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09 January 2024 - NW3838

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) are the full, relevant details of the long-term vision and strategic framework her Office has developed to create a society in which women, youth and persons with disabilities not only have equal opportunities, but also actively contribute to shaping the future of the Republic and (b) measurable outcomes are being targeted?

Reply:

The rights of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities with regards to life, dignity and privacy, including their right to access all areas of human endeavour are well protected by the country's Constitution.

The Bill of Right enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. But it's particularly Section 9, the equality clause, that affords everyone specific protection against all forms of unfair discrimination. Section 9 in particular has broadened political and civil freedom .

Section 9, the equality clause, is far-reaching, prohibiting unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, and sexual orientation.

Section 11, the right to life, affects issues such as domestic violence and femicide.

Section 12 concerns freedom and security of the person and the sub-section that applies specifically to women is 12(1)(c), which says everyone has the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources. 12(2) says everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes a woman’s right to make decisions concerning reproduction and to security in and control over her body.

Creating an environment where all these rights are protected is a responsibility for all of us, including government, all political parties, civil society, business, traditional and religious leaders and organization, families, right down to individuals. All spheres of government have an inherent responsibility to ensure that these rights which are guaranteed in the constitution are not violated and women, youth and persons with disabilities have rights to equal opportunities and access to promote equity and meaningful participation in society.

Government has developed various national policies and strategies that have been implemented to ensure inclusion and mainstreaming of issues affecting women, youth and persons with disabilities. For example concerted efforts have been made to improve access to education, employment opportunities, access to the built environment, skills development etc.

The recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language was an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The department has developed frameworks on Awareness raising to ensure awareness on different disabilities, the Universal Design and Access to ensure that the built environment is prepared adequately and the Reasonable Accommodation to ensure that needs are identified and implemented.

South Africa after ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) adopted the national policy namely: The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015 and is currently in the process of developing a disability rights act which is being led by the South Africa Law Reformed Commission.

We have established a Disability Rights Machinery which is made up of organizations of and for persons with disabilities are part of the machinery at a National and also at provincial level through the office of the Premiers in the nine (9) provinces. The Purpose of the machinery is to monitor progress on the mainstreaming of implementation plans for persons with disabilities.

Government has further established the Presidential Working Group on Disability made up of members as individuals nominated by the disability sector from different organizations and expertise in disability to advise and guide government in implementation of programs for persons with disabilities.

The department collaborates with sister departments and the disability sector on advocacy programs, consults, plans and monitors mainstreaming of programs for persons with disabilities. Through the Gender Responsive Budgeting, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Auditing Framework, we are able to monitor gender, Youth and disability- responsiveness, inclusion and mainstreaming.

The Annual Performance Plans of government departments are assessed prior to finalisation to ensure that indicators and targets in APPs are women, youth and disability inclusive.

The Department of Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities has developed a simplified results-based reporting template to assist with measuring targets and to monitor indicators.

The various international and national disability rights instruments and frameworks have been considered and have been harmonised to be included in the indicators within the simplified results-based reporting template. Indicators have been negotiated with the various government departments. The indicators contained in the simplified results-based monitoring template is currently being developed into a system, in partnership with UNICEF. This will assist with more effective and less burdensome reporting.

In 2021, government launched the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA) as a platform to action an enabling procurement environment for women-owned businesses by activating public & private sector supply value chains for a coherent & collaborative approach to achieving women's economic empowerment. Its mandate is anchored on pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide.

At the launch the President instructed that the Provincial WECONAs be established to work in line with the District Development Model, and we have started with KZN. This is done to ensure that the program reaches women across the country.

Since its launch in October 2021, WECONA at a national level has sought to engage industry leaders to set gender transformation targets in each industry and establish game- changing interventions that increase procurement from women-owned businesses.

During our chairship of BRICS, we have worked with the BRICS partners and agreed on a ceclaration to address major concerns related to women across the BRICS countries and to promote mainstreaming of women’s issues across BRICS’ processes, priority areas, declarations and agreements; as well as to provide a platform for exchange of best practices, research and knowledge relating to BRICS women and girls.

We all know that the scourge of GBV as a violation of the constitutional rights of Women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) thus seeks to rally society in ending GBVF by focusing on key pillars.

Pillar 5 in particular, recognises the role of access to economic opportunities as a foundation for economic power that also enables reduced cases and the vulnerability to gender based violence. The pillar work gives effect to Articles 8 of the 19 articles of the Presidential Summit Declaration Against GBVF, being to “Promote woman-centred economic development”. 

Successfully implemented, it has the power to transform the structural makeup of South Africa’s economy by systematically increasing access, control, and ownership of productive resources to women, as well as strengthening their participation in the world of work in order to address the economic drivers of gender-based violence across local, provincial, and national spheres. This pillar recognizes the clear link between GBVF and economic dependence and seeks to ensure that obstacles to women’s economic autonomy are effectively addressed.

The strategic approach of the pillar seeks ensure that: women are being included in all restorative programmes and opportunities; government and the corporate sector evaluates and makes plans to ensure that they create the most robust plans to guarantee the spiral of poverty for women in this country stops by providing avenues for economic development for women; and women are honoured by being embedded in our fiscal structures.

Key to this is the acceleration of initiatives to address women’s unequal economic and social position specifically through access to government and private sector procurement, employment, housing, land, financial resources and income generation initiatives.

To address the challenge of unemployment among youth, the SANDF led NYS programme is being introduced to build the youths’ character, empower them to serve in their communities, inculcate discipline and a sense of patriotism, train youth in leadership and entrepreneurship; and then provide them with technical capacity building in value chain driven sector specific industries with high absorption capacity.

The training streams will range from food and agriculture value chain; oceans economy and maritime skills; engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure development; digital technologies and platform economies; and defense industries, public safety and security stream. The programme participants will be trained to be resilient and self-sustaining and then linked with job opportunities in diverse sectors.

We are aware that we cannot implement this program on our own, and on the advice of cabinet, we are working with various government departments who have the financial capacity to support elements of the National Service.

08 January 2024 - NW3839

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What plans has her Office put in place to monitor the extent of the demographical representation of the disability sector (details furnished) in the (a) Public Service and (b) private sector?

Reply:

The DWYPD analyses draft annual performance plans (APPs) of government departments with an aim to assess whether they are disability responsive in terms of indicators and targets in the APPs. Technical Feedback is provided by the DWYPD to and they are encouraged to disaggregate data for all its programmes and services according to sex, age and disabilities of beneficiaries. An annual progress report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD) is developed where the number of persons with disabilities included in the various programmes including employment and procurement equity targets are captured, and submitted to Cabinet to provide a determination of the extent to which persons with disabilities are being included and represented in the different areas within the departments. The Department of Public Service and Administration produces its annual report where it outlines the number of persons with disabilities employed by government over the financial year. National Treasury is required to provide a report to the DWYPD highlighting the number of disability owned companies who benefited from the national procurement spend of government through its budget tagging system. The Commission for Employment Equity also provides data on the number of persons with disabilities employed by the private sector and national, Provincial and local government spheres.

STATS SA in partnership with the DWYPD have established the Disability Advisory Group (DAG) consisting of experts from the disability sector, academic institutions, civil society organisations and government departments, which will work in finalising the report on the standardisation of disability in administrative data with the World Bank. The Disability Advisory Group met on 18 August 2022 and on 5 December 2023 and have prioritised the definition of disability so as to ensure that the measure of disability is standardised and harmonised across society. The Disability Advisory Group will also provide assistance in research and development of disability statistics to ensure that the demographic data on disability is accurate and effectively collected and monitored to assist with proper planning, monitoring and reporting.

 

To this end, the DWYPD will endeavour to build relationships with academic institutions, research institutions, donor funders and civil society organisations to build research partnerships and also engage multiple stakeholders to advance evidence based policies and programmes aimed to reach the diverse disabled population group.

Among sources which may be used to respond and provide information on key indicators are: Data from Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Surveys; Departmental Annual and Research Reports; data from the 2016 South African Demographic Health survey, the 2022 census, SAPS quarterly Crime Stats and the Commission on Employment Equity annual Report.

The monitoring and evaluation that the DWYPD undertakes is in line with the 5 year policy priorities as defined in the MTSF 2019/2024. In planning for the medium-term projects, the programme is always directed towards interventions directed to women, youth and persons with disabilities particularly the most vulnerable, including the elderly, women with disabilities and those from poor households, including in informal settlements and rural areas.

08 January 2024 - NW3528

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Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(1) What urgent steps of intervention has she taken to create job opportunities for youth, in particular graduates, since she assumed office; (2) whether there has been any discussion to legislate job seeking allowances for unemployment graduates who seek employment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Addressing the youth unemployment challenge requires all of society to intervene. It requires all spheres of government to prioritise the creation business and employment opportunities for the Youth. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), plays a coordinating role in the all-of-government intervention particularly as the budget of the DWYPD is not proportional to the scale of the youth unemployment challenge in the Republic.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is part of Project Management Unit (PMU) established by government and placed at The Presidency. Through the PMU, the Presidency, (NYDA), and the DWYPD, are implementing the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) as a response of the sixth administration to impact on jobs and livelihoods. Using direct public investment, the PES supports job creation, job protection, and livelihood support programmes as part of a wider economic recovery progress. The PES has created 1 098 304 work and livelihood opportunities for unemployed South Africans. Of the participants, 84% are youth and 62% are women.

As part of the Employment Stimulus, the Department of Higher Education and Training is supporting a graduate placement programme in 21 universities - because even for graduates, lack of work experience creates barriers to labour market entry. These placements are for work that allows graduates to apply their skills in relation to their field of study, in order to directly enhance relevant work experience. University departments have been invited to create meaningful opportunities for graduates and in so doing increase their research and academic support capacity. 1052 graduates have benefitted from the programme.

The DWYPD also amended its 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan (APP) to include new priorities for implementation with various stakeholders within and outside of government that are aimed at creating jobs for youth, including for the graduates. These initiatives include:

a) SANDF-led National Service (NS) – To address the current state of poverty, idleness, and general economic inactivity among our vulnerable population in general and the youth in particular, the SANDF led NYS programme is being introduced to build the youths’ character, empower them to serve in their communities, inculcate discipline and a sense of patriotism, train youth in leadership and entrepreneurship; and then provide them with technical capacity building in value chain driven sector specific industries with high absorption capacity. The training streams will range from food and agriculture value chain; oceans economy and maritime skills; engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure development; digital technologies and platform economies; and defense industries, public safety and security stream. The programme participants will be trained to be resilient and self-sustaining and then linked with job opportunities in diverse sectors.

Cabinet has asked us to work with the following Departments who have the financial capacity to support elements of the National Service:

  • Department of Higher Education and Training
  • Department of Transport
  • Department of Forestry Fisheries and environment
  • COGTA
  • Department of Basic Education
  • Department of Employment and Labour
  • Department of Human Settlement

b) Integrated Farming Value Chain Cooperatives - To address the key challenges of poverty, weakened livelihoods, hunger, limited or no economic opportunities, little to no income as well as inadequate access to resources contributing to the cycle of poverty, the DWYPD is mobilising women, youth, and persons with disabilities, particularly those in poor rural communities to establish integrated farming value chain cooperatives.

Additionally, the department is also partnering with the CSIR in the development of a national goat commercialization pilot project in all the 9 provinces. The goat farming value chain is identified as an initial focus area, because goat farming in South African has been practised since time immemorial, yet this sector has not been fully exploited for optimal economic value.

We are also working with the Department of Agriculture in implementing this program. We have also approached the Private Sector to support the beneficiaries of the farming value chain cooperatives.

c) Community Micro Bakery Training Projects – DWYPD will provide bakery training for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in some of the poorest districts in local municipalities, so that they can participate in this growing industry in order to reduce the impact of extreme poverty, unemployment, create community wealth, raise household incomes, and restore livelihoods as well as basic socio-economic insecurity. Once trained, the programme participants will be supported to become entrepreneurs thus facilitating their economic self-reliance whilst contributing to an all-of-government’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.

2. The National Treasury is better placed to respond on discussions to legislate job seeking allowances for unemployed graduates who seek employment. This part of the question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for reply.

08 January 2024 - NW4038

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether her Office has the relevant details of the (a) allocated budget and (b) total expenditure of the executive of the National Youth Development Agency in respect of (i) travel and (ii) accommodation in the past 10 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

I am informed by the agency (NYDA) that it currently has data available for the last six financial years due to a change of financial management system and in line with its record management policy.

The budget and actual spend for travel and accommodation for the last six years for the Executive of the NYDA is as follows:

Financial Year

Budget

Actual

2017-18

R5 000 000,00

R5 049 908,84

2018-19

R 9 000 000,00

R9 233 443,12

2019-20

R8 000 000,00

R7 809 264,72

2020-21

R100 000,00

R68 127,08

2021-22

R8 000 000,00

R7 826 743,47

2022-23

R10 000 000,00

R9 399 241,32

The NYDA is working on extracting the remaining four years from its archived data and will share as soon as the extraction is complete.

08 January 2024 - NW3228

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In view of the fact that the coordination of the Sanitary Dignity Programme across the Republic falls within her department’s mandate, while her department is more of a regulatory department rather than a service delivery department, what are the details of (a) how her department monitors and evaluates the sanitary dignity programme across the Republic and (b) the findings of the monitoring and evaluation process in each province since the programme was launched?

Reply:

The equitable share budget for the sanitary dignity programme is disbursed directly to Provinces by the National Treasury. Consequently, provinces run their procurement processes independently to appoint service providers to deliver sanitary pads. As the department has no control over the budget, we have no control over the procurement processes in the programme.

In monitoring the programme, the department convenes quarterly Sanitary Dignity National Task Team meetings with representatives from all provinces to receive updates on progress in the implementation of the programme.

08 January 2024 - NW1394

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Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 268 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she and/or any member of her Office has met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since her appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting occur, (b) who was present at each meeting, (c) at whose request did each meeting take place and (d) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No, I have not, to the best of my knowledge, met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since my appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

08 January 2024 - NW1448

Profile picture: Sonti, Ms NP

Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What monitoring interventions has her Office made to build the skills base of youth in rural areas to fight unemployment?

Reply:

The department has adopted a step change toward an all-of-government and all-of-society approach to livelihood restoration, wealth creation, poverty and hunger alleviation through special projects that will be rolled out across some of the country’s poorest district municipalities. These projects will have a training element for vulnerable groups in general and youth in particular.

(a) SANDF-led National Service (NS) – To address the current state of poverty, idleness, and general economic inactivity among our vulnerable population in general and the youth in particular, the SANDF led NYS programme is being introduced to build the youths’ character, empower them to serve in their communities, inculcate discipline and a sense of patriotism, train youth in leadership and entrepreneurship; and then provide them with technical capacity building in value chain driven sector specific industries with high absorption capacity. The training streams will range from food and agriculture value chain; oceans economy and maritime skills; engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure development; digital technologies and platform economies; and defense industries, public safety and security stream. The programme participants will be trained to be resilient and self-sustaining and then linked with job opportunities in diverse sectors.

Cabinet has asked us to work with the following Departments who have the financial capacity to support elements of the National Service:

  • Department of Higher Education and Training
  • Department of Transport
  • Department of Forestry Fisheries and environment
  • COGTA
  • Department of Basic Education
  • Department of Employment and Labour
  • Department of Human Settlement

(b) Integrated Farming Value Chain Cooperatives - To address the key challenges of poverty, weakened livelihoods, hunger, limited or no economic opportunities, little to no income as well as inadequate access to resources contributing to the cycle of poverty, the DWYPD is mobilising women, youth, and persons with disabilities, particularly those in poor rural communities to establish integrated farming value chain cooperatives.

Additionally, the department is also partnering with the CSIR in the development of a national goat commercialization pilot project in all the 9 provinces. The goat farming value chain is identified as an initial focus area, because goat farming in South African has been practised since time immemorial, yet this sector has not been fully exploited for optimal economic value.

(c) Community Micro Bakery Training Projects – DWYPD will provide bakery training for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in some of the poorest districts in local municipalities, so that they can participate in this growing industry in order to reduce the impact of extreme poverty, unemployment, create community wealth, raise household incomes, and restore livelihoods as well as basic socio-economic insecurity. Once trained, the programme participants will be supported to become entrepreneurs thus facilitating their economic self-reliance whilst contributing to an all-of-government’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.

08 January 2024 - NW1395

Profile picture: Sukers, Ms ME

Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 73 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she has ever met two certain persons (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the name of the specified company; if not, what is the position in each specified case; if so, in each case, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting take place, (b) who was present at each meeting and (c) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No.
As the Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs, I was never part of a meeting with the referenced individuals.

05 January 2024 - NW1713

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Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether she will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her Office and (b) every entity reporting to her in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

The procurement allocation for the department is apportioned in line with the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Operational Plan (OP) targets to ensure achievements of these targets. Further, procurement is facilitated through the Central Supplier Database (CSD) located in the National Treasury. The question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for detailed reply.

05 January 2024 - NW730

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) are the relevant details of how the Secretariat of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has facilitated the implementation of the National Strategic Plan, given that the Council has not been established yet and (b) total amount has been spent on the Secretariat and its work to date?

Reply:

a) The Secretariat of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF Secretariat) serves as an interim structure of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NC on GBVF) for the coordination and implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF).

The functions/activities of the GBVF Secretariat include, but are not limited to:

  1. The compilation and submission of monthly progress reports on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF to all FOSAD Clusters;
  2. The compilation and submission of quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF to the Presidency;
  3. Providing secretariat services to the multisectoral END GBVF Collective, a voluntary platform with 700 members that creates space for stakeholders from government, civil society, development agencies, and private citizens to think, plan, and work together in the implementation of the 6 pillars of the NSP on GBVF;
  4. The convening of information sessions with national and provincial government departments on the integration of the NSP on GBVF targets to departmental plans;
  5. The implementation of the 100-Day Challenge Capacity Building Programme, which was a pilot to accelerate local implementation of the NSP on GBVF in seven districts with intentional focus and systems design to create the enabling conditions for collaboration, innovation and execution;
  6. The provision of technical support to the planning and organising of the Presidential GBVF Summit 2 working groups; organised Pillar Dialogues; and trained all nine provinces on pre-summits guidelines in line with the Presidential Summit theme: “Accountability, Acceleration and Amplification NOW”;
  7. Drafting the NSP on GBVF two and a half years reflective report which formed the key base document for the Presidential Summits on GBVF; and
  8. Provides secretariat support services to all Presidential Summits on GBVF inclusive of final summit reports.

These are some of the highlights of the overall work coordinated by the GBVF Secretariat to implement the NSP on GBVF.

b) The total amount incurred over the period 2020/21 to 2022/23 by the GBVF Secretariat amounts to R6 635 834.

05 January 2024 - NW728

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the recent increase in the national minimum wage, and against the background that the implementation of a national minimum wage has already forced many sheltered employment workshops attached to various non-governmental organisations to close their doors as they cannot afford to pay the national minimum wage to their employees with disabilities, she has been or intends monitoring the impact of the national minimum wage increases on vulnerable groups for the purpose of making recommendations to Cabinet that will exempt the sheltered employment workshops from implementing the national minimum wage; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Sheltered employment workshops form part of the skills development programmes coordinated by the Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the Department of Social Development. This question may be directed to these relevant Departments for reply.

05 January 2024 - NW3227

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given that the SA Police Service (SAPS) remains the first line of defence in the fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), (a) how does her Office work with the SAPS to ensure that proper training on GBVF is done and (b) will she furnish Ms N K Shariff with evidence of the work done?

Reply:

a) The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) has developed a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and sexual offences action plan. This plan is grounded on the priorities of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) with one focus on training and development. The training which is provided by the SAPS includes both proactive and reactive training on GBVF related matters. The former is important for the prevention of GBVF, while the latter is important for ensuring appropriate services that inhibit secondary victimisation of those affected by GBVF.

b) The below table shows training embarked on the SAPS during the 2023/24 financial year reported to the DWYPD as part of NSP on GBVF implementation.

Proactive Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Human Rights and Policing Programme

984

984

Vulnerable Groups Course

1577

1577

First Responder to Sexual Offences

1442

1442

National Victim Empowerment Training Programme

656

656

 

Total Trained

4659

4659

Proactive Non-Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Buccal Sample

164

164

Dignity, Diversity and Policing

135

135

Missing Persons

35

35

Domestic Violence

515

515

Total Trained

849

849

 

Reactive Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Resolving of Crime Skills Training

586

586

Basic Crime Investigative Practice

658

653

Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual Offences

221

220

Sexual Offenses for Investigations Learning Programme

559

559

Psychological Motivated Crimes Learning Programme

49

48

Missing Persons

420

420

Domestic Violence Learning Programme

2080

2079

Biological: DNA Evidence Recovery Crime Scene Examiner

78

72

Biological: Body Fluid Detection Dog Course

0

0

DNA Evidence Recovery for Bio Body Fluid Dog

0

0

Collection Non-Intimate Forensic DNA Buccal Sample

4494

4471

Dignity, Diversity and Policing

5087

5087

Total Trained

14232

14195

 

Reactive Non-Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Domestic Violence

31

31

Total Trained

31

31

05 January 2024 - NW2783

Profile picture: Sharif, Ms NK

Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Considering that youth and persons with disability programmes run by her Office have been merged into one programme which is underfunded, what are the details of the plans of her Office to protect the (a) budgets allocated to and (b) integrity of the programmes of the two critical components of the mandate of her Office?

Reply:

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has obtained approval from the National Treasury to split the Youth and Persons with Disabilities into two separate programmes effective 1 April 2024.

The allocation of funds to departments from the fiscus is a mandate of the National Treasury. This question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW3844

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the reasons that the Commission for Gender Equality is slow to address the audit (a) findings and (b) action plan?

Reply:

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is a Chapter 9 Institution that is accountable directly to Parliament in terms of Section 181(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) which states that "These institutions are accountable to the National Assembly, and must report on their activities and the performance of their functions to the Assembly at least once a year". Consequently, the question may be re-directed to the CGE for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW3846

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) which started on 3 November through to 3 December 2023 and considering her statement that Cabinet had approved the sixth annual report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urged other departments to implement an action plan to recruit persons with disabilities, (a) what plans has her department put in place for DRAM and (b) how does she intend to hold other departments accountable for their lack of inclusion of persons with disabilities?

Reply:

a) The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) launched the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) by releasing a statement on 3 November 2023 to highlight the country’s commitment to uplift and empower persons with disabilities.

A national DRAM calendar was developed and circulated widely to ensure that events and activities conducted to commemorate DRAM in all provinces throughout the country were supported and attended by relevant stakeholders. The DRAM calendar of activities is attached as Annexure A.

The DRAM activities covered discussions on challenges and responses around persons with albinism, promoting implementation of South African Sign Language (SASL), sensitizing officials on disability rights and service delivery issues, access to transport, employment equity, the impact of climate change has on persons with disabilities, and access to sport, among many other areas. The objective was to increase awareness in the country on disability inclusion, equity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all sectors of society.

b) In line with the performance reporting template on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, all government departments are expected to provide reports to the DWYPD on employment equity targets on a quarterly basis and include challenges experienced by departments to recruit, support and retain persons with disabilities in the workplace.

The DWYPD holds two meetings a year to provide technical support to all national government departments and offices of the premier to provide them with technical support and to create a platform for departments to share best practices and challenges. Organisations for and of persons with disabilities are also invited to attend and participate in these bi-annual meetings.

All employment equity data collected from government departments is analysed and included in the Annual Progress Report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD) which is processed to Cabinet for consideration.

04 January 2024 - NW3861

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Masiko, Ms F to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) measures has her Office, in partnership with the private sector and The Presidency, put in place to strengthen the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, noting the repurposing of funds from other schemes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work Programme to the Presidential Employment Stimulus and (b) are the enablers for its effectiveness?

Reply:

a) The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is delivered through a partnership approach, and a Project Management Office (PMO) has been established in the Presidency which is responsible for overall coordination and strategic oversight. Key government departments lead implementation of various youth employment initiatives such as the National Youth Service, the Expanded Public Works Programme, and the Community Works Programme, among others, which are all coordinated through the PMO.

b) The Department has partnered with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conceptualise the SANDF-led National Service, which is a programme for young people to be trained on certain skills to restore dignity and provide for their livelihood. Cabinet has designated the departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Employment and Labour; Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Small Business Development; Transport; Public Works and Infrastructure; Defence and Military Veterans; Trade, Industry and Competition; the Government Communication and Information Services and the Presidency to be a part of the technical team that will lead this initiative. The effectiveness of our initiatives to address youth unemployment hinges on the availability of resources to implement these initiatives at a scale proportional to the magnitude of the problem. We anticipate that resources will be repurposed to fund this initiative.

04 January 2024 - NW3863

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given the seriousness of the case about the inhumane treatment of learners with disabilities at the Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School where disabled children were disregarded and placed in unregulated facilities, what (a) course of action has her Office taken in relation to its investigation into those responsible and (b) are the relevant details of the plans that her Office, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, has put in place to develop the facility and make it conducive for learners with disabilities?

Reply:

The management of schools for children with special needs is vested with the Departments of Education and Social Development. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) provides policy direction on all matters relating to persons with disabilities in the Republic.

a) Consequently, when this issue was brought to the attention of the DWYPD, we engaged the Office of the Director-General in the Eastern Cape Provincial Government on 24 November 2023. This engagement was organised to ascertain the course of action by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government toward ensuring that the situation at the school is improved and to ensure that the infringements of the rights of children with disabilities at Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School are decisively dealt with.

b) Following the above referenced engagement, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government undertook to facilitate a response to the challenges. Meetings will be coordinated in due course to provide an update thereto.

04 January 2024 - NW3955

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in her Office attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her Office who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her Office as a result of the trip(s)?

Reply:

The Minister, Deputy Minister and officials in the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities did not attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in any official capacity. Consequently, no expenditure has been incurred therewith by the Department.

04 January 2024 - NW1393

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Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(1) Whether, with reference to the reply to question 267 on 3 April 2023, from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, her office, any organisation and/or association in which she has or had any interest of any kind and/or in which she exercises or exercised influence or control ever received a donation in money or in kind from a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the specified name and/or any person(s) (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of the specified company and/or any company trading under the specified name; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether she complied with all statutory requirements relating to the disclosure of each such donation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

I have not received donations from the referenced company and/or individuals.

04 January 2024 - NW1394

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Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 268 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she and/or any member of her Office has met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since her appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting occur, (b) who was present at each meeting, (c) at whose request did each meeting take place and (d) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No.

04 January 2024 - NW1395

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Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 73 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she has ever met two certain persons (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the name of the specified company; if not, what is the position in each specified case; if so, in each case, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting take place, (b) who was present at each meeting and (c) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No.

04 January 2024 - NW2973

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Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What monitoring steps of intervention has her Office taken regarding the reports of forced and coerced sterilisation?

Reply:

The Department of Health is the custodian of the National Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy. This question may be directed to the Department of Health for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW3733

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the reasons that the formation of the National Youth Development Agency does not include (a) LGBTQI+ persons and (b) persons with disabilities on their board?

Reply:

Members of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) board are appointed in terms of Section 9 of the NYDA Act (Act No. 54 of 2008) by the President based on a recommendation from Parliament. This question may be ventilated with the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities as the primary process holder.

04 January 2024 - NW3845

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

How has the Commission for Gender Equality’s failure to obtain a certificate from the Legal Practice Council impacted on women who needed legal representation from the Commission for Gender Equality?

Reply:

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is a Chapter 9 Institution that is accountable directly to Parliament in terms of Section 181(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) which states that "These institutions are accountable to the National Assembly, and must report on their activities and the performance of their functions to the Assembly at least once a year." Consequently, the question may be re-directed to the CGE for reply.

02 January 2024 - NW210

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Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(1)What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Ministers of her Office since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her Office since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

1. The details of the destination, total costs for accommodation, travel and other costs incurred for international of each Minister and Deputy Minister since 1 June 2019 are depicted in the tables below:

International Travel

(aa)

 

(a)

(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(b)(iii)

 

Date

Destination

Accommodation

Flights

Forex & Insurance

Minister

Oct 2019

BRAZIL

 

R90 264,43

R225,00

 

Oct 2019

ETHIOPIA

 

R32 700,93

R5 402,00

 

Sep 2019

KENYA

 

R28 213,43

R0,00

 

Feb 2020

ETHIOPIA

 

R66 062,93

R5 132,00

 

Feb 2020

UNITED STATES

 

R155 327,93

R0,00

 

Nov 2021

ETHIOPIA

 

R63 965,75

R0,00

 

Mar 2022

UNITED STATES

 

R108 409,75

R0,00

 

Jun 2022

MALAWI

 

R59 935,80

R225,00

 

Nov 2022

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

 

R109 106,00

R17 436,00

 

Nov 2022

TOGO

 

R48 584,40

R8 045,00

 

Jun 2022

RWANDA

 

R27 390,40

R5 810,00

 

Feb 2023

UNITED STATES

 

R228 927,45

R36 000,00

Total

 

 

R0,00

R1 018 889,20

R78 275,00

International Travel

(bb)

 

(a)

(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(b)(iii)

 

Date

Destination

Accommodation

Flights

Forex & Insurance

Deputy Minister

Oct 2019

BELGIUM

 

R83 956,93

R225,00

 

Feb 2020

UNITED STATES

 

R170 091,43

R405,00

Total

 

 

R0,00

R254 048,36

R630,00

           

2. The total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each Minister and Deputy Minister of her Office since 1 June 2019 are depicted in the tables below:

(a)

Period

Total cost Domestic Air Travel

Minister

1 June 2019 to 1 Mar 2023

R578 096,79

(b)

Period

Total cost Domestic Air Travel

Deputy Minister

1 June 2019 to 1 Mar 2023

R327 696,51

________________________

Approved by Minister

Dr NC Dlamini-Zuma, MP

Date:

 

09 October 2023 - NW2797

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Dyantyi, Mr QR to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: [487]

(a) What are the details of the plans that have been put in place to strengthen and/or improve the overall work of her Office and (b) how does she intend to repurpose and realign her Office to focus more on planning for development?

Reply:

  1.  REPLY(a)

  2. The overall work of the office is strengthened by putting the National Development Plan (NDP) at the centre of the work and programmes being implemented. The National Planning Commission (NPC) is critical in this process through the periodic reviews of different sectors and production of diagnostic reports identifying challenges and opportunities in order to register progress.
  3. Furthermore, the Minister has signed a Performance Agreement with the President outlining the priority areas which she will be reporting to the President on. This serves as a strategic guideline in the work of the Ministry.
  4. The work of the Ministry is strengthened by the coordination between the Office of the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the department through the Office of the Director-General, the NPC through the Office of the Secretary of the NPC. This ensures that all the components under the leadership of the Minister are in sync and complement each other in the execution of the mandate of the Minister and the Department at large. Regular meetings are held to monitor work such as strategic stakeholder engagements and other priority areas.
  5. The Minister has appointed a competent team of core support staff, in line with the Ministerial handbook, to support her in the execution of her duties. In this regard the Minister has appointed two Special Advisors in line with the Section 12 of the Public Service Act:-

a) to advise the executive authority on the exercise or performance of the executive authority's powers and duties;

b) to advise the executive authority on the development of policy that will promote the relevant department's objectives; and

c) to perform such other tasks as may be appropriate in respect of the exercise or performance of the executive authority's powers and duties.

 

 

REPLY (b)

  1. planning for development means we must pursue or implement an integrated, multi-sectoral process through which governmental institutions streamline social, economic and spatial growth and development.
  2. The NDP defines the desired development outcomes to be achieved by 2030 and it also provides a strategic framework within which more detailed planning and budgeting takes place.
  3. The Minister is advocating active citizenry for the private sector and civil society to play an active role in to promote and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, and the NDP.
  4. The framework to repurpose the department is being developed. Among others it will seek to initiate coordination of development agencies within a “hub” for coherence and clear articulation of the role and contribution of different sectors and stakeholders in achieving the outcomes envisaged in the NDP.
  5. The Integrated Planning Framework Bill is being finalised and will be presented to Cabinet. The Bill when finalised and passed into legislation is intended to help government focus more on planning for development:
  6. We are also conducting benchmarking with our counterparts on the continent and elsewhere in order to share experiences and ideas on how to optimise the department for development planning.

 

 

THANK YOU

 

09 October 2023 - NW2784

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Whether, with reference to the identification of a number of challenges related to the payment of social grants and other forms of social assistance by the Government, her Office has put measures in place to monitor and/or ensure that the relevant government departments (a) address the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts and (b) find alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

a) Whether her office has addressed the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts?

Yes, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation conducted an extensive frontline monitoring at the paypoints and produced a report that has been shared with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

DPME made extensive recommendations to improve the payment mechanism. Engagements on this report is ongoing and will be considered in the review of the MTSF in preparations for the 7th administration. In the meantime, DPME continues to monitor the immediate interventions being introduced by the Department of Social Development and Department of Communications and Digital through their entities, SASSA and the Postbank.

B. Whether her office has found alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Yes, this is ongoing as the recommendations of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation are being discussed internally within government.

 

THANK YOU

09 October 2023 - NW2796

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Pillay, Mr KB to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

What (a) measures are being undertaken to assess the impact of the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework and (b) progress can be highlighted as it is the last financial year of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework?

Reply:

(a) What measures are being undertaken to assess the impact of the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework

Various interventions to assess the impact of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF)

  1. Annual Performance Plans (APPs) analysis to ensure that they are aligned with the MTSF
  2. Biannual reports that are submitted to the clusters and Cabinet with clear recommendations
  3. Recommendations are considered in the Budget Prioritisation Framework
  4. Frontline monitoring undertaken to validate implementation
  5. Secondary data from Stats South Africa (Stats SA) and Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) and other state and non-state actors considered especially in relation to the views of South Africans
  6. The National Planning Commission (NPC) also engages with the stakeholders.
  7. There is a need to improve on this depending on the availability of resources.

(b) What progress can be highlighted as it is the last financial year of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.

  1. Management of Covid-19 including relief measures for vulnerable groups including business
  2. Cabinet decisions on the professionalization of the public service and implementation ongoing
  3. Stable performance management system of HODs/DGs even though it needs continuous evaluation and improvement.
  4. Establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council and ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the Zondo Commission and the SIU.
  5. Ministers performance agreements signed and assessments ongoing
  6. Ongoing interventions to improve the performance of the electricity and logistics sectors led by the President and involving the private sector
  7. Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) established and has commenced functioning to support municipalities to improve planning and implementation. Amongst others this focuses on rural roads and bridges.
  8. Successful hosting of the 2023 BRICS Summit
  9. Implementation of SA Connect to connect government buildings and communities ongoing. This follows the successful licensing of the radio frequency spectrum in 2022.
  10. Presidential Employment Stimulus, since its launch in 2020, the Presidential Employment Stimulus initiative has achieved 86.7% of its target, with a total of 1.085 million opportunities created.
  11. SMME support, as at 31 March 2023, a total of 809 products produced and services rendered by SMMEs and Co-operatives have been linked to domestic private sector markets. Furthermore, the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme, which aims to build the industrial base for both the domestic and external markets, has disbursed R548 million to 74 SMMEs.

A total of 136 184 competitive small businesses and Co-operatives were supported through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) using their non-financial and financial instruments, exceeding the MTSF target to support 100 000 competitive small businesses and Co-operatives by 2024.

12. Black Industrialists support programme

13. Land given to entrepreneurs [ 700 000 hectors]

14. Natural Spatial Development Framework finalized. DPME and others aligning the NSDF with the District Development Model [DDM]

15. NHI Bill approved by the Portfolio Committee on Health. Second reading of the Bill in the National Assembly (NA) occurred in June 2023 and the Bill was approved by the NA.

16. Education -NSFAS has grown (numbers)

-Support for TVET and community colleges

-General access has grown

17. GBVF remains a priority of this government

18. Resources allocated to improve the performance of the South African Police Services [SAPS]

However, through our monitoring and evaluation we have identified some limitations on the capacity of the state to deliver services and achieve developmental outcomes. These include:

a) State of Local government i.e. 163 municipalities distressed and 66 municipalities dysfunctional

b) Challenges related to the intersphere coordination (Report to the Presidential Coordination committee which includes Cabinet, Premiers and the Executive Mayors of the Metros and SALGA

 

THANK YOU

09 October 2023 - NW2798

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Phiri, Ms CM to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Considering her role and/or mandate as Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, what has she found to have been the impact of the Commission towards the implementation of the National Development Plan?

Reply:

The current National Planning Commission (NPC) of which I am chair is the third Commission. As members know the first Commission drafted the NDP. The second commission started the process of institutionalising planning in government and undertook research into long-term trends, analysing implementation of short- to medium-term plans and recommended improvements to Government to inform policy and planning. This included a review of the NDP.

The current NPC’s mandate is, inter alia, to:

  • Mobilise society to promote the acceleration in implementing the National Development Plan towards 2030, recognising the changes that have ensued since its initial adoption.
  • Assist in forging a conversation among key stakeholders, leading to effective and impactful interventions on several key issues facing the country.
  • Undertake research and build a body of evidence on critical matters for the long-term planning and development of South Africa. Strengthen the use of evidence and the quality of empirical data, generated from impact assessments for national planning.

In the short time that I have been the Minister responsible for the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation and Chair of NPC, I have had the opportunity to engage with the NPC, who displayed a passionate loyalty to seeing South Africa and all its people succeed.

They have done this by identifying objectives that will make a difference not only in terms of long-term planning by ensuring the implementation of the National Development Plan, but that can be implemented in the short-term. The work being undertaken relate to areas that cover social protection, which covers education, health, and social assistance, among others, growing the economy in an equitable and inclusive manner, and addressing governance broadly through developing state capacity.

In this regard, and through establishing partnerships, the NPC has welcomed the adoption of the National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector by Cabinet in October 2022; provided practical advice that has since been adopted by government with respect to alleviating the energy crisis; and has played an active role in guiding the implementation of the District Development Model.

The NPC will soon launch its Ten-Year Review of the NDP. This review interrogates the factors that affected the implementation of the NDP since its adoption, including consideration of domestic and international crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the civil unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021, and the Ukraine-Russia war. In particular, the review assesses the progress made with the key NDP targets of eliminating poverty and reducing inequality and unemployment. The analysis evaluates the extent to which planning has been institutionalised and the reform of the country’s planning system across all spheres of government following the adoption of the NDP.

Given the body of work I can only conclude by indicating that the Commission is having a positive impact in ensuring the implementation of the NDP

THANK YOU

 

22 September 2023 - NW2761

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Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(a) What total amount did (i) her Office and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

1. Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD):

Description

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Total Amount

R103 117.50

R109 029.82

R189 698.50

Name of Supplier

Uvo Communication-Design-Print

Jetline

Mvuvhelo Events and Communications

Number of Copies

60

150

150

2. National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

Description

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Total Amount

R122 000

R115 000

No costs recorded as the report is still under internal design for tabling prior to 30 September 2023

Name of Supplier

Moraba communications

Pixycorner

 

Number of Copies

200

200

 

22 September 2023 - NW2803

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Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, following failed attempts by the Government to end gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and school dropouts, she intends to introduce a holistic approach, together with the departments of Social Development, Basic Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Police and Health, to deal with the scourge at grassroots level; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The department developed the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) to provide a multi-sectoral, coherent policy and programming framework to strengthen a coordinated national response to the GBVF crisis by all of government and the whole of society.

A key activity under Pillar 4 of the NSP on GBVF is the establishment of local level rapid response teams in every municipality with clear protocols for weekday, weekend, after hours’ services and protocols for child protection to amplify the response to the needs of victims.

The Department led the establishment of multi-sectoral Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at local municipality level. The RRTs are coordinated by the Department of Cooperative Governance whereas the department takes charge for capacity building of these coordinating structures. The main purpose of the RRTs is to coordinate, multi-stakeholder planning and responses to ensure that they meet the needs of the local community in the fight against GBVF.

22 September 2023 - NW2795

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Hlongo, Ms AS to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the fact that structural youth unemployment requires structural changes in the economy to ensure that it creates equal opportunities through skills development and job creation, what has she found to be the policy interventions that are required to massify opportunities for the youth?

Reply:

Addressing youth unemployment requires an all-of-society and all-of-government approach to mainstreaming of youth employment across the different sectors of the economy. In this regard, a sector-wide youth skills development programme has been conceptualised to train young people in various skills to ensure they are employable and are also able to start businesses in priority sectors with high absorption capacity such as oceans economy, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing and information communication technology, among others.

In collaboration with South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the department has developed a concept paper for a SANDF-led National Service to provide skills targeting women, youth and persons with disabilities. The programme will build character and develop leadership skills. Together with the South African National Defence Force and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the department is developing an implementation plan and costing the various streams and phases of implementation for the national service.

Led by the SANDF, the Department is also in discussion with various Sector Training and Education Authorities (SETAs) to collaborate on this project, which include the:

  1. Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authourity (MERSETA)
  2. Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authourity (AGRISETA)
  3. Transport Education Training Authourity (TETA); and
  4. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authourity (EWSETA).

22 September 2023 - NW2794

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Masiko, Ms F to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What steps has her Office taken to unlock opportunities for women, youth and persons living with disabilities in the rural areas, including helping them establish sustainable livelihoods and enabling their active participation in the economy, even while residing in disadvantaged districts?

Reply:

The department has adopted an all-of-society and an all-of-government approach to livelihoods restoration and wealth creation for unemployed women, youth and persons with disabilities through a step change to implement various projects to empower the identified categories of people in some of the poorest districts in the country. The aim of these projects is to skill and empower these categories of persons to be employable and/or to start their own businesses.

These projects include:

1. A baking skills training project to train women, youth and persons with disabilities in skills from baking bread to wedding cakes, which skills they can use to get jobs and/or start their own businesses;

2. An integrated farming value chain project that will provide training to cooperatives on farming crops and livestock, so as to leverage economies of scale to sell the produce;

3. A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) led National Service to train young people in various skills to ensure they are employable and are also able to start businesses in priority sectors with high absorption capacity such as oceans economy, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing and information communication technology, among others; and

4. The formation of a cooperative bank for women, youth and persons with disabilities toward the socio-economic empowerment and financial inclusion of those who have been unable to access finance from the mainstream banks.

22 September 2023 - NW1471

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the high unemployment and poverty rates in the Republic, what impact has the (a) National Youth Development Agency, (b) Small Enterprise Finance Agency and (c) Sector Education and Training Authorities had in addressing youth unemployment and poverty?

Reply:

a) Since its inception in 2010 the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has, among other achievements:

  1. Supported more than 200 000 youth owned enterprises with non-financial interventions which include business development training, business development support, access to market initiatives and mentorship and aftercare.
  2. Provided more than 25 000 youth owned enterprises with financial support to start and scale their own enterprises.
  3. Assisted more than 500 000 with skills development and work readiness programs to support their transitions into the labour market.
  4. Placed more than 100 000 youth in jobs.
  5. Supported more than 250 000 youth through National Youth Service programs which have contributed to social cohesion and nation building.
  6. Commissioned over 20 independent monitoring and evaluation assessments of the impact of its programs.
  7. Developed the approved Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2030 aligned to the National Development Plan and the National Youth Policy. Two progress reports on the IYDS have been completed to date.

b) The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) is under the custodianship of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition for reply.

c) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are under the custodianship of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Higher Education and Training for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW1598

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) is the position of her Office on the decision by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to underfund non-profit organisations that take care of persons living with disabilities with about R416 million and (b) steps will her Office take to ensure that this seemingly detrimental decision does not lead to another Life Esidimeni situation in the province?

Reply:

The matters raised by this question are located in the mandate of the national Department of Social Development (DSD). The question may be directed to the Minister of Social Development for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW1784

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Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the relevant details of the investigations that her Office, working together with the SA Police Service, initiated regarding the escalating number of women and children abductions that are rampant across the Republic?

Reply:

Combating the abductions of women and children falls within the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS), thus a detailed response on investigations initiated may be obtained from the Minister of Police.

The department coordinates the implementation and monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). This includes monitoring various interventions in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) by the SAPS as detailed below:

#

Monitoring Area

Progress Noted as at April 2023

 

DNA kits

100% procurement of DNA kits by SA Police Service and delivery of kits to police stations, mainly to collect DNA samples in reported sex crimes.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against women

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 83.38% and the detection rate was 69.55%. The police attributed the low detection rate to difficulties in tracing attempted murder and arrest of undocumented repeat offenders.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against children

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 81.68% and the detection rate was also 81.68%. The police attributed the low detection rate to the mediation of cases before arrest of suspect and that complainants are unable to identify the perpetrators due to intoxication and environmental design.

 

GBVF Backlog Cases

The SA Police Service has worked intensively to clear backlog cases where in December 2021 80 656 were backlog and as at April 2023 the backlog was reduced to 31 021.

 

Quality of victim-friendly services

100% (1 159) of functional police stations render victim-friendly services. However, do police stations do not meet the quality dimensions as per the SA Police Service Categorisations: Bethule police station (in Free State Xhariep District) and Moeka Vuma police station (in North West Bojanala District).

 

GBVF Hotspots

665 preventions interventions conducted in top 30 GBV, domestic violence and sexual offences police stations in the country between February and March 2023.

 

Training and Support for Police

In 2022/23 2 262 (100%) Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) officials received trauma debriefing. This is important in the fight against GBVF. Training on proactive interventions targeting 3806 officers, by 31 March 2023. 12 950 members trained and 12 938 declared competent. Indicator is at 340% performance. Training on reactive interventions targeting 3 497 officers by 31 March 2023. 13 015 members trained and 12 991 declared competent. Indicator is currently at 372% performance. The courses covered have relevancy for dealing with abductions. The courses include: human rights and policing; vulnerable groups; victim empowerment; first responder to sexual offences; resolving of crimes skills; domestic violence learning; family violence, child protection and sexual offences; psychological motivated crimes; and dignity, diversity and policy.

 

Breaking alcohol and GBVF linkages

A total of 53 259 illegal liquor outlets have either closed or the illegal traded terminated from May 2021 to March 2023.

 

Budget and Expenditure

The SA Police Service report a budget of R100 Million for the implementation of the GBV Action Plan for the 2022/23 financial year. As at March 2023, expenditure was R89 Million with a variance of about R11 Million.

22 September 2023 - NW2787

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the details of the comprehensive steps of intervention she has taken to monitor the pervasive problem of drug abuse amongst young persons in the Republic?

Reply:

The monitoring of the pervasive problem of drug abuse among young persons in the Republic is a competency vested with the Department of Social Development (DSD). Accordingly, this question may be directed to the Minister of Social Development for a comprehensive response.

Nevertheless, the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse.

22 September 2023 - NW2775

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the annual performance plan and budget of her Office for the 2023-24 financial year, what number of (a) priorities and (b) planned targets of her Office have been successfully met since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

The annual priorities and targets for the 2023/24 financial year are a work in progress. To date, the department has achieved 81% of quarter 1 targets. Work continues toward achieving the annual priorities and targets by 31 March 2024.

22 September 2023 - NW2774

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What number of young staff and researchers has her Office employed for monitoring, evaluation and database management in the past financial year?

Reply:

The department employed one (1) young researcher for monitoring, evaluation and database management in the past financial year.

22 September 2023 - NW2788

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether her Office has a comprehensive database of persons living with disabilities in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the total number of persons living with disabilities who are in need of wheelchairs and (b) steps has she taken to ensure that all persons living with disabilities are provided with the wheelchairs they need?

Reply:

The department does not keep a comprehensive database of persons living with disabilities as various government departments keep databases of persons with disabilities in line with the services they render.

Further, the department does not have a database of persons that require wheelchairs, nor does it provide and/or distribute wheelchairs as that falls within the mandate of the Department of Health. This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Health for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW2789

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Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the crime statistics that was released recently, which shows that the Republic is losing the battle against the sexual violation of women, what engagements has she had with her Cabinet colleagues and other stakeholders to fight the surge of the sexual violation of women?

Reply:

The department developed the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) to provide a multi-sectoral, coherent policy and programming framework to strengthen a coordinated national response to the GBVF crisis by government and the whole of society.

A key activity under Pillar 4 of the NSP on GBVF is the establishment of local level rapid response teams in every municipality with clear protocols for weekday, weekend, after hours’ services and protocols for child protection to amplify the response to the needs of victims.

The Department led the establishment of multi-sectoral Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at local municipality level. The RRTs are coordinated by the Department of Cooperative Governance whereas the department takes charge for capacity building of these coordinating structures. The main purpose of the RRTs is to coordinate, multi-stakeholder planning and responses to ensure that they meet the needs of the local community in the fight against GBVF.

22 September 2023 - NW129

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, in light of the fact that 21 youths died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park on 26 June 2022 and two more teens died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas, she will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with a detailed overview of her department’s collaboration with the SA Police Service to address (a) underage drinking and (b) clamping down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

22 September 2023 - NW307

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given that 21 young persons died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in June 2022 and two more teenagers died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas Day, what are the relevant details of how her department collaborated with the Department of Police to address underage drinking and clamp down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

22 September 2023 - NW961

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, considering that the report on How to Include the Missing Perspectives of Women of All Colors in News Leadership and Coverage is the third in a series of missing perspective reports commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in view of the fact that the new report has found that fewer than two in five editors-in-chief in the Republic are women, she will provide an overview of how her Office has championed gender transformation in senior leadership positions across industries, especially in the media and communications industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department has in the past two financial years compiled a monitoring report on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities focusing on levels of equity, employment, ownership and participation women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The report records the participation of women in senior leadership as follows:

1. Women Magistrates were 48.7% in 2020/21 and increased to 52.1% in 2021/22.

2. Women judges were 43.1% in 2020/21 and increased to 45.5% in 2021/22.

3. Representation of women in South African Police Services as Major General is at 37.9%, and Brigadier is at 38.2%. The percentage increased to 50% at higher position of Divisional Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner and Top Management. While the National commissioner is a man, two of the three Deputy National Commissioner are women.

4. Women representation at SMS level in the public service was at 27.9% in 2021/22. Youth are represented at levels 13, 14 and 15 with 1.4%, 1.7%, and 3.2 % respectively while persons with disabilities are represented by less than 2% in three levels.

5. Top Management level representation of women in the Private Sector was at 24.6%.

6. Data from StatsSA indicates that there are 4 407 Councillors of which 1 309 are female which translates to 29.7% women representation as Councillors.

30 June 2023 - NW1548

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

With reference to an oversight visit in Mpumalanga with the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities during which it was discovered that there is a lack of compliance at the Themba Thuthuzela Care Centre, what is the breakdown of the total budget the six Thuthuzela Care Centres in Mpumalanga were allocated from the various departments, including the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Justice and the SA Police Service?

Reply:

The budget of the six Thuthuzela Care Centres in Mpumalanga is not located in the appropriation of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. This question may be referred to the Ministries as identified by the Honourable Member for reply.

30 June 2023 - NW1796

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(a) What are the full relevant details of the interventions that her Office will make to ensure that the target of 5% women-owned small-, medium- and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) will be prioritised and (b) in what sectors would the SMMEs be?

Reply:

The Department of Small Business Development is responsible for the prioritisation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) and this question may be directed to that department for a detailed response.

Be that as it may, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has provided input to the Department of Finance on the Public Procurement Bill toward legislating public procurement set asides for women owned businesses, which includes SMME’s. It is envisaged that once the Public Procurement Bill is in effect at least 40% of all government spend should be prioritised toward businesses owned by women.

30 June 2023 - NW1574

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What total number of (a) Quality Assessment Learners Programmes are there for persons with disabilities in each province and (b) successful placements were done in the 2022/23 financial year?

Reply:

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is not the custodian of Quality Assessment Learner Programmes, as these fall within the purview of the Department of Basic Education. The Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) programme and guidelines were developed and published by the Department of Basic Education.

This question may be directed to the Department of Basic Education for reply.

30 June 2023 - NW735

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

With reference to the aspired mechanisms that would deal with the challenges that vulnerable groups such as persons living with disabilities are facing across the Republic, which her Office was set to implement in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Water and Sanitation and hold public servants accountable at the provincial level, what progress has her Office made in implementing the specified initiative across all provinces?

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education in partnership with Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) held an inclusive education summit to assess progress on the implementation of inclusive education. Gaps, challenges, immediate to long-term interventions were identified and are under implementation by Department of Basic Education.

The DWYPD is in continuous collaborations with the National and Provincial Departments of Basic Education and the Department of Water and Sanitation. We continue to provide technical expertise and advice to offices of the Premier and Provincial Departments to ensure that programmed are disability inclusive and responsive. The DWYPD through the District Development Model (DDM) participates in advocating and monitoring in the areas of education and provision of water and sanitation. The DWYPD provides advice and guidance to provincial departments during their strategic planning and other project initiatives. The department also participated in the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education strategic planning workshop in February 2023 to provide guidance and technical expertise through a disability inclusive lens.

30 June 2023 - NW1939

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Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the relevant details of the recent assistance that has been provided to protect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and intersex community to exercise their rights without infringement?

Reply:

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities does not have the relevant details for the recent assistance provided.

This question may be referred to the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services which coordinates the National Task Team (NTT) on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) persons and leads in the National Intervention Strategy for LGBTQI+.

30 June 2023 - NW1483

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Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether her Office is responsible for putting measures in place to ensure that areas in the uThukela District Municipality, such as Ladysmith, are accessible to persons who use wheelchairs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities is not the implementing department for the rollout in municipalities to ensure areas are accessible to persons who use wheelchairs. This is the responsibility of respective National and Provincial Departments of Transport and municipalities.

However, the Department of Women Youth and Person with Disabilities has developed and workshopped the Universal Design and Access Framework that guides all spheres of government on mainstreaming universal design and accessibility measures for persons with disabilities.