Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1)(a)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(aaa)(bbb)(ccc)(ddd) 50% of learners in Grade 10 in 2015 are expected to offer Mathematics while 60% of learners in 2016 is expected to offer Mathematics in Grade 10 in 2016. For these two cohorts, their targets were calculated based on the actual number of learners in Grades 9 and Grade 8 for 2015 and 2016 respectively. The same formula was used on actual figures for Grade 4 learners released in 2014, to set the target for 2020. 4% of learners was added to the 2020 target to establish the target for 2030. The data released by the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) for 2014 learners’ enrolments was used to formulate the targets.

Province	Actual No learners in Grade 9 in 2014	Actual No learners in Grade 8 in 2014	Actual No learners in Grade 4 in 2014	Target for Grade 10 learners for 2015	Target for Grade 10 learners for 2016	Target for Grade 10 learners for 2020	Target for Grade 10 learners for 2030
EC	137744	133581	157243	68872	80149	86484	89943
FS	65456	47326	57458	32728	28396	31602	32866
GP	153074	142693	164011	76537	85616	90206	93814
KZN	222267	218781	221758	111134	131269	121967	126846
LP	178040	113336	125977	89020	68002	69287	72059
MP	82106	84508	83712	41053	50705	46042	47884
NC	22623	23026	25360	11312	13816	13948	14506
NW	67746	59030	69413	33873	35418	38177	39704
WC	82993	75517	90587	41497	45310	49823	51816
	1012049	897798	995519	506026	538681	547536	569438

(1)(b) The Department of Basic Education has a three year plan to train teachers who are offering Mathematics in Grade 10 in 2015, Grade 11 in 2016 and Grade 12 in 2017. The training is focusing on capacitating teachers on the Mathematics content as a whole. The aim is to cover all topics which are taught at a particular Grade.

This process is building teachers’ confidence in delivering quality content to the learners. Teachers are more encouraged to solve more problems on their own. New skills and techniques to solve mathematical problems are dealt with.

Follow up in-house support is also given by subject advisors and trainers themselves, to see if the skills sets acquired during the training are being utilised.

(2)(a)(b) As was indicated previously, the Department is currently engaged in a project to profile the qualifications of all teachers including what they are qualified to teach, and what they are actually teaching. The information is critical, not only for the determination and management of current teacher utilisation, but also for future planning for demand and supply. Once the information on the current provisioning levels has been finalised and verified, more accurate future projections that will take into account, among other factors, the current provisioning, will be made. Furthermore, this will enable the Department to determine targets for provisioning.

(2)(c)It should be noted that simplified projections on the needs can be calculated based on the number of learners and an ideal class size (currently and projected). However, such projections will be less accurate, given the other factors such as teaching across phases and grades and actual class size that affect the actual provisioning of teachers.

Reply:

Find here: Response

Reply:

(1) There is currently a problem with staff retention, specifically at Executive level.

 

(2) a) The HSRC periodically undertakes a remunerative review, which

benchmarks salary packages with similar entities within the Science system and universities. The next exercise will be undertaken in 2016.

b) A climate survey, commissioned by the HSRC Board will be undertaken in the third quarter of the current financial year to assess the satisfaction of staff relative to remuneration and working conditions. Recommendations from this survey will inform the revision of any related policies.

c) A human resources strategy, accompanied by a number of recruitment, retention and talent management strategies is being developed.

8/3/1

Reply:

(1) (a) and (b)The Minister appointed a task team to review all education legislation including the South African Schools Act, 84 of 1996. The task team commenced on 24 February 2013 and concluded its work on 30 October 2014. On the basis of the work of the task team, the Department then drafted a Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, together with the Memorandum on the Objects of the Bill .The Bill must still go through the internal consultation processes before it can be published for public comment.

The review of the admission policy commenced in June last year and was concluded in May of this year. The amendments must be subjected to a Socio Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS). This is a new requirement that was introduced by the Presidency this year for all new legislation and policies as well as amendments to legislation and policies.

(2) (a) The review took into account all related policy developments.

(b) We foresee that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill will be submitted to Parliament towards the middle of next year.

Reply:

 

The Limpopo Department of Education provided the response as follows:

(a) The norms and standards funding was reduced due to funding constraints. The budget was insufficient to cover the national norm.

(b) Schools were notified around 25 May 2015.

(c) The Limpopo Department of Education is working on the funding of schools as a priority; the intention is to work towards funding schools according to the National Target amounts.

Reply:

(1) a) In the previous year (2014/15), as opposed to the previous two years, the HSRC has experienced difficulty in reaching its financial targets. These targets are particularly subject to changes in funder research imperatives and demands.

b) The HSRC is guided by its mandate as articulated in the HSRC Act, as well

as national government priorities when deciding the research agenda for a year. A process of consultation is undertaken with stakeholders as well as the HSRC Board annually where the strategic focus of research is agreed upon.

(2) Aside from the Parliamentary grant and international funders (including international government agencies), the HSRC also receives funding from:

a) Local Private sector funders – R4 197 000

b) Other Government Departments/Agencies – R48 114 000

(3) No, the private sector does not dictate the research agenda of the HSRC.

 

 

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:

(1) (a) According to paragraph 95 of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding, 2006 (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 all the physical infrastructure of the school. Schools can, therefore, use their allocations to pay for Learner and Teacher Support Material (e.g. textbooks and stationery), day-to-day maintenance of the school grounds and buildings, as well as for services provided to the school (e.g. municipal services and maintenance of equipment).

(b) The amount of funding allocated to a school is determined by its quintile classification, the provincial allocation amount per learner for the relevant quintile and the number of learners enrolled in the school.

(2) (a) Paragraph 121A of the NNSSF determines that Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) must make transfer payments to public ordinary schools on or before 15 May, and on or before 15 November each year.

(b) Each PED determines the amount it is able to make available for the school allocation, as part of their overall education budgetary process. Paragraph 114 of the NNSSF determines that each PED must, as part of its ongoing MTEF budgeting process, calculate the school allocation budget implied by the national targets, and compare this amount to the actual school allocation budget amount available in the MTEF budgets. Approval of the education budget, including the level of the provincial school allocation and whether it is increased or decreased, is done by the Member of the Executive Council for Education in the province.

(c) The national target amounts for the school allocation are annually adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index. When Provincial Education Departments adjust their norms and standards allocation to schools they are guided by these nationally determined target amounts, as well as the budgets they can afford to make available. An individual school’s indicative allocation may also be adjusted if there is a significant change in the number of learners enrolled at the school when the final allocation amount is determined.

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:

(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 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) With reference to the Getting the Nation to Read Campaign (a) who are the members on the steering committee of the 1 000 libraries project and (b) what expertise does each specified member possess which is relevant to libraries and reading;

1. (a) The team is led by the Deputy Director General (DDG) for Teacher and Professional Development.

(b) In addition to the Senior Managers who support the DDG: Teacher and Professional Development, an official with extensive knowledge and experience of school libraries was appointed on contract for the project.

(2) What (a) are the contents of each trolley to be delivered and (b) is the cost of each trolley;

(a) Each trolley library contains 250 library books in English, 250 library books in IsiZulu, teacher resources on CD and DVD, a television and a DVD player.

(b) Each trolley, with its resources, costs R17 000.

(3) Who was awarded the contract for the delivery of trolleys to schools?

EBMS Trading cc. was awarded the contract to deliver the trolley libraries.

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:

(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) 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:

(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:

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:

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

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:

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:

(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:

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:

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:

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:

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 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:

(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:

(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:

Please refer to my reply to PQ 2843

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:

Government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to addressing Gender based violence which includes the department as well as the Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster departments under the leadership of the Department of Social Development. This multi-sectoral approach takes into account existing policies, strategic plans, relevant legislation and is focused on implementation of the Integrated Program of Action on Violence Against Women.

The government has also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender Based Violence which takes into account violence against all women and children regardless of their sexual orientation and geographic location. The government Programme of Action on Violence against women and children requires that communities are engaged which would be in urban, peri-urban as well as rural area.

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

I have been advised the Department as follows:-

(a)(i) Mr. Kefilwe Madingoane heads the Department’s South Africa Connect project office

(b) The project office comprises of eighteen (18) full time departmental staff members.

(c) Their roles include:

• Broadband infrastructure gap analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools

• High-level broadband technical planning to determine appropriate technology options and to develop the technical specification

• Stakeholder engagement at a National Government level to ensure coordination of the rollout plan with the requirements of the line Departments

• Stakeholder engagement at Provincial and Local Government level to ensure that there is coordination between the rollout programme and the readiness of the targeted facilities. Also to assist Provincial Governments with setting up appropriate provincial broadband steering committees to drive the rollout programme at the provincial and local government level.

• Development of relevant business cases to secure funding for the rollout of broadband initiatives.

• Coordination with stakeholders such as State-Owned Companies and the private sector to ensure alignment with public and private sector initiatives.

(d) The budgeted cost for the office over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework is as shown below. The budget includes broadband rollout, remuneration, goods and service and professional services.

Financial Year (over MTEF)	Budget:R’000
2015/16	R 227,150
2016/17	R 380,181
2017/18	R 390,361

(e)(i)(ii)(iii) The mandate is to execute on the four (4) strategies of the SA Connect Policy. The deliverable target is to achieve 100% broadband penetration by 2020 as per Outcome 6 of Medium Term Strategic 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:

1. Yes the inquiry was finalised on 28 March 2014, and the findings are as follows:

• The Dakota Cargo crashed because it was flown at an altitude to low to provide sufficient terrain clearance and in weather that made visibility marginal.
• The route flown also contributed to the accident as it did not ensure that the aircraft remain clear of the Drakensberg Mountains.
• It was found that it was highly unlikely that a proper pre-flight crew briefing was held, which should have identified the flaws in the selected flight plan.
• The aircraft was serviceable prior to the accident with no history of significant defects, and therefore did not contribute to the accident.

2. No, the Dakota aircraft did not deviate from the flight route.

3. No

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:

The Initial Teacher Education Research Project (ITERP) that is currently being conducted by JET Education Services is a partnership project between JET, the Education Deans Forum and Departments of Basic Education, and Higher Education and Training. It is a longitudinal project, which is investigating initial teacher education programme delivery at a selected sample of universities. It is also tracking new teacher graduates as they take up posts in schools in an attempt to understand their readiness as beginning teachers and their ability to make the transition from teacher education into teaching.

The ITERP was conceptualised and is being implemented as part of efforts to strengthen teacher education and is not separate from this. The project findings are fed directly back to universities through engagements with individual universities and regular reporting on findings at the quarterly meetings of the Education Deans Forum.

It must be noted that the ITERP is researching the initial teacher education programmes that were designed and implemented in line with the former teacher education qualifications policy, i.e. the Norms and Standards for Educators in Schooling of 2000. All teacher education programmes have to be redesigned to align with the new standards set by the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework of 2007, revised in 2013 and the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ) of 2011, revised in 2015. One of the main purposes of the ITERP is to inform the design of new teacher education programmes.

The MRTEQ sets standards for teacher education at the programme level. Initial teacher education programmes have to meet the standards set for teaching specialisations in terms of knowledge mix, credits and levels. This will assist to respond to one of the key findings that emerged from the ITERP and the degree of variation between programmes offered by different universities.

The MRTEQ also, more closely, regulates the teaching practice component of teacher education programmes to strengthen this component of initial teacher education programmes. It sets standards regarding the nature of schools to be used for teaching practice, the nature of the teaching practice component within initial teacher education programmes, and the time spent in schools.

A national Teacher Education Programme Evaluation Committee (TEPEC) has been set up, chaired by the Department of Higher Education and Training, involving the participation of the Department of Basic Education, South African Council of Educators and Education and the Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). This committee reviews all teacher education programmes to ensure that they meet the requirements stipulated in the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications.

In addition to the policy measures that have been put in place to strengthen teacher education, the Department of Higher Education and Training is implementing a 5 year (2015/16 – 2019/20) Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme (TLDCIP) that will support universities to strengthen teacher education programmes at the level of curriculum structure and curriculum delivery.

A specific project in the TLDCIP will focus on strengthening university capacity for primary teacher education. It will involve the implementation of a range of activities to strengthen the capacity and capability of universities for the delivery of quality primary school teacher education programmes, including the following:

• Establish new initial teacher education programmes at universities where specific specialisations are not yet offered but which are needed and which the university is interested to offer;
• Develop and roll-out a national advocacy campaign for teaching generally, specifically Foundation Phase teaching as a viable and attractive career choice;
• Support academic communities of practice focused on priority teaching subject specialisations (Mathematics, Languages, Science and Technology), which would have the responsibility to understand university practices across the system with respect to the specialisation, with a view towards the development of knowledge and practice standards for the teaching specialisation, which could assist to achieve greater convergence and rigour in teacher education curricula;
• Support appropriate research, programme development and material development activities that will improve the quality of initial teacher education programme delivery;
• Finalise norms and standards for professional practice and teaching schools as well as mechanisms for their establishment;
• Develop a national database of schools that will be developed as professional practice schools;
• Support universities to develop business plans for the establishment of teaching schools;
• Develop a national programme to support the professional development of school teachers that act as tutors and mentors to initial teacher education students, which can be delivered in a blended mode, with a significant online component; and
• Develop an online platform/course for the teaching practice/work-integrated learning component of teacher education programmes.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3245 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

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:

(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:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(1) (a) The implementing agency will lead and coordinate State-Owned Companies in the rollout of broadband infrastructure in the identified areas to facilitate government connectivity.

(b) The Department is following the relevant treasury regulation and supply chain management processes.

(c) Cabinet; the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) Cluster; and State Information Technology Agency (SITA) will be consulted.

(d) The appointment will be made once due process has been followed and Cabinet, National Treasury and the Auditor General have been informed.

(e) The agency will not incur any cost for the Department. The operational expenditure of the agency over the MTEF will not be attributed to the Department.

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:

Ministers and Deputy Ministers are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme. Costs incurred during the execution of the tasks outlined above are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament no later than the end of this month.

Reply:

1. (1) (a) How (i)

The communications strategy is being rolled out and making some impact in so far as sharing information primarily through direct engagements using roadshows, stakeholder briefings with Military Veterans Associations including SANMVA the umbrella body as well as use of means such as media the website and publications. The fact that there is no national footprint and limitation of the communications structure limits capacity to reach the desired impact.

1. Yes

1. Targets were not amended. According to the Annual Performance Plan targets per Quarter, it is only the implementation and monitoring of the strategy.

(2)(a) The Department is currently the Department has a challenge with the organisational structure. This has limited the implementation of the Communication Strategy.

(2)(b) The Department is currently finalising its Q1 Performance review which will include amongst others, the implementation of the communication strategy. Furthermore, the Department is also running a communication campaign through GCIS. This communication campaign is focused at promoting the progress made by the Department thus far.

3.

(a) The current approved structure does not have communications staff members in provinces ,

(b) The current mode of communication with the provinces is through emails and telephones. The ICT is currently preparing for an intranet that will serve as a platform for internal communications at national and provincial level to assist in quicker relay of information to military veterans. The website capacity is also being beefed up.

(c) 07:30 – 16:30 pm are the official working hours though the officials go an extra mile and works on many occasions overtime and on weekends to cover and profile the departmental events.

(d) In the absence of physical structure of offices in provinces information is disseminated through Head Office.

(e) Not applicable

4. There is training and development planned for management and provincial coordinators to assist in the communication and marketing strategy implementation. The dates for training through a course with the School of Governance (former PALAMA) are between the 29th of July and the middle of August 2015. The current costs are R27 000

5.(a) Currently there is None.

(b) DMV is in a process of revisiting and reviewing the key performance indicators that will include that.

(c) The increase has been based on the DMV Annual Performance Plan as well as supporting key deliverables of the Department and the corporate communications programmes and activities. These include media engagements, advertorials, stakeholder engagements, use of own publications and media, branding and marketing as well as internal communications programmes. The budget is being reviewed to ensure that advertorials and other means such as social media are utilised more.

Reply:

The response below is based on information received from the Maruleng Local Municipality:

(1) Yes, the municipal manager of Maruleng Local Municipality in Limpopo was suspended at a special council meeting held on 5 August 2015.

(a) Misconduct
(b) Yes, the Council meeting was legally constituted.
(2) (a) Five (5) special council meetings have been held by the Maruleng Local Municipality since 1 January 2015.

(b) (i)
• 25 January 2015: The acting allowance for the Chief Traffic Officer, the acting allowance for the Director: Corporate Services, the suspension of employees and the informal settlement upgrading by Housing Development.

• 9 February 2015: Approval of adjustment budget.

• 29 May 2015: 2015/16 budget approval.

• 23 July 2015: Notice of suspension of the municipal manager.

• 5 August 2015: Suspension of the municipal manager.

(ii) Invitations were issued.

(3) Yes, the agenda for each specified meeting was circulated

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.

Reply:

I have been advised by Sentech as follows:-

No, Sentech has not called tenders for equipment upgrade to the value of R185 million.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not Applicable

(c) Not Applicable