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31 August 2015 - NW2601

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Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)(a) When was the nine boreholes and package plant with a reservoir completed in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, and (b) what was the total cost of the project; (2) whether the plant is currently in use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what is the capacity of the plant in mega litres per day?

Reply:

(1)(a) The Hoedspruit Package Plant with an elevated tank (which is used as a reservoir) and seven boreholes and not nine, as per the question raised, were constructed and commissioned on 28 May 2014 by the Mopani District Municipality to augment the supply of water from the Drankensig Water Treatment Plant owned by the National Department of Public Works. The initiative emanated from the 2011/2012 Maruleng Flood Disaster.

(1)(b) The total cost of the project was R11 972 303.00.

(2) The Package Plant is in use, however; the clear water pump has currently burnt out and the Mopani District Municipality has issued an order for repairs which will be installed by the end of August 2015.

(3) The capacity of the plant is 0.35Ml/d.

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31 August 2015 - NW2934

Profile picture: Basson, Mr LJ

Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Why is the Groblersdal Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality not in working order; (2) whether her department has done anything to assist the specified municipality to get the specified plant in working order; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has any water tests been done at the specified plant’s outlet into the Olifants River since 1 January 2010; if not, why not; if so, what are the results of the specified tests; (4) has she taken any action against the specified municipality or any individual for polluting the river; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) what is the specified plant’s current Green Drop status?

Reply:

 

  1. The plant is currently not in working order because the plant was affected by floods during 2014. In addition, theft and vandalism of mechanical and electrical equipment contributed to the plant not working properly.

(2) My Department has not done any intervention since the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality proactively appointed the Lepelle Northern Water Board under a bulk contract to operate and maintain the plant. The Lepelle Northern Water is in the process of finalizing the appointment of a service provider to refurbish the Works (the process is at adjudication stage of appointment of the service provider). It is envisage that the plant will be fully restored to its normal operational status during December 2015.

(3) Yes, tests have been done at the plant's outlet. Test results are attached as Annexure A.

  1. Yes, a non-compliance notification has been issued to the municipality for not taking reasonable measures to prevent pollution from occurring. However, the municipality is in the process to refurbish mechanical and electrical components of the waste water plants. This is set to improve the quality of effluent prior to discharge.

(5) 29.76 %.

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31 August 2015 - NW2603

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Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Why does her department allow sand mining in the riverbed of the Karongwe River in Limpopo which forms part of a protected area under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; (2) whether she will take any action to stop the sand mining; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. My Department is not the responsible authority for any mining authorization. We regulate water activities in a water course. The competent authority for granting mining permits is the Department of Mineral Resources.
  2. A site investigation was conducted on 25 July 2015, by the Department’s enforcement team together with the SAPS. Upon completion of the investigation, my Department will, through its enforcement team, deal with the transgressor appropriately both administratively and criminally.

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31 August 2015 - NW3087

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Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(a) How many dams are owned by her department, (b) where is each specified dam located and (c) what is the (i) storage capacity, (ii) current level and (iii) safety-risk status of each specified dam?

Reply:

(a) There are 320 dams on the departmental register country wide.

(b) Refer to Appendix A for locations of all the dams.

(c)(i) Appendix A also gives the storage capacity of each dam, e.g. Gariep Dam approximate storage capacity is 5 342 923 000 m3 {or 5 x 106 (x 1000 m3)}. The rest of the dams can be determined in similar manner.

(c)(ii) Appendix B gives the weekly state of departmental reservoirs and the level can be read on the last column of the table, e.g. Reservoir level of Gariep on the 17 August 2015 was 69.7 % full.

(c)(iii) The National Water Act 36 of 1998 Section 117 (c) defines a dam with a safety risk as a dam which contains 50 000 m3 of water and has a wall of a vertical height of more than five meters (5 m), measured as the vertical difference between the lowest downstream ground elevation on the outside of the dam wall and the non-overspill crest or the general top level of the dam wall. Therefore according to this definition, all the departmental dams are considered dams with a safety risk.

To deal with the question of safety-risk status of each specified dam, reference is made to Section 2 (1) of Dam Safety Regulations Government Notice R 139 of 24 February 2012, (hence forth referred to as "Regulations"), which states: "Every dam with a safety risk must be classified in accordance with this regulation 2 on the basis of its size and hazard potential to determine the level of control over safety of the structure that is applicable in terms of these Regulations".

These two parameters, i.e. dam size and hazard potential are utilised as stipulated in Tables 1 and 2 of the Regulations' annexure to determine the Category classification of the dam as stipulated in Table 3 of the Regulations. It is this category classification which is used as an indicator for safety risk 'status' associated with the dam.

In the attached Appendix A Column AC gives the size classification; Column AD gives hazard rating potential classification and Column AE gives the category classification, e.g. Gariep Dam, Category classification is 3, i.e. Size classification = Large and Hazard rating classification = High.

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31 August 2015 - NW2913

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Maluleke, Ms B to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether, with reference to the delegation of the former Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs by the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, in response to a letter written by a resident from Ngobi regarding a water crisis in the specified area, she undertook a follow-up intervention since her appointment; if so, what progress has been made in resolving the specified water crisis?

Reply:

The Moretele Local Municipality (LM) has implemented and completed the upgrade of the Transactie Well Field water supply augmentation project which consists of a 10 km pipeline, chlorination house, equipping 10 boreholes, 10 pump house structures and 2.5 mega litres per day (Ml/day) reservoir. The total cost of the project amounted to R11 million. This project has increased the water storage capacity in the area from 0.35 Ml to 2.85 Ml (an increase of 2.5 Ml). The system is currently operational and people are receiving water, though the water supply source is not sufficient to deal with the current demand. To augment water supply in the area of the Moretele LM is providing tankering until a lasting and sustainable solution is found.

Long Term Plan

On 16 July 2014; my Department, the Moretele LM and Magalies Water signed a tripartite agreement to conduct a study for bulk water supply in Moretele including the Moretele North Portion. The study is at an advance stage, whilst the Moretele South is under Construction in Klipdrift and the Moretele North is under detail design which incorporates the entire Ngobi Village through the supply from Klipvoor.

 

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31 August 2015 - NW3088

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Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)With regard to the most recent water quality monitoring statistics, (a) which 10 South African rivers are considered the most high risk due to levels of faecal coliform and (b) on which dates were the tests conducted on the specified rivers; (2) what is the (a) percentage risk and (b) planned remedial action for each specified river?

Reply:

  1. The Department of Water and Sanitation through the National Microbial Monitoring Programme (NMMP) provide the information needed to assess and manage the potential health risks to water uses related to faecal pollution of South African’s surface water resources. (a) The NMMP points are hotspots related and all the registered sites (217) are considered high risk and ranking them depend on a number of factors i.e. season, low and high rainfall period, year of assessment etc and (b) monitoring is an on-going process on a monthly/fortnightly basis.
  2. The potential health risk associated with the use of faecal polluted water is based on four water uses or fitness for uses; namely
  • Drinking untreated water;
  • Drinking after limited treatment (domestic treatment);
  • Irrigation of crops that can be eaten raw; and
  • Full or partial contact/recreational activities.

(2)(a) All the reports (i.e. Annual/quarterly state of water & NMMP bi-monthly) indicate that there is a high risk (100 % risk) associated with drinking untreated water directly from all NMMP hotspots sites / rivers and the risks varies (low, moderate and high) for other fitness for uses at a given period.

(2)(b) The main source of faecal pollution is discharges from poorly maintained or dysfunctional sewage treatment plants into these hotspots rivers and the Department has come up with the Green Drop System to ensure proper management of waste water treatment works or progressive improvement in their operation so as not to impact negatively on the water bodies into which they discharge (i.e. to improve the quality of the effluent). The water use upgrades licenses of other wastewater treatment plants are being assessed and there is ongoing intervention by the Department to assist the municipalities experiencing challenges. The Department is aware that there are still areas (i.e. villages & some informal settlements) experiencing challenges with regard to basic sanitation services (pit latrines/bucket system) and the possible impact and threat they can pose to water resources if not well managed. Municipalities with challenges are being assisted to get access to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to address sanitation needs.

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31 August 2015 - NW2577

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

What provisions are being made to assist the municipalities of (a) uMshwathi, (b) Richmond and (c) Mkhambathini with water relief to (i) residents, (ii) commercial farmers and (iii) subsistence farmers?

Reply:

The Umgungundlovu District Municipality (DM) is the Water Services Authority (WSA) responsible for water provision in the uMshwathi, Richmond and Mkhambathini Local Municipalities (LMs). The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is assisting with water relief to the Umgungundlovu DM by the provisioning of water services through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MWIG).

(a) The Umgeni Water is implementing the uMshwathi Regional Bulk pipeline which is co-funded by Umgeni Water and the DWS’s RBIG programme. The secondary bulk components of the scheme are being implemented by the Umgungundlovu DM with support from the DWS’s MWIG programme. The scheme will supply water from the Mgeni supply system to the uMshwathi LM area.

(b) The Umgeni Water has recently commissioned the Eston bulk pipeline which is supplying water from the Mgeni supply system to the Richmond area. The scheme was co-funded by the Umgeni Water and DWS through the RBIG programme.

(c) There are no projects being supported by the DWS in the Mkhambathini LM. Support for water for commercial and subsistence farmers is the responsibility of the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and an Inter-Ministerial Task Team has been established to address the impacts of the current drought in the Province. The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has provided inputs on the drought interventions in the Province at consultation sessions that are being led by the Disaster Management Unit of the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

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28 August 2015 - NW3073

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Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

(a) How does her department and entities reporting to her define red tape and (b) what specific interventions and/or systems have been implemented to identify and reduce red tape in her department and the entities reporting to her.

Reply:

(a) Historically the concept of ‘red tape’ was introduced as an instrument for standardised, systematic procedures for bureaucratic approval across nation-states but in current times this concept has become synonymous with time-consuming, lengthy systems for issues that are simple to resolve.

(b) To eliminate the latter, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has ensured one consolidated approach for State Owned Company (SOC) to report to the Department based on key areas defined in the shareholder compacts and corporate plans.

These performance areas are reported on quarterly basis in the SOC quarterly reports to the Department with sector team engagements on any concerns or areas for improvement. With regard to the PFMA applications, the Department maintains a register which ensures adherence within the stipulated timelines.

Indeed, the intention with SOC quarterly reporting to DPE is for data accuracy to inform DPE decisions to fully optimise the SOC as key instruments of a developmental state.

 

28 August 2015 - NW2916

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Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department is using undercover agents to discover (a) how departmental offices are functioning and (b) what (i) malpractices and (ii) human rights abuses are being committed there; if not, why not; if so, what are the (aa) relevant details of the investigations and (bb) outcomes thereof?

Reply:

The department does not use undercover agents, as there is no law permitting the department to use undercover agents.

28 August 2015 - NW2795

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Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether any unit connected with the SA Revenue Service (SARS) has conducted an investigation into the amounts received by (a) a certain person (name furnished) and (b) two officials of the Local Organising Committee for Fifa’s 2010 Soccer World Cup Tournament from (i) Fifa, (ii) the Government and/or (iii) any other person or persons connected to Fifa, which allegedly were not declared by the specified persons and on which no tax was paid; if so, as regards this investigation, (aa) when was it conducted, (bb) by whom was it led, (cc) when was it finalised and (dd) whether any recommendation was made to prosecute a person or persons in this regard; (2) whether, arising from the specified investigation, SARS decided to prosecute a person or persons; if not, who took the decision to institute actions; (3) whether (a) any steps were taken to prosecute a person or persons and (b) this action was followed through; if not, why not; if so, what was the end result of the case; (4) whether he will investigate such allegations?

Reply:

(1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd)(2)(3)(a)(b)(4)

Due to the secrecy provisions contained in Section 69 of the Tax Administration Act No. 28 of 2011, SARS is prohibited from disclosing any taxpayer information (Including whether or not a taxpayer is subject to an audit/ investigation) to any person other than a SARS official. SARS is, therefore, unfortunately not in a position to respond to the above request.

27 August 2015 - NW2812

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Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What total amount has been allocated to each province for the provision of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years; (2) are there any memoranda of understanding between her and the (a) Minister of Basic Education and (b) Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs with regard to the specified ECD services; (3) how often has her department engaged in the supervision of all ECD centers to ensure that they comply with requisite norms and standards?

Reply:

1.

PROVINCE

FINANCIAL YEAR

ALLOCATED BUDGET R’000

Eastern Cape

2013/14

R188, 753,400

 

2014/15

R 173,621,000

Gauteng

2013/14

R284, 000.000

 

2014/15

R 321, 870,000

Limpopo

2013/14

R240, 000.000

 

2014/15

R227, 000,000

North West

2013/14

R55,000.000

 

2014/15

R 54,330,000

Northern

Cape

2013/14

R71, 026.000

 

2014/15

R76,030,000

Western

Cape

2013/14

R282,927,000

 

2014/15

R231, 581,000

Free State

2013/14

R161.541.000

 

2014/15

R175, 498,000

Mpumalanga

2013/14

R185, 296. 320

 

2014/15

R192 ,283,000

Kwazulu

Natal

2013/14

R211, 333.000

 

2014/15

R219, 108,000

2. The Department of Social Development does not have any memoranda of Understanding with both the Departments. What is in place are the Terms of Reference, agreed upon among the Interdepartmental Committee for ECD which includes the departments mentioned in the question. The South African Integrated Programme of Action for ECD: Moving Ahead was approved by Cabinet on 18 September 2013, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of all Departments that deals with ECD issues.

3. According to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, the provincial head of social development must conduct inspections at the prescribed intervals of partial care facilities in the province to enforce the provisions of this Act. Each province conducts monitoring of ECD centres on a quarterly basis, based on their targets for the quarter.

27 August 2015 - NW2981

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Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development

(a) What amount has his department spent on accommodation for him in the period 25 May 2014 until 6 August 2015 and (b) in each case, (i) what are the names of the establishments where he stayed, (ii) where are the specified establishments located, (iii) how many nights did he spend at each establishment and (iv) what was the daily rate paid on each occasion?

Reply:

During the period until 6 August 2015, hotels were used once for domestic travel and on four occasions for international travel.

The domestic travel was to eThekwini for a three-night stay, at a cost of R5 753.

The international travel entailed official trips to the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the United States and Switzerland. This involved 12 nights accommodation at hotels. Of these, accounts have been received and paid for in respect of three of the trips, totalling R54 663 for eight nights stay in hotels. One account is still outstanding from DIRCO who secures hotel accommodation on behalf of the Ministry.

-END-

27 August 2015 - NW2989

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(1) Does his department conduct lifestyle audits of its employees; if not, why not; if so, when was the last lifestyle audit conducted; (2) is there any monitoring of employee expenditure patterns; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has any employee ever been found guilty to have accepted money for (a) issuing a license or (b) not issuing a stoppage order, if so, what are the relevant details of each specified case?

Reply:

  1. No, the department does not conduct lifestyle audits of its employees. No, there is no monitoring of employee expenditure patterns because there has never been any reason to do so;
  2. (a) Yes, the matter was referred to the relevant law enforcement agency.
  3. Yes, the matter was referred to the relevant enforcement law agency.

27 August 2015 - NW2982

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Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development

(a) What amount has his department spent on consultants since 26 May 2014 until 6 August 2015 and (b) in each case, (i) what (aa)are the names of the consultants, (bb) amount was each consultant paid and (cc) was the nature of their work and (ii) for what period were the specified consultants contracted to his department?

Reply:

The Department spent R168 744 during the period for a co-sourcing contract with the Business Innovation Group to provide support for the internal audit function in the EDD, covering performance information and transfers/subsidies to entities of the Department.

-END-

27 August 2015 - NW2905

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Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether, with reference to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), she intends to promulgate a policy for social workers to make enquiries about the extent in which a mother was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy when a child with problematic behaviour is taken to a children’s home or another form of care; if not, how does she intend to deal with this need for information in the diagnosis of FASD children; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No; the Department of Social Development does not have nor intend having a policy for Social Workers to make enquiries about the extent in which a mother was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy when a child with problematic behavior is taken to children’s home or another form of care .

However, the Department of Social Development has assessment tools that are being administered when children including children with FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) are admitted to a children’s home or another form of care. The assessment tools provide the social workers with background information of every child including the family circumstances of the child. Additionally social workers can access information from other health care workers to assess the impact of the family and environmental circumstances on the behavior of the child.

27 August 2015 - NW2983

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Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development

How much did the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) spend on (a) print, (b) radio, (c) television, (d) online and (e) outdoor advertising in the 2014/2015 financial year; 2. What are the names of every (a)publication, (b) radio station, (c) television station and (d) website and (e) the exact location of every billboard location which carried IDC advertising; 3. What amount was spent on each advertising category?

Reply:

The Industrial Development Corporation reports that is spent the following sums on advertising in the 2014/15 financial year, for specified advertising categories:

  1. Print media: R9.3 million
  2. Radio: R11.8 million
  3. Television: R6.3 million
  4. Online: R1.1 million
  5. Outdoor advertising: nil

Question 2 and 3

Media category

Publication/station

 

Digital

BD Live

 
 

Cadreon

 
 

Clicks2customers

 
 

Dash of Lime

 
 

Entrepreneur.ZA.Com

 
 

Forestry SA.co.za

 
 

IOL

 
 

ITWEB

 
 

Jewellery Biz News

 
 

MiningMx

 
 

MSN

 
 

News 24

 
 

Perform Digital

 
 

Pop I Media Innovations

 
 

SA Forestry Magazine.co.za

 
 

Sowetan Digital

 
 

The Times

 
 

Yahoo

 
 

Yonder Media

 
     

Magazine

Agbiz Congress

 
 

Business Hi-Lite

 
 

Business Times : Beneficiation

 
 

Businessbrief

 
 

CSI Handbook

 
 

Durban Chamber Directory

 
 

Engineering News

 
 

Food Trade SA Directory

 
 

Infocom

 
 

Jewellery Biz News Connect (Directory)

 
 

KZN Top Business

 
 

Mining Weekly

 
 

MiningMX

 
 

MiningMX Yearbook

 
 

Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry

 
 

SA Jewellery News

 
 

Savca Directory

 
 

Sawubona Magazine

 
 

The Thinker Magazine

 
 

Truesight Communications t/a Hluma Magazine

 
     

Newspaper

Alex News

 
 

Beeld - Sake Beeld

 
 

Brits Pos

 
 

Business Day

 
 

Business Report (Star, Cape Times, Pretoria News, Mercury)

 
 

Cape Argus

 
 

Cape Times

 
 

Capricon Voice

 
 

City Press

 
 

City Press - Business

 
 

Daily Dispatch

 
 

Daily News

 
 

Daily Sun

 
 

Daily Voice Cape Town

 
 

De Aar Echo

 
 

Diamond Fields Advertiser

 
 

Die Burger - Sake Burger

 
 

Die Volksblad

 
 

Die Volksblad - Sake Volksblad

 
 

Eastern Cape Industrial & Business News

 
 

Eastern Cape Today

 
 

Eastern Free State Issue

 
 

Excelsior News

 
 

Free State Sun

 
 

Gemsbok

 
 

Greater Alex Today Newspaper

 
 

Highveld Tribune

 
 

Ilanga

 
 

Isolezwe

 
 

Kalahari Bulletin

 
 

Kathu Gazette

 
 

Klerksdorp Record

 
 

Letaba Herald

 
 

Lowvelder/Laevelder

 
 

Mafikeng Mail

 
 

Mail & Guardian

 
 

Mangaung Issue

 
 

Middelburg Herald

 
 

Mpumalanga News

 
 

Noordwester/Oewernuus

 
 

Overvaal

 
 

Polokwane Express

 
 

Polokwane Observer

 
 

Pretoria News

 
 

Rapport

 
 

Rustenburg Herald

 
 

Son

 
 

Sosh Times

 
 

SowetanNewpapers

 
 

Sunday Times

 
 

Sunday Times-Business Times

 
 

The Herald

 
 

The Mercury

 
 

The Star

 
 

Victoria West Messenger

 
 

Vukani (Inc)

 
     
 

Weekend Post

 
 

Weekend Review

 
 

Witness

 
     

Radio

702 Talk Radio

 
 

Capricorn FM

 
 

Energy FM

 
 

Kaya FM

 
 

KFM

 
 

Lesedi FM (Sesotho)

 
 

Metro FM

 
 

MunghanaLonene FM (Tsonga)

 
 

OFM

 
 

Power FM

 
 

RSG (Radiosondergrense)

 
 

SAFM

 
 

Ukhozi FM (Zulu)

 
 

UmhloboWenene FM (Xhosa)

 
     

Television

ANN7 (Africa News Nertworks )

 
 

Business Day TV

 
 

ENCA

 
 

ETV

 
 

MNET

 
 

SABC 1

 
 

SABC 2

 
 

SABC 3

 
 

SSHD4

 
 

Supersport HD6

 
 

Supersport 7

 
 

Supersport HD 2

 
 

Supersport HD5

 
     
     

-END-

26 August 2015 - NW2921

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Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Whether he interacted with his counterpart in China during his recent visit to that country to ascertain why the Beijing Institute of Technology, North Western Polytechnical University, Xidian University, Shenyang Aerospace University, Ningbo University and South China University of Technology were so pivotal to knowledge production and economic growth in China; if not, why not; if so, (a) what useful lessons do the specified universities and other universities have to offer South Africa and (b) when will he implement policies derived from such lessons?

Reply:

No, I did not interact with my counterpart during my recent visit to China as I was invited by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to form part of his delegation. I therefore followed the Deputy President’s programme and accompanied him to all his meetings.

However, there are many useful lessons that other universities in China can offer South Africa. There are on-going collaborations between various Chinese and South African Universities, e.g. the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch have partnered with Northeast Normal and Hunan Universities.

A Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), based at Stellenbosch University, has been established to analyse China-related research by collaborating with scholars from Africa, China and other international academic centres with similar interests, and publishes regular discussion papers, policy briefings and short opinion pieces on current issues. CCS also hosts visiting academics and government officials within the China Forum that provides a platform to discuss and debate on China-African related subjects.

CCS has co-operative linkages with key universities and institutions pursuing both research collaboration and exchange undertakings, prioritising linkages with Chinese institutions that include Beijing University, Tsinghua and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. CCS is also home to the Confucius Institute, the first institution of its kind established in Africa.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2921 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

26 August 2015 - NW2856

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Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications

Did her department set up an SABC Task Team; if so, (a) who did the task team comprise, (b) what is the mandate of the task team, (c) on what date was the task team set up, (d) what amount did her department spend on the specified task team and (e) what were the findings of the task team?

Reply:

The department did not set up a SABC Task Team.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2792

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Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Whether the Government has developed or was developing a policy and funding plan to allow the country’s rural population to have access to biodigesters in order to create biogas for domestic cooking and electricity purposes as is happening in India and/or to stimulate large-scale production of purified biogas for fuel as in China; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the biogas initiatives in the country that are led by the Government and (b) how extensive is the roll-out of the specified initiatives in the country’s rural population?

Reply:

(a) What are the relevant details of the biogas initiatives in the country that are led by the Government?

The Department and the ARC completed a pilot phase of the Biodigester project in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State province) that started in June 2012 and just concluded in June 2015 as part of the mitigation and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State Province). This project was rolled-out in Thabo Mofutsanyane District with a number of beneficiaries, mainly community livestock farmers who received training and had the biodigesters equipment purchased for them. 

The ultimate goal of the project was to enhance agricultural productivity by promoting the adoption of an integrated crop-livestock system that effectively mitigates, adapts to and reduces vulnerabilities to climate change. It is also aimed at introducing and encouraging agricultural practices in rural communities that have the potential of mitigating climate change and adapting to adverse effects of climate change and the use of biogas for domestic cooking and electricity purposes.

About 13 biogas digesters for generation of bio-gas for cooking and/lighting from livestock manure were installed and they are operational. The farmer training was conducted and provided an opportunity to promote renewable energies and inform farmers on the possibility of self-energy generation. Capacity building and job creation was achieved through training of the local youth on biogas digester installation. Relevant weather and climate information was distributed to farmers during the planning and implementation of their agricultural activities via sms. The findings of this pilot project will assist with the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures (in the form of strategies and/or polices) for the country.

(b)  How extensive is the roll-out of the specified initiatives in the country’s rural population?

This pilot project is currently been rolled out to three Provinces namely: Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo targeting ten (10) small scale farmers per Province from the financial year 2015/16 to 2017/18. The project aims at raising awareness of climate change among different stakeholders in the agricultural community. It will promote the integrated crop-livestock production system. The beneficiaries in these provinces, mainly livestock farmers will be trained and have biodegesters purchased for them and installed. 

Biogas could be used to generate a large portion of the peaking power required and thereby effect very large cost savings for the country. More funding and resources are however, needed to roll it out at a larger scale.

26 August 2015 - NW2876

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

(a) How many community radio stations have been funded by the Media Development and Diversity Agency since 2004, (b) how many of these community radio stations are still operational, (c) which stations are not operational, (d) what are the reasons for their inability to operate, (e) how much (i) funding, (ii) equipment and (iii) training was provided to the community radio stations that are no longer operational and (f) what happens to the equipment once the station is no longer operational? NW3349E MINISTRY: COMMUNICATIONSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 Tshedimosetso House,1035 Francis Baard Street, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria, 1000 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2876 of 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07 August 2015 MS V VAN DYK (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (a) How many community radio stations have been funded by the Media Development and Diversity Agency since 2004, (b) how many of these community radio stations are still operational, (c) which stations are not operational, (d) what are the reasons for their inability to operate, (e) how much (i) funding, (ii) equipment and (iii) training was provided to the community radio stations that are no longer operational and (f) what happens to the equipment once the station is no longer operational?NW3349E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS The MDDA has funded 103 Community Radio Stations since 2004 in 57 district municipalities in South Africa. Of the 103 community radio stations currently on the MDDA’s disbursement profile, ninety nine (99) are fully operational. Four (4) out of 103 three stations currently on MDDA’s disbursement profile are not operational. They are as follows: i Franchoek FM (Western Cape – Cape Wine Lands District Municipality) ii Motsitle Community Radio (North West – Bojanala District Municipality) iii Qwa Qwa FM (Free State – Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality) iv Blouberg Community Radio (Limpopo Province – Capricorn District Municipality) During the grant funding cycle, MDDA pays for the insurance of broadcast equipment. Once the grant funding agreement expires, stations are supposed to continue with the insurance. (i) Cumulatively grants totalling R 280 million have been awarded since 2004 to date. (ii) 55 community radio stations have received digital broadcast infrastructure to the value of R47, 236,885.00 (iii) Not applicable. Currently all radio stations are operational, however in terms of the Grant in Aid Agreement and the NPO Act/ including the constitutions of the entities MDDA funds there is a clause that provides for such equipment to be transferred to a project of similar objectives. MR NN MUNZHELELE DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING] DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE:

Reply:

(a) The MDDA has funded 103 Community Radio Stations since 2004 in 57 district municipalities in South Africa.

(b) Of the 103 community radio stations currently on the MDDA’s disbursement profile, ninety nine (99) are fully operational.

(c) Four (4) out of 103 three stations currently on MDDA’s disbursement profile are not operational.

They are as follows:

i Franchoek FM (Western Cape – Cape Wine Lands District Municipality)

ii Motsitle Community Radio (North West – Bojanala District Municipality)

iii Qwa Qwa FM (Free State – Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality)

iv Blouberg Community Radio (Limpopo Province – Capricorn District Municipality)

(d) During the grant funding cycle, MDDA pays for the insurance of broadcast equipment. Once the grant funding agreement expires, stations are supposed to continue with the insurance.

(e) (i) Cumulatively grants totalling R 280 million have been awarded since 2004 to date.

(ii) 55 community radio stations have received digital broadcast infrastructure to the value of R47, 236,885.00

(iii) Not applicable.

(f) Currently all radio stations are operational, however in terms of the Grant in Aid Agreement and the NPO Act/ including the constitutions of the entities MDDA funds there is a clause that provides for such equipment to be transferred to a project of similar objectives.

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

26 August 2015 - NW2877

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) How regular does the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) monitor community radio stations that it has funded, (b) which stations are being monitored by the MDDA and (c) in each case, (i) on what dates and (ii) in what manner have the stations been monitored in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years? NW3350E MINISTRY: COMMUNICATIONSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 Tshedimosetso House,1035 Francis Baard Street, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria, 1000 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2877 of 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07 AUGUST 2015 MS V VAN DYK (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (a) How regular does the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) monitor community radio stations that it has funded, (b) which stations are being monitored by the MDDA and (c) in each case, (i) on what dates and (ii) in what manner have the stations been monitored in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years? NW3350E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS The MDDA has a grant funding cycle that that runs from 12 to 18 months. Projects are monitored twice during the project funding cycle. Funding is allocated in four tranches and each tranche is released after satisfactory reporting and compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement and monitoring. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of projects. Project report on quarterly basis, this is another form of close monitoring. All Radio Stations are monitored on the following: i. Attainment of intended project objectives as of inception ii. Governance and institutional stability iii. Financial Management iv. Financial Sustainability and revenue generation v. Community Participation vi. Partnerships vii. Compliance and non-compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement i. MDDA conducts monitoring on all the funded community radio stations. The dates for monitoring are determined based on the status quo of the projects, funds disbursed and the reporting cycle of each project. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of a project (Average project lifecycle would normally be 14 months). Oversight monitoring is conducted if there is delayed reporting. ii. In the previous three financial years the projects have been monitored through: Desktop monitoring Site visits monitoring and evaluation Project reporting Annual evaluation using different methodologies such as formative, summative and clarificative where required Board Members undertake Provincial site visit on a random basis MR NN MUNZHELELE DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING] DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE

Reply:

(a) The MDDA has a grant funding cycle that that runs from 12 to 18 months. Projects are monitored twice during the project funding cycle. Funding is allocated in four tranches and each tranche is released after satisfactory reporting and compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement and monitoring. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of projects. Project report on quarterly basis, this is another form of close monitoring.

(b)  All Radio Stations are monitored on the following:

i. Attainment of intended project objectives as of inception

ii. Governance and institutional stability

iii. Financial Management

iv. Financial Sustainability and revenue generation

v. Community Participation

vi. Partnerships

vii. Compliance and non-compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement

(c) i. MDDA conducts monitoring on all the funded community radio stations. The dates for monitoring are determined based on the status quo of the projects, funds disbursed and the reporting cycle of each project. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of a project (Average project lifecycle would normally be 14 months). Oversight monitoring is conducted if there is delayed reporting.

ii. In the previous three financial years the projects have been monitored through:

  1. Desktop monitoring
  2. Site visits monitoring and evaluation
  3. Project reporting
  4. Annual evaluation using different methodologies such as formative, summative and clarificative where required
  5. Board Members undertake Provincial site visit on a random basis

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2954

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Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications

With reference to her reply to question 453 on 27 November 2014, (a) when is the envisaged start and end date for the Information for Empowerment Dialogues, (b) which (i) stakeholders and (ii) towns and cities will be visited,(c) how many officials will participate and (d) what is the budgeted costs for the specified dialogues? NW3458E MINISTRY: COMMUNICATIONSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 Tshedimosetso House,1035 Francis Baard Street, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria, 1000 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2954 of 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2015 MR G R DAVIS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: With reference to her reply to question 453 on 27 November 2014, (a) when is the envisaged start and end date for the Information for Empowerment Dialogues, (b) which (i) stakeholders and (ii) towns and cities will be visited,(c) how many officials will participate and (d) what is the budgeted costs for the specified dialogues? NW3458E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS The Minister of Communications received the report from the National Communication Task Team (NCTT). The report is being evaluated. All matters relating to the NCTT will be appropriately responded to once the Minister concludes with the evaluation of the report and expresses her opinion on how the process will be carried forward. MR NN MUNZHELELE DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING] DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Communications received the report from the National Communication Task Team (NCTT). The report is being evaluated. All matters relating to the NCTT will be appropriately responded to once the Minister concludes with the evaluation of the report and expresses her opinion on how the process will be carried forward.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

26 August 2015 - NW2950

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

What is (a) the status of the current discussions about moving agricultural colleges to the Department of Higher Education and Training and (b) his position on this potential move? NW3454E.

Reply:

(a). Cabinet has already approved that the two Departments appoint a Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to spearhead the process and modalities for the transfer. The JTTT has been officially appointed and has started working on the processes.

(b). The transfer of Colleges to the Department of Higher Education and Training is a Cabinet decision. My responsibility is to facilitate the implementation of the decision together with the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

26 August 2015 - NW2855

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Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications

What was the purpose of her attendance at the annual Lifestyle Show Hub in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on 8 July 2015, (b) who attended the event with her and (c) what amount was spent by her department on (i) flights and (ii) accommodation for (aa) her and (bb) those who attended the show with her?

Reply:

(a)The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development has extended an invitation to Minister Muthambi F to attend both the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub Show and the Santa FE Folk Art Market events with other role-players to represent the country in these important gatherings.

(b)South African delegation:

1. The Minister

2. Chief of Staff

3. Protector

4. Assistant Director in the office of the DG

(C)FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

Item

People

Exchange rate

Days

Cost

Accommodation:

Atlanta

Santa FE

3

$275

$ 289

9

R10 226.46

R10 747.08

Ground Transport

Atlanta

Santa FE

3

$85

$100

9

R 6 321.78

R 9 916.56

Ticket, service fees and insurance

3

 

9

R349 823.16

Travel and Subsistence Daily Allowance

3

$106.40

9

R30 226.59

Total

     

R417 261.63

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER

Item

People

Exchange rate

Days

Cost

Accommodation:

Atlanta

Santa FE

1

$515

$580

9

R6 383.79

R7 183.30

Ground Transport

Atlanta

Santa FE

1

$170

$195

9

R12 643.62

R19 337.28

VIP Services at airport

1

$100

9

R 2 479.14

Ticket, service fees and insurance

1

   

R116 607.72

Travel and Subsistence Daily Allowance

1

106.40

9

R11 619.70

Total

     

R176 254.55

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2951

Profile picture: Steyn, Ms A

Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

What maintenance has his department conducted at each agricultural college(a) in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012, (v) 2013 and (vi) 2014 and (b) since 1 January 2015?

Reply:

In 2009, my Department conducted a study to assess the level of compliance of the twelve Colleges against the approved Norms and Standards the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs. The assessment study report revealed that no single College complied fully with the established Norms and Standards albeit in differing degrees. Flowing from the approved Norms and Standards and the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs including the findings of the compliance study, a Revitalisation Plan for the Colleges of Agriculture was developed.

The Colleges Revitalization Plan (CRP) is guided by the following critical pillars:

  • Pillar 1: Improvement of Infrastructure and equipment
  • Pillar 2: Curriculum review with emphasis on value addition
  • Pillar 3: Accreditation and registration of Colleges
  • Pillar 4: Leadership development and change management
  • Pillar 5: Strengthening of Information and Communication Technology including Colleges Governance

In support of the process of revitalizing the Colleges of Agriculture, my Department approached the National Treasury in 2009/10 to present the case of the twelve Colleges and to solicit funding for their improvement. My Department commenced with its National Treasury approved and funded Colleges Revitalization Plan in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, my Department has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.

A total amount of R2 236 705 009.00 (two billion two hundred and thirty six million seven hundred and five thousand and nine rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture between 2009 and January 2015.

A total amount of R1 907 356 342.00 (one billion nine hundred and seven million three hundred and fifty six thousand and three hundred and forty two rand only) has been spent on Goods and Services and Compensation of Employees (Annexure A).

A total amount of R329 348 667.00 (three hundred and twenty nine million three hundred and forty eight thousand and six hundred and sixty seven rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture since 2011/12 through Colleges Revitalization Plan (Annexure B).

Annexure C presents a list of major infrastructure support provided to Colleges by my Department through the Colleges Revitalization Plan since 2011/12.

26 August 2015 - NW2714

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications

Whether (a) she, (b) her Deputy Minister and (c) any officials in her department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?

Reply:

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has extended an invitation to Minister Muthambi F to attend the Ministerial Workshop on Development and Management of Radio and TV Media for Developing Countries trip will take place on 20 – 31 July 2015.

The South African delegation was represented by:

1. Chief of Staff.

2. Outcome facilitator.

3. Assistant director in the office of the DG.

4. DTT project Head.

5. Chief Director Broadcasting Policy.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

Item

People

Exchange rate

Days

Cost

Accommodation:

Changsha, China

3

 

11

R46 200.00

Ground Transport

3

 

11

R 11 000.00

Ticket, service fees and insurance(To and From and internal Flights)

5

   

R130 710.00

Daily Allowance

5 (note)

 

11

R63 864.80

Total

     

R 251 774.80

Note

The accommodation and ground transport in respect of the Head of the DTT Project and the CD: Broadcasting Policy were sponsored by the Government of China. The DoC was only responsible for paying the daily allowance for the period.

There are no financial implications for the Minister due to the fact that the above expenses were catered by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China as the sponsor.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER

Item

People

Exchange rate

Days

Cost

Accommodation:

1

 

11

R0.00

Ground Transport

1

 

11

R0.00

VIP Services at airport

1

 

11

R0.00

Ticket, service fees and insurance

1

   

R0.00

Ticket, service fees and insurance

1

   

R12 807.44

Total

     

R12 807.44

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2879

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Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) Which community radio station currently funded by the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) are in financial distress and (b) what assistance has the MDDA given community radio stations that are in financial distress? NW3352E MINISTRY: COMMUNICATIONSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 Tshedimosetso House,1035 Francis Baard Street, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria, 1000 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2879 of 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07 AUGUST 2015 MS N I TARABELLA MARCHESI (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: (a) Which community radio station currently funded by the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) are in financial distress and (b) what assistance has the MDDA given community radio stations that are in financial distress?NW3352E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS Community radio stations in ‘financial distress’ are defined as stations that have requested and been funded by the MDDA on more than one occasion upon completion of the original grant. These are the stations that request for more funds towards strengthening on areas that are still lacking. For instance, a station might request funds for salaries, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment and Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power). The stations that have been funded more than once are as follows: Inanda FM Emalahleni FM Vukani FM Bush Radio Inkonjane Community Radio Voice of Tembisa Aganang Community Radio Sekhukhune Community Radio ICORA Radio Khwezi Maputaland Community Radio Moletjie Community Radio Greater Tzaneen Kanyamazane Community Radio Star FM N FM Radio Riverside Radio Namakwaland Radio Zibonele A majority of these Community Radio Stations are in communities whose socio economic standards directly affect self-sustainability of the projects post the grant period. They solely rely on advertising revenue which is invested back into operational costs. All stations face a challenge of delayed payment for services rendered particularly from government and this has an adverse impact on their income and cash flow. The MDDA has provided financial support for salaries, infrastructure refurbishment, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment, Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power). The MDDA also lobbies national, provincial and local government to support community radio stations through advertising. The MDDA is further working closely with the GCIS media buying unit in order to ensure investment to the sector. MR NN MUNZHELELE DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING] DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE

Reply:

Community radio stations in ‘financial distress’ are defined as stations that have requested and been funded by the MDDA on more than one occasion upon completion of the original grant. These are the stations that request for more funds towards strengthening on areas that are still lacking. For instance, a station might request funds for salaries, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment and Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power).

The stations that have been funded more than once are as follows:

  1. Inanda FM
  2. Emalahleni FM
  3. Vukani FM
  4. Bush Radio
  5. Inkonjane Community Radio
  6. Voice of Tembisa
  7. Aganang Community Radio
  8. Sekhukhune Community Radio
  9. ICORA
  10. Radio Khwezi
  11. Maputaland Community Radio
  12. Moletjie Community Radio
  13. Greater Tzaneen
  14. Kanyamazane Community Radio
  15. Star FM
  16. N FM
  17. Radio Riverside
  18. Radio Namakwaland
  19. Radio Zibonele

A majority of these Community Radio Stations are in communities whose socio economic standards directly affect self-sustainability of the projects post the grant period. They solely rely on advertising revenue which is invested back into operational costs. All stations face a challenge of delayed payment for services rendered particularly from government and this has an adverse impact on their income and cash flow.

(b)  The MDDA has provided financial support for salaries, infrastructure refurbishment, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment, Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power). The MDDA also lobbies national, provincial and local government to support community radio stations through advertising. The MDDA is further working closely with the GCIS media buying unit in order to ensure investment to the sector.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2949

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

(1) What is the current language policy at each of the Agricultural Colleges; (2) Is there any change expected in the specified language policy; (3) What is the breakdown of the home language spoken by students at each of the specified Colleges?NW3453E

Reply:

(1). Currently Agricultural Colleges do not have language policies, but their academic rules and procedures clearly state their respective mediums of instruction, the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka use English as their medium of instruction.

Elsenburg and Potchefstroom Colleges use a 50/50 (English or Afrikaans) medium of instruction; this is due to the fact that almost all classes are multilingual. The practice is that the lecturer teaches in either English or Afrikaans or both. The audio- visual aids are in the other language that is not being used by the lecturer i.e. English or Afrikaans. The class notes and student guides are available in both English and Afrikaans.

Grootfontein College uses a parallel mode of instruction where tuition is in English to one group (non-Afrikaans) and Afrikaans to the other group.

(2). There is no change expected in the language policy or guidelines of the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Potchefstroom, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka as they are experiencing no challenges in their respective Institutions regarding the medium of instruction.

Elsenburg College is overseeing a process to inform and sensitise staff and the student body on best practice regarding the current language approach. A Task Team has been established to consult with corresponding institutions on matters related to language policies, options and plans. The College Council will thereafter present a framework to the Department for consideration. A process of consultation with stakeholders, including students and industry representative bodies, regarding the proposed policy framework is envisaged after which a process to draft and adopt a language policy and plan for the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute will be initiated, in accordance with the approved framework.

My Department has initiated processes of amending the current medium of instruction at Grootfontein College with the aim of developing a language policy which will introduce English as a new medium of instruction.

(3). Breakdown of home language spoken by students at each of the specified Colleges is presented on Attachment A;

26 August 2015 - NW2768

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Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether National Treasury intends to undertake a countrywide road show to explain to citizens (a) what debt the Government was incurring in their name in order to fund its annual undertakings, (b) how it was proposing to manage and pay off the specified debt so that the country does not become another Greece or Puerto Rico in the next decade and in such specified process solicit the citizen’s support for incurring the specified debt so that they could not say, in the near future, that they knew nothing about such debt and therefore want no involvement in taking responsibility to pay off the specified debt and/or be subjected to severe austerity measures; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(a) National Treasury makes significant efforts to communicate publicly its fiscal strategy and implications for the debt outlook. Extensive budget information is released to the legislature and the public in general. According to the international Open Budget Index survey, South Africa ranks as one of the top countries for transparency and accountability. Parliament holds public hearings after the tabling of each Budget Review and Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. As part of its budget outreach programme, National Treasury representatives travel around South Africa presenting the fiscal outlook to universities and civil society organisations. The National Treasury conducts domestic investor roadshows and communicates regularly with the media on the implications of the fiscal framework for the national debt outlook.

The debt that government will incur over the coming decade is set out in the publicly available budget documents tabled in parliament in February each year. Provisions are made for debt that is falling due, with the details outlined in chapter 7 of 2015 Budget Review. A more detailed breakdown is published in the annual Debt Management Report, which is available on the National Treasury website.

(b) Government manages the debt outlook by narrowing the deficit over time while mitigating refinancing risk (i.e. the risk that government will not be able to raise money to finance the budget deficit and repay debt at any scheduled point, or will have to do so at high cost). In order to close the deficit, government has raised taxes and reduced the rate of expenditure growth. The budget also aims to change the composition of borrowing, in order to ensure that government debt is used to fund infrastructure spending with a positive long-term impact.

The medium-term borrowing strategy focuses on mitigating the risks presented by the sharp increase in loan repayments in 2017/18 and beyond. To meet these high loan repayments, cash has been generated from higher long-term borrowing in 2014/15. Over the medium term, the cash will be used to pay down short-term borrowing. Government also makes use of a bond-switch programme to ease pressure on targeted areas of the bond redemption profile by exchanging short-term for longer-term debt.

26 August 2015 - NW2790

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Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Whether he has requested or will be requesting a seminar or bosberaad with departmental officials and private sector experts to understand the implications of the report of the International Labour Organisation released in February 2015, entitled Farm Workers’ Living and Working Conditions in South Africa: key trends, emergent issues and underlying and structural problems, and in particular to address the point that outdated assumptions and oversimplifications continue to fuel unhealthy polarisation in the perceptions and views of key players in agriculture; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) when will he make a statement regarding the failure of the Government as highlighted in the specified report?

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.

26 August 2015 - NW2886

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Mbatha, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

With reference to his reply to question 42 on 27 February 2015 wherein he stated that the total expenditure on the Vukani Aviation cadet pilot programme is R68 million as at February 2015, what were the agreed programme performance targets for the specified signed contracts in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; (2) what were (a) the reported achievements of the specified programme and (b) the reasons for non-performance on the specified financial years; (3) (a) how many cadets were actively participating in the commercial pilot license training and (b) what was the amount of the specified contracts as at 12 February 2015; (4) when is the specified programme expected to be completed?

Reply:

  1. The Department concluded one contract with Vukani Aviation, which commenced on 8 January 2013 covering a period of 36 months and includes the information on the requested financial years.

The Vukani Aviation Cadet Pilot Scheme Programme has the following targeted outcomes:

Programme

Target

Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection

500

Psychometrics Test

500

Simulation

100

Life Skills Programmes

60

Commercial Pilot License

60

It should be noted that the cadets were split into 3 groups of 20, to allow for reasonable instruction time.

(2) (a) A summary of achievements since the inception of the programme are as follows:

  • Training

Training Programmes

Learners who completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training

4

Learners currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training

19

Learners who have obtained their Commercial Pilot License and currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training

15

Cadets who have found employment after completing the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training

5

Total students who dropped out / dismissed / absconded

17

Total

60

  • Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection - The aviation awareness portion of the project started on 16 February 2013 targeting 500 learners. Vukani Aviation visited rural and township based schools in five provinces, as well as utilizing radio stations and local newspapers to ensure greater awareness and project reach. According to the data provide to us, over 10 000 students were reached through this awareness campaign.
  • Psychometric Test: 189 Psychometric tests were done.
  • Simulation: 100 Learners were shortlisted and went through the simulation process.

Life Skills Programmes: The planned target for the Life Skills Programme was 60 learners, with 50 learners benefitting whilst 10 learners left the programme before completing all the required activities.

(b) The intention was that all 60 cadets would complete all the required tasks and flight hours in a period of 18 months, which proved to be difficult due to the following reasons:

  • According to Vukani Aviation, the Private Pilot License Ground School component took longer than anticipated, as the cadets struggled with mastering the required content and some were given more than the required attempts to accomplish certain tasks.
  • During the period leading up to the funeral of the late President Nelson Mandela, flight schools around Gauteng lost almost a month of flying time due to restrictions placed on the Gauteng airspace.

(3) (a) 9 Cadets have completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training with 5 cadets already having found employment, 19 learners are currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training and 15 learners are currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training.

(b) The total budgeted programme cost is R77 070 921.00.

(4)  The entire programme, as per the contract with Vukani Aviation, is expected to be completed by 31 December 2015.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2886 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

26 August 2015 - NW3058

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of State Security

How does (i) his department and (ii) entities reporting to him define red tape and (b) what (i) specific interventions and/or (ii) systems have been implemented to (aa) identify and (bb) reduce red tape in (aaa) his department and (bbb) the entities reporting to him?

Reply:

  1. The State Security Agency (SSA) conducts continuous performance reviews with specific reference to reducing lead time and improve turn-around time against the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) through Business Process Mapping and Re-engineering.
  2. The State Security Agency (SSA) does not have any entities.

26 August 2015 - NW2989

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(1) Does his department conduct lifestyle audits of its employees; if not, why not; if so, when was the last lifestyle audit conducted; (2) is there any monitoring of employee expenditure patterns; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has any employee ever been found guilty to have accepted money for (a) issuing a license or (b) not issuing a stoppage order, if so, what are the relevant details of each specified case?

Reply:

  1. No, the department does not conduct lifestyle audits of its employees.
  2. No, there is no monitoring of employee expenditure patterns because there has never been any reason to do so;
  3. (a) (b) Yes, the matter was referred to relevant law enforcement agency.

Approved/not approved

 

 

Adv N Ramatlhodi

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/ 2015

26 August 2015 - NW2811

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Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications

With reference to her reply to question 1348 on 23 June 2015, (a) what are the names of (i) representatives of the (aa) companies, (bb) industry groups and (cc) consultants and (ii) any ministerial advisors involved in the revision of the Broadcast Digital Migration policy approved by Cabinet in March 2015, (b) what were the (i) dates and (ii) locations where meetings were held by the specified persons to discuss and revise the specified policy and (c) were minutes of the meetings taken?

Reply:

(a) (i), (ii), (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd).

The Department of Communications did not commission any consultants or external third parties to undertake the task of revising and drafting the Policy amendments that were submitted in February 2015 and finally adopted by Cabinet on the 4th of March 2015. The task was undertaken by the internal Policy Unit personnel of the DoC and the DTT PMO under the supervision of the Acting Director-General and the leadership of the Minister.

(b) (i), (ii) and (c)

The only point at which external parties were engaged in the formulation of the policy amendments was to solicit the inputs from the consultation session that was held with industry and various stakeholders in the broadcasting sector. This mainly occurred at a workshop called by the Minister to revive the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) Policy and to assist the DTT PMO team to finalise the Policy amendments and attended by several representatives of companies and industry groups from the electronic manufacturing sector.  The details are as follows: 

Date            : Thursday 06 November 2014

Venue       : Auditorium, Ground Floor, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard, Hatfield, Pretoria

Time           : 09H00

Attendance register is attached.

Numerous working sessions were held to process the inputs between the period November 2014 and February 2015. The final output of these working sessions was a draft Policy amendments submitted in February 2015 and approved by Cabinet on the 4th of March 2015.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

26 August 2015 - NW2745

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Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications

(1) Has her department ordered an investigation into the refusal of senior managers of the Government Communications Information Service (GCIS) to co-operate with the National Communications Task Team (NCTT) (details furnished); if so, what are the (a) terms of reference of the investigation and (b) time frames when the investigation is to be completed; (2) (a) how many workshops were held between the NCTT and GCIS, (b) on what dates were these workshops held, (c) where were the workshops held and (d) what were the outcomes of these workshops? NW3177E

Reply:

The Minister of Communications received the report from the National Communication Task Team (NCTT). The report is currently being evaluated. All matters relating to the NCTT will be responded to once the Minister concludes with the evaluation and expresses her opinion on how the process will be carried forward.

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

26 August 2015 - NW3006

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Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Whether he has taken any action to assist small-scale farmers at Grabouw, Western Cape, in particular, and other farmers in a similar predicament in general, who have no land for their cattle to graze on, resulting in their cattle straying where they are impounded and/or roaming near major national roads where they are knocked down by motorists causing farmers serious loss and seriously endangering the lives of motorists; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 3006 / NW3545E MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Honourable W. M. Madisha to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: QUESTION Whether he has taken any action to assist small-scale farmers at Grabouw, Western Cape, in particular, and other farmers in a similar predicament in general, who have no land for their cattle to graze on, resulting in their cattle straying where they are impounded and/or roaming near major national roads where they are knocked down by motorists causing farmers serious loss and seriously endangering the lives of motorists; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?    REPLY The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (THWK LM), the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) from the Office of the Honourable Deputy Minister Skwatsha, the Office of the Premier of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA), and other role players held a meeting on the 27th July 2015 particularly to discuss the problem of the cattle (120 cows) crossing the roads, especially crossing on the National Road (N2) which has put motorists and other people’s lives at risk. There is an urgent need for land that will be used to graze the cattle. The requirement for land has been communicated with the DRDLR office. The THWK LM reported that there are 2 farms available in the area, but these could not be committed as available/secure for use by the cattle. This will be looked into as a short term solution whilst following the DRDLR processes to acquire land. There is a 17 hectare piece of land available as part of the ARC land, though this is equally not available for use by the producers immediately as it is meant to support the ARC’s research interventions. The WCDOA advised the producers to reduce the number of cattle in order to contain the cows in a better condition, in terms of supervision and easy handling, including the provision of feed on a continuous basis. The reduction in cattle numbers was proposed by the WCDOA as a short term solution whilst the THWK LM resolves the availability of the two farms for immediate use. The cattle producers did not agree to this and refused to negotiate any further. The land acquisition matter is being discussed as a matter of urgency to address the challenge of the cattle crossing the N2.

Reply:

The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (THWK LM), the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) from the Office of the Honourable Deputy Minister Skwatsha, the Office of the Premier of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA), and other role players held a meeting on the 27th July 2015 particularly to discuss the problem of the cattle (120 cows) crossing the roads, especially crossing on the National Road (N2) which has put motorists and other people’s lives at risk. There is an urgent need for land that will be used to graze the cattle. The requirement for land has been communicated with the DRDLR office. The THWK LM reported that there are 2 farms available in the area, but these could not be committed as available/secure for use by the cattle. This will be looked into as a short term solution whilst following the DRDLR processes to acquire land.

There is a 17 hectare piece of land available as part of the ARC land, though this is equally not available for use by the producers immediately as it is meant to support the ARC’s research interventions. The WCDOA advised the producers to reduce the number of cattle in order to contain the cows in a better condition, in terms of supervision and easy handling, including the provision of feed on a continuous basis. The reduction in cattle numbers was proposed by the WCDOA as a short term solution whilst the THWK LM resolves the availability of the two farms for immediate use. The cattle producers did not agree to this and refused to negotiate any further.

The land acquisition matter is being discussed as a matter of urgency to address the challenge of the cattle crossing the N2.

26 August 2015 - NW2878

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) How many easy-to-use toolkits produced and published by the Media Diversity and Development Agency in specific skills areas like marketing and advertising have been distributed to community radio stations and (b) in each case, (i) to which community radio stations where they distributed and (ii) on what date? NW3351E MINISTRY: COMMUNICATIONSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 Tshedimosetso House,1035 Francis Baard Street, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria, 1000 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2878 of 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07 AUGUST 2015 MS V VAN DYK (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS: (a) How many easy-to-use toolkits produced and published by the Media Diversity and Development Agency in specific skills areas like marketing and advertising have been distributed to community radio stations and (b) in each case, (i) to which community radio stations where they distributed and (ii) on what date?NW3351E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS MDDA developed and distributed 1500 toolkits for Media Advertising and Marketing for both radio and another 1500 for print. In addition the MDDA has also produced an “easy to use” Corporate Governance Toolkit Participants at the workshops were all provided the toolkits: Toolkits Workshops Area Beneficiaries Period Marketing and Advertising Mpumalanga Provincial Workshop 6 Community Radio Stations and 7 Publishers August 2011 Northern Cape Provincial Workshop 5 Community Radio Stations and 1 Publisher August 2011 Gauteng Provincial Workshop 20 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 3 Publishers August 2011 KwaZulu Natal Provincial Workshop 14 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 10 Publishers August 2011 Corporate Governance National Workshop 37 Publishers and 11 Community Radio Stations. May 2012 National Workshop 10 community Radio Stations, 3 Community TV and 6 Publishers. February 2013 Starting Your School Newspaper Provincial Annual Media Literacy Workshops 100 Learners per annum Annually since 2012 Limpopo, Free State, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape These toolkits are subsequently distributed in all workshops and Learning Forum where MDDA beneficiaries participate. MR NN MUNZHELELE DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE

Reply:

(a)  MDDA developed and distributed 1500 toolkits for Media Advertising and Marketing for both radio and another 1500 for print. In addition the MDDA has also produced an “easy to use” Corporate Governance Toolkit

(b) Participants at the workshops were all provided the toolkits:

Toolkits Workshops

Area

Beneficiaries

Period

Marketing and Advertising

Mpumalanga Provincial Workshop

6 Community Radio Stations and 7 Publishers

August 2011

 

Northern Cape Provincial Workshop

5 Community Radio Stations and 1 Publisher

August 2011

 

Gauteng Provincial Workshop

20 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 3 Publishers

August 2011

 

KwaZulu Natal Provincial Workshop

14 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 10 Publishers

August 2011

Corporate Governance

National Workshop

37 Publishers and 11 Community Radio Stations.

May 2012

 

National Workshop

10 community Radio Stations, 3 Community TV and 6 Publishers.

February 2013

Starting Your School Newspaper

Provincial Annual Media Literacy Workshops

100 Learners per annum

Annually since 2012 Limpopo, Free State, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape

These toolkits are subsequently distributed in all workshops and Learning Forum where MDDA beneficiaries participate.

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

25 August 2015 - NW2763

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Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

1) Has South Africa ratified the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection; if not, why not; if so, when was the convention signed; 2) Whether any provisions of the specified convention are included in any legislation that is (a) under review or (b) being developed in collaboration with entities in the security cluster; if so, what (i) laws and (ii) regulations will be amended and developed?

Reply:

  1. The African Union Convention on Cyberspace Security and Protection of Personal Data was adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union which was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 26 and 27 June 2014.

South Africa has not ratified the African Union Convention on Cyberspace Security and Protection of Personal Data because South Africa has not yet signed as she is awaiting the official document from the African Union Commission to be dispatched through diplomatic channels.

The Convention has not yet been signed.

2.  The provisions of the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection

(a)  Will have to be studied by the relevant department and authorities, as part of the process of ratification to ensure that it is consistent with our domestic law and not in conflict with any of South Africa’s international law obligations and that procedurally South Africa is in a position to ratify the Amendment. This will be done by the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and Office of the Chief State Law Adviser - International Law of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

(b)  No information is available, awaiting the study and legal opinion.

(i) Not applicable

(ii) Not applicable

25 August 2015 - NW2964

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Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(1) (a) What is the status of the draft policy on data pricing and (b) who drafted the specified policy; (2) Whether the specified draft policy will be published for public comment; if not, why not; if so, when?

Reply:

  1. (a) The draft policy direction has already been prepared and consultation with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa commenced.

(b) The draft policy direction was drafted by the Department.

(2) After finalising consultation with ICASA, public consultation will commence in accordance with section 3(5) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 that requires that the text of a policy direction must be published in the Gazette for 30 days to obtain the views of interested persons.

25 August 2015 - NW2867

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Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether, with regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153, where it is stated on page 65 that the area where the Trachyandra erythrorrhiza species was found is not a typical habitat for the species and therefore not regarded as crucial that the specific habitat be protected by the specified buffer (details furnished), she has found that it was not crucial to protect the specified habitat; if not, what action does she intend taking in this regard; if so, what is the basis of her finding?

Reply:

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 Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

--ooOoo--

25 August 2015 - NW2866

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Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether, with regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, and the stipulation on page 63 of the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153, wherein it is stated that a vulnerable plant species name Trachyandra erythrorrhiza has been identified on the proposed development area, she has found that there must be a 200m buffer area around the species; if not, (a) on what grounds can the buffer area be reduced and (b) which entity can approve the reduction of the buffer zone; (2) has there been such an application to reduce the buffer zone; if so, what was the outcome of the application?

Reply:

1. 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 Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

2. Not applicable.

--ooOoo--

25 August 2015 - NW2762

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Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(a) What is the (i) mandate and (ii) budget of the Cyber Security Hub for the (aa) 2015-16 financial year and (bb) Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and (iii) programme of action of the hub for the specified financial year, (b) how many persons does it employ, (c) what skills set do they hold, (d) who is in charge of the Cyber Security Hub, (e) what is their job title and (f) to whom do they report?

Reply:

(a)(i) The mandate of the Cybersecurity Hub is to be the central point of collaboration for Cybersecurity incidents;

(ii)(aa)The budget for 2015-16 Financial Year is R11 755 000.00

(bb)The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is as follows:

Financial Year (FY) 2016-17 (R11 847 000.00)

FY 2017-18 (R11 939 000.00)

FY 2018-19 (R12 536 000.00)

(iii) The money will be spent on operations of the Cybersecurity Hub as per the Cybersecurity Hub Road Map.

(b) The operations of the Cybersecurity Hub is currently outsourced.

(c) Most of the staff members from the Service Provider hold Masters Degrees.

(d) As outlined in the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services is in charge of the Cybersecurity Hub and the Cybersecurity Hub is headed by Mr Jabu Radebe.

(e) He is a Chief Director: ICT Security

(f) The Cybersecurity Hub reports to the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services, the Director-General of the Department, Deputy Director-General: ICT Infrastructure Support and the Cybersecurity Response Committee (CRC).

25 August 2015 - NW2865

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Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether, with regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 which states on page 65 that Dr Johan van der Waals concluded various soil surveys and applied the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) 2005 guidelines for the classification of a wetland, and his findings was that the area in which the Trachyandra erythrorrhiza species was found cannot be classified as a wetland because it did not contain all the required characteristics of a wetland, (a) she is in agreement with this finding and (b) there are more recent DWS guidelines for the classification of a wetland; if so, (i) why are the 2005 guidelines being used, (ii) what are the differences between the two sets of guidelines and (iii) is the developer compelled to use the latest set of guidelines?

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the above-mentioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) Not applicable

--ooOoo--

25 August 2015 - NW2863

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Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

With regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13- 14/E0153 which states on page 66 that the fauna and flora specialist also found some medicinal plants on the study area and it will be recommended that the medicinal plants also be relocated, which medicinal plants (a) were found and (b) are on the vulnerable list; (2) can the specified plants be relocated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1.  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 Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

2.  Not applicable

--ooOoo--

25 August 2015 - NW2864

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Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether, with regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 which states on page 65 that the relocation of the species Trachyandra erythrorrhiza can be treated as a pilot project in order to determine whether the plant can be successfully transplanted, she is in agreement for a pilot project to continue; if so, (a) what will the impact be on the area if the transplanting does not succeed and (b) on what evidence did her Department rely when determining that the species could possibly be transplanted?

Reply:

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 Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

--ooOoo--

25 August 2015 - NW2817

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Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education

( 1) How many (a) blind and deaf learners are enrolled in the Kha Ri Gude programme in each (i) province and (ii) district and (b) qualified (i) braille and (ii) SASL educators or volunteers are registered to teach these learners; (2) How many officials at (a) district and (b) circuit level are qualified to assist these educators or volunteers in presenting the classes; (3) What was the drop-out rate of the specified learners in each {a) province and (b) district in the 2012, 2013, 2014 calendar years? NW3290E

Reply:

(1) (a)(i)
In 2014. the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign enrolled 2 048 Blind learners that were taught how to read and vvTite using Braille. In addition, 1 084 deaf learners were taught to communicate using the South African Sign Language (SASL).

There is a challenge with regard to finding qualified unemployed educators to teach Braille and SASL. Therefore the campaign did not recruit learners in the Northern Cape. Unfortunately, the programme was unable to recruit blind and deaf learners in the Northern Cape and blind learners in the Western Cape.

The Campaign has implemented plans to recruit a suitable volunteer in both these provinces for the 2015 Campaign to ensure that these learners are included in the campaign.

Attached find here: Provinces

25 August 2015 - NW2735

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

With reference to the 2014-15 budget for the eThekwini Municipality, (a) what amount was made available for block sum allocations to each ward, (b) what was the (i) block sum allocation in each ward used for and (ii) cost thereof and (c)(i) what consultation was done with ward councillors, (ii) in what manner and (iii) on what dates did the consultations take place?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested the Province and eThekwini Municipality, to provide the information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

25 August 2015 - NW2821

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Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1) Whether any municipal managers are remunerated in excess of the Upper Limit of Total Remuneration Package Payable to Municipal Managers and Managers Directly Accountable to Municipal Managers; if so, what is the (a) name, (b) qualification(s) and (c) municipality of the relevant municipal manager in each case; (2) Whether a waiver was (a) requested and (b) granted by him in each case; (3) What is the (a) remuneration amount and (b) amount in excess of the upper limit in each case; and (4) Whether any action has been taken to address the amounts paid to municipal managers remunerated in excess of the Upper Limit of Total Remuneration Package Payable to Municipal Managers and Managers Directly Accountable to Municipal Managers; if not, why not; if so, what steps have been taken in this regard? NW3294E

Reply:

  1. The first Notice on the total remuneration packages payable to municipal managers was issued on 29 March 2014, with the express provision that it becomes applicable from 1 July 2014. According to transitional measures contained in Item 11 of the Notice, the Notice does not apply to serving municipal managers whose contracts were concluded before the commencement of the Notice (i.e. 1 July 2014); meaning that such senior manager remuneration will continue to be governed in terms of their employment contracts until the contracts have lapsed or terminated.
  2. (a) A total of twenty (20) applications to waive the provisions of the Notice were received by the Minister.

(b) No application of waiver was granted by the Minister.

3.  No waiver was granted.

4.  Please refer to the response on (3) above.

25 August 2015 - NW2846

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Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(a) Which (i) national departments, (ii) provincial governments and (iii) local governments are financing their inclusion in the rural broadband project announced in the State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015 and (b) in each case, (i) what amount have they committed or budgeted for this project and (ii) which elements of the project are they financing (aa) in the current financial year and (bb) for the Medium-Term Expenditure Budget?

Reply:

(a)(i) National Department of Health (NDOH) has rolled out connectivity in 34 of the 50 targeted for the NHI Pilot. The solution will dovetail and align with SA Connect once the service rollout commences following the appointment of a service provider.

(ii) At provincial level, only the Gauteng provincial government and the Western Cape provincial government have financed broadband plans

(iii) At local government level, there are various initiatives by Government and the private sector to provide Wi-Fi hotspot infrastructure and access to the public. Initiative from Tshwane and Lusikisiki are good examples were WiFi infrastructure was financed. The rollout in Tshwane cost in the order of R77, 000 per Wi-Fi site.

(b) The rollout programme of the DTPS will focus on broadband infrastructure and services for government facilities. The DTPS will aggregate government demand to ensure that there is a compelling business case for infrastructure to be extended to the rural areas. The national, provincial and local government departments will then compliment the efforts of the DTPS by focusing on the provisioning of end-user devises and equipment, applications, relevant content and the training of users of the technology. The DTPS has worked with provincial departments to establish provincial broadband steering committees that are used to ensure alignment of the DTPS programme and provincial plans.

25 August 2015 - NW2759

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Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(a)How many meetings have been held by each of the four chambers reporting to the National ICT Forum, (b) when was each of these meetings held, (c) did each specified meeting quorate and (d) what decisions were made at each of these meetings?

Reply:

(a)  Only one meeting was held by the Governance and Security Chamber. The Social Chamber meeting is scheduled to take place on 21 August 2015, the Economic Chamber for 26 August 2015 and the ICTs and Disability Chamber in the first week of September 2015.

(b)  Governance and Security Chamber meeting was held on 17 August 2015.

(c)  Yes, the meeting did quorate.

(d) The following decisions were made by the meeting:

  • The terms of reference of the Chamber were developed and adopted.
  • A clear Scope of Work was developed and adopted.
  • Working Groups were established in three areas, namely, cybersecurity, internet governance and e-commerce.
  • Convenors of the Working Groups were nominated and confirmed.
  • Each Working Group will develop a specific action plan to be implemented by the Chamber.