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13 December 2023 - NW3881

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Following the submission by the Commission for Gender Equality, what total number of the buildings that have been identified as shelters are user-friendly for persons living with disabilities?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

Total number of the buildings that have been identified as shelters are user-friendly for persons living with disabilities.

The Department has handed a total of thirteen (13) properties to Department of Social Development (DSD) for use by victims of Gender Based Violence.

DPWI only renovated the properties to be fit for purpose and that scope did not necessarily include accessibility for people with disabilities as this is the responsibility of the user department.

13 December 2023 - NW4148

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether her department has put any measures in place to curb the effects of food insecurity in the rural areas of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is implementing the Agriculture Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (NFNSP) to ensure that there are sector-wide comprehensive strategies to revitalize and bolster rural economies, improve food security as well as create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities. The plans seek to provide a sector blueprint to spearhead transformation and development under the following pillars:

  • Comprehensive support for farmers, extension services and agro-processors;
  • Ensuring food security, expanded production and employment creation;
  • Enabling market expansion, improving market access and trade facilitation;
  • Developing localised food, import replacement and expanded agro-processing exports;
  • Establish inclusive local food value chains to support access to nutritious and affordable food; and
  • Creating enabling infrastructure.

In support of the AAMP and the NFNSP, DALRRD continues to introduce and coordinate the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of other support and developmental instruments towards ensuring food security especially in rural areas. The NFNSP coordinates support initiatives of various government and non-government departments towards ensuring food security. DALRRD coordinates the NFNSP with other departments such as the Departments of Health, of Social Development, of Basic Education and of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Furthermore, DALRRD is collaborating and coordinating its efforts with other stakeholders (government departments, private sector, non-governmental organisations, producers, producer organisations, and civil society) towards building a resilient, just, inclusive and sustainable food system. The envisaged improved food system will ensure the inclusive involvement of different role players, sub-systems and activities in the production, storage, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products.

The Department is also implementing the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). The project is designed to support a spectrum of opportunities, focusing on job creation through public employment; job retention and direct support to sustain livelihood strategies for vulnerable communities. PES is a pioneer project implemented to support household and subsistence producers with agricultural production inputs. The support provided to PES beneficiaries enabled some to initiate food production projects like backyard gardens, small-scale poultry projects and livestock farming, while assisting other subsistence producers to sustain and increase their food production by supporting them with agricultural equipment, water tanks, and production inputs specific to the commodities they produce. The bulk of the supported producers reside in rural areas.

13 December 2023 - NW3557

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Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

What (a) specific steps of intervention have been taken by his department to ensure that the boreholes and/or borehole taps in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape have regular water supply and (b) monitoring mechanism is used to ensure that the companies that were appointed have delivered the services required in terms of the tender specifications?

Reply:

a) The Department of Water and Sanitation does not drill boreholes in local municipalities. However, the DWS provides funding for water supply projects to municipalities which may include boreholes that are meant to supplement surface water or are the main source of due to lack of surface water or droughts. Projects are implemented by municipalities through funding that is provided by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) or by municipalities themselves.

The Department of Water and Sanitation developed a Standard Operating Procedure for Groundwater Development for Communities Water Supply Projects (SOP). This SOP is specifically developed to ensure and enforce a common approach and a high standard for groundwater development for community water supply projects. This SOP is guiding the sector and practitioners to enable high standards throughout the exploration, development and monitoring of groundwater usage.

b) Where borehole projects are funded by the DWS, Water Services Authorities are appointed as the Implementing Agents, based on their capacity to implement the projects. Municipalities appoint contractors in accordance with their own Supply Chain Management processes. The Department of Water and Sanitation’s officials oversee project progress by conducting monthly meetings with municipalities and undertake site visits to verify work completed and provide monthly progress report on all funded projects. There are also quarterly performance assessments that are compliled by the DWS compiled and submitted to National Treasury.

13 December 2023 - NW4132

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Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Recognising the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for national development, what (a) strategies are being implemented by his department to address disparities in access to STEM education, particularly among underrepresented groups and (b) steps has his department taken to promote inclusivity and/or diversity in STEM fields to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce for the future?

Reply:

Question (a): Strategies being implemented to address disparities in access to STEM education, particularly among underrepresented groups.

The Minister recognises and supports the transformation in education, which includes addressing historical inequities to allow underrepresented groups in society to have access to STEM education. In this regard, though, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is the leader, and the Departments of Science and Innovation and Higher Education and Training are limited to providing support to the DBE for this effort.

Based on a collaboration agreement with the DBE, the Department of Science and Innovation facilitates learners' access to extracurricular activities that pique their interest in STEM and help them understand why studying STEM subjects is important. These activities include participating in STEM Olympiads and fairs, as well as having access to supplemental learning and teaching resources that offer real-world examples of the STEM concepts covered in the curriculum. Learners in public ordinary schools, especially those in quintiles 1-3 three, are given priority when these activities are implemented.

Question (b): Steps taken to promote inclusivity and/or diversity in STEM fields to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce for the future.

The Department commissioned and completed several studies as the evidentiary basis for policies and interventions aimed at promoting inclusivity and/or diversity in STEM. These studies with a focus on promoting inclusivity and/or diversity include the:

  1. Retention, Conversion and Progression of Postgraduate students (2015) – a study that looked at the rate of progression from lower postgraduates (Hons) to upper postgraduate (PhDs);
  2. Postgraduate Research Training in Engineering (2018) – which investigated low PhD graduation rates in Engineering, particularly women PhD engineers and PhD engineering graduates who are South African nationals vs. those from outside the country. This study also found that most PhDs in Engineering get employed in the financial, insurance and fintech sectors in the private sector;
  3. Building the Cadre of Emerging Researchers in South Africa (2018) – also called the “Silent Majority” study. This study looked at who holds PhDs, who actively publishes and who actively seeks research funding among different emerging researcher groups (by gender and race) in our university system; and
  4. Recruitment, Retention and Progression of Black South African academics in SA universities (2019) looked at just that, namely blacks and particularly black women recruitment, retention, and progression in the university rungs.

Based on these studies, the Department formulated, implemented, and even recapitalised targeted interventions at the National Research Foundation such as the Thuthuka Programme, and the Black Academics Advancement Programmme. The policy prescripts in the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Funding Policy were also informed by the findings of these studies.

A different set of studies aimed at ensuring the support of a pipeline of a diverse and future-proof, skilled workforce was conducted and completed, including:

  1. The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) study on Pathways into the Labour Market and Self Employment for Natural Science Graduates (2021);
  2. The Water Research Commission (WRC:2020) – Tracer study of water PhDs in South Africa. The study focused on the employability of PhD graduates in the water sector; and
  3. The National PhD Tracer Study (2022) which looked at the relevance and demand for PhDs by different sectors (government, universities, science councils, private sector etc), among others.

The DSI is working with the DHET to finalise a robust one skills plan for the country, that is, a Master Skills Plan for the country.

13 December 2023 - NW3757

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What measures has her department put in place to employ persons who will service farmers that were left in the cold following the termination of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners’ contracts?

Reply:

The role of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners was to assist the current Extension Practitioners who are trained to provide technical assistance to farmers. As at April 2023 there were 2 077 Extension Practitioners employed across all provinces who are continuing with the frontline service of providing technical support to farmers.

The existing practitioners are also trained on new extension approaches such as the Smallholder Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP), Farmer Field School (FFS) and Commodity-Based Extension (CBEA) approaches to improve their efficiency when supporting farmers.

The Department will continue to implement the Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) which is part of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). The ERP funds are transferred to the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) to support Extension and Advisory Services. As part of ERP, PDAs employ Extension Practitioners on contract. Currently, due to fiscal constraints, PDAs will continue to maintain the existing contracts and will only recruit if there is a vacancy.

13 December 2023 - NW3834

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Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, in light of the undertaking by the former President, Mr J G Zuma, in his State of the Nation Address in 2015, any legislation has been developed to limit the sale of land to foreigners; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, (2) whether her department has considered to introduce legislation addressing limitations on foreign land ownership in light of the economic advantages non-South Africans have that drive South Africans out of the land and property market; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what total number of hectares of land has been sold to non-South Africans from 1 January 2015 to date; (4) what initiatives did her department specifically design to prioritise and/or protect the land rights of native South Africans who may be economically disadvantaged in the context of the acquisition of land by non-citizens?

Reply:

(1),(2) The regulation of land ownership by foreign nationals is being addressed through the Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill that is being developed and should soon serve before Cabinet for permission to publish for public comment. Amongst others the Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill seeks to provide for compulsory land ownership disclosures by race, gender and nationality. It will further require disclosures in terms of the size and use of the agricultural land; any real right registered against and licence allocated to the agricultural land, and any other information as may be prescribed.

(3) There is currently no provision in law to track the hectares of land acquired by non-South Africans. In terms of regulation 18 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937 (Act No.47 of 1937), the deeds registration system only keeps record of the names and identity numbers of registered owners of land and not their nationality, and for this reason it is not possible to identify any land that is registered in the names of non-South Africans. However, the proposed amendment in the Deeds Registries Amendment Bill provides for the inclusion of a regulation pertaining to the collection of personal information relating to race, gender, citizenship and nationality of land owners in South Africa, for statistical and land audit purposes only. This information will be captured into a register for official use, only by State departments in the national or provincial spheres of government.

(4) The Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill will prioritise and/or protect the land rights of native South Africans who may be economically disadvantaged in the context of the acquisition of land by non-citizens. The 2020 Cabinet approved Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy defines the beneficiary selection criteria as well as priority beneficiaries of land reform.

13 December 2023 - NW3530

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Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she has taken action in providing clarity on the eviction notices relating to case numbers 1332/15 and 69085/2013 and the original land claim 1998-2014 by the Motha family who between 1930 and 1945 lived in Sycamore/Elandhoek 339JT, Arlie/Rietspruit 473JT, Hemlock/Vlakplaats 476JT and Watal/ Dooringhoek 341JT in Mpumalanga, as the Emakhazeni Local Municipality in collaboration with farm owner sought to evict the community of Sycamore farm and intimidated them to sign attendance registers in contravention of the provisions of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, Act 19 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) provided clarity on the eviction notices relating to case numbers 13432/2015 and 69085/2013.

DALRRD was required in terms of a court order to provide land for purposes of accommodating individuals evicted from the farms. DALRRD appointed Advocate Lucky Makomati Zwane of the Mpumalanga Bar to represent the interests of DALRRD in the matter, and Mr K Baloyi of Lingenfilger Baloyi Inc was appointed to provide legal representation to the occupiers.

Regarding the order against the Department to provide land to accommodate the evicted persons, DALRRD advised that as per application from the Emakhazeni local municipality, DALRRD had already acquired various farms and transferred them directly to the local municipality for the same purposes in the past and the land is still available and unoccupied.

Regarding the matter of the Motha Family, DALRRD conducted a land rights enquiry and discovered that the Motha family was evicted by court order in the year 1998. They are currently staying at Waterval Boven in the EMakhazeni Local Municipality. However, the Motha family is a former occupier who still has the right to security of tenure in terms of section 6(2)(a) read with section 4 of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act No. 62 of 1997.

DALRRD has no evidence of a land claim lodged by the Motha Family on the three farms.

13 December 2023 - NW4145

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether his department has recently adopted any step-by-step measures and/or policies to combat high incidences of sexually transmitted infections in institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Background and Context

  1. HIGHER HEALTH Delivery against the HIGHER HEALTH Model

HIGHER HEALTH has a three-tier model that has emerged from our hands-on experience over many years. We continue to conceptualise and deliver our programme in terms of three broad processes:

  • Level 1: Knowledge transfer –designed to reach the entire student population.
  • Level 2: Practical learning – a more focused intervention that requires active student participation.
  • Level 3: Linkage to services – to cater to individual students based on their needs.

The implementation of the HIGHER HEALTH Model has reinforced the significance of a holistic approach to health education. By employing different tiers, the model ensured comprehensive coverage of health topics while catering to individual student needs. The diverse programs within the model enabled knowledge transfer, practical learning experiences, and linkage to essential health services, fostering a conducive environment for students' overall well-being.

First Things First Health Days are the vehicle for much of the Health Promotion, testing, and screening that has become a hallmark of the HIGHER HEALTH approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of health promotion for health service providers to ensure sustainable working life for individuals involved in providing health services. Such sustainability begins when students preparing to manage their own future health and welfare in working life. HIGHER HEALTH model has been instrumental in supporting students to manage their health and determining their level of risk. The increased demand for education as prevention increased health-seeking behaviours amongst students in the reporting period.

Step-by-step measures and/or policies to combat high incidences of sexually transmitted infections in institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

1. Background Context and Policy

  • (WHO) Global Health Sector 2022-2030 details the vision, goals, and actions to ending the STI epidemic. Strengthening STIs case management is one of the key priorities of the strategy Effective people-centred
  • HIV, TB, and STIs: National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023 – 2028 for HIV, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) has been developed, and aims to reduce barriers to accessing health and social services. It builds on lessons from the previous NSP and promotes a new and urgent focus to reducing inequalities for all people living with HIV, TB and STIs who are not benefiting from treatment and care services.
  • The inclusion of mental health services and social support is based on the strong association between HIV, TB and STIs, sexual and gender – based violenece (SGBV), human rights violations, inequalities and mental health and Viral hepatatis has also been included and the prevalce linked to linked to HIV and STIs. HIGHER HEALTH is scaling up interventions that includes health awareness campaigns, distribution of IEC materials, dialogues on HIV/STI/TB, risk screening for ADAP/LGBTQI/Disability, HIV testing, TB screening, cancer screenings, referrals, contraceptives distribution, and female condoms provision. Each intervention aimed to improve the health and well-being of students.

2. Training and Capacity Building for HIGHER HEALTH Clinicians

  • Training on the latest National Department of Health (NdoH), Adult Primary Care (APC) guideline 2019/2020 which is a comprehensive approach to the Primary Care of Adults 18 years and above.
    • APC 2019/2020 aligns with all NDOH policies and Clinical protocols for Primary Health Care and includes the latest reviewed version for STI treatment which is the Comprehensive STI Clinical Management Guideline 2017.

3. Service Delivery

  • Provision of Information
  • Counselling and education, including HIV testing
  • Circumcision promotion (counselling to continue condom use)
  • Cervical cancer screening
  • STI Campaigns Condom promotion, provision and demonstration to reduce the risk of STIs.
  • Risk Screening – Screen all Beneficiaries accessing HH Mobile Clinic.
  • Linkage to Care for all Beneficiaries screened positive, and their Contacts are referred for treatment and further management to the Clinic.
  • Review the compliance/ adherence with treatment and Follow-up care for all Referrals and Contacts to ensure successive referrals.
  • Monitoring and evaluation

13 December 2023 - NW4123

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether his department monitors the loss of water through leakages; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what specific initiatives and/or strategies are being implemented by his department to address the specified challenges to ensure a more sustainable and efficient water provision system given the alarming daily loss of 1,7 billion litres of water due to leakages and/or inefficiencies in the absence of preventative measures?

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation does monitor the loss of water through leakages as reflected in the current No Drop 2023 report, released 5 December 2023.

The latest national water balance indicates a total System Input Volume (SIV) of 4 282.5 million m³/a. The National Non-Revenue Water is estimated at 1 988.5 million m³/a (46.4%) and the water losses is 1 744.7 million m³/a (40.7%). KwaZulu Natal has the highest NRW at 60.5% with Western Cape having the lowest at 27.6%. The national water use per capita is currently 218 â„“/c/d, which is significantly above the international benchmark of 180 l/c/d. Gauteng has the highest per capita usage at 279 â„“/c/d followed by Limpopo (197 l/c/d), then Free State (196 l/c/d), with the rest of the provinces at around 180 â„“/c/d. Western Cape has the lowest water use at 164 l/c/d. The 2023 No Drop Report reflects that NRW has increased from 37% in 2014 to 47%, and water losses have increased from 28% in 2014 to 38%.

Initiatives and strategies being implemented by the DWS to address the specified challenges to ensure a more sustainable and efficient water provision system include the following:

  • The Department is continuously monitoring and analysing the progress made with the implementation of Water Conservation and Water Demand Management and targets set during the updating of Reconciliation Strategies at Water Services Authority level, within the eight large water supply systems. All the relevant stakeholders meet twice a year to report progress on the implementation of various strategies which will ensure the sustainability of water resources.
  • DWS Minister and Deputy Ministers spend most of their time crisscrossing the country visiting those municipalities with severe challenges with water and sanitation services, including water losses and non-revenue water. DWS and Water Boards are supporting many of the municipalities to implement improvement plans agreed to by Ministry and municipal leadership. DWS works with COGTA, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, the Department of Human Settlements, and National Treasury to provide support to the worst performing municipalities, including:
  • Allocating infrastructure grants worth more than R20 billion per annum to municipalities
  • Technical and engineering support and assistance
  • Capacity building and training
  • Financial management advice and support
  • Despite all the support being provided to municipalities, water losses and non-revenue water continue to increase. Fundamental reform is required to arrest and turn around the decline in municipal water and sanitation services. In this regard, DWS has recently gazetted the Water Services Amendment Bill for public comment. The Bill introduces a compulsory operating license system for WSPs, to be managed by DWS as the national regulator, which will enable water services authorities to ensure that water services providers have minimum competency, capability, and performance levels.

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13 December 2023 - NW4000

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she has found that all the adversities faced by her department lately, such as wheat yield shortages and the avian influenza, could have been avoided by retaining the large number of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners who were axed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. Additional Assistant Agricultural Practitioners (AAPS) would not have played any significant role in preventing the outbreak of diseases as their role would have been to provide agricultural extension services and not necessarily biosecurity; which is performed by the Animal Health Technicians. They were also not involved in the advisory services to produce wheat which is a highly mechanized operation. Most wheat producers are commercial farmers and the target clientele for the Assistant Agricultural Practitioners were households, subsistence and small holder farmers /producers.

Possible follow up question.

Is the department going to re-hire the AAPs?

Response:

If the National Treasury allocates the department with its provincial departments of agriculture an MTEF funding for their recruitment, the department will assist the Provincial Departments of Agriculture in resuscitating their recruitment process at the provincial level.

13 December 2023 - NW4146

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What was the (a) projected and (b) actual revenue received from state-owned properties in the (i) 2020-21, (ii) 2021-22 and (iii) 2022-23 financial years?

Reply:

a) The projected and actual revenue from state-owned properties occupied by the user departments are indicated below;

State Owned Accommodation

 

Financial Year

(a) Invoiced/Projected

(b) Received

2020/2021

R 5 382 221 884,11

R 5 048 285 505,60

2021/2022

R 5 719 345 190,78

R 4 921 330 617,60

2022/2023

R 5 257 798 063,65

R 5 124 918 666,37

The projected and actual revenue from state-owned properties occupied by private individuals are indicated below;

Rental Debtors

   

Financial Year

  1. Invoiced/Projected
  1. Received

2020/2021

R 61 164 329,20

R 53 454 604,02

2021/2022

R 67 426 045,17

R 58 131 159,65

2022/2023

R 84 865 150,26

R 61 976 390,53

13 December 2023 - NW4124

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

In light of the concerning findings in the 2023 Blue Drop Watch Report, indicating that 15% of the water supply systems in the Republic are in poor and/or critical condition, what specific measures and/or immediate steps has his department undertaken to (a) address the identified shortcomings and (b) improve water quality compliance across these systems?

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is prioritising grant applications aimed at addressing water supply systems which are in poor or critical condition. The Department allocated infrastructure grants worth more than R14 billion for the 2023/24 financial year to municipalities.

The DWS, together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and Nation Treasury have developed an action plan aimed at municipalities which have wastewater and/or drinking water systems that scored less than 10% in the Green Drop and/or Blue Drop assessments (i.e. municipalities which are performing the worst in terms of their water quality and sanitation services).

This plan has been approved by Cabinet and presented to COGTA MINMEC. The Departments are working together to ensure that the plan is implemented to improve the status of water services. This includes:

  • Technical and engineering support and assistance
  • Capacity building and training
  • Financial management advice and support

The Department has issued non-compliance letters to water supply systems with poor drinking water quality compliance and in some cases these municipalities issued water advisory notices where the quality did not improve. Some of water services authorities have responded by indicating the actions taken, which includes procurement of laboratories services by the municipality in order to improve the situation. Despite all the support being provided to municipalities, the drop reports indicate that water services continue to decline. There are limitations to which national support programmes can turn around the decline at municipal level.

Fundamental reforms are required to arrest and turn around the decline in municipal water and sanitation services. The Department will soon issue updated and more comprehensive national norms and standards for water and sanitation services for public comment. The DWS will also publish a National Regulatory Dashboard showing compliance with national norms and standards as monitored and reported amongst others by Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop Results.

Furthermore, the DWS has gazetted the Water Services Amendment Bill for public comment. The current Act distinguishes between roles of Water Services Authority (WSA) and Water Services Provider (WSP) in municipalities. WSA is the part of the municipality that is responsible for ensuring that water services are provided according to national norms and standards (the local regulator) whilst WSP is the part of the municipality which is responsible for providing the service. The Bill clarifies functions of WSAs and WSPs, including that billing and revenue collection for water is a WSP function.

The Bill introduces a compulsory operating license system for WSPs, to be managed by DWS as the national regulator. This will enable WSAs to ensure that WSPs have minimum competency, capability, and performance levels. The Bill will empower the Minister of Water and Sanitation to instruct a WSA to appoint a Water Services Provider that is licensed. The Bill will further provide for Minister to implement regulatory enforcement protocols (non-compliance notices, directives) for water services, and to make gross non-compliance an offence, similarly to the National Water Act.

 

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13 December 2023 - NW4131

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Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(a) What has he found has been the three cutting-edge scientific advances and innovations that underscores the prowess of the Republic in light of global advancements in science and technology and (b) how does his department intend to encourage collaboration between (i) academic institutions, (ii) industries and (iii) international partners to promote cutting-edge research and technological innovation in key sectors?

Reply:

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) supports several cutting-edge scientific advances and innovations which enhance the country’s global competitiveness. Some of these scientific advances and innovations are in the areas of Precision Agriculture, Precision medicine, Nanotechnology, Hydrogen and fuel cell, as well as carbon capture and use, and are central to the modernisation approach of the key economic sectors (such as health agriculture, manufacturing and energy) outlined in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan.

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

The Decadal Plan prioritises modernising agriculture and the development of precision and digital agriculture tools that are key to increasing efficiencies in the sector as well as unlocking the bottlenecks with access to science-based decision information and thus inclusion for all farmers. The National Biosecurity Hub launched by the Minister together with his counterpart in agriculture, is a strategic platform prioritising cutting-edge research development and innovation as well as access to molecular and digital tools for diagnosis, detection, surveillance and management of major pests and diseases as well as food safety. The goal of the National Biosecurity Hub is to strengthen national biosecurity, using international standards in the development of national sanitary and phytosanitary systems (SPS), build technical and information management services and meet the SPS requirements of international trade. The hub will serve as a platform to:

  • prevent, respond to and manage pests and diseases that threaten plant health, animal health, and food safety;
  • conduct research on reported and emerging threats (e.g., biology/detection/diagnosis);
  • develop a Biosecurity Information Hub to store and manage SPS and related information (monitoring and surveillance);
  • promote engagements on SPS matters by establishing appropriate communication structures; and
  • leverage human resources, financial resources, and infrastructure from public and private sectors to support the national biosecurity system.
    • The National Biosecurity Hub, coordinated by Innovation African@UP and co-funded by DSI and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is unlike any other globally as it is designed for a resource-constrained environment, and its hub and spokes model is designed to aggregate the benefits from individual commodity/government-industry co-funded multistakeholder and multi-institutional research programmes with a national biosecurity Information Hub that houses the consolidated digital surveillance information. The heat maps and long-term data monitoring is then accessible to DALRRD, which has the mandate for biosecurity and the system would also enable the prioritising of new research needed and building early warning systems.
    • The Hub includes linkages with major partners; for example in plant health with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and all relevant universities in South Africa as well as industry partners such as GrainSA and Cropwatch Africa and allows for Integration of data that makes digital systems useful, for example the Biosecurity Africa app used to capture, store & visualise data and partnerships enable the flow of information (i.e. from Biosecurity Africa app to Information Hub.

b) The DSI encourages collaboration with:

(i) Academic institutions

The DSI has played a pivotal role in supporting the collaborative development of a Precision Agriculture Information System by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with the ARC. This system is instrumental in de-risking the agricultural sector by furnishing farmers of all scales with data-driven insights that improve decision-making, optimise resource (water, fertilisers) utilisation, and address risks and threats associated with climate change, pests, and diseases.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Precision Agriculture Information System provides weekly information on soil and crop health conditions by integrating ground data collected nationwide and satellite data from the European Space Agency.

(ii) Industries

Based on the development of the Precision Agriculture Information System the DSI provides training for farmers and extension services affiliated with both DALRRD and the private sector to proficiently use the system for optimising crop production.

(iii) International partners

In terms of international partnerships, to foster the digitalisation of the agricultural sector in the SADC region, especially through the utilisation of the Precision Agriculture System, the CSIR has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAD), promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

2(a) PRECISION MEDICINE

This is an emerging field that utilises advanced technologies and data analysis to tailor medical treatment and prevention strategies to individual patients based on their unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The DSI, together with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has been driving the precision medicine initiative in South Africa since 2016. The Programme is aimed at addressing the significant healthcare challenges faced by South Africa, with a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer as well as host genomic influences on susceptibility to infectious diseases (HIV/ TB).

b) The DSI encourages collaboration with:

(i) Academic institutions

Precision medicine-funded projects are spread across universities and universities of technology in all the major provinces of Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

(ii) Industries

Since 2016, the SAMRC/DSI has invested €14 million (Euro) in Precision Medicine projects. This small investment has resulted in spin-out companies and the development of products:

  • Breast cancer screening, and other cancer-personalised approaches using organoid and omics technology.
  • Infrastructure investments have led to fully capacitated labs that are now able to develop scaled genomics studies.
  • Pharmacogenomics projects allow understanding of treatment failure with known drugs from the country’s essential drug list.

(iii) International partners

In terms of partnerships, the Precision Medicine Programme is actively seeking programme partners to drive this agenda to develop population-specific genomic studies to move Africa forward and offer an opportunity for the healthcare sector on the continent to incorporate the latest technologies to provide quality care and precision medicine options to African patients. The DSI/SAMRC has established and leveraged international partnerships to support emerging priority areas, namely precision medicine, and antimicrobial resistance.

The DSI/SAMRC play a significant role within the European Union- Africa Personalised Medicine (EU-Africa PerMed) Consortium, which has the final objective of integrating African countries into the International Consortium for Personalised Medicine (ICPerMed) programmes to contribute to the implementation of Personalised Medicine (PM) in the global context. This includes fostering joint precision medicine projects and programmes between Europe and Africa and strengthening bilateral EU-AU science, technology and innovation (STI) in health. In the long run, incorporating African countries in the global precision medicine research agenda can contribute to reducing existing health disparities between developed and developing countries, as well as facilitating access of African countries to new tools and technologies that have the potential to make healthcare more efficient and equitable.

3. NANOTECHNOLOGY

The ability to manipulate matter at the nanometre length scale has given birth to nanostructured materials with exceptional properties that were never observed for similar micro-structured and bulk counter-part materials. Such properties include high chemical and biological reactivities, high surface area-to-volume ratio, high mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity as well as unique light scattering and absorption properties.

This cutting-edge technology offers several opportunities for development of the manufacturing sector with applications in water treatment, health and consumers materials such as cosmetics. Domination of markets is largely determined by speed to commercialisation of the nanotechnologies. South Africa and most African countries are lagging compared to other countries in Asia, Europe and America. The Nanotechnology market in the U.S. is estimated at US$16 Billion in the year 2020, and clearly this cannot be ignored. In response to this development the Department has initiated to drive the development of Nanotechnology in the country including the establishment of the Nanotechnology Innovation Centres, one at Mintek and the other at CSIR these focus on research that drives the development of commercial products. Some of the Industrial products developed at Mintek include the water filter systems for mine-water treatment, development of point of care diagnostic kits for detection of HIV, TB and lately Covid-19. The CSIR has developed commercial products which include plastics used in food packaging, cosmetics, and paint additives.

3(b) The DSI encourages collaboration with:

(i) Academic institutions

Nanotechnology research and education is spread across the country. The DSI supports postgraduate training through a master’s programme which is offered across four universities, the University of the Western Cape, University of the Free State, Nelson Mandela University and the University of Johannesburg. Research is funded across different institutions nationally, including the North-West University for research into health and safety assessment of nanomaterials, the Nanomedicine Platform at Nelson Mandela University and the Green Nanotechnology at the University of the Western Cape.

(ii) Industry

The Nanotechnology Innovation Centres collaborate extensively with industry with Mintek focusing on the mining sector and the CSIR broadly on the manufacturing sector. Several agreements are in place for the joint development of technology and provision of services to industry. The Nanomaterials Industry Development Facility (NIDF) was set up at the CSIR to assist the industry and SMME sector with scale-up and pilot facilities as well as characterisation for product development.

(iii) International partners

On international collaboration, the DSI has several active programmes in place such as the participation in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the development of standards, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for safety aspects. There are also several agreements to stimulate collaboration between scientists in joint projects with several countries including the BRICS countries, as well as Egypt and Ethiopia in the current year.

4(a) HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL, CARBON CAPTURE AND USE TECHNOLOGIES

The Decadal Plan identifies energy innovation as a priority area to support a diversified and sustainable energy mix that is secure, accessible and affordable. A stable and reliable energy mix is key to supporting economic recovery. The DSI has invested in the development of emerging energy technologies focused on local value addition and reducing the carbon intensity and greenhouse gas emissions of the country's energy mix, to mitigate the negative impact of climate change.

Investments have been made in the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies that leverage the country’s resource endowment in platinum group metals (PGMs), wind, solar and land availability to drive the transition to a low carbon and sustainable energy system. However, the transition to a low carbon economy needs to be just and equitable and have minimal negative impact on existing sectors.

In this regard, the DSI has invested in the demonstration of carbon capture and use technology to support the continued use of coal in power generation while reducing the emissions from the coal fired power plants. The carbon capture and use (CoalCO2-X) technology captures the flue gas pollutants (carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx)) and converts them into value added products such as fertiliser, sulphuric acid and nitric acid, using low emissions hydrogen and ammonia produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. The conversion of the flue gas pollutants into the value-added products used in agriculture and industry provides an opportunity to create new industries and jobs adjacent to the coal fired power stations, while preserving existing jobs in the coal sector.

The reduction of the carbon intensity in the energy mix will support the global competitiveness of South African made products, given the move by some trading partners such as the European Union to impose punitive taxes on imported goods based on their carbon content.

4(b( The DSI encourages collaboration with:

(i) Academic institutions

The DSI has supported the development of technologies along the hydrogen and fuel cell value chain under the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme through the Centres of Competence (CoCs) located at Universities and Science Councils. The leading Universities include North-West, University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape, while the Science Councils include Mintek and the CSIR.

To date, the HySA Programme has been able to train MSc and PhD graduates in engineering and related fields, publish in ISI journals, generate a healthy portfolio of Intellectual Property Rights, as well as develop prototypes and demonstrate them in real world environment. Furthermore, commercial products have been sold and trade secrets declared through Spin-off companies. PGM based catalysts and other components for fuel cells and electrolysers, as well as metal hydride-based hydrogen storage technologies have been locally developed that will position South Africa to be a significant player in the global hydrogen economy. A summary of the outputs from the HySA Programme include:

  • 192 (MSc and PhD) graduates in engineering and related fields.
  • 352 publications in ISI journals.
  • 30 intellectual property rights filed.
  • 15 intellectual property rights granted.
  • 27 technology demonstrations in real world environment.
  • 18 commercial products.
  • 7 trade secrets declared.
  • 3 spin-off companies.

On the carbon capture and use technology, the North-West University and University of Cape Town are working on the production of low emissions (green) hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the development of catalysts for the conversion of the captured carbon dioxide to low emissions diesel respectively.

(ii) Industries

The HySA CoCs have worked with industry partners such as Anglo-American Platinum, Sasol, Impala Platinum and Bambili Energy (small medium and micro enterprise (SMME)) in the development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The carbon capture and use technology has been successfully demonstrated at a Cement plant in partnership with PPC Cement and EPCM global (SMME).

(iii)International partners

In the Hydrogen Economy, South Africa is an active member of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) and is the current Chair of the IPHE. The IPHE is a governmental platform with 23 member countries, including the European Commission, and is dedicated to the development and sharing of information on the Hydrogen Economy, as well as to assist in the development of safety, codes and standards to promote the global trade in low emissions hydrogen. In addition, South Africa collaborates at bilateral level with several countries like Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and Germany.

13 December 2023 - NW4097

Profile picture: Ceza, Mr K

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, in light of the statistical information on the outstanding settlement of land claims as at 30 November 2022, which indicates a high number of outstanding claims in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, she can furnish Mr K Ceza with the (a) full details of the 1 565 outstanding claims, including (b) locations of the land that is being claimed and (c) names of the claimants?

Reply:

(a)(b) Please refer to Annexure A for KwaZulu-Natal and to Annexure B for Mpumalanga.

(c) In line with the provisions of Section 23 (4)(a) of the Protection Of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No.4 of 2013) (POPIA), the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights is restricted from releasing personal information of third parties.

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13 December 2023 - NW3742

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Shikwambana, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What (a) are the full relevant details regarding the revelations of a massive corruption and procurement heist which led to the expulsion of a certain person (details furnished) and (b) processes were followed in appointing companies that were supposed to disburse allowances to students?

Reply:

Below we outline the sequence of events, related timelines and information on each stage of the procurement process (for the Direct Payments of Allowances to NSFAS Students) that was followed in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999) (PFMA), the National Treasury Instruction Notes and Practice Notes, and the NSFAS supply chain management policy.

An Open Bidding (Competitive) process was followed by NSFAS in sourcing suitable bid proposals from prospective service provider(s) in the financial services and fintech sector to assist NSFAS, for a period of five (5) years (renewable), in the direct disbursement of allowances into the bank accounts of NSFAS funded students/ beneficiaries enrolled for a course of study at public universities and TVET colleges across South Africa.

A summary of the procurement process followed is outlined below:

1. Following the support and approval of the bid specifications by the NSFAS bid specification committee (BSC) the tender was advertised on 25 January 2022 in the National Treasury E-tender portal and the NSFAS website with the closing date of 25 February 2022 on the 90/10 Price and BBB-EE principle.

2. A total of 18 bids were received at the closing date of the tender, all of which were evaluated by the NSFAS bid evaluation committee (BEC) against the tender requirements. The BEC convened on seven (7) occasions. An independent expert was appointed to assist and guide during the evaluation process, however noting that this independent expert did not have any voting rights, and accordingly did not evaluate and score any of the 18 proposals received.

3. Of the 18 bid proposals received, a total of nine (9) bids were disqualified for not achieving the mandatory requirements of the tender.

4. The remaining nine (9) bids were subjected to the technical and functional evaluation criteria, of which the outcome was that all nine (9) achieving the minimum score of 70% out of 100%.

5. The nine (9) bids were all invited to present their proposed solution to the BEC on 11 May 2022 and 13 May 2022.

6. A total of four (4) bidders achieved the minimum score for the presentation criteria and passed all the tender requirements, and thus progressed to be evaluated for Price and BBB-EE.

7. On 08 June 2022, the BAC adjudicated on BEC recommendation report and recommended that the CEO support (for onward approval by the NSFAS Board) the tender for the Direct payments of allowances to NSFAS students (SCMN022-2021) for a period of five (5) years, renewable, award to the following four (4) bidders:

  • Coinvest Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Tenet Technology (Pty) Ltd
  • Ezaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd
  • Norraco Corporation (Pty) Ltd

8. On 13 June 2022, the NSFAS Board approved the tender for the Direct payments of allowances to NSFAS students (SCMN022-2021) for a period of five (5) years, renewable be awarded to the following four (4) bidders:

  • Coinvest Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Tenet Technology (Pty) Ltd
  • Ezaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd
  • Narraco Corporations (Pty) Ltd

9. On 15 June 2022, all four (4) bidders were issued with letters of award and negotiations on price standardization, etc and signing of Service Level Agreements followed thereafter.

13 December 2023 - NW2773

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Transport

With regard to the decision by the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) not to operate minibus taxi services in Cape Town, the impounding of minibus taxis and the fatal and destructive violence that erupted, what reasons were provided by Santaco for withholding public transport services 2) Whether any minibus taxis were unlawfully impounded by the City of Cape Town; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what total number and (b) for what reasons were the specified minibus taxis allegedly unlawfully impounded 3) Whether any minibus taxis were lawfully impounded by the City of Cape Town; if so what were the offences that led to the lawful impounding of the specified minibus taxis 4) Whether she will test the authority to impound a vehicle without the vehicle owner and/or operator being permitted to dispute the alleged offense before such vehicle is impounded in a court of law; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details 5) With regard to impoundments in terms of section 87 of the NLTA, no.5 of 2009, what are the reasons that she has not assigned the operating licence function to the City of Cape Town, as applied for in 2014, as municipalities would be in a better position to resolve operating permit conflicts and to adequately address public transport demands on certain routes if the planning and operating licence function could be integrated?

Reply:

1. Santaco withheld their services because they felt that the impoundments of their vehicles were unreasonable as the offences were seen as minor and did not justify the impoundments.

2. Section 85 of the NLTA provides that land transport law enforcement falls within the respective jurisdiction of a province or a municipality. Section 57(5) further states that the entity granting an operating license may determine conditions under which the license is granted as long as the conditions are not inconsistent with the NLTA. It is the City of Cape Town’s contention, as the enforcement authority, that the impoundment of minibus taxis in their area of jurisdiction was duly executed in terms of the provision of section 87(1) and 90(1) read with 57(5) of the NLTA. It is widely known that the City’s assertion that the impoundment of minibus taxis was lawful is currently being challenged by the taxi industry and this is a matter being dealt with between the province, city and taxi industry at a task team level. The Department has requested the City to provide a total number of minibus taxis impounded and is still waiting for a response.

(3) Response in 2 above refers.

(4) The Department is currently studying the conditions attached to Operating Licences as per section 57(5) of the NLTA. The Department will make pronouncements in due course.

(5) Implementation of section 87 is not relevant for the assignment of functions to the cities. At the time when the due diligent study was done by the City of Cape Town, the cost to the city was more than the budget utilised by the Province to run the function and the City was not committal to cover the shortfall.

13 December 2023 - NW3884

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Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What (a) is the (i) total number of persons who are contributing towards the Unemployment Insurance Fund and (ii) average amount that the specified persons contribute on a monthly basis and (b) total amount does his department collect from the (i) employees and (ii) employers on a monthly basis?

Reply:

(i) 10 247 739 persons are contributing to the Unemployment Insurance Fund

(II) Average amount that the specified persons contribute on a monthly basis R 185.12 per month

(i) Total amount the Unemployment Insurance Fund collect from the employee’s average is R 1,003,043,006.29

(ii) The total amount collected from employer’s monthly average is R 1, 003, 043, 006.29

Note: both employer and employee contribute 1% each, which makes a total of 2% towards the Fund.

13 December 2023 - NW4130

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Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Given the increasing demand for accessible and quality higher education, (a) what plans have been put in place to address the expected avalanche of matriculants with bachelor passes, coupled with those who repeat courses at universities, given the limited space at universities and (b) how does his department intend to ensure financial sustainability and/or support for students in the coming 2024 academic year?

Reply:

  1. The limited spaces at universities arise because each institution must align with its enrolment plans. Students are therefore encouraged to diversify their options and consider TVET Colleges. In this regard, TVET colleges have planned to enrol a total of 482 244 students in all programmes for the academic year of 2024.
  2. Financial sustainability will be addressed through the provision of loans for the missing middle students, that is students whose household income is between R350 000 and R600 000, thus ensuring that as students repay the loans, they enable more students to access the PSET sector.

13 December 2023 - NW3551

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

What specific plans have been developed by his department to address the severe environmental impact caused by the poor quality of effluent discharged into the rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater due to inadequate wastewater treatment processes?

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) issues notices and directives where pollution incidents are detected or reported. These provide for conditions of remediation and rehabilitation. Once wastewater reaches lakes, wetlands and especially groundwater it becomes very difficult for remediation to address the pollution.

Pursuant to the release of the 2022 Green Drop report, the DWS required Water Services Authorities with wastewater collection and treatment systems in a critical state, to develop corrective action plans to the Department. These plans will be monitored for implementation through a dashboard developed as part of the Water Services Improvement Plan (WSIP). The Department has also collaborated with the South African Loal Government Association (SALGA) and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) to assist municipalities with the development of action plans, in ensuring that the management of the wastewater treatment plants improves.

In addition, DWS has developed a Eutrophication management strategy to address issues related to the degradation of water resources due to excessive nutrient enrichment. The strategy will provide the country with appropriate direction on how eutrophication should be controlled and managed. Rehabilitation management guidelines have been developed to establish the status quo and integrate various initiatives and practices regarding rehabilitation management for water resources (rivers, wetlands, estuaries, lakes, dams, and groundwater).

Catchment mitigation strategies and plans are also being developed for mine water and wastewater treatment works to respond to mine water and/ or wastewater (sewage) impacts in priority catchments, with an emphasis on sulphate salinity and metals in mine water; and nutrients (nitrates and/ or phosphates and / or microbiological (coliform bacteria) indicators in wastewater (sewage).

The Department has gazetted Resource Quality Objectives (RQOs), a framework to monitor compliance to the RQOs was developed and implemented in the Financial Year 2021/22 and the Department continues to monitor compliance thereof.

 

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13 December 2023 - NW4012

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether her department has conducted any investigation into the (a) alleged abuse and (b) dire living conditions of farmworkers in the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) how often were the specified investigations conducted, (ii) what were the findings of each investigation and (iii) what are the further, relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

(a),(b) No. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has no mandate towards farmworkers’ living conditions. DALRRD is responsible for the provision of long-term security of tenure in terms of Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act No. 62 of 1997) (ESTA) and Land Reform Labour Tenants Act, 1996 (Act No.3 of 1996).

(i), (ii), (iii) Falls away.

13 December 2023 - NW4098

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Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the relevant details of the land claim case (a) by the Motha family in Sycamore and/or Elandshoek 339JT and (b) in Sycamore Farm 340JT in Schoonspruit in Emakhazeni Local Municipality wherein only six people are recorded as claimants?

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development through the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights does not have a record of land claim lodged by Motha family. A claim form or any confirmatory documents from the family would assist in confirming the status.

END

13 December 2023 - NW2654

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

With reference to her reply to question 15 on 4 May 2023, what (a) is the (i) name of each farm, (ii) exact area where each farm is located, (iii) name of the previous owner/leasee of each farm and (iv) lease payment for each farm and (b) are the details of (i) fixed and any other movable assets bought and (ii) the cost at which the assets were bought; (2) whether the specified farms are productive; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the current use of each farm, including the produce that is being carried out on each farm; (3) whether any blended finance is being considered; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant details of the blended finance, (b) is the name of each beneficiary and (c) are the details as reasons for the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s involvement and cost set aside for their project execution?

Reply:

(a) (i),(ii),(iii),(iv) Please refer to Annexure A.

(b) (i) None.

(ii) Falls away.

2. The status quo remains the same; production at these farms is not at an expected level. The Department through existing producer support initiatives including infrastructure support intends, over time, to assist to improve productivity levels.

3. Yes. Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) is a funding instrument open for consideration. However, applicants must meet the set qualifying criteria in order to be granted the loan potion of the scheme. The current productivity levels on these properties dictate that the initial development support be mainly through conditional grants (BFS preparatory phase) and only when these farms are bankable, can Blended Finance Scheme be utilised.

(a),(b),(c) Falls away.

13 December 2023 - NW3795

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Whether, in light of the water shortage in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, he will furnish Mrs C Phillips with copies of the water use license issued in respect of Portion 59 of the Farm Oorzaak 335JQ in Rustenburg, North West; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, in addition to the specified water use license, any other license was issued in respect of the above mentioned property for the discharge of water containing waste as required by Section 21 (f) of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further relevant details?

Reply:

1.  There is no water use license or any water registration issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in respect of Portion 59 of the Farm Oorzaak 335JQ, nor a water use application that was submitted to the Department for processing.

2. There is no Section 21 (f) water use registered with the Department on Portion 59 of the Farm Oorzaak 335JQ.

The DWS undertook a site visit to investigation the matter on 17 November 2023 to investigate the alleged unlawful development of this chrome wash plant on Portion 59 of the Farm and is the process of issuing a Notice of intention to issue a Directive in terms of National Water Act to the company responsible for chrome wash plant. Further administrative action to be taken and time frame will be guided by the response to be received from Chrome wash plant owners.

 

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13 December 2023 - NW3988

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(a) Which rural areas has she identified as priorities for rural development and (b) what prominent rural development projects are currently underway that are focused specifically on infrastructure development, considering that the National Development Plan and other development trajectories indicate the Republic’s ambitions to become a developmental state and noting that rural areas remain largely marginalised, with little or no infrastructure development, and high levels of pervasive poverty?

Reply:

a) The Department is focused on 44 district municipalities across all nine provinces in South Africa. The beneficiaries are rural households, communities living in villages and traditional authority areas, and agricultural farmers.

The Integrated Rural Development Sector Strategy (IRDSS) prioritises six pillars in implementing the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme through which the Department will co-ordinate, facilitate and implement catalytic projects to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in rural areas.

The objectives of the IRDSS are to:

  • Provide a guiding framework and principles for executing government’s vision, plans and budget relating to rural development and revitalisation of the rural economy through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme and Rural Development Sector Plans.
  • Institutionalise rural development and strengthen intergovernmental relations at national, provincial, and local levels.
  • Facilitate implementation and co-ordination through the District Development Model (One Plan) with clear monitoring and reporting systems. One Comprehensive Rural Development Programme for each District.
  • Accelerate investment in, and maintenance of critical infrastructure: road, rail and port basic services, digital connectivity, education, health, and human settlement infrastructure to revitalise rural economic development and facilitate industrialisation, agricultural production, agro-processing, value chain management and access to markets.
  • Support integrated spatial planning, land use management and economic integration.

There are six (6) pillars in the Strategy for standardisation of the rural development mandate across all provinces and national sector departments.

Pillar 1: Infrastructure Development, Maintenance, and Investment

  • Increased infrastructure maintenance and investment in the following areas: Agriculture and Agro-processing, socio-economic, water and sanitation, energy and electricity, health, human settlements, and education (schools and TVET colleges), and police stations, thereby improving community access to basic municipal services.

Pillar 2: Economic Development Industrialisation and Job Creation

  • Industrialisation, Agro-processing, and Manufacturing.
  • Increased financial and non-financial support to the development of new and existing small, medium, and micro enterprises and cooperatives.
  • Accelerated job creation programmes such as EPWP and TREP to reduce high unemployment levels.

Pillar 3: Education and Skills Development

  • Increased training of rural learners and rural youth in line with the National Skills Development Strategy and the country’s required critical skills for the rural economy and to curb urban migration.
  • Massification of programmes such as National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC), Youth Employment Service (YES) and other sector specific skills development programmes.

Pillar 4: Provision of Basic Municipal Services

  • Increased access to potable water, electricity, roads, sanitation and refuse removal.
  • Prioritised Small-Town Regeneration Strategy and National Rural Safety Strategy.

Pillar 5: Land, Agrarian Reform and Tenure Security

  • Expanded irrigated agriculture and dry-land production for smallholder farmers.
  • Conferred tenure rights to land reform beneficiaries through an adopted approach that recognizes a diverse range of communal land and financial support.
  • Expedited establishment of Land and Agrarian Reform Agency.
  • Land Administration and recordal of communal areas.

Pillar 6: Social and Community Development

  • Empowered rural communities for active citizenry through social mobilisation initiatives.
  • Accelerated poverty alleviation programmes and initiatives.
  • Implemented social sector programmes to provide specialized social services (e.g. school nutrition and community-based care).
  • Accelerated registration of births and issuance of identity documents.
  • Creating safer communities through implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy.

b) The Department has targeted to complete 63 infrastructure projects in the 2023/ 2024 financial year (please refer to Annexure A). Through the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme, a total of 2 842 young people will be trained; 295 young people will be supported with business development and 485 young people will be linked to job opportunities.

ANNEXURE A TO NA-QUES 808 OF 2023

Rural Development 2023/ 2024 FY Projects

NO.

PROJECT NAME

PROVINCE

DISTRICT

LOCAL

VILLAGE

1

Construction of 14km fencing at Mvezo in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality

Eastern Cape

OR Tambo

King Sabatha Dalindyebo

Mvezo

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Equipping of boreholes at Kroonstad

Free State

Xhariep District Municipality

Mohokare LM

Kroonstad

3

Equipping of boreholes at Zastron

Free State

Xhariep District Municipality

Mohokare LM

Zastron

4

Equipping of boreholes at Springfontein

Free State

Xhariep District Municipality

Mohokare LM

Springfontein

5

Construction of 8km fencing handling facilities in Smithfield in Xhariep Municipality

Free State

Xhariep District Municipality

Mohokare LM

Smithfield

6

Refurbishment of 3 storey hall and 2 storey halls for Boiketlong Community Hall

Free State

Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality

Dihlabeng LM

Boiketlong

7

Construction of 35km fencing and Animal Handling Facility in Heilbron under Fezile Dabi Municipality

Free State

Fezile Dabi District Municipality

Ngwathe LM

Heilbron

           

8

Construction of Bekkersdal FPSU 20 x Production Tunnels

Gauteng

West Rand

Rand West City LM

Bekkersdal

9

Construction of Bekkersdal FPSU 800m2 Warehouse

Gauteng

West Rand

Rand West City LM

Bekkersdal

10

Construction of Carmel Estate FPSU 20 x Production Tunnels

Gauteng

West Rand

Mogale City LM

Carmel Estate

11

Construction of Tarlton FPSU 2,2km Asphalt Access Road

Gauteng

West Rand

Mogale City LM

Tarlton

12

Construction of Rust De Winter 80km, 6 Strand Barbed Wire Fence

Gauteng

Tshwane Metro

Tshwane Metro

Rust De Winter

13

Construction of 15 Cattle Handling Facilities at Rust De Winter

Gauteng

Tshwane Metro

Tshwane Metro

Rust De Winter

14

Equipping 23 Boreholes at Rust De Winter

Gauteng

Tshwane Metro

Tshwane Metro

Rust De Winter

           

15

Rehabilitation of 600 ha Mooi River irrigation scheme which comprises the 23 km long concrete canal that covers 14 blocks, 6 packing shed, 5 tractors shed

KwaZulu-Natal

Umzinyathi

Msinga

Muden & Kwanxamalala

16

Rehabilitation of 600 ha Mooi River irrigation scheme which comprises the 23 km long concrete canal that covers 14 blocks, 6 packing shed, 5 tractors shed

KwaZulu- Natal

Umzinyathi

Msinga

Muden & Kwanxamalala

17

Construction Tugela Ferry Block 6 which comprises 150 ha with pump station, main and infield pipeline, sprinklers, pack shed, tractor shed and rehabilitation work on block 1 up to block 7

KwaZulu-Natal

Umzinyathi

Msinga

Tugela Ferry

18

Construction Tugela Ferry Block 6 which comprises 150 ha with pump station, main and infield pipeline, sprinklers, pack shed, tractor shed and rehabilitation work on block 1 up to block 7

KwaZulu- Natal

Umzinyathi

Msinga

Tugela Ferry

19-22

Construction of 8 dip tanks in King Cetshwayo and Zululand District under livestock infrastructure phase 4

KwaZulu- Natal

King Cetshwayo and Zululand District

Nongoma, Pongolo, Lundi, Nkandla, Mlalazi, Mthonjaneni

Various Villages

23-26

Livestock infrastructure phase 4: King Cetshwayo, Ilembe and Zululand - 8 dam re-scooping project

KwaZulu- Natal

King Cetshwayo and Zululand District

Nongoma, Pongolo, Lundi, Nkandla, Mlalazi, Mthonjaneni

Various Villages

27-30

Construction of 12 dip tanks in iLembe Harry Gwala and uThukela District under livestock infrastructure phase 4

KwaZulu- Natal

Harry Gwala and uThukela District

Nkosazana Zuma, Buhlebezwe, Mzimkhulu

Various Villages

31

Construction of 15X25m shed to be used for as feed mixing facility with its associated work including drilling of boreholes to supply water to the shed and betterment of access road

KwaZulu- Natal

Harry Gwala

uMzimkhulu

St. Paul

32

Construction of two sales yard in Mandeni and Maphumulo, under livestock infrastructure phase 4

KwaZulu- Natal

iLembe

Mandeni & Maphumulo

Macambini/ Amatigulu & Ngcolosi

33

Construction of two sales yards in Mandeni and Maphumulo, under livestock infrastructure phase 4

KwaZulu- Natal

iLembe

Mandeni & Maphumulo

Macambini/ Amatigulu & Ngcolosi

34

Supply, erect 25 km 9 strand barbed wire for grazing camp in Mbizimbelwa grazing camp in Mandeni

KwaZulu- Natal

iLembe

Mandeni LM

Mbizimbelwa

35-39

Construction of 6 sugar cane FPSUs in Jozini, Qwabe, Sezela, Noordsburg and Matikulu which comprises of admin block, packhouse, tractor sheds, mechanical shed, chemical sheds, betterment of access road, provision of portable water and security fence with gourd house

KwaZulu- Natal

Umkhanyakude

Jozini

Jozini, Qwabe, Sezela, Noordsburg & Matikulu

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

Vleeschboom FPSU: Construction of phase two: construction of a chemical area, installation of burglar doors and windows, installation of a backup generator, storm water drainage, paving around the facility etc.

Limpopo

Sekhukhune

Makhuduthamaga

Vleeschboom

41

Bridges Moletjie Komape Bridges: Design and construction of a pedestrian and motorist bridge (design and construction)

Limpopo

Capricorn

Polokwane

Moletjie Komape

42

Lephalale Fencing: Supply, delivery, and installation of 54km fence for five farms in Waterberg district.

Limpopo

Waterberg

Lephalale

Lephalale

43

Tshiombo Fence: Erecting of fence around the nine earth dams for various irrigation schemes in Tshiombo

Limpopo

Vhembe

Thulamela

Tshiombo

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

Phase 2 Renovations of storage sheds and admin buildings in various villages for 22 small scale sugarcane growers’ farms within Malelane/ Nkomati

Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

Nkomazi LM

Malelane/Nkomati

45

Erection of fencing- 10km Magogeni Village

Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

Nkomazi LM

Magogeni

46

Erection of fence -10km Gomora Village

Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

Nkomazi LM

Gomora Alnaagz

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

Plessis Vlakte FPSU: Construction of staff houses, office, boardroom, security office, storage shed, auction facility, fencing, water supply & renovation of shearing shed

Northern Cape

Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality

Renosterburg LM

Plessis Vlakte

48

Supply, delivery, and erection of 106km fencing at Heuningvlei

Northern Cape

John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality

Joe Morolong LM

Heuningvlei

49-53

Supply, delivery, and erection of 75km boundary fencing at 5 Farm: Nylon, Kelso, Clyde, Lurie & Maas.

Northern Cape

John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality

Joe Morolong LM

Nylon, Kelso, Clyde, Lurie & Maas.

54

Construction of 1mw Solar Plant for Onseepkans Irrigation Scheme (350ha)

Northern Cape

Namakwa District Municipality

Khai Ma LM

Onseepkans

55

Pella FPSU: Construction of staff houses, office, boardroom, security office, storage shed, retail facility, fencing & water supply

Northern Cape

Namakwa District Municipality

Khai Ma LM

Pella

 

 

 

 

 

 

56

Mooifontein FPSU: Construction of ablution facilities, fencing and guardhouse

North West

Ngaka Modiri Molema

Mahikeng

Mooifontein

57

Thulwe AVMP: Construction of a cattle handling facility, drilling of a borehole, spray race dipping facilities and drinking troughs

North West

Bojanala

Moretele

Thulwe

58

Jericho FPSU: Paving of FPSU access road ±0.6km

North West

Bojanala

Madibeng

Jericho

59

Makweleng FPSU: Paving of FPSU access road ±0,8km

North West

Bojanala

Moses Kotane

Makweleng

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

Construction of boundary fence for the support of the Nduli piggery (1,6km) in Ceres, Witzenberg Local Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality.

Western Cape

Cape Winelands District Municipality

Witzenberg LM

Nduli (Ceres)

61

Construction of boundary and inner fence in Saron (27km), Drakenstein Local Municipality Cape Winelands District Municipality.

Western Cape

Cape Winelands District Municipality

Drakenstein LM

Saron

62

The supply and installation of fencing at the municipal commonage in Swellendam (6.2km), Swellendam Local Municipality, Overberg District Municipality.

Western Cape

Overberg District Municipality

Swellendam LM

Swellendam

63

Supply and delivery of water tanks to small scale farmers in Graafwater, Cederberg Local Municipality, West Coast District Municipality.

Western Cape

West Coast District Municipality

Cederberg LM

Graafwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 December 2023 - NW3424

Profile picture: Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN

Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What are the reasons his department failed to develop internal capacity to enable the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to disburse allowances to students, instead of outsourcing the service to external service providers, as his department is expected to provide such service for the duration of its existence and (b) by what date is it envisaged that his department will have mastered the ability to internally capacitate the NSFAS to be able to do its disbursement of allowances duties?

Reply:

(a) The Department plays no role in developing internal capacity of NSFAS. Section 9 of the NSFAS Act (No.56 of 1999) refers to the appointment of employee. It states that the board is responsible for the appointment of the Executive Officer who will manage and administer the affairs of the NSFAS under the authority of the board, and perform the functions determined by the board.

(b) The Minister has requested NSFAS to furnish him with a turn-around plan, which includes, amongst others, improving capacity of the entity. Thus far, NSFAS reported that it has appointed a COO who will advise the board on the long-term strategy of disbursement of allowances.

13 December 2023 - NW4125

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Considering the prediction that the demand for water will surpass available supply in the Republic within seven years, with seven major water systems expected to run out by 2040, what strategic plans and/or interventions are in place to (a) mitigate the impending crisis and (b) ensure sustainable water management for the future?

Reply:

a) The Department is unaware where the prediction that “the demand for water will surpass available supply in the Republic within seven years, with seven major water systems expected to run out by 2040” comes from. It does not come from the Department.

The Department undertakes various water resource and water services planning over 25-year horizons to ensure water security for the whole country including the eight (8) large water supply systems.

The planning includes projections of future water needs across all water sectors including for energy generation, domestic, agriculture, industry, afforestation, and mining, as all these sectors’ water demands are aligned with sector-specific growth projections, climate and others. The planning culminates in several targeted strategies that address water needs for specific areas, as well as the country at large. These are continuously monitored and progressively updated every three to five years to ensure that they remain current and representative of prevailing conditions.

b) To address emerging challenges of climate change, the Department is implementing a National Climate Change Response Strategy for the Water Sector, since 2013, in terms of which climate change has been mainstreamed in the water sector through awareness, training, revision of other sector strategies and plans to consider climate change guided by the developed climate change risk and vulnerability assessment (RVAs) in each quaternary catchment throughout the country.

Furthermore, the Department is updating the National Climate Change Status Quo Report and reviewing the National Climate Change Response Strategy for the water and sanitation sector to reflect new science and knowledge and emerging approaches to address climate change adaptation and mitigation pathways for the sector.

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13 December 2023 - NW3559

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Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether his department has plans in place to provide the residents of Thaba Nchu Zone 1 and 2 with proper bulk water and sanitation infrastructure, if not, why not; if so, what are the specific time frames in this regard?

Reply:

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG), which is managed by the Department of Human Settlements, for basic infrastructure including water and sanitation.

The Mangaung Metro has reported that water supply infrastructure Zone 1 and 2 in Thaba Nchu is functional. The municipality is in the process of appointing a new contractor planning to revive the project for construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for which the services of a previous contractor were terminated. It is anticipated that the contractor will be on site by February 2024.

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13 December 2023 - NW3174

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)What are the full details of the recent and abrupt suspension of the Public Employment Programme that was part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality; (2) Whether there are any plans in place to minimise the impact of the suspension to the beneficiaries of the specified programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. The programme's suspension, which impacted 3,541 participants, was brought about by a decrease in the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) grant budget to the City, which was projected to be R298 million in the 2023–2024 financial year, but only R141 million was allocated, as opposed to R387 million in the previous financial year. In terms of the PES grant conditions, salaries should account for 70% of the total amount, with the remaining 30% going towards any other project-related expenses. In 2022–2023 salaries accounted for R311 million of the R387 million allocated. However, in the 2023-24 financial year, a total budget of R141 million of the budget was received for all costs including salaries. Owing to this shortage, the Municipality was forced to choose between cutting programme participants significantly or to continue the programme for three months with 5,394 participants appointed. After careful consideration of all available choices, the city ultimately decided to suspend the current participation when the available funding allocation run out.

2. The EThekwini Municipality, the municipality is currently engaging National Treasury with an application for additional funding of R270 million submitted in September 2023, for consideration during the adjustment budget process. Furthermore, engagements are also being made within EThekwini Municipality to ascertain whether internal departments that include; Cleaning and Solid waste, Water and Sanitation, and Parks, Recreation and Culture can fund the stipends of the participants on projects being implemented from their own budgets.

13 December 2023 - NW4147

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Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether her department has offered any (a) training and (b) support to (i) small-scale farmers and (ii) farmworkers to combat fires; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a) Yes. Both the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Provincial Department of Agriculture offer continuous training and awareness to small scale farmers on the following:

  • Basic Fire Management NQF 1;
  • Veldfire awareness and prevention;
  • National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998;
  • Structure of veldfires;
  • Basic veldfire behaviour;
  • Veldfire suppression tools and equipment;
  • Fine fuel suppression techniques and tactics; and
  • Fire line safety and special hazards.

DALRRD conducts public awareness and training as one of the preventative measures to prevent uncontrollable veldfires.

(b)(i) The Provincial Department of Agriculture has provided support to small scale farmers affected by veldfires with fodder from their fodder banks. In areas that have been identified as prone to veld fires, resource-poor farmers are assisted with the construction of fire breaks.

DALRRD encourages small scale farmers to adhere to the National Forest Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998) which is currently being reviewed through the formation, and being part of the Fire Protection Associations, creating and maintaining firebreaks as landowners, adhering to the fire danger index and being ready to fight fires in case they occur.

DALRRD disseminates early warning information in the form of advisories and daily extreme weather warnings as a preparedness measure to ensure effective response towards impending hazards including veldfires. Continuous early warnings on fire and strategies are issued to farming communities.

(ii) DALRRD is working with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to capacitate and train farmworkers on how to create firebreaks and fight fires with the assistance of Working on Fire as well as established Fire Protection Associations in the provinces.

13 December 2023 - NW4035

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Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether she intends to establish a functional task team to specifically investigate corruption and maladministration (a) in her department, (b) in licensing offices and (c) by traffic officers; if not, why not; if so, (i) by what date will the specified task team be established, (ii) what intergovernmental relations and agreements are in place with the Anti-Corruption Task Team and (iii) what are the further relevant details?

Reply:

a) No, such a functional task team will be appointed within my Department

We already have the Chief Directorate Internal Audit and Fraud Investigations responsible for internal investigations within my Department.

Within my Department, we have the Sub-Directorate Vehicle and Driving Licence Compliance within the Roads Branch under the Chief Directorate: Road Transport Regulation: (Directorate: Compliance), responsible for investigations.

b) No, such a functional task team will be appointed in licensing offices

We have the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) under the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to eliminate fraud and corruption within the road traffic fraternity.

The primary mandate of NTACU is to combat, prevent, unearth, and investigate cases of alleged fraud and corruption, within the road traffic, in licensing offices (learner testing centers DLTC), vehicle testing centers (VTS), vehicle registration centers, and traffic officer corruption, among others.

c) falls away - response to this question is addressed above.

(i) falls away

(ii) NTACU collaborates with other anti-corruption investigative agencies and with the South African Police Service to ensure the effective coordination of its activities.

These partnerships are crucial in the fight against corruption and maladministration within the transport sector.

(iii) There no formal intergovernmental agreements in place with the Anti-Corruption Task Team

13 December 2023 - NW3995

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Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What is delaying the finalisation of the Kramer Family restitution claim that was submitted 27 years ago, considering that the Kramer Family responded to the Mayecon Report within the legal timeframe with evidence to support their dispute, and that all the necessary documentation have been submitted to the Land Claims Commission?

Reply:

The family initially disputed the outcome of the investigation that was conducted by MayeCon and raised dissatisfaction on the extent of the land. A mapping exercise was then conducted by the National Geo-Spatial and Information (NGI) to determine the extent of the land in support of the investigation report. Thereafter the family consented to the outcome of the mapping exercise and this resulted in the gazetting of the claim.

The claim has since been published in Government Gazette No. 4044 on10 November 2023 and in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994, a 90-day period is provided for submission of objections to the claim by any interested parties. Thereafter, the claim will be processed further towards finalisation.

The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights through the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner in Eastern Cape is currently serving the affected landowners with the Gazette Notice.

It is important to note that the delay in the finalisation of the claim was caused by the Community’s disagreement on the extent of the rights lost.

--END--

13 December 2023 - NW3735

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What measures are in place to (a) protect small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and (b) encourage entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector?

Reply:

a) To protect small- and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, the Competition Act No. 89 of 1998 was promulgated for the establishment of a Competition Commission responsible for the investigation, control and evaluation of restrictive practices, abuse of dominant position and mergers. This law prohibits anti-competitive agreements between businesses and the abuse of a dominant position by a business. Businesses that infringe competition laws may face substantial financial penalties up to ten percent of their worldwide turnover. The Competition Commission is a statutory body responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act.

b) Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) were elevated to a degree of strategic relevance in South Africa for the first time thanks to the 1995 White Paper on the National Strategy for the development and promotion of small business. It lists several obstacles that small businesses must overcome, including those related to the legal and regulatory framework, market accessibility, financing availability, availability of non-financial support services, skill and managerial expertise acquisition, access to suitable technology, tax burden, information, and availability of high-quality business infrastructure in impoverished areas or poverty nodes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) provides the SMMEs with both financial and non-financial support as follows:

  • Provide support with technical and soft skills development.
  • Business Plans development.
  • Through partnerships, agricultural enterprises participate in the study groups facilitated by Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
  • Financial support though procurement of production inputs, equipment and soft infrastructure to build up the equity of the business.
  • Assist farmers to identify markets in their locality to reduce transportation costs.
  • Through Provincial Departments of Agriculture, farmers participate in pop-up markets to stimulate the sale drive.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the approved plans and provide recommendations for improvement.

DALRRD develops policies, procedures and guidelines to support agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises at provincial level.

DALRRD offers capacity-building workshops in marketing for smallholder farmers. These workshops equip farmers with knowledge about how markets operate. The programme also includes physical market exposure, where farmers are taken to the markets and provided with information by market operators on how the markets function. DALRRD provides access to daily fresh produce market prices via a web-based system called the Market Information System. These prices are collected from all national fresh produce markets and displayed on the system, making it easy for farmers to access information on prevailing market prices for various products they wish to sell.

DALRRD offers various support programmes. These include the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Ilima Letsema, and the Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs), which provide support in the form of mechanisation, seeds, fertilizer, capacity building, and infrastructure.

CASP offers training and capacity-building programs to smallholder farmers through the Department. The programme aims to help smallholder farmers gain the necessary technical skills to become successful commercial farmers. All training interventions are based on the specific needs of each individual farmer.

DALRRD provides training to agricultural cooperatives to assist them in improving operational efficiencies and enhancing competitiveness using the Farm Together cooperative training programme. The programme addresses a wide range of skills that include among others governance in cooperatives, financial management, record keeping, markets and contract negotiations, agribusiness management, conflict resolution mechanisms, leadership skills, and compliance.

Training Programmes offered to beneficiaries are categorised as follows:

  • Production: (goat production, poultry production, crop production, animal production, maize production, livestock production, beef production, artificial insemination, hydroponics etc.)
  • Business and Entrepreneurship: (bookkeeping, business management, financial management, record keeping, marketing, new venture creation, farm management, veld management, SA GAP, access to funding, conflict management etc.)
  • Occupation Health and Safety: (Safe use of chemicals, animal health, fire management, biosecurity etc.)
  • Agro-Processing: (grain processing, value adding, packaging etc).

The land reform programmes are supported by various agrarian reform instruments to address both financial and technical support for different categories of producers to maintain and improve agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation. These programmes are:

  • Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Ilima/Letsema which are aimed at resourcing and equipping producers towards increased food production and other value chain activities.
  • Land Development Support which supports land reform acquired farms with infrastructure, farm machinery and equipment, production development/inputs, and provision of technical support including mentorship provided through Commodity Organizations.
  • Blended Finance Scheme which supports the commercialisation process.
  • SA-GAP Certification Programme assists farmers to meet minimum food safety and quality requirements and thus ease access to the market.
  • Collaborations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), wherein the Department implements the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the implementation of the Farmer Field Schools. Both interventions enhance the provision of extension services for small-scale farmers towards attaining sustainable food production and market access.
  • The skills assessment and mitigation thereof are implemented to attain sustainable growth and equitable participation in the sector. As part of comprehensive farmer support, the Department provides capacity development interventions that are focused on capacitating producers with requisite skills and mentorship based on their needs at a farm level. This capacity building assists farmers to optimise both production and marketing operations.
  • Presidential Employment Stimulus providing production inputs for the most vulnerable producers for household food security and self-employment.
  • Farmer Production Support Units provide a centralised service centre for producers to get production inputs, mechanisation, and technical support.
  • Land Care Programme to protect and preserve natural resources and create employment at the rural level.
  • Animal and Veld Management Programme to provide animal husbandry-related infrastructure like fencing, handling and dipping facilities, and livestock water including boreholes.
  • River Valley Catalytic Programme designed to revitalise irrigation schemes in our former homelands.
  • Micro Agricultural Finance Institute of South Africa provides affordable loans for producers.
  • National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme targeting unemployed rural youth for skills and capacity building for sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.
  • Through the AgriBEE Fund entrepreneurship in agriculture is encouraged by making funds available to support enterprise development initiatives through the provision of value addition and agro-processing infrastructure.

12 December 2023 - NW4074

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture:

1(a)(i). What are the reasons that Stephen Mokoka, a premier marathon runner in the Republic, is excluded from receiving the Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme and (ii) which entity excluded him from the OPEX programme and (b) what criteria were used to select athletes for the OPEX programme, (c) did Stephen Mokoka fail and (d) what is the name of the athlete who was chosen instead; (2). what are the reasons that Stephen Mokoka was excluded from the Commonwealth Games in England in 2022. (3). in view of the Operation Excellence Programme being an initiative that was designed by SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to support athletes with the potential of qualifying and excelling at global sporting events, what are the prospects that Stephen Mokoka can be a medal winner for the Republic in the next Olympics; whether he intends to seek answers from Athletics South Africa and SASCOC on the specified questions; if not, why not; if so, what further steps does he intend to take to investigate the matter; whether he has found that the person is deserving; if not, why not; if so, how will his department support him to enable him to win the medals that the Republic needs?

Reply:

1(a). The Operation Excellence (OPEX) Programme is the responsibility of the National Confederation - South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as a body controlling all high performance in South Africa. The National Federations as members of SASCOC submit list of athletes they have selected to be included in the OPEX Programme. (i) All the names of athletes on the OPEX programme have been provided by the different National Federations. (ii) Athletics

South Africa (ASA) did not include Stephen Mokoka in the list of athletes for inclusion into the OPEX Programme.

1(b). The National Federations as members of SASCOC submit list of athletes they have selected to be included in the OPEX Programme.

1(c). The National Federations as members of SASCOC submit list of athletes they have selected to be included in the OPEX Programme.

1(d). The National Federations as members of SASCOC submit list of athletes they have selected to be included in the OPEX Programme.

(2). SASCOC does not select athletes. It is the National Federation’s responsibility, to select athletes.

(3). SASCOC is not able to indicate his prospects, his National Federation can advise. However, his men’s road running ranking is 75; men’s marathon ranking is 94 and current overall world ranking places him at no 577.

The Minister has sought answers as indicated to the above questions from the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee as the custodian of Operation Excellence Programme and not with Athletes South Africa. As per the National Sport and Recreation Act 1998 as Amended 2007 Section 13 (5) (b) The Minister may not (i) intervene if the dispute or mismanagement in question has been referred to the Sports Confederation for resolution unless the Sports Confederation fails to resolve such dispute within a reasonable time.

According to section 5 (b)(ii) of National Sport and Recreation Act 1998 as Amended 2007 “The Minister may not interfere in matters relating to the selection of teams, administration of sport and appointment of, or termination of the service of, the executive members of the sport or recreation body.

 

12 December 2023 - NW3877

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Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

What (a) steps has she taken to empower headmen to be more effective in their communities and (b) tools of trade are they provided with, since they are regarded as office bearers?

Reply:

a) In relation to training and empowerment of headmen/women, there are those coordinated by the National Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA) and individual Provincial CoGTA Departments. During the 2021/22 financial year, the DTA in partnership with LGSETA coordinated training of four hundred and forty-one (441) Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (inclusive of headmen/women) on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 2019, Act No. 3 of 2019 (TKLA). In addition, during the 2022/23 financial year, DTA facilitated training of eight hundred and fifty-one (851) traditional leaders, consisting of Senior Traditional Leaders, Headman/women including women structures in traditional communities on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and Customary Initiation Act 2021, Act No. 2 of 2021 (CIA).

According to information received from Provincial CoGTA Departments, they also undertake empowerment programmes for headmen/women as reflected in Annexure A.

b) The provision of tools of trade to headmen/women is a provincial competence. According to information received from Provincial CoGTA Departments, the status quo is as reflected in Annexure A. However, in order to promote uniform norms and standards, the DTA is currently in consultation with Provincial CoGTA Departments on a draft Handbook on the tools of trade for traditional leaders.

End.

12 December 2023 - NW3915

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Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1)(a). What are the relevant details of the National Arts Council’s (NAC) surplus funds policy, (b) did the NAC request a National Treasury approval in the past eight financial years for surplus funds (details furnished); (2). What are the provisions that the amendment of the expired projects and unclaimed funds policy and the promulgation of the standard operating procedures rely on in compliance with the various legislative requirements stipulated in the Report of the Public Protector (details furnished), considering that the policy and the standard operating procedures are not yet promulgated?

Reply:

(1). The NAC complies with the National Treasury and applies annually to retain any surplus incurred during the year. The approval to retain surpluses was granted by the National Treasury except for the financial years for period ending 2021, 2022 and 2023, where the NAC incurred a deficit.

(2). The provisions in terms of the various legislative requirements and the Standard operating procedures are stipulated in section 4 of the Expired and Unclaimed Policy. These are:

12 December 2023 - NW4073

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture

(1). Whether, with reference to the allegations of nepotism and tribalism at Freedom Park, there are any employees at Freedom Park who have family relations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2)(a). what number of the positions at Freedom Park are held by Vendas and (b) on what date was each specified employee appointed; (3). whether any employees received any salary increases in the past four years; if not, why not; if so, what number of (a) senior managers and (b) general staff benefited; (4). whether there are employees acting in positions that do not exist on the Freedom Park organogram; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5). whether all employees in an acting position are paid whilst acting; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1). We are not aware of any employees with family relations at Freedom Park. The entity has also confirmed that none of the employees are related to each other.

(2)(a).15 positions at the Freedom Park Museum are held by persons of Venda origin.

(b).

NAME OF OFFICIAL

APPOINTMENT DATE

Dr Jane Mufamadi

1 January 2016

Mr Victor Netshiavha

1 January 2010

Ms Ricky Mafadza

1 April 2010

Ms Humbe Mudau

1 April 2010

Mr Mukhethwa Mulaudzi

13 May 2008

Adv Unarine Tshikovhi

1 May 2022

Mr Cedrick Phalannwa

1 April 2010

Ms Thetshelesani Tshivhase

1 January 2010

Ms Connie Nxumalo

12 April 2023

Ms Naomi Madima

1 September 2014

Mr Stephen Mbelengwa

12 November 2009

Phophi Thovhakale

10 October 2023

Prudence Mugwena

10 October 2023

Connie Mutshekwa

10 October 2023

Lavhelesani Khangele

17 February 2020 (permanent contract 1 October 2023)

(3). Employees have not received salary increments for the past four years. This matter has duly been ventilated to the Committee, both in February 2020, and during the presentation by Freedom Park to the very same Committee on 24 October 2023. The Freedom Park presentation was duly submitted on time for circulation to all members of the Committee. However, for ease of reference, we hereby attach the presentation and refer to slide No. 34 and 38 respectively. To our recollection, this matter was duly ventilated, and the Committee recommended that the DSAC should intervene on this matter.

Please find below details of the ex-gratia and notch payments over the last four years. 2021- R8 883; 2022 and 2023- R48 000,00

(4). There are no employees acting in positions that do not exist on the Freedom Park organogram.

(5). All employees in acting positions are duly compensated in accordance with the policy on acting on Higher positions. The Acting allowance is paid at 30% for a maximum of three months.

 

12 December 2023 - NW3714

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Sibiya, Ms DP to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

What (a) total number of schools and communities his department has provided with sports equipment for sports and attires for increased participation in school sports and community recreation activities in rural and township locations and (b) impact has been recorded by the specified interventions within the current medium-term strategic framework?

Reply:

(a). My department was able to provide support to 19 558 schools, clubs and hubs with the sport equipment and attire to the community from April 2018-March 2023. This is against the target of 12 500 Schools, Hubs and Clubs that were targeted during the same period.

  1. 2018/19 – 2 963 Schools, Hubs and Clubs were provided with Equipment and Attire
  2. 2019/20 – 3 762 Schools, Hubs and Clubs were provided with Equipment and Attire
  3. 2020/21 – 3 939 Schools, Hubs and Clubs were provided with Equipment and Attire
  4. 2021/22 – 4 732 Schools, Hubs and Clubs were provided with Equipment and Attire
  5. 2022/23 – 4 165 Schools, Hubs and Clubs were provided with Equipment and Attire

(b). During the same period, we were able to ensure that we increase the levels of participation in sport and recreation, improve the health of the citizens through active participation and minimize the increase in non-communicable diseases by ensuring that citizens have access to adequate equipment to practice. It should also be noted that, though 2019-2021, we had the Covid-19 pandemic, that minimized the participation in mass participation programmes, innovative and remote programmes were put in place on various virtual platforms, to promote participation.

12 December 2023 - NW3951

Profile picture: Ngcobo, Mr S

Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture

Whether (a) he, (b) the deputy minister and (c) any other official in his department attended the rugby world cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his department who attended the rugby world cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his department as a result of the trip(s)?

Reply:

(a) Yes, the Minister attended the semi–final and final of RWC 2023.

(b) Yes, the Deputy Minister attended the quarter final of the RWC 2023.

(c) Yes, officials attended the RWC 2023.

(i) Ms. Sumayya Khan – Deputy Director General: Recreation Development and Sport Promotion.

Mr. Litha Mpondwana – Media Liaison Officer

Ms. Tinyiko Khosa – Chief Director International Relations

Mr. Meshack Mbowane – Director International Relations

Mr. Ruphus Matibe – Director International Relations

Ms. Lungiswa Phoswa – Minister’s Personal Assistant

Ms. Lovedelia Maake – Deputy Minister’s Personal Assistant

(ii) 7 officials as indicated in (i) above.

(iii) (aa) Total flight cost for officials, including Minister and Deputy Minister = R1,262,357.30

(bb) Total accommodation cost for officials, including Minister and Deputy Minister = R884,324.00

(cc) Total allowance for officials, including Minister and Deputy Minister = R222,485.76

Total insurance for officials, including Minister and Deputy Minister = R6,060.00

Total transfer cost for officials, including Minister and Deputy Minister = R449,668.60

Grand Total = R2,824,895.66

 

12 December 2023 - NW4104

Profile picture: Mthethwa, Mr E

Mthethwa, Mr E to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture

(1). Given the need for a well-regulated royalty collection industry, and that his department funded a project through the Mzansi Golden Economy to an estimated tune of R2 million, what are the outcomes of this intervention as it has been almost three years since the Memorandum of Understanding for this project was signed. (2). whether a certain company (details furnished) delivered on its promises; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1). Subsequent to the funding being granted, the Department received an allegation of possible maladministration regarding the project. An investigation has been initiated and is in the process of being finalised.

 

12 December 2023 - NW3916

Profile picture: Mhlongo, Mr TW

Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

(1). whether a certain person (details furnished) is on a retainer at Boxing SA (BSA); if so, what amount is he paid monthly. (2). whether the service of the specified person was put out to tender by BSA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (3). whether he relied on the provisions of the South African Boxing Act, Act 11 of 2001 and other relevant rules and regulations, when appointing the BSA board and other officials. (4). what are the reasons that BSA requires the services of an attorney to be on a retainer. (5). whether, in light of the fact that BSA lost multiple cases to former Chief Executive Officer, Mr Moffat Nithi and a case in the High Court to Nomfundo Malinga, BSA is getting value for money in terms of the amounts being paid to the specified person. (6). what measures and/or actions does he intend to take to prevent any legal action against Boxing SA for not adhering to its disciplinary code of conduct?

Reply:

(1), 2) and 4). BSA indicates that the person in question, Mr Masilo Charles Maake, was not on a retainer but the Board approved his secondment to Boxing South Africa for a specified period to support the Acting CEO and the Director Operations as they were new in their positions. Furthermore, BSA as a regulator did not have a legal person to assist in investigations, the establishment of panels of legal practitioners, the development of policies, and the provision of legal opinion as and when same were required. Mr. Maake is contracted to BSA. No tender was advertised as this was a decision made by the Board.

5). The context in relation to this question as that in 2014 BSA appointed an advocate and a law firm to investigate and charge Mr. Qithi in the disciplinary hearing. The specified person: Mr. Maake was not involved in that process. After the Disciplinary hearing BSA was represented by the same Advocate and Attorney at Arbitration and the person specified herein was not involved in the process at all. When the outcome of the Arbitration became known the same Advocate and Attorney gave BSA a legal opinion that the matter should be pursued at review and proceeded to file papers at the Labour Court. The person specified herein got involved in November 2020 after the death of the Advocate.

At the Labour Court Boxing South Africa appointed Senior Counsel who provided a legal opinion to the effect that the matter must be pursued, at the request of the Board. Therefore, to attribute the losses to Mr. Maake is unfair given that there was Senior Counsel involved. It is not true that the person involved represented Boxing South Africa at the High Court in the matter against Nomfundo Malinga as Boxing South Africa appointed counsel who represented and argued the matter before the High Court.

6). There is no basis for which action should be taken.

12 December 2023 - NW4116

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

What (a) is the (i) total amount that was budgeted for the Gallery of Leaders Exhibition Project and (ii) are the details of any additional amounts that have been allocated for the project, (b) was the commencement date for the project, (c) are the reasons that the project has not been completed yet and (d) is the time frame for completion of the project?

Reply:

a(i). A total of R25 million was allocated to the project.

(ii). To date, R15.2 million has been spent on the project. This represents 60.8% of the R25 million budget allocation. It is projected that there will be savings at the completion of the project, due to the fact that the project is already about 80% complete and only approximately 20% of project works remains to be completed with the remaining funds.

(b). The first set of service providers were appointed in November 2020.

(c). The spread of Covid-19 and resultant lockdown restrictions led to disruptions to the initial schedules. In addition, the specifications for the project had to be adjusted and fine-tuned, due mainly to the fact that this is a novel project that requires innovation and adaptability.

(d). The project is currently under way and scheduled for completion in the current financial year. The adjusted practical completion deadline is the end of January 2024, with February and March being set aside to deal with refinements, therefore it should be complete by the end of March 2024.

12 December 2023 - NW3814

Profile picture: Majozi, Ms Z

Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(1)Whether his department has any targets for the attainment of full internet connectivity and/or access in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department has recorded any tangible achievements following its commitments made at the 2005 Internet Governance World Summit on the Information Society; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. South Africa’s broadband policy, called SA Connect was adopted by Cabinet in December 2013 to meet the country’s vision of a seamless network by 2030. This will make broadband universally accessible at a cost and quality that meets the needs of citizens, formal and informal businesses, and the public sector. In September 2021, the Department embarked on a process to consider an alternative approach to ensure rapid broadband roll-out with due regard to fiscal constraints.

In January 2022, Cabinet approved the implementation of SA Connect Phase 2 revised model. The revised model comprises the following:

  • Community and household connectivity.
  • Government facilities connectivity.
  • Universal Service Obligations to connect public service institutions.

Targets:

a) Community and household connectivity - BBI and SENTECH will extend their networks and onboard Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deploy 32 055 Wi-Fi hotspots to enable 5 573 258 household coverage.

b) Connectivity to government facilities - SITA will provide and maintain connectivity to 14 342 government facilities across the country as part of its mandate as per the SITA Act.

c) Universal Service Obligations – Telcos that were assigned licensed spectrum by ICASA during the recent auction have social obligations to connect 33 431 sites made up of 18 520 schools, 5 721 hospitals and clinics, 949 libraries and 8 241 tribal authority sites over a period of 60 months from date of licensing.

2. Internet Governance Forum is a United Nations process that provides an open, multi-stakeholder and inclusive platform for dialogue and best practice sharing on public policy issues inherent to the governance, regulation and development of the Internet.

The global Internet Governance forum (IGF) has been in existence since 2006. The establishment of the IGF was one of the outcomes of the World Summit for the Information Society. The IGF's objective was to serve as a multi-stakeholder forum for engagement on Internet policy matters. It has no decision-making powers but serves as a platform for sharing ideas.

Pursuant to the WSIS outcomes on Internet Governance and in consultation with other stakeholders (public, private, civil society, academia, technical community etc) the National Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF) had its inaugural meeting in 2011. Since then, the Department and ZADNA in collaboration with multi-stakeholders has convened 8 IGFs in various parts of the country. The outcomes of the ZAIGF inform the development of South Africa’s positions on the various public policy internet issues. These positions are advocated at various international platforms such as Southern African IGF, African IGF and Global IGF respectively.

Thank You.

12 December 2023 - NW4072

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture

(1). Whether the company car policy of Freedom Park has been changed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by whom, (b) on what date, (c) for what reason and (d) what are the (i) new terms and (ii) cost implications of the new policy; (2). whether the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Freedom Park has been allocated a Mercedes Benz which is the property of Freedom Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the reason that the CEO was not allocated a Toyota Corolla to drive like her predecessors; (3). whether the CEO has a designated driver; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the cost implication; (4). whether the position of driver for the CEO is in the organogram of Freedom Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1). Freedom Park’s policies are reviewed every three years unless there is legislative change or Treasury directive that warrants amendment. To my knowledge, the Fleet Management Policy has not been changed substantively in the last 5 years. The current policy was approved on 30 August 2018, reviewed without changes on 29 July 2021, and is due for the next review in July 2024.

(a). Not applicable

(b). Not applicable

(c). Not applicable

(d)(i). not applicable, (ii) not applicable

(2). No, the CEO has not been allocated a Mercedes-Benz which is the property of Freedom Park. The car referred to forms part of the fleet of vehicles belonging to Freedom Park and is not for the sole use by the CEO.

(3). The CEO does not have a designated driver. The driver is an employee of Freedom Park who executes duties as required by the organisation.

(4). There are two drivers’ positions reporting to the Infrastructure Manager and serving the entire organisation. The move in 2018 by the CEO to remove the position from the CEO’s office to Park Operations was intended to decentralise the services, so that drivers can service the whole organisation, which is the case at present.

 

12 December 2023 - NW3745

Profile picture: Manyi, Mr M

Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What measures have been put in place to fast-track, expand, and improve digital infrastructure and broadband access across the Republic, particularly in underserved rural areas, to ensure equitable access to information and communication technologies?

Reply:

South Africa’s broadband policy (SA Connect) was adopted by Cabinet in December 2013 to meet the country’s vision of a seamless network by 2030. This will make broadband universally accessible at a cost and quality that meets the needs of citizens, formal and informal businesses, and the public sector. In September 2021, the Department embarked on a process to consider an alternative approach to ensure rapid broadband roll-out with due regard to fiscal constraints.

In January 2022, Cabinet approved the implementation of the SA Connect Phase 2 revised model. The revised model comprises the following:

  • Community and household connectivity.
  • Government facilities connectivity.
  • Universal Service Obligations to connect public service institutions.

Targets:

  1. Community and household connectivity - BBI and SENTECH will extend their networks and onboard Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deploy 32 055 Wi-Fi hotspots to enable 5 573 258 household coverage.
  2. Connectivity to government facilities - SITA will provide and maintain connectivity to 14 342 government facilities across the country as part of its mandate as per the SITA Act.
  3. Universal Service Obligations – Telcos that were assigned licensed spectrum by ICASA during the recent auction have social obligations to connect 33 431 sites made up of 18 520 schools, 5 721 hospitals and clinics, 949 libraries and 8 241 tribal authority sites over 60 months from date of licensing.

Furthermore, the spectrum licensed to mobile operators has coverage obligations to ensure that their networks are expanded to increase population coverage. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies finalised and published in a government gazette the Rapid Deployment Policy to support the roll-out of digital infrastructure by putting in place the enabling framework.

Thank You.

12 December 2023 - NW3645

Profile picture: Joseph, Mr D

Joseph, Mr D to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

With reference to a certain senior official (name and details furnished) who has been suspended by Boxing South Africa due to an incorrect tallying up of a scorecard in East London, what are the reasons that another certain official (name and details furnished), has not been suspended?

Reply:

Boxing South Africa (BSA) indicated that the senior official in question is the COO, Mr. Nhlanganiso, and has been suspended for (a) Gross insubordination, (b) Gross negligence, and (c) Grave violation of the provisions of the South African Boxing Act.

He is not suspended for incorrect tallying up of a scorecard, however, had oversight responsibilities of the process. The matter relating to the scorecard relates to Mr. Phakamile Jacobs, who is a Provincial Manager in the Eastern Cape. Mr. Jacobs has been given a final written warning. Both official were and in the case of Mr. Nhlanganiso are still going through a disciplinary process.

12 December 2023 - NW4213

Profile picture: Phillips, Ms C

Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Mr

1) With reference to his reply to question 1832 on 29 May 2023, wherein he indicated that the monument for the fallen miners will no longer be installed at the original sites but will be placed temporarily at the Mine Health and Safety Council Office Building, what is the envisaged date for the permanent installation of the monument at an alternative site; (2) whether he will furnish Mrs C Phillips with documentation and/or communication received from the City of Johannesburg advising that the monument will no longer be allowed to be erected on the original site previously approved; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. By October 2024
  2. No formal correspondence was received from the City of Johannesburg. An email from MHSC employee confirming that the site is earmarked for commercial business has been attached.

12 December 2023 - NW3912

Profile picture: Weber, Ms AMM

Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) What licenses are required from his department to run a (a) coal wash plant and (b) chrome wash plant. (2) what enforcements measures does his department have in place when one is in breach of not having a license. (3) how regularly does his department conduct inspections at these coal wash and chrome wash plants. (4) how many violations were reported to his department in the past three years on each (a) province and (b) wash plant. (5) what action steps were taken by his department to rectify the specified violations?

Reply:

The licence required to run a coal wash plant and chrome wash plant is a Water Use Licence and is granted by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Therefore, the details on the licence required, enforcement measures, inspections and violations are those stipulated by the Department of Water and Sanitation in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).

12 December 2023 - NW4171

Profile picture: Buthelezi, Ms SA

Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether her department is responsible for maintaining a record of the relevant details relating to the number of employees who are currently suspended with pay in each municipality across the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. The Department is not responsible for maintaining a record of employees in municipalities who are suspended with or without pay.

The powers to appoint municipal personnel and to institute disciplinary proceedings, including suspensions and conditions of suspensions, are vested in municipal councils.

Therefore, the record of suspended municipal personnel are kept by municipalities in their capacity as employers.

End.

12 December 2023 - NW4114

Profile picture: Mhlongo, Mr TW

Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture

(1). What (a) year did the current national leadership of the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) come into office, (b) total amount has his department spent on CCIFSA programmes and (c) are the relevant details of the names and reports of the specified programmes since the current leadership assumed office; (2). what (a) are the details of the policy documents CCIFSA workshopped and adopted in its last policy conference held in Durban in December 2022, (b) total amount did his department spend on the conference and (c) are the details of the report; (3). whether he will furnish Mr T W Mhlongo with a copy of the report; (4). whether his department and/or CCIFSA and/or any of its entities like the National Arts Council have a memorandum of understanding (MoU); if not, why not; if so, which organisations and/or individuals benefited from the signing of the specified MoU; (5). whether he will furnish Mr T W Mhlongo with a copy of the MoU?

Reply:

(1)(a). The current CCIFSA leadership came into office in August 2019.

(b). The department had spent a total amount of R2 900 000.00 utilized by CCFISA on its programmes.

(c). CCIFSA submitted reporting documents as per the signed Memorandum of Agreement.

2(a). Policies workshopped during the Conference are:

    • Management,
    • Supply Chain Management,
    • Anti-Corruption
    • Human Resources Policies

(b). R2 500 000.00 allocated by DSAC to CCFISA for a Policy Conference.

(c). CCIFSA submitted reporting documents as per the signed Memorandum of Agreement.

(3). Yes, reporting documents are available on request.

(4). On annual basis, DSAC and CCFISA enters into a Memorandum of Agreement. The main beneficiaries from CCIFSA programmes are Provincial CCIFSA Offices, Artists, and other relevant stakeholders.

(5). Yes, MOA is available on request.

 

12 December 2023 - NW3773

Profile picture: Schreiber, Dr LA

Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1). How does his department prevent duplication amongst the roles and functions of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the National Language Unit and the Commission for the Promotion of Religious, Cultural and Linguistic Rights. (2). whether there is a signed written document and/or agreement on how to divide responsibilities between PanSALB, the National Language Unit and the Commission for the Promotion of Religious, Cultural and Linguistic Rights; if not, why not; if so, (3). whether he will furnish Dr L A Schreiber with a copy of such a signed agreement; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1). The Ministry delegated the monitoring of language matters to PanSALB through the attached letter. It shall be understood that section 8(1)(j) of the PanSALB Act does provide that PanSALB may monitor the observance of the constitutional provisions regarding language use. Section 9(2) also stipulates that PanSALB receives reports on the activities of the national departments’ language units, the implementation of the language policies, and complaints on the use of official languages. (See Annexure A: Letter of Handing Over to PanSALB from The Minister)

(2). Over and above-mentioned legislation, the attached letter from the Ministry may suffice to distinguish the role between these institutions.

(3). As per response in 2 above.