Questions and Replies
19 March 2024 - NW459
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What was the (a) average number of persons detained (b) total budget spent and (c) total number of detainees released, because they had not been deported in time at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for the 2022-23 financial year?
Reply:
- The average number of persons detained is 9595.
- The total budget spent: R35 443 197-41 in 2022/23 financial year.
- The total number of detainees released, because they had not been deported in time at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for the 2022-23 financial year is 53 .
END.
19 March 2024 - NW26
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1) What (a) number of deceased individuals continue to receive the monthly grants from the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the (i) 2022-23 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2023 and (b) is the breakdown of the monies that have been lost in each specified period; (2) (a) what number of government employees receive a social grant from SASSA, (b) what is the breakdown of the grants the specified employees collected since 1 January 2022 and (c) in which department is each employee who is receiving a grant employed?
Reply:
1. (a) As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 4207, SASSA works closely with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on data validation and conducts monthly checks to confirm the life status of clients before a payment file is generated. SASSA does not knowingly pays social grants to deceased beneficiaries.
(i)(ii)(b) Please refer to my reply to Question 4207
2. It is important for the Honourable Member to note that all social grants, with the exception of Foster Child Grant, which is court issued, are means tested for eligibility. If a government employee decides to foster a child an apply for a Foster Child Grant and the court grant foster care place, the employee will be eligible for the Foster Care Grant.
It is also important for the Honourable Member to note some categories of government employees such as those recruited through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and internship programmes, most of whom are the groups appearing on the government database. These individuals would qualify to receive social grants, should they satisfy the eligibility criteria.
(b) The breakdown of grant types is as follows:
Grant Type |
Number |
Care dependency grant |
61 |
Child Support Grant |
3773 |
Disability Grant |
3579 |
Older Person’s Grant |
52 655 |
Grand Total |
60 068 |
All of the above beneficiaries were identified through the AGSA audit process and they were subjected to a review process by SASSA. It was found that some of the employees receive social grants on behalf of someone in their care.
19 March 2024 - NW307
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total amount of office hours were lost due to (i) load shedding, (ii) office closures, (iii) water outages, (iv) system downtime and (v) no online verification scanners at health facilities in quarter 3 of the 2023-24 financial year and (b) what was the total percentage of uptime of his department’s civic services system hosted by State Information Technology Agency?
Reply:
(a) The total amount of office hours lost in all Provincial Offices across the country due to load shedding, office closures, water outages, system downtime and no online verification scanners at health facilities in quarter 3 of the 2023-24 financial year is as follows:
(i) 6 106 hours (load shedding);
(ii) 34 hours (office closures);
(iii) 682 hours (water outages);
(iv) 8 645 hours (system downtime);
(v) 780 hours (no online verification scanners at health facilities).
(b) The DHA/SITA SLA covering all offices reflects as follows:
Month |
Reachability (Network) |
Availability (power) |
October 2023 |
92.71% |
95.07% |
November 2023 |
88.75% |
90.95% |
December 2023 |
92.34% |
94.17% |
END.
19 March 2024 - NW63
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What number of days constitute the period between (a) the date on which the SA Social Security Agency requests life status confirmations from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and (b) the date grant payments are made to grant beneficiaries once the DHA has confirmed life status; (2) whether she intends to take steps to shorten the time frame of confirming life status; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
1. (a) As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 4207, SASSA works closely with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on data validation and conducts monthly checks to confirm the life status of clients before a payment file is generated on a monthly basis.
b) The life status (proof of life) confirmation is sourced from DHA on the day that the payment file is generated. If proof of life is confirmed, payment is included in the payment file and effected for that month. Using February 2024 payment as an illustration, the process is as follows:
Step 1: On the third weekend of the month payment file is extracted (26-28 January 2024) – It must be noted that due to the controls and volumes of the payment file, the payment file is done over the weekend when there is no production work being processed.
Step 2: The payment file is quality assured and approved on Monday (29 January 2024)
Step 3: Tuesday (30 January 2024), SASSA sends payment file to Bankserv – Bankserv requires the payment file 2 days before payment date
Step 4: Thursday (1 February 2024) – is reserved for National Treasury administrative processes
Step 5: From Friday (2-5 February 2024) – Payment starts. If the 1st day of payment falls on a Monday, payment is moved to Tuesday to enable retailers and banks to ensure sufficient cash circulation within the industry. The 5-step process is necessary to ensure the right person is paid. It must be noted that the above will still not resolve the challenge of late death notifications by families to Home Affairs, which implications for SASSA.
19 March 2024 - NW347
Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
(a) (b) (c) (i) (ii) (iii) (aa) (bb) (cc) None
19 March 2024 - NW222
Bongo, Adv BT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Considering that corruption is one of the key areas the Government has prioritised to tackle, what progress has been made with the implementation of the recommendations of the (a) Lubisi Report and (b) Government Printing Works Ministerial Report?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I wish to refer you to two reports presented on 05 March 2024 to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.
The said reports clearly outline progress with timeframes and figures on
(a) Lubisi Report and
(b) Government Printing Works’ Ministerial Report.
They are very detailed and will provide you with all you need to know.
END
19 March 2024 - NW273
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Given that the economic cost and loss of life due to accidents on poorly maintained roads continue to increase (details furnished), what are the full, relevant details of the plans that her department has in place to ensure that this is prevented in the 2023-24 financial year?
Reply:
1. Road Safety Audits
The Department is highly concerned about the continuous increase in road traffic crashes due to poor condition of roads and to this end, my department developed the Road Safety Strategy that seeks to address rod crashes and fatalities with safer roads being one of the Road safety pillars. The Department of Transport developed the Road Safety Audit Manual that provides guidance to various Roads Authorities on actions to be adopted in keeping the roads safe for all road users.
2. Routine Road Maintenance (RRM
In addition to the Road Safety Manual, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited developed the Routine Road Maintenance Program to ensure that the newly built are regularly maintained to ensure longevity.
3. Provincial Road Maintenance Transversal Indicators
In addition to the above and in making sure that Provinces are well supported, the Department of Transport has established a set of four (4) performance indicators that are consistently executed by all Provinces and monitored on quarterly basis. These Transversal Indicators are:
- Number of kilometres of surfaced roads visually assessed as per the applicable Technical Methods for Highways (TMH) manual,
- Number of kilometres of gravel roads visually assessed as per the applicable TMH Manual,
- Number of road safety audits conducted,
- Number of designs for transport infrastructure
4. Road Maintenance Grant
The Department has budgeted R42.6 billion for construction, maintenance and upgrade of the road infrastructure network, For the current reporting period the Department of Transport.
19 March 2024 - NW338
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) him, (ii) his department and (iii) officials of his department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
No sponsorships, donations, or financial transfers have been provided for lawfare and or any other purposes to me, the Department, or any official in the Department by any Qatari, Iranian, or Russian organ of state/organisation since 1 January 2021 to date. The Department and I would not know whether any sponsorship, donation, or financial transfer for lawfare and or any other purpose was made by any Qatari, Iranian, or Russian organ of state /organisation to any resident from 1 January 2021 to date.
END.
19 March 2024 - NW296
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether she will furnish Ms B S Masango with (a) a list every SA Post Office (SAPO) payment point for SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants which will be closed, (b) the date of closure for each, (c) the number of SASSA grant recipients serviced at each Post Office and (d) the (i) relevant details of the nearest alternative payment points to each of the closed SAPO branches and (ii) distance in kilometres from the Post Office?
Reply:
a) Please refer to Annexure A for a list of every South Africa Post Office (SAPO) payment point that will be closed
b) Please refer to Annexure A for a list of every South Africa Post Office (SAPO) payment point closure dates
c) Please refer to Annexure B for the number of SASSA grant recipients serviced at each SAPO/Postbank
d) (i) and (ii) Please refer to Annexure C - for alternative payment points to each of the closed or will be closed SAPO branches and related kms
19 March 2024 - NW564
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Ms T A Khanyile (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether he will furnish Ms T A Khanyile with the relevant detailed financial accounts of the revenue accrued from short-term visa applications processed in conjunction with VFS Global for the fiscal years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22, (d) 2022-23, and (e) since 1 April 2023; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each specified period; (2) what are the relevant details of the financial arrangements and revenue-sharing model between his department and VFS Global regarding these transactions?
Reply:
1.The information is tabulated hereunder: -
(1) |
Financial year |
Revenue collected by VFS for visa applications |
(a) |
2019-20 |
R44 393 680.00 |
(b) |
2020-21 |
R19 932 830.00 |
(c) |
2021-22 |
R31 969 065.00 |
(d) |
2022-23 |
R33 754 185.00 |
(e) |
2023-24 (as at 31 January 2024, unaudited) |
R32 126 493.75 |
2. The visa facilitation services contract between VFS Global and Home Affairs is based on the user-pay model and not on a revenue-sharing model. VFS collects the prescribed visa and permit fee on behalf of Home Affairs and pays it over to the Department. This constitutes the revenue collected in the table above. VFS Global adds a service charge, also called a service fee, on each transaction. It is a fee collected to pay for services that relate to a product or service that is being purchased. In other words, a service charge is an additional charge for the service provided with the submission of a visa or permit application, product, or other auxiliary service. The service fee is approved by the Department. VFS Global does not get any share of the visa or permit fees (revenue) that are due to the Department.
END.
19 March 2024 - NW185
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What is the current backlog of (a) asylum seekers awaiting status determination interviews, (b) asylum seekers who have appealed the status determination decision, and are awaiting a hearing with the refugee appeal authority, (c) asylum seekers who have submitted a review of their status determination decision to the standing committee of refugee affairs and are awaiting a decision, (d) refugees awaiting decisions on permanent residence applications and (e) foreign nationals awaiting permanent residence applications?
Reply:
(a) 617 active cases are still at the first instance adjudication phase as at 31 December 2023.
(b) Refugee Appeals Authority:
(i) Failed asylum seekers who lodged Notices of Appeal – 113 698
(ii) Failed asylum seekers booked for hearing – 2 710
(c) Reviews at SCRA awaiting decisions as at 19/02/2024: 6 774
(d) Refugees awaiting decisions on permanent residence applications: 2 924.
(e) Foreign nationals awaiting permanent residence applications: 44 488.
END
19 March 2024 - NW539
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What total number of appeals regarding the Social Relief of Distress Grant (a) has her department received in the past two years and (b) still need to be finalised?
Reply:
a) As the Honourable Member is aware, social grants appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals. For the period in question, the Tribunal received a total of 23 939 400 appeals for the SRD Grant.
b) The above number is inclusive of 15 343 533 appeals received for the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 and 8 595 867 appeals received during the period 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023. To date, the Tribunal has adjudicated and finalised a total of 23 298 222 SRD Grant appeals.
19 March 2024 - NW308
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the project to employ 10 000 graduates to digitise Home Affairs records, for every functional and operating office, (a) what are the respective locations of the offices where digitalisation will occur and (b) how many (i) graduates are currently employed in terms of the project and (ii) records have been digitised as at 31 August 2023?
Reply:
(a) The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will be utilising five buildings to digitise the 340 million records.
(b)(i) As per my reply in Parliamentary Question 2220, the recruitment of the 10,000 youth graduates is being rolled out in three phases. The advert for the first 1st 2000 cohort of unemployed graduates was published in the 2022/23 financial year, leading to the initial employment of 1405 graduates. This number has been decreasing due to youth finding better opportunities elsewhere. As of 31 January 2024, a total of 1142 youth were still in the employ of the Department and have been posted at various locations, in all provinces. The advert for the 2nd cohort closed on 03 March 2023 and yielded 2951 qualifying candidates out of the 439k applications received. In December 2023, the Department issued 2550 appointment letters to qualifying applicants. This brings the total number of young graduates employed for the digitisation project close to 3,700. The 3rd and last cohort of youth will be recruited in the 2024/25 financial year.
(b)(ii) As of 29 February 2024, the Department had digitised 31 419 990 images which translates to 714 016 records. Records consist of paper records and microfilms.
END.
19 March 2024 - NW38
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
In assessing the performance of national departments, what (a) strategies have been employed to address any deviations from the set goals outlined in their strategic plans, (b) measures have been taken to (i) ensure effective course correction and (ii) optimise the departments' performance in response to unforeseen circumstances and/or obstacles, (c) specific (i) key performance indicators and (ii) benchmarks are used to gauge the success of the departments in the implementation of their strategic plans and (d) adjustments have been made to the metrics over the course of the five-year period?
Reply:
Find reply here
19 March 2024 - NW387
Loate, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, in view of the fact that the National Treasury did not have the money to assist his department to obtain more money in order to employ more staff to have a contingency of at least 60% to operate optimally in sorting out visa applications, his department employed innovative and speedy measures to fasttrack the applications for 35 000 visas of persons who had legitimate spouses in the Republic and wanted to come and live in the country and seek employment here as well; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that legitimate foreign spouses of South African citizens cannot have their visa applications speedily processed?
Reply:
1. The Department has developed a Backlog Eradication Plan and the Plan was presented to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs. The Plan includes amongst other additional capacity to complement the current Immigration Services’ team. An additional 117 officials coming from Head Office and Provinces have been put together to deal with the Backlog Eradication Plan.
The Department through Operation Vulindlela has sought the support of the private sector to speed up verification of documents as verifications contribute to delays in the processing of visas.
2. To establish the legitimacy of any spousal relationship for a visa application, the adjudication process requires that such relationships should be verified for authenticity. This includes the notarial agreements that are submitted in support of such applications. In most cases the contact number of the purported South African spouse is not provided, making it difficult to confirm with certainty that the South African citizen is indeed party to the relationship.
END.
18 March 2024 - NW382
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether the Public Protector made any findings and handed down remedial action against her department in Report 24 of 2017/2018 on Allegations of Maladministration in the matter between Mr J Nchupetsang and the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what specific steps has her department taken to implement the remedial action?
Reply:
We have requested the Provincial Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development in North West Province to provide us with information in this regard.
Once the information is received, we will inform the Honourable Member.
18 March 2024 - NW209
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants, what total number of the specified claims are governed by (a) communal property associations and (b) trusts?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has registered 666 Communal Property Associations for governance of the land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants.
b) DALRRD has registered 319 Trusts for governance of the land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants.
18 March 2024 - NW289
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the detailed progress that has been made regarding the completion of the first draft of the Animal Welfare Bill that is due in March 2024; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the (a) details of the public stakeholder consultation that took place during the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill and (b) due date for presentation to (i) Cabinet and (ii) Parliament for the processing of the Bill; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW327E
Reply:
1. Yes. The first draft of the Animal Welfare Bill is currently being drafted and will be completed in March 2024.
2. (a) No. No public stakeholder consultation has taken place as yet.
(b)(i),(ii) It is not possible to determine the exact time frames due to the various processes that must be engaged prior to the introduction of a Bill to Parliament. As indicated in the reply to question 3435 on 22 November 2023, the first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including:
- processing through the relevant Directors-General Cluster System;
- conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment;
- constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor; and
- obtaining Cabinet approval to gazette for public comments.
Once the comments have been considered, the Bill will be amended accordingly and will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to table in Parliament.
18 March 2024 - NW541
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she intends establishing any national policy regarding almost 3 500 cases of governing bodies that are allegedly involved in theft, fraud and extortion, in cahoots with school principals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department has measures in place to deal with a principal or SGB that conducts theft, fraud or extortion that are linked to a school. Should there be a school(s) that is/are alleged to have been involved in such and not dealt with, the Department requests for names of such and the related allegation(s).
18 March 2024 - NW327
Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
- According to the records of received sponsorships, donations and gifts, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) can confirm that no sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers for lawfare and/or any other purposes were received from any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to 23 February 2024 by the (i) Minister of Small Business Development, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department.
18 March 2024 - NW247
Halse, Ms T to ask the Minister of Police
[46] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8))] With reference to the critical shortage of SA Police Service officers at the Ladybrand Police Station in the Free State, what are the relevant details of the (a) total cost of hosting the Festive Season Inspection Roadshow in Ladybrand in December 2023 and (b) tangible benefits, such as increased staff complements, that the hosting of the specified Roadshow has brought to the residents of Ladybrand?
18 March 2024 - NW57
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) total cost of waste perishable fruit exports between 2019 and 2023, specifically at export destination delivery points due to port challenges and Ukraine-Russian conflict and (b) status update on the latest measures in place to expedite farmers' exports at ports and minimise losses for our farmers?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) does not have information on the cost of waste perishable exports resulting from port challenges and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, there doesn’t appear to be any significant post export losses, judging by non-conformity reports we receive regularly from the European Union and other export destinations.
b) The role of DALRRD and its assignee, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) is inter alia to ensure that farmers’ produce are harvested on time, appropriately packed and sent to ports for final export procedures where the PEPCB ensures that produce is correctly loaded, and vessels certified. Availability of port space and port efficiency as well as related logistics at the ports is the responsibility of the Department of Transport (Transnet).
18 March 2024 - NW134
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Given that her department has designed support measures for youth-owned businesses through the Small Business Development Agency, in a quest to cultivate an enterprising culture amongst the youth, what (a) has been the direct successes of the Entrepreneurship in Schools Programme and (b) total amount has her department spent on the running of the specified programme?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
(a)&(b)The Entrepreneurship in Schools programme is a partnership that involves a lot of private sector stakeholders. The owner and custodian are PrimeStars, the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) arm of Prime Media. Other partners include the following: SAPPI, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), EOH, Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropies, Omnia, 3M, AECI, Safripol, Mulilo, BTE Renewables, Richfield, University of Johannesburg, Raizcorp, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, Zutari, Women’s Development Business, Buhle Waste, Proudly SA, Uber, Tourvest Travel Services, Protea Hotel Marriot, Sizwe IT, Versapak, Airlink, Nando’s and Lift.
IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH
Since the inception of the programme, the Seda has supported seventy-six thousand nine hundred and ninety-one (76 991) beneficiaries with a budget spent of R3 million as per table below:
NO |
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NO OF BENEFICIARIES |
BUDGET SPENT |
1. |
2019-2020 |
12,030 |
500,000 |
2. |
2021-2022 |
11,513 |
500,000 |
3. |
2022-2023 |
13,218 |
500,000 |
5. |
2023 -2024 |
13,109 |
500,000 |
|
TOTAL |
76,991 |
3,000,000 |
The programme makes use of the cinema infrastructure to expose Grade 9 to 12 learners and Educators to entrepreneurship through an entrepreneurial education movie aimed at empowering and entertaining secondary school youth about entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses. The theme changes every year, but the focus is always on encouraging business ideas that will solve existing social, environmental and health problems.
The programme has two main components: creating awareness about entrepreneurship and financial literacy (hence the big number at the beginning) and the competition which culminates into a bootcamp at the end of the year.
The total number of schools that benefited from the programme over the six-year period are six hundred and twenty six (626). The role of Seda is as follows:
- Assists with the running and judging of the final competition as “investor pitching” including master classes on “technology and innovation” and “pitch preparation”.
- Provide top three winners with access to relevant Seda support. These potential entrepreneurs would have much more refined ideas, stronger business cases, knowledge, and experience, to work with, to be guided through the process of setting up a business, if necessary, with partners over 18 years of age, in a schedule that does not jeopardise their schooling.
- Seda is committed to assist all the beneficiaries of the programme and they are encouraged to visit Seda branches to turn their ideas into businesses.
STATUS OF THE PROGRAMME TO DATE FOR 2023/2024 FINANCIAL YEAR
- Thirteen thousand one hundred and nine (13 109) learners and two hundred and five (205) educators were exposed to entrepreneurial education film.
- 98% of the beneficiaries were Africans and the gender representation was as follows: 57% of females benefited from the programme whereas males were 43%.
- Learners were encouraged to enter the competition and adjudication of the entries took place. Ten (10) teams were selected and participated in a boot camp that took place on the 8-11 December 2023. The dragon’s den was hosted on 11 December 2023 at Protea Hotel, Wanderers in Johannesburg to choose the three viable business ideas.
- The Step-Up 2 A Green Start-Up National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony was hosted on 12 December 2023 at Nedbank Rivonia in Sandton. The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, graced the event with her presence and delivered the keynote address.
- The finalists comprising of twenty-eight (28) learners and nine (9) educators were awarded with over R4 million in prizes which included bursaries, incubation, entrepreneurial programmes, shopping voucher, application development, seed funding and tablets. These came from the different sponsors of the programme that are listed above. The finalists represented Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape.
- A team of three learners from Leap Science and Maths in Alexandra, Gauteng were announced as overall winners of the 2023 Step Up 2A Green Start Up National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards for their business solution of producing of eco-brick which was made from recyclable materials such as plastic, paper or glass brought together by a little cement. Those eco bricks will be used to build houses for those in need and address the challenges related to inadequate housing, pollution, unemployment and poverty within their community and the country as whole.
- The second winner was from Mehlwana Secondary School in Ogies, Mpumalanga. They introduced a way of collecting waste through smart bins. These bins are paired with a mobile app that automatically alerts service provider when the bins reach the full capacity and ready to be collected.
- The third winner was from Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School in Kempton Park, Gauteng, their business idea centered on sustainable construction for those in need by using repurpose recyclable materials into wall panels to build houses.
UPDATES ON 2022 WINNERS
- The first-place winner was Sibusisiwe Comp Tech High School from Umbumbulu in KwaZulu-Natal. The idea was to create an affordable source of energy using eco-friendly coal sourced from marula nuts. The Eco Trio received R20 000 from the Youth Start Foundation to start a business. They started a business of nut processing in January 2023, this entails converting marula nut into coal.
- The second-place winner was Leap Science and Maths High School from Alexandra in Gauteng. The idea was to make use of the recycled paper to create “eco log bricks” as an alternative to coal used for fire. The eco log brick making business was not implemented as planned due to lack of resources. As both first and second place winners are still in grade 12 this year, after writing their exams, the Seda branches (eThekwini and Johannesburg) will train them on basic business skills and assist them to turn the idea into a business.
- The third-place winner was Buhlebezile Secondary School from Thokoza in Gauteng. The idea was to extract raw materials from electronic devices, reselling precious metals and repurposing the plastic waste into tar used for road construction. The team completed their matric in 2022 and each member received a degree bursary from Richfield Institute to the value of R112 000. Both students are studying at Richfield Institute and have applied to Johannesburg Business School of Entrepreneurship Development Programme to study further.
IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMME TO ALUMNI
- Gontse Selaocoe is the owner of All Day Jam based in Orange Farm in Johannesburg which employ 5 people. Mr Selaocoe took part in the programme in 2017 when he was in Grade 11 and made it to Top 10. He contacted Seda for assistance, he was assisted with product testing, marketing assistance and he participated on the art of pitch for funding competition. He was one of the winners of 2022 Seda National Pitch for Funding Champion in which he received the R500 000.
- Palesa Machaka is the owner of Coiggy (Pty) Ltd – Fintech company with 2 employees. Primestars supported her on her journey, offered resources to start her business and referred her to relevant network. Coiggy (Pty) Ltd is a fintech start-up company with the aim of fostering financial savviness amongst the youth in Southern Africa – by revolutionising the use of loyalty programmes and breaking stereotypes around saving and investing money. This company planned to redefine the financial ecosystem, making financial services more secure and inclusive for all, from a township to global scale.
- Brian Mlambo is a CEO of Akha Ventures. Akha Ventures is at the forefront of championing digital transformation in Africa. Rooted in a profound dedication to the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises, the company serves as an indispensable ally to SMEs, ensuring they are equipped with the pivotal tools and insights required to flourish in today's digital era. This unwavering commitment to transformation has borne tangible results, with Akha Ventures successfully aiding over 5,000 businesses in establishing their digital presence and organizing, more than 100 business-centric events, including insightful masterclasses and fireside chats which has enabled them to build a database of over 35,000 SMEs in South Africa in 5 years.
18 March 2024 - NW269
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What specific steps does her department intend to take in response to the alarming number of noncompliant communal property associations (CPAs) as outlined in the recent annual report; (2) whether there is a plan to address the (a) lack of co-operation (i) among CPA members and (ii) between traditional authorities versus CPAs and (b) reported conflicts among CPA members that are identified as key factors contributing to (aa) noncompliance and (bb) project failure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) considering that the chairperson of the Moletele Community Property Association, Mr Albert Thabane, which is one of the CPAs that are best performing, emphasised that collaborations are key to ensure that the benefits of the community are met, what measures does her department intend to put in place to encourage collaboration and partnerships among CPAs?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has embarked on a process of developing a policy guideline to address all Communal Property Associations’ (CPAs) challenges.
2. Yes.
(a)(i),(ii),(b),(aa),(bb) The policy guideline will address all CPA challenges.
3. DALRRD is currently hosting CPA investment imbizos in order to advance collaboration amongst CPAs and investment partners for the productive use of the land held by these entities.
18 March 2024 - NW450
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1)Whether the transaction by the National Gambling Board to purchase the property at 1085 Frances Baard Street, Hatfield, has been finalised; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was the transaction concluded and (b) what was the cost of the building; (2) whether all supply chain processes were followed in the procurement process; if not, why not; if so, (a) did he approve the transaction in terms of Section 54 of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 and (b) on what date was the specified approval granted; (3) whether the transaction has been approved by the National Treasury according to the stipulations of the specified Act; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date did the National Treasury approve the transaction and (b) what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Following information received from the National Gambling Board (NGB) relating to this transaction, I have requested the Director-General to further engage the NGB on information required and processes followed and provide me with a Report. A supplementary reply will be provided once the information has been received.
-END-
18 March 2024 - NW133
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
(1)What (a) has been the total annual budget of the Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) since its inception and (b) total amount of the specified budget has been allocated towards assisting youth-owned businesses; (2) what criteria were used in the process of approving and/or granting loans and other financial assistance to youth-owned businesses; (3) whether have been any youth-owned businesses that were denied any grants or financial assistance in the specified period; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what were the reasons?” NW139E
Reply:
I have been advised that:
1. Since its inception in the 2021/22 financial period, the Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) was allocated a budget of:
(a) R296 459 000,
(b) As at 19 February 2024, sefa had disbursed R152 597 678 to 44 Youth-owned businesses under the Youth Challenge Fund.
2. The YCF provides support to youth start-up businesses/enterprises that meet the following criteria:
- Are between the age of 18 to 35 years.
- Majority youth-owned with at least 51% youth shareholder/s.
- Registered with Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and be prepared to register with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
- 100% South African owned.
- Are adequately involved in the day-to-day operation and management of the business, with at least one or more of the members being full-time employees of the business, especially the main applicant.
- Prepared to participate in Business Development Support (BDS) and mentorship (pre and post).
- Commercially viable, sustainable, and feasible business idea.
3. Yes, there has been applications that were declined for funding for youth-owned businesses due to a number of specific reasons listed below:
- Incomplete applications.
- Adverse credit record.
- Application above the maximum funding threshold.
- Lack of off-take agreements.
- No identified market.
- Lack of financial statements for existing businesses.
- Commercial viability.
- Youth ownership not being clear.
- Non-compliance with industry regulatory requirements.
Letters of decline were sent to the applicants stating the reasons why their applications were declined or could not be processed further with some of the applications advised to contact the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) for business support. The applicants are advised to re-apply once all the issues listed above are sorted. Some of the applications have been reallocated to the Township Rural Economic Programme (TREP) as it was relevant to them.
18 March 2024 - NW56
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)What is the latest update on the referral made by the Republic to the World Trade Organisation on 27 July 2022 concerning the European Union's (EU) import restrictions on South African citrus fruit due to false codling moth (FCM); (2) if no progress has been made since the referral, what actions are being taken to follow up on the matter and update farmers in this regard; (3) on what date (a) does she envisage following up on the matter and (b) will she update the farming community who export to the EU; (4) what (a) have been the cost implications for the farmers exporting to the EU since the implementation of the FCM treatment measures and (b) has the Government done to alleviate the costs implications? NW57E
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
1. South Africa (the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) continued with the consultation process at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in September 2022. This is a technical process where South Africa poses technical questions regarding the False Coding Moth (FCM) conditions to the European Union (EU). South Africa did not close dialogue with the EU and several engagements between South African and European counterparts continued throughout 2023 on technical as well as political levels up to the level of the Presidency.
2. Since no amicable resolutions were achieved, South Africa is considering to continue with the WTO dispute resolution process.
(3)(a) The government intends to lodge a dispute at the WTO. The consultation process and preparatory work has been done between government and the industry. The WTO case could not continue yet as the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) had to first take place from 26 to 29 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. After this meeting the relevant Departments will reflect back on the possible options to that take matter further.
(3)(b) DALRRD is in continuous discussions with the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) and the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (FPEF) who represent the majority of citrus export producers.
(4)(a)(b) The actual cost implications would be known by the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), as government does not have access to this information. The database that is being utilised by International Trade Promotion does not have the 2023 Trade data available.
18 March 2024 - NW538
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) security measures have been put in place to ensure that the Social Relief of Distress grant system is safe and not compromised by fraudulent persons and (b) are the relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
(a) As the Honourable Member is aware, the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant is a wholly digital and this exposes it to cybercrimes. To address this, SASSA has developed robust ICT capabilities to detect fraud and related activities. SASSA’s cyber-crime prevention and detection capacities include interfaces with other government departments and entities, including the Department of Home Affairs (National Population Register), PERSAL and the Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF), SARS, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) amongst others.
(b) Additional fraud detection and prevention measures include interfaces with banks who rely on the Financial Intelligence Centre for verification purposes. SASSA also uses the data of the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) to stay abreast of those that have been identified as perpetrators of fraud or victims of fraud. These efforts strengthen SASSA’s ability to validate grant applications.
18 March 2024 - NW499
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What has her department found to be the factors that contribute to land restitution breaking the cycle of poverty?
Reply:
The recipients of the Land Restitution programme received land as an assets or Financial Compensation which enables the claimants to participate in the economy of the country thus breaking the cycles of poverty. More than 998 479 individuals benefited from financial compensation and more than 1 134 039 individuals benefited from land restoration.
END
18 March 2024 - NW208
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) is the total number of (i) commercial farmers and (ii) black commercial farmers in the Republic and (b) size of the commercial farmland is owned by the black commercial farmers?
Reply:
a) (i) Commercial Farmers: 40 122 (Source: Stats SA Commercial Census of Agriculture, 2017).
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA’s) definition of category of farmers:
- Micro Income <R1 million;
- Micro+ R1 million>Income<R2,25 million;
- Small R2.25 million>Income<R13,5 million;
- Medium R13,5 million>Income<R22,5 million; and
- Large >R22,5 million.
Information is not categorised according to race.
(ii) There are no reliable figures on black commercial farmers yet. The Producer/Farmer Register in 2021 registered 95 501 farmers. African farmers compared to other racial groups make up 89 975 of the registered number.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD’s) definition of category of farmers registered is as follows:
- Smallholder R50<R1 million form 59 282;
- Medium-scale(R1 million><R10 million) form 434;
- Large -scale(R10 million><R50 million) form 111; and
- Mega Farmer(>R50 million) form 67.
The Land Audit of 2017 reveals that out of the 181 532 individuals who own farms and agricultural holdings, 40 494 African individuals own land. Whites are the majority owners, forming 95 673 of the total. The report does not reveal the breakdown of turnover per race.
b) The Stats SA Commercial Census of Agriculture, 2017 reveals that there is 46,4 million hectares of land i.e. 36,5 million hectares of commercial grazing land and 7,7 million hectares of commercial arable land.
According to the Land Audit of 2017, Africans own 1 314 873 hectares out of the total of 37 078 289 hectares. White individuals have 26 663 144 hectares of land.
However, the information is not categorised by turnover and race on the same plane so that it can depict black commercial farmers.
18 March 2024 - NW231
Gericke, Mr V to ask the Minister of Police
[*23][Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8))] Considering the prevalence of the protection fee rackets run by gangster syndicates, particularly in Cape Town, to demand money from businesses to allegedly protect such businesses' interests, what (a) intelligence does Crime Intelligence Operations have on the operations of these protection fee rackets and (b) plans of action does the SA Police Service have in place to stamp out this practice?
18 March 2024 - NW135
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
(1)With reference to her reply to question 4157 on 8 January 2024 regarding mechanisms in place to encourage and make provisions for youth entrepreneurship and addressing youth unemployment, wherein she mentioned that the Youth Challenge Fund had approved loans to the value of R227 798 265 to 66 youth-owned businesses and that it had disbursed a total of R150 348 036 to 42 youth-owned businesses, what (a) are the full, relevant details, including names and locations, of the (i) 66 and (ii) 42 youth-owned businesses that received loans and/or other funds and (b) total amount did each specified business receive; (2) what are the full, relevant details of how her department intends to recoup the loans?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
1. At the time of consolidating the response to the Parliamentary question 4157, funding applications for 66 youth-owned businesses were approved and funding was disbursed to 42 youth-owned businesses. Since the data is captured on a live system, as of 19 February 2024 71 youth-owned businesses have been approved for funding to the tune of to the tune of R228 730 052,79, and 44 youth-owned businesses received funding to the tune of R152 597 677,84 as per the attached spreadsheet.
2. The fund is implemented by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) on behalf of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), then sefa processes are followed to approve and disburse the funds to eligible applicants. The approval of applications takes place at the Credit Committee level, once approved, the contracting (legal process) takes place between sefa Officials and the client and then the loans are disbursed. After disbursements, the client’s file is handed over to the Post Investment Monitoring (PIM) Department. In the case of equipment or machinery purchase, when the supplier delivers, the Investment Officer (IO) or the PIM official are present at the client’s premises to verify that the goods are being delivered as per the paid invoice. Within thirty days post the disbursement, PIM conducts client visits to ensure that the business continues to function in line with what was agreed upon and approved by the Credit Committee. When the loan repayments are due, PIM raises instalments, through the Collections Department, and collects payments from clients’ accounts via the debit orders.
18 March 2024 - NW215
Mkhwebane, Adv BJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What (a) are the full details and extent of the investigation conducted by the members of the SA Police Service (SAPS) on the rape case opened at the Woodstock Police Station under case number 53/2/2022 and (b) total number of witnesses have been interviewed; (2) whether the specified members of SAPS were informed of the new evidence that has since emerged; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) measures have they taken to follow up on the mater and (b) are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
18 March 2024 - NW381
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What total number of agri-hubs have benefited successfully from the facilities that are meant to act as key enablers of the agriculture value chain across the Republic?
Reply:
5 Agri-Hubs. An Agri-Hub is a component of an Agri Park.; it is a nodal collection point of produce from farmers primarily supported at Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs); it accommodates agro-processing, packaging, logistics, and distribution.
TABLE 1: DETAILED REPORT PER AGRI-HUB
NAME OF AGRI-HUB |
INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDED |
IMPACT MADE |
1. Springfontein Agri-Hub Free State Xhariep District Municipality Kopanong Local Municipality |
Multi-Purpose warehouse, Bulk Services, Guard House, Mechanization Centre and fence |
|
2. Thaba Nchu Agri-Hub Free State Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality |
Fully equipped abattoir, Rendering Plant, Guard house, paving. Holding Pens, Palisade Fence |
|
3. Mkhuze Agri-Hub KwaZulu Natal uMkhanyakude District Municipality Mkuze Local Municipality |
Mkhuze Rail Siding (includes weighbridges, Spiller platforms, purchase of the Hilo, and specialized equipment). |
|
4. Mkhuhlu Agri-Hub Mpumalanga Ehlanzeni District Municipality Bushbuckridge Local Municipality |
Fresh Produce Market, Packhouse, Access Road, Storage Shed, Office Block, Training Facility and Veterinary Clinic |
|
5. Springbokpan Agri-Hub North West Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality Ditsobotla Local Municipality |
Warehouse bulks services and paved dual access road-project, a guard house and 1,9KM fencing.
|
|
18 March 2024 - NW260
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
Whether the SA Police Service of the Cape Town Central Police Station referred the case against a certain organisation and person (names furnished), with reference number CAS 33/11/2022, on 12 September 2023 to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision to prosecute; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date will the docket be referred for a decision to prosecute; if so, what is the decision of the NPA?
Reply:
Find reply here
18 March 2024 - NW220
Peacock, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Police
[4] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8))] Considering that the ratio of police personnel to the population is not at the level that is desired in accordance with international standards, what plans has he put in place since 1 April 2023 for additional human resource capacity for the SA Police Service?
Reply:
Find reply here
18 March 2024 - NW498
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What total number of households and/or individuals received financial compensation as opposed to the total number of beneficiaries who had their land restored and/or assets transferred to them?
Reply:
More than 998 479 individuals benefited from financial compensation and more than 1 134 039 individuals benefited from land restoration.
END
18 March 2024 - NW268
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) How does her department intend to address financial irregularities and missing funds within some communal property associations (CPAs) and (b) what mechanisms will be put in place to prevent such issues in the future; (2) regarding the need for a more aggressive approach, what specific timelines and milestones will her department set to ensure a swift and effective turnaround in the current state of CPAs?
Reply:
(1)(a) Communal Properties Associations (CPAs) are supported to present annual reports and financial statements at the Annual General Meeting of its members.
In instances where allegations of financial mismanagement are reported investigations are done by the department and where necessary, the CPA can be put under administration.
(b) Proper training of all CPA members including their executive committee on governance, business development and financial accountability is necessary.
2. Firstly, engagement with CPAs across the country gave us a thorough appreciation of where challenges are in each of the CPAs (2022/23).
Following these engagements, a training program is duly developed to strengthen weaknesses.
Mediation is also central in austerity in the management of conflicts and look at possible actions in isolating disputes.
Timelines will differ based on each CPA and its challenges.
15 March 2024 - NW394
Adoons, Ms NG to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the extent of functionality of the Quality Learning and Teaching Committee structures and (b) total number of the specified structures have been established in schools?
Reply:
(a) All provinces have established QLTC structures, with the exception of the Western Cape Province. Functionality is informed by programmes that are implemented in each province. The DBE has shared programmes for implementation through the Provincial QLTC structures and the District QLTC Structures.
The challenge is that where QLTCs have not been established, they have not been incorporated as part of the SGBs. The DBE is taking advantage of the 2024 SGB elections to re-establish and strengthen QLTCs; and ensure that they are both functional and have programmes in place. The number of functional QLTC structures in each province is provided on teh table below.
(b)
NAME OF PROVINCE |
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WITH QLTC STRUCTURED |
NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL QLTC STRUCTURES |
Eastern Cape |
5 283 |
2 030 |
Free State |
1 026 |
718 |
Gauteng |
2 400 |
326 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
5 898 |
1 769 |
Limpopo |
3 038 |
1 880 |
Mpumalanga |
1607 |
769 |
North West |
1 564 |
866 |
Northern Cape |
289 |
104 |
Western Cape |
0 |
0 |
15 March 2024 - NW226
Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) Whether he has established the reasons why the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) failed to prosecute the cases referred for prosecution by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what measures, checks and balances has he and/or the NPA put in place to prevent an ongoing failure by the State to prosecute the specified crimes?
Reply:
(1)
As a point of departure, we wish to draw the attention of the honourable Minister to the fact that the NPA is required to present on a continuous basis progress made in TRC matters to the Justice Portfolio Committee. The latest presentation can be made available to Mr B N Herron if he has not been privy thereto.
Specifically, regarding the “Cradock 4” matter a fully motivated request for the reopening of the inquest was submitted to the Minister which led to the Minister’s announcement on 5 January 2024. The NPA submitted in the application that new evidence consisting of primarily the amnesty applications and evidence obtained during the evidence during the TRC amnesty hearings of several SAPS Security Branch members and not placed before the two previous inquests rendered a reopening of the inquest in the interest of justice. This is especially important that finality and closure is brought to the families of the deceased who have waited decades for the truth of who murdered their loved ones.
(2)
As to measures, checks and balances TRC matters has since September 2021 been prioritised within the NPA, resulting in the creation of a separate TRC Component, within the office of the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP) Adv RJ de Kock.
Pertaining to capacity at national level a Special Director and a National TRC co-ordinator were appointed to assess the progress on all TRC matters and account directly to the DNDPP. There is strict monitoring and accountability.
Dedicated prosecutors and investigators were appointed within the divisions to specifically deal with TRC matters to expedite investigations and decisions. Deviation was obtained from DPSA for prosecutors to be appointed on a contract basis for a period of three years.
An audit of all outstanding matters migrated to the divisions in 2019 were done. It was important to gauge as to how far the investigation had progressed, what was outstanding, and provide a time frame for investigations to be finalised. Decisions in matters are made by the Directors of Public Prosecutions and submitted to the national office where it is carefully assessed, and due consultation and further engagement takes place where required. The NDPP retains her powers of review regarding all decisions. This is important to ensure checks and balances.
Additional matters emanating from the TRC were identified, and provided they had not prescribed, were referred formally for investigations to DPCI. Thereafter they were referred to DPPs for appointment of prosecutors to guide investigations.
Certain matters were identified for fast tracking. Factors considered were age of the matter, age of witnesses/persons of interest, availability of dockets or inquest records etc.
There are regular meetings and updates to the families, as per the instructions of the NDPP. There is also ongoing involvement of relevant stakeholders and government departments.
Accountability sessions are a joint initiative between NPA/DPCI to drive progress on TRC matters. There has been a demand and increase in sessions for upskilling of both prosecutors and investigators in relation to TRC matters.
At National level, comprehensive reports are submitted monthly where progress from all divisions, are accurately gauged. Accountability is stressed. Divisions are held to account. Interventions are staged in non-performing divisions. DPCI/NPA interactions and workshops are critical in so far as training/evaluation and progress is concerned.
15 March 2024 - NW465
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) What (a) are the requirements set by her department for a person to qualify for appointment as a tour guide and (b) checks and balance mechanisms are in place to ensure that applicants processed by her department comply with the specified requirements; (2) Whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a copy of the application form used by her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) How are the tour guides monitored by her department to ensure the safety of the tourists in their excursions with the tour guides around the Republic?
Reply:
(1)(a) I have been informed that the Department of Tourism is not responsible for the appointment of tour guides. The appointment of tour guides is a provincial competency.
(1)(b) and (2) and (3) Not Applicable
15 March 2024 - NW590
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 103 on 22 February 2023, what are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) date of purchase and (e) purchase price paid for each vehicle purchased by her department for (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Minister since 8 May 2019?
Reply:
There were no new vehicles purchased by the department for the Minister and Deputy Minister since 8 may 2019. The Deputy Minister vehicle was the last to be acquired on 13 December 2018, refer to the detail information below.
What is the (a) make
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- BMW
- Mercedes Benz
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW
- AUDI
(b) Model
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- 535i
- GLE 500
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- 530i
- 3.0 Q7 TDI Quattro
(c) Year of Vehicle Manufacture
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- 2014 : BMW Sedan
- 2016 : Mercedes-Benz
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- 2018 : BMW Sedan
- 2018 : AUDI Q7
(d) Price
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- BMW : R769,022.76
- Mercedes-Benz : R849,900.00
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW : R833,488.41
- Audi : R1,015,702.05
(e) Vehicles purchase date
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- BMW : 25 September 2014
- Mercedes-Benz : 26 October 2016
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW : 28 March 2018
- Audi :13 December 2018
15 March 2024 - NW233
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, following the Republic’s decision to approach the International Court of Justice to charge Israel with genocide and seek provisional measures to stop the ongoing genocide in Palestine, she had any engagements with the United States, Britain, Germany and other European countries in which the specified countries threatened to limit their trade relations with South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the engagements?
Reply:
Engagement with the US
At the request of the USA, a telecon with Minister Pandor was initiated by the United States (US) Secretary of State, Mr Antony Blinken, on 25 January 2024. The purpose of the telecon was to discuss South Africa-US bilateral relations, with a specific focus on the state of global affairs, including a reflection on the Genocide Case between South Africa and Israel that was before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague.
The discussion considered the potential outcomes of the ruling and how the two countries should work jointly to ensure the smooth continuation of relations after the ruling, which the Court had delivered on Friday, 26 January 2024.
As such, no threat was issued by Secretary Blinken regarding our future trade relations with the US and both Principals reinforced the need to refocus attention on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in key areas of common interests, such as trade, investment, energy, climate change and the JET-P. This sentiment was also reiterated in a press statement released by the US State Department following the telcon on 25 January 2024.
Engagement with the EU
Following the request from the European Union Delegation to South Africa, Minister Pandor had a friendly and engaging meeting with EU Ambassadors on 12 February 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss matters of common interest to both South Africa and her Strategic Partner, the European Union. The Minister used the opportunity to do a global scan of the current geopolitical environment and the importance of sustainable peace and prosperity across the world. It is also at this meeting that the Minister contextualised South Africa’s approach to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Minister used the recent European Parliament’s debate “on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation” as a case in point. The Minister further stated that this debate underscored the imperative of adhering to international law together with peace enforcement through established global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council. South Africa has condemned the killing and kidnapping of Israelis by Hamas, however, the disproportionate reaction by Israel cannot be justified. It is against this background that South Africa approached the ICJ. Powerful countries have a responsibility to sit down with both Palestine and Israel to define an outcome that will lead to lasting peace, security and statehood for both, the Minister further remarked.
No other Western European countries were engaged separately on the ICJ hearings on Palestine.
15 March 2024 - NW464
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) What criterion is used by her department to appoint tour guides and (b) at what point does her department and the Department of Transport liaise before tour guides are appointed?
Reply:
(a) I have been informed that the Department is not responsible for the appointment of tourist guides. The appointment of tour guides is a provincial competency.
(b) Not applicable
15 March 2024 - NW479
Mhlongo, Ms N to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What (a) are the reasons that his department is delaying in plugging residents of Middelplaas Emoyeni section Ward 83204031, Mpumalanga 324, Nkomazi Local Municipality to the grid, (b) was the initial time frame put in place by his department to complete the project and (c) are the reasons that there has been no communication regarding new time frames put in place to complete the project and finally plug the community to the grid to collect the much needed revenue?
Reply:
The structure of the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) within the department requires municipalities to apply for funding to electrify their prioritised areas through Integrated Development Plans (IDP). In the 2021/22 financial year, the department received an application from Nkomazi Local Municipality to electrify Middleplaas area, which was successfully funded and implemented by the municipality. It is worth noting that Emoyeni was not part of the submitted application.
Therefore, should the municipality prioritise Emoyeni and applies for funding in future, the area will be considered for funding and implementation in line with INEP application processes.
15 March 2024 - NW395
Yabo, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the total number of inappropriate and unsafe ablution facilities and (b) progress has her department made in replacing such inappropriate and unsafe facilities?
Reply:
(a) What is the total number of inappropriate and unsafe ablution facilities?
- In 2018, the Department of Basic Education launched the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE-2018) initiative.
- This programme initially identified 3 898 schools dependent on basic pit toilets. Additional 809 were identified during the process of monitoring.
- 867 schools did not proceed to implementation, after initial assessment, because they either had appropriate sanitation facilities, OR only needed maintenance; and therefore did not meet the SAFE criteria; OR were on Private land and could not be developed further; OR schools closed due to low learner enrolment.
(b) What progress has her department made in replacing such inappropriate and unsafe facilities?
- 3 379 schools proceeded to implementation, and 3 003 of these schools have been provided with appropriate sanitation.
- DBE plans to complete the balance of the schools in the 2024/25 financial year due to National Treasury budget cuts during 2023/24 financial year.
15 March 2024 - NW322
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1)Whether, considering the participation of the delegation of the Republic in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 that took place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 15 to 19 January 2024, her department bore the financial responsibility for the expenses of its representatives in terms of (a) accommodation, (b) air travel, (c) ground transportation and (d) any other ancillary expenses; if so, what are the relevant details in terms of the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown thereof; if not, (2) whether the specified expenses were covered by funds received from the National Treasury; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Department as follows:
1) Yes
(1)(i) Total cost R 1 893 441
(1)(ii) Cost breakdown:
Minister |
Ministry Support Staff |
Departmental Staff |
|
(a)Accommodation |
R 75 960 |
R 396 920 |
R 473 290 |
(b)Air Travel |
R 85 927 |
R 75314 |
R 73 045 |
(c)Ground Transport |
R 137 315 |
R 274 630 |
R 297 740 |
(d)Local Shuttles |
R nil |
R 1600 |
R 1700 |
(2) Yes, the trip was covered by funds from the National Treasury, it was funded from the Voted Funds of the department.
Thank you
15 March 2024 - NW404
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) In view of the high incidence of lawlessness and violence in schools, such as at J G Meiring High School and Primrose Primary School, and considering the fact that provincial education departments are in the process of appointing school governing bodies, what are her department’s plans to ensure that the school governing bodies (SGBs) that will be elected will enhance the safety and security of the learners and teachers at schools across the Republic; (2) what plans does her department have in place to ensure the newly elected SGBs will contribute to policy and decision making that will transform and/or decolonise our education landscape, since her department has over the years devalued it and made it inferior among the world’s standards?
Reply:
The DBE will work with PEDs to ensure the implementation of section 19 of SASA, which expects of the PEDs to have a programme to train SGBs. Part of the training! will be on keeping schools safe for learners and teachers.
The DBE will ensure the implementation of section 18A of SASA, which expects of PEDs to have in place a Code of Conduct of the School Governing Body, aimed at establishing a disciplined and purposeful school environment, dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of a quality governance structure at a public school.
Furthermore, PEDs will be monitored that they have a programme to—
- provide introductory training for newly elected governing bodies to enable them to perform their functions. This training will include SGB roles and responsibilities and the importance of having a mission that is in line with the PED vision; and
- provide continuing training to governing bodies to promote the effective performance of their functions or to enable them to assume additional functions. The training will amongst other areas cover policy development by SGBs.
The DBE will also support PEDs to take Representative Council of Learners to play a role in contributing to school safety and security.
Schools will be required to involve the parents in ensuring that schools are safe for learning and teaching.
15 March 2024 - NW359
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether all leaners have been placed in schools for the 2024 academic year; if not, (a) what (i) is the status of learners who were not placed in schools at the beginning of the 2024 school year, (ii) total number of learners are still awaiting placement and (iii) are the reasons that learners have not yet been placed and (b) on what date is it envisaged that all learners will be placed in schools; if so, what are the full, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
Learners of parents who accepted placements as allocated by PEDs are in schools. Entry grades learners have been placed.
(a)(i) A majority of learners was placed during the school closing of 2023. PEDs continued to place learners at the beginning of 2024 school year, especially those that were not part of the admitting province. (a)(ii) The statistics of these learners are changing on a daily basis, as the learners get placed. The actual data is managed by PEDs. |
(a)(iii) Some learners followed their parents to areas that are economically viable. Some parents refused placements, as they were not of their schools of choice, even though their schools of choice were full.
(b)(i) Learners should be placed before the end of term. The DBE is monitoring progress closely and getting regular feedback from provinces. |
15 March 2024 - NW603
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
With reference to his reply to question 186 on 22 February 2023, what are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) date of purchase and (e) purchase price paid for each vehicle purchased by his department for (i) him and (ii) the Deputy Minister since 8 May 2019?
Reply:
(i) Vehicle purchased for Minister Mantashe since 08 May 2019
- Make: BMW X3 s Drive 20i
- Model: GO1 X 3 s Drive 20i SAV (16DP)
- Year of Manufacture: 2023
- Date of purchase: 31 March 2023
- Price: R768, 030.00
(ii) Vehicle purchased for the Deputy Minister Dr Nkabane since 08 May 2019
- No vehicle purchased for the Deputy Minister to date March 2024
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A