Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. None. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development did not in the last 10 years [2013-2023], provide funding to private companies that were responsible for technical support to emerging farmers either in terms of the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) or the current Land Development Support (LDS) Programme. Currently, the Department has a partnership with commodity organisations registered with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and collects levies in accordance with Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, No. 47 of 1996.

2. No, since no funding support was provided to private companies as indicated above.

(a),(b)(c) Falls away.

Reply:

(a),(b)(i),(ii),(iii),(iv)(aa),(bb) Please refer to the table below.

(i) SMME	(ii) Cooperative	(iii) Township Enterprises	(iv) Rural Enterprises
(a) Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD)
(aa) 2021/22 Financial Year (FY)
0% The Department did not set procurement allocations (targets).
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable. In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.
(i) SMME	(ii) Cooperative	(iii) Township Enterprises	(iv) Rural Enterprises
(b) Deeds Registration Trading Account
(aa) 2021/22 FY
0% The entity did not set procurement allocations (targets).
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable. In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.
(b) Commission on Restitution of Land Rights
(aa) 2021/22 FY
89%	0%	1.27%	76%
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
70.69%	0%	0%	1.21%
(b) Office of the Valuer General
(aa) 2021/22 FY
84.77%	0%	0%	0%
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
16.5%	0%	0%	0%
(b) Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)
(aa) 2021/22 FY
0% ITB did not set procurement allocation targets.
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable. In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.
(b) National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
(aa) 2021/22 FY
0% NAMC did not set procurement allocation (targets).
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable. In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.
(b) Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
(aa) 2021/22 FY
0%: ARC did not set procurement allocation targets.
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: The new Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 that came into effect from 16 January 2023 compels government institutions to evaluate bids based on specific Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) objectives. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.
(b) Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)
(aa) 2021/22 FY
30%	0%	0%	0%
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
20%	0%	0%	0%
(b) Onderstepoort Biological Product (OBP)
(aa) 2022/23 FY
OBP currently only tracks 2 parameters with respect to procurement and based on the BBBEE Framework, i.e., (i) Black owned companies; and (ii) woman owned companies. OBP only approved the enterprise supplier development policy in Quarter-4 of 2022/2023. For the financial year 2022/2023, 45% Black owned businesses and 15% women owned businesses.”
(bb) Since 1 April 2023
0%: Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable and was replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. In view of the above, since April 2023 the OBP does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

Reply:

a) The National Department of Human Settlement’s procurement allocations.

(aa) In respect of 2021-22 financial year, the National Department of Human

Settlements procured over fifty five percent (55%) of goods and services

from suppliers and service providers who are on B-BBEE level 1-4.

i) The procurement allocation is R 60 988 816,96

ii) Procurement from co-operatives R 0,00

iii) Township enterprises R 2 154 021,48 and

iv) Rural enterprises R 2 162 825,54.

April 2023

In respect of 2022/23 financial year, the National Department of Human Settlements procured over ninety seven percent (97%) of goods and services

from suppliers and service providers who are on B-BBEE level 1-4.

i) The procurement allocation is R 23 334 019,86

(ii) Procurement from cooperatives R 0,00

(iii) Township enterprises R 2 162 825,54 and

(iv) Rural enterprises R 327 122,75.

1. Entities Reporting to the Minister

2. Community Schemes Ombud Service: The Community Schemes Ombud Service does not have specific targeted procurement spend allocations for the procurement categories mentioned by the honourable member. However, the Community Schemes Ombud Service has since determined that it spent (i) R42 374 176 (74%) on small-, medium- and micro-enterprises during the (bb) 2021/22 financial year.

3. Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority: The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority has advised the Department that it did not record any percentage procurement spend for (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises (ii) Cooperatives, (iii) Township and (iv) Rural Enterprises during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.

4. Social Housing Regulatory Authority: The Social Housing Regulatory Authority spent eighty-five percent (85.61%) on (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year. No percentage procurement spent for (ii) Cooperatives, (iii) Township and (iv) Rural Enterprises has been recorded by the Social Housing Regulatory Authority during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.

5. Housing Development Agency: The Housing Development Agency does not have specific targeted procurement spend allocations for the procurement categories mentioned by the honourable member. The Housing Development Agency targets procurement spend on women, youth and persons with disabilities in line with Government’s empowerment object. The results are as follows:

• 1. Procurement spent targeted at businesses owned by women amounting to R536 025 527. 97 (8.12%) during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.
  2. Procurement spent targeted at businesses owned by youth amounting to R334 757 829. 86 (2.92%) during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.
  3. Procurement spent on businesses owned by persons with disabilities amounting to R124 981 016. 18 (0.53%) during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.

6. National Housing Finance Corporation: The National Housing Finance Corporation does not have specific targeted procurement spend allocations for the procurement categories mentioned by the honourable member. However, during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year, the National Housing Finance Corporation targeted the procurement of goods and services from Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) firms level 1 to 4. Due to the nature of competition and service required it is not always practical to purchase goods and services from the targeted B-BBEE levels. The National Housing Finance Corporation procured over seventy five percent (75%) from suppliers and service providers who are on B-BBEE level 1-4, specifically:

1. Level 1: R62 195 048.84 (66%)
2. Level 2: R4 168 264.19 (4%)
3. Level 3: R5 407 730.74 (6%)
4. Level 4: R6 880 403.03 (7%)

7. National Home Builders Registration Council: The National Home Builders Registration Council does not have specific targeted procurement spend allocations for the procurement categories mentioned by the honourable member. However, the National Home Builders Registration Council can report actual procurement expenditure as follows:

1. Procurement spent on businesses owned by women amounting to R4 187 541.17 (18%) during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.
2. Procurement spent on businesses owned by youth amounting to R1 261 913.85 (7%) during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.
3. Procurement spent on businesses owned by persons with disabilities amounting to (0.3%) R12 289.37 during the (aa) 2021/22 financial year.

Reply:

1. No. The day-to-day management of Colleges of Agriculture is currently with the Provincial Departments of Agriculture.

2. Falls away.

3. Falls away.

Reply:

a) The National Department of Health has been informed by the Gauteng Department of Health about the stolen copper pipes/cables at Charlotte Maxeke, Steve Biko and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospitals. There were other similar incidents that were reported by the Free State Department of Health regarding copper pipes being stolen from the following hospitals:

1. Bongani hospital (Welkom)
2. Boitumelo hospital (Kroonstad)
3. Thebe hospital (Harrismith)
4. Monapo hospital (Qwa Qwa)
5. Elizabeth Ross hospital (Qwa Qwa)
6. National hospital (Bloemfontein)
7. Universitas hospital (Bloemfontein)
8. JS Maroka hospital (Thaba Nchu)
9. Mohau hospital (Hoopstad)

All these incidents were reported to the nearest police stations and case numbers were issued accordingly.

b) Minster of Health has appointed Ministerial Task Team for safety and security in all public health facilities. The purpose of the task team was to assess the effectiveness of security measures and make recommendations. The task team has conducted security assessments at all public health facilities. Subsequently reports were drafted with the following recommendations:

• Improve security infrastructure like perimeter fencing and security guard rooms.
• Installation of security technology like CCTV camera systems, access control and alarm systems.
• Development of standardised security framework.
• Effective security contract management to hold Service Providers accountable.
• Regular security patrols at public health facilities by SAPS especially in hotspot facilities.
• Deployment of police reservists at hotspot public health facilities.
• Implementation of intelligence driven security measures at hotspot facilities
• Escort of EMS by SAPS to hotspot communities.

In this regard, memorandum of understanding was entered into between SAPS and NDoH to ensure regular patrols and deployment of police reservists.

Ministerial task team meet on regular basis to monitor the implementations of the recommendations and to assist provinces with any required security intervention.

END.

Reply:

a) The provision and roll-out of solar geysers is undertaken by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the National Department of Human Settlements (NDHS) is collaborating with the DMRE in this regard.

To respond to the rising cost of living and energy poverty, I have announced that subsidised houses will be provided with solar panels in all new housing projects at 500W per housing unit. This is effective from the 1st of April 2023. At 500W, this home solar system is envisaged to cover lighting and provide energy to basic home appliances such as radio, television, Wi-Fi and refrigerator. Through this intervention, it is expected that the subsidised home solar system will contribute to the reduction of the total cost of electricity-consuming appliances in homes.

b) The NDHS has not rolled out any solar geysers, therefore it cannot provide feedback on the effectiveness thereof.

c) (i) The NDHS has held discussions with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) which are envisaged to culminate into a collaboration that will be expressed in a Memorandum of Agreement, for the installation of 6000 solar geysers in the Eastern Cape province.

c) (ii) The time frames for the roll-out of the solar geysers is expected to take place within the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years and will be confirmed in the Memorandum of Agreement between the two Departments.

Reply:

1. (a) The details of production levels on the farm with regard to citrus are as follows:

1. Size in hectares under production: 309 hectares.
2. An estimated total of 130 000 cartons of citrus were harvested in 2014/15 for export market.

(b) The Department does not have records relating to revenue generated during the 10 years before being transferred to the beneficiaries.

2. (a) (i) The details of livestock that was kept on the farm are limited to the following:

• 50 heifers and 2 bulls that were received from the Industrial Development Cooperation Nguni scheme. The remaining portions of the grazing land are leased out.
• (II)The Department does not have records relating to revenue generated during the 10 years before being transferred to the beneficiaries.

(b) (i) 188 permanent workers lost their jobs.

(ii) Between 400 to 600 seasonal workers lost their jobs.

Reply:

The Black Producers Commercialisation Programme (BPCP) pilot phase was launched in November 2018. The programme was suspended by April 2019 to undertake a review and assessment of the model. No approvals were recorded during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years. The Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) was re-launched in October 2022.

(a)(i),(ii),(b) 2022-2023 financial year - implementation period: November 2022 to 31 March 2023

Client Name	Province	Districts	Commodities	Number of Client Approvals	Total Approvals (Loan and Grant)
Sefale Letsitsa	Free State	Lejweleputswa	Grains and Livestock	1	R7 130 400
Ntethe Farming CC		Thabo Mofutsanyana	Grains, Beans and Livestock	1	R19 998 307
Mandla Simon Mahlangu	Gauteng	Tshwane	Grains and Livestock	3	R1 402 300
Simphiwe Gift Mashiyana					R467 408
Sen-thaba Agriculture and Projects (Pty) Ltd					R1 340 208
Shakazi Farming	KwaZulu- Natal	uMgungundlovu	Sugarcane	2	R5 150 000
Kalajan Investments (Pty) Ltd		iLembe			R8 923 920
Lemo David Chaba	Limpopo	Capricorn	Livestock	2	R784 683
Motitoane Mabena		Waterberg			R203 850
Avoxeni Farms CC	Mpumalanga	Gert Sibande	Grains and Livestock	1	R5 325 420
Sibusisiwe Sugar Estate (Pty) Ltd		Ehlanzeni	Sugarcane	1	R39 806 692
Baleti Estate (Pty) Ltd			Nuts and Avocados	1	R26 261 121
Andre Smith	Northern Cape	ZF Mgcawu	Livestock	8	R415 571
Coenraad Van Wyk					R389 391
Danie Farmer					R406 168
Fritz Du Plessis					R10 141 591
Jakob Bok					R1 183 578
Jannie J Van Der Westhuizen					R13 226 906
Myra Jo-Ann Bezuidenhout					R3 274 070
Smith Boerdery Trust					R3 563 006
BL Smith Boerdery CC			Livestock Raisins Pecan nuts Lucerne	2	R11 895 360
Wathita Abafazi in Farming (Pty) Ltd					R12 627 166
Eilerd Driving and Training Academy CC		Frances Baard	Livestock	1	R8 959 595
Kalahari Lankgewacht Investments (Pty) Ltd			Livestock and Pecan nuts	1	R6 313 073
Andries Farmer		Namakwa	Livestock	2	R3 839 002
Elsies Vlak (Pty) Ltd					R1 169 238
Samuel Ivan Visser		Pixley Ka Seme	Livestock	1	R913 508
Dithabo Projects and Other (Pty) Ltd	North West	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District	Livestock	2	R3 077 304
Loago Boerdery (Pty) Ltd					R1 877 029
Eben Hazer Boerdery (Pty) Ltd	Western Cape	Cape Winelands	Table Grapes	1	R55 361 600
Total Approvals and Disbursements (Loan and Grant)	30	R255 427 466

Reporting period: 1 April 2023 to 15 May 2023

Client Name	Province	Districts	Commodities	Number of Client Approvals	Total Approvals (Loan and Grant)
Bokamoso Boatlegile Farming (Pty) Ltd	Free State	Mangaung	Grains and Livestock	1	R15 671 865
Sebolelo Miriam Khoabane		Lejweleputswa	Grains and Livestock	1	R2 809 881
Setjhoka Farming (Pty) Ltd	Gauteng	Tshwane	Grains and Livestock	2	R1 402 008
Kholekile Marinkie Ntuli					R519 208
Simphiwe Gift Mashiyana				0	R0
Mirror Ball Investments 128 (Pty) Ltd	Kwazulu Natal	uThukela	Vegetables	1	R5 913 024
Kalajan Investments (Pty) Ltd		iLembe	Sugarcane	0	R0
PJ Snyders	Northern Cape	ZF Mgcawu	Livestock	1	R1 031 882
PA Dorper Boerdery (Pty) Ltd			Livestock Raisins Pecan nuts Lucerne	1	R15 064 794
Myra Jo-Ann Bezuidenhout			Livestock	0	R0
Billy Rodney Kotze		John Taolo Gaetsewe	Livestock	1	R9 248 565
Dithabo Projects and Other (Pty) Ltd	North West	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	Livestock	0	R0
Crispy Crop (Pty) Ltd	Western Cape	West Coast	Vegetables	1	R7 856 400
Total Approvals and Disbursements (Loan and Grant)	9	R59 517 627

Reply:

According to information sourced from the developer, Balwin Properties and Infrastructure South Africa, the Mooikloof Mega City Residential Development is at an advanced stage of development.

Since the gazetting of the project in 2020, Infrastructure South Africa has worked with the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and Balwin Properties to unlock various approvals including the Service Level Agreements, regulatory approvals and key infrastructure connection challenges which caused delays in the construction of the first phase. There were further delays with regard to the environmental approvals for the Eastern Link sewer, however, authorization has been granted and Infrastructure South Africa continues to support the unblocking of such regulatory approvals.

The availability of bulk infrastructure enabling development is a challenge that is experienced across the country, including the Mooikloof Mega City Residential Development.

However, parallel to the construction of the apartments, upgrades to some bulk infrastructure are in progress. Upgrades to the Hill Waste Water Treatment Works are completed and upgrades to Garsfontein road are in progress. Furthermore, Balwin Properties is implementing bulk infrastructure upgrades to the value of R 138 million at present.

Infrastructure South Africa is still engaging City of Tshwane Metro, (who is responsible for the implementation of bulk infrastructure), to develop possible funding mechanisms towards addressing the challenge of bulk infrastructure.

In addition, Infrastructure South Africa has conducted structured engagements with the National Treasury and Development Finance Institutions to put in place mechanisms, within the current legal framework, to provide fiscal support for bulk infrastructure requirements. These processes are envisaged to continue for some time, as different options are being considered, that will unlock funding for bulk infrastructure in the medium to long-term.

The developer gave assurance that the current delays on the project are within their control.

Reply:

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services learned about these allegations through media reports and immediately instituted an investigation into the above matter through the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services. The National Commissioner then appointed investigators who are currently busy with all allegations related to inmate Thabo Bester and his escape.

Arrests have been effected and certain individuals are undergoing court processes based on criminal charges in relation to inmate Bester.

END

Reply:

(1)(a & c) No, Goodwood Regional Office and Pollsmoor Correctional Centre’s installation of vibracrete walls does not fall into the respective financial years as stipulated in the above question. It is for this reason it does not appear on the infrastructure plan.

(1)(b) Allandale Correctional Centre’s installation work is being done by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and therefore does not appear on the infrastructure plan of the Department of Correctional Services

(2) The total expenditure incurred was for the purchase of building material as follows:

• Pollsmoor Management Area - R490 000.00;
• Allandale Management Area – R 866 844.60;
• Goodwood Management Area – R324 000.51

Own resources were utilised for construction of the walls at Goodwood and Pollsmoor Management Areas. In Allandale Management Area DPWI is assisting with the use of a service provider for the construction.

(3) According to the National Building Regulations and Building Standards, Act No.103, 1977 section 2 subsection 3 does not bind the State in submitting building plans to the Municipality.

END.

Reply:

I am concerned about the safety of students and staff members at all the institutions of higher learning.

Following certain outbursts by senior management in the media, I have tabled the protection of whistle blowers on the agenda for discussion with the Council of the University of Fort Hare.

The University of Fort Hare has in the interim confirmed that the Council expedited the finalization and approval of the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures, through which any information brought forth would be investigated in a fair and regulated manner. We are advised that the policy makes provision for protection of staff members and students who have alerted the university to corrupt conducts and acts.

Reply:

(1)(a) No, the mentioned wall is a pre-cast vibracrete wall. Installation was done as per domestic pre-cast installation, therefore, no civil engineer was required. However, the manufactures’ specifications were adhered to for the installation and training was provided by the supplier on site. No safety agent was appointed. However, health & safety regulations were adhered to.

(1)(b) In the case of Allandale Correctional Centre, the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) appointed a service provider for the installation of the wall. A shop drawing, specification and construction method were provided. See attached as “Annexure 1”. There was no safety agent appointed. However, Health & Safety Regulations are being adhered to.

(1)(c) For Pollsmoor Maximum Correctional Centre a shop drawing was designed and signed by the Manufacturer’s Professional Engineer and specifications with construction methodology were provided. See attached as “Annexure 2”. There was no safety agent appointed however Health & Safety Regulations are being adhered to.

(2) In respect of all three sites, existing fence lines were being replaced by a new type of fence which is the pre-cast walling. Therefore, with respect to Environmental impact studies there wasn’t any registered, however, the necessary installation specifications were adhered to.

(3) There were no approvals required because the work conducted was for replacing redundant existing fence lines.

(4)(a) DPWI appointed a contractor for Allandale Management Area and for Pollsmoor & Goodwood Regional Office artisan and offender labour was utilised.

(4)(b) A competitive price quotation process was followed for purchasing of the material.

END.

Reply:

(a) (i) Floor plans are available for all our health care facilities. However, most of them are outdated due to the aging of many facilities. (ii) See below existing health facilities with adequate fire detection systems:

(b)-(c) Aging public health facilities remains a challenge and growing concern for the Department of Health. The short-, medium- and long-term focus is thus more on restoring many of these facilities to an acceptable state of operability. The National Department of Health is currently busy with the following interventions:

(i) CSIR is currently busy with an investigation into how to become more green in future and will include the OHS Compliance issues and fire detection systems for all the healthcare facilities.

(ii) Provinces have been requested to include the update of the floor plans and fire detection systems during the condition assessment audits of their facilities. This request is aligned with the requirements of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA).

In the same Act the User, which in this case is the Provincial Departments of Health, should annually revise its User Asset Management Plan (UAMP) in alignment with the guidelines provided by Public Works. The User Immovable Asset Management Plan (UAMP) for the Department of Health informs the budget allocation process in terms of the overall and annual strategic plans of the Department. The objectives of the UAMP are to:

• assess the utilisation of accommodation in terms of the Department of Health’s service delivery objectives.
• assess the functional performance of the accommodation.
• prioritise the need for repair, refurbishment or reconfiguration of all state-owned accommodation.
• plan for future accommodation requirements and
• secure funding for the acquisition and utilisation of assets according to the strategic objectives of the relevant department.

1. All major upgrades and new installations must cover the upgrading of the fire detection systems.

END.

Reply:

a) The Title Restoration Project is an ongoing project of the government that aims to restore ownership to beneficiaries of state-subsidised houses, that have since 2016 consistently been planned and budgeted for, in the annual provincial business plans.

b) It is the department’s policy to hand over title deeds to beneficiaries as soon as possible to avoid loss or damage. The issuing of title deeds by political heads depends on their priorities and availability.

The Minister of Human Settlements will thus continue to issue title deeds to beneficiaries as part of the ongoing work of government, depending on her availability and priorities.

Reply:

1. The KwaZulu Natal Province has reported that a total of 550 beds have been provided at the Crystal Valley Shelter.

2. (a) The province has also reported that there was an open tender process, and the tender was referenced as Bid No. HDA / KZN /2022/005.

(b) The province reported that the households were relocated from various Mass Care Centres and all the details are in the tender referenced as Bid No. HDA /KZN/2022/005. Attached are the “SBD 1 Part A Invitation to Bid” and “Tender Opening Form”

Reply:

The Presidential State-Owned Enterprises Council (PSEC) was appointed by the President to advise on the reforms of SOEs. PSEC is in the process of identifying SOEs that are to be consolidated, restructured and/or repurposed.

Any further announcements on the PSEC’s final recommendations will be made by the Presidency.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

1) While the South African Government works closely with the Palestinian National Authority to address the challenges it faces with regard to the building and strengthening of Palestine’s democratic institutions, renewal of the Palestinian Authority’s mandate, holding of the pending elections, and the issue of human rights, the South African Government cannot ignore the reality that Palestine’s ability to hold a credible free and fair election in all its territories, including East Jerusalem, is negatively impacted by Israel’s inflexible positions on, inter alia, (i) refusal of Israel to allow Palestine to hold elections in East Jerusalem; (ii) the freezing of Jewish settlement construction on Palestinian land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is designated as the future capital of an independent Palestinian state; (iii) the right of return of Palestinian refugees expelled when the State of Israel was established in 1948; (iv) refusal to agree to the 1967 borders as a territorial starting point for genuine peace negotiations; and, (v) reneging on commitments agreed when the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, including the release of all pre-Oslo Palestinian prisoners.

2) South Africa consistently calls on UN Member States, the international community, as well as all political formations and parties in South Africa to support the efforts aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine issue and to continue putting pressure on Israel as the occupying power to realise that relentless acts of repression, oppression and brutality serve only to undermine efforts directed at achieving a viable and sustainable Peace Plan that delivers Palestinian sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability, with sovereign equality between Palestine and Israel.

Reply:

There has so far been no diplomatic engagement with Uganda regarding the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023. South Africa is guided by its Constitutional principles that seeks to promote and respect the human rights of all people. This includes members of the LGBTQIA community. We are concerned about the developments in Uganda, which would impose severe criminal sanction on people because of their sexual orientation and gendered identities. We are equally concerned by the erosion of women’s human rights in large parts of the globe, including in the United States, where women’s reproductive rights are being curbed. Here again, we will use the appropriate diplomatic channels and fora to raise our concerns on these matters.

 

Reply:

(a). The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras; these orchestras do not report to DSAC and do not fall within the ambit of DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras, including submitting any financial statements of these provincial and city orchestras.

(b). DSAC will provide the MNPO’s audited Annual Financial Statements (AFS) on or before 30 June 2023.

Reply:

On 12 May 2023, the Department dèmarched US Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety for a meeting with Minister Naledi Pandor, where the Minister expressed South Africa’s deep disappointment and outrage about the manner in which Ambassador Brigety had convened a press conference on 11 May 2023, and levelled allegations regarding the sale of ammunition by South Africa to Russia, via the US sanctioned Russian naval vessel, Lady R. The Minister strongly condemned the actions of the Ambassador, which were particularly distasteful, especially so soon after the visit to Washington by the Special Envoys appointed by President Ramaphosa. The envoys were well received by all US interlocutors and discussions were productive.

In this context, the press conference held by the US Ambassador was counter to the spirit of the engagement with senior officials and politicians in Washington DC. The Minister informed the US Ambassador that South Africa respects all conventions on arms sales through the provisions outlined in the National Conventional Arms Control Act (NCACA), and if there was any violation of our laws, criminal charges would be laid if evidence is provided. Following the Minister’s address to Ambassador Brigety, he informed the senior officials that he would issue an unreserved public apology.

The President’s office reiterated that no concrete evidence has been provided to support the claims made by Ambassador Brigety, and that the investigation had been initiated before the Ambassador publicly announced his accusation. It was further indicated that the retired judge appointed to head the investigation, would use any evidence US intelligence officials could provide over the alleged sale of ammunition.

Following the meeting between Minister Pandor and US Ambassador Brigety and the telecon with Secretary of State Blinken, as well as the subsequent meeting between the ANC and Ambassador Brigety, wherein the latter reiterated his apology, it is not contemplated that any further steps will be taken with regard to his removal.

Regarding the terror alert from the US Embassy, the latter is of the view that their actions were in accordance with their duty/constitutional obligation to warn American citizens of credible threats to safeguard US Government employees and citizens. We had at the time voiced our strong objection to the way the alert had been issued.

Reply:

(a) Six African Heads of State, the President of South Africa, HE Mr CM Ramaphosa, HE Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, H.E. Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt,  H.E. Mr Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Mr Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, are scheduled to travel to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission to meet with President Volodimyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin respectively. The initial high-level engagements will primarily be aimed at understanding the Ukrainian twelve-point plan and the Russian proposals. The African peace mission’s objective is not aimed at competing or disregarding any previous or current peace efforts such as the Chinese ten-point plan and the Turkish Istanbul talks, rather it hopes to complement these.

(b) President Zelensky met with the African Union through a video link on 20 June 2022 and that engagement laid the basis for the upcoming in-person meeting. Through this peace mission, Africa’s vision for peace will be presented to the two Presidents. President Zelensky and President Putin’s willingness to meet with the peace mission for the peace mission to listen to both sides, is a first inspirational step towards the envisaged negotiations.

Reply:

a) Announced at the 2023 Budget Vote of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Africa has representation through 116 diplomatic missions in 102 countries.

b) In terms of the above DIRCO missions, the dtic has 31 missions allocated for the transfer of officials to serve as Foreign Economic Representatives (FERs), fulfilling the roles associated with trade attachés or commissioners

-END-

Reply:

a) (a) & (b) The nature of the work opportunities created by civil society organisations supported by the NDA are project based for the duration of the project which is between 6 and 24 months. As a result, there are no permanent jobs created but work opportunities based on programme implementation.

Below is a report on the work opportunities created (i) by Province (ii) during the Financial Years 2019/20 – 2022/23:

Reply:

The officials and players of the women national teams are not paid monthly, but are paid on an assignment basis, in other words, only when they come to camp.

The following rates apply:

• Team Doctor R3’500.00 per day
• Physiotherapist R2’500.00 per day
• Psychologist R1’500.00 per day
• Masseur R1’200.00 per day
• Physical trainer R2’000.00 per day
• Kit Assistant R950.00 per day
• Security R950.00 per day
• Assistant Coach R20’000.00 per camp (7 days)
• Goalkeeper Coach R15’000.00 per camp (7 days)
• Players daily allowances:
  • R500.00 per day at home
  • USD100.00 per day away
• Players bonuses
  • R40’000.00 official match win
  • R20’000.00 official match draw
  • R20’000.00 friendly match win
  • R10’000.00 friendly match draw

Reply:

(a)(i)-(iv) read with (b)(ii)(aa)(bb) and (cc)

a SASSA does not have records of previous beneficiaries who have exited from the system due to age but remain in the school system, and therefore is not able to answer the question in the current form.

Table 1 below reflects the number of Child Support Grants (CSG) that lapsed due to the child turning 18 during the 2022/23 financial year.

TABLE: 1 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT IN THE FY2022/23
Region	Female	Male	Grand Total
EC	56393	56661	113054
FS	20320	20437	40757
GP	53093	52030	105123
KZN	84149	83401	167550
LIM	48162	47783	95945
MP	31782	31771	63553
NC	8704	8716	17420
NW	24286	23995	48281
WC	27139	25966	53105
Grand Total	354028	350760	704788

a(i) Table 2, shows the number of CSG beneficiaries whose CSG lapsed, thereafter applied for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.

TABLE: 2 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND APPLIED FOR COVID-19 SRD
Province	Female	Male	Grand Total
EC	30002	28408	58410
FS	12236	11865	24101
GP	40731	34222	74953
KZN	53196	54586	107782
LIM	36403	34346	70749
MP	24056	23367	47423
NC	4674	4277	8951
NW	15213	14509	29722
WC	17055	13106	30161
Grand Total	233566	218686	452252

a(i&ii) Table 3 indicates the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, applied and were approved for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.

TABLE: 3 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND WERE APPROVED FOR COVID-19 SRD
Province	Female	Male	Grand Total
EC	22,029	21,759	43,788
FS	9,203	9,238	18,441
GP	26,915	24,362	51,277
KZN	38,154	39,987	78,141
LIM	23,741	24,391	48,132
MP	16,249	16,871	33,120
NC	3,265	3,168	6,433
NW	11,219	11,219	22,438
WC	10,794	9,118	19,912
Grand Total	161,569	160,113	321,682

a(iii) Table 4 highlights the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, applied and were approved for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year and, declined and appeal status for the COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.

TABLE 4 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND WERE DECLINED FOR COVID-19 SRD
Province	Female	Male	Grand Total
EC	4,715	3,563	8,278
FS	1,563	1,273	2,836
GP	7,969	5,503	13,472
KZN	8,052	6,918	14,970
LIM	6,705	5,144	11,849
MP	4,431	3,634	8,065
NC	833	624	1,457
NW	2,105	1,655	3,760
WC	4,041	2,586	6,627
Grand Total	40,414	30,900	71,314

a(iv) Table 5 portrays the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, appealed after being declined for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year and their appeals are still pending.

 

TABLE: 5 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND ARE PENDING APPEAL FOR COVID-19 SRD
Province	Female	Male	Grand Total
EC	722	411	1,133
FS	264	190	454
GP	1,301	890	2,191
KZN	1,168	841	2,009
LIM	1,284	1,019	2,303
MP	851	677	1,528
NC	77	77	154
NW	358	261	619
WC	497	264	761
Grand Total	6,522	4,630	11,152

(b)(i) Due to the vastly different criteria between the COVID-19 SRD and the CSG, there is no direct link between the two provisions. Thus, a new application needs to be taken for the COVID-19 SRD following the lapsing of the CSG. However, the provision, is one of the easiest to apply for.

The Department and SASSA continue to engage in media campaigns from time-to-time to inform beneficiaries and the public about the application processes including eligibility requirements to promote the provision.

Reply:

(1). The total number of incidents received and processed by the South Africa Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) as part of implementing the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999, over the past 3 financial years (2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023) is eighty-six (86) as shown in the Table below. This includes contraventions, accidental finds, and other non-contravention complaints. Each Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) is responsible for the management of contraventions within their respective areas of remit in implementing the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999. As such SAHRA does not maintain a record of contraventions where SAHRA was not the responsible authority or otherwise not involved.

	2020/2021	2021/2022	2022/2023	Total
Incidents Reported per year	17	25	44	86

 

(2). In terms of Section 51 of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999, SAHRA does not administer penalties as this fall within the scope of the Department of Justice.

(3). Indicated in the table below is the Five (5) cases that have been escalated for further legal action in collaboration with SAHRA.

Case	In terms of	Prosecution Status	Details
Theft from the Transnet Museum in George	Theft Report	Prosecuted	The accused was found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail.
Albion Dog Cart	Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA	Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI	A warrant of arrest (J51) will be filed for the accused which will be exercised should the accused enter into South Africa. The report will be filed after the 19 June 2023
Nelson Mandela Collection	Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA	Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI	Case likely to be recommended to the NPA; decision will be communicated to SAHRA in due course.
Beauchamp – Proctor Medals	Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA	Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI	Decision to prosecute will be communicated by 19 June 2023
Alexis Preller Artwork	Theft Report	Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI	DPCI recovered the painting from an auction house. The owner of the painting requested for transferral to a suitable location; artwork was handed over to Pretoria Art Gallery for Protection and Conservation

 

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet

a) Transnet Freight Rail faces three major challenges that impact its ability to deliver reliable rail services to all its customers on virtually all the corridors, with some more impacted than others.

1.1 Locomotive availability and reliability have decreased significantly on all the key corridors but especially on the North and North-East corridors that primarily rails coal, chrome and magnetite. In 2017/18 when TFR railed 226 million tonnes (mt), TFR had a total of 2215 locomotives available whereas in 2022/23 it has 1533 locomotives available and 364 so called long-standing locomotives at the end of May 2023.

The tender to return to service the long-standing locomotives has closed with Alstom and Wabtec proposing a return to operations schedule for the speedy return to service of their locomotives. Negotiations with CRRC loco are ongoing. The impact of reduced locomotive availability is estimated to cost TFR approximately R16 million per day in lost revenue.

​1.2 Infrastructure: Systemic underinvestment over the years has resulted in decreased reliability of infrastructure leading to increased derailments and speed restrictions that reduce available capacity on rail. To ensure the availability of cash to fund the maintenance of infrastructure, TFR is working on submitting an application to the interim rail regulator for full cost recovery tariffs. Furthermore, Transnet has taken the decision for TFR to exit all loss-making flows to ensure the profitability of all corridors. Lastly the operating lease on the container corridor is intended to curtail the losses on this corridor.

1.3 Security: Crippling theft & vandalism of key infrastructure and locomotives resulting in significant operational disruptions and additional unbudgeted costs associated with these repairs further reducing the funds available for scheduled maintenance. During the Covid shutdown period theft of copper cable escalated significantly. During the period 2016/17 to 2021/22, security related incidents increased by 179%.

TFR implemented various security initiatives ranging from the introduction of drones to support surveillance, customer partnerships to increase the deployment of security resources, specialised task teams in identified hotspot areas and various other initiatives that resulted in a 30% reduction in cable theft incidents during the 2022/23 financial year. Notwithstanding the improvement over the past year, the incidents remain high. Over 1000 km of copper cable was stolen during the 2022/23 financial year, costing TFR R310m to replace which is a reduction from the loss of nearly 1500km the previous year at a replacement cost of R462 million.

In 2021/22 and 2022/23, the majority (44% and 39%) of the cable theft incidents occurred on the Container Corridor. The scale of the theft of Overhead Track and Equipment (OHTE) is also the highest on the Container Corridor – 522km for the past year compared to an average of 130km per corridor for the rest of the system. During May 2023, the Container Corridor was severely impacted by unprecedented levels of theft and vandalism, resulting in a significant loss in available capacity. The situation was further exacerbated by the heavy rains during the same period that made repairing the network difficult. Operations have since resumed and improved following the implementation of additional security measures. TFR security has deployed ground forces in the targeted hotspot areas. This is an interim measure as engagements continue with law enforcement agencies to assist in the policing of the rail infrastructure.

TFR in isolation is not able to deal with the theft and vandalism of the rail infrastructure and made recommendations via the Industry Crime Forum (ICF) to the Non-Ferrous Metal Crime Combating Committee (NFMCCC) to support the following recommendations to the Natjoint:

1.4  The establishment of a dedicated crime court for criminal matters involving essential infrastructure,

1.5 The establishment of dedicated specialised essential infrastructure task team (EEIT) units in each of the provinces, which includes members from visible policing, crime intelligence, and crime detection, dedicated to the protection of essential infrastructure and;

1.6 For every SAPS station nationally to make available a dedicated small unit from visible policing, crime intelligence, and crime detection to focus on essential infrastructure related crime.

b) Security: the tender of Outcomes based Security closed with the roll out beginning shortly. In the case of the container corridor, given the potential operating lease, TFR has commenced the process to identify an Outcome Based Security service provider for 1 year on the Container Corridor.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

No	a) Specified Mission Properties	b) Nature of renovations works	(c) Projected cost of each renovation
1	Windhoek: Official Residence and staff houses	Renovations of the exterior at the Official Residence and 3 staff houses -	R3 688 300
2	Kinshasa: Chancery and compound	Repair of lift and repainting of the exterior Chancery and staff compound	R5 300 000
3	Mbabane: Official residence	Refurbishment of the of the official residence.	R6 600 000
4	Addis Ababa: Chancery	Repairs to the Chancery	R3 081 000
5	Maseru: Official residence	Repair and maintenance of the official residence	R5 600 000
6	Abuja: Chancery	Replacement of air conditioners	R895 000
7	Tokyo: Official Residence	Painting of exterior wall	R1 100 000
8	Ottawa: Chancery & Official Residence	Repair and maintenance at the OR and Chancery	R2 500 000
9	Brazil: Chancery	Repairs to generator room and upgrading of electrical system	R4000 000
10	Canberra: Official residence	Repair to the roof and replacement of kitchen and wooden windows	R2 300 000
11	Copenhagen: Chancery and Official Residence	Repairs and maintenance of the Chancery and OR	R14 800 000
12	Vienna: Official residence	Renovations at the Official residence	R 4000 000
13	Rome; Official residence	Repair of the Official Residence Basement	R 5000 000
14	Brussels: Official Residence	Upgrading of electrical and plumbing system and repair to the roof	R4 200 000
15	London: Chancery	Condition assessment and Repair and maintenance of staff houses	R7 2000 000
16	New York: Official residence	Condition assessment and maintenance of exterior and interior	R 6 200 000
17	Lisbon Chancery and OR	Repairs of plumbing and electrical works	R3 600 000
18	Lilongwe: Staff houses	Repair and maintenance of plumbing and electrical works	R1 400 000
19	Washington: Repair	Repair of damaged MEP system and staff house	R3 200 000
20	Madrid: Chancery and OR	Upgrading of electrical and plumbing system	R1 549 000
21	Dar Es Salaam: Chancery	Repair and maintenance to the roof and electrical system	R3 200 000
22	Berlin: Chancery	Repair to the roof, electrical and plumbing works	R2 700 000
23	Geneva; Official residence	Repair to the official residence	R 2000 000
24	Berne: Official residence	Upgrading of the electrical and plumbing works	R1 520 000

d) Service Providers are appointed through open bids (request quotations and open tender) depending on the value of the project.

e) The project risk assessment is undertaken for tender projects, Legal Service make inputs on the service level agreements and contract for all projects to ensure the Department is protected. Each project is allocated a Project Manager to ensure quality work is executed within cost and in time.

 

 

Reply:

South Africa continues to participate in the United Nations General Assembly’s Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on the Security Council, both in its capacity, as a sovereign member state, and as a member of the African Group. South Africa believes that there must be a common acknowledgment, particularly by those member states maintaining the status quo in the Security Council that the international political and economic system remains unequal, unfair and unjust.

South Africa continues to advocate for the urgent reform of the Council, based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which calls for two permanent seats, and five non-permanent seats and the abolishment of the veto. However, for as long as it exists, it is a privilege, which should be extended to all new permanent members.

South Africa has consistently called for text-based negotiations to register progress, especially since there are no negotiations in the IGN. Rather, the IGN has been characterised by the delivery of Group statements and statements made by member states in their national capacities. The Co-Chairs of the IGN developed a Revised Elements Paper on Convergences and Divergences on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters” which has been updated in May 2023 following several rounds of consultation. This document provides a preliminary basis for text-based negotiations. In addition, the IGN has now also established a specific website to act as a repository of the recordings of the webcasts as well as of the letters, decisions, statements of Member States, and other documents related to the IGN process.

In support of the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want, and the continent’s ambition to Silence the Guns, South Africa continues to call for the Council’s urgent reform, and the need to correct the historical injustices committed against the African continent. Our engagement will remain focused on highlighting that, through broad and extensive engagement, underpinned by the spirit of multilateralism, dialogue and negotiation, member states can find pathways to convergence. South Africa will emphasise that political divergences should not be the reason for holding back progress.

Reply:

The South African Government is not considering the downgrading of its diplomatic representation in Cuba as the Government believes that institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Attorney General have demonstrated their ability to deal with alleged human rights violations. Downgrading diplomatic relations is a drastic act that can only be considered when states continuously disregard international law in circumstances where states are illegally occupying the territories of other countries, deny people a legitimate right to self-determination and practice systemic forms of oppression, including breaching important international conventions, including for example, the Convention Against Apartheid.

Reply:

In responding to these questions, SAFA have submitted a closeout report of the Legacy Trust which responds to the amounts spent and documents that detail the work done by the Legacy Trust, see the Financial Overview as at 28 February 2022

(a). TOTAL EXPENDITURE: R 610,754,230

(b). ORIGINAL INVESTMENT: R 450,762,916

Income:

• Interest received: R 160,060,913

• Other income: R 56,112

 

TOTAL INCOME (SUB Total): R 160,117,025

TOTAL INCOME (+ Original) R 610,879,941

Expenditure

• Admin & Related: R 69,478,409

• Grants paid: R 541,275,821

(c). AVAILABLE BALANCE: R 125,711

See attached document below :

 

 

Reply:

1. It is acknowledged that there is a need for ongoing capacity building of educators that teach Mathematics in content knowledge and pedagogy.

Currently, the appraisal of educators is undertaken according to the Quality Management System (QMS) as informed by Collective Agreement No. 02 of 2020.  Since 2022 was the first full year of the implementation of QMS, an analysis of the educator scores for the 2022 appraisal cycle is in progress, and will be finalised once the data is available from National Treasury.  Given the latter, the proportion of educators rated as acceptable in terms of Collective Agreement No, 02 of 2022 cannot be verified.

2. The Minister does not believe that teachers can teach acceptably well without a basic minimum of subject knowledge.

Teachers who lack basic content knowledge in a subject, are identified and subjected to training and support, to improve their knowledge and skills in the identified subjects.

The QMS as an appraisal process is driven by all members of the School Management Team (SMT).

The appraisal of teachers is undertaken by the SMT, and is based on five (5) performance standards as follows:

1. Creation of a positive learning and teaching  environment;
2. Curriculum knowledge, lesson  planning and presentation;
3. Learner assessment and achievement;
4. Professional development; and
5. Extra-mural and co-curricular participation.

The appraisal of a Post Level 1 Educator is undertaken across a range of 12 criteria and 38 descriptors within the above five (5) performance standards.  Contextual factors of the school are also considered where these have been identified.  In this regard consideration is given to the following:

• The nature of the contextual factor;
• The level of its impact on the educator’s performance; and
• The extent to which the educator was able to mitigate such impact.

The QMS also provides a basis to recognise good performance and address underperformance through targeted interventions that could be school-based or provided through external support.

Reply:

The President of the Republic of South Africa is empowered to appoint Ministers and also in terms of the powers vested in him in terms of section 97 of the Constitution may transfer to a member of the Cabinet any power or function to any member of Cabinet. The President exercised his powers to appoint the Minister of Electricity to carry out all powers and functions in section 34(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 as a broader strategy to deal with load shedding.

In recent weeks, the President has gazetted the specific role of the Minister of Electricity (Annexure A)

The President is on record having stated that the delineation of powers and functions is directed at ensuring effective coordination and dedicated focus to deal more effectively and urgently with the electricity crisis.

In addition, the structure and operations of the National Electricity Crisis Committee ensure optimal coordination among all government entities.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

1. SAFA indicates that Mr. David Notoane was given all the necessary and possible support during the qualifying matches. It is paramount that we highlight that most of the Under 23 players come from the PSL teams. Therefore, the availability of players was dependant on the PSL clubs releasing them. SAFA submitted several requests to the PSL on behalf of Coach Notoane. Unfortunately, the PSL clubs could only release their players during the FIFA Window periods. This automatically restricted the number of camps that the team could have. So, we gave the coach the maximum possible training days. For the matches against Togo, home and away, the team camped for the full periods which were requested by Coach Notoane. It was the same situation with the matches (home and away) against Congo. The coach was also given all the technical support that he requested which included a Physical Trainer, Video Analyst, Goalkeeper Coach, Team Doctor, Physiotherapist and Masseur.

2. SAFA has indicated that they cannot speak on behalf of the Mr. Notoane. The Ministry also does not get involved with administrative matters of National Federations.

Reply:

The Department of Social Development (DSD) in partnership with the Department of Health and Basic Education implements the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) and this programme advocates for an integrated multi-sectoral approach in addressing teenage pregnancy.

As part of the implementation of ISHP DSD provides social behaviour and change programmes to build the capacity of young people through life skills, teaching sexual and reproductive health, empowering young people to make right choices and lifelong decisions about their lives, preventing risky behaviours that would lead to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. DSD also provides Community Based Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (RISIHA) to vulnerable children, moving these children from vulnerability to resilience. These programmes are part of the 365 days child protection programme of action. The departmental approach is to focus on prevention measures but also empowerment of a family as a primary institution to socialise its members on values and morals. The department is therefore also implementing parenting programmes in this regard.

Currently, DSD is conducting a Diagnostic Evaluation to Understand Government’s Response to Teenage Pregnancy. The purpose of the study is to assess the relevance and responsiveness of government interventions (both programmes and services) in addressing the direct determinants of teenage pregnancies, as well as the budgeting and costing elements. In addition, the study will provide empirical evidence on the different interventions, legislation, policies and guidelines to manage teenage pregnancy. The study will draw on a variety of evidence types (mixed methods) which includes quantitative and qualitative data.

The evaluation will be conducted in five (5) provinces namely: Gauteng, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo. The Steering Committee for the study will include officials from Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disability, Department of Health, Department of Basic Education, Development Partners (UNICEF and UNFPA) and stakeholders from Civil Society Organisations.

Benefits of study

Through the study the DSD and stakeholders will:

• Provide empirical evidence-based solutions for decision making, accountability and learning;

• Engage with a number of stakeholders including government from all three spheres of government, developmental partners and civil society;

• Understand the “As Is” Situation on Teenage Pregnancy;

• Identify common and unique teenage pregnancy programmes implemented across government;

• Conduct mapping exercise on available evidence on teenage pregnancy; and

• The findings and recommendations will be utilised to develop an Improvement plan to enhance services and policy areas with a number of stakeholders.

Reply:

Following extensive discussion of the Ukraine-Russia crisis and its impact on Africa and other developing countries, a group of seven African Presidents agreed to undertake a peace mission to Ukraine and Russia. The objective of the Mission is to promote the importance of peace and to encourage the parties to agree to a diplomacy-led process of negotiations. This initiative includes diverse voices from the Continent on the conflict, consisting of Comoros (current Chair of the African Union), the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.

It is the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and not the Democratic Republic of Congo that is part of the peace initiative

Reply:

(a). The National Arts Council (NAC) has successfully implemented its third Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PES++++++----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------P4). There has been no mismanagement of the PESP4. We opened our call on the 20 February 2023, and closed on the 31 March 2023, and recently announced on the 31st May 2023. This was a record implementation in terms of time (considering the number of applications received). The NAC team worked very hard in ensuring that they do not miss the deadline to announce the dates.

This hard work paid off, as it resulted in the entity announcing the list of 637 successful beneficiaries. Below is an important summary of PESP 4.

Applications Received	Applications Approved	Shortfall	% Funded
4752	637	4115
R5 087 253 146,79	R182 400 000,01	R4 904 853 146,79	4%

At the recent industry announcement held on 31 May 2023, the industry gave positive feedback to the NAC on the turnaround of the entity in implementing its programmes as well as communicating with the industry. There was not even a single complaint from any stakeholder.

As per the above table, The NAC continues to appeal to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Sport, Arts and Culture to attend to the issue of budget limitations related to the sector. The NAC funds seven (7) arts disciplines in the country, and as long as the entity can only fund 4% of the value of applications received, the extreme frustration of our sector will continue. The NAC worked with the Department to further ensure there were no beneficiary duplications between the two entities.

(b). The NAC continues to clarify to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee that there is no scandal related to the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. All funds have been accounted for and the good work of the MNPO continues. Which is to benefit artists across the provinces of South Africa. There has been continued engagement between the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and the leadership of the NAC to assist them in concluding their audit.

We are proud of the transformative nature of our strategic programmes, in particular the meaningful contribution of the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra to the smaller and Marginalized provinces.

Reply:

According to information received from the Eskom

(1)(a)

Eskom is buying diesel at the wholesale list price published by the Department of Energy on a monthly basis. Eskom then pays the wholesale list price less the negotiated discount.

(1)(b)

Delivered price: Wholesale list price less discounts.

(2)(a)

Eskom obtains negotiated discounts below the wholesale price list that varies across the suppliers.

• Astron
• BP
• Engen
• Shell
• PetroSA

(2)(b)

The discounts are contractual between Eskom and Service Providers and not for public consumption. In addition, there is a new tender currently undergoing internal approval process hence the sensitivity of sharing discount rates.

(3)(a)

All contractors have been contracted for 5 years: 01 October 2019 to 30 September 2024.

(3)(b)

Price follows monthly fluctuation as per the price list issued by the Department of Energy.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane Pravin Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

(i) The DBE reviews and approves the Provincial menus annually in line with a cost effective food basket aligned with the Conditional Grant Framework. Food specifications from the Department of Health are used to guide quality and quantities. NSNP performance on menu compliance at schools is measured using monitoring tools, based on a key performance indicator (KPI) scores, that include time for feeding, balanced meal, quantities in starch, protein, fruit and/or vegetables. 

(ii) Fighting between learners and the personnel who distribute food to learners is condemned and unacceptable.  However, the School Management Teams and School Governing Bodies are responsible for discipline in schools.  The school code of conduct is adhered to to deal with disciplinary matters.

(iii) (a) Warehouses are monitored and inspected by the local authority through Environment Health Inspectors, to ensure compliance to food safety standards.  The NSNP has employed monitors in each district to assess compliance on quality, quantity and food safety, when monitoring in schools. (b) District-based Food Safety Teams do spot checks periodically, and educators responsible for NSNP, are trained on food labelling etc., for daily inspections.

Reply:

The Department is not in partnership with the Mangaung Municipality in hosting the Southern Africa Football Associations Championship. A). There is no partnership. B) The Department is not aware of who is funding the event. C) The Department is not aware of the financial implications associated with the hosting of the event as it is not involved nor officially informed about it.

Reply:

(a)(b)

(i) The Department of Basic Education has signed an Intergovernmental Protocol Agreement with the Department of Social Development and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to compare and triangulate data between the Department of Basic Education’s Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS) and SASSA’s Social Pension System (SOCPEN) to identify if children who are at school-going age and receiving social grants, are enrolled and attending school.  This initiative continues to assist the department in tracking out of school children, who are receiving social grants.  Data is provided to Department of Social Development to assist them to intervene in a household social perspective.

(ii) Another initiative is the development of the National Integrated Protection Information System (NISPIS) across the social sector, which will also assist in monitoring out-of-school and vulnerable children receiving other social protection services.

Reply:

The findings of the Competition Commission report are taken up in a number of ways. They include the following:

1. Market Inquiries/investigations in terms of the Competition Act.

2. Considerations applied during the assessment of merger applications.

3. Support for SMMEs through financing packages.

4. Measures to strengthen the competitiveness of smaller firms.

5. Promotion of supplier development funds and partnerships.

6. Measures in masterplans.

the dtic and its entities, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and National Empowerment Fund (NEF) offer a range of funding instruments for the support of SMMES as grants and loans.

the dtic provides support to emerging exporters, to show-case their products at international exhibitions, funding to develop emerging black film makers through the Film and TV incentive as well as emerging black aquaculture farmers.

Other cost-sharing grant funding is available to SMMEs operating in the research and development field . The funding for these incentives is structured to encourage collaboration between industry and academia that will result in the development of pioneering prototypes ready for commercialisation.

A recent report to the Portfolio Committee highlighted the work of the dtic-group on township economies.

Additional resources are mobilised through supplier funds, such as:

1. Shoprite establishing a R350 million development fund to develop independent retails, spaza shops, micro caterers and micro farmers.
2. Heineken to establish a R400 million Supplier Development Fund, and procure R4.7 billion from Historically Disadvantaged Persons.
3. Pepsico has made R300 million available as a development fund to develop the capacity of emerging farmers, R100 million contribution for enterprise development and R200 million for educational programmes in partnership with universities.
4. Coca-Cola has contributed R240 million to a localization fund and will increase volumes of sugar procured from black sugarcane farmers.
5. Implats will contribute R50 million for regional enterprise development that will benefit women and youth owned businesses.
6. Mediclinic will for a period of five years will ensure procurement of R2.5 billion from small and black owned enterprises.

-END-

Reply:

(a). SAFA indicates that they received a loan from FIFA and the amount is USD 1’500’000.00. During the peak of Covid-19, most of FIFA’s Member Associations were experiencing a decline in income because of the global lockdown which put a halt on football activities. In order to mitigate the adverse impact of Covid-19 on its Member Associations, FIFA introduced an array of relief measures which included interest free loans.

b). The interest free loans were to be used for the following:

• Implementation of return-to-play protocols, including testing
• Participation of national teams in restarted competitions
• Payment of staff costs and hiring of essential staff, where necessary

SAFA used the loan proceeds to restart its competitions and for the national teams to participate in international competitions. Some of the funds were used to pay the Men Senior National team technical staff.

(c). The repayment period of this loan is 3 years starting in 2023 until 2025 at a rate of USD500’000.00 per annum. FIFA will deduct a portion of our annual grant and allocate it towards this loan.

Reply:

(1). Regarding 1 & 2 above, it should be noted that the national Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras; these orchestras do not report to DSAC and do not fall within the ambit of DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

(3). The government has never provided full funding for provincial and city orchestras.

(4). As explained in Mrs V van Dyk’s questions before, the policy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Arts Council is that 75% of the budget must be spent on artists-related matters and only up to 25% on operations including administration. So clearly, the government, by policy and law, does not regard artists as secondary to administration

Reply:

During negotiations following PSCBC Resolution No. 01 of 2018, extensive costing of various modes of implementation was undertaken. The final cost estimate of the mode finally implemented, was that the compensation of employees (CoE) baseline for provincial education departments was set to increase by R347 million, after the first leg of a 0.3% increment in 2018/19 with the increase in 2019/20 being R1094 million following the second leg increment completing the 0.5%. 

Reply:

1. (a) Have access to

(i) connectivity and (ii) WiFi

A total of 80% of the public schools have access to Internet connectivity. The majority of these schools are connected using 3G/LTE that is not ideal for teaching and learning. As part of the Phase 1 of the SA Connect, a total of 594 have access to broadband connectivity.

(iii) computer laboratories

Each province has its own ICT strategy on how the schools are provided with ICT resources for teaching and learning. It should be noted that provinces such as Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape have provided learners with ICT devices. It is based on this notion that provinces are gradually moving away from the fixed computer laboratories to mobile ICT solutions. Furthermore, provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga are providing schools with classroom technologies such as Smartboards and projectors.

(b) Do not have access

(i) Internet and (ii) WiFi

The remaining 20% of schools have no access to Internet connectivity.

(iii) computer laboratories

Provinces have developed their implementation plans, however, their allocated budget is not sufficient to make sure that all the public schools are provided with ICT resources 

2. Plans to ensure that all schools have access to:

(i) internet and (ii) WiFi

The SA Connect Phase 2 was approved by Cabinet on 28 January 2022 for implementation. As part of this phase the government will provide 18036 public schools with Internet connectivity. It should be noted that these schools will be provided with limited data bundles. The Basic Education Sector has already submitted the names of the schools to Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

(iii) computer laboratories

Each province has its own ICT strategy on how the schools are provided with ICT resources for teaching and learning. The provincial implementation plans are linked to their voted budget that is allocated to provide schools with ICT resources as part of teaching and learning.  

3. Professional Development Programmes that aim to improve computer literacy for teachers are currently in operation

The Basic Education Sector is training teachers on how to create and publish courses online using Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). The training is aimed at providing educators with instructional design skills, pedagogical and technological skills that are the building block in order to infuse ICT in the classroom. It should be noted that the computer literacy skills are embedded in the Moodle LMS training.

Furthermore, the Basic Education Sector is also training teachers with a just-in time professional development interventions on how to use the Open Educational resources that are loaded on their ICT devices and various online platforms.

Reply:

1. The PSL is an associate member of SAFA.
2. The JLC meets on an ad-hoc basis to discuss matters of common interest between SAFA and the PSL. During the periods mentioned there were no matters of common interest that required the whole committee to meet, however during the same period there were a number of bilateral meetings between the two CEO’s and there were also a number of bilateral meetings between the president of SAFA and the Chairman of the PSL.

Reply:

Based on SARS provisional data, the top 10 countries from which SA imported goods in the period 1 January to 31 March 2023 are:

1. China

2. Germany

3. USA

4. India

5. UAE

6. Thailand

7. Nigeria

8. Saudi Arabia

9. Japan

10. Oman.

Based on SARS provisional data, the top 10 countries to whose markets SA exported goods in the period 1 January to 31 March 2023 are:

1. China

2. USA

3. Germany

4. Japan

5. India

6. UK

7. Netherlands

8. Belgium

9. Botswana

10. UAE

South Africa’s import suppliers (Rand values)

		Total (January to March 2023)
	World	R485 259 081 939
1	China	R99 146 820 610
2	Germany	R39 723 451 934
3	United States	R36 334 678 519
4	India	R32 626 305 702
5	UAE	R19 055 926 925
6	Thailand	R15 515 425 690
7	Nigeria	R13 003 529 551
8	Saudi Arabia	R12 835 399 393
9	Japan	R11 345 815 628
10	Oman	R10 959 640 838

Data source: SARS, adjusted for transit trade

(2)(a) and (b):

South Africa’s export destinations (Rand values)

		Total (January to March 2023)
	World	R455 061 074 141
1	China	R54 887 839 800
2	United States	R36 896 513 669
3	Germany	R31 268 892 040
4	Japan	R28 613 650 186
5	India	R22 963 598 797
6	United Kingdom	R21 062 612 635
7	Netherlands	R20 751 577 401
8	Belgium	R15 869 295 095
9	Botswana	R15 319 831 767
10	UAE	R12 369 444 500

Data source: SARS, adjusted for transit trade and errors in export data.

The Department also considers revisions in SARS data, as well as data from trading partners to build a more accurate picture. The latter data is not fully available for all countries yet.

-END-

Reply:

According to Information Received from Eskom:

Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) are continuing to provide electricity to communities that do not have electricity. The Eskom and DMRE Electrification Programme has progressed well in the last financial year and has exceeded its annual target achieving 102 590 connections. In addition, alternative electrification technology called microgrids is being used to electricity areas that are not easily accessible through the conventional grid such as Zwartkopdam in the Northern Cape to speed up access to electricity.

Furthermore, Eskom is undertaking the refurbishment of old infrastructure, substations, lines, and transformers including introduction of smart meters to improve and increase access to electricity for citizens.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date: