Reply:

(a) Setotolwane Secondary School for the Deaf and Blind in Mashashane, Limpopo, and (b) Lebaka Primary School in Mohlabaneng, Limpopo; if so, what are the relevant details of all learners in respect of each specified school?

Table 1: Number of learners in Setotolwane Secondary School, by disability and gender, in 2015

Province	Emis Number	Institution Name	Street Address	Gender	Disability
					BLIND	DEAF	Total
Limpopo	922223479	SETOTOLWANE SECONDARY	SETOTOLWANE; NEWLANDS; MASHAHANE DISTRICT	Female	35	66	101
				Male	43	105	148
				Total	78	171	249

Source: LURITS 2015: 1st quarter upload

Table 2: Number of learners in Lebaka primary Schools, by gender, in 2015

Province	Emis Number	Institution Name	Institution Type	Gender	Number Learner	Disability
Limpopo	918520511	LEBAKA PRIMARY	Ordinary School	Female	470	None
				Male	458	None
				Total	928	None

Source: LURITS 2015: 1st quarter upload

Reply:

a) The Funza Lushaka Bursary programme does not have a specific focus on students who have a third language. However, the bursary programme does give preference to students who will be able to teach in an African Language in the Foundation Phase. The rationale for this is teacher supply and demand statistics of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) that corroborate the shortage of Foundation Phase teachers and emphasise the importance of recruiting Foundation Phase teachers who are trained to teach in an African Indigenous Language. More teachers who teach in African Indigenous Languages are needed to promote mother tongue instruction at the Foundation Phase level (DBE & DHET, 2011), particularly in light of the Initial Introduction of African Languages Policy. A report released by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (March 2015) also highlights the shortage of new teacher graduates in the Foundation Phase, whose mother tongue is an indigenous African Language.

b) No. The Funza Lushaka Bursary programme aims to attract academically deserving, suitable South African students, including Afrikaans and English speaking students, to become competent teachers in identified priority, scarce skills subjects and phases.

c)(i) (ii) (iii) and (iv) The table below reflects the number of bursaries awarded by race:

Year	African	Coloured	Indian	White	Not Indicated	Total
2010	5 806	1 267	326	2 573	101	10 073
2011	4 955	1 124	298	2 242	6	8 625
2012	6 988	1 553	345	2 722	10	11 618
2013	9 170	1 723	407	2 971	29	14 300
2014	9 639	1 632	368	2 692	18	14 349

Source: Funza Lushaka Awards Data

Reply:

Find here: Response

Reply:

(1) The HSRC has a plan for the maintenance and upgrade of the building. Financial constraints, however, limit the capacity to effect the full-scale implementation of the plan. Attention is given to the most urgent needs on a priority basis.

(2) Yes, the HSRC is compliant with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

(3) Yes, funding submissions for infrastructure have been submitted via the Department of Science and Technology annually since 2009. None of these submissions have been successful.

 

 

Reply:

(a) (b)

Paragraph 99 of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding, 2006 (NNSSF) determines that the school allocation may not be used to cover the cost of personnel and new buildings. The norms and standards funds should, therefore, not be used by schools to pay for salaries of educators or other staff members. According to paragraph 95 of the NNSSF, the school allocations are intended to cover non-personnel recurrent items and small capital items required by the school, as well as normal repairs and maintenance to the physical infrastructure of the school. Schools should therefore use their allocations to pay for items such as Learner and Teacher Support Material (e.g. textbooks and stationery), day-to-day maintenance of the school grounds and buildings, and services provided to the school (e.g. municipal services and maintenance of equipment).

Reply:

No, I am not considering any plans whereby we compel private or public pension funds how to invest. The key point to note is that it is the trustees of a pension fund who have to determine the investment strategy for a pension fund, taking into account its assets and liabilities, and the need for long-term growth. All that government does is to provide a broad framework to protect members of retirement funds, by reducing risks to their funds, like concentration risks when investing (refer to maximum investment limits in Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act (1956)), poor governance practices or high and opaque charges.

Since 2011 when Regulation 28 was revised, trustees of retirement funds now have to consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles before determining their investment policies and strategies. The principle is meant to encourage retirement funds to actively consider investments that might be of a developmental or infrastructural nature, without compromising returns in the long-term. Indeed, in the aggregate, retirement funds already have significant exposure to Government and State Owned Companies’ bonds, which, by their nature are developmental. In 2014, for example, 32 percent of Government issued bonds, excluding state owned company bonds, were held by local retirement funds (Budget Review 2015). Furthermore, according to the South African Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Bulletin March 2015, about 37.1 percent of total retirement fund assets are invested in public sector bonds (Government, state companies, and local government).

The nature of retirement funds means that they should invest for the long term. This implies that they do not necessarily have to be compelled to realise this long term objective to provide decent retirement savings for their members. Further, retirement funds, through their trustees, are in the best position to assess the retirement needs of their members and to decide how best to achieve this through various investment and asset-liability matching approaches. The National Treasury is also engaging with various stakeholders to unlock any funding bottlenecks for infrastructure projects and enable an environment which will facilitate more investment in public infrastructure.

Reply:

National Treasury is assessing the economic impact of a nuclear build on the economy, as well as alternative scenarios provided for in the Integrated Energy Plan. This work is currently not finalised yet, as there is an interactive process underway with the Department of Energy on the scale of the programme and possible financing / procuring scenarios that have a bearing on the modeling work and its results. The recommendations from this work are expected to be submitted to Cabinet as soon as the work is completed.

Reply:

 

1. The Draft National Norms and Standards for the Distribution of Resources within an Inclusive Education System is still at the internal consultation stage within the Department of Basic Education, and has not yet been approved for publication for public comment.
2. The draft proposals are aimed at increasing access to education and support on an equitable basis for all learners with special education needs and disabilities;
3. At this stage, the draft proposal has been consulted with Provincial Co-ordinators of Inclusive Education representatives of teacher unions and School Governing Body Associations.
4. Once the policy has been completed, it will be promulgated in terms of the National Education Policy Act (NEPA Act). The final policy that has been determined by the Minister must, in terms of section 7 of the NEPA, Act be tabled in Parliament within 21 days after notice of such determination has appeared in the gazette.

Reply:

The information about:

(a) The districts that have converted schools for children with special educational needs to resource centres;

(b) Names of the resource centres;

(c) Enrolment in each school; and

(d) The number of:

    i) (Therapists;

    ii) School sisters/or nurses;

    iii) Administrative staff;

     iv) Janitors;

     v) General assistants; as well as

     vi) Class assistants appointed at each school are all provided in the annexure.

ANNEXURE A

Statistics required in questions (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)

Sources:

• The statistics on enrolment have been made available by Provincial EMIS Directorates from the 2014 Annual Special School Survey
• Statistics on Staffing has been made available by Provincial Human Resource Planning and Inclusive Education Directorates.

Province	District	Names of Resource Centres	Learner Enrolment	Number of Educators Appointed	(e)(i) Number of Therapists appointed (Specify)	(e)(ii) Number of Professional Nurses/Number of Staff Nurses	(e)(iii) Number of Administrative Staff	(e)(iv) Number of Security Staff (Janitor)	(e)(v) Number of General Assistants (School)	(e)(vi) Number of General Assistants (Hostel)	(e)(vii) Number of Class Aids
EC	Port Elizabeth	Cape Recife	Information to be provided by EMIS	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning	Information to be provided by HR Planning
	Port Elizabeth	Merryvale
	Port Elizabeth	Quest
	Port Elizabeth	Reubin Birin
	Port Elizabeth	Khanyisa PE
	Qumbu	Tsolo
	Mbizana	Zamokuhle
	Mthatha	Ikhwezi Lokusa
	Mbizana	Vukuzenzele
	Mbizana	Nompulanga
	East London	Vukuhambe
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Maluti Hoogland	379	34	03	01	04	0	18	10	03
	Motheo	Martie du Plessis	527	42	20	01	03	06	11	09	06
	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Thiboloha	364	49	01	01	02	06	30	43	26
	Motheo	Tswellang	297	30	13	03	03	04	10	08	10
GT	Ekurhuleni North	Con Amore Belvedere	339 736	24 47	07 08	01 0	03 03	To be provided by HR Planning	03 04	0	05 0
	Ekurhuleni South	Ezibeleni Isipho Sethu	262 626	21 44	03 05	02 0	03 03		03 04	03	05 0
	Gauteng East	Phelang Muriel Brand	387 495	28 37	03 09	01 01	02 03		02 03	03	04 06
	Gauteng North	Sizanani	264	22	0	01	02		02	03	02
	Gauteng West	Itumeleng Wesrand	257 320	21 24	06 08	0 01	02 03		02 03	03	0 05
	Jhb Central	Phillip Kushlick Don Mattera	451 185	37 18	13 03	01 01	03 02		04 03		04 0
	Jhb East	Nokuthula Gresswold	341 841	24 51	06 07	01 0	03 04		03 04	03	06 0
	Jhb North	Delta Park Randburg	567 176	46 18	13 02	01 01	03 02		03 02	02	0 03
	Jhb South	Jiswa MC Karbhai	522 422	40 37	06 04	01 01	03 03		03 03	03	07 07
	Jhb West	Roodepark Sizwile	765 355	48 33	04 04	0 01	03 03		03 02	03	0 07
	Sedibeng East	Krugerlaan	629	45	02	0	03		03	02	0
	Sedibeng West	Thabo Vuyo	420	39	06	01	02		03		04
	Tshwane North	Dominican Prospectus Novus	681 404	49 40	07 07	02 01	04 03		03 03	04	12 0
	Tshwane South	Unica Via Nova	149 551	21 44	06 12	01 02	03 03		02 03	03	08 06
	Tshwane West	Reinotswe Pretoria School for CP	237 481	21 43	02 11	01 02	02 04		03 04		01 12
KZN	Umkhanyakude	Khulani	288	14	00	00	03	02	02	04	02
	Uthungulu	Thuthukani	356	21	04	02	04	01	07	00	08
	Zululand	Zamimpilo Inkanyiso	105 399	06 37	02 03	00 01	01 01	02 02	02 05	00 04	02 02
	Amajuba	Vumanisabelo YWCA	491 461	38 28	00 00	00 00	01 01	02 02	05 04	05 00	04 08
	Uthukela	Inkanyezi	428	31	02	00	01	02	04	00	09
	Umzinyathi	Pro Nobis	260	23	03	00	01	02	02	00	17
	Ilembe	Stanger	223	25	02	00	01	02	04	04	05
	Umgungundlovu	Open Gate	271	20	02	01	02	02	24	00	09
	Sisonke	Daniel Mzamo Vulekani	301 251	13	00	00	00	02	06	04	09
	Ugu	Schola Amoris	259	24	00	00	01	02	03	00	08
	Pinetown	Khalipha Tongaat The Browns	269 157 366	13 07 34	01 00 14	00 00 01	01 01 03	02 01 02	05 04 05	05 02 07	00 10 02
	Umlazi	St Raphaels Open Air	235 307	23 16	08 02	01 01	01 02	02 02	02 14	00 04	05 08
LP	No information available
MPU	Bohlabela	Estralita Special School	222	22	1 (Occupational therapist) 1 Professional nurse	1	1	PRIVATELY PAID (2/SHIFT)	1	16 House-hold Super-visors and General Assistants	18
	Gert Sibande	Jim van Tonder school	547	39	1 Occupational Therapist	0	5	0	5	24	0
	Ehlanzeni	Kamagugu Inclusive	336	28	3 (2 x Occupational Therapist & 1 x Social Worker)	0	3	0	4	0	6
	Nkangala	Pelonolo	85	9	1 Professional nurse	1	2	4	1	2	6
NC	Frances Baard	Boitumelo			0	01	1	0
		Elizabeth Conradie	381	43	0	2-Prof Nurses 2-Auxilliary Nurses	3	0	20	6	0
		Kimberley Training Centre	105	10	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
		Re Tlameleng	169	22	0	1-Auxilliary Nurse	1	0	20	0	1
NW	Bojanala	Kutlwanong	323	42	0	0	3	0	0	0	13
		Meerhof	262	35	3- OT 1-Physio 1-Speech	1	3	0	1	17	15
	Kenneth Kaunda	Ikalafeng	294	25	2-OT	1	2	1	4	5	11
		Janie Schneider	134	13	1-OT 1-Seech	1	1	0	1	4	12
	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	MM Sebitloane	237	17	0	0	1	0	0	0	5
		Temoso	127	12	0	0	1	0	0	0	5
	Ngaka Modiri Molema	Tlamelang	182	23	1-Physio	1	3	7	3	45	10
		Retlametswe	155	12	1-Physio	0	1	0	5	0	7
WC	South	Agapeskool	208	18	4	1	2	1	1	0	7
	Overberg	Agulhas School Of Skills	175	17	1	1	1	1	2	13	0
	Central	Astra Skool	249	23	5	2	2	1	2	18	0
	North	Athlone Skool Vir Blindes	313	43	4	1	3	1	2	19	11
	South	Blouvlei Skool	163	14	1	1	1	1	1	0	5
	North	Carel Du Toit Sentrum.	156	16	1	0	1	1	2	0	2
	Eden & Central Karoo	Carpe Diem Skool	266	25	4	1	1	1	2	12	3
	North	Chere Botha Skool	228	19	1	1	1	1	0	0	12
	Cape Winelands	De La Bat-Skool	172	25	1	1	2	1	2	20	2
	Eden & Central Karoo	Eljada-Kairos Skool	231	26	5	1	2	1	2	31	9
	North	Filia Skool	171	15	3	1	1	1	1	0	9
	East	Jan Kriel-Skool	496	46	13	1	3	4	6	38	17
	West Coast	Karitas Skool	150	12	1	0	1	1	1	0	6
	Cape Winelands	Langerugskool	123	11	2	0	1	1	1	6	6
	Central	Mary Harding Skool	261	23	2	1	2	1	3	13	11
	East	Mitchell's Plain School Of Skills	431	35	0	0	2	1	2	0	0
	East	Noluthando Sch. For The Deaf	306	34	2	1	2	1	3		3
	West Coast	Paarl-Skool C	334	31	7	1	2	1	5	13	4
	East	Riebeeck Valley Special School	237	21	0	0	1	1	1	20	3
	North	Rusthof Skool	152	13	1	0	1	1	1	8	6
	Central	Tafelbergskool	349	31	9	0	2	2	3	0	0
	Central	Tembaletu	179	21	6	1	2	1	2	0	5
	Central	Vera-School	137	19	3	0	2	1	2	16	10
	West Coast	Vista Nova-School	418	40	11	1	3	1	5	0	8
		Weskus Spesiale Skool	324	26	0	0	2	1	2	19	0

Reply:

(1) Yes. The HSRC’s approved Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan (2015/16, page 26) makes reference to the key risk of “undue donor/funder influence on the research agenda and pressure to secure income” as a key risk affecting its research programme.

The HSRC depends on a combination of government funding (through its Parliamentary Grant) and external income (in the research context, secured through competitive tender processes, contracts and grants). An over-dependence on a source of funding does carry the risk of potential influence by funders in terms of the issues addressed or not addressed through research, and the way in which research findings are presented.

The following measures are listed as mitigating the above-mentioned risk (ibid.):

• “Engagement between the Board and/or executive team and DST, with a view to securing an additional increase in the parliamentary grant – specifically for innovative research;
• Commitment to science prescripts, whereby the HSRC’s work is defined by the rules of science, rather than political allegiance;
• Broadening the funding portfolio through a concerted effort by the executive team, with Business Development’s support towards expanding HSRC sources of funding to EU countries and possibly East Asia.”

 

(2) The HSRC has very clear mandated objectives as outlined in its founding legislation, the Human Sciences Research Council Act, Act 17 of 2008. These mandated objectives serve as an enabling framework but also as a source of reference when research opportunities and requests are considered.

When opportunities to undertake externally-funded research are considered, the conditions set by potential funders are considered before a decision is made to respond to that opportunity, or not. The HSRC’s legal department also provides a vetting service for research contracts and will help to safeguard the autonomy as well as intellectual property of the HSRC.

Governance structures of the HSRC benefit from the involvement of independent experts. This does not only refer to statutory structures such as the HSRC Board and its subcommittees, but also to committees such as the HSRC Research Ethics Committee and HSRC Press Board whose Chairpersons and several of the expert members are employed outside the HSRC. At the same time, internal members are also experts in their own right, adding value to discussions and review of submitted documents.

The HSRC places great value on the independent review of research outputs. Researchers are strongly encouraged to publish research in internationally recognised, peer reviewed journals. Other outputs, such as policy briefs and book publications, are also externally reviewed before they are published.

 

Reply:

The Department did use the census statistics released in 2011 in planning for the future years.

As indicated in the table below, the National Census of October 2011 indicates that South Africa is now at a 8.62% illiteracy rate compared to the 17.9% illiteracy rate of 2001. This will ensure the fulfillment of the Dakar Agreement which arose from the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal, in April 2000 to reduce illiteracy by 50%.

	2001	2011
	Number	%	Number	%
No education	4 567 498	17.90	2 665 874	8.62
Some primary	4 083 742	16.00	3 790 134	12.26
Completed Primary	1 623 467	6.40	1 413 895	4.57
Some secondary	7 846 125	30.80	10 481 577	33.9
Matric	5 200 602	20.40	8 919 608	28.85
Higher	2 151 226	8.40	3 644 617	11.79

Source: Stats SA, Census 2011 results (Highest level of education for individuals aged 20 years and above)

When taking into account the outcomes of the National Census of October 2011 in respect of the provincial illiteracy rate, the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign adjusted the provincial targets for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

This meant that the resources and activities of the Campaign will decrease in some provinces and increase in other provinces to address the provincial illiteracy rate.

The table below indicates the remaining target according to the Census 2011:

Province	2011 Census (aged 15 years and above)	2012 Campaign (Enrolled)	2013 Campaign (Enrolled)	2014 Campaign (Enrolled)	Remaining target according to Census 2011
1-Eastern Cape	384 104	129 999	114 647	61 419	78 039
2-Free State	117 105	49 834	45 601	24 519	-2 849
3-Gauteng	307 102	86 402	87 497	79 239	53 964
4-KwaZulu-Natal	633 050	129 357	119 886	92 627	291 180
5-Mpumalanga	504 396	50 894	47 761	48 162	357 579
6-Northern Cape	329 949	8 785	14 098	11 526	295 540
7-Limpopo	252 966	97 164	90 283	67 542	-2 023
8-North West	78 100	32 685	32 157	27 932	-14 674
9-Western Cape	104 648	15 044	14 434	16 539	58 631
Total	2 711 420	600 164	566 364	429 505	1 115 387

The following table shows the number of learners reached to date (2008 – 2014) and the targets for 2015 and 2016 in order to achieve the 50% target based on the 2001 census data.

Province	2008-2014 (Enrolled)	Target learners in 2015	Target learners in 2016	Number of illiterates learners reached
1-Eastern Cape	835 722	40 199	40 198	916 119
2-Free State	294 873	5 428	5 427	305 728
3-Gauteng	538 703	26 782	26 781	592 266
4-KwaZulu-Natal	826 179	139 868	139 868	1 105 915
5-Mpumalanga	341 596	92 010	92 010	525 616
6-Northern Cape	95 592	21 894	21 893	139 379
7-Limpopo	605 562	125 261	125 260	856 083
8-North West	225 033	80 621	80 620	386 274
9-Western Cape	99 368	29 659	29 658	158 685
Total	3 862 628	561 722	561 715	4 986 065

Reply:

National Treasury is currently assessing the relative financial costs, financial implications, and economic implications of a nuclear build programme with the Department of Energy. The recommendations are expected to be submitted to Cabinet once this work has been concluded.

Reply:

(a) and (b) The table below indicates the number of Blind and Deaf learners who registered and completed the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign from 2008 to 2014.

i) Blind learners received literacy and numeracy classes to enable them to read and write using Braille. Deaf Learners received literacy and numeracy classes to enable them to read and write using Sign Language.

ii) Blind and Deaf Learners complete a Learner Assessment Portfolio (LAP) which is moderated and verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and then entered on the National Learner Records Database (NLRD).

 

LEARNERS	BLIND								DEAF								GRAND TOTAL
PROVINCES	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	TOTAL	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	TOTAL
EASTERN CAPE	2269	26	142	188	280	366	394	3665	1087	51	101	118	173	127	96	1751	5418
FREE STATE	887		34	59	134	214	230	1558	264	215	331	469	652	455	205	2591	4149
GAUTENG	1465	22	56	53	86	103	115	1900	324	74	29	11	44	123	70	675	2575
KWAZULU NATAL	2471	60	118	176	235	448	482	3990	540	56	26	19	162	192	146	1141	5134
MPUMALANGA	919	36	46	51	72	135	183	1442	239	136	117	124	78	147	98	939	2381
NORTHERN CAPE	76	3	5	13		19	3	119	35	48	5		104			192	311
LIMPOPO	691	35	144	177	209	372	400	2028	258	42	23		106	263	290	982	3010
NORTH WEST	705	44	43	88	143	281	231	1535	264	42	58	67	98	53	32	614	2149
WESTERN CAPE	52						0	25	22	139	65	73	144	130	147	720	772
GRAND TOTAL	9535	226	588	805	1159	1938	2038	16289	3033	803	755	881	1561	1490	1084	9607	25896

 

(iii) The table below indicates the number of learners (2008 -2013) who registered and completed the 8 months of Kha Ri Gude lessons in Braille or Sign Language and were then registered as volunteers to teach new learners.

This is only possible for the disability sector as many of the learners were once sighted and able to hear but lost their hearing and sight due to various reasons. These individuals are often educated with matric and sometimes post graduate degrees. They then become illiterate and require lessons in Braille and Sign Language which they are then able to teach to other learners.

Blind and Deaf Learners who became VE's in the subsequent years
	TOTAL
Eastern Cape
Blind	59
Deaf	24
KZN
Blind	60
Deaf	12
Western Cape
Blind	0
Deaf	12
Northern Cape
Blind	0
Deaf	0
Gauteng
Blind	14
Deaf	5
North West
Blind	31
Deaf	9
Mpumalanga
Blind	7
Deaf	19
Limpopo
Blind	27
Deaf	12
Free State
Blind	8
Deaf	68

Reply:

RSR RESPONSE

1 a) The Board of Enquiry set up into the train accident at Denver Station has concluded its work. The main finding of the Board of Enquiry is that the driver of the Express Train passed the 'signal at danger', and rear ended train number 0600 that was stationery at Denver train station.

b) The cost of the damage is R22 million.

2. PRASA has started implementing the recommendations of the Board of Enquiry, in order to prevent a recurrence of an incident of a similar nature.

Reply:

1. (a) One (1)

(b) None

2.  (a) Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site

(b) (i) 31 August 2009

(ii) 04 March 2011

(c) The national interest to protect the sensitive environment of areas around Lake Chrissie, commonly known as the Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site.

3.  (a) (b) (i) (ii) (c) None

4. Yes, the area was declared on 04 March 2011 for a period of 3 years. The declaration has since lapsed and an application for extension was lodged with the Department and it is still under consideration.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Small Business Development has not conducted a study of that nature. Conducting such a study would require a process of profiling foreign nationals. As things stand, the mandate of the Department of Small Business Development does not extend to collecting and analysing small businesses’ and entrepreneurs’ demographic information according to their countries of origin.

(2) There is no legislative basis providing for the Department of Small Business Development to register informal and small businesses according to their owners’ countries of origin.

(3) Following the outbreak of incidents of violence in January 2015, I conducted a series of beneficial discussions with leaders of various foreign nationals’ communities who are resident in South Africa and whose members were affected by the recent incidents of violence.

Alongside these, on 23 January 2015, I established an inter-departmental National Task Team on Violent Incidents Associated with Local- and Foreign-owned Informal and Small Businesses that I assigned to, among others: undertake broad-based consultations with representatives of affected persons and communities, relevant communities, and business interest formations, subject matter experts from different spheres and departments of government, and academic and independent researchers.

Moreover, on 24 April 2015, I was part of President Jacob Zuma’s delegation that conducted frank and in-depth discussions with a wider representation of foreign nationals’ communities who are resident in South Africa.

In all of the above instances, government and the foreign nationals’ representatives who were in attendance committed themselves to upholding the laws of the land as well as promoting social harmony among all.

In as far as the work of the inter-departmental National Task Team on Violent Incidents Associated with Local- and Foreign-owned Informal and Small Businesses is concerned; individuals and representatives of foreign nationals’ business interest formations from different countries have made representations.

Further, the National Task Team remains accessible to all informal or small business entrepreneurs who have been affected by the recent incidents of violence, or their business interest formations, and have the need to either make submissions to or representations before it.

(4) Currently, the Department of Small Business Development does not have intentions

to specifically design legislation to regulate and promote small businesses owned by

foreign nationals who reside in South Africa.

Reply:

The Deputy Minister and I, including officials in the department, did not travel to China in the 2014-15 financial year.

Reply:

I wish to refer the Honourable Member to the unqualified Annual Report (2014/2015) and audited clean Financial Statements of my department that were tabled in Parliament on 2 September 2015 and published in the ATC of 7 September 2015, wherein travel costs are reflected under the item ‘Travel and Subsistence’.

In regard to accommodation, I wish to remind the Honourable Member that accommodation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in Cape Town and Gauteng is provided through the Department of Public Works.

Reply:

As the Honorable Member is most probably aware, SAA currently reports to National Treasury. The Honorable Member is thus advised to redirect her question to the Minister Finance.

 

Reply:

The Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill has not been subjected to the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIAS). SEIAS was only introduced this year after approval by Cabinet in February 2015. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) conducted a series of awareness and inductions between April and June 2015 for departments to institutionalise the SEIAS. About 136 officials in 33 departments were trained on SEIAS application.

The implementation of SEIAS for developing or amending policies, legislations and regulations came into effect from 01 July 2015.

 

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) The total amount spent on air travel between Cape Town and Pretoria is R301968.46.

(ii) 45 trips have been undertaken by the Minister between Cape Town and Pretoria.

(1)(b)(i)(aa) Total amount spent on accommodation in Pretoria is R56 687.20.

(aa)(bb) No expenditure for her residence in Pretoria as the Department is not responsible for the maintenance thereof.

 

2(a)(i) The total amount spent on air travel by the Deputy Minister between Cape Town and

Pretoria is R353 601.69.

(ii) 65 trips have been undertaken by the Deputy Minister between Cape Town and

Pretoria.

 

(b)(i) No hotel accommodation was booked for the Deputy Minister in Cape Town and Pretoria.

(ii) (aa)(bb) No expenditure was incurred for the residence of the Deputy Minister in

Pretoria and Cape Town as the Department is not responsible for the maintenance thereof.

 

 

Reply:

1. (a) 2012 – 13 :- 07 Limpopo Region, 05 KwaZulu-Natal, and 01 Eastern Cape

(b) 2013 – 14 :- 0

(c) 2014 – 15 :-17 Limpopo Region

(2) (a) one (1) and (b) sanctions included three (3) years imprisonment suspended for five (5) years.

(3) (a)(b) Illegal miners were advised to apply for mining permits and follow up inspections were conducted.

Reply:

The above Bill and Regulations have not been subjected to the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIAS). SEIAS was only introduced this year after approval by Cabinet in February 2015. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) conducted series of awareness and inductions between April and June 2015 for departments to institutionalise the SEIAS.

The implementation of SEIAS for developing or amending policies, legislations and regulations came into effect from 01 July 2015.

Reply:

The trackless mobile machinery accidents are also the major contributor of fatalities, disabilities and injuries in the mining sector. In this regard, the Department has been implementing measures including reviewing the relevant legal provisions to protect the health and safety of the mineworkers.

The new regulations require the employer to ensure that pedestrians are prevented from being injured as a result of a collision between the trackless mobile machines or vehicles and persons, where there is a significant risk of such a collision.

 (a) These regulations are expected to be effective and should result in decreased fatalities and injuries. The department will monitor the situation continuously.

(b)  (i) and (ii)

Yes, it is envisaged that the prevention of accidents as a result of compliance to the regulations will ultimately reduce capital expenditure and cost of maintenance because there will be far less production interruptions and less money spent to repair vehicles that have collided. However the loss of life is of utmost importance and cannot be equated to costs or profit at the mine.

Reply:

The residents of Mamelodi West were not evicted from the hostel but relocated to temporary units in 2005 during the construction of rental units. A total of one hundred and forty eight (148) units were completed in the 2009/10 financial year after which they were handed over to the City of Tshwane for allocation to qualifying beneficiaries. Before the allocation could be commenced with, all 148 units were illegally occupied and subsequently vandalised. As a result, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements was unable to conclude the process of installing electrical distribution boxes.

The Department then requested the City of Tshwane to institute and expedite the process of evictions in order to regularise the situation at the Mamelodi West Hostel but was met with formal correspondence from the City asking them to withdraw from the said project.

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City were to embark on a socio-economic audit to establish the profile of the former hostel residents. The results of the audit would have provided information which would enable the City of Tshwane Gauteng Department of Human Settlements to distinguish which beneficiaries qualified for the rental accommodation and those who qualified for BNG houses. Beneficiaries would have been right sized to the human settlement product for which they qualified.

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has also allocated funding in their business plan to undertake the process of planning for the refurbishment of these vandalised hostel units. However, until the illegal occupiers have been evicted, the Department is unable to gain access into the hostels to commence with corrective work.

Reply:

(1) (a) The appointment of the company referred to in the question, as the property manager of Masimong 4 Estate emanated from the Tripartite Agreement which was concluded in November 2010 by Matjhabeng Local Municipality, the Free State Provincial Department of Human Settlements and Harmony Gold Mining Company.

(b) (i) The contracted period was for two (2) years. During this period it was agreed that the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Human Settlements functionaries will work with the company to allow transfer property management skills between the two parties.

(ii) The appointed company was to be paid for services for management of the Masimong Estate, from a portion of the rentals collected every month and this amounted to R 35 000 – 00 per month.

(iii) The appointed company provides management services which included:

Administrative and Management Functions:

Keeping of records of all documentation including; application forms; lease agreements; individual files for each tenant; orientation/capacitation of tenants.

Technical and Infrastructural Services:

Making arrangements and co-ordinating the provision of Municipal Services; initialising of municipal utility accounts for all tenants; maintain and repair breakages to the units; reactive and planned maintenance of the units.

Maintenance and cleaning services:

General maintenance of complex grounds and gardens; facilitate the collection of waste and refuse removal; management of the dedicated refuse areas.

Financial services:

Issuing of monthly invoices and statements; issuing of payment reminder letters; delivery of monthly invoices and statements; receipt of payments from tenants; reconciliation of tenant accounts, coordination with municipal departments in respect of water meter readings; payment for services; discontinuation of services; evictions.

(2) (a) The management of Masimong 4 Estate in terms of the Community Residential Units (CRU) Programme guidelines be transferred to Matjhabeng Local Municipality as the lawful owner. The Municipality may choose to manage Masimong 4 Estate internally or may choose to outsource the property management.

(b) The Free State Provincial Department of Human Settlements is currently rendering support to Matjhabeng Local Municipality in order to ensure that:

• Masimong 4 Estate is well managed and governed:
• Matjhabeng Local Municipality Human Settlements officials gain property management skills from the caretaker entity that will, with the concurrence of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, manage the property for two to three years whilst transferring skills to the said officials; and

• The government investment in Masimong 4 Estate is protected and serves the purpose for which it was developed.

(i) In a period of two to three years the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Human Settlements Officials shall have gained sufficient property management skills, to allow the Municipality to opt to manage Masimong 4 Estate internally or to outsource the property management.

(ii) During Masimong 4 Project Steering Committee meetings, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality representatives informed the Committee that they do not have the capacity to manage a property portfolio the size of Masimong 4 and that the Municipality would rather outsource this function. It is on that basis that a clause in the Tripartite Agreement was inserted to make provision for the outsourcing of Masimong Estate for two (2) years after its completion whilst Municipal Human Settlements officials underwent training hence the Free State Department of Human Settlements, in an effort to protect the investment made in Masimong 4 Estate opted to assist the municipality, by appointing a property management company to manage the Estate and at the same time ensure the capacitation of Municipal Human Settlements Officials in property management skills.

The matter was then delayed by the residents of Masimong 4 Estate who opposed payment of rentals and appointment of the property management company.

Reply:

(a) The amount that the Department spent on newspaper subscription in each month was as follows:

(aaa) 2011/2012: R 164 092 per month

(bbb) 2012/2013: R 186 486 per month

(CCC) 2013/2014: R 155 975 per month

(bb) 2014/2015: R 112 122 per month

(b) The number of newspapers ordered on each day of the week was as follows:

(i) 201112012: 792

2012/2013: 808

2013/2014: 762

(ii) 2014/2015: 485

Attached please find here: Table of financial years

Reply:

Please refer to my reply to PQ 2843

Reply:

(i)  Government has responded in a number of ways to ensure the long-term viability of the strategic iron-ore and steel industry in SA since 2010. Therefore (a) and (b) above do not apply.

Government convened an interdepartmental task team on iron and steel (IDTT) in 2010, to develop a set of inter-related policy instruments and interventions. These included;

• A process to secure a domestically produced steel price in the lowest global quartile of steel prices, working in close collaboration with stakeholders, especially the largest domestic steel producer Arcelor-Mittal. In so doing to ensure that domestic comparative advantages at the time, especially a cost plus price for iron ore, was passed on to downstream users of steel,
• Processes to increase competition in the domestic steel industry to support the same objective,
• An intervention to curtail the unencumbered export of scrap metal to ensure security of scrap metal supply to domestic steel producers at competitive prices; prevent the associated illegal export of precious metals; limit the extent to which the associated theft of critical infrastructure such as cables was carried out and lower the carbon intensity of the economy,
• All these and other measures were designed to ensure both security of supply and competitive steel prices in support of downstream manufacturing and value addition as a competitive advantage for domestic, labour intensive manufacturing.

Arising from the work, Cabinet approved a set of recommendations made by the IDTT in December 2012. These included:

• A process led by the DMR to amend the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Development Act (MPRDA) to secure a competitive advantage for the manufacturing sector arising from South Africa’s enormous resource endowment, especially in key value chains; inclusive of iron ore and steel.
• A process led by the EDD to utilise the International Trade Administration Act to safeguard the supply of affordable scrap metal to domestic mills and curtail the abuse of export of scrap metal.
• A process to amend the Competition Act led by EDD to ensure that iron ore price concessions are indeed passed on to downstream users, and
• An Industrial Development Corporation led process to secure new steel investments to increase domestic capacity and strengthen competition in the steel sector.

(ii) (aa) and (bb) Significant progress has been secured in many of the above areas. This is despite the fact that there was, over an extended period, a sub-optimal level of cooperation from the major steel producer. This during a period which coincided with the global commodity boom, where market conditions included both high demand and high prices for steel which in turn translated into high margins and profits as well as the fact that input costs for the major steel producer were relatively low. Finally and most critically a set of circumstances which included the fact that, notwithstanding favourable market conditions, there was very little maintenance and capital investment in plant and machinery carried out by the major domestic steel producer over an extended period of time. This was a contributing factor to at least seven significant plant breakdowns of AMSA facilities across the country. These latter factors combined, clearly constituted a significant danger to the competiveness, including with respect to technology issues, of the domestic steel sector.

Notwithstanding this major constraint, progress has in fact been registered and will find reflection in significant new and collaborative approaches and platforms, which will place the sector on a firmer foundation going forward. These include the following;

• In September 2013 the Price Preference System for scrap metal was introduced, compelling all SA scrap dealers who wished to export scrap metal, to offer this firstly to local users at a pre-determined price less 20 percent. Export permits are only granted when ITAC is satisfied that there have been no offers from local users. Although this measure was widely supported, there have been challenges with the current system including resistance and circumvention by scrap dealers. Government is therefore examining options to introduce further measures to curtail the unencumbered export of scrap metal, cognisant of South Africa’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation and its bi and multi-lateral trade agreements. An announcement in this regard will be made in due course.
• Led by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) government has embarked on the Masorini Project, aimed at securing a multi-billion rand investment in a new steel production facility in SA, for both the local and regional market. The IDC has completed a pre-feasibility study and government is in discussions with a potential operating partner. The project is proceeding according to plan and the long time-lines commonly associated with a major investment of this type. The next phase in the project cycle will be to negotiate the terms and conditions for the investment, inclusive of those set out in the feasibility study, and involving technology specifications, the range of products to be produced; regulatory issues such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and the infrastructure support required for a multi-billion investment of this nature. Further announcements will be made in this regard in due course.
• Processes have reached an advanced stage to secure a competitive iron-ore advantage for local steel producers. the dti and DMR will define the conditions for the allocation of a significant mining right which will mean that a cost plus iron-ore advantage will be ‘passed through’ the steel production process to provide a competitive price advantage to downstream manufacturers.
• Government has also registered significant progress in its efforts to address a range of issues with Arcelor-Mittal (AMSA), in the context of far less favourable steel market conditions. Government is currently negotiating an integrated set of both policy and industry reform measures that would have to be adopted to achieve the objective of a sustainable steel industry in SA, inclusive of the specific needs and interests of the small steel producers and the downstream manufacturing sectors. In this context it is important that the independence and integrity of the processes underway involving the Independent Tariff Administration Commission (ITAC) and the Competition Commission, be respected. Working within these parameters and in close collaboration with the Economic Development Department (under whose authority both institutions fall), the dti will ensure that such supply side protective and support measures are conditional on a competitive pricing policy, increased levels of maintenance and investments, a potential rebate system that will support downstream manufacturers as well as transformation and BBBEE commitments. Announcements in this regard will be made in due course.

the dti is fully cognisant of the extremely adverse conditions in the global steel market characterised mainly by significant oversupply and declining demand and which, taken together with other factors summarised above, constitute a threat to the viability of the domestic steel sector.

Therefore as a first step in the broader process set out above, I have approved the ITAC recommendation for tariff increases on certain steel product lines. In addition a number of other applications for tariff protection and anti-dumping duties are in the pipeline and will be given urgent consideration in the context of a set of conditions set out in summary above and which are the subject of urgent and on-going consultation between all the stakeholders.

 

Reply:

(a) Yes. The Bank Supervision Department of South African Reserve Bank (BSD) has successfully shut down many Ponzi schemes both in the period 1 June 2014 to 30 June 2015 and before this period. Altogether, the BSD has investigated 40 from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2015, of which the investigations for 30 schemes were finalised and 10 schemes are still current. It should be noted that all schemes where the investigation is finalised and that have contravened the Banks Act are referred to the South African Police Services for criminal investigations. The decision to prosecution any of operators of these schemes resides with the National Prosecuting Authority.

(b)  Current financial sector laws address Ponzi and pyramid schemes in different ways, depending on which Act may be transgressed. The Reserve Bank can act against such activities if there is illegal deposit taking involved, through enforcement in terms of the Banks Act. The Financial Services Board (FSB) investigates instances of possible unregistered financial services business that might be conducted as an ancillary activity to a Ponzi scheme, or under the guise of a legitimate provider of financial services, and will take action against such contraventions in terms of the various Acts (eg Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002) enforced by the FSB. Where there are gaps in the current law, queries and complaints about Ponzi schemes made to the FSB are generally referred through to the Bank Supervision Department of the SARB and the South African Police Services: (Commercial Branch). Outside financial sector legislation, the National Consumer Commissioner (NCC) investigates certain Ponzi or pyramid schemes in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, and such queries and complaints can therefore also be referred to the NCC.

This illustrates the importance of the Twin Peaks reform currently underway (through the Financial Sector Regulation Bill), which will establish a market conduct regulator with flexible, system-wide powers that will, amongst other things, close the net on Ponzi schemes. Under this law, Ponzi schemes may be directly “prohibited” which means that the activity itself can lead to investigation and prosecution by the new Financial Sector Conduct Authority, rather than the current situation where a combination of other laws are required to indirectly reach alleged Ponzi operations.

With specific reference to advertising, the FSB is, as part of its Treating Customers Fairly approach, focusing on advertising across the financial sector, to ensure that advertising is not misleading and does not promote unfair customer treatment. This increased focus on fair advertising in the financial sector will help identify instances where advertising may be promoting illegal activities. Under current legislation, action may then be taken as described above if Ponzi or pyramid schemes, are identified in this manner. Currently, the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS Act) requires that an entity licensed by the FSB, must contain a reference to the fact that a licence is held in advertisements and promotional material, but it is not a requirement that an advertisement should reflect an FSP number. This again highlights the need for the Twin Peaks reform, to ensure that activities cannot fall outside of regulation. Currently, supervising advertising standards generally, rather than for FSP numbers specifically would better identify Ponzi schemes.

(c) Yes, action has been taken to counter instances of Ponzi and pyramid schemes. At this stage, the regulators in the financial sector are only able to take reactive action once such activities have been operating, and in some cases action are taken on ancillary aspects of Ponzi and pyramid schemes, such as, unregistered financial services or illegal deposit taking, rather than on the activity itself being illegal.

The proposed Twin Peaks reform of financial sector legislation aims to significantly strengthen financial sector regulation, so regulators may be more proactive and prevent such activities from occurring in the first place, and ensure better customer protection. The law will be more comprehensive, and will minimise instances of financial products or services falling outside of the legislative framework. It will allow for tougher action to be taken, including banning activities like Ponzi and pyramid schemes outright, and taking direct swift and harsh enforcement action against those who contravene the banning.

Reply:

(1)(a) Intervention put in place are SA Connect a programme of government to connect 100% of the country to the internet.

(b)(i) Planned interventions are Broadband Infrastructure rollout, E-strategy, internet strategy and USAASA interventions, ICT Policy review

(ii) Broadband rollout to 8 district municipalities including associated digital opportunity programmes.

(2)(a) Yes. Through USAASA, there will be an initiative to subsidise schools, public access points and people in underserved areas.

(b) Yes, in areas where it is not economically viable for operators.

(c)(i-ii) No. The Department does not have plans to subsidise mobile data providers’ prices. The department will pursue policy interventions for the reduction of voice and data costs.

Reply:

 

1. The Department has not as yet specifically interacted with the ICT Companies about employee retrenchments. The Department intends to hold consultations during the 3rd and 4th quarters to address the issues affecting employment in the sector.
2. The Department will communicate the format and objectives of the interactions once held. Outcomes will also be communicated.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department has engaged all provinces, particularly those that will form part of Phase 1 of the broadband rollout programme. The purpose of the engagements was to ensure alignment between provincial initiatives and the SA Connect; communicate the intentions of the Departments with respect to Phase 1 of SA Connect; ensure that that there is optimum coordination between provincial line departments and the service providers who may rollout the programme.

(b) Only two provinces have funding for Broadband Projects, Gauteng (R1.2bn over 5 years) and Western Cape (R1.3bn over 7 years). Other provinces have broadband plans that do not have dedicated funding.

(2) The Department has established Provincial Broadband Steering Committees (PBSC). The PBSCs are provincially based structures that will support the co-ordination, alignment and increased professionalism of broadband implementation in the provinces. In order to fully achieve the effects of well managed broadband initiatives, the management of a combined approach between provinces and municipalities have been recognised.

Priority was given to provinces that are targeted for the first phase of Digital Development implementation. Gauteng and Western Cape Provinces will also be engaged on how to collaborate for the development of the implementation plans of facilities in the respective provinces.

Reply:

(a) Entrepreneurship is included in the National Curriculum Statement. The subject Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) is compulsory and is taught in the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9). EMS provides foundational skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship. The main topics taught in EMS are the Economy, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. These are integrated to assist learners to become economically and financially literate by the end of Grade 9 in the Senior Phase. EMS is a practical subject that:

• Equips learners with entrepreneurial knowledge and real-life skills for personal development and the development of the community;
• Deals with the efficient and effective use of different types of private, public and/or collective resources to satisfy people’s needs and wants;
• Introduces learners to the purpose, characteristics, context and functions of formal and informal businesses;
• Encourages learners to reflect critically on the impact of resource exploitation on the environment and on people; and
• Promotes sustainable development practices through teaching learners how to effectively manage scarce resources in order to maximise profit through entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and activities.

EMS also provides foundational knowledge and skills for the following subjects in the Further Education and Training (FET) Band Grades 10 to 12: Accounting; Business Studies; Economics; Hospitality Studies; Consumer Studies; Civil Technology; Electrical Technology; Mechanical Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design; and Mathematical Literacy. A key objective in Technology subjects (Grades 10 -12) is to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for learners.

(b) Learners who do not further their education through tertiary institutions have the opportunity to enrol at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET Colleges), apply to participate in Apprenticeships, or enter the world of work, including setting up their own business.

Reply:

 

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

Not applicable.

 

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

This question should be re-directed to the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Affairs, which is the competent authority to respond.

Reply:

I have been advised by SITA as follows:-

(a-d) No, SITA did not play a role in planning or implementation of the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, City of Pietermaritzburg and the City of Cape Town broadband projects.

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services (DTPS) is the custodian of schools’ connectivity and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE). However, considering the interest the DBE has in the matter, as a beneficiary like any other public institution, the DBE is working closely with the DTPS on this matter and the collaboration has been strengthened. For example, in implementing Government Gazette No. 3718 of 4 June, 2014, on the Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO), the two Departments have been working closely with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ensure that the four Network Operators (as per the Gazette), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel, fulfill their mandate in terms of schools’ connectivity.

2. How many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected,

During 2014-15 financial year 1840 schools, including 1650 schools that were connected through the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, were connected. The following is the breakdown per Province:

(a) 2010 FIFA World Cup school connectivity legacy project, for which Telkom was the Service Provider:

Province	VSAT	Diginet	ADSL	Total
Eastern Cape	191	13	9	213
Free State	67	48	35	150
Gauteng	53	92	45	190
KwaZulu-Natal	157	54	18	229
Limpopo	204	4	6	214
Mpumalanga	103	22	38	163
Northern Cape	74	13	11	98
North West	188	5	5	198
Western Cape	103	12	80	195
Total	1140	263	247	1650

(b)  The Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO) – for which Vodacom was the service provider

• 61 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 53 schools in Eastern Cape;
• 40 schools in Free State; and
• 6 schools in the Northern Cape.

Total: 150 schools

(c) Corporate Social Investment (Corporate Social Investment) initiatives

• 10 Schools in Eastern Cape through CSI (Vodacom);
• 10 Schools in Mpumalanga through CSI (Vodacom); and
• 20 Schools including 4 in Western Cape, 3 Eastern Cape, 5 KwaZulu-Natal, 2 Limpopo, 3 Mpumalanga, 1 North West by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as Corporate Social Investment contribution(CSI);

Total: 40 schools

During the current financial year (2015-16), thus far, 327 schools have been connected by Vodacom as part of its USAO. The following is the breakdown per province:

• 10 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 103 schools in the Eastern Cape;
• 48 schools in the Free State; and
• 16 Schools in the Northern Cape.

 

Total: 177 schools

3. What amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?

As indicated above, the DTPS is the custodian of schools’ connectivity as public Institutions. Therefore the DTPS in charge of any related budget. As a beneficiary, the DBE supports the DTPS in realising schools’ connectivity projects. With regard to projects referred to in this submission, while the cost of the current USAO rollout is undertaken by respective Network Operators, as an obligation for their license, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was funded by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund which was managed by the DTPS.

Reply:

(a) Whilst the Eastcape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (EMC) has been operating in a stable and violence-free environment since 9 March 2015, the unprotected strike continued due to delays in the disciplinary processes initiated by EMC against a number of employees.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) National Office Bearers, Department of Higher Education and Training and EMC Council signed a settlement agreement intended to restore and improve working relations between the parties on 7 August 2015. The strike was agreed to be called off with effect from 4 September 2015.

(b)  Regular classes have been conducted by appropriately qualified EMC employed lecturers and others engaged on short-term contracts via a temporary employment agency to replace striking or dismissed lecturers. The College participated in the interviews of the temporary lecturers to confirm that they were qualified as per the curriculum prescripts for the various programmes.

(c) (i) All employees, including dismissed employees who took part in the unprotected strike have been mandated to agree in writing on the settlement terms finalised on 7 August 2015 as a prerequisite to returning to work on 7 September 2015. The settlement agreement requires all employees who embarked in the unprotected strike to forfeit a month’s salary, repay any payments made to them while they were part of the unprotected strike, and accept a twelve month final written warning not to engage in any misconduct activities.

(ii) Students who participated in the strike action for a prolonged period of time have failed to meet the 80% attendance policy requirements for entry into trimester/semester final examinations. Therefore, they have been advised to deregister or return to the college in the following trimester/semester or the following year, depending on the programme for which they had registered.

(d)  Not only have the activities and threats to render the specified TVET college ungovernable, subsided but it has completely stopped.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3208 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) In 2010

(1)(b) It emanates from a resolution of the International Telecommunications Union that was taken in 2009 and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) responded as a Member State of the ITU by developing the Child Online Protection Programme that was developed in 2010.

(2)(a) Consultation workshops took place in all provinces on the Children Strategy which included the Online Protection Programme.

(2)(b) Children’s Rights Organisations; Children’s Organisations that work in the ICT Sector; State-Owned Companies, Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service, the former Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities; and International Bodies such as Unicef and the ITU.

(2)(c) During the financial years 2010/2011 and 2011/12.

(2)(d) Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), Free State Province, North West Province, Gauteng, Northern Cape Province and the Eastern Cape Province.

(3) No, but an advertisement ran on national television and radio. Further, a Webpage was set up for the programme;

(4)(a) On 19 August 2015 in KZN as part of the launch of the Children and ICT Strategy;

(4)(b) The DTPS and Non-Profit Organisations namely; Resources Aimed at Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention; Childline South Africa, Disabled Children’s Action Group (DICAG); and the Film and Publication Board.

 

(4)(b)(i) Through School-based Awareness Workshops and in this regard we have conducted (5) five workshops in the Eastern Cape, KZN, Western Cape, and North West Province.

(4)(b)(ii) Evaluation workshops are conducted with the schools where the programme is implemented and in this regard we have done one evaluation workshop in KZN this year.

Reply:

Yes ,the Director –General signed on 01 April to March 2015.

 

Reply:

The information requested is depicted in the Table:

SN	Post	Advertisement Closing Date	Number of Members Shortlisted	Number of Members Interviewed	Comments
	a	b	c	d	e
1	Director Promotion of Access to Information	11 July 2014	9	9 invited or interviews	5 Interviews held on 8 July 2015 4 Interviews to be held on 14 August 2015
2	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	10	8 Interviewed 2 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
3	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	8	6 Interviewed 1 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
4	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	13	9 Interviewed 4 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
5	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	4	3 Interviewed 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
6	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	5	4 Interviewed 1 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
7	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	5	3 Interviewed 2 Declined	Mr F. Davhana was appointed and assumed duty on 6 July 2015. Mr Davhana has a BCom in Business Management meeting the criteria for the advertised post which required a Diploma/Certificate/NQF Level 4/5 (Supply Chain Management and Financial Management).

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

(a) The Department is undertaking work on Open Access within the broader scope of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. The white paper policy will determine, amongst other things, the appropriate policy and regulatory remedies for the management and regulation of the open access framework. Should the white paper process determine that there is a need to publish open access regulations, the system protocols will be outlined as part of the functional specification that is defined to implement the regulations.

(b) The protocols have not been defined yet but would be defined as part of the work related to the implementation of the open access regulation.

(c) See response above

(d) Oversight over the development and implementation of the functional specifications would fall within the ambit of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

Reply:

(a). Yes, my department, as part of the broad programme of government to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous country, we are taking steps to ensure that more resources are being ploughed into the uptake of sign language training, by promoting, and creating conditions for the development of South African Sign Language (SASL) through funding and training projects that focus on the development and use of SASL.The department is also awarding language bursaries to Universities which are offering the training of the South African Sign Language as one of their courses.

(b). By funding training projects and awarding language bursaries we create a pool of professional sign language interpreters. Through sign language interpreters, communities are able to communicate with deaf people at a societal level.

Reply:

COGTA has engaged with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) in order to obtain answers to these questions. The municipality has responded as follows:

1. The Project Management Unit (PMU) is an internal unit of the municipality. It has been established under the Technical Services Section within the municipality, as provided for in the PMU Guidelines developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance.

The appointment of the company was prompted by a critical shortage of technical staff in the municipality. This included a shortage of planning, engineering and project management expertise. This had resulted in the municipality failing to spend its allocated MIG and other funds for projects within specified timeframes.

Currently, the company has suspended its support to the municipality due to non-payment of outstanding invoices by the municipality.

(2)(a) The company was appointed by the municipality for a period of three years with effect from 2 September 2013, ending on 31 August 2016, to provide technical support to the PMU unit. The company was appointed to carry out the following tasks as contained in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the appointment:

• Provision of quality technical support and advice over the Project Life Cycle, which includes inception, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting and close-out on the infrastructure programme in the municipality

• The development of contract briefs for submission to the Professional Service Providers appointed by the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM).

• In respect of each project, scrutinize, approve and verify the accuracy and correctness of all practical and final completion certificates and recommend approval by the Senior Manager of the PMU

• Verification of all technical and financial aspects of the Infrastructure Programme

• Preparation of all required documentation for submission to the departments responsible for conditional grants and any other required reporting.

(2)(b)The contract amount over this period is R21,6 million from the municipality’s Equitable Share budget. Given that the NMMDM receives approximately R300 million per annum from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the municipality is within the 5% allowance for PMU costs in the MIG framework.

Reply:

Guidelines for Reducing Municipal Red Tape, 2012 define red tape as rules, regulations, and / or bureaucratic procedures and processes which are excessively complex and which impose unnecessary delay(s), inaction and / or costs which exceed their benefits, and / or is no longer effective in achieving the purpose for which they were originally created. Red tape results in undesirable economic, business and / or social impacts or outcomes as a result of negatively impacting on productivity. Red tape involves excessive, or unevenly enforced, regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents effective action or decision-making.

Government recognizes the need to review its policy and regulatory environment that continue to hinder the development, growth and competitiveness of small businesses. Government has requested all spheres to institutionalise the guidelines aimed at reducing red tape at local government level.

Government sets-aside 30% of appropriate categories of State procurement for purchasing from SMMEs, cooperatives as well as township and rural enterprises.

It’s proposed that the design of a National Red Tape Reduction Programme, with coordinated implementation by the Presidency’s Office, will be informed by lessons learnt from recent and current national red tape initiatives designed to accelerate national competitiveness & economic growth by setting targets to reduce the total costs of government imposed regulations on business.

Other Specific interventions by Government

• Enacted Policies, Regulations and Legislation i. e. (the 30 days payment policy).
• Establishment of the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation located in the Presidency
• The National Development Plan –vision 2030
• Institutionalizing of Performance management System across all spheres of government
• Development of Risk assessment strategies by all departments and entities
• Establishment of Fraud and Corruption fighting mechanisms and many more

Reply:

(a) (i) According to Stats SA, in 2011 condition data was only available for 64% of the metropolitan roads network, and 80% of paved roads and 12% of gravel metropolitan roads were in a fairly good condition. Outside of the metropolitan areas, the Department of Transport indicates that road condition data is only available for approximately 4% of the municipal roads. In 2014 the South African National Roads Agency estimated the extent of the municipal roads network to be approximately 250 000 km. It estimated that R32 billion would be required to rehabilitate paved municipal roads and to re-gravel municipal roads. The cost of paving all the unpaved municipal roads is not known.

(ii) According to research carried out by the Department of Water and Sanitation, of the 1622 water supply schemes under municipal management, 9% are dysfunctional and 48% require urgent refurbishment and improved maintenance. According to the DWS 2013 Strategic Overview of the Water Sector in SA, 64% of Municipal Waste Water Treatment Works required urgent refurbishment and improved maintenance. The Department of Water and Sanitation has estimated the required national intervention cost of the backlog of municipal water infrastructure, excluding the metropolitan municipalities, to be R79 billion. The Department of Water and Sanitation has estimated the value of the backlog of sanitation infrastructure, excluding the metropolitan municipalities, to be in the order of R50 billion. Both include backlogs of a capital nature and backlogs of maintenance.

(b) The total Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocation for 2015/16 is R15 billion. This is for capital and refurbishment projects only. Municipalities are expected to fund maintenance from their own revenue and their equitable share allocation.

Reply:

Government officials are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including ministerial and department support to the Executive who carry out parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme. Costs incurred by Government Officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament.