Hansard: NA: Unrevised hansard
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 21 Sep 2023
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2023
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Watch here: Plenary
The House met at 14:01.
The House Chairperson (Mr C T Frolick) took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Chair, I move that:
That the House –
(1) establishes, in terms of the Rule 253, an ad hoc committee to consider and report on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, upon introduction of the Bill, the committee to –
(a) exercise those powers as set out in Rule 167 that may assist it in carrying out its task;
(b) consist of 11 members of the National Assembly, as follows: ANC 6, DA 2, EFF 1, and other parties 2; and
(2) sets the deadline by which the Committee is to report as 1 March 2024.
I hereby move.
Motion agreed to.
DEBATE ON HERITAGE DAY: CELEBRATING OUR CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN A DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA
IsiXhosa:
USEKELA MPHATHISWA WEZEMIDLALO, UBUGCISA NENKCUBEKO:
Siyabulisa ngale mvakwemini kuSihlalo weNdlu ohloniphekileyo nakumaLungu ePalamente.
Iingcango zemfundo nenkcubeko ziya kuvuleleka kuye wonke umuntu.
Esi sesinye seziphakamiso eziqulathwe kuMqulu weNkululeko owaphehlelelwa kwiNgqungquthela yaBantu ngowe-1955 eKliptown.
Kungoko ke urhulumente olawula ngentando yesininzi wathabatha isigqibo sokuba phakathi kweentsuku emaziqwalaselwe, lusuku lokubhiyozela amasiko nenkcubeko yabantu.
English:
Heritage is what we have inherited from our forebears to value and enjoy in the present, to preserve and pass on to future generations. It has to be nurtured and constantly developed.
As we continue our Heritage Month programme and look forward to Heritage Day, we do so under the theme Celebrating our Cultural Diversity in a Democratic South Africa.
For centuries, this country’s history was biased and served the colonial and apartheid regime’s ideas. The living heritage of people’s indigenous to South Africa was marginalized, demonised and affected by dramatic changes on land ownership, livelihoods, language use and social structure. In the early 90s, the ANC crafted a blueprint for its transformative programme, a document titled Ready to Govern, which clearly pronounced on heritage transformation issues.
The document avers that:
The monopoly over symbols and names should give way to a diverse range representation of our whole people and population. Arts and culture are not the property of any political party or group. Consequently, the ANC believes that state funded cultural institutions should be non- sectarian.
Soon after the inauguration of a new democratic government in South Africa the matter of public holidays to commemorate and celebrate was tabled. Heritage Day was one of the national days that was declared by the democratically elected government led by the ANC in 1994. It was born out of a realisation that not all our cultural heritage as a nation was recognised and celebrated in this country.
In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, President Nelson Mandela stated:
When our first democratically elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has profound power to help build our new nation. We did so, knowing that the struggle against injustices and inequalities of the past are part of our national identity.
They are part of our culture. We knew that if indeed our nation has to rise like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes of the vision and conflict, we had to acknowledge that those whose selfless efforts and talents were dedicated to this goal of non-racial democracy.
Heritage Day is about making South Africans aware of their cultural roots, while at the same time fostering national pride and stimulating nation building and reconciliation. The idea is to preserve, exhibit and promote our diverse but interconnecting and intersecting cultures. The preamble of the Constitution reminds us that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity and calls upon us to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.
In democratising the heritage landscape after 1994, it has thus been very important to recognise and celebrate the significance of our diverse living heritage, safeguard it for future generations and harness it as the basis for social cohesion and nation building. The democratic government introduced the 1996 Arts and Culture White Paper, the South
African Geographical Names Act of 1998 and the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999.
The effective way to reflect the birth of a new nation is its national symbols. National symbols are key to the redefinition of a nation. South Africa took a stand to transform the old symbols to create a more representative inclusive entity. The flag was the first one to be designed. The brief of the development of the flag emphasised on the unification factor, that maximum reconciliation should be the aim to bring about national unity to the extent that all communities can feel assured that their interests have been considered.
Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to reflect and admire our democratic national cycles. As we are preparing to celebrate our heritage is important that we understand the nature, history and role of our national symbols. A range of initiatives emerged from the legislative changes listed above, including the renaming of major national landmarks such as street names, international airports and major towns and cities. The declaration of several previously marginalized heritage and liberation sites as national heritage sites, with some elevated to a world heritage sites such as Robben Island. Some iconic heritage sites have been added to our heritage,
including but not limited to the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsburg, Liliesleaf in Rivonia, Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata, Ncome Museum, Luthuli Museum in Kwazulu-Natal and Freedom Park in Tshwane.
As the United Nations Organisation member state, South Africa is presently processing our country’s ratification of the 1993 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. This 1993 Unesco Convention obliges member states to establish national bodies to protect intangible cultural heritage within their territory. It is in line with this convention that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture developed the National Living Heritage Policy, which was adopted by Cabinet in 2019.
Despite the colonial and apartheid onslaught on our languages and our cultural heritage, our people, especially within traditional communities, still practise our cultural traditions and taught our languages to their children and grandchildren. However, urbanisation has destroyed our families that had had grandparents, parents and grandchildren living together as one big family. Most children hardly speak their indigenous languages, let alone practise their cultural
traditions, their indigenous knowledge holders who are elderly and who do not have many years to live.
The department has started a project to document the indigenous knowledge held by these expert knowledge holders in books. Five books are published a year, with 19 books having published so far, including those of Gogo Esther Mahlangu, Dr Madosini Mpahleni, Makhulu Noria Mabasa and Ouma Katrina Esau.
IsiXhosa:
Eli phulo liza kuncedisa nasekuqinisekiseni ukuba inkqubo esekelezelwe kulwazi lwemveli yethu njengabantu abantsundu nayo ifumana ingqwalasela nokuphuhlisa kwa njengaleyo ingolwazi lwasentshona.
English:
The mainstreaming of our knowledge system is emphasised in the revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. Hon members, Heritage Month holds immense cultural significance in South Africa as it serves as a platform for communities to celebrate and display their unique traditions, customs and languages. The celebration of cultural diversity not only strengthens the identities of various communities, but also helps preserve and promote their heritage for future
generations. It is a month of celebration and reflection where people come together to appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up South Africa. It reinforces the idea that we are stronger together and urges us to continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
Hon Chair and hon members, let us all celebrate our rich and diverse cultural heritage. The only way a minority could enslave, degrade and marginalise the majority, is through division to convince the majority that they were different from one another, and to place creed and ethnicity before humanity. Our humanity is first, and our heritage is interwoven with the land we walk upon. The land beneath our feet is South Africa and we are South Africans before we are Xhosas, Sothos, Zulus or Pedis, we are all South Africans.
We take great pride in our cultures, but we must find even greater pride in our joint heritage. We have former things in common than things that separate us as a nation. To sum this up, President Matamela Ramaphosa had this to say during the funeral of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi:
Our differences must never stand in the way of our nationality and our nationalism.
As we strive to make South Africa great, let’s leave no one behind.
IsiXhosa:
Ndiyabulela.
Dr N V KHUMALO: House Chairperson, we would like to start by one once again, paying tribute to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for his instrumental role in preserving the Zulu culture.
Heritage Day is a national important day of celebration; it is solely about celebrating. And even during a time when our country is riddled with so many challenges emanating from government failures. We ought to take the time to celebrate the treasures of our heritage.
Let us celebrate how we have evolved and how we are today able to share in each other’s cultures and embrace our diversity, because it is in our unity that we can forge passed the failures of the current government. We need to celebrate the spirit of unity that comes through various ways, including sport, and we will remember how, for example, the Springboks, Banyana Banyana, the netball team have united us and given us a national pride we all can own.
We need to celebrate our rich supply of natural resources such as gold. We also need to celebrate the beautiful heritage sites of our country, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and Robben Island, are but some of these sites. We need a government that will ensure that its people experience, embrace and ultimately feel a sense of ownership over these sites.
In the past, culture was used to divide us, and now we need to celebrate the understanding of our diversity, which has helped us to respect one another, understand one another and learn from each other. This we must celebrate because it is part of our healing brought by our democracy.
We need to celebrate a well written and thought-out Constitution, that seeks to direct both government and its people on how to be treated and how to treat others. And whilst there are failures in this regard from the ANC government, with many of our senior citizens having gone over two weeks, two weeks without their grants, which is definitely a human rights violation. There is hope South Africa and we should never lose hope because a caring DA government is only a few months away.
We all can look forward to a few months from today where the DA government will ensure that it is our very own diversity that will get the country right.
Dear South Africans, we have a lot to celebrate. We have inherited a rich culture base that has taught us ubuntu. May we celebrate the fundamental principle that makes us who we are. May we remember ubuntu in everything we set out to do. South Africa has such a rich history that we stand on, we learn from, build from and we need to pave a future from, a future we can be proud for future generations to inherit.
May we always remember the lessons history has taught us. History has taught us that we are a nation that can get past the worst. History has also taught us that we certainly can’t trust the ANC government. So, dear South Africans our country needs you ...
Siswati:
... gogo ekhaya...
English:
... unemployed young people, the entrepreneur whose business is struggling, the students in tertiary institutions, the
family that has lost a member to crime. I urge all South Africans who have not registered to vote, to please do so. South Africa needs you. Thank you, House Chairperson.
Mr E MTHETHWA: House Chair, good afternoon, hon members. If the meaning of heritage is the inheritance left for the next generations, what inheritance shall we leave for our children and grandchildren, especially when the culture we are instilling is one of senseless foreign concepts and projects?
We are reminded that we are Africans only during Heritage Month, our pride seems to be in wearing anything that might look African to others, rather than the full and proper attires as defined by different tribes and nations of our society. The evidence is in the House.
Our children are increasingly inspired by foreign cultures,
the Louis Vuittons, the Guccis, there is a lack of African pride in their daily lives. The Maxhosa... [Interjection.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon members, order, hon members, order! Thank you. Please continue, hon member.
Mr E MTHETHWA: ... our children are increasingly inspired by foreign cultures, the Louis Vuitton, the Guccis. There is a lack of African pride in our daily lives. The Maxhosa brand is one of the few we can truly be proud of. Yet, prevailing sentiments seems to be one of shame towards our African identity.
African children are sometimes denied access to formerly all- white schools because of their African hairstyles, showing a preference to western inspired hairstyles over our African pride and beauty. Foreign content often dominates over local content, exposing our children to foreign cultures, norms and values which might expose our children to concepts of sexuality at a tender age.
The which proposes
the sale of alcohol at schools, out of school hours, is a clear departure from the politics of the past when we used to say our focus was removing shebeens close to the schools and building more schools instead of prisons.
It’s the current ANC government’s failure to create jobs, that has led to use using taxpayer’s money to consider legalising prostitution as an alternative career. Instead of offering
free education to empower young women and restore their dignity and pride.
The skewed language preferences go against the idea of language equality that is often spoken about. Only a few African languages are taught in our schools. In some schools’ black children are required to pass Afrikaans and English, yet not compulsory for white children take and pass African languages. We might be quick to sympathise with whites who struggle with African languages or mispronounced our names and surnames, but why is it an African often ridiculed for speaking broken English.
If we believe that heritage is merely defined by attires, we wear during Heritage Month, can anyone describe what white South Africans cultural attires are? We often talk about social cohesion in our documents and manifestos, but when will we see cultural exchange programmes. How about encouraging multilingualism and teaching the dress code of various tribes and nations that constitute the rich cultural diversity we often praise.
What should we celebrate when we are still overshadowed by the remnants of the tragic past, a history that sometimes
resembles the imaginative tales of discoveries by the figures like Jan van Riebeek, who claimed to have discovered lands where black people had lived in harmony without ever hearing a gunshot. Yet, today Africans are taken to court by those who once taught us how to shoot, aiming to claim the land and its resources.
It is for this reason the EFF is emphasising the importance of land expropriation without compensation. Drawing parallels with Genesis 1, verse 28. The ANC government introduced arbitration leaning more towards foreign ideologies of governance. They have subscribed to Western notions of democracy, not recognising that democracy is not one size fits all. Our version should be heavily influenced by our African values and norms, providing African solutions to our unique challenges.
The current concept of Heritage month and day has even shadowed the once vibrant culture of the coloured people of this country. The EFF remembered and celebrated this forgotten culture during its tenth anniversary celebration.
The ANC government appears to prioritise and maintaining a colonial mentality, furthering postmodern cultural
colonisation. Our national anthem is an example of that. That accommodates an apologetic tone. Social cohesion should not be the sole responsibility of blacks. Blacks are often the ones who are integrating, moving into formerly whites only areas and schools, while many whites remain in their suburbs, still influenced by the apartheid era discrimination.
We should understand no African can be labelled racist but might instead be reacting to the past racial discrimination and injustices that still show effects even today. The false promise we are given a better life for all, doesn’t seem like a heritage worth celebrating. Especially... [Interjection.] mired in poverty, inequality, and racial and discrimination on
... [Interjection.] [Inaudible.] ... our 1994 ... [Time expired.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member your time has expired, thank you. Please take a seat. Thank you, hon member. No, hon members, order, hon members! It’s a member’s choice if he wants to wear Gucci shoes.
Mr M HLENGWA: Hon House Chairperson, as sons and daughters of Africa, land is our first heritage. As Africans and as South Africans our identity, beliefs, culture and our very
livelihoods are all intrinsically and irrevocably connected to the land. Our very being is tied to the land of our birth.
Yet, millions of South Africans were dispossessed of this heritage under the colonisers, under the apartheid regime, we were wrenched from the land of our forefathers, forcibly removed and sent away to resettle in places with no connection to our heritage and culture and to our roots. The governments of the day used legislation for dispossession, including the 1913 Natives Land Act and the 1950 Group Areas Act. Our people were robbed of our most fundamental heritage, our land.
The IFP founder and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was a man who understood that land is the first heritage and first inheritance of all our people. He understood the importance of the connection of all our different cultures to the land of their ancestors. When asked why, at his advanced age he still served as a member of this House, his response will always be that he could not rest until the issue of land for all our people has been resolved. With his passing, it is incumbent upon all of us to continue the struggle to ensure the dignity of all our people. Not only did he worked tirelessly throughout his life to promote and uphold Zulu culture, traditions and heritage, but Prince Buthelezi also worked with and supported the cultural communities to ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick) Hon Mashele, would you disconnect your microphone, please, you are disrupting the session now. Hon Hlengwa, please continue.
Mr M HLENGWA: Thank you, sir. Not only did he worked tirelessly throughout his life to support and promote and uphold Zulu culture, traditions and heritage, but Prince Buthelezi also worked with and supported other cultural communities to assist them in their quest to secure their rights in their land, central to their own identity and spirituality, so that their land could be safeguarded for future generations. At the height of apartheid, Prince Buthelezi stood up to the regime when they tried to hand over the entire Ingwavuma area to the then kingdom of Swaziland, taking government to court and emerging victorious in protecting South African land and people from being excised from their country. In November 2019, Prince Buthelezi shared the motivation behind the Ingonyama Trust Act, which he pioneered, and I quote:
Another decision that has been misconstrued often deliberately is the decision I took just before 1994 elections to place the land of KwaZulu into a trust to remain as communal land administered under indigenous and
customary law. The legal advice I received was that this land on which our people were perched would automatically become state land under the new democratic dispensation. Because the Constitution recognises the institution of traditional leadership, I decided to put this land under a trust with the king as the sole trustee so that the land should continue to be administered through indigenous and customary law.
Instead of leaving the fate of our people in the hands of a yet untested and wholly unknown government, Prince Buthelezi took the decision to safeguard the land and heritage of our people and placed it in the custodianship of the king and amakhosi, as had been the practice for many years. Through Prince Buthelezi’s leadership, the land remained in the hands of the people. The Ingonyama Trust Act has by now been legitimately enforced in a democratic dispensation for 29 years and has been recognised by the Constitutional Court.
Therefore, as we celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, let us take the time to consider the importance of the land as central to our heritage as South Africans, and let us prioritise assistance to those who remain deprived of this heritage so they can receive much-needed restitution. Land
remains our first heritage and, therefore, land must remain our first priority. I thank you, House Chairperson.
Ms H DENNER: Hon House Chair, South Africa is one of the most beautiful and culturally diverse countries in the world. With our twelve official languages, different dialects of each different cultures, races, colours and creeds, we certainly have one of the most interesting and intriguing societies.
Despite all these differences, we can all still come together to support our nation’s teams, as we saw with the Netball World Cup in August and the current Rugby World Cup where we can all dress in our green and gold, or our listerine and white and support the Boks in unison. Contrary to popular belief, unfortunately a belief that is often fuelled in this House ordinary South Africans live together in this country, each to his or her own, in peace and mutual respect. That is why South Africa left to ordinary South Africans has worked, despite the nine missing state capture years and 30 years of ANC regime.
The theme for today’s debate is to celebrate our cultural diversity in a democratic South Africa. However, what should we actually be celebrating, hon House Chair? The Deputy Minister referred to our joint heritage. What is that joint
heritage under the ANC? Is it poor service delivery, a deplorable public health system, an even more deplorable public education system, load shedding, critical water shortages and unemployment crisis with the likes of those in war-torn countries, the highest crime rate in decades or the fact that fraud and corruption is at the order of the day.
Even our cultural heritage sites are in a deplorable state. One example which the Deputy Minister also mentioned is the Robben Island World Heritage Site, which has been neglected to the point where it will cost up to R250 million to upgrade and renovate. It has been plagued by financial mismanagement, which is a trademark of the ANC government.
Therefore, it is thus unsurprising that one of the most famous sites in the country and maybe the world bears the marks of ANC rule gravesites of ANC freedom fighters in the Lingelihle Cemetery has been overrun by raw sewage like our drinking water. Another example, 80% of sewage in the Free State, for instance, runs into the sources of our drinking water. There are numerous examples where heritage sites are either overrun by sewage, destroyed through vandalism or mismanaged to the point where there is nothing left. The Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein, where the ANC was founded, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s house in Brandfort, all in a state of
decay after millions was apparently spent and the same story always the same story.
The Deputy Minister said that our heritage has to be nurtured, but it is clear, hon House Chair, that the ANC doesn’t care for our cultural heritage, they don’t even care for their own, nor do they care that ordinary South Africans have to sit in the dark at night, and that our drinking water is being polluted by sewage as long as they have the keys to the Union Buildings and their fingers in the till.
Afrikaans:
Wat ons werklik vandag kan en moet vier is gewone Suid- Afrikaners, met hulle liefde vir hul onderskeie tale, kulture en erfenis, vir hulle mense en vir ander mense, vir hulle wedersydse respek, strewe na vooruitgang, selfbeskikking, deursettingsvermoë, veerkragtigheid en hulle sin vir humor.
Nog n gedeelde kenmerk van Suid-Afrikaners is ons vermoë om oplossings te vind, struikelblokke te voorkom en planne te maak om te oorleef en vooruit te gaan. Wat ons dus ook moet vier is die feit dat Suid-Afrikaners nie onder ’n kalkoen uitgebroei is nie.
English:
You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
Afrikaans:
Die VF Plus vier, met hierdie Erfenisdag, die feit dat Suid- Afrikaners nie langer deur die ANC geflous sal word nie. Ons sal ... [Tyd verstreke.].
English:
We will no longer be fooled. I thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr W M THRING: Hon House Chairperson, the ACDP acknowledges that South Africa is rich in diverse, cultures, languages and traditions. By celebrating and promoting this diversity we can preserve and promote how South Africans are all interconnected in a profound way. Our long history of racial and ethnic divisions has its roots, not only in the former apartheid system, but also by the prejudices and stereotypes of individuals and groups. These divisions created deep-seated prejudices and tensions that sadly, continue to affect our society today.
We are, as South Africans a diverse nation, rich in our different languages, tribes, cultures, religions and world views. We may be different, but we must understand that we are one, one as South Africans. Our differences should not be eroded by political correctness. Our heritage represents life, joy and hope, the diversity of thoughts, ideas and personalities that make our country a beautiful one to live in. It signals an openness to ideas, willingness to listen to others and acceptance of those who are different from us. It is for this reason that we should all fight the cancel culture, which subscribes that if you do not agree with their view, they will cancel you, deplatform you and make you persona nongrata.
The ACDP commits to creating an inclusive society where all individuals are valued and respected for their unique backgrounds, beliefs and traditions. This naturally means that those who hold to a biblical or religious world view should never be prejudiced by legislation which infringes on their freedom of religion, expression and conscience, as enshrined within our Constitution. Where this infringement happens, the voice of the ACDP will never be silent. Celebrating our cultural diversity does not diminish our collective identity as South Africans. Instead, it strengthens the fabric of our
nation. It allows us to confront and challenge discrimination and inequality, faced by marginalised cultural groups, and promotes a platform to address issues of social justice.
The ACDP will not cower to political correctness, which sacrifices freedom of religion, speech and conscience on the altar of political expediency, but we will work tirelessly in uniting our nation, understanding the biblical injunction which states that every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand, but where there is unity, God commands a blessing. The ACDP commits to building a united South Africa, one sovereign nation under God. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr B N HERRON: House Chair, thank you, for almost 30 years we have celebrated the cultural diversity of our beloved country as one of our greatest strengths. Our former President Mandela said:
When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation. In the vein of
celebrating shared culture rather than focusing on cultural divisions.
Since then it has been a tradition that in this Assembly and across the nine provinces, politicians from all represented parties participate in debates like the one we are having today. I expect across the country, politicians representing all the political parties that make up our multiparty democracy will make compelling speeches about the diversity of our country and our unique cultures.
We will hear speeches urging South Africans to celebrate and unite in that diversity, but some of those same political leaders and their parties will enter the looming election period, as the ones before, seeking to exploit our differences rather than celebrating our similarities, devoid of compelling arguments to persuade voters to support them. They will resort to creating divisions based on race and ethnicity. They will seek to invoke fear. Some will resort to the old apartheid tactics of the swart gevaar to create a lager of minority voters from whom they will build their political base.
As the National Assembly is elected to represent the people, we cannot Kumbaya through this debate, calling for a united
South Africa built on the strength of our diversity, without holding the hypocrites who constantly seek to divide us to account. Our progress as a nation to overcome our undeniable crises and challenges cannot be achieved through division based on race. That experiment was forced upon us and thankfully failed. The only differences we should exploit for voters are our differences in ideas. We participate in politics and contest elections against each other because we believe we have better solutions for the legacy we have inherited and the problems that the people of our country face on a daily basis.
South Africans of all races and cultures have far more in common than anything that divides us. Let us again remember Madiba's message on our diversity:
It is not our diversity which divides us it is not our ethnicity or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can be only one division amongst us between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.
On this Heritage Day, we call on South Africans not to follow those who encourage us to fear the so-called others. They will not build a united, prosperous South Africa Thank you.
Ms H S WINKLER: House Chair, we are the people who stand on the shoulders of giants, from Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Helen Suzman to the everyday individuals who have made great sacrifices for the greater good. We are the people of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. We are the people of the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape and the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga.
We are the people of the Zulu Reed Dance, of Imbeleko, of the Festival of Lights, of the Rock Art of the Khoi and San, of the Cape Minstrels and of die Langarm. We are the people of the Cradle of Humankind, the birthplace of humanity where our ancestors took their first breath. This is our shared heritage, this is our legacy and this is what is worth fighting for.
We are South Africa. I am honoured to stand here today and to greet South Africans from across the cultural spectrum.
Against all odds, as the rest of the world waited with bated
breath, we transitioned to democracy in 1994 when we birthed a new heritage, one of unity in diversity. We demonstrated to the world that when the going gets tough, South Africans get tougher and there are those who wish to divide us through our differences and to show hatred in our hearts, but we know that our differences are our greatest strength and as South Africans we cannot and we will not allow our diversity to be used as a weapon against one another. There is a beautiful saying ...
IsiZulu:
... Umuntu ungumuntu ngabantu.
English:
A person is a person through other people. I am because you are. We are all human beings. That is our most fundamental shared connection and heritage. Our common humanity is the foundation from which our collective aspirations and dreams emanate. This is what our great leaders exemplified, Ubuntu, and this is the legacy that we need to honour and protect.
Our democracy will only thrive not when we build high walls, but when we build longer tables. We are living, breathing monuments to our heritage. Our South African spirit is
unrivalled and our collective culture is so unique and vibrant that it is world-renowned. It is our immense warmth and friendliness, radiant smiles that greet us and those who visit our beautiful shores. It's the camaraderie of communities that descend on the local watering hole to cheer on the Springboks. it is the pride when Banyana breaks barriers. It’s the fiery Durban curries, samp and beans, fireside potjies and pickle fish. It is a country dancing in unison to Jerusalema as a collective panic when there is a man-made shortage.
Even though there is so much that has gone wrong, state capture, a country plunged into darkness and where our young people are robbed of their future, we stay and we fight because we know we, the people of South Africa, we are what is right with our country and we the people will decide in 2024 what heritage we leave for our children. So, let us remember this and let us tread carefully.
Ms N T MKHATSHWA: That was a Heritage Day Speech. “Ja.”
Hon House Chairperson, hon members, citizens of South Africa,
IsiNdebele:
... lotjhani.
English:
Hon members, the Constitution of South Africa provides a vision of a united prosperous nonracial and non-sexist society. A country that belongs to those who live in it united in its diversity.
The National Development Plan, NDP, acknowledges that to build a socially cohesive society, South Africa needs to reduce poverty and inequality by broadening opportunity and employment through economic inclusion, education and skills.
It acknowledges that to build a socially cohesive South Africa, we must promote mutual respect and inclusiveness. Acknowledge all as being equal before the law and deepen the appreciation of citizen’s responsibilities and obligations towards one another.
As such, we must appreciate and acknowledge the heritage landscape and ecosystem as bigger as and broader than a Department of Sport, Arts and Culture imperative. In essence the preservation, protection and promotion of our heritage landscape and ecosystem is the responsibility of all departments and their entities, social institutions and all citizens of this country.
Our inability to be intentional and co-ordinated on this important task, will lead to the continued neglect and the exploitation of our heritage landscape. For example, the exploitation seen with a mass production of our cultural wear in China and by some international brands. I mean from the smallest towns in the Eastern Cape, Chief Whip, to Main Reef China Mall, to Marabastad ...
IsiXhosa:
... kukho umbhaco othungwa eChina, uphinde ubuyele apha uthengiselwe thina babe bekhona ooMaMgxongo noMaLeta ...
English:
... who can make umbhaco themselves and who which we would be buying it from.
I also wish not to leave out ...
Sesotho:
... bomme kwana Limpopo, ba etsang diyele le xibhelane.
English:
We should be buying those yele and shibhelane from those women in Limpopo and not from the Chinese.
These are the challenges the ANC-led government is cognisant of and has worked towards addressing in harnessing the preservation, protection and promotion of our heritage and culture.
Hon members, the creative and cultural industries can contribute substantially to small business development, job creation and urban development.
The SA Cultural Observatory shares that the cultural creative industry, contributed 2,9% to the gross domestic product, GDP, in 2020, employing about one million workers. In that 2,9%, the design and creative services contributed R51 billion, the audio visual and interactive media contributed R48,4 billion and the visual arts and crafts made up 50% of the cultural and creative industry’s contribution to the GDP.
Some of the faces that represent the above contributions, include the likes of Laduma Ngxokolo who owns the MaXhosa brand which has now become globally recognised.
It includes Nqobile Nkosi, the owner of jewellery village, Thandi Sibisi a black woman owning a gallery and Nkhensani
Rihlampfu a Johannesburg-based sculptor whose rope sculptors range from R60 000 to R650 000 and are globally recognised.
Recently we all had a moment to reconnect with our roots through the Television series like KoMkhulu as well as Shaka Ilembe that has empowered our economy and communities, by creating over 9 000 jobs. Some of the pieces of the wardrobe of that production come from the very famous hostel of Johannesburg kwaMayi Mayi. This is just but a glimpse of the economic value that the creative sector can contribute further to our country and its local communities.
In the financial year 2021-22, the Department of Tourism supported 39 projects across all nine provinces, towards the development of a Heritage Tourism Economy. A key development was a Baviaanskloof Interpretive Centre which is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organasation, Unesco, proclaimed world heritage site in the Eastern Cape.
Many of the projects of the Department of Tourism, such as the review of the Tourism Master Plan of the Cradle of Human Kind world heritage site were done by consulted and companies that were predominantly owned or managed by historically
disadvantaged individuals for them to render expert or technical support.
Under the Department of Science and Innovation, the ANC-led government has also prioritised astro-tourism. So, astronomy and tourism together – as part of our heritage tourism imperatives.
Hon members our heritage and indigenous beliefs are well found within the science of astronomy. For an example, last year July, the Department of Science and Innovation sponsored the International Indigenous Astronomy Conference which was organised by the Indigenous Knowledge System Centre of the North West University in Mahikeng. One of the highlights of the conference, was the discovery of the indigenous astronomy research initiatives at Inzalo Ye Langa in Mpumalanga, which is an ancestral heritage pilgrimage known as the birth place of the sun. It has the oldest solar calendar in the world.
In 2021 the Department of Science and Innovation funded a group of students and researchers to visit the site and to observe and to celebrate New Year which is normally observed in September annually.
Hon members, Inzalo Ye Langa is one but many astro-tourism sites in South Africa. Many of us are very familiar with Carnarvon and Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
It is for this reason that the Department of Science and Innovation and the Department of Tourism have collaborated to unlock opportunities in astro-tourism positioning South Africa as a world class astro-tourism destination.
Ajoint steering committee and working group has been established to facilitate the development of an astro-tourism strategy. The strategy aims to promote indigenous celestial narratives, infrastructure development, inclusive tourism growth and partnership, human capacity development, indigenous community development and functional astro-tourism streams.
The strategy prioritises holistic astronomy experiences that combine scientific knowledge, cultural heritage and economic development. It highlights the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities in observing celestial events, cultural interpretations and how they are embedded in the fabric of our history. This is elegantly depicted through the global competitive advantage of our indigenous star law section underscoring the connections between astronomy and cultural traditions.
IsiZulu:
Manje lokho kuyisayensi futhi isayensi akuyona into ephuma eNtshonalanga, akuyona into emhlophe ngalolu hlobo. Isayensi
...
English:
... just looks like this girl standing in front of you.
Currently the Department of Science and Innovation and the Department of Tourism are engaging various departments and business stakeholders on the strategy for support and to create awareness for this astro-tourism strategy.
Hon members, culture is a social constructs. It is not static. It is continuously evolving, reacting and aligning the people of that time and their socioeconomic and political landscape. Although culture can be used to cultivate transformation, it is also important to recognise that in the last couple of years, we have seen a culture that contradicts our national identity as informed by the values embedded in our Constitution. For example, rape culture and the culture of corruption these social constructs should not characterise the South African Society. They are unSouth African behaviour.
Corruption is unSouth African. Rape culture is unSouth
African. Dictated by our Constitution and as clarity are nonsexism, it is an unSouth African behaviour to rape, harass or kill women and members of the Lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual, plus, LBGTQI+, community. So, we will not accept Gender-based Violence, GBV, as a norm in our communities.
One of the factors undermining the public sector is the culture of corruption. We must be relentless and consistent in our efforts to eliminate corruption, restore a culture of accountability and revive the principles of Batho Pele. The Department of Public Service and Administration has done work in this area, through the public administration ethics integrity and disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit, Tau. To this end we must continue to support and strengthen these processes which seek to detect and punish wrongdoers who undermine our people and the country’s developmental agenda.
We will not accept the use of public funds to enrich individuals. We will not accept public servants who do not play their part in the accountability ecosystem. We thus welcome programmes of the Department of Higher Education such as the Transforming Mentalities Programme launched a few weeks
ago to address sexist culture in institutions of higher learning and inevitably in our communities.
We also welcome the inclusion of civic education in the curriculum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, colleges.
Culture, belonging and identity are inseparable. A people will only believe in what is set to be South African culture when they feel they belong socially, culturally, economically and even politically. Through this sense of belonging, perhaps we could see increased active citizenry, individual accountability and social compacting.
The country’s rich heritage, cultural legacy, diversity and the creativity of its people mean that South Africa can offer unique stories, opportunities, knowledge and products to the world. It must be us who drive it to the world. Our artistic endeavours and expressions can foster values, facilitate healing and restore national pride.
As the granddaughter of ...
IsiZulu:
... oNyambose, oNdwandwe nabo baseLangeni ...
English:
... we wish all South Africans a great Heritage Month, as we reflect on ...
IsiXhosa:
...imvelaphi yethu nalapho sisaya khona.
IsiNdebele:
Sithokoze, Sihlalo.
Mr S M JAFTA: Hon Chair as we celebrate this year’s Heritage Day, we remember the words of hon M P Galo that:
Traditional leadership is front and centre of our being as Africans.
We are reminded of the fortitude or the late Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi who was a pioneer of the Zulu Nation. Chief Buthelezi embraced the heritage of the Zulu people and fought for the recognition of the Institution of Traditional Leadership. He held the fort and championed the recognition of traditional leadership.
We also celebrate the work of traditional leadership in the Eastern Cape and across the board. As we mark this year’s Heritage Day, must be rooted in our heritage, in our culture and in our tradition. Chief Buthelezi and M P Galo stand out as the primary caregivers of our traditional norms and values. They embrace our differences but celebrate our diversity.
There is a great sense of pride in embracing one’s culture, religion and tradition. Hon Chair, as we mark these year’s Heritage Day, we remember the great strides made by these leaders to demand a stake in our new democracy. We remember their efforts to entrench customary law as one of the laws under the democratic Constitution.
In celebrating this year’s Heritage Day, we suggest that the theme: Marking our Heritage Day to celebrate the institution, culture and norms, traditional communities be our rallying point. As a nation, we can never be complete outside of the scriptures of our traditional values. I thank you.
Mr T LOATE: Hon House Chair lest we forget, 24 September was originally celebrated as Shaka Day in KwaZulu-Natal by dissolving clan lines and replacing them with allegiance to the Zulu Nation. Smaller tribes were welded into one Zulu
Nation. Moshoeshoe a contemporary of King Shaka, also drew together the scattered Sotho people driven apart by Zulu and Ndebele raids into one Sotho nation.
With the advent of our democracy, Nelson Mandela dismantled the legacy of apartheid and actively fostered racial reconciliation. He used rugby as a symbol of South African unity. His pet project, the forging of a common national identity, has tragically fallen by the wayside. Nelson Mandela ensured that while our Constitution recognised the injustices of the past and honoured those who suffered for justice and freedom in South Africa, our country belonged to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
Given this day is meant to be both a day of celebration of who we respectively are and how democracy was won and secured for everyone. Regrettably, many of our diverse people’s expectations have not been met by a long way. So many of our fellow citizens who are expected to enjoy the dividends of democracy have an unfortunately, very little to appreciate and celebrate. It needs no rocket scientist to awaken all of us and seriously alarm all of us also to reality that the lives of our majority of people who entrusted us with their votes have moved from bad to worse.
The majority of South Africans have no confidence to look to the future. They are also discouraged to look back. We need to ask the question, why? What do they see in respect of our heritage sites? In many instances they see neglect, not respect. Our heritage sites that should have been maintained with pride and a sense of patriotism, are gradually sliding into ruin and some are even being hijacked in broad daylight.
Who in the streets knows what our Heritage Day is really about? Or where our heritage sites are located and why they are designated in such. Gross neglect of the past, the present and the future is the distinguishing feature of our government. Let the Heritage Day honour our heroes who deserve the good things and traditions of our inherited past.
Intensify our goals of achieving a common ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, your time is expired.
Mr T LOATE: Thank you House Chair.
Mr M NYHONTSO: Hon Chair, Heritage Day as a public holiday was suggested in Parliament as a recognition of Shaka Day on 24 September in the way that 21 March also recognised as
Sharpeville Day and Langa Day. September was then celebrated as heritage month to include other elements in the African indigenous knowledge systems.
However, we must not distort the inheritance of the military powers of King Shaka’s mighty army, their strategy in the battlefield, especially Iimpondo Zenkomo wherein Shaka attacked the enemy from both angles in a harmer and angle system. Shaka’s army used the tactics of short and sharp spears to be near their opponent, and to see white eyes of the enemy before destroying them.
This was Shaka’s strategy not to abuse weapons by throwing spears away behind enemy lines. This was a waste of resources. This tactic is similar to the fighting methods of the mighty Azanian People’s Liberation Army who used one bullet for one bodied enemy among the settlers’ regimes oppressive force.
Azanian People’s Liberation Army, Apla fought against real human beings who were identified as foreign invaders of colonial settlers.
The military heritage is part and parcel of the fighting methods of the African people inspired by King Shaka kaSenzangakhona. Military heritage is a practice that is not
excluded from the cultural rituals performed by traditional healers. From the food prepared for warriors. From the ululation of women. From the beer other refreshments prepared for the coming war and ultimately, from washing of the spears to remove the blood in the dark spirits of the enemy.
Our heritage goes from one generation to another. It is an indivisible part of the history, the present we live in now, in the future with its intergenerational links. It is unique stamp-banned into our skin in our entrance. Our heritage flows in our blood. Today, in South Africa, reactionary elements want to rediscover and sanitise the historic inheritance of the African people.
African people have always known their inheritance and their way of life, their practice and their belief system in family gatherings. You cannot rediscover what has always been there. You cannot rediscover us. We have always been there since time immemorial. All we need to do is to celebrate the African languages, our history, the deeds of our patriotic heroes, the monuments that we erected in historical locations so that we do not forget.
Only those with a colonial mentality can try to distort and water down what we stand for. The PAC says the one and only heritage upon which all others are based upon is the land of our forefathers and mothers. The land was stolen from the indigenous Africans via the British- based Act of Union of 1909. The rise of Azania is the best heritage that we all deserve ...
IsiXhosa:
... izwe lethu. Uza kubanjwa Pemmy.
Mr M G E HENDRICKS: Thank you very much, House Chair. House Chair, your heritage dress symbolises a life of courage and service, and all of those dressed like that are recognised.
Muslims in South Africa have a proud history of celebrating the advent of Islam in South Africa nearly 375 years ago. We also celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - and other significant commemoration events like the Eid.
This month on the first of the new Islamic month, Rabi al- Awwal, celebrated on the 16 September 2023 in the Macassar precinct, where Sheikh Yusuf, the founder of Islam, was banished as a political prisoner, Muslim women took the lead
in celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - which this year coincides with heritage month.
These women from Macassar and surrounds like ... [Inaudible.] and ... [Inaudible.] were upholding the tradition of Sheikh Yusuf in a horse and car parade. They proceeded to the mosque where they recited praises of the Prophet. Cape Town is blessed with hundreds of such organisations consisting of women. The annual ... [Inaudible.] ... event is the most notable heritage event which takes place in Cape Town, and we ask hon members to watch it on social media and TV.
Heritage month is the birth of Prophet Muhammad and all heritage activities by Muslims revolved around his message delivered to all mankind. During the month of the Prophet’s birthday, mosque and many Muslim families throughout the country engaged in various activities such as lectures, poetry and devotional songs.
Sheikh Yusuf, who was a founder of Islam in South Africa more than 375 years ago in Zandvlei, was awarded posthumously Companion of Oliver Tambo Gold Medal for fighting colonialism. He left behind a rich Islamic heritage followed by Muslims throughout Africa. Sheikh Yusuf introduced a ... [Inaudible.]
... A rhythm which goes like this: ... [Singing.] ... This
rhythm motivated political prisoners to rise up against colonialism and its first revolutionary recitation in South Africa.
South Africans like many communities in other countries, carry proud heritage and cultural identities. The Minister of Culture has invited communities to display their culture. It is therefore not surprising that there is a rise in search for their cultural identity among young people desperate to claim their heritage and culture. Thank you very much, House Chair. [Time expired.]
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Mhlonitjhwa Ngcobo, akhengithi tjhebetjhebe kuwe. Khewuhlale phasi kancani, khesithathe umhlonitjhwa u-Shaik Emam.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Chairperson, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. Now, we declared Heritage Day in South Africa in order to bring diverse communities in South Africa together. However, 30 years later, we are divided on race, on religion, on tribe, on the wealth we have, and this is largely due to political parties and political leaders for relevance. You hear some are calling for representation for the coloured
community. You hear others talking about everything belongs to the black community. You hear those that say we represent a certain sector. Clearly, we are forgetting about the wise words of our former leader and President Nelson Mandela when he said that:
South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
And that for that reason, we call South Africa a rainbow nation. But I find that many of my colleagues or those that I have listened to seem to have short memories or memory lapses when we talk about culture, tradition in South Africa. We often tend to forget about the first indigenous nation of this country, the Khoi and San. The rightful heirs. We often forget about the war between the Khoi and San and the Portuguese. Had they not defeated the Portuguese, of course we would have been under Portuguese rule today. But what is very important to note is that the first indigenous nation in this country have been forgotten, have been marginalized, had been neglected, to such an extent even the heritage sites are being sold today.
An ideal example, of course, is the Two Rivers project of such significance to the Khoi and San. Yet, that property was sold to international investors. When will we recognise the first indigenous nation? We have 12 languages in the country. We
speak about 13 languages we bring into. But what about the language of the Khoi and San?
When will we in South Africa forget about our tribes, our religion, our culture, but all come together as one united nation in South Africa so that we could prosper as a single nation? Why do politicians want to take advantage of the fact that when they want relevance because of political support and votes, then they want to divide us on race and religion, tradition and culture? South Africa has diverse communities in this ... and I think what I want to urge is this, given the fact that we are now going to rebuild Parliament, and I know we have discussed this in the Chief Whips’ Forum, that indeed Parliament must resemble the diverse cultures of the different communities ... [Inaudible.] Thank you very much. That’s the least we can do. [Time expired.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms M G Boroto): What is it, hon member?
Mr F ESSACK: Chairperson with due respect, I have just got the impression that he was sitting in the bathroom with a shower behind him.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms M G Boroto): So, do you have to make such a noise without even being sure about what you are talking about? [Interjections.]
IsiNdebele:
Ilunga elihloniphekileko leNdlu umhlonitjhwa uNgcobo.
Mhlonitjhwa Mbabama, vala mama! Ungaragela phambili.
Mr S NGCOBO: Thank you, House Chairperson. On Sunday, 24 September, South Africans from all walks of life will be celebrating Heritage Day. On this day we celebrate our cultures and the diversity of our beliefs and traditions. We are a diverse nation, and we celebrate our heritage and cultural diversity in many different ways. Our diversity as South Africans is what makes us who we are as a nation. It is what makes our nation beautiful.
In today’s debate we are called upon to reflect on the cultural diversity in a democratic South Africa. This cultural diversity is what makes us special as a nation and we have a rich tapestry of culture in this country. We are a rainbow nation with many different cultures, languages and ethnic origins, which makes us exceptional and dynamic. But we also
understand this fundamental truth that out of many we are one. As our Constitution reminds us that:
South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
During this Heritage month, we must embrace our diversity. We must always remember that as diverse as we are, we are one nation with one future and that there is far more that brings us together than that which seeks to tear us apart. We must never allow those who seek to use our differences to divide us. Our diversity should always be our biggest strength.
While we are celebrating our cultural diversity, we must also be mindful of the challenges that our country faces. The fact of the matter is that over 70% of young people in this country will be celebrating Heritage Day while wondering where they can find a job. Millions of South Africans will be celebrating Heritage Day in darkness because of the crippling load shedding. Our senior citizens will be celebrating Heritage Day while wondering if they will receive their old age grants on time next month. Many students across the country will celebrate Heritage Day, not knowing when their National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS allowances will be paid
out due to the problems created by the new direct payment systems. Thousands of South Africans will be celebrating while wondering where their next meal is going to come from.
But there is still a reason to be hopeful. South Africans from all cultural backgrounds have always stood together in difficult times, and the 2024 general election is yet another pivotal moment in South Africa’s history where South Africans from all walks of life have to stand together and deliver a new government. A government that will always put people first and that government is the DA-led multiparty government which will be able to build a just, inclusive and prosperous South Africa based on opportunity, freedom and security for all of its citizens. Under this DA-led multiparty government, South Africans will be able to celebrate their heritage and cultural diversity without having to worry about load shedding. Under this DA-led multiparty government, the ... [Interjections.] [Inaudible.]
AN HON MEMBER: You are dreaming wena!
Mr S NGCOBO: ... Heritage month next year without having to worry about whether or not they will be receiving their social grants on time the following month. Under this DA-led
multiparty government, there will be a growing economy and job opportunities, especially for the unemployed young people, so that they can be able to celebrate Heritage month next year, knowing that they are able to provide for themselves and their families. I thank you.
Mr W T LETSIE: Stop dreaming wena! Stop dreaming!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms M G Boroto): Is there a point of order?
Mr D BERGMAN: Yes.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms M G Boroto): Okay.
Mr D BERGMAN: I rise on point 66. There is a person on the platform that keeps on interrupting. He started while we had a speaker on the platform and immediately thereafter, and you haven’t taken care of it. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms M G Boroto): I was not observant. I will check that.
Mr Z M D MANDELA: Hon Chairperson, hon members ...
IsiXhosa:
... molweni ...
Sepedi:
... dumelang ...
English:
... good afternoon ...
Afrikaans:
Goeie middag.
English:
I couldn’t help but be reminded of two powerful events in the early days of our transition to democracy that captured the essence of today’s theme: Celebrating our cultural diversity in a democratic South Africa. The past few weeks, since the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023, has kept us reverted to our phones, tablets, laptops, televisions and big screens as a nation united in support of Amabhokobhoko. It provided good reasons to reminisce those wonderful moments when the nation in all its diversity stood together as one. No irony was lost on the fact that nobody believed that South Africa could achieve a peaceful transition to democracy, given its painful
and traumatic past characterised by centuries of colonialism and decades of apartheid in which the fundamental human dignity of the majority of South Africans was denied. Nobody could believe that out of extrajudicial killings, hit squads, impimpis, vigilantes, murders, assassinations, life incarceration, interrogation, torture and exile, a new nation could come together as one.
On 27 April 1994, it happened and set in motion a process that has had a highly elated and emotional episodes that birthed the soul of the nation. We first repeated that magic in the 1995 Rugby World Cup when, inspired by Madiba wearing the number 6 Springbok jersey of Francois Pienaar, who led his team and indeed the entire nation to victory in the Rugby World Cup, against all odds. Perhaps we are a nation motivated by adversity, tragedy, challenges and we really are our best when the odds are against us.
So, it was at the dawn of democracy that the odds were stacked against us. As a ... [Inaudible.] ... IFP refused to be part of the transition process. Hon Hlengwa, much has been said by Prince of Phindangene, the Prime Minister to the Zulu monarch and earnest Acting President of the Republic of South Africa since his demise. It was in no small measure due to his
tenacity that the paradigm of exceptionalism became the default as the Zulu nation benefited from the transition to democracy the way no other has to date. Out of that volatile moment was born a compromise that protected traditional lands and saw the formation of Ingonyama Trust as it assisted in securing the participation of the then monarch, His Majesty King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Inkatha, now the IFP in the landmark of the 1994 elections. I recollect this part of our transition to democracy, not to eulogise, but to make the argument that the same cultural recognition should be accorded and extended to the full diversity of South Africa’s traditional leadership, such as Sekhukhune and Mampuru of Bapedi and Queen Modjadji of Balobedu.
To transform culture and its political economy, we must start with the recognition of the fullness of our diversity. We must stop perpetuating myths as if the Zulu nation is the only nation in South Africa. We must stop perpetuating the myth that the Eastern Cape is the land of Xhosas, whereas there is a rich traditional and cultural history of AmaMpondo, AmaMpondomise and AbaThembu, reflected in our linguistic diversity, arts, crafts, rituals, dress and well documented history.
We have many films about the life of Shaka Zulu that perpetuate this man. Where is the narrative or films of the defeat of the Portuguese hero of conquest, Francisco de Almeida at the Battle of Salt River right in these lands? This was a big deal - a momentous event, though it is not yet fully claimed, owned or celebrated because we have not accorded the Khoi and San people, along with all other traditional leaders, their due recognition, rights and restitution, as we have done for the Zulu nation.
We only truly start valuing our diversity by creating an inclusive environment where differences are respected and the history, unique perspectives and customs of all are recognised. We must recognise the rainbow nation and its significance as a character of our national identity by the full inclusion of its diverse expression and celebration of all the strands that we have, the beautiful tapestry of what makes us South Africans. We must fully recognise the role of culture in conquering and addressing the social ills such as bullying, gender-based violence and femicide. We must draw on our rich history in these difficult times and our collective will to overcome adversity. We have not done justice to the economic impact of culture and heritage and will not do so as long as we cling to the paradigm of restitution that starts
with the South African Natives Land Act of 1913, whilst ignoring the wars of dispossession bravely waged by our heroes since the inception of the colonial project.
This Heritage Day, we must invoke the memories of all our brave heroes and heroines. We must celebrate and claim the legacies of the Goringhaicona leader, Autshumao and his niece, Krotoa, who were imprisoned on Robben Island in 1658 by Jan van Riebeeck. We must recollect and claim the history of the 1686 Dutch vessel Stubanise was shipwrecked at Port St Johns and the survivors who first encountered AmaMpondo and AbaThembu in the Eastern Cape. We must claim and celebrate the legacy of the 1855 AmaXhosa Chief Siyolo, the grandson of Ndlambe, who was imprisoned on Robben Island after the Battle of Mlangeni. We must claim the legacy of the 1858 when AmaNgqika Chief Maqoma and his wife Katyi were also imprisoned on the island along with Maqoma’s half-brother, Xhoxho. Pato of the Gqunukhwebe line and his son Dilima, Stokwe, Maphasa and Fadana of AbaThembu, who were all also imprisoned there after the cattle killing of 1856 to 1857 which were part of the wars of dispossession with the British.
We must claim the legacy of the 1869 t0 1870 captives from the First Koranna War who were sent to Robben Island, including
Piet Rooy, David Diedericks, Jan Kivido and Carel Ruyter. We must claim the legacy of the Second Koranna War of 1880 that saw the imprisonment of leaders such as Thomas Pofadder, Jan Malgas, Jakobus Afrikaaner, John Adams and Klaas Pofadder. We must claim the legacy of the 1874 of AmaHlubi Chief Langalibalele, who was imprisoned for treason and later taken to the farm Uitvlugt in what is today Pinelands.
We must keep the stories of these brave leaders alive. It is our story. We must ensure that our monarchs in South Africa are equally honoured and the Ingonyama Trust model must be applied to all kingdoms so that our traditional monarchs and communities are likewise beneficiaries of restorative justice and restitution. As we once again rally the nation behind Amabhokobhoko this weekend in the Rugby World Cup 2023 against Ireland. Let us spur on by the slogan, Together we can. Let us once again ignite our skies with the memories of victory at the Rugby World Cup in 1995 under the iconic leadership of Francois Pienaar; the brave victory of 2007 under John Smit and that triumphal moment in 2019 when captain courageous Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy for the third time.
We stand on the brink of history as we march towards victory again in France. We wish our boys well and send them our
message of support. A nation united in diversity can and will overcome all adversity. Together we can; together we will; God bless South Africa and grant as victory. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika! [God bless Africa!].
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF THE 2003 UNESCO CONVENTION FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, ICH, IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION, 1996
IsiXhosa:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nksz M G Boroto): Mam’uSibiya ixesha lelakho
...
English:
... to introduce the report. Mamu’Sibiya, you are on virtual platform.
Ms D P SIBIYA: Yes.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Proceed, Ma.
Ms D P SIBIYA: Thank you. Sorry, Ma.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Unomraro ma?
Ms D P SIBIYA: Yes, Ma, but I’m coming.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Kodwana siyakuzwa.
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): The Whip in the House or anyone Can take the report up. Anyone please assist quickly.
IsiNdebele:
USosibebhe okhona, iza.
An HON MEMBER: The Whip is not there.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay, let me skip the second order, I will come back to it. In the meantime, let me try to ...
IsiNdebele:
Awa Mhlongo, ayenziwa into oyenzako leyo.
English:
Let me go to the third order and come back to the second order. My apologies.
IsiNdebele:
Sewukhona?
Sizabawa okhona ozokwenza emvakwale oda.
CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT NOTICE DETERMINING REMUNERATION OF COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA, IEC, FOR 2022-2023
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Are there any objections, hon members, to the approval of the draft notice determining remuneration of the Commissioners of Electoral Commission of South Africa, IEC, as it appears on the order paper?
Ms D P SIBIYA: Hello.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Jama ma. Sizokubiza jama kancani.
English:
Ms D P SIBIYA: Okay.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Are there any objections? No objections. Agreed to. We’re now going back to the second order.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Kulungile.
Sewulungile mamu’Sibiya?
English:
Ms D P SIBIYA: Yes, Ma.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Ragela phambili.
English:
Ms D P SIBIYA: Alright. The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, having considered the Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, and the explanatory memorandum ... [Interjections.]
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Mama, akhe ulise sibize ubabu’Mbuyane.
Ms D P SIBIYA: Okay.
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Are you helping us? Oh okay. We proceed to the fourth order.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Babu’Mhlongo, hlala phasi ngomoya wekerege, siyakubawa.
English:
There was no debate.
Draft notice determining remuneration of Commissioners of Electoral Commission of South Africa, IEC, for 2022 approved.
PRECEDENCE GIVEN TO FOURTH ORDER.
CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT NOTICE DETERMINING REMUNERATION OF COUNCILLORS OF INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA, ICASA.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members, are there any objections to the approval of the draft notice determining remuneration of councillors of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA, as it appears on the order paper? No objections, agreed to. I am giving this portfolio committee the last opportunity now. Mamu’Sibiya?
Ms D P SIBIYA: I’m ready, Chairperson.
IsiNdebele:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Kkz M G Boroto): Mamu’Sibiya, ragela phambili ma.
There was no debate.
Draft notice determining remuneration of Councillors of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA, approved.
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF THE 2003 UNESCO CONVENTION FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, ICH, IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION, 1996
Ms D P SIBIYA: Okay. The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, having considered the Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, and the explanatory memorandum on the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH, referred to it in terms of Rule 342(2) of the rules of the National Assembly recommends that the House in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution approves the said convention. Chairperson the committee has also noted the objection of the DA. I thank you, Chairperson, and I propose the report to be considered.
Declaration of vote:
IsiZulu:
Mnu T MHLONGO: Awuthi ngiqhube. Kuyatshengisa ukuthi sizophatha ngowe-2024.
English:
ANC is not prepared to speak.
IsiZulu:
Abafundi i-ajenda.
Setswana:
LELOKO LE LE TLOTLEGANG: O maaka.
IsiZulu:
Mnu T W MHLONGO: Abazi ukuthi kwenzakalani. Woza 2024, woza!
English:
You are not prepared. ...
IsiZulu:
... anazi ukuthi kwenzakalani ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms Boroto): Hon Mhlongo.
HON MEMBER: Order.
Setswana:
He e, Tshepo.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mhlongo, can we go back to what we are dealing with.
Mr T W MHLONGO: But it’s my time, it’s a point of debate.
Setswana:
LELOKO LE LE TLOTLEGANG: Tswelela ka ngangisano.
IsiZulu:
Mnu T W MHLONGO: Kuyabonakala ukuthi i-ANC iyahluleka ukuhola.
English:
... they can’t even stand before the nation to talk about the preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH, that aligns with UNESCO Charter. The purpose of this charter is very clear, but the implementation thereof, force and the review of this charter is so important. The accountability with regard to the ICH should be within the scope of the draft. Who will be accountable?
IsiZulu:
Kuyabonisa namanje ukuthi i-ANC ayikwazi ukuyiletha bavele bathi ...
English:
... I’ve objected. It is not only about objection, but there is also sustainment. We as the DA, will support the UNESCO mandate, but we don’t support just a blank cheque. We cannot support the department to sign a memorandum of understanding,
MOU, that has Deputy Minister in absentia. In the first year, there is an open cheque with reflection of R5 million to second year the open cheque with R15 million, the third year an open cheque with R51 million. There are no breakdowns and there are no details. What will happen to the total of
R71 million that is going to be spent for this UNESCO?
IsiZulu:
Thina njengeqembu le-DA sifuna uhulumeni ovulekile oveza konke obala. Abafuni ukusinika imininingwane ephelele yombiko.
English:
We don’t know who is going to account, we don’t know how money is going to be used for this convention. Now, ...
IsiZulu:
... sithi njenge-DA ...
English:
... we object and we reject this report. We are still awaiting the report that was tabled to Cabinet because we don’t have it. We believe in open government, we believe in transparency and accountability, but the ANC-led government ...
IsiZulu:
...iyatshengisa namhlanje ukuthi ayizimisele ukusho ukuthi yenzeni ngemali.
English:
... they didn’t even introduce the subject ...
IsiZulu:
... thina njenge-DA ... ngikhumbula uNgqongqoshe owangaphambili sikhuluma ngezamasiko ... mhlawumbe ngalezigidi eziyi-R71 nizokwenza lama fulegi ...
English:
... who knows?
IsiZulu:
Iningi le mali ukuthi nenze lama fulegi.
English:
Last time the former Minister ...
IsiZulu:
... wathi uzokwenza amafulegi ngezigidi eziyi-R22
[R22 million]. Ngakubuza lokhu ukuthi imali yethu iyodliwa
ngathi yini. Sithi thina njengeqembu le-DA sifuna ukuthi umbiko uphinde ubuye ukuze bazosinikeza imininingwane ukuthi ubani ozokwenza lokhu ngemali. Izigidi ziyi-R71 [R71 million] ngeke siyithathe. Abantu bayahlupheka, kunocimicimi wogesi, imisebenzi ayikho kodwa nifuna ukuthatha le mali niyifake kuphrojekthi esingenayo imininingwayo yayo. Siyawukhaba lo mbiko. Sithi woza 2024, woza siphezu kwenu!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mhlongo, the only thing I don’t agree with is that the member did not introduce the report. She did, and she asked us to adopt it. Thank you.
Mr E MTHETHWA: Chairperson, it was in 2003 when the general conference of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, ratify the Convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The convention defined intangible cultural heritage as practices, representations, expression, knowledge, skills, as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts, and cultural spaces associated therewith. That community’s groups, and in some cases, individuals recognised as part of their cultural heritage. The intangible cultural heritage transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly created by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction
with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity. Thus, promoting respect for cultural diversity and humanity. From this definition, it should be clear, white settler, colonial entity such as Democratic Alliance would oppose the ratification of this convention by South Africa and neo- settler colonial is still dominated by a minority that has managed to ensure the discursive dominance.
Chairperson, colonialism, and neo-colonialism represented by the right wingers we share Parliament with today, has always attempted to erase Africa’s heritage for their way of doing things to be the only way. They have bastardised African customs, desecrated on our names, mocked our language, annexed our land, and forced us into wage labour so that each and every aspect of African life would be depended on them.
The struggle for national liberation was not merely for a Native elite to sit on the table of the oppressor and proclaimed Freedom. The struggle was for reclamation of our African personality in its entirety, for the destruction of all the sick and in inhumane tendencies brought by the settler communities. It was, in essence, a struggle for the reclamation of African culture and heritage about re-centre of
African lived experiences. This had to entail the reclamation of all that was lost during colonialism, and primarily the reclamation of land which represents identity and our beings. It is for this reason we still say expropriation of land without compensation.
IsiZulu:
Malibuye izwe lethu!
English:
That is the essence of our intangible cultural heritage and its true form, it would remain offensive to the settler minority still in charge of this country. We are in support of the report.
IsiZulu:
Malibuye.
Mr W T LETSIE: You have three more minutes to speak about the DA.
The CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Letsie, you don’t do that. You don’t unmute and start talking. Please! You must be in the House to heckle not on the virtual platform.
IsiZulu:
Nk M D HLENGWA: Mhlawumbe, umuntu akaqale athokoze kule Ndlu ngokuthi uBaba wethu nomsunguli we-IFP uyahlonishwa yibo bonke abantu. Angisona isikhulumi se-IFP kodwa ngiyafisa ukuzwakalisa ukuthi sithokoza kakhulu ukuthi uBaba la kule Ndlu uyahlonishwa futhi uyakhunjulwa nangamagalelo akhe.
Ngiyathokoza.
English:
Hon Chair, it is embracing that the government is still in a discussion and adoption stages of matter, even now, more than
20 years since its initial adoption of UNESCO. Hon members, you will agree with me that culture is quite a fundamental aspect of the IFP. In fact, the protection, promotion, and preservation of our rich cultures lies heavily as one of our cornerstones, both as a party and a nation. And this convention will help South Africa achieve that very goal.
Another such benefit that comes in greatly as we progress towards globalisation is that this convention will assist us in sharing our experts and best practice with other African countries, not just in the SADC region, but throughout the continent as a whole. You will appreciate that this is very crucial because we share more culture and heritage
similarities than differences. This convention will assist us by telling our own folklore, dancing, and such other intangible.
IsiZulu:
Phela akulona ulwimi lwami lolu mina ngingumzulu.
English:
The ratification ...
IsiZulu:
Nk M KHAWULA: Batshele, lungu elihloniphekile uHlengwa. Batshele.
English:
Ms M D HLENGWA: The ratification and subsequent adoption of this convention should not be seen as a threat to any culture at the expense of another. In fact, its proper implementation in the country will foster the spirit of friendships and deep understanding of one another and encourage common sense. As we look forward as African people, we need not to make the mistake of forgetting our identity or where we come from. I thank you.
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk M G Boroto): Lungu elihloniphekile uKhawula isexwayiso leso, njengoba ngishilo kwilungu elihloniphekile uLetsie nakuwe ngiyasho. Wayithinta futhi bayakukhipha.
Afrikaans:
Mnr W W WESSELS: Agb Huisvoorsitter, die lid van die ANC, wat die verslag soort van ingelei het, bewys die probleem met die verslag, dat daar geen wigte en teenwigte is wat die Suid- Afrikaanse burger en die belastingbetaler beskerm nie.
Hier is weereens ’n ondeurdagte besluit wat hier deurgevoer word. U sien, die probleem en die kern van ontasbare kulturele bates is op die einde van die dag, die feit dat die ANC- regering gefaal het om, byvoorbeeld taalregte in Suid-Afrika te beskerm.
Die agb lid van die EFF blameer die verlede, maar in die afgelope 30 jaar het die ANC-regering niks gedoen om inheemse tale in Suid-Afrika tot ’n verhewe status te verhef nie. U faal die mense van Suid-Afrika deur om nog steeds vir n skoolkind slegs die keuse tussen Afrikaanse in Engels te gee. U is niks beter nie, en u kan nie die verlede blameer nie.
Dit is die probleem en dan kom u hier met n verslag, waar daar weereens net - wat tipies van hierdie departement is - ’n blanko tjek gegee word, waar ons uitgebuit gaan word, waar daar korrupsie en bedrog gaan plaasvind. En dit is waarom ons hierdie verslag nie kan ondersteun nie. Ek dank u.
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, the ACDP is concerned about the brevity of this report. We went through it and there is basically just one paragraph. It doesn’t set out any detail about these treaties and, of course, we share the concerns about the R71 million that is to be spent over three years.
Chairperson, we need more details about this expenditure, particularly given the very pressing issues that are facing the nation as well as the fact that we are under severely constrained financial conditions.
Chairperson, for that reason, the ACDP will not support this report. I thank you.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Chairperson, the NFP will support the report. However, we want to raise a few concerns. Yes, it is important that when we are spending money in about
R70 million, of course, we get value for money.
And my experience tells me that in some of these structures like Southern African Development Community, SADC, and things that we are part and parcel of, we really don’t get value for money.
But I think it’s important that as a country we support and ratify this convention.
But more importantly, I think we need to ensure that the committee itself conducts oversight to ensure the implementation, perhaps. And if we can do that then, indeed, I think it will be fruitful, I think it will be beneficial and thank you very much.
The NFP supports it.
Mr M G E HENDRICKS: House Chair, Al Jama-ah supports the report. Anything to promote a United States of Africa. So, we support this report wholeheartedly. Thank you very much.
Ms M D HLENGWA: Chairperson!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Is that a point of order?
Ms M D HLENGWA: No. I just rise on ... that I have forgotten to support the report. The IFP supports the report.
Mr M A ZONDI: Hon House Chair, the Chief Whip and the members of the House, the ANC has never shied away from the elections but we are ready for elections. But today we are here, we are talking about United Nations Educational, Scientific and Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Scientific and Cultural Organisation must be wholeheartedly supported, as it encompasses measures that obligates state parties to identify, define and devise appropriate measures for the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.
This convention provides invaluable guidance and assistance to state parties in ensuring the effective preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
The convention’s encouragement of countries to adopt legal, technical and administrative and financial measures to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage instils
confidence that higher education institutions, ecological services and sociological will play a critical role in assisting society with the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
This is particularly important in addressing the impact of colonialism and apartheid, of legalities and safeguarding in our country and parts of Africa.
As a country we have adopted the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Act, which the Department of Science and Innovation is responsible for.
The IKS Act is another piece of legislation which will enhance the objectives of the convention. As the people we have valuable knowledge and intellectual properties which have been expropriated by colonial governments.
Our pride as the people lies in that which we have invented and innovated. Through storytelling, songs and other cultural practices, we transfer knowledge from one generation to another.
What we should achieve as a society is the mainstreaming of this knowledge as it has potential to enhance our living conditions and pride as a people.
Our people have a tremendous opportunity to live in a digital technology and platforms to promote intangible cultural heritage; thanks to the convention. This presents a great chance for South Africa to lead in innovation and preserving and safeguarding our heritage.
UNESCO also highlights the urgent need for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage as it faces the threats of deterioration, disappearance and extinction.
By actively promoting the preservation of intangible cultural heritage at a family and community level, our country can create numerous new sites of memory.
Even amidst the current state of affairs, many sites are being developed, further enriching our history.
The UNESCO convention emphasizes the importance of collaboration and co-operation, fostering bonds and networks that contribute to social capital, social cohesion and nation
building. This allows for strategic and effective management of our countries, living heritage, promoting social cohesion and nation building.
As the ANC we recognise that globalisation poses unique challenges to intangible cultural heritage. One of the greatest challenges is migration or exile between developing countries in Africa, which has resulted in untold sufferings and loss of generational history.
The convention by UNESCO provides available opportunity to address this challenge and unravage the history of families across various countries. Engaging extensively and intensively with the data and information from these countries is crucial funding formula that resolves specific country’s requirements.
Ratifying the convention will grant South Africa advantages such as access to international expertise and best practices in the field of cultural heritage. It will also strengthen regional co-operation and integration on cultural matters.
We commend the department for its commitment to using this convention to intensify regional and continental international integration of arts, culture and heritage.
This assurance is not only encouraging to the committee, but also to the people, as we build deliberate relations and forge stronger bonds with other countries of Africa.
We firmly believe that this convention will assist our country in enabling and will enable us to unravel our history, address the oppression of various cultural and tribal legacies by colonial governments and safeguard, preserve and promote our intentions and intangible cultural heritage. This is a goal that we will forever strive to achieve as a country.
As a diverse nation, our country’s identity lies on our differences and we should be able to harness the history and practices of cultural communities.
We preserve our languages and traditional practices to respond to the current challenges confronting the nation and the world. Technology has created new avenues which will enhance our ability to preserve our intangible cultural heritage.
The ANC supports this report, ratifying the convention as part of our international obligations. We are confident that we shall use the ambits of the convention to enhance our interventions and support the intangible cultural heritage.
This is what we are talking about, not elections, not accountability, as the ANC is always accountable to the House; every step of the way and we are not afraid to face the elections, we are ready, because we always humble ourselves to the voters of South Africa. Even the 2024 elections, the ANC is ready and we humble ourselves [Time expired.] and ... [Inaudible.] ... the voters of South Africa to support the ANC.
We support the report.
Sepedi:
Mna J B MAMABOLO: Re a leboga.
Tshiven?a:
Ndo livhuwa nga maan?a
Xitsonga:
Ndza khensa
Sepedi:
MODULASETULO WA NGWAKO (Moh M G Boroto): Kolobe ya Bjatladi, tima - pele go senyega. Tima Kolobe, pele go direga bothata.
English:
Question put.
Report Agreed to.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AD HOC COMMITTEE IN TERMS OF RULE 253 TO CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF IMPACT OF INCREASING NUMBER OF FARM ATTACKS AND FARM MURDERS ON RURAL SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Decision of Question on Draft Resolution by Dr P J Groenewald)
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members, the next item on the Order Paper is a Decision of Question on the Draft Resolution in the name of Dr P J Groenewald. I wish to remind you that this Draft Resolution was debated in a virtual mini- plenary on Thursday, 14 September, but that a decision thereon can only be taken in the full plenary. This is also the case for the other decisions of question, which are Orders Five to Six. I now put the motion. Are there any objections to the Order?
Question put: That the motion in the name of Dr P J Groenewald be agreed to.
Division demanded.
The House divided.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order, hon members. The Speaker has determined that, in accordance with the rules, a manual voting procedure will be used for this division.
Firstly, in order to establish a quorum, I would request the Table to confirm that we have the requisite number of members physically present here and even on the virtual platform.
Party Whips will then be given an opportunity to confirm the number of their members present and indicate if they vote for or against the question. A member who wishes to abstain or vote against the party vote may do so by informing the Chairperson.
Now, having confirmed that we have the requisite quorum, we will now proceed. The question before the House is that the Draft Resolution in the name of Dr P J Groenewald be agreed to. Voting will now commence. The doors of the Chamber are
closed and locked, and even those on the virtual platform should not be allowed to come in. Are the party Whips ready?
Dr A LOTRIET: Chairperson, I have not received anything from the Table in terms of virtual figures.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay, that’s not how it’s done.
Dr A LOTRIET: I know, but we have not received it yet. I want to say that I have not received it yet.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: [Inaudible.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay. Members on the virtual platform, please. I hope nobody is coming in. You will be assisted by the Table staff. However, as usual the Whips must check on their own before. Hon Mvana ...
IsiZulu:
... usuvela kaningi. Awuke umise into yakho leyo. Mama u-Capa noma uBaba u-Capa, Baba u-Capa, ngiyacela nawe uvale. Uma nje usakhona lapho ngeke ukhulume, thula nje.
[Voting - take in from minutes]
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Chief Whip, they say they want to double-check with you. Can you repeat your numbers? This time ...
IsiZulu:
... ngalesikhathi sikhuluma isilungu.
Sesotho:
SEPHADI SE KA SEHLOOHONG SA MOKGA WA BONGATA: Sekgowa,lekgale!
Ke itse ka hare ka mona ke mashome a mabedi, hodimo mane ke lekgolo le mashome a mararo le metso e mmedi, ha e kopana ke lekgolo le mashome a mahlano le metso e mmedi. Ba batla eng?
Question not agreed to.
Motion accordingly negatived.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO NORTH WEST PROVINCE FROM 27 – 31 MARCH 2023
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR ON JOINT OVERSIGHT ON LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS IN FARMING COMMUNITIES
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted (Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND INSTITUTIONS IN GAUTENG PROVINCE FROM 19 TO 22 APRIL 2022
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GAUTENG AND FREE STATE FROM 29 TO 31 MARCH 2023
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF TREATY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN MEDICINES AGENCY (AMA) IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION, 1996 (REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH)
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted (Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus and African Christian Democratic Party dissenting).
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF DECENTRALISATION, LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION, 1996 (REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS)
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE ON A PETITION FROM ARTISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, CALLING ON THE ASSEMBLY TO INVESTIGATE THE COMMISSIONING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE OF THE MZANSI NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF R54 MILLION (SUBMITTED BY MR T W MHLONGO, MP)
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted (Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus and Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO NORTHERN CAPE AND NORTH WEST PROVINCES
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ON OVERSIGHT VISITS TO EASTERN CAPE, LIMPOPO AND FREE STATE PROVINCES
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO SELECTED MILITARY BASES AND DMV HOUSING SITES IN BLOEMFONTEIN AREA FROM
23 – 25 NOVEMBER 2022
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO NORTHERN CAPE AND GAUTENG PROVINCES ON 21 AND 22 MAY 2023
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
DECISION OF QUESTION ON REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON A PETITION FROM
THE POST OFFICE TO PARLIAMENT TASK TEAM AND THE UYINENE MRWETYANA FOUNDATION, CALLING ON THE ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE (SUBMITTED BY MS N K SHARIF, MP)
There was no debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
Report accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 16:23.
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