Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. Policy that permits public service employees to serve as councillors in municipal councils

a) Participation of public service employees as candidates for elections and becoming members of municipal councils is regulated by section 36 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (PSA) and regulation 15 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 (PSR).

b) Section 36(1) of the PSA provides that an employee can stand as a candidate for elections in a municipal council, but must comply with the public service code of conduct (Chapter 2 of the PSR) and any other prescribed limits and conditions.

c) Section 36(2) of the PSA provides that if an employee is elected as a full-time member of a municipal council, the employee will be deemed to have resigned from the public service.

d) Section 36(4) provides that an employee who has been elected as a part-time councillor may only remain an employee in the public service if such an employee complies with the provision of section 30(1) of the PSA. Section 30(1) of the PSA requires that an employee have the written permission of the Executive Authority of his/her department when the employee performs or engages in remunerative work outside his or her employment in the relevant department. The process for obtaining permission is outlined in the Directive on Other remunerative Work outside the Employee’s Employment in the Relevant Department, as Contemplated in Section 30 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (“Directive”, Nov 2016).

e) The provisions of section 36 is supported by regulation 15 of the PSR, which outlines the procedure to be followed by an employee who wants to stand as a candidate for elections. In terms of regulation 15 of the PSR, an employee is required to inform his/her head of department (HOD), in writing, about his/her intention to stand as a candidate for election a day after receiving the certificate issued by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Furthermore, the employee should also submit the certificate from the IEC to the HOD. Employees are also required to take annual leave immediately after the certificate is issued as provided in regulation 15(2).

2. Approval for other remunerative work

a) Section 36(4) requires that a public service employee who is elected as a part-time member of a Municipal Council should comply with section 30 of the PSA. Section 30 of the PSA requires that an employee who would like to perform other remunerative work outside his/her employment in the relevant department should obtain written approval to perform other remunerative work from the Executive Authority of the department. This should be obtained before performing that other remunerative work. In deciding the request, the Executive Authority shall consider whether or not the outside work could reasonably be expected to interfere with or impede the effective performance of the employee’s function in the department concerned or constitute a contravention of the code of conduct.

b) In November 2016, the Minister for Public Service and Administration issued a Directive (see par 1(d)) prescribing the procedure to be followed by employees in applying to perform other remunerative work. In terms of the Directive, written approval is issued in a form of a certificate signed by the Executive Authority or delegated authority in the department.

c) Public service employees who are part-time councillors in the municipalities should, therefore, have an approval certificate as proof that they have obtained written permission to perform other remunerative work outside their employment in the department.

d) The Department of Public Service and Administration is in the process of collecting information from the affected Departments regarding whether employees have complied with section 36(4) of the PSA and regulation 15 of the PSR.

End

Reply:

1. The net worth is made up of the capital amount, royalties and cumulated interest received over the years. The funds that are not yet used are invested in money markets through the Public Investment Corporations (IPC).

2. (a) The total number of victims that have received the once-off individual grants of R30 000 is 17 423; and

(b) The total number of victims that have not received the once-off individual grants of R30 000 is 4 253.

3. (a) The initial Interim reparations were paid in terms of the Urgent Interim Reparations regulations, gazetted on 3 April 1998, under Gazette no. 6154. It should, however, be noted that interim preparations are no longer being paid out as the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) has been dissolved. The criteria were as follows:

(i) application for urgent Interim reparation, an application for urgent interim reparation in terms of section 26 (1) of the Act must be made in the form, as set out below:

1. The Committee must consider each application for urgent interim reparation made to it in terms of section 26 (1) of the Act and if, in the opinion of the Committee:

a) the applicant is a victim ; and

b) the applicant is alive at the time when the application is considered; and

c) the applicant is in urgent need of medical, emotional, educational, symbolic, social, legal or administrative assistance or intervention; and

d) the applicant has suffered hardship as a result of the gross violation of his or her human rights; and

e) the applicant is not a relative or dependant as defined in regulation 1 (2), of a victim who is alive on the date on which the application is submitted to the Committee, the Committee must make a recommendation as contemplated in sub regulation (2) in respect of such applicant.

2. if the Committee:

a)  finds that an applicant is a victim in need of urgent interim reparation as contemplated in sub regulation (1), the Committee may, subjected to the provisions of paragraph (b) recommend that an amount in respect of urgent interim reparation, not exceeding two thousand Rand, be paid to such a victim and that such information as the Committee may consider necessary for the victim to address his or her urgent needs referred to in sub regulation (1) (c), the provided to such victims; or

b) is, In view of the exceptional circumstances of a particular case, of the opinion that it will cause undue hardship or will be manifestly unfair or unjust if the urgent interim reparation is limited as set out in paragraph (a) the Committee may, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) recommend that such greater amount as it may deem appropriate in view of such exceptional circumstances, be granted to such victim.

(b) The total amount is R53 165 325.00

END

Reply:

a)  The Department is aware of the sewage challenges experience by Joe Gqabi District Municipality. There have been long standing issues at the Burgersdorp sewage system and Steynsburg Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). The status regarding progress made is as follows:

• Contractors are currently at both sites
• Progress made at the Burgersdorp WWTW is at 95%
• Progress made with the Steynsburg sewage system is at 80%.

b) (i) Site of pollution	(ii) (aa) steps taken by department to assist through repairs to the infrastructure	(ii) (bb) rehabilitation of the specified natural water sources
Burgersdorp - pollution of the Stormberg Spruit	A directive had been issued and funding support was received from Municipal Infrastructure Grant and funding from Joe Gqabi DM Four (4) sewage pumpstations repaired as follows: repairs completed on 2 pumpstations repairs ongoing on 2 pumpstations and are in final stages, planned for completion at end November 2022.	Rehabilitation included removal of any paper and solids for burial and application of chloride of lime to disinfect affected areas
Steynsburg Sewage Ponds in the catchment of Teebus stream	Funding support from Water Service Infrastructure Grant Project is about 80% complete with all work due to be completed by end February 2023.	Rehabilitation includes removal of papers, disinfection with chloride of lime and natural attenuation
Sterkspruit Activate Sludge Works	Sterkspruit Activate Sludge Works have been repaired and the works are functioning normally, thus removing the overload on the Sterkspruit Pond System	Overflow from the Sterkspruit sewage ponds had impacted the Sterkspruit Stream, but has since been resolved

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Reply:

1. The Annual Report for the President`s Fund was published on 23 November 2022.

2. The current net worth of the President`s Fund is R1 869 640 848.08 as at 31 October 2022.

3. When the Fund was first established, it was capitalised by Government which made a total contribution of R800 001 000.00, broken down as follows:

(a) First contribution of R100 000 000.00 – in the year ended 31 March 1999;

B) Second contribution of R200 000 000.00 – in the year ended 31 March 2000;

c) Third contribution of R190 000 000.00 – in the year ended 31 March 2002 and

d) Final contribution of R310 001 000.00 – in year ended 31 March 2003.

4. (a) The donors were Royal Netherlands, Southern Life Foundations, Swiss Government, Eskom and private individuals.

(b) The donors mentioned in (a) above contributed a total amount of R7 165 390.00.

The table below provides details of the donors and total amounts donated:

(a) Donor	(b) Amount
Royal Netherlands	R3 702 870.00
Southern Life Foundation	R75 000.00
Swiss Government	R998 193.00
Eskom	R1 000 000.00

5. The total amount, in grants paid to the Fund by the State since it was established, is R800 001 000.00

Reply:

a)  The current backlog in the provision of water in the rural areas across the Republic are as follows:

• Out of a total of 19,368,622 households in South Africa 6 396 431 households are classified as rural households
• Out of 6 396 431 rural households 4 760 182 (86%) have access the RDP level of service for water
• Out of 6 396 431 rural households, only 3 157 091 (61%) have access to a reliable supply of water

b) A funding gap of R33 billion must be closed each year for the next 10 years, through improved revenue generation and reduced costs based on a study undertaken through the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NWSMP). The department has embarked on the development of a Five-Year Reliable Water and Sanitation Services Delivery Implementation Plans that will, after completion, produce a pipeline of projects for each WSA with the associated costing. National grant funding programmes will be aligned with these needs.

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Reply:

A court order issued on 10 December 2019, against the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, now Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), by the Land Claims Court (Court), ordered the appointment of the Special Master for Labour Tenants. The Special Master does not report to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, but will supervise, oversee and monitor the functions of the Department regarding outstanding Labour Tenants’ claims.

The same court order, dated 10 December 2019, also granted permission to the Special Master to appoint consultants to provide opinions, reports and other assistance. The position of the Master Data Specialist was subjected to a job evaluation process, to ensure that the correct salary level was determined before the post was submitted to be filled through a recruitment and selection process. A job description was developed for the post by benchmarking against similar posts with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. The process however took longer than anticipated and the Special Master requested that the process not be continued. The Special Master was seeking alternative solutions in filling lower-level positions that can assist in the administrative functions of his Office.

The Department is, therefore, in the process to fill the following positions allocated to the Office of the Special Master:

• 1 x Systems and Operations Manager post filled.
• 1 x Programme Administrator and Office Manager post filled.
• 1 x Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Manager post filled.
  • • • 1 x Office Assistant post filled.
      • 1 x National Programme Manager post. Post advertised and the closing date of the advertisement is on 20221014. Filling of the post is anticipated to be by 20230101.
      • 1 x Programme Coordinator. Seconded from the DALRRD.
      • 1 x Senior Administrative Officer post. Filling of the post through a recruitment and selection or transfer processes and filling of the post is anticipated to be by 20230101.
      • 1 x Messenger post. Filling of the post through a recruitment and selection or transfer processes and filling of the post is anticipated to be by 20230101.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

In June 2022 Cabinet approved the appointment of staff to support the Acting Minister linked to the acting term.

The 2 November 2022 amended Ministerial Handbook provides for the appointment of 14 staff in the Office of the Minister, which includes 5 support staff to be appointed by the department and 10 staff in the Office of the Deputy Minister, which includes 3 support staff to be appointed by the department.

(a) total number of staff employed and/or provided as departmental support in their private offices:

(i) Office of the Acting Minister, Mr TW Nxesi, MP = 13

(ii) Office of the Deputy Minister, Dr MCC Pilane-Majake, MP = 9

(b) (i) job title and (ii) annual remuneration package

Office of the Acting Minister	Job Title	Annual Remuneration Package
Staff appointed in the Office of the Minister
1	Chief of Staff	R1,308,051 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 20,340 Non pensionable allowance R1,412,811
2	Private and Appointment Secretary	R1,105,383 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 20,340 Non pensionable allowance R1,210,143
3	Community Outreach Officer	R766,584 all-inclusive package R 19,680 Non pensionable allowance R786,264
4	Receptionist	R 248,790 all-inclusive R 19,200 PNP allowance R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R282,630
5	Media Liaison Officer	R1,105,383 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 20,340 Non pensionable allowance R1,210,143
6	Parliamentary Officer	R1,105,383 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 20,340 Non pensionable allowance R1,210,143
7	Administrative Clerk (Acting as Assistant Appointment and Administrative Secretary and receiving acting allowance accordingly)	R539,384 all-inclusive R 84,420 PNP allowance R 17,400 Non pensionable allowance R641,204
Staff appointed by the department to provide support to the Office of the Minister
1	Driver/Messenger	R241,495 all inclusive R 19,200 PNP allowance R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R275,335
2	Food Aide Services	R146,858 all-inclusive R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R161,498
3	Administration Support & Coordination	R766,584 all-inclusive package R 19,680 Non pensionable allowance R786,264
4	Parliamentary & Cabinet Support	R889,656 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 19,680 Non pensionable allowance R993,756
5	Registry Clerk	R248,790 all-inclusive R 19,200 PNP allowance R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R282,630
Internships
1	Intern	Stipend of R76,330

Office of the Deputy Minister	Job Title	Annual Remuneration Package
Staff appointed in the Office of the Deputy Minister
1	Head of Office (Acting Head of Office, reassigned from within the Department. Only receiving PNP allowance contemplated in Clause XIX of PSCBC Res 3 of 1999 for support to the Member, in addition to her Director level salary paid by virtue of being on the same salary level)	R 84,420 PNP allowance
2	Private and Appointment Secretary	R908,502 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 20,340 Non pensionable allowance R1,013,262
3	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	R766,584 all-inclusive package R 84,420 PNP allowance R 19,680 Non pensionable allowance R870,684
4	Household Aide (Acting as Receptionist and receiving acting allowances accordingly)	R248,790 all-inclusive R 19,200 PNP allowance R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R282,630
5	Acting Household Aide (Contract)	R175,587 all-inclusive R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R190,227
6	Household Aide	R175,587 all-inclusive R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R190,227
Staff appointed by the department to provide support to the Office of the Minister
1	Driver/Messenger	R208,091 all-inclusive R 19,200 PNP allowance R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R241,931
2	Food Aide Services	R146,858 all-inclusive R 14,640 Non pensionable allowance R161,498
Internships
1	Intern	Stipend of R76,330

END

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

A total of 82 972 violated their parole conditions since 01 January 2014, to the end of the second quarter of 2022/23. This total includes all those who violated the parole conditions had parole revoked and absconders (parolees who avoid being monitored). When a parolee or probationer violates supervision conditions, an investigation is done, and a motivation and recommendations to revoke the parole is done.

Since 01 January 2014, up to the second quarter of 2022/23 a total of 39 947 parolees and probationers absconded. This category has violated conditions by disappearing and avoid being monitored or supervised. The breakdown per region is as follows:

Question	Region	01.01.2014 To 31.03.2014	2014/2015	2015/2016	2016/2017	2017/2018	2018/2019	2019/2020	2020/2021	2021/2022	2022/2023
What (a) is the total number of parolees who violated their parole conditions since 1 January 2014	EC	282	765	969	898	825	821	853	486	606	122
	FS/NC	298	1059	1053	1078	1034	1183	989	710	898	759
	GP	1315	2382	2327	2128	2222	2290	2177	1801	2186	1844
	KZN	111	350	381	542	493	493	345	395	426	449
	LMN	1127	1105	1102	1130	1092	1096	185	486	606	122
	WC	782	4959	4791	4775	4888	4089	3584	2438	2774	1496
	Total	3915	10620	10623	10551	10554	9972	8133	6316	7496	4792
(i) What is the total number of parolees re-arrested and taken back to jail	EC	130	440	555	581	551	612	599	432	522	431
	FS/NC	162	654	685	677	688	964	789	553	696	481
	GP	258	917	772	606	692	618	603	397	621	392
	KZN	74	256	276	387	349	368	361	237	335	437
	LMN	124	102	99	127	89	93	83	81	81	72
	WC	626	4173	4099	4022	4015	3480	2941	1888	2129	1207
	Total	1374	6542	6486	6400	6384	6135	5376	3588	4384	3020
(ii) What is the total number of parolees who remain out of jail?	EC	152	325	414	317	274	209	254	1746	1718	1586
	FS/NC	148	417	378	485	366	491	366	252	309	328
	GP	1057	1465	1555	1522	1530	1672	1574	1404	1565	1452
	KZN	37	94	105	155	144	457	84	158	91	212
	LMN	1003	1003	1003	1003	1003	1003	102	405	525	50
	WC	156	786	692	753	873	609	643	550	645	289
	Total	2552	4092	4145	4232	4189	4440	3022	4510	4850	3915

END

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

(a)(b),(i),(ii) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is looking into the requested information and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

1. The Department has introduced the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Security which was rolled out to all Correctional Centres and cascaded to all officials for implementation.

The following prevention plans have also been implemented in Correctional Centres:

• Contraband prevention Plan
• Bag less society
• Gang Combating strategy
• Plans to counteract Smuggling
• Back to Basics Philosophy and Practice
• Strategy to counteract infiltration of Community based gang into Facilities.

2. (a) Preventative measures are as follows:

• Strict application of resolution 01 of 2006 dealing with disciple of staff
• Searching of officials and all persons at various check points
• Implementation of a bag less society
• Security committee meetings are held on a monthly basis to discuss measures to curtail security breaches.
• Regular visits are conducted by Senior Personnel during the night and day;
• The use of the K9 unit to sniff put contraband
• The posting of EST officials at strategic points
• Use of Body Scanners to enhance searching of inmates, officials and services providers entering and leaving the Correctional Centres
• Regular patrols in and around the Correctional Centres

2. (b) The following are efforts to minimise the negligence of officials to proactively ensure a safe and secure environment which in turn enables the overriding of procedural security measures.

• Basic training of officials
• Development and Implementation of a contraband prevention plan
• Ongoing orientation for staff members and service providers on security information and awareness.
• Visibility of Managers at security posts and Units

Reply:

The total number of staff employed and/or provided as departmental support in the private offices is provided below. The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial handbook and excludes advisors.

Office of the Minister

No.	(b)(i) Job Title	Salary level
	Chief of Staff	14
	Private Secretary	13
	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support Officer	13
	Administrative Secretary	13
	Assistant Appointment Secretary	9
	Secretary/Receptionist	7
	Registry Clerk	7
	Service Aide in Parliamentary office in Cape Town	5
	Driver/Messenger	5

Office of Deputy Minister Gina

No.	(b)(i) Job Title	Salary level
	Head of Office	13
	Private Secretary	12
	Technical Specialist	13
	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	11
	Community Outreach Officer	11
	Receptionist	7
	Household Aide	3
	Driver/Messenger	5

Office Deputy Minister Majola

No.	(b)(i) Job Title	Salary level
	Head of Office	13
	Private Secretary	12
	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	11
	Community Outreach Officer	11
	Receptionist	7
	Senior Registry Clerk	6
	Household Aide	3
	Household Aide	3
	Driver/Messenger	6

In addition to the above staff complement, there are two interns placed in the Ministry who are paid a stipend.

-END-

Reply:

(a)(i),(ii) and (b)(i),(ii)

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is collating the information required and will tabled a response as soon as possible.

Reply:

Please find attached the organogram of 48 Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET). 

https://www.dst.gov.za/owncloud/remote.php/webdav/Fifty%20TVET%20Colleges%20Organogram.zip

Username : BabuleleB
Password: Science1

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has reported the matter to the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission to investigate the allegation of desecration of graves belonging to the Simelane family by the landowner.

CRL Rights Commission has committed to investigate the matter and report back once the investigation is completed and can be contacted at (+27) 011 358 9100 or by email at [email protected].

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) holds regular meetings with the Gauteng Department of Education to plan, administer the admission programme and placement of learners. The DBE assists the provincial Department on:

a) conducting advocacy on how the Gauteng admission process works;

b) handling queries of unplaced learners received through the DBE's call centre, website and social media;

C) working with principals and SGB associations to accommodate additional learners where necessary; and following up on appeals lodged with the DBE.

Reply:

The total budget allocation towards the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (MNPO) for each of the past three financial years is as follows;

1.1 R11 515 600 (Eleven Million, Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Six Hundred Rands Only), allocated in the 2019 – 2020 financial year cycle;

1.2 R21 583 000 (Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Rands Only), allocated in the 2020 – 2021 financial year cycle;

1.3 R21 583 000 (Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Rands Only), based on 2021 – 2022 financial year cycle.

Therefore, the total funds ring-fenced over the three financial years is R54 681 600. This is inclusive of the administrative costs that remained with NAC. Spending of this amount only started after the funds were transferred to the MNPO in December 2021 and report detailing the expenditure will be submitted to the NAC when the right time arrives.

1. One of the key role of the MNPO is to ensure the development and nurturing of regional orchestras. This mandate has got financial implication. It is on this basis that the MPNO has raised the matter. This does not in any way take away the role of funding from the NAC, but is a simply way of recognising and acknowledging that when they do developmental programmes, such will need strong financial resourcing by the MNPO than mere leap service.
2. Honorable Mrs V van Dyk is aware that the funding of the orchestras is done by the National Arts Council (ANC). In line with the Constitution, there is direct accountability to Parliament by national departments and national public entities. Likewise, the NAC and or the Department will report will provide reports and such will include the funding that was allocated to various bodies this include philharmonic orchestras in the Republic.

Reply:

The question asked by the Honourable Member falls within the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Mpumalanga and not the Minister of Basic Education.  We advise the Hon Member to refer the Question to Mpumalanga Department of Education.

Reply:

The below three tables highlight in summary, the state of readiness with regards to the upcoming planting season. The funds are made available to assist producers with production inputs.

• Table 1 depicts the different commodities and the hectares to be covered. In total approximately 81 000 of hectares will be planted with different commodities;
• Table 2 depicts the state of preparation of hectares per province;
• Table 3 depicts cost incurred on grain production support; and
• Based on the data received from all provinces, a total of 29 514 producers will benefit from the intervention. This constitutes 11 809 males and 17 704 females.

A1 Table 1- Planned Ha under production per commodity in 2022/23

COMMODITIES	EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MP	NC	NW	WC	TOTAL
FRUIT	24	0	0	0	291	10	0	10	17.8	352.8
WINE & TABLE GRAPES	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	12.8	12.8
VEGETABLES	1 216	12	200	2 073	878	1 140	140	267	30	5 756
GRAINS (MAIZE, DRY BEANS, GROUNDNUTS, WHEAT, SUNFLOWER, SORGHUM)	26 660	1 414	4 000	10 465	6 314	15 050	200	11000	848	71 951
MACADAMIA/ NUTS	0	0		30	0	0	0	24	0	54
CHICORY	40	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	40
COTTON	0	0		0	462	0	0	0	0	462
FODDER	1 845	210	0	0	0	0	0	110	206.3	2 371.3
TOTAL	29 785	1 636	4 200	12 568	7 945	16 200	340	11 411	1 114.9	80 999.9

A2: Progress overall – Table 2

Province	Planned hectares	Land preparation done	HA planted	HA harvested	Budget Allocated - RANDS
EC	28 529	0	0	0	125 000 000
FS	1 636	654.4	0	0	39 870 000
GP	4 200
KZN	12 568	1 344	1 144	0	55 542 000
LP	7 945	0	0	0	46 256 000
MP	16 240	8 460	921.9	602	42 069,00
NC	200	0	0	0	5 000 000
NW	11 411	555	0	0	54 401 328
WC	1 114.9	1 114.9	1 114.9	8	12 998 835
Total	83 843.9	12 128.3	3 180.8	610	292 900 488

A3 COSTS INCURRED – Table 3

PROVINCE	TARGETED HECTARES	SEEDS ORDERED AND DELIVERED	FERTILIZER ORDERED	MECHANISATION UNITS (TRACTORS)	PESTICIDES (LITRES)	TOTAL COSTS INCURRED
		TONS	COSTS INCURED (Rands)	TONS	COSTS INCURED (Rands)	REPAIR / MAINTENANCE	COSTS INCURRED (Rands)	LITRES	COSTS INCURRED (Rands)	(Rands)
EC	28 529	226	27 150 552	1 103	24 167 293	Not yet contracted	Not yet contracted	846	1 124 114	52 441 959
FS	1 636	TRANSFERS TO BENEFICIARY HOLDING ACCOUNT	26 340 000
GP	4810	70.750	11 595 660	1 000	13 000 000	None	N/A	240	56 400	24 639 060
KZN	22 310	61	7 216 838	0	0	12	810 470	0	0	8 027 308
LP	7 945	0	0	0	0	0	4 080 000	38 914 liters & 4 988 kg	4 520 000	4 928 000
MP	16 200	274.7	40 418 812	1 100.1	23 297 371	58	600 000	43 050	5 567 035	69 883 218
NC	200	None	None	None	None	0	0	0	0
NW	9489	63	8 026 840	1088	19 388 972	0	0	4900	691 902	28 057 714
WC	321.3	134	765 143	237	1 437 911.08	0	118 000	1 198	1 034 112.50	3 355 166.58
TOTAL	91 440.3	829.45	95 173 845	4 528.1	81 291 547.08	70	5 608 470	89 148	12 993 563.5	217 672 425.58

Reply:

(a) The Minister appointed the advisory committee for the Repatriation and Restitution Advisory Committee in 2021 immediately after the Cabinet had approved the National Policy on the expatriation of Human Remains and Heritage Objects to develop criteria, monitor its implementation and advise on ethical matters related to the restitution and repatriation of human remains.

The Advisory Committee had its first meeting on 03 December 2021 and comprises the DSAC, DMV, eminent members in the academia and members from other sectors with extensive experience on heritage, memorialisation and repatriation of human remains.

A second meeting of the Advisory Committee on the National Policy on the expatriation of Human Remains and Heritage Objects was held on 10 May, where the Committee resolved that:

The workshop took place on 04-05 August 2022 at Freedom Park to determine the most impactful but less costly repatriation model and implementation plan. Subsequent to the August workshop, the Advisory Committee took in the Consultative National Workshop for Military Veterans to present the proposed model and implementation plan to garner support and solicit buy-in from Military Veterans on 02 December 2022.

(b) The Advisory Committee will only be remunerated for the meetings attended in implementing the objectives of the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects. The remuneration will be in line with the National Treasury regulation gazette; on remunerations of committees.

.

Reply:

1. The budget of R22 million that was allocated for the monumental flag project over two fiscal years has been reallocated to other projects within the Department. It is important to note that, only R5 million of the R22 million budget was made available during the current fiscal year (2022/2023). The R5 million budget allocation for the monumental flag was redirected towards the Presidential Sea Board project.

Reply:

(1)(a)

Table 1: Number of schools number offering indigenous African language as home language, by province, in 2022

Province	IsiNdebele HL	IsiXhosa HL	IsiZulu HL	Sepedi HL	Sesotho HL	Setswana HL	SiSwati HL	Tshivenda HL	Xitsonga HL
EC		4 688			206
FS		73	73	5	725	100	1		2
GT	10	254	958	445	522	460	3	71	207
KZN	4	224	5 093	4	5	3	2	1	2
LP	61	5	66	2 469	5	57		723	598
MP	246	4	433	425	18	64	493	1	264
NC		43		1	4	241	1		1
NW		44	1	3	40	1 301
WC	13	1 516	17		98	2	1		2
SA	334	6 851	6 641	3 352	1 623	2 228	501	796	1 076

Table 1 above indicates that  6 851 schools are offering IsiXhosa as home language and 6 641 are offering IsiZulu home language.

(1)(b) 

 

Table 2: Number of schools offering an indigenous African language as first additional language, by province, in 2022

 

Province	IsiNdebele FAL	IsiXhosa FAL	IsiZulu FAL	Sepedi FAL	Sesotho FAL	Setswana FAL	SiSwati FAL	Tshivenda FAL	Xitsonga FAL
EC		269			2
FS		3	8	1	75	11		1
GT			589	121	142	117		19	33
KZN	8	15	727	10	9	3	2		10
LP	2	2	5	55	5	3	2	26	25
MP	4		33	15	1	2	51	2	8
NC	1	4	1	1	1	6
NW		1	2		2	52	1
WC	12	299	14		5	5		4
SA	27	593	1 379	203	242	199	56	52	76

Table 2 indicates that majority of schools,   (1 379 ) schools offers IsiZulu first additional language followed by IsiXhosa with 593 schools.

(2) List of schools by Language of learning and teaching is attached.

Note: All data represented above is self-reported by schools

Reply:

1. The need for establishment of the national orchestra is embedded in the Revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. This policy document was approved by cabinet in August 2018 and endorsed by Parliament in February 2020 and thus automatically making it a public document. Like many other recommendations of the Revised White Paper, the establishment of the MNPO was effected and implemented by the Department. In terms of project management, it is a normal practice for a project to be launched once specific goals of the project are accomplished, and there is nothing untoward about lauching the MNPO in July 2022, several months after the signing of the agreement. This only tells us that certain deliverables had to concluded before the actual launch was done.
2. There was no need for the MNPO to be brought in front of all council members at the National Arts Council of South Africa. In this instance, the role of the National Arts Council (NAC) is to fund the MNPO, just like other institutions that are being funded. In line with the Act that establishes the NAC, the Council has appointed the Chief Executive Officer for the Council to deal with all matters relating to funding and other administrative matters. The CEO is responsible for the management of the affairs of the Council and reports those affairs to the Council as often as possible, and therefore the matter regarding the MNPO was also also reported as such.
3. As mentioned before, the need for establishment of the national orchestra is embedded in the Revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. This policy document was approved by cabinet in August 2018 and endorsed by parliament in February 2020. Likewise, it is a requirement for all policy document to undergo public consultation before approval is granted. In as far as the implementations of the Revised White Paper is concerned, such mandate is constitutionally with the Ministry of Sports, Arts & Culture and/or the Department Sports, Arts & Culture. It was for that reason that a panel of experts was appointed by my office to kick-start the implementation of the recommendation. A list of the the members of the panel was provided before to this house by way of answering previously raised questions relating to the matter.

Reply:

1 & 2  The Department of Basic Education issued the attached Press Statement on 16

November 2022 wherein the department indicated that the matter was taken out of context and the subject of single sex toilets was extracted out of a myriad of issues in the discussion document which is yet to be formally released. These are draft guidelines for the socio-educational inclusion of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in schools. The official discussion document will be released for comments in 2023.

Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has already corresponded with the Department of Basic Education DBE in preparation for various interfaces and sessions on document that is to be formally released for comments so as to make informed views and subsequently draft our comments as a department, from an informed premise.

2. The Department is collaborating with the Department of Education through implementation of Pillar 2 of the NSP on GBVF where it is allocated the responsibility to lead on prevention of the scourge in the schooling environment, Per se. However, at National level, the Department also monitors progress on interventions that are implemented by the Department of Education.

The Department of Education is expected to submit monthly reports detailing progress on their gender based violence and femicide prevention initiatives they are implementing in schools in order to amongst others prevent sexual abuse in schools.

_________________________

Approved by Minister

Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP

Date:

Reply:

1. Yes, the Department is considering purchasing properties for Chanceries and residential purposes.

2. The Department is currently considering the purchase of a Chancery property in Nairobi. It is envisaged that a feasibility study, as well as valuation for the proposed acquisition of the Chancery in Nairobi will be finalised by end of January 2023. The outcomes of the two studies will inform the decision to purchase the targeted property.

Reply:

The Agreement on the Audio-Visual Co-Production is an Agreement for Audio-Visual works only and that includes film and television productions of varying lengths. Participants will be from both South Africa and Nigeria. The filmmakers will make use of locations and post-production facilities of both countries. Minimum financial contribution is set at 10% and maximum at 90%. This is the contribution to the overall production budget of the project. The production once certified as an official co-production, will qualify for maximum local financial benefits. This will be 35% of the film and television incentive as administered by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

The production will also qualify as national film in terms of local quotas. The film will qualify to be entered into the South African Film and Television Awards as a local production where the categories feature South Africa. It will also be eligible under the best film category should the director be South African. The agreement will offer films from the two countries to access each other’s markets. The overall benefits at local level will be the promotion of South African technical expertise, locations, crew, cast and facilities.

The agreement between the two countries was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, during the State Visit to that country in December 2021. South Africa has met with all its constitutional requirements to bring this Agreement into force and is awaiting confirmation from Nigeria to indicate whether all the constitutional requirements to bring the Agreement into force have been met.

Reply:

a) The Department facilitated the development of Comprehensive National Gender Based Violence and Femicide Preventions Strategy. The strategy identifies prevention mechanisms that will foster effective collaboration of stakeholders in order to address the issues of prevention of GBVF, including protection of women and children. The department is in the process of consulting stakeholders who are key in the fight against gender based violence in provinces and districts in order to facilitate the development of locally based GBVF Prevention plans and evidence informed interventions that will ensure inclusion and active participation of all locally based stakeholders in the fight against gender based violence and femicide, including and protection of women and children.

The Department is also in the process of reviewing the Integrated Development and District Development Plans of Municipalities and one of the key areas of focus are the safety plans that have been developed by Municipalities and the extent to which the Municipalities are planning to work with locally based stakeholders in order to enhance issues of safety. For example Ethekwini Municipality is collaborating with Safer Cities and local NGOs and CBOs to implement GBV prevention programmes that will ensure safety of women and children.

The Department is working with COGTA and GIZ to develop guidelines of elements to be included in Integrated Development plans and District Development Plans, in order to ensure the safety of women and children at Local Municipality levels.

b) The Department is fostering collaboration between various government departments through the implementation of the Comprehensive National GBVF Prevention Strategy. This strategy identifies the roles of the various government departments in the prevention of GBVF and collaboration that is expected between the departments and Civil Society Organisations in order to ensure effective prevention of GBVF, including protection of women and children.

In addition to the above, the department is facilitating the District and Local GBVF Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to develop Multi Stakeholder GBVF Prevention Plans, which clearly indicate how the various department are going to work together amongst themselves and with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)to ensure effective prevention of GBVF. The implementation of these plans is monitored by all the respective departments and Civil Society Organisations who are members of the GBVF Rapid Response Teams.

_________________________

Approved by Minister

Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP

Date:

Reply:

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has not estimated the cost of repatriation of remains of war veterans at R40 000.00 per coffin. However, through past experience the DSAC understands the expensive nature of undertaking repatriation of human remains hence the DSAC hosted a workshop on 04 – 05 August 2022 to develop the most cost effective yet impactful model and implementation plan for the repatriation of human remains.

(a). The identification of and the total number of war veterans is a continuous process involving engagements with various stakeholders to provide comprehensive information, records, and where possible maps of the graves of the deceased war veterans in each country. However, current records to date estimate that the number of humans remains of war veterans outside the country is about 1 400.

(b). The DSAC has taken the following steps towards repatriation:

• Development of the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects. Cabinet approved the Policy in March 2021.
• Amongst others the policy calls for the Miniter of Sport, Arts and Culture to appoint an Advisory Committee, which the Minister has implemented.
• Another very important recommendation of the Policy is the establishment of the Repatriation and Restitution Office (RRO) within the South African Resources Agency. The RRO is in the process of being established accordingly, as a manager has already been appointed.
• The hosting of a workshop on 04 – 05 August 2022 to develop the best model and implementation plan for the repatriation of human remains.

• Presentation of the proposed model and implementation plan to the Presidential Technical Task Team on Military Veterans on 04 November 2022.

• Implementation of the Presidential Technical Task Team on Military Veterans’ directive to host a Consultative National Workshop for Military Veterans to present the proposed model and implementation plan to garner support and solicit buy-in from Military Veterans on 02 December 2022.

Reply:

The Department is awaiting response from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

Reply:

1. Once the reports are received, they are categorised and analysed according to the topic. Then investigated by the relevant team assigned to a particular identified category. Thereafter the team investigates and depending on the outcome of the investigation, it can either be resolved and closed or taken for further action.

2. The NAC call centre is staffed by five people.

3.(a) The Chairperson of the Marketing and Communications Unit is Mr. Tembe.

(b). Council Members do not influence any decisions on the appointment of staff members, that function would be under the authority of the CEO. Where an instance has previously been proven to have occurred, it was dealt with expeditiously and appropriately by the NAC, and it did not involve the position of any member within the marketing and communications department.

4. The NAC is proud to adhere to the requirements of the Department of Labour with regards to staff taking maternity leave. The NAC will always reaffirm the rights of women to be pregnant in the workplace and for them to retain their jobs notwithstanding pregnancy. Preventing staff to perform their duties/roles due to being pregnant concerns is unethical, discriminatory, and prejudicial. The NAC does not prescribe to such regressive acts against women.

5. A motivation is drafted by the relevant Manager and sent to the CEO’s office for approval. Once approved, it is submitted to HR for submission to the finance unit to process.

Reply:

The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) aims to provide daily school meals for targeted learners during the school term (as per school calendar), and not during school holidays.  It's day-to-day operations is designed to serve meals at schools.  National Treasury allocates a specific budget for NSNP in line with the school calendar i.e., count per child per day.  In the 2022/23 financial year, all Provinces feed learners for 203 school days.  This excludes school holidays.

Reply:

(1)(a). The Labour Relations Act stipulates that the maximum period for acting in a higher position shall not be more three (3) months. The NAC allows an employee to act in a higher position for a three (3) months period and thereafter allow for rotation (where there are suitable candidates) if the position is still vacant. Should a need persist, the acting period can be extended.

(b) Currently three people are serving in an acting capacity for the positions of CEO, CFO and the Marketing and Communications Manager.

(c) The policy was applied in that extensions were granted and approved.

(2). The NAC has six (6) vacancies

(3). Yes, five positions have been vacant for more than three (3) months. The reason is that the NAC had to procure the services of a recruitment agency to handle the recruitment of the CEO and CFO position. The other three positions have been delayed due to budgetary constraints.

(4). The Chairperson is involved in the recruitment process of the Chief Executive Officer.

Reply:

The need of a National Orchestra is embedded in the revised White Paper, of the then Department of Arts and Culture, which was approved by cabinet in August 2018 and endorsed by parliament in February 2020. So, the Department did not have to prove the need of a National Orchestra. All it did was to implement one of the recommendations of the revised White Paper. In doing so, it followed a clear four-step process. The Department appointed a three-person committee of arts policy experts who travelled around the country consulting different organisations and stakeholders. And they reported to the Department.

The Department established a task team to formulate the objectives and the mission and the purpose of the National Orchestra. Part of this process was conducting international best practice for national orchestras and other orchestral development initiatives. Such as the El Sistema in Venezuela.

The Department entered into an engagement with the National Arts Council and this process led to a signed agreement with the National Arts Council.

The Department appointed a board of the National Orchestra, which actually runs the day-to-day affairs of this national institution.

Lastly, the Department together with the NAC and the National Orchestra, submitted comprehensive reports to the Portfolio Committee of Sport, Arts and Culture and engaged with them at least twice this year, including the meeting of 16 September 2022.

Reply:

1. It is not mandatory that the Department advertises a tender for and appoint a service provider to conduct certain tasks that are needed for service delivery. A service provider is only appointed in certain special circumstances such as instances where the capacity and expertise are limited or not existing. The purpose is for the service provider to provide solutions and services within the scope of work and their breadth of knowledge. In this instance, a task team made of experts from the sector was appointed to provide the needed solution.

2. The terms of reference for the task team were broadly to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra and to develop a concept document thereof. Inputs were received from all the members of the team who participated in the process. The team of experts included the following: Mr Louis Heyneman (CEO of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra), Mr Kutlwano Masote (Independent Educator and Conductor), Mr Lindumuzi Mngoma (Independent Educator and Conductor), Mr Bongani Tembe (CEO of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra), Mr Shadrack Bokaba (former Acting CEO NFVF), Ms Julie Diphofa ( Acting CEO NAC), and Ms Lindi Ngcobo (Project Manager: NAC).

Reply:

a) Practical steps taken by South Africa over the past five years include:

• In May 2018, South Africa downgraded the Embassy in Tel Aviv by recalling its Ambassador;

• The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosted the State of Palestine Africa Heads of Mission Conferences in South Africa during the periods 2018 and 2022;

• On 8 June 2021, the Permanent Missions of South Africa and Namibia to the United Nations (UN) in New York jointly hosted a Ministerial virtual side event in partnership with the State of Palestine on “The Importance of Upholding the Principles of Self-Determination and Non-discrimination: Justice for the Palestinian People”. The event was borne from South Africa and Namibia’s own experience against racial segregation and oppression in their fight for liberation against Apartheid.

The purpose of the event was to create awareness around the political, economic and social subjugation Palestinians face daily under Israeli laws; to recognise Israel as an Apartheid state, and to mobilise the UN and its member states, the international community and civil society to double its efforts to strengthen international action and coordination to uphold international norms and apply pressure on Israel to implement UN resolutions and to end its targeted violations of human rights and discriminatory practices;

• South Africa’s objection to the granting of official observer status by the African Union (AU) on 22 July 2021. The matter was raised by South Africa at the AU Summit on 6 February 2022. As a result of this action, the decision to grant Israel observer status was unanimously suspended. In this regard, a committee was set up to study the issue and the conclusions thereof to be presented at the AU Summit in 2023. The objection was based on the fact that, the decision to grant observer status to Israel was taken unilaterally and without adequate consultation with all AU Members. The AU strenuously objected to the deaths of Palestinians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. It is trusted that this misstep will be corrected; and

• In August 2022, Honourable Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini’s undertook a working visit Palestine. The main objectives of the visit to Palestine were: (i) To establish a strategic dialogue on all key issues; (ii) Reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, domestically and globally; (iii) Review South Africa’s initiatives and strengthen bilateral relations, discussions on coordination of efforts aimed at the establishment of the State of Palestine based on UN Resolutions and international law, and strategies for galvanising support in the international community; and (iv) Exchange views on recent political developments in Africa and the Middle East.

• During the working visit, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini together with her Palestinian counterpart, Dr Amal Jadou, launched the Strategic Dialogue on 21 August 2022. The formation of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries is aimed at galvanising support for the Palestinian cause on the African continent, as well as in the international arena.

The Strategic Dialogue agreed to:

• Mobilise African countries to support Palestine and to enhance bilateral relations with Palestine on the Continent;
• Exchange views based on the South African experience that will assist to end Israeli domination in Palestinian territories, and raise international awareness of the plight of Palestinians, especially the increase of settlements by Israel in the Occupied Territory;
• Lobby for the withdrawal of Israel as an observer member of the African Union;
• Continuation of efforts towards support for the two-state solution and the right to self-determination;
• Support Palestinian efforts for full membership of the United Nations and the creation of positive, credible, and lasting international mechanisms to address the Palestinian cause based on international law;
• Formulate practical strategies towards taking up the Palestinian cause to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to declare Israel as an Apartheid state; and
• Mobilise civil society both in South Africa and Palestine, as well as internationally, to support the Palestinian cause.

b) As the custodian of foreign policy and inter-state relations, DIRCO gave effect to a resolution taken at the governing party’s 54th National Conference of December 2017, whereby the South African Government was directed to downgrade its Embassy in Israel to a Liaison Office.

The downgrade was aimed at giving “practical expression of support to the oppressed people of Palestine,” and the Government’s concern at the violation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the refusal of the government of Israel to enter into meaningful negotiations.

The governing party’s resolution was also guided by a sentiment that given the continued intransigence and belligerence of the Government of Israel, that relationship with South Africa and the Government of Israel could not be typified as being ‘business as usual.”

To give effect to this decision, South Africa currently does not have an Ambassador accredited to Israel. The Government of South Africa recalled its Ambassador to Israel in May 2018, the South African Mission in Tel Aviv is currently headed by a Chargé D’Affaires.

The ongoing flagrant abuse of the human rights of Palestinians places a moral responsibility on South Africa to act. South Africa is therefore in the process of conceptualising a comprehensive South African Initiative on Palestine (SAIP), to support and consolidate the Palestinian cause, build international consensus, and recalibrate our relations with Israel.

South Africa cannot have normal relations with Israel until the creation of a free Palestine. In 2023, South Africa will continue to strengthen her fraternal relations with Palestine through the holding of various structured bilateral meetings, culminating in a State Visit by President Mahmoud Abbas to South Africa.

Reply:

DIRCO’s role would be, firstly, focused on assessing the bilateral and multilateral foreign policy implications of the BRI, FOCAC, and potential Chinese investments in key economic sectors e.g., energy and transport, and secondly, in facilitating cooperation between the government of China and relevant South African government departments that would be key implementing partners on projects where Chinese programmes complement national development projects, including those aligned to the EERP.

More specifically, DIRCO’s mandate and role is to promote the national interests of South Africa vis-à-vis the BRI, FOCAC and Chinese investments by:

• Positioning South Africa vis-à-vis the PRC in such a way that delivers maximum political and socio-economic benefit from the strategic relationship.
• Delivering bilateral consultations at high level on issues that include FOCAC, infrastructure development, and the BRI in Africa. For example, through the upcoming Binational Commission, Strategic Dialogue, and the BRICS Summit.
• Advising partner government departments on developments and trends in the bilateral relationship and in the international political milieu that may affect their involvement in associated projects.
• Facilitate bilateral cooperation between the relevant departments of the government of China and partner departments in their various areas of specialisation, including trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, education, training, and tourism.
• Coordinate efforts with partner government departments in:
  • Identifying and assessing potential opportunities for economic reconstruction and development that stem from the bilateral relationship, including FOCAC and the BRI.
  • Reporting on the progress achieved by partner government departments in delivering on FOCAC projects.
  • Proactively identifying and work through obstacles to the implementation of bilateral commitments.

Reply:

1 The Minister or the Department does not get involved in the movement of operational staff within the NAC. This is the matter that is within the responsibilities of the CEO of the entity.

2. Ms. Mopeli is managing the corruption watch line staff and we like to protect the persons managing this extremely sensitive line.

3.(a) total number received is five (5). Pending is (two) 2

(a) (i) Three (3) were investigated and closed

(a) (ii) no case closed without investigation

(b) NAC investigated the complaints and as stated above 3 were closed and 2 are still being investigated.

Reply:

1. (a) The NSNP Grant Framework as gazetted in the Division of Revenue Act, stipulates menu specifications, which include protein, carbohydrate, fruit and/or vegetable for procurement by Provinces, using the Food Specification Guide developed by the Department of Health.

(b) The NSNP Guidelines for Schools stipulate the role of SGBs, which includes among others, participation in the school based NSNP Committees, whose responsibility includes NSNP finances related to procurement of goods, especially in a decentralised procurement model.  The SGB is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Programme. 

2.  (a) The Grant Framework makes provision for the promotion of local economic empowerment, including the procurement of fresh produce from smallholder farmers. The NSNP Financial Management Training Guidelines give special focus in promoting the empowerment of local communities.  Provinces are obliged to follow the supply chain management (SCM) processes in line with the Preferential Procurement Policy Act.

(b) No specific percentage of the budget is allocated for local black communities per se;  however, in principle Provinces follow the PPPA, whether its the open tender (centralised procurement), or transfers to schools (decentralised procurement).  The  PEDs' quarterly reports in the last two years show that a total of 3 599 SMEs and Local Cooperatives in black communities, benefit from the NSNP. 

Reply:

We are still awaiting response from the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Reply:

The management of business incubators is not within the mandate of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. This mandate is with Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

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

Reply:

The Minister of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development approved a revised NARYSEC Policy, 2022, to ensure youth will be recruited with the purpose of securing employment opportunities on graduation. The Department achieves this by signing employment agreements with government and the private sector stakeholders.

The 2010 Narysec Policy recruited youth with the sole purpose of up-skilling youth to enter the job market, but this policy didn’t result in the desired employment creation opportunities.

The new revised Narysec Policy, 2022 focuses on three main intervention areas for sustained employment, by recruiting youth for skills development programmes based on the following:

• negotiated guaranteed, job placement opportunities after graduation;
• established youth enterprises supported by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the Department of Small Business; and
• re-skilling/training and provision of job placement opportunities for youth trained under the 2010 Narysec Policy.

Reply:

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has no authority in separating the departments/programmes responsible for Arts, Culture and Heritage. The office of the President is responsible to provide guidance and directive to the Minister on which Departments he/she is responsible for.

Reply:

1(a) The Department ensures 100% compliance to Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes and all financial management policies and procedures as well as instructions from National Treasury are adhered to. This has led to a material decrease in irregular expenditure in 2021/22 compared to 2020/21.

1. DBE disclosed the irregular expenditure as part of a drive to clean up the accounting of infrastructure projects.
2. ASIDI started in 2012 and SAFE started in 2018.
3. DBE assessed all procurement processes on ASIDI and SAFE.  This revealed the following deficiencies in the procurement documents:
4. 1. Tenders not advertised for 21 days;
   2. Local content – no SBD6.2 included;
   3. Non-compliance to Preferential Procurement Regulations;
   4. Non-compliance to CIDB regulations;
   5. Non-compliance to mandatory subcontracting; and
   6. Non-compliance to Implementing Agent own SCM policies.
5. The bulk of these projects have been completed and schools are already benefiting from the use of the facilities provided.
6. Some implementing agents have applied for condonation from National Treasury.  This process has not been concluded

Response to question 1.(b)

1. Allocation of projects to be implemented to Implementing Agents are done in Batches that can range from anything from 15 large schools to over 200 sanitation projects. A single process issue (such as not including a SBD6.2) in a bulk tender process, can thus have a large monetary impact as all the expenditure in a batch will have to be declared Irregular Expenditure.
2. Expenditure may be multi-year or across financial years and process issues in previous years influences the Irregular Expenditure declared in the current financial year.

Response to question 2.

1. The DBE implemented a standard operating procedure to check all procurement processes to avoid a repeat of this historical default. A checklist has been introduced in the SCM directorate to ensure that all procurement complies to SCM processes