Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127), is as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) The organisation has never made contact with the Department since its registration date.

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation is non-compliant because it failed to submit financial and narrative reports from year since registration.

(b) Steps to ensure compliance; the Department is encouraging non-compliant organisations like this Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127)to submit annual reports through a campaign known as “know your NPO status”

(c) The Department recognises that some of the organisations that are due for reporting are not able to do so due to the impact of COVID-19; however; the Department has De-registration program which will be implemented effective 01st April 2021.

(d) Therefore; should Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127) fail to submit outstanding reports it will be deregistered.

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198), as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) For the financial year 2017 and 2019: the organisation submitted affidavits with reference to financial disclosure attached annexure (iii).

(d) The organisation submitted narrative reports of its activities for the financial year 2017 and 2019 attached annexure (iv).

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation failed to submit financial and narrative reports for 2018 and 2020.

(b) Steps to ensure compliance; the Department is encouraging non-compliant organisations like this Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198)to submit annual reports through a campaign known as “know your NPO status”

(c) The Department recognises that some of the organisations that are due for reporting are not able to do so due to the impact of COVID-19; however; the Department has De-registration program which will be implemented effective 01st April 2021.

(d) Therefore; should Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198) fail to submit outstanding reports it will be deregistered.

Reply:

According to the information received from Provincial Departments of Human Settlements, Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) have been delivered as per the table below:

Province	Municipality	Project	(a) Number of units completed	(b) Unit Cost
Eastern Cape	Buffalo City	Duncan Village	377	R64 441
Free State	Maluti-a-Phofung	Linda Mkhonto	638	R19 680.97
Gauteng	City of Tshwane	Mooiplaats Mamelodi	48	R64 441
		Mamelodi Hostels	201	R64 441
	City of Johannesburg	Ikemeleng	70	Donated units
Limpopo	Greater Tzaneen	Talana Hostel	40	R64 441

Reply:

(1)

	(a)(i) PPE details	(ii)Service provider details	(iii)Full details of the contract
	Hand sanitiser alcohol free for DSD officials	EDS Projects	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17 par 8.2
	Latex powder free disposable gloves for DSD officials	Time 2 Go Transport And Logistics	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17 par 8.2
	Hand sanitiser 70%alcohol for DSD officials	Time 2 Go Transport And Logistics	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17.
	Alcohol free hand sanitizers for 9 provinces	Kevali Chemicals Group	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks for welfare service facilities in 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Sanitizers for general surface 70% alcohol for welfare service in 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Examination gloves for welfare services facility’s in the 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks	Bioclin Solutions	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks for daily visitors to DSD	Lesole Facilities Management	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Cloth masks for DSD officials	302k Emporium	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Various items -Equipment for the COVID-19 isolation room	Baltimore Media	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Sanitary refuse containers - Medical waste removal	Democratic Cleaning Services	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Surgical face mask	Ingestion Ennovation	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Hand sanitiser 70%alcohol	Retro Rhythm Trading And Distributions	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Thermometer	Zuberi Trade And Service	Processes followed in compliance with the Petty Cash Policy.

(b)

National Department of Social Development as well as all Welfare Services Facilities being subsidized by the Department.

(2)

No.

The procurement of PPE’s for ECD’s was decentralized to the Provincial departments of Social Development and the funding thereof has been provided for as part of the 2020 Special Adjusted Estimates for the division of revenue.

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Mpumalanga Uprising Youth Development (NPO 240-128), is as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) The organisation is newly registered and can only submit annual financial statements and narrative reports after it has completed a full year circle of its financial year, therefore it is due for reporting in the year 2021 September.

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation is still compliant in terms of NPO Act as it is not yet due for reporting.

Reply:

With reference to Capacity Building and training programmes the Honourable member is also referred to the tabled Parliamentary Question no 1104 of 23 September 2020. In addition to the programmes explained in the response the department also implement the following programmes:

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME: (1) Local Government Capacity Building Programme
YEAR	(b)What are the details of each programme	(c) On which date did each programme take place.	(d)What are the details of each person who conducted each programme. ( service Providers)	(e) What is the total number of applicants who applied for each programme.	(f) What is the total number of applicants who: (i)Completed each programme (ii)Graduated from each programme	(g)What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme.
2017/18	Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities. Development of the Framework on Support Provincial and Local Government.	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	NA	NA	NA	NA
2018/19:	(Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities.) Local Government Tourism Peer Learning Network Sessions	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	The two (2) days learning session targeting all the Local Economic Development (LED)/ Tourism Practitioners and Councillors responsible for Economic Development.	Participants do not have to apply. They are in the programme by virtue of being tourism practitioners in provinces and municipalities	LP: 53 EC: 52 MP: 31 NC: 27 FS:32	All were employed already
2019/20	(Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities.) Local Government Tourism Peer Learning Network Sessions	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2018/19 and 2019/20 tabled to Parliament	The two (2) days learning session targeting all the Local Economic Development (LED)/ Tourism Practitioners and Councillors responsible for Economic Development.	Participants do not have to apply. They are in the programme by virtue of being tourism practitioners in provinces and municipalities	WC: 82 KZN: 70 NW:80 GP:74	All were already employed.

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME: (2) TOURISM RESOURCE EFFICIENCY TRAINING FOR YOUTH (FUNDAMENTALS OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT) (b) The objectives of this programme is to train young people on the NCPC tourism resource efficiency methodology and ensures that companies save operating costs. Students were selected through interviews.
YEAR	(b)What are the details of each programme	(c) On which date did each programme take place.	(dWhat are the details of each person who conducted each programme. ( service Providers)	( e) What is the total number of applicants who applied for each programme.	(f) What is the total number of applicants who: (i)Completed each programme (ii)Graduated from each programme	What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme.
2017/18	N6 Tourism Hospitality	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	Gauteng-17 KZN-20 LP-19 See quarterly Reports and Annual Performance Report	This is linked to green incentive fund and upon completion of the programme, they are able to access the market for assessment of applicants to the fund.
2018/19	N6 Electrical / Mechanical	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	EC-17 FS -11 WC-15
2019/20	N6 Tourism Hospitality	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	MP-18 NW-22 NC-7

(g)What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme. –

Not applicable.

(h) How are all the capacity building programmes monitoredQuarterly reports ?

The Department uses various methods and tools to monitor these programmes.Where relevant, site inspections, attendance registers and reports on learnings and the skills offered are used.

Reply:

(1) Ms NN Mapisa-Nqakula, Ms LD Zulu, Ms NP Mokonyane, Mr E Godongwana, Mr A Magashule, Mr MD Legoete, Mr TS Yengeni, Ms NG Gqirana, Mr B Ngobese, Dr MM Chabedi, Dr SMB Makwela.

(2) (a)(i) Ms NN Mapisa-Nqakula, Ms LD Zulu, Ms NG Gqirana, Mr B Ngobese, Dr MM Chabedi and Dr SMB Makwela were on an official visit to Zimbabwe. (ii) and (b) The remainder of the passengers were not on an official Government visit but joined the flight at my invitation.

(3) (a) The Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe are both currently members of the SADC Troika. South Africa, as a troop contributing country to the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been seized over the last two months together with other SADC members and especially the Troika members with discussions on the way forward in regard to the continued existence and composition of the FIB in light of recent changes proposed by the UN. As countries neighbouring Mozambique we have also been engaged bi-laterally and through the meetings of the SADC Troika and SADC as a whole with the disturbing reports emanating from that country in relation to alleged insurgencies and terrorist activities. It is in the context of the above background that I contacted my counterpart, Ms Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans in the Republic of Zimbabwe to request an official visit to allow us to conduct a bi-lateral meeting to focus on these matters at hand.

(b) The SAAF calculated the total cost of the flight as R232 200.00

(4) No.

Reply:

 

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
ReatlegileCreche	302 Boskuil Farm,153 Mukile Street, Makwassie	60	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Rethabile Creche	1719 Mouma Street, Leeudovingstand, 26440	45	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
TokologoCreche	2608 Fourth Avenue Tswelelang Location, Wolmaransstand	65	Conditional Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Tshireletso Day Care Centre	2255 Extension 4, Tswelang, Wolmaransstand	88	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Boitshoko Day Care Centre Reaipela ECD	300 Donnakas Street, Tswelelang Location, Wolmaranstand	35	Full Registration	Full Registration
ItirelengTataiso  Day Care  Centre	House No A 78, Itireleng Village, Kagisano Municipality	42	Full Registration	Full Registration
Tlhaping	House DD 94 B, Thibogang Section, Ganyesa	119	Conditional Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Ithembalethu Day Care	2336 Slovo Section, Lethabong, Rustenburg	89	Full Registration	Full Registration
Tshedimosetso Early Learning Centre	Stand No. 263E, Seoding Village, 8464 Taung	85	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (damaged roof)
Khensani Early Learning Centre	12040 Ext 9, Jouberton Location, Matlosane	126	Full Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Bontle Day Care Centre	256 Savana Section, Ga-Moeka, Moretele	52	Full Registration	Full Registration
Mercy Kidz Corner	1046 RDP Phase 2, Mathibestand, Moretele	85	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Oesi Day Care Centre	House No A 04 Mmadinonyane Village, Kagisano	50	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (damaged roof)

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
MolalatladiCreche	E 46 Mmupudung, Jericho, Madibeng	38	Full Registration	Full Registration
Martha MamogaleCreche	182 Morolong Section, Jericho, Madibeng	88	Full Registration	Full Registration
Barona Day Care Centre	House No. B 40, Kgokgojane, Kagisano	25	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (septic tank incomplete)

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Obedience Day Care Centre	386 River Side Block Kgomo - Kgomo Village Moretele	20	Not registered	Full Registration
Bray Early Learning Centre	House No. 6 New Town Bray Kagisano Molopo	62	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (structure incomplete)

 

National AssemblyWritten Reply: 1982 of 2020

________________________

Approved by the Minister of Social Development

Date……………………….

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education makes R400 000 000 (four hundred million Rands) available to the nine (9) Provincial Education Departments (PEDS) by means of ring-fenced funding as the Mathematics, Science and Technology Conditional Grant. Programmes funded by the MST Grant are implemented by the PEDs; and are intended to increase learner participation rate as well as to improve the quality of learner performance.  In addition, provision is made for interventions specifically aimed at supporting girl learners.  In the event a PED has difficulty recruiting teachers of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, the DBE has, for almost a decade, also partnered with TEACH SA to provide good quality university graduates who can be deployed where needed.  The placement of these young graduates reduces the likelihood of learners dropping Mathematics and Physical Sciences. This programme ensures provision of an academically qualified person to schools that may otherwise would not have  been able to employ a teacher of these subjects.

Reply:

The matter raised in the question falls in the jurisdiction of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Mpumalanga not the Minister of Basic Education. Investigation on the matter and holding the Principal accountable can only be done by the MEC of Mpumalanga. 

Reply:

a) My Department in its effort to nurture and support the development of athletes particularly from the disadvantaged communities has an Athlete Support Programme. Each athlete on the programme receives support towards coaching fees, tournament fees, medical and scientific support, attire and sport equipment. In addition, the Department has a Bursary Programme, which caters for athletes who are identified at the School Sport Championships. These athletes are placed at the Sport Focus Schools in their respective Provinces where they receive sport specific support. Through this programme, the athletes receive support towards tuition, coaching, equipment basic subsistence costs.

There is also a Mass Participation and Sports Development programmes, wherein Provinces receives conditional grant to implement this programme in partnership with other stakeholders. The main objective is to provide access and exposure to all school going children and members within those communities. Norms and standards in partnership with stakeholders have been set.

Again there is Active Recreation Programme were the youth from different races participate in National Youth Camps which include indigenous games tournaments. The Department has also identified the Club Development Programme that promotes participation in sport activities as well as the identification of talent at grass roots level through the formalisation of sporting communities. A platform for the identification of talent is therefore generated, with emphasis on marginalised communities, providing the necessary mechanisms to channel talented individuals into mainstream sporting opportunities. Local leagues are supported by providing clubs with equipment has and or attire and Club coordinators are remunerated.

In response to the needs of youth living in rural and township areas, DSAC lobbied Parliament to ring-fence 5% of the Sport Infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to ensure that local sport infrastructure is catered for by the local municipality. The purpose of this intervention was precisely to respond to the needs of young people living in rural and township with talents and aspiration that need to be supported and nurtured by providing adequate sport facilities.

(b). In line with its performance indicator on provision of technical and managerial support to municipalities, the Department has a dedicated Infrastructure Support Unit that provides support to municipalities during implementation of these sport infrastructure projects, including monitoring and ensuring compliance with applicable Norms and Standards.

Reply:

(a). The criteria for assessment for individual monuments and memorials is necessary to establish their cultural significance and suitability to the current South African Context. SAHRA has created four broad categories of assessment namely: community desirability; historical, social and political value; artistic or aesthetic value; and environmental and spatial qualities.

Cultural significance, as based on the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999.

(b). There is growing recognition that cultural heritage can benefit Nation Building and Social Cohesion, especially in the formation of personal or collective identities. Community participation then becomes an indispensable component of contemporary preservation practice.

The key focus beyond the materiality and desirability of the statue or memorial will be community participation. SAHRA will be following the legal prescripts as set out in the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) which ensures that meaningful participation take place during decision-making.

Furthermore, SAHRA will be making all decisions in consultation with the relevant Provincial Heritage Resources Authority, local authority and all interested parties.

Reply:

a) The SAFE programme (Sanitation Appropriate For Education) was launched to address the sanitation at 3 898 schools that reportedly were still dependent on basic pit toilets.  Of these 3898 schools, 427 have subsequently been closed (mostly due to rationalisation).  A further 725 of these schools have been assessed and the sanitation has been confirmed to be of an appropriate standard, though some of these sanitation facilities require some form of maintenance.  The remaining 2 747 schools require intervention to eradicate the dependency on basic pit toilets.  These schools are located in EC (997), FS (123), KZN (1 168), LP (298), MP (106), and NW (55).   Of these 2 747 schools, the work has progressed to practical completion at 612 schools.  There are current construction projects at a further 420 of the 2747 schools.

b) The plan is to eradicate the dependency on basic pit toilets at the identified schools by March 2022.    

Reply:

The applications in this regard were considered by the Department in terms of Section 4(3) of the South African Citizenship Act and out of six (6) applications, five (5) were conditionally approved and 1 was rejected. The outcome letters were forwarded to their respective legal representatives/attorneys.

The outcome letters clearly outlined that the successful applicants are directed to approach their local front office of the Department to sign declaration of allegiance forms upon which they would be issued with naturalisation certificates. Upon receipt of the naturalisation certificates the applicants would thereafter be eligible to apply for registration of birth and receive birth certificates allocated with identity numbers, successively they would apply for identity documents as a result.

(a) The Department would issue identity documents subsequent to receipt of applications in this regard, in the prescribed manner.

(b) The date to be issued identity documents will be determined by date of receipt of applications in this respect, with the turnaround times currently set at 54 days for the first issue of a green barcoded ID book.

END

 

Reply:

Honourable Member this is a very complex and sensitive matter best left to the South African National Defence Force, Military Intelligence and State Security Agency.

END

Reply:

1. The Curriculum for Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R-9 has been developed as a stand-alone subject for the following reasons:

• There is not enough space in NS & T as well as in Technology to include enough of the new content without removing too much content in NS&T and Technology which is necessary for learners to acquire.
• Infusing Coding and Robotics in the existing subject might require reducing the content of the other subjects that might affect the articulation, flow and progression of the subject
• The notional hours are linked to Annual Teaching Plan (ATP), the content and assessment, new content will interrupt the flow of the content
• Teachers may fall back to what they are comfortable with, meaning that the new content in the curriculum may never reach the learners effectively if we infuse it
• Infusing into Life Skills, NS & T and Technology would involve updating three different curriculums as opposed to creating one new one
• The Coding and Robotics curriculum is more skills focused than theory focused, meaning there is still a large need for the theory knowledge contained in NS & T and Technology
• The 4IR needs more skills taught to learners and not just a change in focus of subjects that are already offered - more time is needed to prepare learners.

2. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) initiated a process of developing the draft curriculum and Policy Statement for Coding and Robotics for Grade R-9. The development process was highly inclusive of DBE and PED specialists, and stakeholders with expertise and knowledge in the field of Coding and Robotics from business and sistergovernment departments, NAPTOSA, NATU, PEU, SADTU, SAOU, Academia (5 Universities) and NGO Sector.

The Draft Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R -9 was presented and approved at Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) and Council of Education Ministers (CEM) and has been submitted to UMALUSI for Evaluation and Quality Assurance. The Draft Curriculum and Assessment Policy statements (CAPS) documents for Coding and Robotics for Grades R-3, Grades 4-6, and Grades 7-9 are developed. A process of gazetting the draft CAPS documents for public comments is underway.

The draft CAPS for Grades R-3 and Grade 7 for Coding and Robotics curriculum will be piloted in 2021-2024 for Grades R-3 in two hundred (200) schools and for Grade7-9 in one thousand (1000) schools. Full implementation in will commence in 2025.

(b)The Department of Basic Education has secured funding for the Grades R-3 from ETDP-SETA and the amount secured is seven million (R7 000 000). A business plan was submitted to the National Treasury requesting funding for the strengthening of Technology subject in Grades4-9 through integration of Coding and Robotics. The amount approved by National Treasury for the request was sixty million R60 000 000.

Reply:

a) There is no post identified to be filled as critical in the De Aar office as currently all vacant posts are unfunded. It should be highlighted that there is currently a moratorium for filling of posts in the Department due to the budgetary constraints on compensation of employees as per the recent announcement by National Treasury.

b) The Renosterberg municipality is one of four local municipalities that is serviced by the De Aar office. These areas are serviced through Mobile office outreach visits. The mobile itinerary is communicated to the Community Development Workers(CDW’s) and the Department of Social Services amongst other government entities on a monthly basis. This assists us to identify clients in need of our services. The mobile itinerary for December 2020 is as communicated, below:

DATE	LOCAL MUNICIPALITY	TOWN
2-Dec-20	Renosterberg	Petrusville & Van der Kloof
9-Dec-20	Umsobomvu	Noupoort
17-Dec-20	Renosterberg	Phillipstown
23-Dec-20	Emthanjeni	Britstown

END

Reply:

(a): Over the past three financial years, the following number of learners enrolled for the Second Chance Matric Programme:

2017	2018	2019	TOTAL
117 223	117 661	106 385	341 269

 

(b): Over the past three financial years, the following number of learners were supported to complete their enrolled subjects and/ or their National Senior Certificate:

Year	June SC	Mar/Jun NSC PT	Jun Multiple Exam Opportunity MEO
2019	600	517	6 320	7 437
2018	642	510	5 836	6 988
2017	772	759	Not available	1 531
2016	651	892	Not available	1 543
TOTAL	17 499*

 

* It should be noted that the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) also aims to support adult learners to achieve subject passes, which may not necessarily result in the completion of matric with every learner. For an example, a learner who has already obtained matric but have a Maths level 3, may enrol for the Programme so that she may improve her Maths passes. After receiving the support of the SCMP, such a learner may obtain an improved pass of level 5 and thereby qualify for an academic programme in an institution of higher learning. Such learners are not included in the information above (Table B).

Reply:

1. My department has noted the concern of players not being paid throughout the COSAFA tournament, however, it should be understood that remuneration of players is an administrative matter, which falls within the ambit of the Federation.

Involvement in such administrative matters by the Ministry is provided for and guided by section 13 of the National Sport and Recreation Act. The South African Football Association (SAFA) has also indicated that the payment and contractual relationship with the Team is an internal matter they are seized with.

(2)(a). Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13 of National Sport and Recreation Act, DSAC is in the process of developing a National Policy to address carious affecting Woman Sport in general, not only in football.

(b). The Department does not deal with code specific matters as this falls within the administrative ambit of the respective Federations. However, SAFA has indicated that the lack of financial support for Women Sport in South Africa is well known and documented. The National Policy developed by DSAC seeks to address such issues, including sponsorships for Women Sport.

Reply:

a) b)  c) (i) (aa) (bb) & (ii)

 

 

Table 1: Total number of learners who received child support grants and attend school, by phase, from 2018 to 2020
DATA YEAR	PRIMARY	SECONDARY	COMBINED	SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION  CENTRES (SNE)	TOTAL LEARNERS
2018	5 198 811	2 490 900	969 471	217 945	8 877 127
2019	5 468 742	2 881 247	1 005 639	82 448	9 438 076
2020	16703 878	8 246 050	994 439	518 338	9 672 788
Source: EMIS & Social Pension System (SOCPEN) dataset 2018 -2020

Note1: Data for 2016-17 financial year is substituted by recent data for 2020

Note2: Data reported is based on academic year instead of financial year.

Reply:

1)(2) and (3) The Department is further consulting to get more information on this matter.

However, the South African Football Association (SAFA) when consulted indicated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup was an event that was fully funded by FIFA. SAFA indicated that they will send the questions to FIFA for a response.

In addition, they indicated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup operations were closed in 9 years ago in 2011.

 

Reply:

Efforts to get the responses from Netball SA regarding the said Parliamentary Question has been unsuccessful. The Department continues to follow up with Netball SA.

In November of 2020, I wrote a letter to SASCOC impressing upon them the importance to respond to all Parliamentary questions with honesty and on time. I will direct SASCOC to copy all sport federation this letter.

Reply:

The South African Football Association in its response indicated the following;

1. a) and b) That the revenue for the operation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was in a form of a grant from FIFA where all expenditure and accounts were approved by FIFA. In addition, the 2010 FIFA World Cup LOC closed in 2011 having accounted to the funder and owners of the tournament, FIFA.

c) i) ii) iii) and iv) That the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust has no assets.

2. That the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust is a Trust established by FIFA. The Trustees include FIFA's CFO; Head of Development and Head of Sustainability. The Trust accounts to the Trustees therefore will revert after presenting its financial report to the trustees

Reply:

(a). My Department has not been informed about the Cultural village in question and there is no correspondence forwarded to the department to this effect.

The honorable member is advised to approach the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture regarding the unfinished cultural village for assistance.

Reply:

No, the registration or change of registration status for schools is a provincial function. 

Reply:

The Department received the question, reviewed its contents against its mandate and has determined that the most appropriate respondent should be the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Reply:

The Table below represents the number of Multiple Examination Opportunity (MEO) candidates that did not write all six subjects in November 2017 and November 2018. These candidates would have written the remaining subjects in the  subsequent examination in June 2018 and June 2019. The candidates that opted for the Multiple Examination opportunity in November 2019, would have written the remaining subjects in the June 2020 examination. However this examination due to COVID-19, has been combined with the November 2020 examination and the examination is currently in progress.

Hence the table below represents the number of MEO learners that enrolled in November 2017 and November 2018 and the number that achieved the NSC after completing their examination in June 2018 and June 2019, respectively.

 

	November 2017	November 2018
Province	MEO Enrolled	MEO Achieved	MEO Enrolled	MEO Achieved
EC	6 485	185	12 848	414
FS	2 241	128	3 130	395
GP	8 036	806	10 064	1 052
KZ	21 125	1 443	30 705	2 126
LP	13 365	815	16 899	1 105
MP	10 372	1 773	6 470	677
NC	1 512	116	2 085	113
NW	4 377	552	5 164	438
WC	1 215	18	1 463	33
NAT	68 728	5 836	88 828	6 353

Reply:

1)(2) and (3) The South African Football Association (SAFA) in its response indicated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup was an event that was fully funded by FIFA.

SAFA indicated that they would send the honourable member’s questions to FIFA for a response. In addition, it indicated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup operations were closed 9 years ago in 2011.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education has established a National Investigation Team comprising of the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA); Universities South Africa (USAf), Umalusi as observer, the Department of Basic Education, one member of the National Examinations Irregularities Committee (NEIC) and an independent Examinations Consultant. The National Investigation Task Team (NITT) has been mandated to determine the extent of the spread of the leakage, the origin of the leak and measures that will be taken to ensure the credibility of the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination and prevent a future occurrence of this nature. The investigation is ongoing and the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has also been engaged and they are at an advanced stage of the investigation.   

(a) in terms of ensuring that this does not happen in the future, the Department has commenced with an audit of the entire value chain from origination of question papers to the delivery of question papers to examination centres. The purpose of this audit is to establish the weak points in the system with a view to strengthening these weak points and the  security will be doubled at all points in the system. The DBE will also appoint an independent Investigator to conduct a comprehensive audit of the entire examination system, inclusive of the Information Technology systems that are used to evaluate what new technologies can be utilised in future years to improve and modernise the examination system.

(b) In terms of the integrity of the 2020 NSC examinations, the Department has made a decision to rewrite nationally the question papers in Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science Paper 2. Umalusi has indicated based on a preliminary investigation report  that these two question papers have been compromised and therefore to restore the integrity of the examination in these two question papers, the decision to rewrite both these question papers on 15 December 2020 and 17 December 2020, has been taken.        

Reply:

(a – b) Follow-up to my Budget Vote statement on 10 July 2019, the Department of Home Affairs embarked on a large-scale project to roll-out online birth registration system in all 1445 health facilities. The project roll-out plan was adopted as outlined below:

Milestones	Estimated Completion Timeframe
Optimisation of 41 Priority 1 health facilities	2019/20 Financial year
Optimisation of 210 Priority 2&3 health facilities	2021/22 Financial year
Optimisation of 127 Priority 4 & 5 health facilities	2022/23 Financial year
Roll-out of birth registration system in 1067 new Priority 4 & 5 health facilities	2023/24 Financial year

The activities of the project involve optimisation of existing health facilities with DHA presence with the aim of enhancing network connectivity and space. The project commenced with the optimisaiton of 47 priority 1 (high actual births delivered) health facilities which were completed during 2019/2020 financial year. The next stage is the roll-out of 210 priority 2 and priority 3 health facilities which will be completed by the end of 2021/22 financial year. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the department could not implement the second stage of the project this financial year and had to roll the stage over to the next financial year. The third stage involves rolling out of online birth registration in 127 priority 4 and 5 health facilities and 1067 priority 5 health facilities will be completed in 2024/25 financial year.

The Department of Home Affairs depended heavily on network connectivity for the registration of birth and this project incorporated provision of uninterruptable network in all 1445 health facilities. The department has provided uninterruptable network, in a form of a router and UPS, in 160 health facilities and is in the process of procuring the services of the service provider to provide network in the remaining 1285 health facilities by the end of 2024/25 financial year. The process of connecting the 1285 health facilities has been with SITA to publish the Bid for the connection. The Business case for the Specification for the Health facilities has already been sent to SITA for the Publication of the Bid.

END

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (d) The attached report indicates the number of schools which still have asbestos classrooms, the names of the schools, number of asbestos classrooms in each school and the estimated dated for the replacement of  these classrooms.

Reply:

a) The number of learners that have returned and benefitting from the school nutrition programme were 9 057 395 as at 23 October 2020.  

b) Provincial statistics show that the number of learners that received meals (October) was 9 057 395.

Reply:

The Eastern Cape is phasing-in Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education per district.  All districts are implementing the programme in a phased-in manner across all districts in 2004 schools.  A report on Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education was disseminated in 2019/2020.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Nzhelele Water Scheme starts at the site of the Nzhelele Dam. The canal section of the scheme starts 14 km downstream of the dam at coordinates 22°42'13.08"S 30° 6'19.49"E.

(b) The Nzhelele Canal is approximately 69 km in length.

(c) The Nzhelele Canal ends at the Doreen settlement at coordinates 22°29'52.40"S 30°15'5.98"E.

(2) The entire canal was constructed with concrete. The length of the canal is as indicated above in (1)(b).

(3) The Nzhelele Water Scheme was completed in 1960, and the department does not have information relating to the budget and actual costs of the scheme.

Reply:

Three privately owned land parcels measuring 26.7471 hectares in Mamelodi Township were acquired to accommodate inter alia the Mamelodi flood victims. To date 155 households who mainly resided in churches and schools were relocated into permanent serviceable stands on a part of the acquired land parcels.

Reply:

The eThekwini Metropolitan municipality has conducted pre-feasibility studies (Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study and Geo-technical study and Land Ownership) on the occupied land of Foreman and Punters informal settlements and the findings reveal that it is not feasible to develop the two informal settlements. Consequently, the process of land acquisition for the privately owned adjacent land is being undertaken to plan and develop. However, the incremental services are provided to the informal settlement.

Foreman and Punters Informal settlements is undevelopable due to unstable soil condition and people will be relocated to Cornubia Phase 2. Feasibility studies were conducted and the settlements are B2 categories according to the National Upgrade Support Programme (NUSP) which means that these will be complete relocations. The beneficiaries list is not approved, however there are ring fenced lists for both settlements which are used to monitor and ensure that these settlements are not growing.

These settlements have electricity, water standpipes and ablution facilities. The City assists the victims in cases of disaster incidents. Cornubia phase 2 project is currently at tender stage for services. The relocation is anticipated to commence by June 2022.

Reply:

The town of Aliwal North has a reliable and sustainable water supply. However, the department is aware that the Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) has water distribution constraints to the extent that there is a moratorium on further developments until the water services are upgraded in line with the recently compiled Aliwal North Water Master Plan. The JGDM has short and medium term plans in line with the District’s Water Services Master Plan to improve water services as follows:

a) Alternative sources such as boreholes and springs are developed and utilised as alternate standby sources.

b) The Aliwal Spa Hot Water Springs have been identified as alternative raw water sources. However, pre-treatment of water from this source is required.

c) Projects for construction of two raw water off-channel storage dams at the water works (MIG funded) and replacement of asbestos cement bulk pipeline and leaking valves (WSIG funded) have already commenced

d) Funding is being sought for further short term plans to:

• Build a new 2 Ml Clear Water Sump and install a high lift pump at the WTW,
• Build a 1,2Ml reservoir and a 400kl elevated tank at the springs; and install a high pressure gravity main.

e) Medium Term Plans:

• Upgrade of WTW by 2,5Ml and installation of a desalination/package plant at the springs,
• Replacement of the old 200mm asbestos cement rising main and upgrade of pump station and main reservoir at the springs.

Reply:

The COVID-19 Water intervention Programme (Phase 1) supplied about 1 335 million litres of water to targeted communities in the period between 28 March and 31 August 2020. These communities were thus provided with an interim form of water supply to assist the Water Services Authorities (municipalities) in their areas of jurisdiction. This intervention allowed these communities to have access to water to allow for hand washing and other hygiene purposes.

As a means to improve the sustainability and efficacy of these interventions, an allocation of R689 million from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) was made directly to the relevant municipalities to connect the tanks to water sources and ensure sustainable water supply.

Further, it should be noted that the legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

 

Reply:

(1) The qualifications required for a post of Deputy Director-General (DDG) are regulated in the Directive on compulsory capacity development, mandatory training days and minimum entry requirements for the Senior Management Service which was implemented on 1 April 2015. The qualifications for a Deputy Director-General post is an undergraduate qualification and a post graduate qualification (NQF level 8) as recognized by SAQA.

(2) All Deputy Director-General posts at National departments serve at Cabinet and the Minister for the Public Service and Administration performs an oversight. Should a candidate not meet the requirement, the Cabinet Memorandum does not serve at Cabinet so the appointment is not effected. Departments are often advised through circulars not only on the requirements for post but all regulatory requirements to fill posts including DDG level.

(a) The relevant details of all DDGs in National departments according to PERSAL indicates that there are currently 201 DDG posts in National government of which 135 are filled and 66 are vacant. Prior to 1 April 2015 there was no prescription on the educational requirements. In terms of professionalization, and the expected requirements, mobility is linked to the said qualifications. An individual will not be able to progress to higher levels without the said qualifications. Should a DDG have been appointed prior to 1 April 2015 such a DDG cannot be discriminated against if they currently occupy a DDG post. Should such DDGs apply for another DDG post or a Head of Department post they will not qualify in the event that they have not met the inherent requirements.

(b) The current qualification requirement is an undergraduate qualification and a post graduate qualification (NQF level 8) as recognized by SAQA as well as the inherent requirements of the post. All DDGs appointed with effect from 1 April 2015 must be in possession of those requirements. The information on qualifications for DDGs in posts is based on the data captured by departments may be incomplete or not captured and or updated on PERSAL. Where no information is reflected the department has not captured the qualification, Annexure A.

(c) An employee at a level below a DDG or at the level of a DDG can be appointed to act in a DDG post, therefore there are circumstances where employees are acting laterally. Acting in a post is not captured on PERSAL as the period are generally short. However, when an employee is receiving an acting allowance such acting in a higher post is captured on PERSAL. Based on PERSAL, there are currently six (6) Chief Directors receiving an acting allowance in DDG posts.

END

Reply:

a) Honourable Member, on 02 December 2020, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) conducted an investigation at Clewer in the Emalahleni Local Municipality. The investigation revealed that there was sewage overflow from a manhole located outside a residential property which is flowing into the tributary of Brugspruit River. In accordance with Section 19 (3) and 53 (1) of the National Water Act, the DWS issued a Directive to the Municipality to rectify the non- compliance identified in the area.

 

b) The administrative enforcement action will direct the Municipality to submit and implement an infrastructure rehabilitation plan in order to restore the quality of the water source.

(c) The investigators did not discover any dysfunctional meter system in the area. However, it should be noted that the DWS does not have a mandate to monitor meter systems in the municipality. The legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

Reply:

(1)(a)(b) I have been informed that the National Department of Human Settlements, the Community Schemes Ombud Service, the Estate Agency Affairs Board, the National Housing Finance Corporation, the National Home Builders Registration Council, the Social Housing Regulatory Authority, and the Housing Development Agency have not awarded any tenders to the company referred to by the Honourable Member during the period 1 May 2019 to31 October 2020.

(2) Falls away.

Reply:

a) It is government policy to provide free basic electricity to the indigent through licensed electricity distributors (Eskom and Municipalities). The free basic electricity provision is independent of the source of generation of the electricity (Eskom or IPPs).

b) See response to (a.) above.

c) See response to (a.) above.

 

Reply:

The Recruitment process that was followed for the appointment of a person in the position of Chief Director: Advocacy and Mainstreaming, Rights of Persons with Disabilities was as follows:

1. Advertising

The post of Chief Director: Advocacy and Mainstreaming, Rights of Persons with Disabilities with reference no. DWYPD 002/2020 was amongst those posts advertised on 22 December 2019 in the media in the City Press / Rapport and the DPSA Circular 02 of 2020 on 10 January with the closing date of 31 January 2020.

2. Response handling

Response handling was done internally, all applications received were captured on the selection grid with a total number of 96 applicants.

3. Selection Committee

The selection committee appointed by the Executive Authority, consisted of three (3) members; namely a Deputy Director-General, (female) from the Department of Tourism as chairperson, Acting Chief Operations Officer (female) from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and a Chief Director (male) from the Department.

The selection committee members, including the HR representative, signed the declaration form as expected to maintain confidentiality and objectivity.

4. Selection process - virtual

The selection committee did a pre-screening to include those applicants who were assessed as having met the minimum post requirements and have completed and submitted all required documents. The selection committee concurred commonalities to finally short list three suitable applicants.

5. Security Clearance and Reference Check

Security screening were conducted in collaboration with the Directorate: Security Management; and references checks were also conducted.

6. Interview process - virtual

All shortlisted candidates were subjected to a 60-minute similar technical exercise prior to their interviews that was intended to test relevant technical competencies of the job and each of the candidates were scored on the basis of their performance during their interviews to enable the panel members to recommend the successful candidate to the delegated authority for appointment.

The selection committee reached consensus at the end of the interview process on the nomination(s) to be made; the necessary motivation for the recommended as well as candidates not recommended were provided to the HR representative.

A runner-up candidate was recommended to be appointed in the event where the recommended candidate declines the offer for any reason.

The selection committee signed the certificate of confirmation of nomination for appointment to the advertised post with the necessary motivation.

7. Competency Assessment

The selection panel recommended the top two preferred candidates to attend the generic managerial competency assessment in compliance with the Department of Public Service and Administration Directive on the Implementation of Competency-Based Assessment.

8. Recommendations/Approvals

A request submission for approval of the delegated authority was prepared for appointment to fill the advertised post of Chief Director: Advocacy and Mainstreaming, Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Reply:

1. The Department’s mandate is to regulate socio-economic transformation and implementation of the empowerment and participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities. The Minister and Deputy Minister are members of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC). In terms of their role, they influenced programmatic interventions at the SANAC Inter Ministerial Commission meeting and the extended SANAC Plenary held in November 2020, in planning towards the commemoration of World Aids Day and advocated for heightened focus on young women.

2. The Director General and the CEO of SANAC met recently to discuss areas of alignment. Their focus was on how the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) interlinks with the National Strategic Plan for HIV& AIDS, and key programmes to focus on collectively. These included, amongst others, services to young women as the hardest hit sector and the LGBTQIA+ community. Further, the Deputy Minster is the chairperson of the prevention pillar of the NSP. A prevention Technical Task Team on HIV&AIDS and NSP has been formed in support of this pillar. It is meant to facilitate key interventions that reflects the interlink of HIV&AIDS and GBVF. One of the focus areas is Sexual, Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR) of young women. Workshops with relevant stakeholders in this regard are taking place.

Reply:

(a) (i) 55.23% women,

(ii) 20.11% youth,

(iii) 0.94% persons with disabilities,

(b) The Department has made the following provisions to ensure employment equity, especially of persons with disabilities:

• Employed a dedicated focal point responsible for Gender, Disability Transformation and one for Youth,
• In the process of appointing the Employment Equity Committee for the newly established Department of Mineral Resources and Energy,
• In the process of appointing an Employment Equity Manager for the Department
• Responsibility for EE will be incorporated in the Performance Agreements of Branch Heads,
• Drafted an EE Policy and Plan.

(c) The name of each entity reporting to the Minister who has not complied with the provisions of employment equity with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities:

Entity	(a)(i)	(a)(ii)	(a)(iii)	(b)	(c)
CGS	214	153	7	N/A	N/A
MINTEK	268	228	12	N/A	N/A
MHSC	40%	21%	2%	N/A	N/A
NERSA	57%	26%	1.3%	N/A	N/A
NNR	50%	18.3%	2.7%	N/A	N/A
NRWDI	62.5%	21.9%	6.25%	N/A	N/A
SDT	10	7	3	N/A	N/A
SANEDI	23	11	0	N/A	SANEDI currently has no employees who are persons of disabilities
SADPMR	68	20	1 male	N/A	N/A

CEF Group and its subsidiaries

Entity	(a)(i) % of Women	(a)(ii) % of youth	(a)(iii) % of People living with Disabilities	(b) Provisions or strategy per entity to ensure employment equity, especially of persons with disabilities is achieved
PetroSA	30%	19%	1.7%	The business continues to look at the optimisation of resources with minimal recruitment processes until the implementation of the new Corporate Plan and business model. When the organisation does have opportunities for movement in the future, the placement of women and people with disabilities will be given priority in filling afore-mentioned positions.
AEMFC	26%	55%	0.22%	AEMFC is setting targets for the achievement of its targets for people living with disabilities and women. This will be in the updated EE plan for 2021
PASA	31%	27%	2%	EE Committee monitoring quarterly barriers to ensure representation
SFF	31.2%	28%	Current exercise underway internally to establish number of persons with disability	Employment Equity Terms of Reference currently being reviewed and new committee will be established in 2021.   2020/2021 Strategy includes an assessment of persons with disability internally and recruitment with persons with disability.   SFF advised that they are working with the university to bring in youth with disability.
CEF SOC	45%	40%	2%	Women representation has improved and exceeded the 30% target. Similarly, youth target of 30% has also been exceeded.
CEF Group	31%	28%	1%	The Group gender representation is 69% male vs 31% female. The gender representation at Group Top Management has increased from 25% Female representation in Q1 to 33.3% in Q2 2020/21. Youth representation is below 30% target while the organisation has regressed in terms of representation of people living with disabilities

 

Necsa and its subsidiaries

Necsa

(a) (i) Proportion of person employed by the institution who are women is 673, which represent 37.7%

(ii) Persons who are youth, herewith defined as employees who are not older than 35 years of age - 461

(iii) Persons with the disabilities – 25

NTP

(a) What proportion of persons employed by NTP fall under the category of:

(i) Women: 41%

(ii) Youth: 32%

(iii) Persons with disabilities: 0.26%

Pelchem

(a) What proportion of persons employed by NTP fall under the category of:

(i) Women: 30

(ii) Youth: 0; permitted 10 students

(iii) Persons with disabilities: 1

 

Reply:

a) The amount spent on consultants by the Compensation Fund for the period 1 March to 31 October 2020 is R 6,795,618.78

b) There are no consultants appointed by the Commissioner to work directly in his office.

Reply:

Officials that abuse overtime by submitting claims that are not valid are not paid for such claims and progressive discipline is taken to correct the transgression.

All overtime worked by officials in the UIF is strictly managed and controlled according to the Department of Employment and Labour’s overtime policy, the relevant DPSA and NT prescripts and prior approval must be granted for such overtime. It is a requirement that an overtime plan is developed. The overtime plan must then have clear deliverables. It then gets submitted. It has to be reported upon before further approvals are granted.

Reply:

There were two versions of the advertisement, namely (i) an abridged version that was published in the City Press / Rapport on 22 December 2019 and (ii) a comprehensive version that was published in the DPSA Vacancy Circular No. 02 of 2020 on 10 January 2020 and on the Departmental website and Intranet.

(i) CITY PRESS / RAPPORT

Chief Director: Advocacy and Mainstreaming, Rights of Persons with Disabilities (reference: DWYPD/002/2020). Preference will be given to applicants with disabilities.

Salary package: R 1,251,183 fully inclusive remuneration package per annum (salary level 14). National Office, Pretoria.

Purpose of the Post: to ensure maintenance and implementation of a 365 days integrated national disability inclusion campaign. Provide technical support for collaborative and coordinated implementation of the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Requirements for the Post: undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Disability Studies, Economic Sciences, Human Rights Law, Social Sciences. Post-Graduate qualification (NQF level 8) in Disability and/or Management Studies will be an added advantage. Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience at senior managerial level. In-depth knowledge and ability to apply international treaties and instruments impacting on the lives of persons with disabilities, understanding disability from a socio-political and human rights perspective, sound understanding of universal design and access theory and application, inclusive of reasonable accommodation support measures as well as advocacy and mainstreaming approaches.

(ii) DPSA VACANCY CIRCULAR, DEPARTMENTAL WEBSITE AND INTRANET

Post: Chief Director: Advocacy and Mainstreaming, Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ref no: DWYPD/002/2020)

Note that preference will be given to applicants with disabilities

Salary: R 1,251,183 fully inclusive remuneration package per annum (salary level 14) Centre: Pretoria

Requirements: Appropriate undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Disability Studies, Economic Sciences, Human Rights Law, Social Sciences. Post-Graduate qualification (NQF level 8) in Disability and/or Management Studies will be an added advantage. Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience at senior managerial level. In-depth knowledge and ability to apply international treaties and instruments impacting on the lives of persons with disabilities, understanding disability from a socio-political and human rights perspective, sound understanding of universal design and access theory and application, inclusive of reasonable accommodation support measures as well as advocacy and mainstreaming approaches. Good understanding of government decision-making and procedures. Ability to work across spheres of government and interact at a senior level. Advanced planning, organisational and communication skills. Strong strategic capability and skills in policy analysis, analytical thinking, programme and project management, financial and people management skills. Solution-orientated and ability to work under tight deadlines and manage stressful situations. The successful applicant will be subject to personal security vetting at a top secret level.

Duties: To ensure maintenance and implementation of a 365 days integrated national disability inclusion campaign. Provide technical support for collaborative and coordinated implementation of the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Facilitate development of partnership projects aimed at accelerating and advancing the realisation of socio-economic rights of children and adults with disabilities. Facilitate and support standardisation and embedding of universal access and design across public service delivery value chains. Facilitate embedding of disability inclusion in government-wide decision-making processes through, among others, effective support services to the National Disability Rights Machinery. Ensure effective management of the Chief Directorate, inclusive of full compliance with all legal and public sector prescripts.

Reply:

(a) In keeping with its focus of promoting the African Agenda, South Africa will use its forthcoming Presidency to highlight the strengthening of AU-UN cooperation and to focus on preventative diplomacy, conflict prevention and resolution on the African Continent. In addition to the events proposed by South Africa, the programme of the work of the UNSC for December 2020 includes mandated reporting cycles and predetermined meetings of the Council. Matters scheduled in December, include, inter alia, the mandate renewal of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); the situation in Sudan; the authorisation for action on addressing piracy of the coast of Somalia; the situations in Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Israel/Palestine; and, Iran’s compliance with its obligations in terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iran nuclear-deal).

(b) South Africa’s second and final Presidency during its current term as an elected member of the UNSC will witness the convergence of (i) South Africa’s chairing of the African Union (AU); (ii) the Presidency of the UNSC; and, (iii) the final month of the AU’s ambition to silence the guns on the Continent by 2020. To prioritise the silencing of guns on the African Continent, South Africa has scheduled two debates during the month with a focus on the resolution of conflicts on the African Continent. These are a debate on “Sustaining Peace: Security Sector Reform (SSR)”, held at Ministerial level held on 3 December and a debate on “Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations (AU)”, held at Presidential level on 4 December. These discussions give focus on the efforts of the United Nations and the African Union to ensure sustainable peace on the African Continent.

Reply:

Yes, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has treated the matter of providing permanent housing to the Pan-African Parliament with the respect and importance it deserves.

South Africa has hosted the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) since 2004. In terms of the Host Country Agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the African Union Commission on the Seat of the Pan-African Parliament, the Government of South Africa is indeed obliged to provide permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament. The Pan-African Parliament is currently based at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg until the process to build a permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament is finalised.

The identified site in Midrand for the construction of the PAP headquarters was found to be a wetland by environmental experts leading the project. It was therefore, decided that the project on the site would be closed and could not continue as the Department of Environmental Affairs had determined that any activities on that land are and would always remain illegal.

The matter has been referred to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), as the mandated line-function Department to satisfy the duty of providing the Pan-African Parliament with permanent headquarters. The DPWI has indicated that pending some internal investigations, on the original site, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will be advised accordingly. In this regard, the DPWI has further informed the DIRCO of their application for an urgent interdict to stop construction on the original site until the aforementioned issues have been resolved.

It is envisaged that the forensic investigation may constitute further delays to the fulfilment of the Republic of South Africa’s longstanding commitment to provide permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament. Therefore, the DIRCO has requested the DPWI to assist in expeditiously identifying and procuring an alternative site.

To obviate the impression that the Republic of South Africa is not in support of the African united agenda, in 2019, the Department facilitated the process for the successful signing of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union Relating to the Pan-African Parliament of 2014. Moreover, the process for obtaining Cabinet approval for the ratification of the aforementioned instrument is advanced and the Parliamentary processes are being finalised.

In addition, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation continues to unwaveringly fulfil its obligations towards the African Union on the seat of the Pan-African Parliament to the best of its ability.