rise to staggering
62,1% in the first quarter of 2023 - the highest in a year. This has gone up 1,1% from the last quarter.
Participation in employment, education or training is important for youth to find employment and to live self- sustainably. Youth in South Africa, however, continue to be disadvantaged in the labour market with an unemployment rate higher than the national average.
South Africa has over 10 million youth from 15 to 24 years of age. Of these, only 2,5 million are active in the labour force. That brings us to the largest share of 7,7 million in this age group that are out of the labour force and inactive. The main reason for being inactiveness is because they have lost hope in finding a job or a job in the area where they reside.
Young people do not need another party hosted by the NYDA. We do not need another short term job opportunity created by the state without the necessary skills transfer. They do not need another hand out. What they need is a labour market that is unburdened by strict legislation, keeping them out of employment.
They need skills training that they can practically implement in joining the labour force. They need true assistance when assistance is offered. We need to empower our youth to become independent and free from the shackles of government providing for their whole being.
I commend the committee for questioning whether the NYDA monitors beneficiaries when receiving grant funds from the NYDA, to ensure that these funds are efficiently used. This is what should happen automatically, to ensure that there is not only value for money, but ensuring that businesses can become self-sufficient. This is how true empowerment really works.
What is also welcomed from the committee is that they queried how the NYDA intends to do in assessing the effectiveness of the market linkages and mentorship programme in the year ahead. These are important areas and this is how we can support young entrepreneurs.
Taking a look at the NYDA, we see that, according to their website, they see themselves as lobbyists and advocates for youth development. This is noble, but it doesn’t get the job done.
They also spend a lot of money on creating jobs or finding jobs in government for this youth. Let me be clear when I say this: The NYDA cannot address the issue of youth unemployment by themselves or by forcing government departments or the SA National Defence Force to create short term projects and job opportunities.
If we are bent on keeping the NYDA they should focus on the development and support. They need to empower young people to be able to either get a job or to be able to create a job for themselves and others. Take young entrepreneurs for example, might need assistance when it comes to the drawing up of a business plan. This is what the NYDA should focus on and be able to assist with.
I differ from the portfolio committee when about the resolve and that the NYDA should improve on its branding, especially in rural areas, to ensure that young people are aware of services. Branding alone will not solve the problem of the NYDA. Branding alone will not improve services rendered by the NYDA to people in rural communities and they will not improve the lives of youth.
The NYDA needs to focus on priority projects to get used to actively participate in youth development, to improve the chances of youth being skilled and being able to enter the labour force. The NYDA is failing our young people. This department is failing our youth. South African youth deserve better. I thank you.
Ms M E SUKERS: Thank you, hon Chair. The crisis in our country is deepening. The factors of an economic slowdown and the level of inequality is worsened by the catastrophic failures of government. The people most negatively affected by loadshedding and municipal service delivery failures that are incendiary in its magnitude, are poor and vulnerable women and children, and people living with disabilities, regardless of race!
On Sunday afternoon, here on the outskirts of Kimberley, a woman stood with three children, ranging in ages from six months to 14 years. Their vulnerability in the early evening next to a road forced me to stop. I learnt that she is a woman, alone, raising two sons and a baby girl while her husband is serving a long sentence in Kimberley. Her choices in this world are severely limited due to a lack of education
and limited skills. She survives on grants. She is in her early thirties, but hardship has aged and hardened her to the point where hope is a dream.
On Monday, we met with community leaders in Warrenton, where the community has been living without water for over three months after significant flood damage to infrastructure. It is women and children that are forced to walk for 20km to get to water distribution points. A disabled woman, Esther Solomons, is forced to pay people to carry water to her shanty.
Loadshedding and water treatment plant maintenance, for the next two weeks, will severely impact even the emergency water supply to the area. It is a case study in municipal dysfunction!
Women and children are at the forefront of the war that we are losing: We are burying her husband; we are burying her children; and in this country, we are burying her. The question we should ask in this budget review is: What is the real-time impact of the department at a grass roots level?
What is the reason that we have this department, in which we invest more than a billion of hard-earned taxpayers’ money, if
its value cannot be translated into how many lives are transformed and impacted positively through its existence?
It is a simple metrics of impact versus investment, Minister. The department has undergone several changes in its mandate. We certainly hope that we are done with the word ‘salad’ and government spending money on government rather than real-time service delivery?
We cannot spend money on keeping civil servants in employment. This crisis demands fast-tracking solutions and crisis management with real-time impact on the ground. We are facing the consequences of poor political leadership and dysfunction. Politicians are squandering the trust of people. It is full impact, if nothing short of a medical happens, will be felt and seen in the months ahead.
The ACDP cannot support this vote. We cannot! We are on a slow-moving train. While we as politicians are paid, civil servants are getting salaries, tenderpreneurs are getting in millions; women, children and people living with disabilities are carrying water in buckets, dying in toilets and burying
sons. We are living on a tropical island, and they are living the harsh reality of no service delivery! Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Chairperson of the portfolio committee, hon members, director- general, it was as far as 1913 that women struggled for community rights and gender equality. It is for this reason that women called for explanation because it was the man who had authority in society and women’s role was primary a domestic one. They were feeding and caring for the family and were not expected to concern themselves with matters outside the home.
IsiXhosa:
Nangona kunjalo...
English:
... when the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, in 1996 with its Bill of Rights was promulgated, our women in South Africa were looking forward because they thought it will save them from their patriarchal challenges which, at that time, demonstrated toxic masculinities, harmful gender norms
and social behaviours that drive and enable gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF.
IsiXhosa:
Yaba ngathi akwanelanga...
English:
... the COVID-19 pandemic has even brought stark inequalities squarely to the fore and served to magnify, amplify and compound all existing forms of social injustice, including gender inequality and its various manifestations hence the resolutions of the summit that was adopted by the President to respond to the key game changer question:
What more can be done to enforce accountability, accelerate and amplify efforts?
The scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues to plague the country despite progress made in driving the national response. It is indeed for this reason that our country will never be prosperous or free until all our people live in peace enjoying equal rights opportunities. Many harmful acts of gender-based violence and femicide are driven
by embedded behaviours and attitudes held by men towards women. This underscores the need to prioritise sustained education and behavioural moulding with specific attention given to men and boys at national, provincial and local municipality level.
A holistic consultative approach will be taken in line with the linkages to health and social ills such as teenage pregnancy, HIV and Aids, substance abuse, harmful cultural practices and the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The Criminal Justice Cluster will be consulted first on all quick wins, medium to short term interventions identified in enforcing law and acceleration in implementing the resolutions that relate to protection, safety and justice. The proposed national plan once tabled at the criminal justice cluster, will be tabled at the South African Forum of the Director-Generals.
In institutionalizing the National Strategic Plan, the department will ensure that the plan serves on the agenda of the President’s Co-ordinating Committee. This will ensure that the inter-governmental aspect is elevated, and services are strengthened at the municipal level, as gender based-violence
and femicide happens at that level. Chair, during the 2020/21 financial year, the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development around six priority areas identified.
A steering committee was established which produced the following achievements: Access/acquisition of Land and in this one, 37% hectares allocated to women against the set target of 50%. Rural Enterprise and Co-operative Development produced 91 Co-ops of which 334 members were trained, in that number, 155 women, and 131 Youth 2 persons with disabilities. On skills development, a total of 969 new students were enrolled at agricultural colleges. In that number, 760 are black and more than 50% are females.
The SA Law Reform Commission of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is due to publish the discussion paper on the Disability Rights Bill. Once published, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will rollout wide consultations with the disability sector, the legal fraternity and the academia. We are pleased to also announce that the Protocol on the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights on the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa is due to be deposited at the African Union. The Department will ensure domestication of the AU protocol.
To take the work forward following the NA approval that SA Sign Language become the 12th official language in South Africa, SA Sign language is offered as a subject in the school curriculum in South Africa. The department, the Pan South African Language Board, the Deaf Community and other stakeholders will continue to work together to realise the aspects and the processes of the SA Sign Language Charter.
Responsible stakeholders will in line with the charter implement measures to ensure SA Sign Language is made available to public to effect accessible communication for persons who are deaf.
The Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities hosted the Economic Summit for Persons with Disabilities with objective to dismantle the barriers limiting access and participation of persons with disabilities in the mainstream economy. It is a sad reality that some individuals and communities within our country still believe in harmful superstitions and myths surrounding albinism. Persons with
albinism remain targets of femicide kidnappings and atrocities. The department in partnership with the task force on albinism will develop a programme to advocate, educate and create awareness around the prevention of discrimination and violence against persons with albinism.
The department will also continue to monitor compliance with national and international obligations for the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We will work on this in partnership with relevant stakeholders, particularly the National Home Builders Registration Council and Department of Public Works, amongst other stakeholders. We will also collaborate with various partners including the United Nations partnership on the rights of persons with disabilities, the International Disability Alliance, University of Johannesburg, the University of Ghana and York University on research and recommendations on Climate change effects on persons with disabilities.
A status report on the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities and how they should be included in climate change action will be developed by the department. Research
will be conducted on access to education support and services for children and young people with disabilities. The research will serve as an evidential basis to mobilise the public and private sectors to provide resources and assistive devices to special and mainstream schools that have learners with disabilities.
Chair, I am pleased to announce that the department commissioned a formative evaluation study on the implementation of the Gender Responsive Planning Budgeting Monitoring and Evaluation framework. The findings of the evaluation pointed to more government departments that are implementing the framework. We acknowledge that more work still needs to be done to ensure that the priorities of women, youth and persons with disabilities are mainstreamed in plans of departments.
Our Monitoring as reported in Cabinet in 2022, shows that of the 16 National departments that responded to the self- assessment monitoring, eight departments were rated at over 50% level of implementation of the framework and this is a welcomed improvement. One of the challenges is the response rate by the department and Cabinet has recommended that all
national departments, provincial departments and their entities must comply with the reporting requirements of our department.
We continue to localize the Gender Responsive Planning Budgeting Monitoring Evaluation Framework. In 2022, we presented the framework at the provincial Portfolio-Based Councillors Inductions in six provinces. We are collaborating with the Department of Co-operative Governance and the Traditional Affairs, and the SA Local Government Association, Salga, with the first priority being to conduct the gender, youth and disability responsiveness analysis of the Integrated Development Plans and other Plans of the District Development Model in 2023/24.
IsiXhosa:
Sihlalo ohloniphekileyo, xa ndigqibezela...
English:
...we must remain grounded and loyal to the mandate of improving the livelihood of the most vulnerable in society.
IsiXhosa:
Sihlalo, iyinyaniso intetho ethi...
English:
...when you rise take one with you. We all have a role to play.
IsiXhosa:
Ndiyabulela, kakhulu. Enkosi, Sihlalo.
Ms A S HLONGO: Acting House Chairperson, Minister and Deputy Minister of the department, the Chairperson of the portfolio committee, the director-general, DG, and the chief executive officer, CEO, of the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, and fellow South Africans, maybe I should start ...
IsiZulu:
...Ma’Khawula bengiqala ukubona ... amadumbe nama-chips ...
English:
The Ready to Govern document of the ANC of 1992 acknowledges the growing youth population which persist even now. It is for that reason that the ANC policy is fully recognises this important section of our society with specific emphasis on the
marginalised youth. The youth in this country continue to face elements of marginalisation in various sectors. It is this basis which requires government and the private sector to create a conducive environment for the youth to channel their energies to productivity enable them to reach their full potential and play a meaningful role in the country’s development.
Hon members, the recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2023, reported that youth aged 15 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates.
Approximately 3,7 million out of 10,2 million young people aged 15 to 24 years were not in employment, education or training. This is a problem we need to address as a society working for social partners from government, business, labour and civil society. As the African National Congress, we have prioritised the creations of jobs for the youth as joblessness has a face of young people in this country. Young South Africans must be given opportunities for skills development for the present and the future to empower them to attain and benefit from the benefits of the democratic dispensation.
The National Youth Development Agency has created multiple programmes to assist youth in accessing opportunities and facilitating skills development for them to be better prepared for opportunities. The NYDA operates in all nine provinces. We must say CEO that we want operational NYDA offices in all local municipalities in the country. Hon members, a young man from Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, Mr Ntokozo Joseph Mtsweni, will receive funding from the NYDA to start his water purification plant and his business is doing quite well and supplies local shops. It is true young people like Joseph Mtsweni that we see the work of the NYDA. However, it is very important to consider into increasing the NYDA’s funding allocation due to the task that lies with it and try to overcome the crisis of youth unemployment in South Africa.
We welcome that the NYDA will support 2 000 youth-owned enterprises with financial support and 20 000 youth with nonfinancial support. The NYDA has targeted the creation of
6 000 jobs. The NYDA will also create skills opportunities and twenty young people will be placed. The task of skilling the youth must be both public and private sectors affairs as skilled youth benefit the government and the private sector. There are positive strides that can be made when all the
efforts are organised and put together. Initiatives such as the National Youth Service Programme and Youth Employment Services display what can possibly be achieved with the commitment of the government and the greater collaboration. The National Youth Service programmes understood to be the largest single service programme for young people in the country intending to help the youth acquire the occupational skills necessary to access sustainable livelihoods and opportunities.
The Presidential Youth Employment Services has created over one million jobs at a 2,5 absorption rates. Four years later,
100 000 jobs are created with 40% employment rate and 77% of Youth Employment Services beneficiaries are women and 61% of youth coming from grant recipients’ households. This shows that with collaboration we can make an impact. Hon members, many other interventions other than this are important such as handling the issue of entry level jobs and transforming the SA Defence Force through proper recruitment and succession plan. Entry level jobs where someone can improve on a day-to-day interaction with the task allocated should and require many years of experience. Institutions such as the SA African Defence Force should be at the forefront deliberately having
aggressive youth recruitment plans for the spirit of patriotism. We welcome the focus of the department in this regard.
State procurement should be used to transform youth-own businesses with the intentions that when these businesses grow youth may diversify their interests and build sustainable jobs. The technical and vocational education and training, TVET, colleges and Sector Education and Training Authority, Seta, are key partners and stakeholders in youth skilling both for the purpose of employment and entrepreneurship and must greatly position themselves to help South African youth. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities should continue to strengthen their monitoring and advocacy for the youth interests across all departments, state organs and all spheres of government. As I conclude ...
SiSwati:
Ngifuna kusho kutsi i-loadshedding inguletinye tinkinga lesibukene nato silusha laseNingizimu Afrika. Imitamo ye ...
English:
... and the funding programmes in provinces assisting young people in opening their businesses ...
SiSwati:
... iyanyatseleka ngenkinga ye-loadshedding.
English:
When there’s no electricity young people like Mr Mtsweni cannot operate their businesses.
Siswati:
Siyacela kutsi hulumende webantfu achubeke alwe ngekutikhandla kucedza i-loadshedding.
English:
It is a matter of urgency that all social partners have the orientation to leave no one behind in their programmes and in their projects. I there say nothing progressive and developmental should be done in this country with the exclusion of the youth. As the African National Congress, we support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]
Xitsonga:
Man C M PHIRI: Mukhomela Mutshamaxitulu wa Yindlu ...
Sepedi:
... ke rata go lebiia madume a ka go Afrika Borwa ka bophara
- badudi ba Afrika Borwa le maloko ao a hlomphegago. Ke rata go tamiia le moetapele wa rena yoo a swerego kgoro ye, Mama Nkosazana Zuma le Motlatiatona wa gagwe, Mama Tulashe. Rena bjalo ka mokgatlo wa badimo le batho, ge re ema mo ke rata go tlatia baiomimmogo ka nna ke re re a e thekga Bouto ya Tekanyetio ye. Ke re mokgatlo wa badimo le batho o ile wa re ngwaga woo o fetilego wa tsenela kopano ya yona ya pitio ka Disemere. Ka gare ga polediiano ya rena ke gore ...
English:
... the African National Congress made a big call that there must be measures taken to address issues of concerns to people living with disabilities. These must be done with great efforts and sense of being deliberate issues affecting persons living with disabilities and must and should not be taken by the way.
Tshiven?a:
Mutshimbidzamushumo, mihasho ya muvhuso i fanela u tevhela milayo ya u thola vhathu vhane vha dzula kana vhane vha vha na thaidzo ya u tshila fhasi ha mutsiko wa u ri vha kho u tshila na vhuholefhali.
Hoyu muhasho u tea u ri u khwinifhadze na u isa phan?a u ri vhashumi kana sekhithara dza phuraivethe dzi kone u vha thola u fana na vha?we mashumi.
English:
The ANC believes that the issue of marginalised groups such as person with disability be mainstreamed and put at the centre stage. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Parliament should play an effective monitoring role to ensure that issues raised by the sector find its expression.
I want to also take this opportunity to try and ask hon Breedt, I’m sorry for pronouncing it badly, that in all the issues that she has raised, where is she when we are sitting as a portfolio because we’ve a role to advice and make sure that whatever that needs to be done by the department, we all advice. I’ve never seen her. I’ve just seen her today. I was not even aware that she is part of this committee, but she
raises a number of efforts. However, I want to say to South Africans that she is not doing her role.
I also take forward to say that the department has made its role and tried to forge the task in working with issues of albinism. Therefore, the department is doing well. Hon Sharif, you know better that we’ve been as a portfolio, and we go to oversight. The department is trying to do it all best, it’s just that we’ve not yet arrived where we want to arrive. The ANC government should take measures to ensure that all the buildings are accessible to people with disabilities.
Secondly, the government department and private sector institutions that fall to meet employment targets of people with disabilities. There must be no access to both and the public-private sector when it comes to making sure that persons living with disability and integrated and feel in their hearts in all the ways. The state development and social infrastructure such as human settlement, bridges, schools and, etcetera, must consistently lead in the regards to the protection and dignity of persons living with disability.
We welcome and support the effort of the State President in committing to deal with issues affecting persons with
disability. As we move forward on 14 March the President has addressed the Presidential Working Committee dealing with disability in his address, I quote:
First, we should increase funding for disability related programmes and services. These will include funding for education, training, employment and health care services for the people living with disability.
The department is doing very well. Sharif knows it better. Even though we have to brush and try to make it further we are aware, even in the portfolio committee we’ve addressed the issue of Western Cape. We are aware that the Western Cape Council for Gender Equality, CGE, offices are not operating, and the department has promised to make it a point that the offices will operate as soon as possible. As the ANC this is our effort, and we are making sure that the CGE and NYDA make it a point that their vision and mission are attained. It is our role in this committee ... [Interjections.] ... Hon Acting House Chair, can you protect me, I think they’re drowning me into the noise. I seek protection.
The CHAIRPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Hon members! Just wait, just wait, hon Phiri. Hon members! hon members, you are allowed to hackle, but the room is very small. If you can do it a little bit better. Can you please proceed, hon Phiri. Hon Phiri, can you proceed.
Ms C M PHIRI: Hon Acting House Chair, the ANC as a leading government party has made a call to the department to also incorporate on issues of gender-based violence and make it a point that we are bringing as a portfolio to the House the Bill of Gender-Based Violence. The department also recognises and accepts people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual LGBTIQA+, and they are making sure that we are working with them and the programmes. Thank you, Acting House Chair. [Applause.]
Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: House Chairperson, the NFP supports the Budget Vote tabled here today. Let me start up by asking this question. We have 14 political parties in Parliament. Can you do a headcount of how many people with disabilities are in each political party? Why many of those raising objections are
... [Inaudible.] ... We only have two members in Parliament.
Look at those who have more and ask themselves how many physically challenged people do they have.
Chairperson, allow me to draw the attention of this House ...
The CHAIPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Hon Shaik-Emam can you wait. Hon members, I repeat, the Rule is very clear. May you please try not to drown the speaker. Thank you very much. Hon Khawula, may you please lower your voice, please.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Chairperson, allow me to draw the attention of this House that apartheid has really killed 2 171 children thus far. More importantly they were killed in Palestine by the Israel apartheid regime this year alone.
Yes, the youth unemployment rate is very, very high in the country. We talk a lot about gender-based violence. Hon Minister, if you want to deal with gender-based violence you have to get to the grassroots. You are not going to solve it by sitting and debating in Parliament all the time. Identify why we have such a dysfunctional society from the grassroots level. I want to plead with you, Minister, you should use good measures in place from the grassroots level, at schools
together with the social workers in the communities. Identify those children that are coming from dysfunctional ... and save them at an early stage when they are growing up. No child is born a murderer or a rapist. We need to ask what went wrong, when did it go wrong, how did it go wrong and why did it go wrong? That’s what we need to do.
I gave an example of unemployment. If you want to have a hair cutter in South Africa. You will never get a local barber. We have 4 500 wards in South Africa, and and I say it again and again. What stops us from empowering youth that they become barbers? These people are earning a lot of money. That’s why they leave their children, their wives and families and come here. Why can’t we introduce it? There is a lot we can do as far as the youth are concerned in this country.
As far as the women are concerned, I want to raise a concern again. I just came back from Kimberly on the weekend. The SA Police Service has recruited a lot of ... [Inaudible.] ... but there is a huge discrepancy ... [Inaudible.] ... recruited rather female. So, I think we need to attend to that as well.
But very importantly, I think we need to understand that we need to work together to address the problems that ... [Inaudible.] ... We are not going to do it in isolation. We are not going to ... [Inaudible.] ... but only if we come together collectively, we can address the concerns of the challenges that we currently have in the country. The NFP support this Budget Vote. Thank you very much.
Ms N I TARABELLA-MARCHESI: Hon Chair, it becomes very difficult to advocate for a budget increase where you have a concern of the department’s performance since its establishment in 2009. Unfortunately, there has been very little to show in terms of achievements, implementation, frameworks or tools. In fact, I doubt if this department even knows its responsibilities. This lack of progress is particularly alarming when we consider that the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues to rise.
Hon Chair, the department’s role is to conduct programs that mainstream, monitor, and advocate for women. However, the results have been extremely disappointing, Minister. What is even more troubling is the excessive expenditure that this department spends on writing reports, workshops and
conferences. In just the last three years, the department has spent an average of over R30 million on such events.
Chairperson, I believe that South Africans at this stage are very much aware of gender-based violence, and what we need is to focus on monitoring and mainstreaming the mechanisms that lead to the prosecution of gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF, cases. There are several interventions that this department can embark on to address gender-based violence and femicide. Women who experience GBV need to see the department taking action on the following.
As we all know that when you go to the police station to report GBV you will have the police that is sitting behind the desk that is absolutely willing and reluctant to open a case.
They will inadequately report on them, and properly investigate, which actually hinders the cases' prosecution in court.
Economic dependency plays a critical role, as financially dependent women are often reluctant to report GBV. There is
also the alarming rate of case withdrawals highlights the lack of confidence in the state machinery.
We also have an issue of medical officers and doctors who are sometimes unwilling to accurately fill in evidence and complete the J88 form.
Prosecutors are also overwhelmed with numerous cases and may not give the cases the attention they deserve because they have seen too many gender-based cases and sometimes they think some of them are not as traumatic as they have seen previously.
The lengthy turnaround time from the police station to conviction or acquittal is also unacceptable. Instead of this department continuing writing reports I think they should choose one of these issues and report on its progress over the next five years. This approach could give us more of tangible improvements.
Secondly, hon Chair, if we have to address the department's role as the custodian of the rights of people with disabilities over the past ten years. The fact that the
department has not actually been able to ensure that the budget that is provided is adequate, at the moment we only see according to the annual performance plan, APP, that the budget allocation is about R13 million for this year. And millions have been given to people with disability for the last decade. But yet there are still questions that we have as the committee. For instance, has the department drafted legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities? The answer is no. There is very little progression from the White Paper. Are there meaningful skills building programs providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities? Sadly, no. Instead, they are often limited to soft skills like basket weaving. Has government mainstreamed inclusive schooling for persons with disabilities? Regrettably, no. The Minister of Basic Education approved the screening, identification, assessments and support policy to remove barriers to learning for learners with disabilities. Yet, only 22% of learners of a school going age do not attend because of an illness or disability and ordinary schools are not universally accessible to those experiencing a physical disability.
According to the Department of Labour, persons with disabilities are among the most hardworking employees.
However, the 2% employment equity representation for people with disabilities is not being realised in the public or private sectors due to a lack of advocacy and awareness for this group.
Lastly, women empowerment is very disheartening. The fact that we have 51% of South Africa's population, women are still underrepresented in the labour force and lack leadership positions is also of concern. We need to make sure that women are empowered. It has been over a decade now that this department has been incephted.
In order to overcome these challenges, we urgently need a new mindset and fresh ideas within the department. We cannot continue doing the same thing over and over, again. Thank you.
Ms G P MAREKWA: Hon House Chairperson, the Minister and the Deputy Minister, the chairperson of the portfolio committee – she’s not here ... Ndaba, hon Members of Parliament, and delegations I saw from NYDA and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities. Allow me to start by giving some response to what has been raised which also might be a concern – you cannot leave them unanswered. To the hon Sukers,
regarding the issue of water in Warrenton – from the Northern Cape province we know that the Magareng Municipality is currently busy addressing the service delivery issues caused by aged infrastructure in that area of Warrenton. We know that the pipes are coming from many years back and that the municipality is also interim relieve to make sure that people do not really go out without water whilst they are repairing or trying to repair the damages from the water pumps.
The Northern Cape, on the issue of women alone, the Northern Cape government is mindful of the plight of women, youth and persons with disability in our communities and has recently established a new Ministry that will address all challenges related to women and youth and girls within the Northern Cape province. So, those issues that we have raised surely they will get the necessary attention and the law come in and assist them, and the provincial government of the Northern Cape.
Hon Marchesi, the police stations do have victim-friendly rooms. Police stations have victim-friendly rooms and where there are no victim-friendly rooms, there is privacy provided for victims of rape and sexual assault and other gender-based
violence cases for them to have privacy where their statements will be taken. So, this caring ANC government make sure that women and those who have been assaulted do not stand in public with everybody to give their statements. There is privacy provided where there are no victim-friendly rooms provision is made so that their statements are taken in privacy. They don’t queue with other people. We were in Mpumalanga just recently, to remind those who were ... The hon Marchesi was not part of the committee by then. There are victim-friendly rooms; there are Thuthuzela Care Centres and there is privacy all the time
– that I can bet you. Yes, it’s true, we must be post opposition. You will the deny the facts that are there. [Interjections.] It’s their duty actually, yes.
Let me to my input for today. We cannot address gender mainstreaming without talking to patriarchy as this current government or this democracy we took from a government that was oppressing and not caring about the rights of all the people. Patriarchy is a system which is entrenched globally and so, in that case of our beloved South Africa, the ANC has been leading the light in ensuring that gender issues are mainstreamed in all facets of society. As a movement, we are
not yet at the desired stage and we continue to develop and implement policies which responds to the needs of women.
The United Nations, UN, sustainable development goal 5 on gender equality advocates achieving gender-equality and empowerment of all women and girls. The UN problematises the gender bias as follows, that it undermines of social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just women issues, it is a tremendous waste of the world’s women potential. By denying women equal rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest. Political, economic and social equality for women will benefit all the world’s citizens.
Together we can eradicate prejudice and work for equal rights and respect for all.
Goal 17 of the Agenda 20163 of the African Union is themed as follows: The Africa We Want. It further adds to this and address the issue of women empowerment calling for full gender equality in all spheres of life, looking into addressing the challenges of women and girls’ empowerment, violence and discrimination against women and girls. Globally, there is huge acceptance that gender bias and empowerment of women and girls are critical if we are to live in a world that is
interested in sustained development and there is a great need for violence and discrimination for the greater attainment of enjoyment of their rights. Women inclusive society should and must be of interest to all. There can be no better way in emphasising the centrality and importance of women emancipation than recalling the words of the late President Samora Machel from Mozambique and I quote:
The emancipation of women is not an act of charity, it is the result of a humanitarian or compassionate attitude.
The liberation of women is the fundamental necessity for the revolution, a guarantee of its continuity and precondition for its victory.
This words by one of the greatest leaders in our continent alludes to the fact of moving away from gender biases and emancipation of women and girls is crucial in transforming society, thus including our country South Africa.
The mandate of the department requires compliance on all organs of state and private sector. We welcome the department’s concensus of the development of the promotion of women’s rights, empowerment and Gender Equality Bill. This
will be crucial to mainstreaming gender equality and call on the department to finalise its Bill as a critical instrument to institutionalise gender interventions.
In doing its task, there must be an effort also created to include an integration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, LGBTQIA+, community and other marginalised groups. Gender responsive planning and budget that is co-ordinated in all spheres of government remains key to addressing the scourge of gender- based violence and femicide in an appropriate and impactful manner. The ANC continues working hand-in-hand with social partners in building a safe nation free of gender-based violence, social ills and other forms of discrimination. The ANC supports this Budget Vote.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
Thank you very much, hon Chairperson. I will not respond to everything that has been said here in the limited time I have. But as a matter of principle, I want to say that gender-based violence and fermicide, GBVF, is a responsibility for all of us. We cannot just point the finger at one department. GBVF is a societal problem that we all need to address, in our homes,
on our streets, in our communities, and everywhere else. Especially as public representatives. I think that needs to be understood. And I agree that we need to address the root causes of GBVF.
Let me say to ma’Khawula you actually said this department works and women produce. Yes, and they are smarter than some of you that think that they can only work if the government comes and gives them something. The women produce because they are smart. They know they have to produce when they can.
Right? You are actually on our side, but I am not going to answer your question because you do not support the Budget Vote. So how am I going to work if you do not support the Budget Vote? I am not going to do it. Thank you for telling us that the women are working and producing, which means that this department is working.
Yes, and also, the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA does work. You may not like what they do, but they work. And they do support young people. Yesterday I was at ... [Inaudible.] ... we were in a school where young people help children improve their reading skills, and they are supported by the NYDA. I went around Langa, I was in a laundromat, I was
in a spa for cleaning shoes, all supported by NYDA. Just here, without mentioning many other places.
But of course, I expected this portfolio committee to – I am very disappointed – I expected it to say how can this department that is in charge of women, youth, and person with disability only be left with R200... including compensation of employees, and you expect us to do everything?
So, I thought you are going to be saying to National Treasury, they must give us more money. Yes. Then we can give the women what ma’Khawula is saying. What is money for?
IsiZulu:
Awuyazi imali yenzani?
English:
To the FF Plus, I would like to say that the reason we are working with the defence force is precisely for the defence force to skill young people, because if they are not skilled, even if they are jobs they will not get a job. So they need to be skilled so that they can get jobs or create jobs. So that’s what we are doing. And I do not know what more we want to do.
It’s a new programme and we have realised that a lot of young people are not employable, because if you do not have skills, there could be a job but you cannot be employed. So I think you should support that, if you want young people to be employed and skilled.
And of course, we appreciate what you have said, ma’Hlongo. You have supported us and I appreciate it. To the EFF, you must support the budget. How can you say we are not doing all these things but then you don’t support the budget, how are we going to do it without the budget?
IsiZulu:
Hhawu niyangixaka!
English:
Just support the department’s Budget Vote.
IsiZulu:
... ayizuvalwa ...
English:
Because people still need the services. But let me also say that we are going to invite - I don’t know - a delegation from this portfolio committee. We are going to have an exciting event in September. No! Listen first before you speak. Learn to listen. We are going to have an event where we celebrate youth excellence, youth innovation, youth entrepreneurs and we are going to give awards to youth under 40. And the event is called 40 Under 40 Innovators Award. So we will invite a delegation and you will decide who comes.
IsiZulu:
... mqokeni, uma ningamqoki ngeke angene, mqokeni mhlawumbe uzongena.
English:
... the nominations for the 40 Under 40 Innovators Award are already open. You need to check out the link. We need to encourage young people to be innovative, to work professionally and to strive for excellence. So if we do not recognize them, they will not. That’s why we want to award them. It will be an exciting event. And it’s an event we want to do every year to encourage young people.
But otherwise, I want to just end by saying we are all responsible citizens, including the members of the opposition. They must do their part. Government is doing its part and you are doing your part. Your part is not only to shout at government, your part is also to work on the ground. To do all those things you say we must do. Please do your part. I want to end by quoting from Haile Selassie when he said:
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
So, act on the ground and make sure that when there is GBVF you are part of the community in making sure that you are stopping it. Thank you.
The CHAIRPERSON (Mr M G Mahlaule): Thank you very much hon Minister. Hon members, you are reminded that the debate on Police, including Independent Police Investigative Directorate and Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service Budget Votes, will take place at 14:00 in the Good Hope Chamber and the
debate on Science and Innovation Budget Vote will take place at 14:00 in this venue.
Debate concluded.
The mini-plenary rose at 12:02.
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