Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. Yes

(a) 27 December 2015

(b) Sunday Times and Departmental website

2. 68 Applications

3 (a) 7

3 (b) Names, relevant qualification and experience are reflected below:

 

	Name	Relevant Qualification	Previous Experience
1	Mathabathe P M	Matric Certificate Master’s Degree in Criminology BA Honours (Penelogy) Diploma in Correctional Services	8 years Deputy Director (Parliament of South Africa) Lecture  University of Fort Hare Research Assistant ( UNISA)
2	Moodley S	Matric Certificate Masters in Social Development BA Social Work DCS Management Development Programme	4 years Deputy Director Offender Assessment Directorate Risk Profile Management: Branch incarceration and Corrections (Department of Correctional Services)
3	Naidoo R	Matric Certificate Bachelor of Paedogogics (Arts) Bachelor of Education Masters of Arts ( Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS) Masters Diploma in Human Resource Management Programme in Project Management	Department of Correctional Services (1996/04/01-current) Department of Education ( Educator Grade 9-12)
4	Nhlapo TMS	Matric Certificate Masters of Development and Management. BA Honours Development & Management National Diploma in Correctional Service Management Certificate in Professional Skill Development	Department of Correctional Services ( 1986- to date) Groenpunt Maximum as Centre Coordinator Corrections 2009 - current Groenpunt Maximum Correctional Centre (2005-2009) as Centre Coordinator Operational Support Harrismith Correctional Centre (2001-2005) Head of Correctional Centre
5	Nyongwane JK	Matric Certificate B. Com(Business Management and Industrial Psychology) National Diploma in Nursing	Department of Correctional Services (2005 to date)as Deputy Director ( Regional Coordinator Health Care Services ) 1997- 2005 Assistant Director  Provincial Head Health Care Services in Department of Correctional Services 1990-1997 as Lieutenant in Department of Correctional Services 1981-1990 Custodial officer
6	Pienaar WJ	Matric Certificate B-Tech in Correctional Services Management National Diploma in Correctional Services Management Certificate in Project management	2007 to date Department of Correctional Services (Deputy Director Supervision services) July 2002 till 31 October 2007 (Assistant director Correctional Supervision) 01 June1995 till 30 June 2002 Head Monitoring (Acting Head Community Corrections : Port Shepstone Management Area) 01 March 1993 -31 May 1995(Chairperson of Institutional Committee. 01 January 1991 – 28 February 1993 ( Reception /Records Clerk)
7	Serakalala V	Matric Certificate BA Honours in Political Science BA in Public Administration and Political Studies	2014 to date Deputy Director: SDI in Department of Correctional Services. 2005 / 2014 Deputy Director Policy Alignment in Department of Correctional Services 2002/2005 Public Relation Officer  at National Council of the Blind

4 (a) The panel was determined based in line with the Public Service Regulation, 2016 and the departmental delegation of authority as follows:

• Mr W Damons Acting CDC: Remand Detention (Chairperson)
• Mr E Khoza Acting CDC: Human Resources
• Ms TM Motlonye DC: Personal Corrections
• Ms DL Moeketsana HR Practitioner

4 (b) Basic criteria

• Basic criteria (Application form (Z83, internal) attached, Application form signed, SA Citizen, Criminal Record indication on Z83 or CV. Certification not older than 3 months, copy of certified ID and qualifications, CV attached if Z83 is not fully completed}.
• Degree in Public/Business Management or equivalent qualification
• 5 years Middle management experience in a similar environment.
• Valid driver’s licence (unless PWD)
• Employment Equity target: African Female, Coloured Females & Indian Female (Level 13)

Reply:

The North West Provincial Department of Health is implementing policy that gives accommodation to the interns, those appointed on country-to-country agreement and those who are doing community services as the first priority. See Annexure A, pages 5 and 6, as well as Annexure B sections 4.1.1 to 4.1.3.

The doctors referred to in the question are neither of the three categories. These doctors have been accommodated by the District but are refusing to pay for the accommodation that they are currently occupying. These doctors have been consulted and were given options that are provided for in the said policy, but they refused to take any of the options or even to pay for the accommodation.

END.

Reply:

According to the information received from the Amathole District Municipality (ADM), the Siyenza Group was contracted to construct 66 000 Ventilated Pit Latrines (VIPs) in the financial year of 2014-2015. The Siyenza contracted suppliers to provide necessary materials to sites and local contractors to dig the pits and assemble the VIPs. This sub-contracting of work was allowed for small, developing contractors to also benefit from the Project.

Siyenza indicated that they paid the sub-contractors according to the work completed. The ADM had no direct contractual relationship with the sub-contractors

Reply:

a) Karate South Africa (KSA), as it is currently constituted, is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).  However, such membership is currently under discussion due to the representations that have been made to SASCOC and to KSA to the effect that the latter does not represent the majority of the participants currently registered in Karate. Also, it is said that the current structure differentiates between contact and non-contact Karate. In terms of the National Sport and Recreation Act, 2007 (as amended) and the policy set out by the Department of Sport and Recreation and further embodied in the Constitution of the SASCOC, all members irrespective of race, colour or creed are entitled to participate in any particular sport.  In this specific instance as previously stated, representation has been received by SASCOC to the effect that the majority of participants within KSA are unable to participate in the Sport, due to the current policies of KSA.

b) In terms of SASCOC’s Constitution, should any member of a sporting code, or any particular sports federation have a dispute within its structure, then the same shall be referred to SASCOC for arbitration.  This procedure is currently being exercised by the various parties to the current dispute.

(i) and (ii) The relevant details shall be provided in due course.

Reply:

1. The total number of war rooms that the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in the Eastern Cape has instructed the province to establish is 600 in total. To date, 371 war rooms have been established. The table below indicates the number of war rooms established in all district municipalities in the province:

Municipality	Total number to be established	Number established to date
Joe Gqabi	45	42
Alfred Nzo	101	77
Sara Baartman	73	58
OR Tambo	146	69
Amatole	118	51
Chris Hani	117	74
Total	600	371

2. The War Room model does not impose additional financial burden on municipalities. The war room model is designed in such a way that municipalities utilise existing resources for their establishment and operation. For example, War Rooms are housed in Community halls or public institutions. Members of the War rooms’ executive are not entitled to any form of remuneration as they are already in the government pay roll e.g. Councillors and Community Development Workers (CDWs) are already paid by government. In terms of working tools, councillors utilise their tools supplied by municipalities and CDWs use working tools supplied by COGTA.

• In terms of support, COGTA and Office of the Premier (OTP) utilise their resources to support municipalities through workshops, training etc. So far municipalities have not incurred expenses;
• In terms of administration, the CDW becomes the administrator of a war room and no funds are incurred by municipalities.

Reply:

The Project Management Office of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Programme (“BDM”) falls within the mandate of the Department of Communications. Legal action pertaining to any alleged irregularities flowing from the SCM process must therefore be dealt with by the Department of Communications as the competent Department mandated with the BDM programme.

However, I am advised by USAASA that it is reviewing the entire procurement process.    

Reply:

i)

Minister:

1. Audi A8
2. 2014
3. R 944 000
4. Purchase date: 27 October 2014

ii) 

Deputy Minister:

PRETORIA                                              CAPE TOWN

1. F15 BMW X5 30d (PTA) and             BMW 520D (Cape Town)
2. 2015                                               2014
3. R 712 400 (PTA)                               R476 600 (Cape Town)
4. Purchase date: 07 May 2015              12 Sept 2014

---ooOoo---

Reply:

In the registration of transfer of Portion 230 (portion of portion 1) of the Farm Driefontein to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, there was no transgression of any regulation or conveyancing laws. The simultaneous registration of transfers in favour of successive purchasers is permissible in terms of section 96 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937 (Act No. 47 of 1937). However, if the honourable member has information that he wishes to bring to my attention, he is kindly requested to contact my Office on 012 312 9300 or 021 4611301.

Reply:

Radical economic transformation has been defined in the State of the Nation Address. Policy-specific elaborations at the level of economic development for the 201718 financial year would normally be done during the Economic Development Budget Vote.

Subject to the above, the following additional details are provided.

In the context of our challenges, radical economic transformation is about ensuring growth that directly, sustainably and expeditiously promotes national development goals. These goals are focussed on addressing the high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment in South Africa. To achieve this, the country needs faster growth, more inclusive growth and job-rich growth so that the economy can generate the resources to meet these defining challenges of our times.

‘Transformation’ includes two key components.

The first is to grow the size and resilience of the economy, including through promoting entrepreneurship on scale, increasing the level of investment in the economy, promoting beneficiation of raw materials into finished goods; strengthening economic links with the rest of the African continent and promoting higher levels of industrial innovation as well as addressing the other key structural constraints identified in the New Growth Path and the National Development Plan. The ratings downgrade is bad news for our efforts to grow the economy at a faster and more inclusive level and thus we need to take steps to ensure that we regain investment-grade status from lenders and pursue a credible, bold inclusive growth strategy in the interest our people. In the medium to long term, the levels of domestic savings need to be increased to enable us to finance more of our growth efforts from internal resources, with the resultant returns helping to increase the levels of national wealth. Foreign investment will remain an important source of innovation, new technology and market access and must be encouraged, particularly in sectors where domestic capabilities are limited.

The second is to improve the participation by and benefits of black South Africans in the economy, including through increased equity by black investors in the economy; worker-participation in company boards and as shareholders in the firms concerned; job creation that can draw in and benefit large numbers of unemployed persons; promotion of small businesses and township and rural enterprises; and improvements in skills, wages and productivity of workers. Young people are a major resource for a fast-growing economy and we need to step up efforts to draw in the talents and energy of youth, as entrepreneurs and creators of new wealth and as skilled workers, artisans and technicians that competitive economies depend on. A programme that is aimed at enriching only a small number of persons will not address the gaping levels of inequalities, provide social stability and or be sustainable. The high levels of wealth and economic concentration act to deter and at times inhibit new entrants from securing space in the economy. Pervasive exclusionary conduct, many examples of which the competition authorities have begun to uncover over the past few years, aggravates this situation. This means we need to address both the structural and corporate behaviour challenges in the economy to enable a more open, competitive and dynamic economy to develop. Corruption, maladministration by public institutions and state capture by narrow vested interests will profoundly undermine economic transformation. Any programme that will see the majority of citizens benefitting from economic transformation must therefore also entail fighting corruption and attempts at state capture.

‘Radical’ in the above context of economic transformation refers to ensuring that transformation is bold, extensive and implemented expeditiously.

At an operational level, the Department has implemented or supported policies and measures to promote inclusive economic growth, which includes addressing transformation of ownership, management, staffing and conditions of employment in the economy. I wish to highlight a few examples of these.

The IDC introduced a special programme to support black industrialists, with a capital allocation of R23 billion. This programme was announced in parliament during my Budget Vote previously and has been widely welcomed by Members of Parliament and stakeholders. This is a significant pool of capital that is available at concessionary rates to black South Africans who seek to invest in sustainable businesses in productive sectors of the economy. I will provide further details of progress we have made in the Department’s Budget Vote in due course.

The competition authorities and the Department pursued black economic empowerment, small business and employment protection and job-creation objectives through a number of mergers and acquisitions, including more recently in respect of Coca-Cola, AB InBev and Edcon. For example, a portion of the equity in Appletiser has been set aside for black South Africans in the Coca-Cola transaction. The Edcon transaction has a significant employment commitment that will affect tens of thousands of black workers. The AB InBev transaction specifically targets the development of a class of small-scale farmers, most of who are black, with a commitment to integrate them into the commercial value-chain of the company.

In settlements of cartel cases, such as in the construction and metal industries, the settlement agreements covered bold economic transformation goals. In the case of three major listed companies in construction, they intend to sell more than 50% of their shares to black shareholders and open up a sector that had been characterised by high levels of concentration. The primary steel-maker agreed last year to revise its shareholding and it agreed to certain employment commitments that can benefit previously-excluded South Africans.

Details of the work of the Department on infrastructure development, job creation and the promotion of investment in South Africa has previously been highlighted in the Economic Development Budget Vote and presentations to the Portfolio Committee and will therefore not be repeated here.

In order to ensure that transformation is sustainable, it is important to

• build a wide social consensus on the modalities that are put in place and ensure they are transparent, effective and not used misused through fronting; and
• avoid transformation being used as a smokescreen to pursue narrow agendas including the empowerment of a favourite few. If we want to ensure real transformation, then the resources of the state and commitments by private capital must be applied with integrity and be free of corruption.

We must work hard therefore to ensure that millions of South Africans benefit from transformation. It requires a new, bolder approach by the business community, working in partnership with the state and labour. The worker empowerment model has great promise in that it ensures that key stakeholders in the economy can benefit from empowerment and have the twin benefits of performance gains in the companies concerned (and therefore benefit the economy as a whole), as well as equity gains that reduces the levels of inequality in South Africa. Job creation must be a central pillar and the more than 2 million new jobs created since the adoption of the New Growth Path must be further stepped up. The youth investment programmes should be strengthened and in addition, complemented where warranted, by stronger mentoring support by existing successful businesses and inclusion of youth-owned enterprises in major supply-chains. Funding for innovation-driven businesses need to be a priority in the work of development finance institutions and private capital markets. Actions against economic exclusion should be pursued firmly, including measures to deal with cartels and monopolies and with corruption and attempts at state capture. Finally, a broader social partnership should underpin our joint efforts so that we are able to draw in the resources and capacities across the society to address poverty, inequality, unemployment and economic exclusion.

-END-

Reply:

The individual in question is no longer with the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa.

Reply:

1. (a) & (b) The DAFF Plant Health Early Warning Systems Division was started in 2004 with the aim to develop surveillance programs and contingency plans for the early detection of and response to plant pests that might enter the country. Pest surveillance and detection can only be achieved through species specific programs as each pest program must be adapted according to the pest biology and the diagnostic procedures involved for positive identification. Pest risk assessment, consideration of global importance and spreading tendencies, as well as prioritisation form a critical part in the development of pest specific programs. Plant Health awareness and legislation regarding pest notification also play an important role in early detection. Hence the unit Plant Health Awareness in the Directorate Food Import and Export Standards, and the Division Policies Norms and Standards in the Directorate Plant Health, were formed. The Directorate Inspection Services, the third component of the NPPO, deals with operational regulatory matters relating to imports, exports and national control of the movement of plant commodities and so also with the operational surveillance actions and sampling of plant commodities for pest detection. The pest Diagnostic laboratories within Inspection Services have experts to ensure pest identification is done according to internationally excepted standards and protocols and to verify pest identification.

Researchers, producers and the general public are often the first to observe new pests in an area which they then report to DAFF through the channels provided. The Control Measures R110 of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) have been amended to include a measure for compulsory notification of regulated pests. The Plant Health Early Warnings component has also developed the South African Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan to provide a general plan to deal with new plant pest outbreaks. Directorate Plant Health has developed and maintains several forums and working groups with the agricultural industry with different commodity groups to identify and develop contingency plans for priority regulated pests as well as to respond to new imminent pest threats to South Africa that may be associated with trade. One such group is the technical Phyto Risk Forum which meets once a quarter.

(c) Prevention of plant diseases and invasive plant pest is not 100% achievable given the biological nature of such pest and diseases. However, a dedicated Pest Risk Analysis unit in Directorate Plant Health was established in 2004 which deals with the risk assessment of plant pests associated with the importation of plant commodities into the country. The unit also develops phytosanitary import permit conditions to ensure trading partners receive technically justified import requirements which safeguard the local industries against quarantine pests but also allows trade. Directorate Inspection Services ensures that plant commodities that enter through an official port of entry comply with the above import conditions. Diagnostic samples from such consignments are referred to the DAFF’s diagnostic laboratories.

Through the ongoing interactive program with industry and action groups established in 2015 with the potato and tomato industry and a surveillance service provider, the pest Tuta absoluta (tomato Leafminer) was detected for the first time in South Africa in late August 2016. Through a pest surveillance program to detect Citrus greening, Candidatus Liberibacter africanus was detected in several new areas within South Africa

(2) (a) and (b) (ii) The following pests were reported to DAFF as a result of the implementation of pest awareness programmes, Control Measures and import conditions.

a. Pest known to occur in South Africa but under national control, detected in new areas:

• Aster Yellows Phytoplasma

• Ralstonia solanacearum

• Tilletia indica (Karnal bunt of wheat)

b. New pests reported in South Africa

• A new yet unidentified Cerambicidae sp (sugarcane borer)

• Acalitus essigi

• Acalitus vaccinia

• Banana Bunchy Top virus

• Brevipalpus lewisi

• Macruropyxis fulva sp. nov

• Raoiella indica

• Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm)

c. New pests reported and managed as a result of import interceptions due to import inspections on plant commodities

• Aculus sp.

• Aonidomytilus albus

• Aphis forbesi

• Bactrocera dorsalis

• Brevipalpus italian sp. nov. (Trombidiformes:Tenuipalpidae)

• Brevipalpus sp.

• Diptacus cf. gigantorhynchus

• Monilinia fructicola

• Tenuipalpidae

• Tilletia controversa

Reply:

The Project Management Office of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Programme (“BDM”) falls within the mandate of the Department of Communications. This question should be referred to the Department of Communications as the competent Department mandated with the BDM programme.    

Reply:

According to the Emfuleni Local Municipality, the amounts in question pertain to a sitting allowance and not a travel allowance. The difference in the sitting allowance of R2000 for the Mayoral Investment Council and Bursary Committee and that of the stipend of ward committee member of R300 is based on the following:

• The two committees play different roles and functions. The Investment and Bursary committee, consists of members from business, industry, education, and academia amongst others.
• The stipend for ward committee members is determined using the National Framework: Criteria for Determining out of Pocket Expenses for Ward Committee Members, issued by the Department for all municipalities in 2009.

Reply:

(a) The property description ‘Portion 1 of farm 292’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(b) The property description ‘Portion 4 of farm Soopjesvlakte 301’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(c) The property description ‘Portion 6 of farm 313 Hillside’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(d) There is no township called ‘Slangpark’ that is registered in the deeds registry at Cape Town nor in the deeds registry at Kimberley and consequently erf 4237 Slangpark is non-existent in the registration system.

(e) The property description ‘Portion 11 of farm 295’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(f) The property description ‘Lebanon’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary detail; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(g) The property description ‘Nuweberg’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary detail that would facilitate identification of the property concerned; this defect renders it not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(h) The property description ‘erf 4233’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to a township name that would facilitate identification of the property concerned; this defect renders it not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(i) The property description ‘Remainder Portion of farm 95’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

(j) The property description ‘Portion 6 of farm 287’ is an incomplete property description in that it lacks the necessary reference to an administrative district; this defect renders it not possible to identify the property concerned. In the absence of a complete property description, it is not possible to trace the status from the Deeds Office Tracking System.

Reply:

1(a) (b)

The Department and its Entities did not participate in the Dialogue with the President: Unpacking of SONA 2017 on Radical Economic Transformation Implementation event hosted at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban, on 25 February 2017. No expenditure was incurred.

2(a) (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

The Department and its entities did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President of the Republic, Mr Jacob G Zuma and there was no expenditure incurred.

Reply:

(aa) (aaa) 2014-15

Designation	a) make	b) model	c) price	d) date
(i) Former Minister Gordhan	None	None	None	None
(ii) Deputy Minister Nel	None	None	None	None
Deputy Minister Bapela	None	None	None	None
(bbb) 2015-16
Designation	make	model	price	date
Former Minister Gordhan	None	None	None	None
Deputy Minister Nel	None	None	None	None
Deputy Minister Bapela	BMW	X5	R962 859.61	December 2015
(bb) since 1 April 2016
Designation	make	model	price	date
Minister Des Van Rooyen	Audi	Q7	R938 547.18	September 2016
	BMW	X5	R917 619.99	September 2016
Deputy Minister Nel	None	None	None	None
Deputy Minister Bapela	None	None	None	None

Reply:

I am advised by the Department as follows:

1. The contract for Mr Mjwara (DDG: E-Government) expired on 12 March 2017.

2. His employment was a fixed-term employment contract to assist the Department to implement key policies and projects. This has been done to a large extent and the Department is looking into him finalising the handover report of his projects.

3. Not applicable

Reply:

No.

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date

Reply:

a) No. He did not disclose financial interests in the private sector.

b) Not applicable

Reply:

I have been informed by USAASA as follows:

(i) The three service providers, namely Leratadima Marketing Solutions, CZ Electronics and Bua Africa have separately declared a dispute for arbitration. So far, only Leratadima Marketing Solutions and CZ Electronics have filed their claims in the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA). USAASA has not yet received claims from the third service provider.

(a) Leratadima Marketing Solutions claim is in two parts. In the first part it seeks an order declaring that USAASA is liable to pay Leratadima Marketing Solutions for variation in the foreign exchange rate, which occurred during the subsistence of the Purchase Order which Leratadima was executing. The second part relates to a consequential loss which it has suffered as a result of suspension of production.

CZ Electronics has also filed its Statement of Claim with AFSA for the exchange rate variance, suspension of manufacturing, outstanding invoices and consequential loss.

(b) (i) USAASA is not contractually liable to the service providers to pay for the variance in the exchange rate. It was the responsibility of the service providers to hedge against fluctuations in the exchange rate. This was an express term of the purchase orders which are an integral and constitutive part of the agreements between USAASA and the service providers. The service providers at their own risk failed to hedge themselves against the fluctuation in the exchange rate. USAASA did not commit to pay the service providers for the variance in the exchange rate. USAASA could consider, and only on compassionate and benevolent grounds, partial assistance to the service providers provided it got additional funding from National Treasury for that purpose. National Treasury did not provide USAASA with any additional funding to pay the service providers for the variance in the exchange rate.

In so far as the claim for consequential loss is concerned, the Supply and Delivery Agreements with service providers stipulate that neither party shall be liable for the special or consequential damages suffered by the other party arising out of the agreement howsoever arising.

(ii) The Broadcasting Digital Migration Programme (“BDM”) falls within the mandate of the Department of Communications and as such, the acting Director-General of the Department of Communications commissioned an investigation into the supply chain management (“SCM”) processes followed by the USAASA in appointing a panel of service providers for the BDM programme. Legal action pertaining to any alleged irregularities flowing from the SCM process must therefore be dealt with by the Department of Communications as the competent department mandated with the BDM programme.    

Reply:

I have been informed by USAASA and the Department as follows:

(a)(i)&(ii) No

(b)(i)&(ii) No, USAASA has sought Senior Counsel opinion on the appropriate process to be followed, which is to review the procurement process.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department will assist in registering the process controllers on the Blue Drop System (BDS) for potable water and Green Drop System (GDS) for waste water, both are web-based systems used as regulatory tools by the Department. The process controllers will be registered on the BDS and/ or GDS taking into account their years of experience operating the treatment facilities and relevant qualifications in water or wastewater treatment. Upon completion of the training WSAs will load the recently acquired certificate and the Department approves the process controller to a relevant class based on qualification/s and years of experience and issues a certificate which will indicate the class of a process controller. This will assist in identification of level of compliance of process controllers against the water treatment facilities requirements and further training needed in order for the process controllers to be at the required skills for the treatment facility they operate.

The Local Government Sector Education Training Authority (LG SETA) in collaboration with the Department has just started the process of registering learners (process controllers) in preparation for the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning programme for employees working in the water and waste water treatment works.

The programme will be implemented in 7 WSAs, which are Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Madibeng Local Municipality, Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Moretele Local Municipality, Ventersdorp Local Municipality and Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality and City of Matlosana Local Municipality. During 2016/17, the Department piloted a groundwater monitoring training for borehole pump operators in the following three Water Services Authorities: Moretele Local Municipality, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and the Madibeng Local Municipality. The training programme has been developed to enhance monitoring of groundwater levels by the Water Services Authorities to ensure continuous availability of groundwater within their area of jurisdiction.

(1)(b) The training is envisaged to start on 01 April 2017.

(2) The Water tankers were withdrawn on the 31 January 2017 from the North West, Free State and Eastern Cape Provinces’ municipalities which were affected by drought.

---00O00---

Reply:

a) According to the information provided by the NSFAS, Table 1 below provides the total number of students who (a) applied for and (b) received funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the (aa) 2013, (bb) 2014, (cc) 2015 and (dd) 2016 academic years at (i) universities and (ii) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Table 1

Year	(i) Universities	(ii) TVET Colleges
	(a) Applications received	(b) Number of students funded	(a) Applications received	(b) Number of students funded
(aa) 2013 (audited)	This information is not available at NSFAS as during these years, applications were managed by institutions who were not on the NSFAS Central Application System.	194 923	This information is not available at NSFAS as during these years, applications were managed by institutions who were not on the NSFAS Central Application System.	220 978
(bb) 2014 (audited)		186 150		228 642
(cc) 2015 (audited)		178 961		235 988
(dd) 2016 (unaudited)		244 488		225 864

Table 2 below provides the total number of students who as at 20 March 2017 had (a) applied for and (b) received funding from NSFAS for the (ee) 2017 academic year at (i) universities and (ii) TVET colleges. It must be noted that these applications refer to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) loan fund (at universities) and DHET bursary fund (at TVET colleges). NSFAS is still making funding decisions and these numbers are expected to increase. In addition, these numbers do not include applications to other funds, e.g. Funza Lushaka; Social Development; National Skills Fund Scarce Skills Fund, etc., as these applications are managed through a different process.

Table 2

(ee) 2017	(i) Universities	(ii) TVET Colleges
	(a) Applications received	(b) Number of students funded	(a) Applications received	(b) Number of students funded
2017 First Time Entrants - unaudited	225 753	78 413	118 538	27 020
2017 Returning Students - unaudited	190 502	115 940	182 684	96 312

The entity staff will work overtime, on weekends and public holidays, to ensure that the funding decisions and appeals are finalised. NSFAS has employed additional resources to expedite the process and are currently running two shifts.

Currently, university funding decisions were concluded on 31 March 2017 and TVET College funding decisions will be concluded in April 2017.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT: 021 763 3200

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 606 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

As the member may know, the Project Management Office of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Programme (“BDM”) falls within the mandate of the Department of Communications.

However, I am advised by USAASA that disciplinary investigation against Supply Chain Management has been instituted on the basis of the AG’s report of July 2016 pertaining to irregularities flowing from the SCM process.    

Reply:

(a) Yes, the Department of Health is part of the interdepartmental committee on the Sanitary towel project co-ordinated by the Department of Women in the Presidency.

(b) The Policy is at an early stage of development. Departments are in the process of providing inputs into a draft document.

END.

Reply:

(a)

(i) 113 boreholes were drilled

(ii) 1 borehole was refurbished (drilling was also required)

(iii) All 113 boreholes driled were equipped

(b) The total cost was R35,7 million

(c) The Animal and Veld Management Programme funded the boreholes under the Rural Infrastructure Development Branch

(d) (e) Please refer to the table below. The Hon. Member should please contact me if he has pertinent information not contained in this reply.

No.	(d) Province Name	(d) Local Municipality	(d) Name	(d) GPS Co-ordinates	(e) Company Name Awarded
1	Free State	Dihlabeng/Maluti a phofung	Bethlehem Camp 1	28°09'35.4"S	28°21'00.6"E	Independent Water
2	Free State	Dihlabeng/Maluti a phofung	Bethlehem Camp 2	28°11'28.8"S	28°21'09.5"E	Independent Water
3	Free State	Dihlabeng/Maluti a phofung	Gedachtenis	28°22'21.3"S	28°44'07.3"E	Independent Water
4	Free State	Dihlabeng/Maluti a phofung	Mahlake 305	28°22'21.3"S	28°44'07.3"E	Independent Water
5	Free State	Dihlabeng/Maluti a phofung	Mahlake 310	28°15'52.7"S	28°51'45.0"E	Independent Water
6	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mcakwini 1	S28 14 06.6	E32 16 17.7	Robertson & Poole
7	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Ndombeni	S28 11 06.8	E32 15 01.7	Robertson & Poole
8	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Bethangwe	S28 10 11.7	E32 13 41.6	Robertson & Poole
9	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mansiya	S28 02 42.8	E32 02 03.0	Robertson & Poole
10	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Manaba	S27 15 43.6	E032 28 26.6	Robertson & Poole
11	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Imanzibomvu (Mbazwana)	S27 33 52.6	E32 32 40.8	Robertson & Poole
12	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Kwageorge dip	S27 00 41.8	E32 47 33.5	Robertson & Poole
13	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mabandleni dip	S27 09 30.4	E32 45 44.9	Robertson & Poole
14	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mkhumbikazane	S27 31 00.3	E31 24 59.1	Robertson & Poole
15	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Thengane dip	S27 01 23.3	E32 40 13.6	Robertson & Poole
16	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Bomvini Dip	S27 06 22.2	E032 28 43.1	Robertson & Poole
17	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Genuka dip	S27 08 33.5	E32 18 08.0	Robertson & Poole
18	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mfanela	S27 58 49.2	E31 58 03.6	Robertson & Poole
19	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mthaleni	S27 45 51.4	E32 10 00.1	Robertson & Poole
20	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Mthaleni 2	S27 45 56.7	E32 09 51.9	Robertson & Poole
21	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Masakeni	S27 49 02.8	E32 22 45.9	Robertson & Poole
22	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Masakeni 2 (Giba)	S27 43 51	E32 28 35	Robertson & Poole
23	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Nqutshini	S27 56 55.5	E032 16 11.8	Robertson & Poole
24	KZN	Umkhanyakude	Nqutshini 2 (Esimphondweni)	S27 44 32.2	E32 28 30.6	Robertson & Poole
25	KZN	Zululand	Ntweni	S27 47 41.3	E31 53 04.3	Pollard Drilling
26	KZN	Zululand	Nkweme	S 27 51 35.0	E 31 53 48.1	Pollard Drilling
27	KZN	Zululand	Ndololwane	S 27 59 19.2	E 31 44 44.1	Pollard Drilling
28	KZN	Zululand	Emfemfeni	S 28 05 17.2	E 31 34 58.4	Pollard Drilling
29	KZN	Zululand	Dabhazi	S 28 08 51.1	E 31 44 52.3	Pollard Drilling
30	KZN	Zululand	Dabhazi	S 28 08 28.7	E 31 45 08.17	Pollard Drilling
31	KZN	Zululand	Dabhazi	S28 07 05.4	E31 44 54.1	Pollard Drilling
32	KZN	Zululand	KwaMphothi	S 28 18 43.2	E 31 19 43.0	Pollard Drilling
33	KZN	Zululand	Qanqathu Trust	S 28 24 47.1	E 31 13 33.7	Pollard Drilling
34	KZN	Uthungulu	Thelumoyaphansi	S28 49 31.9	E31 08 33.4	D- Construction
35	KZN	Uthungulu	Matina	S28 51 20.6	E31 05 48.1	D- Construction
36	KZN	Uthungulu	Matina	S28 51 36.0	E31 05 24.5	D- Construction
37	KZN	Uthungulu	Siyangokuya	S 28 31 10.1	E 31 42 38.4	D- Construction
38	KZN	Uthungulu	Mpongose	S 28 48 54.1	E 31 24 00.7	D- Construction
39	KZN	Uthungulu	Dubeni Dip tank	S28 41 29.5	E31 27 08	D- Construction
40	KZN	Uthungulu	Ntshiweni Dip Tank	S28 31 14.5	E31 42 16.0	D- Construction
41	KZN	Uthungulu	Patane (Gcobashe)	S28 28 39.8	E32 01 23.1	D- Construction
42	KZN	Uthungulu	Mfanisa	S28 32 22.6	E32 00 00.2	D- Construction
43	KZN	Uthungulu	Ntuthunga	S28 27 24.3	E31 55 40.8	D- Construction
44	KZN	Uthungulu	eDayini	S28 36 04.3	E32 00 19.7	D- Construction
45	KZN	Uthungulu	Sabhuza	S28 32 36.0	E31 54 23.0	D- Construction
46	KZN	Uthungulu	Sabhuza	S28 32 56.3	E31 54 53.4	D- Construction
47	KZN	Uthungulu	Gegethe	S 28 26 05.8	E 31 58 37.8	D- Construction
48	KZN	Amajuba	Inkululeko Yomphakathi	S 27 46 31	E 30 17 50	Pollard Drilling
49	KZN	Amajuba	Ndwakazane	S 27 48 32.9	E 30 21 58.4	Pollard Drilling
50	KZN	Amajuba	Vaalbank-Esidakeni	S 27 35 20.9	E 30 25 54.7	Pollard Drilling
51	KZN	Amajuba	Vaalbank-Esidakeni	S 27 35 20.9	E 30 25 54.7	Pollard Drilling
52	KZN	Amajuba	Slagveld	S 27 46 56.2	E 30 32 10.3	Pollard Drilling
53	KZN	Amajuba	AMAJUBA - OSIZWENI	S 27 45 25.7	E 30 11 58.7	Pollard Drilling
54	KZN	Amajuba	Jiyane	S 27 45 26.3	E 30 24 34	Pollard Drilling
55	KZN	Amajuba	Waaihoek	S 27 46 13	E 30 24 34	Pollard Drilling
56	KZN	Amajuba	Esikhaleni	S 27 42 34.3	E 30 21 26.5	Pollard Drilling
57	KZN	Amajuba	Reserve Farm	S 27 22 03	E 29 55 50	Pollard Drilling
58	KZN	Amajuba	Bloodriver -Nzimane	S 27 38 11.4	E 30 31 48.9	Pollard Drilling
59	KZN	Amajuba	Bloodriver -Nzimane	S 27 38 24.1	E 30 32 01.2	Pollard Drilling
60	KZN	Amajuba	AMAJUBA BUFFALO RIVER	S 27 47 05.0	E 30 12 41.5	Pollard Drilling
61	KZN	Amajuba	Steeling	S 27 34 3.6	E 30 10 51.8	Pollard Drilling
62	KZN	Amajuba	Malonjane	S 27 33 42.3	E 30 11 55.6	Pollard Drilling
63	KZN	Amajuba	GROOTHOEK	S 27⁰ 46' 22,3"	E 030⁰ 27' 03.0"	Pollard Drilling
64	KZN	Amajuba	MANCAMANE	S 27⁰ 47' 50,3"	E 030⁰ 26' 28.1"	Pollard Drilling
65	KZN	Amajuba	WAAIHOEK FARM 2 TRUST	S 27⁰ 48' 00,2"	E 030⁰ 19' 15,6"	Pollard Drilling
66	KZN	Amajuba	GROOTVLEI	S 27⁰ 48' 00,2"	E 030⁰ 19' 15,6"	Pollard Drilling
67	KZN	Amajuba	BEROUW	S 27 42 15.7.9	E 30 15 47.7	Pollard Drilling
68	KZN	Umzinyathi	Ward 9	S 28 52' 13.6"	E 030 18' 09.3"	Pollard Drilling
69	KZN	Umzinyathi	Ward 7	S 28 47' 50.6"	E 030 23' 45.0"	Pollard Drilling
70	KZN	Umzinyathi	Ward 7 Replacement	S 28 48 30.0	E 30 24 02.0	Pollard Drilling
71	KZN	Umzinyathi	Nquthu Ward 12 Jabuvu	S 28 14' 43.7"	E 030 32' 56.6"	Pollard Drilling
72	KZN	Umzinyathi	Jabavu - alternate	S 28 17 07.0	E 30 32 24.0	Pollard Drilling
73	KZN	Umzinyathi	Nquthu Ward 13 Hluleni	S 28 10' 58.3"	E 30 36' 57.5"	Pollard Drilling
74	KZN	Umzinyathi	HLAZAKAZI	S 28 17 07.0	E 30 32 24.0	Pollard Drilling
75	KZN	Uthukela	Emnambithi piggery	S 28 36'27.5	E 29 58'11.0	Pollard Drilling
76	KZN	Uthukela	Mdlatswele -Cornfields	S 28 51' 37.6"	E 029 51' 18.2"	Pollard Drilling
77	KZN	Uthukela	Mkholombe -Weenen	S 28 53' 37.2"	E 030 06' 52.0"	Pollard Drilling
78	KZN	Uthukela	Khanjana (Nhlambamsoka)	S 28 40' 45.1"	E 030 13' 58.2"	Pollard Drilling
79	KZN	Uthukela	Rosboom ( Goodhope)	S 28 40' 50.8"	E 029 42' 00.9"	Pollard Drilling
80	KZN	Uthukela	RIETKUIL FARM	S 28⁰ 36' 01.8"	E 029⁰ 43' 33,2"	Pollard Drilling
81	KZN	Uthukela	KLIP PORT FARM	S 28⁰ 38' 19.5"	E 029⁰ 41' 39.8"	Pollard Drilling
82	KZN	Uthukela	MANGQATENI	S 28⁰ 38' 37,5"	E 029⁰ 44' 02,4"	Pollard Drilling
83	Limpopo	Greater Giyani	Thomo	S 23° 15’ 41.60”	E 30° 49’ 41.67”	Makumu construction and projects
84	Limpopo	Thulamela	Tshifudi	S 22° 49’ 45.98”	E 30° 42’ 21.47”	MRP construction
85	Limpopo	Lephalale	Kgobagodimo	S 23° 15’ 30.00''	E 28° 03’ 14.00”	Striving Mind Trading 586
86	Mpumalanga	Thembisile Hani	Gemsbokfontein	25 18 46.72 S	28 40 59 E	GS Fencing and Construction
87	Mpumalanga	Bushbuckridge	Welverdiend A	24°34'41.86"S	31°21'36.40"E	Khathiden Civil Construction
88	Mpumalanga	Chief Albert Luthuli	Lekkerloop (section 2)	26° 1' 34.1292"S	30° 36' 28.335"E	Natani Investment
89	Mpumalanga	Thaba Cheu	Pilgrimrest	24⁰ 56' 0" S	30⁰ 43' 0" E	Ntjaitjai
90	Mpumalanga	Nkomazi	Strydomblok/Dludluma	25 28 50.18 S	31 31 03.30	OXIOR Civil Enterprises
91	Mpumalanga	Nkomazi	Goba	25 48 51.95 S	31 54 52.72	Gs Fencing
92	North West	Moses Kotane	DRIEFONTEIN FARM-MMEKWA	S 25' 7' 34'	E 27' 19' 34'	Khathiden Civil Construction
93	North West	Moses Kotane	DRIEFONTEIN FARM-MONAGENG	S 25' 7' 39'	E 27' 20' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
94	North West	Mahikeng	FARM LUCYDALE-STONE	S 25' 47' 55'	E 25' 44' 38'	Khathiden Civil Construction
95	North West	Mahikeng	FARM LUCYDALE-MATSHEKA	S 25' 47' 55'	E 25' 44' 38'	Khathiden Civil Construction
96	North West	Mahikeng	SUNNYSIDE-MOJIWA	S 25' 47' 14'	E 25' 39' 211'	Khathiden Civil Construction
97	North West	Moses Kotane	VLAKFONTEIN FARM	S 25' 04' 55'	E 27' 17' 02.2'	Khathiden Civil Construction
98	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm-Mabiletsa	S 25' 7' 43'	E 27' 26' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
99	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm- ntshabele PJ	S 25' 7' 30'	E 27' 26' 19.8'	Khathiden Civil Construction
100	North West	Moses Kotane	driefontein farm -Monageng	S 25' 7' 38'	E 27' 22' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
101	North West	Moses Kotane	Donkerhoek farm-Ramokgadi	S 25' 24' 57.7'	E 27' 22' 33.6'	Khathiden Civil Construction
102	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm-Pitse	S 25' 7' 39'	E 27' 20' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
103	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm-Lekgotla PN	S 25' 7' 39'	E 27' 20' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
104	North West	Moses Kotane	Donkerhoek farm- Maragel BJ	S 25' 24' 09'	E 27' 19' 20'	Khathiden Civil Construction
105	North West	Moses Kotane	Donkerhoek farm - Matlapeng	S 25' 24' 63'	E 27' 23' 33'	Khathiden Civil Construction
106	North West	Moses Kotane	Donkerhoek farm Moraka	S 25' 24' 54'	E 27' 25' 246'	Khathiden Civil Construction
107	North West	Moses Kotane	Donkerhoek farm- Maragele TM	S 25' 24' 57.7'	E 27' 22' 33.6'	Khathiden Civil Construction
108	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm-Molefe ES	S 25' 12' 49'	E 27' 29' 05.8'	Khathiden Civil Construction
109	North West	Moses Kotane	Driefontein farm-Ntshabele NS	S 25' 7' 46'	E 27' 23' 10'	Khathiden Civil Construction
110	North West	Rustenburg	Palmietfontein -Mokgatle	S 25' 12' 31,8'	E 27' 26' 29.4'	Khathiden Civil Construction
111	North West	Rustenburg	Potgieters fontein-Motlhabane	S 25' 27' 38,1'	E 27' 22' 06.3'	Khathiden Civil Construction
112	North West	Rustenburg	Palmietfontein -Rammutla	S 25' 15' 34,7'	E 27' 26' 23.8'	Khathiden Civil Construction
113	North West	Mafikeng/ Mahikeng	Lucydale farm	S 25' 47' 55'	E 25' 44' 38'	Khathiden Civil Construction

Reply:

Protection of proprietary rights is a key consideration in Transnet SOC Ltd’s dealing with potential and current suppliers. Transnet is not at liberty to divulge the details of commercially sensitive information belonging to parties we are contracting without written consent. This includes details such as pricing strategies.

Further, I am satisfied that sufficient information was provided and responded to in detail in the response to Parliamentary Question 121.

Mogokare Richard Seleke Lynne Brown, MP

Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

(1) (a) and (b) No.

(2) (a) and (b) No.

END.

Reply:

(1) Yes.

(a) There is currently a vacancy for the position of the Chief Executive Officer each at the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC);

(i) The position of CEO at the CMS has been vacant since January 2017 and since July 2015 at the OHSC;

(ii) The incumbent at the CMS passed on untimely. The vacancy at the OHSC occurred as a result of the Interim CEO's retirement.

(b) No ;

(c) No.

(2) The position of the CMS Registrar/CEO was advertised on 19 March 2017, whilst the OHSC's position for CEO was advertised on three occasions during 2015/16;

(a) The date for the interviews for the CMS Registrar/CEO is yet to be confirmed. The OHSC conducted interviews following each advertisement;

(b) It is expected that the CMS CEO position will be filled by July 2017. The OHSC will be embarking on the headhunting process as no suitable candidate could be identified. The date for interviews in this regard is yet to be determined.

(3) (a) The total number of persons who are currently employed in an acting capacity is as follows:

One (1) for the CMS appointed as acting CEO. One (1) for the OHSC appointed as acting CEO. Two (2) for National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) - one (1) person to act in the position of CEO and the other to act in the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The NHLS positions are owing to the precautionary suspensions of the CEO and the CFO.

(b) The period for which each person has been acting is - 1 February 2017 for the CMS, 1 August 2015 for the OHSC and 23 February 2017 for the NHLS.

(c) Only the acting CEO of the OHSC has previously applied for the specified position.

END.

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department as follows:

1. The post was advertised, shortlisted, interviewed and approved in terms of the Public Service Regulations, 2001 relevant at the time.
2. The former Acting Director-General was not present during the interview process of the specified person as he requested to leave and appointed another panelist to chair before the interview of the specified person started.

Reply:

(1)(a) The positions for Chief Executive Officers for both the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) have been filled.

(b) The positions for Chief Financial Officers for both the SEDA and SEFA have been filled.

(c) The position of Chief Operating Officer does not exist on the organisational structure for both the SEDA and SEFA.

(1) (a)(i) Not applicable.

(a)(ii) Not applicable.

(b)(i) Not applicable.

(b)(ii) Not applicable.

(c)(i) Not applicable.

(c)(ii) Not applicable.

(2) No.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(3) (a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

Reply:

The response to the question was solicited from Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Mpumalanga Province.

Name of Municipality	(i) Whether the municipality refused requests by members of the opposition to be seated together.	(ii) Whether the municipality assigned the specified members portfolios to serve on Council.
(a)	Nkomazi Local Municipality	Councillors sit against their name tags which are placed on the table before the sitting begins. Councillors are at liberty to sit as they prefer, except for the members of the Troika.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees.
(b)	Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality	Councillors sit as they wish except for the Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip who have a sitting arrangement.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees.
(c)	City of Mbombela Local Municipality	The Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip have their sitting arrangement as per their positions. The MMCs sit together, and the Whips also sit together. The other councillors sit in alphabetical order of their names, and ordinary councillors are allowed to sit as they prefer.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees.
(d)	Bushbuckridge Local Municipality	Councillors sit as they wish, except for the Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip who have a sitting arrangement.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees. There is one councillor from the opposition (Democratic Alliance) who does not want to serve in the committee to which she was deployed.
(e)	Nkangala District Municipality	The sitting arrangement is done in alphabetical order. However, councillors are not forced to sit as per the alphabetical arrangement, and they sit as they prefer, except for the Mayor, Speaker and the Chief Whip who have a sitting arrangement.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees, and the deployment was done in the presence of all party Whips.
(f)	Gert Sibande District Municipality	Councillors sit as they prefer, except for the Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip who have a sitting arrangement.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees.
(g)	Ehlanzeni District Municipality	Councillors sit as they prefer, except for the Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip who have a sitting arrangement.	Councillors from the opposition serve in the Portfolio committees.

(iii) Section 79 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998 requires that a municipal council may, by appointing members from among its members, establish one or more committees necessary for the effective and efficient performance of any of its functions or the exercise of any of its powers,

Reply:

1. The amalgamated municipalities were established post the 03 August 2016 local government elections. It is, therefore, premature to ascertain whether there are any positive or negative consequences in this regard as the assessment is still to be conducted at least two years after their establishment.

However, it can be stated that in some municipalities a reduction in costs have been realised in the following areas:

1. Insurance premiums reduced after a combination of the short-term insurance contracts of the amalgamated municipalities during the 2016/17 financial year;
2. License fees on financial management systems reduced after integration into a single financial management system; and
3. Utilisation of a single municipal valuer for the compilation of the municipal valuation rolls.

2. No.

The financial position of the amalgamated municipalities has not shown any sign of improvement as yet. However, it is anticipated that there will be an improvement once all systems, polices and strategies have been fully rationalised and implemented after the two year transition period.

(a) There have been historic debts in some of the former municipalities that have now been inherited by the newly amalgamated municipalities. In some instances, municipalities that were financially sound prior to the merger had to utilise their financial reserves to settle debts to creditors.

(b) The impact of the merger or disestablishment will be measured in the medium to longer term. It is envisaged that rationalisation processes will provide for economies of scale in the delivery of services, and it is anticipated to improve efficiency and financial performance, as mentioned above.

3. No legal challenges have emerged from the amalgamation of municipalities.

Reply:

The National Youth Development Agency issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that was advertised on 16 January 2015 and closed on the 06 February 2015 for organisations to partner with the NYDA on all of its programmes. The concept came as a response to that request for proposals.

On the 13 February 2014 Zeila from Costilogix which is a South African company that offers entrepreneurship to the unemployed requested for a meeting with the office of the CEO. In this meeting the Directors of Costilogix, Bobby Mosidi and Frans Venter were going to meet with the office of the CEO, to see if they could partner with NYDA to support the youth. The office of the CEO referred the request to Senior Manager Rural Development to handle the request.

Costilogix has never presented their business model to the NYDA executives, and there is no partnership agreement between NYDA and Costilogix.

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date

Reply:

By virtue of its location in The Presidency, the Office of Women in The Presidency works collaboratively with all the other Offices in the Presidency on matters affecting our communities.

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

Reply:

There are no vacancies in regard to the mentioned positions.

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date

Reply:

See the link below for reply:

https://pmg.org.za/files/RNW799Table1-170421.docx

https://pmg.org.za/files/RNW799Table2-170421.docx

Reply:

I have been advised by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) that it is considering ways to reduce electricity consumption in domestic processing of both metal groups and I attach hereto the more detailed reply by the CEO of the IDC.

“With reference to question (a), the IDC is participating in the feasibility study to advance the development of a process aimed at producing platinum group metals without going through the high energy intensive smelting route.

This process recovers platinum group metals from sulphide flotation concentrates into separate solution streams for further downstream conventional refining. Unlike smelting, it is also able to upgrade low grade platinum group metal concentrates.

The feasibility study has recently been completed with positive findings confirming the economic viability of the process. The process is considered to be a game changer for the beneficiation of platinum because of its innovative nature and the benefits the platinum industry will derive by adopting this technology.

Firstly, indications from test work are that it reduces energy consumption by approximately 20% because the process is hydrometallurgical rather than pyro-metallurgical.

Secondly, it also eliminates CO2 emissions which makes it an environmentally friendly technology. It is not affected by the chrome content of platinum ores which is a major constraint of traditional smelters.

CHROME SMELTING

Regarding ferrochrome processing the IDC has conducted an internal study which has identified high costs as a major reason for the recent ferrochrome smelter closures, and has identified the need to build less energy intensive ferrochrome producing facilities going forward if the South Africa ferrochrome sector is to remain competitive.

To that end, the IDC has recently approved funding to participate in a feasibility study that is expected to lead to the establishment of a ferrochrome smelter which utilises heat generated by furnace waste gases from the smelting processes to pre-heat the chrome ore before it is fed into the smelter’s furnaces.

The smelter is expected to operate with production costs of approximately 20% lower than the global average.”

-END-

Reply:

Section 6(2) of the Industrial Development Corporation Act provides for a board of directors of not less than five and not more than 15 directors. Currently the Board has 12 directors. Should it become appropriate to appoint additional members to the Board, an announcement of such successful candidate/s will be made.

-END-

Reply:

The Economic Development Department and its entities did not participate in the above-mentioned event or auction.

-END-

Reply:

Records of the NCACC as at 27/03/2017 show that the only entities registered under the Milkor Trade name are: Milkor (Pty) Ltd and Milkor Special Projects. For both these entities there are various permits that authorise them to manufacture and export their products and related services.

The entities currently registered under the NCAC Act, do not have Shareholders in terms of Mr Sehrat Bayoglu and Raci Yetis. However, the NCACC can confirm that a new application was lodged by Milkor to include these shareholders. This application is pending while due diligence is being conducted by organs of state with a vetting mandate as prescribed in the Act and its attendant Regulations.

In regard to confirmation of exports by Milkor, the confirmation being sought here is wide and somewhat tentative. However, it should be born in mind that transfers approved by the NCACC are effected strictly in accordance with sec 15 of the NCAC Act (Act 41 of 2002, as amended).

The Act also provides that if and when it is established that individuals belong to or are involved in nefarious activities in South Africa and/or elsewhere, the approval sought for their admission as new shareholders of Milkor shall not be granted by the NCACC under such circumstances.

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date

 

Reply:

The international trip undertaken to Orlando in the United States of America directly increased the number of training beneficiaries by the four officials who attended the conference.

While, there was no quantitative increase in sector beneficiaries, the trip did have an impact on external beneficiaries, as officials were privy to cutting edge ideas and ways of thinking, as follows:

• Key note speakers shared messages on how to remain motivated in a fast paced business and ensure that the organsations vision and mission are shared by all staff. This renewed focus on motivation at all levels, contributed to the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) achieving its first clean audit by the Auditor-General of South Africa.
• Speakers also delved into creative solutions to disseminate skills development, these discussions have inspired several shifts in traditional thinking by INSETA, namely, a wider use of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to penetrate communities more widely. Offerings have traditionally been limited to the bigger metropoles, where the financial services industry is located, thus whittling away at the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
• The talks also inspired conversations around increased digitisation of learning to reach more remote communities. These internal conversations are continuing and will form part of the INSETA stategic planning sessions for 2017/18.
• Finally, the conversations around impact assessments and the move away from quantitative evaluation to qualitative impact evaluation has directly contributed to the INSETA Impact Assessment that will target over 4 000 previously funded beneficiaries in an attempt to establish the socio-economic impact that funding has had on their lives and that of their families, as well as to identify ways in which service offerings can improve.

CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 836 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Department has entered into performance agreements with principals of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

(a) Principals are members of the Senior Management Service (SMS) and the SMS handbook links financial incentives to assessed performance.

(b) Performance agreements have been standardised for the 2017/18 performance cycle.

(c) Revised Key Result Areas (KRAs) were consulted with Regional Managers and principals to ensure that they take into account local challenges that need to be managed.

(d) There are several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to respective Key Result Areas (KRAs). The KRAs, activities and KPIs are outlined in the attached Annexure A.

(e) The weighting is not linked to KPIs but rather to the KRAs. There are three critical KRAs. The first KRA is that of improving student performance and development, which is weighted at 50%. The second is on student registration and enrolment planning, weighted at 25% and the last KRA is on the management of examinations and assessments, which is also weighted at 25%.

(2) (a) (i) The principals were last assessed in the third quarter which ended in December 2016.

(ii) They were assessed by the Regional Managers, who are their immediate supervisors.

(b) The Department has a moderation committee, which moderates and standardises the assessed scores across all public TVET colleges.

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DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 819 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

ANNEXURE A

KEY RESULT AREAS	ACTIVITIES / OUTPUTS PER QUARTER	PERFORMANCE MEASURES
		PERFORMANCE INDICATOR	WEIGHT
Improving student performance and development	Monitor the implementation of student development and performance plans	Submission of student developmental plans to DHET	50%
	Coordinate data analysis of student performance and submit to DHET	Submission of student performance data to DHET
	Engage with Student Representative Councils (SRCs)	Enhanced working relations with SRCs
	Constitute Academic Boards	Fully constituted and functioning Academic Boards
	Develop lecturer development programmes	Lecturer development programmes implemented
		Effectiveness of lecturer development programmes assessed
	Ensure that there is sufficient learning material and protective gear	Adequate and relevant learning material provided before commencement of the academic year
		Protective gear provided before commencement of the academic year
	Ensure efficient management and administration of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme	NSFAS administered in line with the policy and applicable guidelines
		Student allowances paid on time in line with guidelines
	Analyse results and development of interventions to improve student performance	Examination results analysed per subject, per campus with best and worst performing subjects identified
		Interventions to improve student performance developed and implemented
Student registration and enrolment planning	Ensure student enrolments are in line with funding norms	Student enrolments in line with the budget allocated to the College	25%
		Student enrolments audited as per the guidelines
	Ensure student enrolments are audited in line with targets set by the DHET	Student enrolments in line with targets
	Ensuring student registrations are completed on time	Student registration process completed on time
		Academic year commences as planned
	Monitor and report on college enrolments	Enrolment report submitted to the Department on time
Management of examinations and assessment	Monitor data management per examination cycle, including double capturing	Correct data captured and submitted to DHET examinations	25%
3.1 Ensure the functionality and efficiency of IT and data management systems to generate reliable data for National Examinations	Monitor submission of data per examination cycle	Timeous submission to DHET examinations.
	Conduct verification of all raw data prior to submission to DHET examination per cycle	Verification conducted on all necessary information submitted to DHET examinations
3.2 Ensure full compliance to national policies, standard operating procedures, guidelines and management plans by exercising oversight of all assessment activities across examination centres and delivery points within the College	Coordinate implementation of and monitor all compliance standards per examination cycle, e.g. Institute institutional SOPs Monitor compliance of exam and SBA conduct per examination cycle	Successful and complete implementation of all compliance standards
		Management of scripts and mark-sheets by delivery points
		Management and storage of mark-sheets.
		Verification and sign-off of txt files by college Principals
3.3 Ensure that consolidated institutional reports are generated and duly submitted for national examinations	Submissions of reports such as; daily conduct, irregularities, state of readiness and any other reports as required by DHET examinations	Timeous submissions of comprehensive reports
3.4 Coordinate the establishment and functioning of an institutional assessment committee	Portfolios, for example: IT, data, SBA – compliance and quality assurance, examination conduct, irregularities and any other portfolio related to dissemination of examinations	Fully constituted institutional assessment committees

Reply:

Based on the information obtained from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), the international trip to Brazil for the World Skills Competition contributed as follows:

• The programmes that were implemented ensured that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges received adequate and increased support to ensure sufficient skills development in the sector.
• In determining its programmes, ETDP SETA considered the National Development Plan and the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (PSET), which places a huge responsibility on TVET colleges to improving both employability and entrepreneurial skills of students.
• Since South Africa did not “win” the competition, ETDP SETA has committed to provide the necessary support towards World Skills South Africa in order to contribute towards improved performance.

The Chief Executive Officer of ETDP SETA is a member of World Skills South Africa and needs to ensure that processes and logistics are in place for ensuring skills acquisitions and transfer from relevant experts.

Programme 1 of ETDP SETA’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) for 2015/16 included the commissioning of research chairs on TVET, Work Integrated Learning, Labour Market Intelligence, and Monitoring and Evaluation at Sector Level. The research chairs’ terms of reference were revised for continuation until 2018 with an intention to strengthen TVET colleges output, including the following:

• Work Integrated Learning - College lecturers received additional attention to ensure that there is integration between theory and industry related skills. The primary intention was to expose lecturers to industry in order to improve their pedagogy.
• TVET research - The research is now focusing on understanding current curriculum content and pedagogy in the light of the mandate of colleges, as they are required to produce a different “breed” of learners with skills that will make them self-employable.

Programme 2 of the APP for 2016/17 showed an increase in financial support for the skilling of TVET personnel. All 50 TVET colleges participated in various skills development programmes and an amount of R34 million was availed for the 2016/17 financial year compared to an amount of R9 million during 2015/16.

Programme 4 of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 APPs show significant increases in learners who need to be provided with workplace experience opportunities. This programme increases their employability opportunities and attainment of the N6 National Diploma. 1 125 College students were assisted with workplace training opportunities and the payment of stipends to cover traveling expenses. The target for the 2015/16 financial year was 500.

ETDP SETA has continued to place and support Career Development Officers (CDOs) at TVET colleges with at least one CDO per campus. The role of the CDOs is to assist in the recruitment of learners to consider TVET colleges as institutions of choice and not to assume that universities are the only option. They also provide student liaison support to the relevant managers and provide career information to current and new students. ETDP SETA afforded the CDOs with a training opportunity through UNISA on career guidance. The current cohort was placed for a period of 5 years and a new cohort will soon commence in the 2017/18 financial year.

In 2017/18, ETDP SETA will have at least two offices attached to TVET colleges to increase its support to the identified colleges.

CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 832 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The question was forwarded to the Department and the entities who responded as follows:

Department of Home Affairs

(1)(a) No

(1)(b) No

(1)(c) No

(2) Not applicable

3) Not applicable

Government Printing Works

(1)(a)(i) 11 months

(1)(a)(ii) Departure of former incumbent

(1)(b)(i) Not applicable

(1)(b)(ii) Not applicable

(1)(c)(i) Not applicable

(1)(c)(ii) Not appplicable

(2)(a) Recruitment process to commence

(2)(b) In the coming few months

(3)(a) 1

(3)(b) 11 months

(3)(c) Not applicable

Electoral Commission

(1)(a)(i-ii) Became vacant on 1 April 2017 following the departure of Mr. Moepya, who was employed on a fixed term contract.

(1)(b) The role of Chief Financial Officer was allocated to the Senior Manager: Financial Administration, Ms Rowley-Withey, when she was appointed. She retained the role when promoted to Deputy CEO: Corporate Services on 1 March 2014. The Commission has since taken a decision to separate the two roles and fixed-term appointment will soon be made in respect of the role of chief financial officer.

(1)(c) Not applicable

(2) The vacancy for the CEO has not as yet been advertised as it only fell vacant on 1 April 2017, the Commission is yet to consider the process and period for recruitment of the CEO but will do so at its next scheduled meeting.

(3)(a) One.

(3)(b) The Deputy Chief Electoral Officer responsible for Electoral Operations is acting in the post of CEO, whilst the process to fill the post is undertaken.

(3)(c) The process has not yet begun.

Reply:

1. I am not aware of my predecessor circulating an image of a certain letter.

2. I cannot respond to the authencity or otherwise of the letter mentioned.

3. I have been informed that officials from the Department visited the school on 7 February 2017 as per the invite from the school. No threats of R25 000 fine were made by officials who attended the briefing session.

4. Yes. Section 39 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 as amended stipulate the duties and obligations of the learning institution of which the principal is responsible:

Learning institutions

1. No learning institution shall knowingly provide training or instruction to-

         (a) An illegal foreigner;

        (b) A foreigner whose status does not authorise him or her to receive such training or instruction by such person; or

       (c) A foreigner on terms or conditions or in a capacity different from those contemplated in such foreigner’s status

2. If an illegal foreigner is found on any premises where instruction or training is provided, it shall be presumed that such foreigner was receiving instruction or training from, or allowed to receive instruction or training by, the person who has control over such premises, unless prima facie evidence to the contrary is adduced.

Reply:

Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference April 2016

The corporate governance of Sector Education and Training Authorities is an integral part of the implementation of the Skills Development Act, 1998. The Company Secretary shared with all 54 Commonwealth countries the challenges and opportunities associated with corporate governance in South Africa and in turn gained experience of corporate governance in other countries. This experience manifested in focused advice to the Board and in turn proper decisions taken to ensure that Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) management implement the mandate of government as per the national priorities.

World Maritime University (WMU) Graduation, TETA 2016 Cohort orientation + 2015 Cohort Farewell and Lund University discussions - November 2015

The World Maritime University (WMU) trained 18 Learners at postgraduate level with another 10 learners ready for intake in the 2017 calendar year. The South African Qualifications Authority has since recognised the University with the result that the relationship between TETA and WMU will continue to address Operation Phakisa imperatives.

The relationship between TETA and WMU fits squarely within government’s priorities in maritime (Operation Phakisa) and more learners will be afforded the opportunity of acquiring skills in this field.

GIBS International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) and International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) Global Immersion Report January 2016

100 Transport sector employees were trained in the International Leadership Development Programme, which included an international leg and a further 25 transport sector employees were trained in the International Executive Development Programme.

Wits Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme August 2015

The Boards of all SETAs comprise of employer representatives as well as organised labour and, in TETA’s instance, employees within the transport sector. 18 Learners within the sector have benefitted from this programme.

This Programme was aimed at enhancing the Board and Senior Management’s capabilities in implementing the Skills Development mandate. Emanating from this programme, the management and Board has established an essential, beneficial relationship that will serve the greater purpose of enhancing the performance of TETA as per the Service Level Agreement signed with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

International Maritime Organisation

This visit is linked to the World Maritime University, a University established under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (United Nations).

Panama August 2016

TETA had invested an amount of R202 million into the now defunct Fidentia, which funds were meant for skills development. Upon the Curator having been appointed to handle the affairs of Fidentia, TETA received an amount of R33 million in the first Curator’s report. A further amount of R15 million is likely to be paid into TETA’s accounts upon acceptance of the Liquidation and Distribution account by the Master of the High Court. This amount will be reinvested into skills development.

R8 million of the R33 million received by TETA was reinvested into the World Maritime University programme with the result that 10 learners from the transport sector, as seconded by SAMSA, were funded to undertake postgraduate learning at the University. The visit was aimed at following some of the money Fidentia channelled outside the shores of South Africa for purposes of re-investing it into skills programmes.

Cranfield and Plymouth August 2016

A leadership development programme aimed only at women has been established in collaboration with Cranfield University. In 2017, TETA has committed to send 20 women to Cranfield University in the United Kingdom for this particular purpose.

Mozambique TETA/Indub Litigation April 2016

This is part of litigation and the matter is still sub judice. Should the Courts find in favour of TETA, the savings generated will be reinvested into skills development.

Road Safety Study Tour

TETA has partnered with the Road Traffic Infringement Agency to roll out road safety programmes in the country resembling the lessons learnt on the trip. This programme will benefit a considerable number of beneficiaries and is aimed at addressing the carnage on South Africa’s roads.

Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE)

TETA as advocates for SMME development and supporting small growing institutions has established a need to look at extending its scope to support high school pupils, college and university students in their entrepreneurial ideas and innovations. To this end, TETA has adopted 54 schools across the provinces of South Africa. The programme is aimed at supporting the schools with Mathematics, Science and Technology. A small business development strategy has since been adopted by the TETA Board with the result that many small companies are currently being supported.

CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 840 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The trips provided the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) with a deepened understanding of what the knowledge and experiences are of the water and energy sectors in order that it better positions the entity to lead skills development and capacity building within the sector. 

Due to these exposure opportunities, EWSETA could guide universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the development of infrastructure, lecturer development and research focus, etc. and enable access to the latest technologies by enriching the education and training initiatives at universities of technology and TVET colleges.

The overseas study visits also enabled EWSETA to identify strategic and relevant partnerships that strengthened EWSETA’s capacity to service its sector in line with its core mandate and research sharing initiatives.

CONTACT PERSONS:

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DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 833 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs is not aware of the indication by National Treasury that the Border Management Authority Bill [B9-2016] may not be fully funded in its proposed form.

Since the BMA is envisaged to be an implementation organ of state in the border environment no immediate migration policy changes are foreseen as a result of the BMA’s establishment. The White Paper process on International Migration is at an advanced stage and it already makes provision for and supports the establishment of a BMA.

Reply:

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) responded as follows:

Namibia Trip in February 2015
Indirect benefit	The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson of the World Skills South Africa (WSSA), Dr Patel, was the keynote speaker at the opening of the World Skills Expo. The CEO of merSETA met with the Namibian Training Authority to discuss cooperation in the recognition of skills training in South Africa and Namibia. There are a number of manufacturing companies in Namibia who have their base in South Africa and pay the levies to the merSETA for skills training. These companies implement the merSETA programmes in both countries.
Norway and Denmark Trip in April 2015
Direct benefit	merSETA is supporting skills development at correctional services centres. The lessons learned from the visit were how youth offender programmes are structured, developed and implemented. merSETA has since implemented 8 offender rehabilitation programmes, which includes entrepreneurship. Thus far, there are more than 200 offenders enrolled. The first success indicator was that 20 offenders, who had completed, were given equipment and have started their own business.
Russia Trip in May 2015
Indirect benefit	Dr Patel was invited as the Chairperson of WSSA. The visit was aimed at examining the future skills needs of the economy as determined by the transformation of real sectors driven by major technological and social trends. Based on identified future skills needs and new working contexts, participants also discussed new solutions in the educational ecosystem that can help reduce education training and skills development gaps. The methodology used has been shared with merSETA stakeholders and adapted for the SETA’s sector skills planning methodology.
World Skills Competition in Brazil, August 2016
Direct benefit	Twenty-two learners participated in the World Skills Competition representing SA in nineteen trades. Fifty-two other countries participated in this competition.
Indirect benefit	SA benefitted from benchmarking against world standards and analysis of gaps within the training and development processes. The participants who participated came to understand the pressures of the world of work as well as what is required to operate on an international level. Tylers Skow was elected to represent Africa together with six other youth, forming part of an international youth council to influence and advance skills development throughout the world.
International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) 6th International Conference in Ballarat Australia
Indirect benefit	The CEO presented a keynote address on innovative apprenticeship development. He presented a paper on the need to develop T-Shaped apprenticeships in response to the 21st century manufacturing and economy. The paper centred around the importance of curriculum change, industry involvement, response to manufacturing industry 4.0 and innovative apprenticeships instituted by merSETA in response to economic demands.
United Kingdom (UK) Trip in November 2015
Indirect benefit	Together with British UK Trade and Investment, merSETA is supporting five colleges in benchmarking standards for lecture, management development and curriculum improvement within the manufacturing and engineering space. The CEO was a keynote speaker on addressing an international dialogue whose focus was on the impact that skills competitions have had at national level and how it meets the objectives of the South African government’s National Development Plan.
Brussels Trip in February 2016
Indirect benefit	The visit was to discuss the World Skills Strategy for the 2025 World Skills Competitions which will also benefit the participant learners from South Africa
London Trip in March 2016
Indirect benefit	The UK motor industries have developed a return on investment tool for the learners within the Retail Motor Industry space. The visit included observation of training at major retail motor training centres. merSETA has entered into an agreement with RMI (SA) and IMI (UK) to implement the return on training investment tool. merSETA has ventured into implementing the tool at sixty companies within South Africa. The project was initiated by RMI as a key stakeholder of merSETA
Bremen University, Bremen, Germany – RSA TVET Research in April 2016
Direct and Indirect benefit	The visit was aimed at exploring an approach for skills transfer on partnerships with Bremen University and integrates research topics and themes into the Higher Education Institution system in South Africa. Enterprise based training centres for artisan training and one Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lecturer development centre was visited.
Bremen University, Bremen, Germany – RSA TVET Research in September 2016
Direct and Indirect benefit	Support sponsored PhD candidates who graduated from Bremen University. merSETA has introduced a manufacturing TVET research Master programmes with the University of the Western Cape for the Masters and PhD programmes. The PhD student is now employed by UWC to support the merSETA TVET lecturer development project for the postgraduate diploma, Masters and PhDs. Upgrading informal Apprenticeships - The education of skilled workers in the sector of informal apprenticeship – in the tradition of Master Artisan – already in quantitative terms plays a considerable role for the employment system and the local economy.
Canada World Skills General Assembly and USA Trip in October 2016
Indirect benefit	The visit was to study the apprenticeship model used in the United States with the view of adopting best practices for the South African apprenticeship system. BMW SA has been awarded the tender to assemble the BMW X3 SUV. The technology and methodology is totally different from the current one of the BMW 3 series. As from January 2018, South Africa will be the sole assembler of BMW X3 for the entire market and learners will be trained on this latest technology.
Direct benefit	The merSETA delegation visited the Urban Institute of Research and American Institute for Innovative Apprenticeship to engage on the 21st century apprenticeship programme. merSETA was given various curricula to use as a benchmark for the development of the South African qualification relating to apprenticeship at no cost.
World Manufacturing Forum (WMF) in May 2016, Barcelona, Spain
Indirect benefit	This is the only event that explores industry megatrends and provides high-level networking opportunities. The participants from large multinationals, small to medium sized enterprises and academic leaders discussed policy, economic, social, and technical challenges that influence the global manufacturing industry. The Department of Science and Technology held post WMF feedback sessions in which members of the delegation have reflected resulting in some concrete ideas to take forward some of the learning from the WMF.
Brussels Trip in February 2016
Indirect benefit	Dr. Patel was invited in his capacity as Chairperson of WSSA to discuss the strategy for World Skills 2025. He facilitated the two-day session on developing the strategy for World Skills 2025, which was to be presented at the World Skills general assembly in Canada in October 2016.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 837 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE: