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22 September 2023 - NW961

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, considering that the report on How to Include the Missing Perspectives of Women of All Colors in News Leadership and Coverage is the third in a series of missing perspective reports commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in view of the fact that the new report has found that fewer than two in five editors-in-chief in the Republic are women, she will provide an overview of how her Office has championed gender transformation in senior leadership positions across industries, especially in the media and communications industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department has in the past two financial years compiled a monitoring report on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities focusing on levels of equity, employment, ownership and participation women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The report records the participation of women in senior leadership as follows:

1. Women Magistrates were 48.7% in 2020/21 and increased to 52.1% in 2021/22.

2. Women judges were 43.1% in 2020/21 and increased to 45.5% in 2021/22.

3. Representation of women in South African Police Services as Major General is at 37.9%, and Brigadier is at 38.2%. The percentage increased to 50% at higher position of Divisional Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner and Top Management. While the National commissioner is a man, two of the three Deputy National Commissioner are women.

4. Women representation at SMS level in the public service was at 27.9% in 2021/22. Youth are represented at levels 13, 14 and 15 with 1.4%, 1.7%, and 3.2 % respectively while persons with disabilities are represented by less than 2% in three levels.

5. Top Management level representation of women in the Private Sector was at 24.6%.

6. Data from StatsSA indicates that there are 4 407 Councillors of which 1 309 are female which translates to 29.7% women representation as Councillors.

22 September 2023 - NW1784

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Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the relevant details of the investigations that her Office, working together with the SA Police Service, initiated regarding the escalating number of women and children abductions that are rampant across the Republic?

Reply:

Combating the abductions of women and children falls within the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS), thus a detailed response on investigations initiated may be obtained from the Minister of Police.

The department coordinates the implementation and monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). This includes monitoring various interventions in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) by the SAPS as detailed below:

#

Monitoring Area

Progress Noted as at April 2023

 

DNA kits

100% procurement of DNA kits by SA Police Service and delivery of kits to police stations, mainly to collect DNA samples in reported sex crimes.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against women

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 83.38% and the detection rate was 69.55%. The police attributed the low detection rate to difficulties in tracing attempted murder and arrest of undocumented repeat offenders.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against children

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 81.68% and the detection rate was also 81.68%. The police attributed the low detection rate to the mediation of cases before arrest of suspect and that complainants are unable to identify the perpetrators due to intoxication and environmental design.

 

GBVF Backlog Cases

The SA Police Service has worked intensively to clear backlog cases where in December 2021 80 656 were backlog and as at April 2023 the backlog was reduced to 31 021.

 

Quality of victim-friendly services

100% (1 159) of functional police stations render victim-friendly services. However, do police stations do not meet the quality dimensions as per the SA Police Service Categorisations: Bethule police station (in Free State Xhariep District) and Moeka Vuma police station (in North West Bojanala District).

 

GBVF Hotspots

665 preventions interventions conducted in top 30 GBV, domestic violence and sexual offences police stations in the country between February and March 2023.

 

Training and Support for Police

In 2022/23 2 262 (100%) Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) officials received trauma debriefing. This is important in the fight against GBVF. Training on proactive interventions targeting 3806 officers, by 31 March 2023. 12 950 members trained and 12 938 declared competent. Indicator is at 340% performance. Training on reactive interventions targeting 3 497 officers by 31 March 2023. 13 015 members trained and 12 991 declared competent. Indicator is currently at 372% performance. The courses covered have relevancy for dealing with abductions. The courses include: human rights and policing; vulnerable groups; victim empowerment; first responder to sexual offences; resolving of crimes skills; domestic violence learning; family violence, child protection and sexual offences; psychological motivated crimes; and dignity, diversity and policy.

 

Breaking alcohol and GBVF linkages

A total of 53 259 illegal liquor outlets have either closed or the illegal traded terminated from May 2021 to March 2023.

 

Budget and Expenditure

The SA Police Service report a budget of R100 Million for the implementation of the GBV Action Plan for the 2022/23 financial year. As at March 2023, expenditure was R89 Million with a variance of about R11 Million.

22 September 2023 - NW129

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, in light of the fact that 21 youths died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park on 26 June 2022 and two more teens died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas, she will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with a detailed overview of her department’s collaboration with the SA Police Service to address (a) underage drinking and (b) clamping down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

22 September 2023 - NW2528

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Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department (a) does a thorough investigation and (b) has investigators who work on a daily basis to ensure that there are no unregistered doctors who are practicing in any communities across the Republic as the Health Professionals Act, Act 56 of 1974, stipulates that no person may practice in any health profession unless he or she is registered to do so with the Health Professions Council of South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what measures has his department put in place to prevent and ensure that no doctor practices without being registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA); (3) what number of bogus doctors has his department found to have been practicing without being registered at the HPCSA from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023?

Reply:

1. (a) Inspections are conducted by Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to identify unregistered persons posing as practitioners.

(b) Some of the inspectors within the HPCSA’s Inspectorate Unit are based in the provinces to conduct compliance inspections and identify unregistered persons posing as practitioners.

(2) The Department through the HPCSA took a proactive approach to establish the Inspectorate Unit that works with the South African Police Services, the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, the Office of Health Standards Compliance, the South Africa Pharmacy Council, the South African Nursing Council, the Board of Health Care Funders and other authorities to ensure that persons practising any health professions whilst not registered are brought to book.

The HPCSA has conducted 2727 inspections in collaboration with the stakeholders mentioned above during the period April 2022 until March 2023. The awareness campaigns are held to educate members of the public on how to identify and report unregistered persons practicing illegally. It is equally important to note that the Constitution places the mandate to investigate and prevent crime under the portfolio of the Minister of Safety and Security. Furthermore, the Constitution places the mandate to prosecute persons charged with criminal offences under the portfolio of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.

(3) There were 33 unregistered bogus doctors who were posing as registered practitioners identified by the HPCSA for the period, 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023..

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2526

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Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department intends building a clinic at Smith’s Mine outside Barkly West (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) relevant details and (b) time frames; (2) whether his department has recorded the number of communities that are still without any healthcare facilities 30 years into democracy in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

According to the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Health, the Frank Smith Diamond Mine is situated 65 km northwest of Kimberley on the farm Frank Smith No HV37, in Dikgatlong Local Municipality (Barkly West area). The population for Smith’s Mine is approximately ±200-300 residents.

These residents are serviced by a mobile clinic from Dikgatlong.

Due to the population size the area will continue to be serviced by a mobile clinic as it does not qualify for a fixed health facility.

The department is engaging on infrastructure improvement on a continuous basis, however not all areas will get a fixed facility for now but will be continuously serviced by the mobile unit. It should be noted that services rendered at mobile unit are same services rendered at fixed clinics.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW1471

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the high unemployment and poverty rates in the Republic, what impact has the (a) National Youth Development Agency, (b) Small Enterprise Finance Agency and (c) Sector Education and Training Authorities had in addressing youth unemployment and poverty?

Reply:

a) Since its inception in 2010 the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has, among other achievements:

  1. Supported more than 200 000 youth owned enterprises with non-financial interventions which include business development training, business development support, access to market initiatives and mentorship and aftercare.
  2. Provided more than 25 000 youth owned enterprises with financial support to start and scale their own enterprises.
  3. Assisted more than 500 000 with skills development and work readiness programs to support their transitions into the labour market.
  4. Placed more than 100 000 youth in jobs.
  5. Supported more than 250 000 youth through National Youth Service programs which have contributed to social cohesion and nation building.
  6. Commissioned over 20 independent monitoring and evaluation assessments of the impact of its programs.
  7. Developed the approved Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2030 aligned to the National Development Plan and the National Youth Policy. Two progress reports on the IYDS have been completed to date.

b) The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) is under the custodianship of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition for reply.

c) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are under the custodianship of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Higher Education and Training for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW2241

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) total number of (i) police officers and (ii) civilian officials were investigated for criminal activities in the past five years, (b) were the charges and (c) number was successfully prosecuted and removed from the police service?

Reply:

Find reply here

 

22 September 2023 - NW1598

Profile picture: Madokwe, Ms P

Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) is the position of her Office on the decision by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to underfund non-profit organisations that take care of persons living with disabilities with about R416 million and (b) steps will her Office take to ensure that this seemingly detrimental decision does not lead to another Life Esidimeni situation in the province?

Reply:

The matters raised by this question are located in the mandate of the national Department of Social Development (DSD). The question may be directed to the Minister of Social Development for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW307

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given that 21 young persons died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in June 2022 and two more teenagers died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas Day, what are the relevant details of how her department collaborated with the Department of Police to address underage drinking and clamp down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

21 September 2023 - NW2966

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Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) measures have been taken to rehabilitate old mining and bushy areas which were previously mines and (b) are the details of the time frames that have been put in place to legalise small-scale mining for local communities?

Reply:

(a)The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has a programme to rehabilitate derelict and ownerless mines. Annually National Treasury allocates funds for the rehabilitation of these mines. In the current financial year, R143 million has been allocated for this purpose. With these amounts three derelict and ownerless mines are rehabilitated as outlined in the Annual Performance Plan.

(b) There is nothing in law or otherwise that preclude small scale miners or local communities and Artisanal miners to participate in mining activities. In furtherance of small-scale mining the department is providing technical and financial support with respect to permit applications and other relevant matters

21 September 2023 - NW2597

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What steps has his department taken to ensure that (a) domestic and (b) farm workers are paid a minimum wage as most of the specified workers are in remote areas that do not have easy access to the services of his department and most are unable to access the assistance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration due to various reasons?

Reply:

The Department of Employment and Labour undertakes labour inspections at all workplaces including domestic households and on farms and agricultural establishments. Such labour inspections are undertaken on a pro-active basis as well as re-active basis (based on complaints received).

Advocacy initiatives are undertaken using local newspapers and radio stations (in the local languages) across all Provinces in South Africa where compliance to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is advocated and where awareness is raised about the rights of workers.

Effective stakeholder relations are also fostered where the Department also participates in local and regional structures (District Development Model – DDM) where compliance to the NMW is advocated to various government departments and municipalities stakeholder programmes. Imbizos by traditional leadership are also one forum where the NMW is advocated and awareness raised to communities and workers. Furthermore, the department adopts a joint stakeholder approach to communicate its message to workers and the community.

The Department also have a programme called “Taking Services to the People” where all employment and labour legislation including the NMW are advocated to both urban, semi-rural and rural communities.

The Department has signed a MOU with the South African Domestic Workers Union (SADSAWU) to undertake joint advocacy programmes within the domestic workers-sector. To this end, a number of advocacy sessions have already been held throughout the country.

Further efforts and special focus is on the agricultural sector where the NMW is currently being advocated to farmers / employers.

There are constant ongoing advocacy and stakeholder partnerships being fostered to mainstream the NMW into the consciousness of the South African Labour Market. Strategic Stakeholder Partnerships with universities deemed to be in rural provinces are currently being entered into where Law Students will be utilised to advocate compliance to the NMW in rural areas thus raising awareness of the NMW in rural areas of our country.

In instances whereby there’s no compliance with employment laws (including the NMWA); notices are served to employers. In instances where employers fail to honour these notices; the inspectorate would refer such to the CCMA for prosecution.

21 September 2023 - NW2932

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Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

On what date is it envisaged that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will address the extensive backlogs in the processing of UIF COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme claims?

Reply:

The Unemployment Insurance Fund processed all the Covid-19 claims for all the lockdown periods. The outstanding applications are those applications that were processed by UIF and were never paid as they failed validations and verifications. UIF is currently re-processing Covid-19 applications that were corrected and updated by employers or where employers have submitted any missing information.

This continuous processing is done by UIF to ensure that all the employers and employees receive their due benefits upon correction from employers.

The timeframe of when all these applications will be paid is heavily dependent on employers providing complete, accurate and corrected employees’ information.

21 September 2023 - NW2857

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What total number of complaints of sexual harassment were received from employees of his department in 2022, (b) how was each complaint dealt with and (c) what were the repercussions for employees that were found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Reply:

a) The Department received three (3) complaints of Sexual Harassment in the financial year 2022/2023.

b) All cases (3) were investigated and two complaints were found to be substantive and one was not, owing to lack of evidence.

c) One of the two cases found to be substantive, the perpetrator was charged and found guilty and the sanction of two months’ suspension without pay was pronounced by the Chairperson.

On the other substantive case the matter was investigated and the perpetrator charged, but during the process of the hearing the complainant passed on.

END

21 September 2023 - NW2890

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether his department was involved in the installation of solar systems at Vondeling in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of solar systems were installed at Vondeling in 2021, (b) total number of the solar system units are not working, (c) total number have never worked and (d) are the reasons that the contractor has not been required to repair the non-functioning units?

Reply:

Yes, DMRE was involved in the installation of the SHSs

a) DMRE installed eighty-eight (88) Solar Home Systems (SHSs) at Dr Beyers Naude in the 2020/21 financial year through one of its appointed service providers. Twenty (20) SHSs were installed in Vondeling.

b) The DMRE conducted an inspection with the service provider and the municipality officials on 28-29 April 2021. During the inspection two (2) of the installed SHSs were found to be not working and the service provider was instructed to repair, and they were repaired.

All SHSs (88 in total) installed were working when the inspection was concluded on 29 April 2021.

c) None

d) There installed SHSs are covered by the service provider for a period of one (1) year post the installation period through warranties as per the contract signed between the DMRE and the service provider. Once the one year period has elapsed, the repairs and maintenance of the SHSs becomes the responsibility of the municipality.

21 September 2023 - NW2793

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Nothnagel, Dr J to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What is the progress regarding the abolition of the requirement of work experience for entry-level posts in Government?

Reply:

Under the Directive issued by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) on 04 February 2019, entry-level posts within the Public Service are categorised as level 3 for roles requiring only a senior certificate and level 6 for roles necessitating a tertiary qualification at a minimum. A revised Directive will be issued before the end of November 2023 with a clear criteria on how Executive Authorities may identify the entry level posts. In terms of of the Public Service Act, the responsibility for identifying these specific posts rests with the Executive Authority of the respective department. Presently, posts with no experience requirements are also being advertised within the Public Service. The revised directive will highlight that experience is not required in all positions up until level 6, where such positions have no supervisory responsibilities.

End

21 September 2023 - NW2726

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Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

In terms of the fullterm trade figures for the past full year, what are the details of the (a) top 10 countries that the Republic (i) exported to and (ii) imported from and (b) supply value of the (i) export and (ii) import trade?

Reply:

The top export and import partners, and trade values are summarised below.

Exports reached an all-time high in 2022, surpassing ZAR 2 trillion for the first time, with notable growth in exports to markets including Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, India, and all neighbouring countries.

 

TOP 10 Export destinations

Exported value in 2022

 

World

2 024 476 648

1

China

195 591 758

2

United States of America

179 425 236

3

Germany

163 795 988

4

Japan

140 869 179

5

United Kingdom

103 567 427

6

Netherlands

98 245 133

7

India

84 135 321

8

Botswana

77 071 498

9

Belgium

65 199 545

10

Namibia

56 997 549

Imports grew rapidly, particularly due to the rising petroleum imports, which also drove a rapid spike in imports from India, the UAE and Oman.

 

TOP 10 Import suppliers

Imported value in 2022

 

World

1 832 262 773

1

China

368 761 963

2

India

136 911 736

3

Germany

135 371 730

4

United States of America

134 817 391

5

Saudi Arabia

71 916 317

6

United Arab Emirates

67 786 536

7

Thailand

50 512 434

8

Japan

46 522 269

9

Oman

43 472 407

10

Italy

40 429 620

Data source: International Trade Centre TradeMap reporting of SARS data. Exports to Mozambique have been adjusted to account for misclassified data bound for third markets via the Port of Maputo. Reported figures are as reflected in official SARS data, and may include some transit trade classified as exports by SARS.

-END-

21 September 2023 - NW2917

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Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What total number of officials of his department have been found guilty of collusion with employers in defrauding the (a) COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme and (b) Unemployment Insurance Fund during the 2022-23 financial year?

Reply:

a) The total number is three (3) based in Kwazulu Natal province, all officials are dismissed from the Department;

b) Five officials were dismissed as follows;

1 Gauteng

1 Northen Cape

1 Western Cape

2 North West

21 September 2023 - NW2916

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Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What consequence management steps will he take against the commissioners of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund for not submitting on time the annual financial statements of the two entities to the Auditor-General for the 2022-23 financial year?

Reply:

The Director General will evaluate the impact that the approved delay in the submission of the 2021/22 financial statements (which impacted the submission of the 2022/23 annual financial statements) has yielded on the control environment of the Compensation Fund’s control environment, the audit outcome and service delivery performance.

There will be feedback sessions conducted with all stakeholders (management, audit committee, Auditor General) to reflect on the outcome. Thereafter a corrective action and accountability will be enforced.

 

21 September 2023 - NW2811

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism

(1) With reference to the resignation of Mr Themba Khumalo, the former acting chief executive officer of South African Tourism (SAT), what are the (a) reasons that the SAT Board agreed to the specified person’s request to resign immediately without working out the notice period and (b) total costs of salaries, reimbursements and any other benefits that were paid out; (2) with reference to the appointment of a certain person (details furnished), what are the (a) reasons that the SAT Board appointed the specified person to the relevant position in spite of allegations of bribery against the person and (b) implications for SAT?

Reply:

(1) (a) I have been informed by SA Tourism that in resolving to accept the resignation with immediate effect, the Board considered SA Tourism’s programme with imminent demands, the need for stability at leadership and the need to assure SA Tourism stakeholders of continuity against the individual’s expressed preference.

(b) R130,931.61 leave pay-out after deductions and recoveries.

(2) (a) The allegations of bribery were brought to the attention of the Board on 9 May 2023, during Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban, when media reports appeared. This was after the Board had appointed her into the acting position. Having inquired into the matter and being furnished with documentary evidence which implied that the specified person had followed a gift declaration process for approvals to accept an invitation in 2022, the Board resolved to retain her in the acting position pending the completion of an independent forensic investigation.

(b) The implications of the whistleblowing report were that SA Tourism had to process the complaint in line with its policy.

21 September 2023 - NW2926

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What steps is he and his department taking to close the legislative loopholes that were identified in the Joint Illegal Mining Report, which make it more difficult for law enforcement to stop illegal mining?

Reply:

The Department is participating in the process of developing the General Laws amendment (GLA) Bill by creating provisions in the Mineral Petroleum Resource Development Act (MPRDA, the Diamond Act and the Precious Metal Act that will strengthen penalties and criminalise illegal mining.

21 September 2023 - NW3011

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) financial amounts has the Republic contributed to the Grand Inga Hydropower Project since 1 January 2013 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) have been the material outcomes of the contributions and (c) renewed financial commitments has the Republic made towards the revival of the specified project in 2023?

Reply:

The Republic of South Africa has not made any financial contribution to the Grand Inga 

Hydropower Project and there are no financial commitments made.

21 September 2023 - NW2645

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) Whether he has been informed that a 15-year-old child from Phola near Ogies, suffered third-degree burns after falling into a pit of an unrehabilitated mining area in Mpumalanga in October 2022 and that to date the owner of the land has not been located; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) Whether his department has a database of all mine owners in each province, particularly the owners of the mines that need rehabilitation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3029E

Reply:

1. The Department has been informed of the unfortunate incident. Preliminary investigations shows that the area where the incident happened falls outside coordinates of any Licensed mine. The Mining company in the vicinity decided to assist on purely humanitarian grounds and this assistance has also been acknowledged by the child’s family. The Department remains seizes with this matter to prevent the occurrence of such an incidence from happening again.

2. The Department has the database of mines that need rehabilitation. These are legacy mines that have been abandoned by the previous mine owners prior to the introduction of the Minerals Act (1991) and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA, 2002). To this end, the department has prioritized the rehabilitation of these Derelict and Ownerless (D&O) mines.

21 September 2023 - NW2591

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Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

(1) What number of complaints were lodged with the Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) of his department in the Western Cape regarding the issuance of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) since 1 January 2021; (2) whether any alleged noncompliance with the HCA regulations specifically on farms in the specified province have been reported; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what number of (a) reactive inspections into alleged noncompliance with the HCA regulations on farms have been conducted and (b) proactive inspections were conducted by the IES in the province; (4) following the specified inspections, what number of (a) findings of noncompliance on farms in the Western Cape were made by the IES inspectors and (b) written directions to comply were issued to employers where noncompliance with the provisions were found; (5) what (a) number of and (b) sanctions, as contemplated in Section 16 of the regulations, were issued to employers for noncompliance? NW2974E

Reply:

(1) Only one complaint was received from an organisation representing women in farming. The Organisation is of the view that certain chemicals are banned in Europe and is lobbying very hard to have the same chemicals banned in South Africa as they argue it has disastrous effects even with PPE.

(2) Yes – we received complaints regarding non adherence to our legislations including use of hazardous chemical agents from:

a) Worker in the agriculture sector

b) Non-profit organisation and

c) Labour unions

Farmers are encouraged to conduct the spraying before the wind reaches a certain strength and that normally happens at night and Organisations are of the view that some farmers are not concerned about the wind which then contribute to higher exposure especially to residents staying close to the farms.

(3) Re-active inspections conducted = 109

Compliant = 92

Non – compliant = 17 (All served with enforcement notice)

Proactive inspections = 1319

Compliant = 686

Non-compliant = 633 (All served with enforcement notice)

(4) Findings – These vary from each workplace (farm), when inspectors visit workplaces; they typically wouldn’t just concentrate on one area but they would cover all our employment laws. Even when an inspection would be triggered by a complaint relating to use of hazardous chemical agents, the inspector verifies level of compliance on all regulations that are applicable to that particular workplace.

(5) 20 employers (farms) failed to comply with the served enforcement notices and prosecution was recommended.

21 September 2023 - NO514

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Gumbu, Mr TT to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(a) What are the strategic resolutions that the Republic can leverage on from the series of meetings he hosted with BRICS Ministers of Communications from 31 July to 4 August 2023 (details furnished) and (b) how will the strategies help to tackle head-on the triple challenges that continue to confront the Republic? NO3353E

Reply:

The BRICS Ministers Meeting and other related meetings took placed from 31 July to 4 August 2023. The DCDT also convened a Business-to-Business engagement (B2B Dialogue) that focused on digital infrastructure roll-out that promotes universal connectivity, investment in digital skills and capacity building, and establishing a thriving digital economy. The B2B Dialogue was inclusive of over 105 participants including multinationals and SOEs. The main outcome related to cooperation and collaboration in investment in Digital Inclusion to achieve universal connectivity and universal access to Telecommunication/ICT services. The declaration is made available for anyone interested.

(b) There are specific areas of cooperation in the form of collective action, in research and development, skills transfer, exchange of knowledge and best practice as it relates to policy formulation and implementation that was agreed to.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2727

Profile picture: Bergman, Mr D

Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Whether he will relook the Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) thresholds, considering that the Rand/Euro exchange has nearly doubled since the criteria were first launched and that could have bearing on companies considered as Micro enterprises being able to qualify for an EME affidavit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The existing EME threshold of R10 million annual revenue was set to exempt small businesses from mandatory compliance with B-BBEE.

While the exchange rate itself may not be sufficient grounds for a review, there may be other information that justifies a review. I am accordingly requesting the Department to consider the matter and advise me by the end of November 2023 whether there are grounds for a review.

-END-

21 September 2023 - NO502

Profile picture: Mthembu, Ms AH

Mthembu, Ms AH to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

Noting that the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has reported to only have R234 million remaining from the R3,2 billion bailout funds that it received from the National Treasury, what (a) are the relevant details of the total amount of the used funds that have been directed towards the commercialisation of the SABC for profit maximisation and programmes attached to such funds and (b) plans are in place to mitigate against declining revenue as a result of a decline (details furnished)?

Reply:


The SABC was allocated an amount of R3.2 billion in 2019 to fund initiatives outlined in its approved Turnaround Plan, aimed at transforming its financial sustainability status. More specifically, these funds were intended for the settlement of trade and other payables, investment in fresh and compelling content as well as funding long-term capital expenditure projects and partnerships crucial for monetizing and commercializing SABC Television, Radio and Digital platforms.

The investment in content was therefore vital for increasing audiences across all SABC platforms on TV, Radio, Digital and Sport to drive revenue performance. As of 31st March 2023, the SABC spent a total of R1.1 billion out of the allocated R1.2 billion from the bailout specifically designate for content investment aimed at driving commercialization of platforms and ultimately enhancing the profitability for the public broadcaster. Unfortunately, the investment in content efforts by the SABC did yield desired results towards the commercialisation of the SABC for profit maximisation.


The R1.2 billion that was allocated to Content was used to fund 196 properties across the following genres mainly: Drama, Entertainment, Children, Religion, Education, and Documentaries. The SABC indicated that it was difficult to commercialise newly acquired content successfully and extracting profits from it. Although some of the popular dramas and entertainment properties yielded significant profits, the SABC has advised that new dramas that were premiered, did not meet expectations towards profit maximisation. Regarding the investment in Capex projects and their potential to contribute towards profit maximisation, the SABC indicated that this will only be evident in years to come.

The projects funded from the bailout funding were a combination of projects to start the journey towards digital transformation and some critical projects to replace aging technology infrastructure. These were almost all major and complex projects that not only required open tender processes following the compilation of complex specifications, but the project rollouts are all multiyear in nature with benefits that can only be tracked post project handover.


The newly appointed Board has developed a Revenue Improvement Plan that is expected to protect and attract current and new audiences respectively to safeguard the current revenue base and improve financial performance over the short-medium to long term period. The plan cannot be attached due to its commercial sensitivity implying that the details of the plan cannot be shared as part of this response.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2849

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Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism

Since 1 January 2023, what (a)(i) total number and (ii) kind of small-scale businesses has her department helped in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and (b) total number of jobs have been created by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency?

Reply:

(a) I have been informed by the Department that the table, below, reflects the number and kind of small-scale businesses helped by the Department in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga since 1 January 2023:

1. Tour Operator Incubation Programme

The purpose of the programme was to offer incubations and business development support

interventions to emerging tour operators across the country. The programme involved 44

emerging tour operators and ran for two years until May 2023.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

8

Emerging Tour Operators

Limpopo

3

Emerging Tour Operators

Mpumalanga

2

Emerging Tour Operators

2. Community Based Tourism Incubation Programme

The Pilot Community Based Tourism Incubation programme identifies community run projects at viable rural destinations and provide business strategy and capacity building to managing teams for effective operations of enterprises.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

1

Khula Village

KwaZulu-Natal

3

Homestays

3. The Women in Tourism Business Advisory and incubation programme in Limpopo Province.

The initiative has identified seven (7) mainly women owned and run projects in tourism and related sectors:

NO

PROJECT NAME

LOCATION

PROJECT TYPE

1.

Baleni Salt Harvest

Shawela Village - Greater Giyani Municipality

Salt Harvesting / Tourist attraction

2.

Hi Hlurile Pot of Beads

Giyani Section E - Greater Giyani Municipality

Bead manufacturing

3.

Twananani Textiles

Mbokota village, Makhado Local Municipality

Textile

4.

Mukondeni Pottery Village

Makhado Local Municipality

Pottery

5.

Nahakwe Lodge

Mamaila village, Greater Letaba Local Municipality

Accommodation establishment

6.

Scrap Metals collector for

Art Gallery production

Tshivhuyuni village; Makhado Local Municipality

Art gallery

7.

Homestays

Mashishimale village in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality

Accommodation

4. Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation Incubation Programme (TTGIIP),

The TTGIIP is implemented jointly with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The programme empowers young entrepreneurs with tech ideas that enhance the travel and tourism industry operations in various ways. TIA helps 20 incubatees across the country with product development, technology design, prototype development, market testing and commercialisation. One incubatee from Mpumalanga has been assisted to take his online arts and crafts retail platform to market.

5. Food Service Incubation Programme

The programme provides business development support interventions to 100 entrepreneurs in the food services sub sector of hospitality. The purpose is to help with establishment of small businesses that operate effectively. Some of the entrepreneurs are graduates from the Department’s training and development initiatives such as Chef, Sommelier and food services training. The list of enterprises supported in Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga is provided in the table below.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

8

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

Limpopo

13

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

Mpumalanga

3

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

(b) The question is to be directed to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.

21 September 2023 - NW2525

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism

With reference to privately-owned tourism establishments that have received assistance from her department and the South African Tourism, (a) what establishments have been assisted (i) in each of the past three financial years and/or (ii) from 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) where are the specified establishments located in each case and (c)(i) what is the Rand value of the assistance provided, (ii) in what form was the assistance provided to each establishment in each specified financial year and/or period and (iii) what criteria was used to ascertain assistance to each establishment in each financial year and/or period?

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department:

 

2020-21

2021-22

2022-2023

1 April 2023

(a) What establishments have been assisted

(i) in each of the past three financial years and/or

(ii) from 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available

MASP:

None, since MASP was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.

TGSP:

1 454 accommodation and meeting venue establishments supported.

GTIP:

14 applications approved of which all were accommodation establishments.

TTF:

No applications approved due to COVID-19.

MASP:

None since MASP was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.

TGSP:

2 647 accommodation and meeting venue establishments supported.

GTIP:

52 applications approved of which 51 were accommodation establishments and 1 was an activity operator.

TTF:

2 applications approved both of which were accommodation establishments.

MASP:

30 Enterprises supported including 15 accommodation establishments; 1 Destination Management Company, 1 Incentives Travel Organiser, 11 Tour Operators and

2 Travel Agents

TGSP:

3 738 accommodation and meeting venue establishments supported.

GTIP:

31 applications approved of which 30 were accommodation establishments and 1 was an activity operator.

TTF:

3 applications approved of which all were accommodation establishments.

MASP:

22 Enterprises supported to date including 3 accommodation establishments, 3 Destination Management Companies, 1 Tourism Marketing Agency, 14 Tour Operators and 1 Travel Agents.

TGSP:

No verified information available yet.

GTIP:

7 applications approved to date of which all were accommodation establishments.

TTF:

1 application approved for an accommodation establishment.

(b) Where are the specified establishments located in each case

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

Eastern Cape: 229

Free State: 61

Gauteng: 217

KwaZulu Natal: 202

Limpopo: 94

Mpumalanga: 102

North West: 64

Northern Cape: 49

Western Cape: 436

GTIP:

Gauteng: 4

KwaZulu Natal: 4

Limpopo: 1

North West: 2

Northern Cape: 1

Western Cape: 2

TTF: N/a

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

Eastern Cape: 450

Free State: 101

Gauteng: 362

Kwazulu Natal: 369

Limpopo: 166

Mpumalanga:233

North West: 119

Northern Cape:95

Western Cape: 752

GTIP:

Eastern Cape: 12

Gauteng: 9

KwaZulu Natal: 5

Limpopo: 6

Mpumalanga: 2

North West: 4

Northern Cape: 1

Western Cape: 13

TTF:

Eastern Cape: 1

Free State: 1

MASP:

Free State: 2

Gauteng: 8

KwaZulu Natal: 8

Limpopo: 6

Mpumalanga: 3

North West: 1

Northern Cape: 1

Western Cape: 1

TGSP:

Eastern Cape: 618

Free State: 141

Gauteng: 515

KwaZulu Natal:556

Limpopo: 247

Mpumalanga:267

North West: 197

Northern Cape: 263

Western Cape: 934

GTIP:

Eastern Cape: 10

Free State: 1

Gauteng: 1

KwaZulu Natal: 2

Limpopo: 2

Mpumalanga: 2

North West: 2

Northern Cape: 3

Western Cape: 31

TTF:

Eastern Cape: 1

Limpopo: 2

MASP:

Eastern Cape: 1

Free State: 1

Gauteng: 5

KwaZulu Natal: 2

Limpopo: 1

Mpumalanga: 1

Western Cape: 11

TGSP:

No verified information available yet.

GTIP:

Eastern Cape: 2

Gauteng: 1

KwaZulu Natal: 1

Limpopo: 1

Mpumalanga: 1

Western Cape: 1

TTF:

Eastern Cape: 1

(c) (i) What is the Rand value of the assistance provided

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

R5 650 214,60

GTIP:

R7 184 677

TTF: N/a

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

R13 012 370,90

GTIP:

R32 824 256

TTF:

R8 043 000

MASP:

R1 970 257, 91

TGSP:

R15 874 587,50

GTIP:

R20 817 937

TTF:

R11 832 313

MASP:

R3 736 242, 77

TGSP: No verified information available yet.

GTIP:

R5 371 299

TTF:

R5 000 000

(c) (ii) In what form was the assistance provided to each establishment in each specified financial year and/or period

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

Discounts on grading assessment fees.

GTIP:

Capped contribution towards the cost of installing energy and water efficiency solutions.

TTF:

Combination of debt finance and grant funding for majority black-owned capital investment projects in tourism.

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

Discounts on grading assessment fees.

GTIP:

Capped contribution towards the cost of installing energy and water efficiency solutions.

TTF:

Combination of debt finance and grant funding for majority black-owned capital investment projects in tourism.

MASP:

Contribution towards the cost of return, economy airfare, accommodation, exhibition space and in-destination ground transports.

TGSP:

Discounts on grading assessment fees.

GTIP:

Capped contribution towards the cost of installing energy and water efficiency solutions.

TTF:

Combination of debt finance and grant funding for majority black-owned capital investment projects in tourism.

MASP:

Contribution towards the cost of return, economy airfare, accommodation, exhibition space and in-destination ground transports.

TGSP:

No verified information available yet.

GTIP:

Capped contribution towards the cost of installing energy and water efficiency solutions.

TTF:

Combination of debt finance and grant funding for majority black-owned capital investment projects in tourism.

(c) (iii) What criteria was used to ascertain assistance to each establishment in each financial year and/or period

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

TGSP applicants must provide supporting documents to prove:

  • tax compliance in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS);
  • business registration or ID document;
  • B-BBEE status (certificate for QSEs or sworn affidavit for EMEs); and
  • evidence of public liability cover.

GTIP:

Phase 1: Energy & Water Efficiency Audit

Prospective GTIP applicants must:

  • be an existing or new privately-owned tourism-specific establishment;
  • be an EME or QSE in line with Tourism B-BBEE Codes;
  • commit to a resource efficiency audit/ review.
  • provide 12 months consumption data and occupancy records.

Phase 2: Funding Application

GTIP applicants must:

  • have completed Phase 1 and demonstrate economic viability;
  • submit a resource efficiency audit report;
  • submit 2 years audited/ reviewed AFS;
  • submit most recent management accounts;
  • submit 3 years budget/forecast;
  • submit a B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit;
  • submit FICA documentation;
  • submit proof of ownership/ a valid lease agreement; and
  • quotations and details of potential service providers/installers.

TTF:

TTF Applicants must:

  • submit an NEF application form, TTF checklist and relevant supporting documents (RSA registration, Tax clearance, valid Tourism B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit, etc);
  • provide services to tourists as its direct clients;
  • have an annual turnover below R45 million (EME/ QSE)
  • be at least majority (51%) black-owned.
  • be black management controlled.
  • have shareholders that are operationally involved in the business.
  • prove commercial viability and sustainability as per the NEF due diligence; and
  • be able to contribute a reasonable percentage of the total funding applied for as own contribution.

MASP: N/a

TGSP:

TGSP applicants must provide supporting documents to prove:

  • tax compliance in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS);
  • business registration or ID document;
  • B-BBEE status (certificate for QSEs or sworn affidavit for EMEs); and
  • evidence of public liability cover.

GTIP:

Phase 1: Energy & Water Efficiency Audit

Prospective GTIP applicants must:

  • be an existing or new privately-owned tourism-specific establishment;
  • be an EME or QSE in line with Tourism B-BBEE Codes;
  • commit to a resource efficiency audit/ review.
  • provide 12 months consumption data and occupancy records.

Phase 2: Funding Application

GTIP applicants must:

  • have completed Phase 1 and demonstrate economic viability;
  • submit a resource efficiency audit report;
  • submit 2 years audited/ reviewed AFS;
  • submit most recent management accounts;
  • submit 3 years budget/forecast;
  • submit a B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit;
  • submit FICA documentation;
  • submit proof of ownership/ a valid lease agreement; and
  • quotations and details of potential service providers/installers.

TTF:

TTF Applicants must:

  • submit an NEF application form, TTF checklist and relevant supporting documents (RSA registration, Tax clearance, valid Tourism B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit, etc);
  • provide services to tourists as its direct clients;
  • have an annual turnover below R45 million (EME/ QSE)
  • be at least majority (51%) black-owned.
  • be black management controlled.
  • have shareholders that are operationally involved in the business.
  • prove commercial viability and sustainability as per the NEF due diligence; and
  • be able to contribute a reasonable percentage of the total funding applied for as own contribution.

MASP:

MASP applicants must be:

  • a registered legal entity in South Africa in terms of the Companies Act 1973 (as amended) or the Companies Act, 2008, the Close Corporations Act, 1984 (as amended) or the Co-operatives Act 2005 (as amended);
  • a majority South African owned inbound tourism enterprise that offer integrated and packaged experiences; products and or services, with an annual turnover not exceeding R45 million;
  • tax compliant in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS);
  • an EME or QSE in line with and compliant with the Amended Tourism B-BBEE sector codes;
  • appropriately insured through insurance cover applicable to the relevant tourism sub-sector; and
  • in operation for at least one calendar year.

TGSP:

TGSP applicants must provide supporting documents to prove:

  • tax compliance in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS);
  • business registration or ID document;
  • B-BBEE status (certificate for QSEs or sworn affidavit for EMEs); and
  • evidence of public liability cover.

GTIP:

Phase 1: Energy & Water Efficiency Audit

Prospective GTIP applicants must:

  • be an existing or new privately-owned tourism-specific establishment;
  • be an EME or QSE in line with Tourism B-BBEE Codes;
  • commit to a resource efficiency audit/ review.
  • provide 12 months consumption data and occupancy records.

Phase 2: Funding Application

GTIP applicants must:

  • have completed Phase 1 and demonstrate economic viability;
  • submit a resource efficiency audit report;
  • submit 2 years audited/ reviewed AFS;
  • submit most recent management accounts;
  • submit 3 years budget/forecast;
  • submit a B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit;
  • submit FICA documentation;
  • submit proof of ownership/ a valid lease agreement; and
  • quotations and details of potential service providers/installers.

TTF:

TTF Applicants must:

  • submit an NEF application form, TTF checklist and relevant supporting documents (RSA registration, Tax clearance, valid Tourism B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit, etc);
  • provide services to tourists as its direct clients;
  • have an annual turnover below R45 million (EME/ QSE)
  • be at least majority (51%) black-owned.
  • be black management controlled.
  • have shareholders that are operationally involved in the business.
  • prove commercial viability and sustainability as per the NEF due diligence; and
  • be able to contribute a reasonable percentage of the total funding applied for as own contribution.

MASP:

MASP applicants must be:

  • a registered legal entity in South Africa in terms of the Companies Act 1973 (as amended) or the Companies Act, 2008, the Close Corporations Act, 1984 (as amended) or the Co-operatives Act 2005 (as amended);
  • a majority South African owned inbound tourism enterprise that offer integrated and packaged experiences; products and or services, with an annual turnover not exceeding R45 million;
  • tax compliant in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS);
  • an EME or QSE in line with and compliant with the Amended Tourism B-BBEE sector codes;
  • appropriately insured through insurance cover applicable to the relevant tourism sub-sector; and
  • in operation for at least one calendar year.

TGSP:

No verified information available yet.

GTIP:

Phase 1: Energy & Water Efficiency Audit

Prospective GTIP applicants must:

  • be an existing or new privately-owned tourism-specific establishment;
  • be an EME or QSE in line with Tourism B-BBEE Codes;
  • commit to a resource efficiency audit/ review.
  • provide 12 months consumption data and occupancy records.

Phase 2: Funding Application

GTIP applicants must:

  • have completed Phase 1 and demonstrate economic viability;
  • submit a resource efficiency audit report;
  • submit 2 years audited/ reviewed AFS;
  • submit most recent management accounts;
  • submit 3 years budget/forecast;
  • submit a B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit;
  • submit FICA documentation;
  • submit proof of ownership/ a valid lease agreement; and
  • quotations and details of potential service providers/installers.

TTF:

TTF Applicants must:

  • submit an NEF application form, TTF checklist and relevant supporting documents (RSA registration, Tax clearance, valid Tourism B-BBEE certificate/ sworn affidavit, etc);
  • provide services to tourists as its direct clients;
  • have an annual turnover below R45 million (EME/ QSE)
  • be at least majority (51%) black-owned.
  • be black management controlled.
  • have shareholders that are operationally involved in the business.
  • prove commercial viability and sustainability as per the NEF due diligence; and
  • be able to contribute a reasonable percentage of the total funding applied for as own contribution.

ACRONYMS:

MASP: Market Access Support Programme

TGSP: Tourism Grading Support Programme

GTIP Green Tourism Incentive Programme

TTF: Tourism Transformation Fund

SA Tourism:

SA Tourism implements the Tourism Grading Support Programme (TGSP) on behalf of the department. The information pertaining to the TGSP is provided in the table above.

21 September 2023 - NO520

Profile picture: Tambo, Mr S

Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What are the reasons that the SA Broadcasting Corporation constantly reverts to sub-licensing agreements with a certain company (name furnished) when it comes to broadcasting major sporting events that could generate revenue for the entity? NO3359

Reply:

As a public broadcaster, the SABC is expected to broadcast national sports events as provided for in the ICASA Sports broadcasting regulations. When right holders’ sell Free to Air (FTA) rights to a subscription / pay television broadcaster, the SABC is forced to sub-licence these rights from the broadcaster to fulfill its mandate. This, unfortunately, often comes with inflated pricing and with additional restrictive and possibly anti-competitive conditions.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2753

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Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(a) What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

Details regarding the Layout, Design and Printing of the Annual Reports for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) are as follows:

(aa) 2020-21:

(a) R152 961.62

(b) Ndabase Printing Solutions

(c) 300 copies

(bb) 2021-22:

(a) R119 800.00

(b) Young Stars Computer Services

(c) 200 copies

(cc) 2022-23:

(a) R43 240.00

(b) Black Icon Designs

(c) 65 copies

21 September 2023 - NW2858

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1) Whether, in light of the fact that the public-private partnership between his department and the banks for applications and renewals of Smart IDs and passports comes to an end in September 2023, the partnership will be extended; if not, what is the position of his department with regard to citizens who prefer making use of banks for Smart ID and passport applications and renewals; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) are the names and (b) is the total number of banks that his department had partnered with since the inception of the initiative

Reply:

1. The Memorandum of Understanding with the banks will be extended to 31 March 2024.

(2)(a) ABSA, Discovery, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank.

(2)(b) Total number of bank branches is 29 and the breakdown is depicted below:

  • ABSA: 5
  • FNB: 7
  • Nedbank: 6
  • Standard Bank: 9
  • Investec Bank: 1
  • Discovery Bank: 1

END

21 September 2023 - NO519

Profile picture: Tambo, Mr S

Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What is the practical and step-by-step plan of his department to resolve the problems of access to internet connectivity in the Republic?

Reply:

    1. Cabinet approved the revised SA Connect Phase 2 model and implementation plan which connects both Government and communities.

      The approved model is based on a partnership between SITA, Broadband Infraco and Sentech. It includes implementation via the social obligations in the new licensing plan of high demand spectrum, with Departments being responsible for maintenance thereafter.

      The step-by-step targets for each category are as follows:

      1. SITA will connect Government Sites (National and Provincial Departments – including the South African Police Service) and excluding schools and clinics (unless they are part of the existing broadband initiatives). Over the next 3 years:
      SITA will connect at a minimum of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) a total of 14 742 Government sites as well as 949 libraries and Thusong Centres

      Existing budgets from line departments must be utilised for maintenance and the extension of services provided by SITA.


      2. Telecommunication companies through the ICASA-awarded High Demand Spectrum licenses will be mandated as part of their Service Obligations within 36 months to provide 10Mbps (uplink and downlink), uncapped and upgradable for the same duration that the entities are licensed to utilise the spectrum broadband services to connect a total of:
      • 18 520 schools
      • 1764 pitals and 3967 clinics
      • 567 libraries and Thusong centres; and
      • 8241 Traditional and Tribal Authority centres

      3. Broadband Infraco and SENTECH will provide broadband infrastructure to enable more broadband connection possibilities at a minimum of 5 Mbps, positively affecting 5 830 208 households over the next 3 years, as follows:
      • 840 Open Access Base stations
      • 33 539 community Wi-Fi hotspots to connect 5 830 208 households
      • 1 600 households using a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) connections in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape mountainous areas

      Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2724

Profile picture: Phillips, Ms C

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

(1) With regard to Section 26(3) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, which states that any person who intends to beneficiate any mineral mined in the Republic outside the Republic may only do so after written notice and in consultation with the Minister, what (a) total number of companies and/or individuals in the Bojanala area have submitted written notice and consulted with him in order to beneficiate ore containing chromium (Cr), (b) are the names of the companies and/or individuals and (c) are the details of the property on which the beneficiation is taking place; (2) whether, with regard to Section 5(4)(a), which states that no person may prospect for or remove, mine, conduct technical co-operation operations, reconnaissance operations, explore for and produce mineral or petroleum or commence with any work incidental thereto on any area without an approved environmental management programme or approved environmental management plan, as the case may be, he will furnish Mrs C Phillips with a copy of the plans of the companies and/or individuals referred to in question 1(a); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Section 26 of the Act was meant to promote beneficiation of mineral in the Republic. Section 26(3) requires any person who intends to beneficiate any mineral outside the Republic to so with written notice and in consultation with the Minister. The constraints on electricity have limited the ability to facilitate local beneficiation.

(a) There is no company and/or individual in the Bojanala area that has submitted written notice and consulted with the Minister.

(b) Please refer to 1(a)

(c) Please refer to 1(a)

2. Beneficiation of minerals outside a mining arear is managed in terms of NEMA.

21 September 2023 - NW2891

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Tourism

(1) What was the (a) total cost of the Baviaanskloof Interpretive and Visitor Information Centre at Nuwekloof and (b) source of funding for the specified centre; (2) what total number of persons have been employed at the centre since its opening in 2022; (3) (a) what is the total number of vacancies at the centre and (b) on what date will the vacancies be filled; (4) what (a) total number of visitors have been to the centre in each month since its opening and (b) programmes are planned for the centre for the rest of the current financial year?

Reply:

(1) (a) I have been informed by the Department that the total construction cost for the Baviaanskloof Interpretative Centre & Visitor Information Centre was R35 230 367.75. The amount excludes the R8 212 121.00 for consultants’ fees.

(b) The Department of Tourism successfully secured R57 million funding from the European Union through National Treasury for the implementation of the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site Leopard Trail Huts and Interpretation Centre projects.

(2) There are currently 5 employees at the Centre; 2 providing information to visitors and managing the Centre and 3 officials managing the security gates.

(3) (a) The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Authority (ECPTA) has drafted a Human Resources Plan that will inform the number of vacancies to be filled, however there are 5 employees currently at the Centre.

(b) The HR Plan developed by ECPTA will be subject to board approval by end of

2023/24 financial.

(4) (a) What total number of visitors have been to the centre in each month since its opening.

 

MONTH

WESTERN SECTION INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

EASTERN SECTION GATE

WESTERN SECTION GATE

TOTAL

Aug-22

1424

173

200

 

Sep-22

170

100

133

 

Oct-22

116

121

340

 

Nov-22

133

125

225

 

Dec-22

172

260

671

 

Jan-23

50

874

575

 

Feb-23

96

389

390

 

Mar-23

0

260

105

 

Apr-23

130

664

325

 

May-23

0

376

265

 

Jun-23

27

350

345

 

Jul-23

92

335

300

 

Aug-23

60

 

1450

 

Total

2470

4027

5324

 

Overall Total

     

11821

 

(b) The Centre is strategically placed as the biodiversity educational centre, tourism hub and to operate as the visitor information centre for the Western section of the Baviaanskloof. The Centre is linked to other concessions in the Baviaanskloof, e.g. the Annual Trans-Baviaans Mountain Bike Challenge Race and the Leopard Trail hiking experience.

21 September 2023 - NW2933

Profile picture: Le Goff, Mr T

Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What total number of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme claims remain unprocessed by the UIF?

Reply:

There is a total of 215 557 claims across all the different lockdown periods that are unprocessed, these are all claims that have been processed however failed validations and verifications due to missing employee’s records/ information. These Covid-19 claims are processed upon correction by employers.

21 September 2023 - NW2637

Profile picture: Mthethwa, Mr E

Mthethwa, Mr E to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

(1)What steps of intervention did the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) take to investigate the reported conflict of interests between the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) and SA Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), as an accredited collecting society, around the sponsorship of a category at the 2016 edition of the SA Music Awards (SAMA) given that the SAMPRA and RISA chairman happened to be the same person; (2) On what basis did the CIPC deem it fair and/or regular that a regulated collecting society like SAMPRA should absorb losses incurred by RISA as a result of the 2016 edition of SAMA; (3) Whether the fact that the amount of the 2016 SAMA sponsorship was budgeted for by SAMPRA at R12 000, but that the SAMPRA-RISA Chairman approved a sponsorship amount of R600 000 including the value-added tax, raised any concerns with CIPC as the regulator of SAMPRA; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has furnished me with the following response to the question, received from Adv R Voller:

“(1) Prior to 2016, SAMPRA was accredited as a Collecting Society for owners of sound recordings in terms of Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Regulations on Collecting Societies. It was in 2016 that SAMPRA transited into a Collecting Society representing both owners of sound recordings and performers in terms of Regulation 3(1)(c) of the Regulations on Collecting Societies.

During such period of changing its representation, an interim board was established representing both performers and owners of sound recordings. The interim board served to approve all business activities of the Collecting Society.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is not aware of any situation that might have availed a conflict of interest especially that the interim board constituted of two chairpersons representing the interests of all members (the performers and owners of sound recordings).

Further, there was no complaint or request directed to CIPC to investigate such conflict of interest. The SAMPRA as an accredited Collecting Society is also subjecting itself to auditing by its auditors.

(2) The CIPC is not aware of any information indicating that SAMPRA absorbed losses incurred by RISA as a result of 2016 edition of SAMA but should such information be brought to its attention, it will investigate the matter accordingly.

(3) During the transitioning period, the interim board was established to approve the business affairs and transactions at SAMPRA. The CIPC is therefore not aware of any sponsorship amount of R600 000 approved by SAMPRA – RISA Chairman, which belonged to SAMPRA.

If there is any information indicating that SAMPRA monies were approved contrary to the parameters of the Regulations on Collecting Societies, CIPC is prepared to investigate such allegations, as mentioned above. The SAMPRA has been consistently deducting its 20% administration costs in accordance with the Regulations.”
-END-

21 September 2023 - NW2813

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism

With reference to tourism projects (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 April 2023, (i) how was each specified project put out to tender, (ii) what were the tender details in each case, (iii) on what date was each tender (aa) advertised and (bb) awarded in each case, (iv) who won the tender in each case and (v)(aaa)what contractual sanctions and/or penalties were in place in the tender contracts that were not completed and/or correctly instituted in each case and (bbb) how was each tenderer sanctioned and/or penalised in each case?

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department of the below, tabulated inputs.

Financial years

(i) How was each specified project put out to tender

(ii) What were the tender details in each case

(iii)(aa) On what date was each tender advertised

(iii)(bb) On what date was each tender awarded in each case

(iv) Who won the tender in each case

(v)(aaa) What contractual sanctions and/or penalties were in place in the tender contracts that were not completed and/or correctly instituted in each case

(v)(bbb) How was each tenderer sanctioned and/or penalised in each case

2020-21

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in Mpumalanga province and Isimangaliso wetlands park for a period of eighteen (18) months. (NDT0002/20)

 

02/10/2020

26/03/2021

AGB Finance (Pty) Ltd

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Documentation of system specifications for EPWP and non-EPWP skills and infrastructure projects - services of a senior systems analyst and senior business analyst for a period of 7 months, “business analysis services” as per sita contracts (NDT0003/20)

31/07/2020

01/10/2020

Blue Oceans Information solutions

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

A call for bid proposals from South African Public Higher Education and Research Institutions to form fart of a panel to conduct research for the Department of Tourism for a duration of three (3) years (NDT0004/20)

12/11/19

10/12/2020

1.Transformation and Tourism value chain

  • CSIR
  • University of KZN

2.Revolutionising domestic tourism

  • University of Pretoria
  • University of Johannesburg
  • University of KZN

3.Tourism and Transport interface

  • University of KZN

4.Tourism sector demand

  • University of Venda
  • University of North West
  • University of Johannesburg

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a Service Provider to Conduct Impact Evaluation of Covid-19 on the Tourism Sector in South Africa (NDT0005/20)

 

16/10/2020

08/02/2021

HS Business

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the chefs training programme on professional cookery in the North West, Free State and Northern Cape for 300 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0007/20)

23/10/2020

15/02/2021

VPK Business Venture

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the food safety assurers training programme. This was in response to Covid 19 measures and targeted 500 unemployed and retrenched youth in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape. NDT0008/20

23/10/2020

09/02/2021

  1. KTMS Courier and Project
  1. V Bet – GP
  1. .TTBISA- WC

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the wine making youth programme in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, for 252 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0009/20)

23/10/2020

06/05/2021

Tourism World (Pty) Ltd

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

  1. Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of hospitality youth training programme on food and beverages in the three clusters for 1000 unemployed and retrenched youth.

Cluster 1: Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, Gauteng Province and Free State Province

Cluster 2: North West Province, Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga Province

Cluster 3: Northern Cape Province, Eastern Cape Province and Western Cape Province

(NDT0010/20)

06/11/2020

08/04/2021

1.Cluster 1 – Awarded to MMC Business Solutions

2. Cluster 2 and 3 were not awarded.

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a service provider to manage a business incubation for emerging tour operators in the travel and tourism industry for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0011/20)

13/11/2020

25/02/2021

Sigma International

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in eight provinces (EC, FS, GP, KZN, LP, NW, NC and WC) for a period of 18 months. (NDT0012/20)

13/11/2020

14/04/2021

1.TTBISA- GP

2.VPK - NW

3.Machabelele –NC

4.Networx for career guidance – WC

5.KTMS – FS

6.K Boneng Consulting – EC

7.AGB – KZN

8. Limpopo was not awarded.

N/A

N/A

2021-22

Open tender

Appointment of a suitable, qualified and experienced service provider to assist the department of tourism with the review and update of the tourism master plan for the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site, a geo-spatial tourism destination, for completion by end June 2022. (NDT0001/21)

05 March 2021

29 October 2021

Urban- Econ Development Economist

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a qualified service provider to conduct a survey to determine the level of compliance by tourism enterprises with the amended Tourism B-BBEE sector code gazetted in November 2015. (NDT0002/21)

05 March 2021

30 November 2021

Urban- Econ Development Economist

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to provide training on safety and security for the tourism monitors in all 9 provinces including iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Sanparks. (NDT0004/21)

25 April 2021

26 October 2021

VPK Business Venture / Mary & Daughter General Dealer JV (GAUTENG)

VPK Business Venture / Mary & Daughter General Dealer JV (Mpumalanga)

Networx For Career Development / Imvula Skills Development Academy (PTY) LTD JV.(Western Cape)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a suitable, qualified and experienced service provider to develop a tourism crisis management strategy. (NDT0005/21)

13 June 2021

1 December 2021

HS Business Solutions

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of an accredited service provider to plan and conduct business management training and mentorship for 225 women entrepreneurs in tourism across nine provinces for a period of 18 months. (NDT0008/21)

27 June 2021

7 December 2021

Training B2B CC

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service provider to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in Mpumalanga Province (MP) for a period of twenty-four (24) months. (NDT0009/21)

08 August 2021

28 October 2021

VPK Business Venture

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for proposal to appoint a suitable, qualified and experienced service providers to develop a concept for a waterpark facility along the Northern Cape coastal region. (NDT0011/21)

12 September 2021

29 October 2021

Lindon Consulting Corporation Pty (Ltd)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the hospitality youth programme on food and beverages in six (6) provinces (KZN, GP, FS, NW, LP & MP) for 660 unemployed and retrenched South African youth. (NDT0001/22)

28 October 2022

17 January 2023

Tourism World / Umhlanga Hotel School (Pty) Ltd jv

(Free State & Kwa-Zulu Natal)

Networx For Career Development

(Gauteng &

North West)

MMC Business Solution (Limpopo

& Mpumalanga)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for proposals from bidders with extensive experience in tourism operations to plan and manage the implementation of a business incubation programme for eight (8) community-based tourism projects across the country for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0002/22)

26 June 2022

21 October 2022

Zevoli Growth Partners

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for appointment of an Accredited Training Service Provider to Manage the Implementation of the Food Safety Assurers Training Programme in response to Covid 19 Measures in the Kwa-Zulu Natal for 165 Unemployed and Retrenched Youth. (NDT0003/22)

21 November 2022

30 March 2022

Tourism World (Pty) Ltd / Networx for Career Developments JV

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a service provider to manage a business advisory incubator in Limpopo: Vhembe and Mopani districts for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0004/22)

21 October 2022

17 April 2023

Sigma International

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of an accredited training service provider to manage the implementation of the chefs training programme on professional cookery in the North West for 120 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0005/22)

28 October 2023

30 March 2023

Networx for Career Developments

N/A

N/A

Since April 2023

Open Tender

Appointment of a service provider to conduct training on tourism resource efficiency for a period of twelve (12) months

(NDT0004/23)

07 July 2023

Not yet awarded

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

Open Tender

Appointment of an accredited service provider to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in all provinces, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, South African National Biodiversity (SANBI) Gardens and Airports managed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for a period of 18 months

(NDT0005/23)

10 August 2023

Not yet awarded

N/A

N/A

N/A

21 September 2023 - NW2598

Profile picture: Ngcobo, Mr SL

Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

With reference to unemployment in the Republic standing at 32,9% with 62,1% of youth between 15 and 25 being unemployed, what number of permanent and sustainable jobs has his department created in the past three months for the youth who are excluded from participating in the labour market and who live without dignity?

Reply:

The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), through its offices and entities, is actively involved in a number of interventions aimed at assisting work seekers to access employment opportunities, creating public employment, saving employment, providing income support, employment safety and employment peace and dialogue as all these complements employment creation.

The Department of Employment and Labour assists work seekers particularly young people to access work opportunities through its 126 labour centres and employment centres, 450 visiting points that we use mobile units to access them. As from the 1st April 2023 to end of July 2023, Public Employment Services registered 334, 088 new work seekers on its ESSA database and 77,357 work opportunities. A total of 32,444 work seekers were placed against registered opportunities.

A further 142,648 work seekers were provided with life skills and employment counselling interventions to help them transition to the labour market.

A total of 995 People with Disabilities were retained across 12 Supported Employment Enterprises that we have across the country through the transfers that we made and sale of goods that they manufacture during the 1st Quarter of the year, to provide special employment to People with Disabilities

A total of 1056 People with Disabilities were also retained across 09 Designated National Organizations and Workshops for People with Disabilities that we subsidize

Working closely with the Presidency in its employment drive, we have concluded a partnership agreement with the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) towards the implementation of the National Pathway Management Network to make more opportunities available to unemployed young people.

A total of 108,061, earning opportunities have been secured for youth. The partners that we also work closely with, the Youth Employment Service, a private sector initiative, placed 10 695 youth in workplace experience opportunities, and further 47 000 youth gained insight into different fields of work through the revitalised youth service. A total of 139 young interns were retained within the Department to support other work seekers as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative,

The Compensation Fund also actively contributes to the workforce by providing financial assistance to those in need through bursaries. In the current fiscal year alone, . The Compensation Fund has successfully paid bursaries for 1 865 students who cover diverse range of this entity’s beneficiaries, and People with disabilities, an initiative aimed at integrating them into employment.

A total of 1 325 new employment opportunities were created through the COIDA investment arm.

The Presidential Comprehensive Youth Employment interventions have also contributed to job creation, specifically 135 jobs.

The Compensation Fund's provision of bursaries has made a tangible impact on the workforce by assisting those in need, creating job opportunities, and empowering marginalised youth.

The CCMA also assisted with the prevention of 6008 job losses, against a total of 16 239 workers likely to be retrenched and a total of 9 754 that were ultimately retrenched.

2023/24

YTD

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

Employee Likely To Be Retrenched

16239

4433

3491

3854

4461

               

Job Saved

6008

1825

1347

964

1872

               

Total Retrenchments

9754

2347

2061

2823

2523

               

%

37%

41%

39%

25%

42%

               

Productivity South Africa’s Competitiveness Improvement Services (CIS) supported 420 enterprises within 20 districts contributing to 3500 jobs. Trained a total of 667 Entrepreneurs, managers and workers, and capacitated 247 Productivity Champions. Demographics of Entrepreneurs, Workers and Managers trained indicates that of the 667 people trained, 201 are youth, 289 are women and 487 are Black Entrepreneurs.

The Business Turnaround and Recovery, Productivity SA Programme has intervened in 30 new companies from April 2023 to date and saved 2076 jobs of which 1088 (52%) are youth.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) through its Labour Activation Programmes has placed 8 523 beneficiaries into employment opportunities. 5 723 of them were youth and people belonging to vulnerable groups.

The Department of Employment and Labour has convened a number of Intergovernmental Collaboration Sessions with other government departments in an attempt to mobilise and to effectively utilize the limited available resources to place more unemployed people into employment and to assist others to start their own enterprises.

21 September 2023 - NW2624

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       What interventions has she put in place to ensure that learners in KwaZulu-Natal are not subjected to walking long distances, especially learners whose schools were affected by non-viability; (2) whether her department has been in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure pertaining to the availability of land to build viable schools in the specified province?

Reply:

(1) The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

21 September 2023 - NW2781

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What are the details of the (a) scope and (b) type of vetting that will be used to conduct integrity assessments which have now become a mandatory requirement for recruitment into the Public Service, in line with the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Service?

Reply:

a) Section 195 (1)(a) of the Constitution calls for the promotion and maintenance of high professional ethics in the public service. The number 1 priority for the 6th Administration is the Building of a Capable, Ethical and Developmental State which is implemented through a number of measures including the Professionalisation Framework. The Framework calls for the extension of the battery of pre-employment tests including integrity assessment tools to assess an individual’s ethical and moral values The DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that will be recommended to assess integrity across the Public Service. The scope covers all public servants starting with senior managers before consideration for other salary levels within the current medium term period. .

b) There are various ways to assess integrity:

As mentioned in (a) above, the DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that are operating in the market.

The various Psychometric tools being considered include both overt and/or covert assessments to assess an individual’s propensity and attitude towards Integrity. Such instruments are mainly Personality Questionnaires from reputable and verified Psychometric Test Developers.

The type of vetting will ensure that there is consideration of the following, amongst other things:

  • The legality of such tests;
  • The views of organised labour;
  • The need for validation of the adopted instruments for selection purposes, in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act, 1998;
  • Consideration of cultural and contextual factors that might influence the assessment results.

End

21 September 2023 - NW2757

Profile picture: Khakhau, Ms KL

Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Tourism

(a) What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department:

 

(aa) 2020-21

(bb) 2021-22

(cc) 2022-23

(a)(i) What total amount did the Department pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports

R0.00

Annual report not printed.

R0.00

Annual Report not printed.

R0.00

Annual Report not printed.

(b) Who were the suppliers in each case

No printing suppliers procured.

No printing suppliers procured.

No printing suppliers procured.

(c) What total number of copies of the report were printed in each case and in each specific financial year

0

0

0

I have been informed by SA Tourism:

 

(aa) 2020-21

(bb) 2021-22

(cc) 2022-23

(a)(ii) What total amount did SA Tourism pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports

R90 721.00

R110 079.15

R95 721.00

(b) Who were the suppliers in each case

Afrimage Communications

Milk Brown Design and Communications

Milk Brown Design and Communications

(c) What total number of copies of the report were printed in each case and in each specific financial year

100

150

150

20 September 2023 - NW2628

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

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

With reference to his reply to question 2100 on 28 June 2023, which outlines the existing regulatory frameworks and enforcement measures, (a) what are the reasons that the measures have proven ineffective in holding municipalities accountable for their negligence, (b) what specific steps of intervention will he take to address the systemic failures that allow municipalities to disregard their obligations and (c) how will he ensure that the measures result in tangible improvements and the prevention of further contamination?

Reply:

 

 

a)  The root cause for most municipalities being non-compliant is poor management and leadership that do not prioritise budgets for maintenance and operation; as well as poor billing and revenue collection leading to deterioration of infrastructure. Non-adherence to standard operating processes for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment is caused by municipalities failing to hire the necessary staff with the correct skills and qualifications.

Rapid rural-urban migration coupled with housing developments, has also resulted in increased connections to water-borne sewage systems. However, many municipalities have not invested in upgrading their sewage collection and treatment infrastructure to cater for this increase, and many wastewater treatment systems lack the capacity to deal with the increased sewage load. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has estimated that it would require approximately R50 billion to address this backlog in wastewater treatment system capacity.

b) The Department has initiated an action plan to address the worst performing municipalities (scoring less than 10%) in terms of the Blue and Green Drop Watch reports. In developing this plan together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and National Treasury (NT) it was established that half of the 30 municipalities which scored less than 10% in the Green Drop and / or Blue Drop assessments are also on COGTA’s list of 66 dysfunctional municipalities.

A quarter of the 30 municipalities are also on National Treasury’s list of 79 municipalities in service delivery and financial crisis or in serious financial trouble and requiring intervention. NT has recommended that Provinces implement mandatory interventions in terms of Section 139(5) of the Constitution and Chapter 13 of the MFMA for these municipalities. Whilst national interventions are provided for in the Constitution, the capacity to intervene at national level is limited and Provinces must lead such interventions.

c) The Department has commenced with the amendment of the Water Services Act to strengthen its water services regulatory framework and its ability to effectively rectify contraventions. This will be done through the introduction of an operating license system for Water Service Providers (WSP), to be managed by DWS as the national regulator. This will require that water services only be provided by an entity (municipality or other entity) that has an operating license. This will enable WSAs to ensure that WSPs have minimum competency, capability, and performance levels to provide the required standard of water services.

A further amendment will be made to Section 63 of the Act, which currently only provides for an intervention under the Constitution, to enable the Minister, to issue administrative action similar to the National Water Act but additionally, as a last resort, to force separation of the water services function from the municipal administration where there is persistent failure to meet license conditions. In such instances, the Water Services Authority will be required to contract with a licensed Water Service Provides (after a S78 Systems Act process). The appointed licensed WSP will take over all the functions related to providing the water service, including billing and revenue collection, Supply Chain Management and Human Resource Management. Currently S63 is impractical because it does not provide for all these functions to be taken over – the amendments will enable the licensed WSP to be funded. This amendment Bill is en-route to Cabinet for approval to embark on public consultations.

 

---00O00---

20 September 2023 - NW2538

Profile picture: Mey, Mr P

Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Whether his department has been informed that the residents of the Port Edward and Banners Rest areas in the Ugu District Municipality in the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal have been without an adequate water supply for extended periods of time due to inefficiencies at the Umtamvuna Water Treatment Plant and alleged illegal water connections, thus limiting the local authority’s ability to provide water to the specified communities and that raw sewerage is currently running into the streets of certain areas within the specified residential areas, including the local lagoon and into the ocean; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether he and/or his department intends taking any measures to intervene in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is aware of water supply challenges being experienced in the Ugu District Municipality (DM) on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The water demands in the Umtamvuna water supply system exceed the available treated water primarily due to a shortage of power to pump and treat sufficient water. Due to constraints in the power grid in the area in KwaZulu-Natal, negotiations are currently underway to secure additional power from the Eastern Cape. The DWS is unaware of sewage issues in the Banners Rest area. This matter will be investigated.

2. The DWS has intervened in the area by participating in a technical task team and establishing a War Room to monitor the implementation of turnaround plans and projects that will improve water supply for the communities of the district. The DWS is very concerned about the impact of water supply interruptions on tourism, business, and the communities and has allocated an additional R150m of the Water Services Infrastructure Grant to the Ugu DM to implement interventions. The WSIG allocation to the Ugu DM is R327,35 million over the medium-term expenditure framework.

The additional R150 million will be utilized to provide operational stability through improved bulk metering, valve refurbishment and telemetry, pipeline replacement and an emergency borehole programme, with over 20 boreholes already pumping clean drinking water to communities. In addition, the DWS is supporting the Ugu DM with the detailed planning for other regional bulk water supply projects including Harding Weza, Umtamvuna and Vulamehlo regional schemes. It is anticipated that this planning will take about 12 months to complete.

In the longer term, to ensure there is sufficient water resources to supply the area, the Minister of Water and Sanitation has issued a Directive to Umngeni-Uthukela Water Board to fund and implement the Cwabeni Dam, an off-channel storage dam with a capacity of approximately 70 million cubic meters to augment the Bhobhoi / Mzimkhulu supply system in Port Shepstone and surrounding areas. The project involves the construction of a dam, as well as associated infrastructure such as spillways, a water treatment plant, and a pipeline to convey water to the existing water supply system. The project is expected to cost R1.8 billion and is planned to be completed by 2033.

In relation to sewer spillages, in other parts of the Ugu DM, the DWS issued a Directive to the municipality on 13 May 2022 following the April 2022 floods. The War Room mentioned above is also aimed at addressing sanitation challenges in the area. Furthermore, each instance of pollution reported to the Department is investigated and communication sent to the municipality.

3. The DWS is working hard to support the Ugu DM to ensure that they fulfil their constitutional responsibility of water service provision. The DWS is confident that the support projects and the capacity support provided by CoGTA has already resulted in improvements in water supply in some areas. Unfortunately, not all interventions will yield immediate improvements, however, the DWS is providing significant financial support and technical oversight in the Ugu District Municipality and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

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20 September 2023 - NW2625

Profile picture: Mkhonto, Ms C N

Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(a) How often do water treatment facilities in the Republic use the (i) green, (ii) blue and (iii) no-drop tool to monitor the quality of treated water and ensure compliance with national standards and (b) what measures have been taken to improve the effectiveness of the specified tools as water quality assessment tools in the Republic?

Reply:

a)  The Green, Blue and No Drop reports are released every two years after the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) conducts comprehensive assessments of Water Treatment Works and municipal water distribution systems as well as wastewater systems in the country. Interim reports which are progress reports are released in the alternate year. The progress reports focus on the progress of municipalities in addressing the findings of the full Green, Blue and No Drop reports.

The intention of these uniquely South African regulatory tools is to improve municipal drinking water quality, wastewater management as well as water conservation and demand management. The Green, Blue and No Drop reports keep the public and stakeholders informed and updated with credible data and information about the state of water and sanitation services in the country. Water services institutions that achieve compliance and excellence in providing such services are also recognised for excellence. This serves as an incentive for water services institutions to improve their performance.

The reports identify what needs to be done to address each of the shortcomings identified in the reports. In this regard, the reports are a support mechanism, in addition to being a regulatory mechanism, because they provide the owners of the infrastructure (municipalities) with advice and guidance to improve water and sanitation services.

Beyond the comprehensive assessments of water and wastewater systems by the DWS and the continuous monitoring of progress made by municipalities, there are other mechanisms that Water Service Providers (WSP), including Water Boards and Water Service Authorities (WSA) must put in place to ensure compliance with the National Standards. Some of these include, amongst others:

  • Municipalities and water boards are required by law to meet drinking water standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards in South African National Standard (SANS) 241 and must conduct regular tests on their treated water to ensure compliance with the standard. A water service provider or municipality must be agile and responsive when their tests indicate a challenge with the water quality compliance.
  • The effluent from Wastewater Treatment Works which goes into rivers is also required to meet minimum standards, set by the DWS. Monitoring frequencies of these conditions are much higher than the Green Drop Assessments and water services providers must monitor compliance and provide corrective measures when required.
  • WSAs and WSPs need to ensure proper metering, monitor and be responsive to reported water leaks to ensure timeous repairs of their infrastructure to reduce losses.

b) The following is being done to by DWS ensure compliance and provide support to municipalities and to improve the effectiveness of the monitoring tools:

  • The Minister has agreed on action plans to address infrastructural deficiencies in many of the worst performing municipalities, and DWS is assisting municipalities with funding from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant and Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant to address these deficiencies.
  • DWS is taking regulatory action in terms of the National Water Act, including issuing non-compliance notices, directives, taking civil action, and as a last resort, laying criminal charges against polluting municipalities that are non-responsive to regulatory actions taken by the DWS.
  • DWS is drafting amendments to the Water Services Act to strengthen its role as the regulator of municipal water and sanitation services and to enable the Minister to intervene effectively when there is non-compliance with directives to stop pollution.

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20 September 2023 - NW2627

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

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

Whether his department has conducted an investigation into the failures of the Emfuleni Local Municipality to address the infrastructure defects and collection issues in the municipality, which have hindered the ability of the municipality to settle its debt with Rand Water; if not, why not; if so, what actions has his department taken?

Reply:

Yes, The Minister of Water and Sanitation invoked Section 63 of the Water Services Act (108 of 1997) in July 2021 and subsequently appointed Rand Water as the Implementing Agent (IA) to conduct the assessment and implement the necessary intervention to gradually address challenges. The Water and Sanitation Masterplan was compiled with the implementation protocol to guide with infrastructure management, refurbishment, upgrades, operation and maintenance. The implementation protocol involves Rand Water, Emfuleni Local Municipality, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Rand Water is currently assisting Emfuleni Local Municipality to improve revenue collection and debt management as part of the Section 63 intervention. Rand Water is assisting the Municipality with water conservation and demand management (WCWDM) and with capacitation of the water and sanitation department of the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

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20 September 2023 - NW2690

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether Rand Water has an allotment of water for each municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the amount for each municipality, (b) total amount was used by each municipality for each month from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023, (c) is the optimal amount of water needed by each municipality and (d) are the reasons for the allotment of water?

Reply:

a)  Rand Water has an allotment of water for each municipality as summarized in the table below:

Municipality

Allocated amount (Ml/d)

1.

City of Johannesburg Metro

1356

2.

City of Ekurhuleni Metro

1022

3.

City of Tshwane Metro

667

4.

Emfuleni Local Municipality

239

5.

Mogale City Local Municipality

93

6.

Metsimaholo Local Municipality

51

7.

Rustenburg Local Municipality

68

8.

Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

106

9.

Midvaal Local Municipality

28

10.

Merafong Local Municipality

86

11.

Rand West Local Municipality

91

12.

Lesedi Local Municipality

23

13.

Ngwathe Local Municipality

7

14.

Victor Khanye Local Municipality

17

15.

Royal Bafokeng Administration

10

16.

Madibeng Local Municipality

8

17.

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality

31

(b) The total amount used by each municipality from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023 is as follows:

Actual Average Monthly Consumption (Ml/d)

Municipality

Jan ‘23

Feb ‘23

Mar ‘23

Apr ‘23

May ‘23

Jun ‘23

City of Johannesburg Metro

1751

1738

1731

1735

1751

1750

City of Ekurhuleni Metro

1009

987

1019

989

982

980

City of Tshwane Metro

765

754

790

784

789

796

Emfuleni Local Municipality

299

308

304

291

285

288

Mogale City Local Municipality

102

95

94

97

98

99

Metsimaholo Local Municipality

45

39

39

40

39

41

Rustenburg Local Municipality

96

91

97

96

97

97

Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

93

93

83

84

87

87

Midvaal Local Municipality

36

35

37

35

34

32

Merafong Local Municipality

75

71

80

74

74

72

Rand West Local Municipality

78

76

76

75

77

78

Lesedi Local Municipality

23

24

21

19

23

22

Ngwathe Local Municipality

8

8

8

7

9

8

Victor Khanye Local Municipality

18

18

17

16

11

16

Royal Bafokeng Administration

16

13

18

17

15

16

Madibeng Local Municipality

15

14

12

12

12

13

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality

33

32

29

30

31

33

Grand Total

4461

4396

4453

4401

4415

4426

c) The allocated amounts per municipality are the optimal amounts needed by each municipality. Any demand above the allotted amounts renders Rand Water non-compliant with the abstraction conditions imposed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

(d) The main reasons for the allotment are to:

  • Encourage the municipalities to improve their water use efficiencies and reduce their demand in line with the current abstraction conditions.
  • Assist Rand Water to comply with the abstraction conditions from the DWS.
  • Ensure sustainable abstraction of water from the resource (Integrated Vaal River System)

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19 September 2023 - NW2641

Profile picture: Ceza, Mr K

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

What steps has she taken in reversing the amalgamation of (a) Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West and (b) Mookgopong and Modimolle Local Municipalities, (c) Thulamela and Mutale in Thohoyandou and (d) the Beyers Naude Local Municipality merger of the local municipalities of Ikhwezi, Balvaans and Camdeboo Local Municipality which occurred without consultation with the affected communities?

Reply:

The demarcation or re-demarcation of municipal boundaries (including amalgamations) is the responsibility of the Municipal Demarcation Board (“the Board”) in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998 (“the Demarcation Act”). The amalgamation of municipalities that took effect after the 2016 Local Government Elections (LGEs) was finalised by the Board after applying section 24 and 25 of the Demarcation Act and other relevant provisions.

The Demarcation Act affords the member of the public the opportunity to make proposals for determination and redetermination of municipal boundaries. Therefore, the honourable member may also make submission to the Board should there be a need for redetermination of these boundaries as permissible in terms of the Demarcation Act.

End.

19 September 2023 - NW2673

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)With regard to the monitoring tool on the implementation of the Intersectoral Protocol on the Prevention and Management of Violence against Children, Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, (a) how does she envision the monitoring tool to work, (b) what are the envisioned outcomes and impact of the monitoring tool, (c) how is the monitoring tool being measured to ensure the envisioned outcomes and impact, (d) which government departments, civil society organisations and private companies’ data on children is incorporated into the monitoring tool, (e) who has access to the information on the monitoring tool, (f) what consultation with stakeholders took place in the design and implementation of the monitoring tool and (g) what child protection nongovernmental organisations formed part of the consultation process; (2) whether the monitoring tool is currently operational, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a) The tool will contribute towards strengthening child protection system as data collected will enable the Department to identify current strengths, opportunities, gaps and limitations on the protection processes or mechanisms undertaken. The tool act as a yardstick as it measures if the desired outcomes of the intersectoral protocol have been achieved.

b) The tool will improve monitoring and evaluation of services rendered whilst also standardising reporting on the different pillars of the monitoring tool. The outcomes and impact of the monitoring tool is measured through the analysis of the provincial reports submitted by provinces on quarterly basis.

c) The Children’s Act 38/2005, section 4 and 5, promotes the Intersectoral collaboration in rendering Child Protection Services, in an integrated, coordinated, and uniform manner.

d) Social Development is the lead department for the child protection system, and other departments such as the Departments of Health, Department of Basic Education, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service, Department of Home Affairs. The civil society organisations are represented by the Designated Child Protection Organisations, etc., which provide services to children and families which directly influence their protection.

e) Currently, the tool is paper-based and accessible to all the child protection stakeholders who are expected to report on it on a quarterly basis for all services rendered to children.

f) All key stakeholders in the child protection field were consulted, as well as during the development of the monitoring tool, and they were also involved when the tool was piloted in three (3) provinces, i.e., Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Free State respectively.

(g) The consultations included the National and provincial Designated Child Protection Organisations such as CWSA (Child Welfare South Africa), Childline SA, Tutela, SAVF (Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Fedarasie), and ACVV (Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging) to name a few.

(2) Yes, the monitoring tool is fully operational and forms part of the Annual Performance Plan where all the nine (9) provinces are expected to report on a quarterly basis.In addition, the national department of Social Development is conducting the capacity-building on both the intersectoral protocol and its monitoring tool in order to strengthen case management and data collection on services, as well as accountability amongst all stakeholders within the child protection field.

National Assembly written Reply: 2673 of 2023

________________________

Approved by the Minister of Social Development

Date……………………….

19 September 2023 - NW2900

Profile picture: Steenhuisen, Mr JH

Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What are the full details of all persons who were issued with diplomatic passports (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 January 2023?

Reply:

The Honourable Member is herewith informed that Diplomatic passports are issued according to the South African Diplomatic Passport Policy and that the Department of Home Affairs is not the custodian of this policy, and similarly not responsible for the application(s) as well as the issuance of this category of passports whatsoever. Hence it is requested that any information relating to Diplomatic Passports should be addressed to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO).

END

19 September 2023 - NW2746

Profile picture: De Villiers, Mr JN

De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What total amount did (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

The Department and entities have responded as follows:

(i) Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

(a)(aa) 2020-21: R340 400

(a)(bb) 2021-22: R309 350

(a)(cc) 2022-23: R222 710

(b) 2020-21: Government Printing Works

2021-22: Government Printing Works

2022-23: Makgoka Consulting provide the editing, layout and design while Government Printing Works provided the printing services.

(c) 2020-21: 1000

2021-22: 500

2022-23: Intended number to print is 100

(ii) Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

(a)(aa) 2020-21: R146 520

(a)(bb) 2021-22: R 97 128

(a)(cc) 2022-23: Still in progress

(b) 2020-21: Inside Data South (Pty) provided the service

2021-22: Fine Art Printers provided the service

2022-23: Still in progress

(c) 2020-21: 800

2021-22: 600

2022-23: Still in progress

(iii) Government Printing Works (GPW)

(a)(aa) 2020-21: The GPW Annual Report was designed internally and a PDF copy produced for tabling in Parliament and Publishing on the GPW’s website. No hardcopies of the Annual Report were printed.

(a)(bb) 2021-22: The GPW Annual Report has been designed internally and a PDF copy produced for tabling in Parliament and Publishing on the GPW’s website. No hardcopies of the Annual Report were printed.

(a)(cc) 2022-23: The 2022/23 Annual Report is not yet produced due to an audit that has just commenced in August 2023, by the Auditor General of South Africa.

(b) 2020-21: Annual Reports were designed internally by GPW and PDF copies produced.

2021-22: No hardcopies of the Annual Reports were printed as only PDF copies were produced.

2022-23: In progress

(c) 2020-21: GPW did not print any hard copies of its annual report except development of the PDF copy.

2021-22: GPW did not print any hard copies of its annual report except development of the PDF copy.

2022-23: Annual Report is not yet produced due to an audit by the Auditor General of South Africa that has just commenced in August 2023. that has just commenced in August 2023.

END