Questions and Replies

Reply:

Although I am fully aware of the ILO study on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa, the report that was issued in February 2015 was just a draft for input by affected stakeholders. The ILO final report on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa was only finalized and published on 21 July 2015.

I am arranging a briefing from the International Labour Organisation on the findings of the study. Consequently, I will interact with Ministers of Labour and Rural Development and Land Reform to have an integrated approach to the recommendations of the report. We will then consult with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss and develop a sector action plan to address challenges addressed in the report.

Reply:

The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (THWK LM), the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) from the Office of the Honourable Deputy Minister Skwatsha, the Office of the Premier of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA), and other role players held a meeting on the 27th July 2015 particularly to discuss the problem of the cattle (120 cows) crossing the roads, especially crossing on the National Road (N2) which has put motorists and other people’s lives at risk. There is an urgent need for land that will be used to graze the cattle. The requirement for land has been communicated with the DRDLR office. The THWK LM reported that there are 2 farms available in the area, but these could not be committed as available/secure for use by the cattle. This will be looked into as a short term solution whilst following the DRDLR processes to acquire land.

There is a 17 hectare piece of land available as part of the ARC land, though this is equally not available for use by the producers immediately as it is meant to support the ARC’s research interventions. The WCDOA advised the producers to reduce the number of cattle in order to contain the cows in a better condition, in terms of supervision and easy handling, including the provision of feed on a continuous basis. The reduction in cattle numbers was proposed by the WCDOA as a short term solution whilst the THWK LM resolves the availability of the two farms for immediate use. The cattle producers did not agree to this and refused to negotiate any further.

The land acquisition matter is being discussed as a matter of urgency to address the challenge of the cattle crossing the N2.

Reply:

In 2009, my Department conducted a study to assess the level of compliance of the twelve Colleges against the approved Norms and Standards the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs. The assessment study report revealed that no single College complied fully with the established Norms and Standards albeit in differing degrees. Flowing from the approved Norms and Standards and the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs including the findings of the compliance study, a Revitalisation Plan for the Colleges of Agriculture was developed.

The Colleges Revitalization Plan (CRP) is guided by the following critical pillars:

• Pillar 1: Improvement of Infrastructure and equipment
• Pillar 2: Curriculum review with emphasis on value addition
• Pillar 3: Accreditation and registration of Colleges
• Pillar 4: Leadership development and change management
• Pillar 5: Strengthening of Information and Communication Technology including Colleges Governance

In support of the process of revitalizing the Colleges of Agriculture, my Department approached the National Treasury in 2009/10 to present the case of the twelve Colleges and to solicit funding for their improvement. My Department commenced with its National Treasury approved and funded Colleges Revitalization Plan in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, my Department has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.

A total amount of R2 236 705 009.00 (two billion two hundred and thirty six million seven hundred and five thousand and nine rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture between 2009 and January 2015.

A total amount of R1 907 356 342.00 (one billion nine hundred and seven million three hundred and fifty six thousand and three hundred and forty two rand only) has been spent on Goods and Services and Compensation of Employees (Annexure A).

A total amount of R329 348 667.00 (three hundred and twenty nine million three hundred and forty eight thousand and six hundred and sixty seven rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture since 2011/12 through Colleges Revitalization Plan (Annexure B).

Annexure C presents a list of major infrastructure support provided to Colleges by my Department through the Colleges Revitalization Plan since 2011/12.

Reply:

(a). Cabinet has already approved that the two Departments appoint a Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to spearhead the process and modalities for the transfer. The JTTT has been officially appointed and has started working on the processes.

(b). The transfer of Colleges to the Department of Higher Education and Training is a Cabinet decision. My responsibility is to facilitate the implementation of the decision together with the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Reply:

Although I am fully aware of the ILO study on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa, the report that was issued in February 2015 was just a draft for input by affected stakeholders. The ILO final report on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa was only finalized and published on 21 July 2015.

I am arranging a briefing from the International Labour Organisation on the findings of the study. Consequently, I will interact with Ministers of Labour and Rural Development and Land Reform to have an integrated approach to the recommendations of the report. We will then consult with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss and develop a sector action plan to address challenges addressed in the report.

Reply:

(a) What are the relevant details of the biogas initiatives in the country that are led by the Government?

The Department and the ARC completed a pilot phase of the Biodigester project in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State province) that started in June 2012 and just concluded in June 2015 as part of the mitigation and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State Province). This project was rolled-out in Thabo Mofutsanyane District with a number of beneficiaries, mainly community livestock farmers who received training and had the biodigesters equipment purchased for them. 

The ultimate goal of the project was to enhance agricultural productivity by promoting the adoption of an integrated crop-livestock system that effectively mitigates, adapts to and reduces vulnerabilities to climate change. It is also aimed at introducing and encouraging agricultural practices in rural communities that have the potential of mitigating climate change and adapting to adverse effects of climate change and the use of biogas for domestic cooking and electricity purposes.

About 13 biogas digesters for generation of bio-gas for cooking and/lighting from livestock manure were installed and they are operational. The farmer training was conducted and provided an opportunity to promote renewable energies and inform farmers on the possibility of self-energy generation. Capacity building and job creation was achieved through training of the local youth on biogas digester installation. Relevant weather and climate information was distributed to farmers during the planning and implementation of their agricultural activities via sms. The findings of this pilot project will assist with the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures (in the form of strategies and/or polices) for the country.

(b)  How extensive is the roll-out of the specified initiatives in the country’s rural population?

This pilot project is currently been rolled out to three Provinces namely: Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo targeting ten (10) small scale farmers per Province from the financial year 2015/16 to 2017/18. The project aims at raising awareness of climate change among different stakeholders in the agricultural community. It will promote the integrated crop-livestock production system. The beneficiaries in these provinces, mainly livestock farmers will be trained and have biodegesters purchased for them and installed. 

Biogas could be used to generate a large portion of the peaking power required and thereby effect very large cost savings for the country. More funding and resources are however, needed to roll it out at a larger scale.

Reply:

(1). Currently Agricultural Colleges do not have language policies, but their academic rules and procedures clearly state their respective mediums of instruction, the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka use English as their medium of instruction.

Elsenburg and Potchefstroom Colleges use a 50/50 (English or Afrikaans) medium of instruction; this is due to the fact that almost all classes are multilingual. The practice is that the lecturer teaches in either English or Afrikaans or both. The audio- visual aids are in the other language that is not being used by the lecturer i.e. English or Afrikaans. The class notes and student guides are available in both English and Afrikaans.

Grootfontein College uses a parallel mode of instruction where tuition is in English to one group (non-Afrikaans) and Afrikaans to the other group.

(2). There is no change expected in the language policy or guidelines of the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Potchefstroom, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka as they are experiencing no challenges in their respective Institutions regarding the medium of instruction.

Elsenburg College is overseeing a process to inform and sensitise staff and the student body on best practice regarding the current language approach. A Task Team has been established to consult with corresponding institutions on matters related to language policies, options and plans. The College Council will thereafter present a framework to the Department for consideration. A process of consultation with stakeholders, including students and industry representative bodies, regarding the proposed policy framework is envisaged after which a process to draft and adopt a language policy and plan for the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute will be initiated, in accordance with the approved framework.

My Department has initiated processes of amending the current medium of instruction at Grootfontein College with the aim of developing a language policy which will introduce English as a new medium of instruction.

(3). Breakdown of home language spoken by students at each of the specified Colleges is presented on Attachment A;

Reply:

1. It should be noted that in terms of the contemplated regulations, the Minister shall make a final decision with the regard to the place where a CCS veterinarian shall perform compulsory community service, criteria for the selection of places where Compulsory Community Service (CCS) is to be performed and the placement of veterinary graduates are based on key strategic objectives of the Compulsory Community Service (CCS), namely:

(i) To promote accessibility of veterinary services particularly in under-served and resource poor areas,

(ii) To distribute veterinary profession in an equitable manner thereby rectifying the current state of distribution of veterinary personnel and;

(iii)To provide an opportunity for CCS veterinarians to acquire knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help their professional development.

1. The processes followed for the placement of CCS Veterinarians is complex; this is to ensure that applicants are placed in a fair and equitable manner and to ensure that the aforementioned CCS strategic objectives are realised. In this regard, a comprehensive list of selected available places where CCS is to be performed is sent to prospective graduates. In the list, each CCS place is described in detail including the nature of work.

An electronic application must be completed by prospective graduates, and shall be submitted to DAFF. Applicants are required to make a selection of five (5) provinces and three (3) CCS places of their choice per province resulting in fifteen (15) choices per applicant. The applicant must rank their 15 choices in order of preference, i.e. Choices 1 to 15 with choice 1 being the 1st preferred choice and choice 15 being the least preferred choice. The placement process is based on these fifteen (15) ranked choices.

Once all the applications are received the placement process is as follows:

Step 1:

Applicant’s specific choices were assessed in order of their preferred ranking.

Unique choices (meaning no other applicant has chosen that CCS place for that specific choice) will automatically be allocated to that CCS place.

Where there is more than one applicant applying for the same place within the specific choice then applicants should be randomly placed. These processes are to be repeated until all the fifteen (15) choices are exhausted per applicant.

• For the 2015 cohort, DAFF received a total number of 131 applicants and 110 (84%) applicants were placed during step 1; the rest were subjected to step 2.

 

Step 2:

“Special circumstances”, for example medical conditions, may be considered at the discretion of the placement committee once all the applicant’s fifteen (15) choices are exhausted. Applicants who are not placed after this process are subjected to step 3.

.

• For the 2015 cohort, 5 (4%) applicants were considered for “special circumstances” and the remaining applicants were subjected to step 3.

Step 3:

For applicants that were not placed from the steps above i.e. from their 15 ranked choices, a list of available CCS places are to be sent to the remaining unallocated applicants. Applicants should reapply and rank places according to order of preference. Applicants that are not placed after this process are to be subjected to step 4.

• For the 2015 cohort, 14 (11%) applicants were considered for special circumstances and the rest were subjected to step 4.

Step 4:

Applicants who are not placed during step 1 to 3, if any, are to be placed randomly to the remaining CCS places. This means that the placement committee will allocate all the remaining applicants to all remaining CCS places without awarding them a chance to choose.

• For the 2015 cohort 2 (1%) applicants were considered for special circumstances and rest were subjected to step 4.

Step 5:

All applicants are to be informed by DAFF about their placement and should be given a period of one (1) month to swap their placement with a fellow applicant. This provision should be done in writing using a DAFF standard form. Both applicants are expected to give consent and this marks the end of the placement process.

(3) Since the placement process was mostly done by a random selection process based on the number of available CCS posts, as a result, most of the students are placed by chance or if they selected a CCS place that they are not competing with anyone which was also by chance. Based on the above there was no provision for an appeals process because this will disadvantage other students who have already accepted placements that are least suitable to their needs. Step 5 was designed to alleviate any dissatisfaction among the applicants.

Reply:

(a) Requests for declaration were submitted to the relevant Provincial Disaster Management Centers (PDMCs) by the Provincial Departments of Agriculture as declaration of state disaster is a competency of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) as per the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002). The role of sector departments is to make requests and submissions to DCOG regarding declarations, The declarations are made available through Government Gazette.

(b)The drought reports were submitted to relevant Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMCs) by the Provincial Departments of Agriculture for the declaration of state of disaster as well as funding requests to National Treasury as per the procedure prescribed in the Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002). Government continues to consult with relevant stakeholders since Disaster Risk Management is a shared responsibility. Furthermore "is DAFF continues Io assist in terms of the Disaster Management Act (Act57 of 2002) through the dissemination of Agrometeorological Advisories for prevention and mitigation of disaster risks. Drought assessments continue to undertaken to monitor the conditions by both Provincial Department and DAFF as well as provided advisories to farming communities.

Attached please find here: Question Continued

Reply:

(a) - Yes

The list of demands is as follows:

1. All vacant positions including all other posts beyond 12 levels in DAFF must be filled no later than Friday, 1 May 2015 to fulfil all departmental mandates (Food Security, Job creation and Economic Growth) and an end to chronic staff shortage we have at the moment.
2. Finalise the integration of the three sector branches ( Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
3. Union representation to ensure compliance to government legislation.
4. Improve the skills development plans of the officials in the department.
5. Prioritise the departmental visits including to remote offices and sites.
6. Equal pay for work of equal value.
7. Forensic investigation
8. Implementation of the Public Service Commission recommendation against the irregular appointment of Ms L Bouwer, Director: Human Recources Management.
9. Immediate changes in the employer’s delegation at Departmental Bargaining Chamber.
10. Immediate implementation of the sent inputs of the reviewed policies.

(b) All the grievances have been attended to.

(c) A letter dated 7 March 2015 was forwarded to the Chairperson of NEHAWU addressing the demands contined in their memorundum dated 22 April 2015. The department responded as follows in each of the demands listed below:

1. All vacant positions including all other posts beyond 12 levels in DAFF must be filling no later than Friday, 1 May 2015, to fulfil all departmental mandates (food security, job creation and economic growth) and an end to a chronic staff shortage we have at the moment.

Response from the department.

The Department has considered this demand. However, it is not possible to fill all the vacant positions on such short notice due to the recruitment and selection processes which must be complied with as well as the financial constraints as a result of the budget cuts.

2. Finalise the integration of the three sector branches (Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).

Response from the department.

The process of integration of the three branches has commenced and Organised Labour will continuously be consulted at the DBC in this regard.

3. Union representation to ensure compliance to government legislation.

Response from the department.

The Department has management structures and any issues with labour impact will be dealt with in terms of the Labour Relations Act, No. 66 of 1995, at the DBC and through the dispute resolution processes, where the need arises.

Furthermore, you are required to take note that as NEHAWU members you are also employees of the Department. No employees participate in management structures. The legitimate forum for consultation or engagement with unions is the DBC.

4.  Improve the skills development plans of the officials in the department.

Response from the department.

The Department has a HRD Strategy and a HR Plan. In addition, every employee has a Work Plan and Personal Development Plan in terms of the Employee Performance Management System (EPMDS). All individual cases should be dealt with in terms of the relevant policy and applicable procedures. In addition, the Department has an Internal Training and Development Committee (ITDC) at which Organised Labour is represented.

5.  Prioretise the departmental visits including to remote offices and sites.

Action taken by the department.

The Employer, with Organised Labour, conducted various operational visits to outside offices under the auspices of the DBC in the previous financial year. The proposed recommendations are due to be discussed at EXCO and MANCO due to their financial implications. Feedback will be provided at the DBC.

6.  Equal pay for work of equal value.

Response from the department.

The Department acknowledges this demand and will take the necessary steps to address the issue as it is also on the agenda of the DBC. Progress in this regard will be provided at this forum.

7.  Forensic investigation

Response from the department.

It is a legal requirement that all SMS members disclose their financial interests on an annual basis. The office of the Public Service Commission as well as the Office of the Auditor-General monitors such disclosures on an annual basis. It will be appreciated if NEHAWU could indicate the basis for the allegations to enable the Department to conduct forensic investigations.

8.  Implementation of the Public Service Commission recommendation against the irregular appointment of Ms L Bouwer, Director: Human Recources Management.

Response from the department.

A letter dated 25 October 2014 was forwarded to Mr M Mahamba, Branch Secretary of NEHAWU responding to the allegations regarding the appointment of the Director: Human Resources Management (Ms L Bouwer) without following the normal recruitment and selection processes.

9.  Immediate changes in the employer’s delegation at Departmental Bargaining Chamber.

Response from the department.

Employer representatives have been duly appointed to serve at the DBC.

10.  Immediate implemantation of the sent inputs of the reviewed policies.

Response from the department.

All relevant inputs on policies made at multilateral meetings needs the due policy development processes. In order to fast track the policy development process, it is advised that Organised Labour provides inputs at the first consultation process.

(d)(i) All the grievances have been addressed.

(d)(ii) Not applicable.

 

Reply:

1. With reference to his reply to question 463 on 13 April 2015, have the workers on (a) Magwa and (b) Majola tea plantations in the Eastern Cape been paid as at the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, are all payments up to date;

• Yes the monies for the worker payments for 2015/16 have been paid to the respective estates.

2. has any further funding been provided to (a) Magwa and (b) Majola tea plantations; if so, (i) how much funding has been provided to each specified plantation and (ii) by whom;

• No further funding additional to that paid over for wages is available, However, a request for additional funding to value of R 66 mil for the revitalisation of the two estates has been prepared and submitted to treasury. A response is awaited.

3.(a) what is his department’s long-term plan in relation to the two specified tea plantations and (b) what steps does he intend taking to get them functioning again?             

• Yes, long term plans have been developed and includes, amongst others, institutional reforms, market oriented production and support from private stakeholders and labour. Diversification to alternative enterprises is part of the proposed steps.            
• A submission for the funding of the long term development plan has been submitted to Treasury for potential funding

Reply:

1 As the honourable member is aware the APAP has included the Poultry Value Chain as a strategic value chain for development. The development of the value chain includes supporting the reduction of input costs through increasing the supply of good quality feed (soya) and possibly maize. All 9 provinces have identified a number of poultry projects which include increasing the number of Broiler houses as well as support for small scale processing via new abattoirs to be funded via CASP. This development plan was presented to the U.S. during the AGOA negotiations and it is understood that the U.S. response was to accept a lower volume once the developmental needs and objectives were made clear. The U.S. has also offered in support to the agreement on the quota to support training and capacity building of extensions officers as well as research personnel. The South African industry is in full support of this initiative. 

2 The use of incentives under IPAP and APAP was discussed with the industry as well as with representatives of Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) in the Poultry Sector. However we are still in discussions on how this will take place in line with the Poultry Sector Value Chain development proposal in APAP.

3 DAFF Economic Development Trade and Marketing DDG has been in constant consultation with the industry body SAPA, the DTI as well as the APAP team and together they have engaged with the planned poultry value chain development proposal for sector growth. The poultry value chain development proposal is also a key commodity intervention the government’s 9 point plan under Priority 1: Revitalisation of Agriculture and the Agroprocessing Value Chains. A DAFF/DTI team is also in the process of identifying the criteria which will be used to allocate and administer the trade quota to ensure there is minimal volatility of import volumes to reduce the potential negative impact. The quota concession will include a volume which will be for HDI's only and will most likely to taken up by existing producers who have indicated that they need it to ensure they have a resonate supply level.

Reply:

(a) The Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) is planned over a five-year period and will be updated on an annual basis. Cabinet furthermore approved APAP      in March 2015, and implementation will commence in the 2015/2016 financial year. It is important to note that APAP does not act outside existing            budgets such as DAFFs budgetary allocation. However it provides a comprehensive strategic approach in implementing the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and directs the spending on strategic interventions identified by all stakeholders.

 APAP 2015/16 interventions are funded via DAFF’s grant programmes such as CASP, Ilema Letsema, and sector organisations’ contribution. The estimated  total for APAP 2015/16 is R 4, 6 billion.

Reply:

(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(i) (aa) [Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] (ii) and (iii)

SMS Members

Institution Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)	Amount paid out	To whom the payouts were made	Reason
DAFF	R 1, 105,073.17 Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.	Ms NJ Nduli (Former DG of DAFF).	Employment contract was re-determined.
DAFF	R 1, 649,076.54 Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.	Mr L Zita (Former DG of DAFF).	Employment contract was re-determined.
DAFF	R 750, 125.25 Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.	Ms B Thokoane (Former Special Adviser to the Minister).	Employment contract was terminated.

(i) (aa) [Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] (ii) and (iii)

Non SMS Members

Institution Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)	Amount paid out	To whom the payouts were made	Reason
	None

(i) (bb) [Entities] (ii) and (iii)

Entity	Amount paid out	To whom the payouts were made	Reason
Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)	R 1, 195,918.28	Dr MM Dyasi	Breakdown of the employment relationship.
Agriculture Research Council (ARC)	R 260 311.35	Ms SL Ginindza	Termination of contract
Agriculture Research Council (ARC)	R 422 607.46	Ds ST Masia	Termination of contract
Agriculture Research Council (ARC)	R 849 646.39	Mr CL Matthews	Termination of contract
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)	None
Ncera Farms	None
PPECB	None

Reply:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW1616daff.pdf
Find here: DAFF’S RESPONSE: