Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 501 to 525

3. When the renovations project started in 2007, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Archives Service had to continue providing the services in the building and the renovations programme had to be developed around service delivery. To mitigate against the risk to the collections and service delivery, collections from two top floors were relocated to an off-site commercial document storage facility to allow the contractors to move material around as they worked throughout the building.

4. There was an incident where the contractor had removed the roof sheeting and left the roof open over the weekend and rain resulted in water damage to parts of the office block. Only two volumes of archivalia were affected but these were dried and the damage was very minimal. The renovation project ran into contractual challenges between the contractor and the employer (DPW) which then resulted in the contract being eventually terminated.

5. The termination of the contract exposed the repository to certain service delivery, protection and preservation challenges. The process of appointing a new contractor and the follow-on renovation process took several months (scheduled for finalisation in April 2010) and in order to ensure the protection and preservation of the holdings it was recommended that the entire holdings and services of the Archive Repository in Pietermaritzburg be moved out of the building to a safe off-site location.

6. Conditions for the storage and transportation of the records have been developed by the National Archives and the commercial storage company has made various adaptations to bring the facility in line with minimum standards for the storage of records. Therefore the completion of the renovations work on the Archives Repository in Pietermaritzburg will not compromise the preservation of the records during the renovation work. The records will only return after the renovation work is complete and regular monitoring and inspection of the storage facility will be conducted until the return of the holdings to the renovated building.

(ii)

The National Archives has learned a great deal as a result of the experience gained with the renovations in Pietermaritzburg including the need to move staff and archival records off-site during renovations. This has resulted in the staff of the National Film Video and Sound Archives in Pretoria being moved into the Old State Library building while the Film Archives buildings are being renovated.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 February 2010

Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether she has designated a waste management officer in her Department as required by the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, Act 59 of 2008, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the relevant Members of the Executive Committee (MECs) in all provinces have designated waste management officers as required by section 10(2) of the Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each designation in each province;

(3) whether each municipality referred to in section 10(3)of the Act has a designated waste management officer; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) Ms Nolwazi Cobbinah, Chief Director Pollution and Waste Management has been designated as the National Waste Management Officer

(2) The Minister has sent letters to Members of the Executive Committee (MECs) in all provinces to designate waste management officers as required by section 10(2) of the Act; and to assist municipalities in their provinces to designate waste management officers. The MEC's and municipalities were also required to provide information on designation to the Minister for publication on the South African Waste Information Center. This will assist members of the public to know who the national, provincial and municipal waste management officers are. This information will be made available as soon as it is received from provinces.

(3) Same as above (2).

QUESTION NO 513

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

513. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether her department was informed of water losses from infrastructure at schools; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so what are the details with regard to the losses;

(2) whether action is being taken to address the water losses from infrastructure at schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW626E

---00O00---

REPLY:

(1) Yes, we are engaging municipalities on water losses within which these schools are located.

(2) Municipalities are supported through several infrastructure programmes such as Siyenza Manje; education and awareness campaigns like Baswa le Metse and the South African Youth Water Prize. My Department has also provided financial support to the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Metro and eThekwini Metros to implement water conservation and demand management.

Learners are educated in schools to be water efficient, which include the reporting of any leaks that are detected at the schools as well as in communities. This results in water loss reduction in schools and in communities,

Question 514

Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) What is the full (a) name and (b) job title of each specified person who signed permits authorising, suspending or revoking permits for controlled goods through the intercessional procedure after 31 December 2008;

(2) how many permits were signed by each specified person to (a) authorise, (b) suspend or (c) revoke permits for the (i) export or (ii) import of controlled goods through the intercessional procedure;

(3) (a) over what period of time was the intercessional procedure used and (b) when were the permits that were issued in terms of the intercessional procedure ratified;

(4) whether the permits were ratified at a quorate meeting comprising the majority of members of the council; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW627E

Response:

(1) Only Amb A S Minty: Chairperson of the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Mr X Carim: Deputy Director-General: International Trade and Economic Development Division from the Department of Trade and Industry, on specific request from the Chairperson of the Council, signed permits for this period.

(2) During this period Amb Minty signed 7 Export and 14 Import permits and Mr Carim signed 56 Export and 50 Import permits. No permits were suspended or revoked during this period.

(3) The intersessional procedure was used from 14 November 2008 until 22 October 2009.

(4) The Permits were ratified at a quorate meeting held on 22 October 2009.

Question 515

Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) In respect of the SA Council for the Nonproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, how many permits were issued for (a) authorising, (b) suspending or (c) revoking permits for the (i) export or (ii) import of controlled goods (aa) during the period 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2006, (bb) in the (aaa) 2006-07, (bbb) 2007-2008 and (ccc) 2008-2009 financial years and (cc) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) (a) what was the name of the (i) country and (ii) controlled good/s and (b) on what date were permits signed to (i) authorise, (ii) suspend or (iii) revoke permission to (aa) export or (bb) import controlled goods (aaa) during the period 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2006 and (bbb) in the (aaaa) 2006-07, (bbbb) 2007-2008 and (cccc) 2008-2009 financial years and (cc) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?NW629E

Response:

To fully respond to this question would compromise the functions of the Council and the interests of the industry in terms of Section 21 (2)(a) of the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 (Act No, 87 of 1993). It is suggested that the Minister come to an agreement with Mr Maynier that the Chairperson of the South African Council for the Non-­Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction informally brief representatives from the various parties on the functioning of the Council.

QUESTION 516 WRITTEN REPLY 05 March 2010

516. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

Whether, with regard to the 480 000 job opportunities that were created, a target was set for each province; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the target for each province and (b) how many opportunities were created in each province? NW630E

Reply

Targets were not set per province for National Government Departments. Table 1 gives a break down of the 482 742 work opportunities per province and sector. This is the total for all spheres of government.

Targets were set per province for Provincial Government Departments and Municipalities for the Infrastructure Sector. Breaks down of progress against targets for these institutions are given in Table 2.

Targets were set per province for Provincial Government Departments for the Environmental & Culture as well as Social Sector. A break down of progress against targets for these institutions is given in Table 3.

Table 1: Work opportunities created per province and sector (Overall): 1 April – 31 Dec 2009

(National Government Departments, Provincial Government Departments and Municipalities)

Table 2: Work opportunities created per province and sector

(Provincial Government Departments and Municipalities):

INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR: 1 April – 31 Dec 2009

Table 3: Work opportunities created per province and sector

(Provincial Government Departments):

ENVIRONMENTAL & CULTURES AS WELL AS SOCIAL SECTOR:

1 April – 31 Dec 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether an environmental impact assessment was completed before work by the Department of Public Works (PWD) commenced on the marine base for 4 Reconnaissance Unit at Salamander in the Western Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department will stop work on this project until the PWD complies with all the relevant environmental legislation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what will be done about it;

(3) whether she has been informed that the contractor working for PWD is dredging without an environmental authorisation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps will be taken as a result;

(4) whether any notices of noncompliance have been issued against any (a) contractor or (b) PWD regarding work on this site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) whether any official; has been on site to monitor developments since the commencement of the project; if not, why not; if so, on what dates?

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

517. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

1. The Department issued a notice of intention to issue a Compliance Notice to the Department of Public Works (DPW) on 17 September 2009, after having established that no environmental authorisation was obtained for the upgrading of the military base prior to DPW commencing with construction-related activities on the site.

2. Following the issuing of this notice, all associated activities, such as the dredging within the 100m high water mark of the sea, ceased. The only activity that is continuing on the site is the stabilisation of the roof structure.

3. Same as 2 above - dredging is not taking place.

4. A notice of intention to issue a Compliance Notice was issued to DPW and DPW responded to this notice together with submitting a Section 24G National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) application for the rectification of this illegal activity.

5. Officials from this Department, DPW, the contractor, South African National Parks (SANPARKS), Marine and Coastal Management Branch (MCM) and the consultant met on the site on 13 October 2009. An Environmental Control Officer, Natalie Ritsch from Arcus Gibb, was appointed to develop an Environmental Management Plan and this has been used to monitor the activities on the property on a regular basis until such time as a decision is made by the Department in relation to the section 24G application.

QUESTION NO 518

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 6 – 2010)

Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Which agency of his department was responsible for the procurement of the 2035 buses that was acquired for the purpose of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament;

(2) (a)(i) how and (ii) in which media were these tenders advertised, (b) which companies were awarded the tender and (c) what was the unit price per bus per company;

(3) what percentage component of the bus unit was locally manufactured or derived;

(4) what arrangements have been made for the continued maintenance of these busses? NW632E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), through its subsidiary Autopax, has procured 570 busses that will provide services during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Of these vehicles 420 will provide a turnkey operational solution on contract to Match, 40 will be leased to the Local Organising Committee and 110 busses will provide inter-city services for General Spectators throughout the event.

(2) (a) (i) and (ii)

It was advertised in the open media i.e. Sunday News papers and the Tender Bulletin.

(b) MAN Truck and Bus, and debis Fleet Management were appointed as manufacturers of the vehicles.

(c) The unit price for the Intercity O500RSD 2426 Andare 1000 Class is R2 680 623.00 and R2 886 373.00 for the MB O500RSD 2426 Paradiso 1200, MAN (MAN HB4-26.310 FOCNR front engine chassis with MAN Lion's Explorer bodywork – 14 meter) R1 958 735.00 Air Conditioned Bus; and R1 796 666.00 Air Ventilated Bus.

(3) On the MAN busses the local content is as follows:

On the Mercedes Benz busses the local content is as follows:

(4) The vehicles will be maintained through the vehicle manufacturers and Autopax workshops, which are currently undergoing assessment for accreditation by the vehicle manufacturers.

QUESTION NO 519

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 6 – 2010)

Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

Whether Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) made any dividend payments to his department (a) in the (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06, (iii) 2006-07, (iv) 2008-09 and (v) 2009-10 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what were the dividend amounts for each of the specified periods? NW633E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(a) and (b)

Dividends declared historically to the National Department of Transport were as follows:

(i) 2004-05 Normal dividend R 170,086 million

(ii) 2005-06 Normal Dividend R 220,067 million

(iii) 2006-07 Normal Dividend R 231,257 million

Special Dividend R 667,661 million

(iv) 2008-09 Nil

(v) 2009-10 Nil

ACSA has adopted a residual approach to dividend policy and payments in order to ensure that the dividends payable is affordable in order that the financial sustainability of the Company is not jeopardized.

Under this policy, dividends are payable based on the amount of residual cash available and after allowing for working capital, the funding of future capital investment projects and an appropriate contingency for financial flexibility. The dividend payments are determined with reference to their impact on the overall company's capital structure and paid only if current profits are greater than what is needed to finance the equity portion of the company's optimal capital budget for the year.

QUESTION NO 520

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 05 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 6 – 2010)

Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether the e-Natis database was transferred from the current operator to his department as was intended during the 2008-09 financial year; if not, why not; if so, when;

(2) what costs have been incurred by his department in maintaining the e-Natis system during this period;

(3) whether any tenders were invited from the public to operate this database; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many tenders were received, (b) who submitted the tenders and (c) what are the details of the tenders;

(4) (a) when does his department intend to take over this system and (b) which agency will be responsible for the future operation and maintenance of the system?

NW634E

THE REPLY:

(1) No. The maintenance, support and enhancement of the National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS) have not yet been transferred from the current service provider to the Department of Transport (DoT), the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) or a newly-appointed service provider.

The DoT does not intend to take over the maintenance, support and enhancement of the eNaTIS system due to the fact that such technical support does not fall within the core business of the DoT. It is envisaged that the system will be maintained, supported and enhanced on an outsourcing basis for the immediate future. The DoT still intends to transfer the management of the system to the RTMC as soon as the required controls are established at the entity.

(2) The cost of maintaining the system from 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 was R241 058 237, and the cost of maintaining the system from 01 April 2009 to 31 December 2009 was R287 052 018. It must, however, be noted that this is the total cost of ownership, including costs related to data communication lines, mailing costs, and third party costs.

(3) The DoT has not started the process of inviting tenders from service providers to maintain, support, and enhance the eNaTIS. The Department is currently considering options to invite multiple tenders to maintain and enhance the different components of the eNaTIS system for the next 5 years. Due to the critical nature of the eNaTIS detailed continuity planning is required.

(a), (b) and (c) fall away.

(4) (a) and (b)

See the reply to (1) above.

QUESTION NO.: 521

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) (a) Who are Eskom's top 100 customers, (b) what (i) are their type of business, (ii) is their tariff and (iii) is their average annual consumption and (c) what was each of their average percentage use of total available electricity, for each of the past five financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) whether any of these companies have contracts with Eskom; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details of their contracts and (b) what is the (i) inception and (ii) end dates of each of their contracts;

(3) whether Eskom is reviewing any of these contracts; if not, why not; if so, what are the details including the proposed tariff;

(4) whether any of these companies have been investigated for anti-competitive behaviour and/or price fixing; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) what are each of these company's contribution to the fiscus and as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP)? NW635E

REPLY

(1)(a) A list of Eskom's Top 100 South African customers by consumption is attached as Annexure 1.

(b)(i) Eskom's Top 100 customers comprise mainly of industrial and mining companies.

(1)(b)(ii-iii)(c) At present it is not possible to provide the information requested on an individual basis as the information requested relates to confidential commercial information or other proprietary information of third parties and can therefore not be disclosed publicly at this stage. We are addressing this matter in order to allow for transparency whilst ensuring compliance with the legal obligations of our state-owned enterprises with due regard to the Constitutional framework that promotes the right of Access to Information and which also safeguards private or commercially sensitive information. As stated publicly before,

Government is addressing all issues of transparency on all contracts as it is cognizant of the significant interests of the public as well as that of private third parties.

The total annual consumption of Eskom's 146 Key Industrial Customers (KICs) for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 was 83 388 GWh, or 39 % of Eskom's total sales.

KICs have made up around 40% of Eskom's total annual sales for the past few years. Save for two customers who have long term pricing contracts, all Eskom's customers in South Africa are supplied at one of the standard Eskom Retail Tariffs as approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Most of Eskom's Top 100 customers are supplied at the NERSA approved Megaflex standard retail tariff (see Annexure 2).

(2) Yes, all these customers have supply agreements with Eskom. Generally, the standard terms and conditions of Eskom's supply agreements are applicable and the period is ongoing unless termination provisions come into being. It is not possible to provide details of specific individual contracts at this stage. As stated above, Government is addressing all issues of transparency on all contracts as it is cognisant of the significant interests of the public as well as that of private third parties.

However, it is important to note that there are special pricing arrangements that were initially concluded prior to the 1994 democratic elections (1992). At that time, the electricity regulatory, supply, and pricing landscape looked different. Eskom had excess capacity and the cost of electricity supply was much lower.

(3) Eskom is not in the process of reviewing its standard terms and conditions of supply. The schedule of standard retail tariffs is, however amended from time to time with the approval of NERSA and subject to annual increases as determined by NERSA. Save for of two customers that are on long term pricing agreements, all KICs are on one of the NERSA approved standard retail tariffs. Eskom and BHP Billiton (one of the customers on a long term pricing agreement) have recently agreed to amend their current long-term Negotiated Pricing Agreements (NPAs) for the supply of power to BHP Billiton's Mozal smelter in Mozambique and its Hillside and Bayside smelters in South Africa, and it is envisaged that negotiations will be concluded soon. Eskom is also in the process of negotiating with Anglo American to revise its NPA (SkorpionZinc).

(4) This question should be directed to the Competition Commission.

(5) We are unable to supply detailed information on each company's contribution to the fiscus at this stage however, the general contribution of Eskom's key industrial customers to the economy, among others, includes the following:

a) Employment creation (direct and indirect through downstream and knock-

on effects);

b) Export proceeds;

c) Investment (particularly in instances of robust growth);

Company tax contribution to the fiscus - i.e. national revenue; and

d) Value addition through beneficiation processes.

QUESTION NO.: 522

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1)(a) How much electricity is exported by Eskom, (b) where is the electricity exported to, (c) at what tariff and (d) what percentage of the total available electricity is exported;

(2) whether there are any contracts in place for each of the exports; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details of these contracts and (b) what is the (i) commencement and (ii) end dates of each contract;

(3) whether the export of electricity is prioritised over domestic supply; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW636E

REPLY

(1)(a) South Africa exports approximately 1 200GWh of power per month.

(b) Electricity is exported to utilities and end-user industrial mining customers. South Africa has firm contracts to export power to utilities in Botswana (BPC), Namibia (NamPower), Lesotho (LEC) and Swaziland (SEC). Occasionally South Africa exports power to Zimbabwe (ZESA) and Zambia (ZESCO) based on the availability of power in South Africa. This forms part of the South African Power Pool agreement and their non-firm agreements with Eskom.

Electricity is also exported to end-use industrial and mining customers namely Motraco – Aluminium smelter in Mozambique, Skorpion Zinc – Zinc mine in Namibia and Namdeb – Diamond mine in Namibia

In addition, Eskom transports power to Southern Mozambique from the Cahora Bassa scheme. In the event of any failure on the Cahora Bassa scheme Eskom then supplies the Mozambican utility, EDM,directly.

(c) All agreements are covered by confidentiality provisions therefore we are unable to publicly disclosure these tariff levels.

(d) Exports, which are based as a percentage of total electricity available for distribution in South Africa, were approximately 5.95% for 2009. Considering that South Africa also imports electricity from neighbouring countries, the net exports (exports less imports) for 2009 is approximately 0.73% of the total electricity available for distribution in South Africa.

(2) All exports are governed by contractual agreements

(3) Exports are not prioritised over domestic supplies – all agreements are treated equitably – in line with their contractual provisions.

QUESTION NO.: 523

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:†

(1) Whether Eskom, has awarded a multibillion rand contract to the Japanese company Hitachi; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether a certain company (name furnished) has any business interests in Hitachi; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(3) whether she has taken any steps to avoid a conflict of interest; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW637E

REPLY

1) Yes, Eskom has entered into a contract directly with Hitachi for the provision of boilers for the Medupi and Kusile Power Stations.

(2) The company referred to is a BEE partner with 25% shareholding in Hitachi Power Africa (Pty) Ltd.

(3) The report of the Public Protector in February 2009 found that there was a conflict between the personal interest of the former Chairperson of the Eskom Board of Directors, Mr Valli Moosa, in the African National Congress and his duty towards Eskom at the time when the Board resolved to award the Medupi Boiler Contract to the Hitachi Consortium. No other conflict of interest was found. As the Shareholder

representative of Eskom, I note and respect the recommendations made by the office of the Public Protector in February 2009.

QUESTION NO. 524

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

What is the (a) number of people for whom provision is made in the 2010-11 financial year, for antiretroviral (ARV) uptake in each province and (b) demand in each province?

REPLY:

The following information was obtained from the Provincial Departments of Health. The provincial targets for 2010/11 financial year for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) uptake were set with National Department of Health guidance. The criteria used for uptake of services since the programme inception in 2004 was based on the National HIV prevalence antenatal clinic survey of 2008/9 and Conditional grant allocations as determined by National Treasury.

EASTERN CAPE

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 25 000 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative 135 000 patients in care by the end of March 2011..

(b) A total of 25 000 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV con-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

FREE STATE

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 18 600 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 69 348 patients remaining in care at the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 18 600 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

GAUTENG

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 167 000 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 400 000 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 167 000 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350..

KWAZULU/NATAL

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 231 650 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 481 698 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 231 650 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

LIMPOPO

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 45 729 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 107 729 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 45 729 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

MPUMALANGA

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 32 545 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 102 855 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 32 545 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

NORTHERN CAPE

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 8 663 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 21 000 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 8 663 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

NORTH WEST

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 29 050 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with a cumulative total of 113 652 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 29 050 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

WESTERN CAPE

(a) The Province has budgeted for and plans to start 31 000 new patients on ARVs this financial year, to end the financial year with 96 500 patients remaining in care by the end of March 2011.

(b) A total of 31 000 people starting ART is the demand and equates to all people with a CD4 below 200 plus all pregnant women and TB-HIV co-infected individuals with a CD4 between 200 and 350.

QUESTION NUMBER: 525

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 5 MARCH 2010

DATE REPLY SUMBITTED: 12 APRIL 2010

Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

(1) What is the current status of policies on women, children and persons with disabilities in terms of its continuation, effectiveness and impact achieved to date?

NW639E

REPLY

1) As part of the outputs for the DWCPD for the year 2010/2011, the three respective branches will embark on a process to review policies that are relevant to the three sectors with the view to ensure that these policies reflect the changes as a result of the Macro-organisation of the state. The details of each policy review are provided below:

a) The Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality branch has already started a process of refining and reviewing the current national policy framework for women's empowerment and gender equality which was developed in 1998. The objectives of the review are to:

· Address inconsistencies and gaps with regard to the current national gender policy framework and discrepancies in implementation thereof;

· Develop a policy that has legal and binding status on relevant stakeholders and thereby promote compliance with the National Gender Policy and ensure its implementation;

· Assist in the transformation of institutions, laws, policies, procedures, consultative processes, budgetary allocations taking into account the needs and aspirations of all women, and particularly those who were most disadvantaged by the previous dispensation;

· The exchange and sharing of information on the implementation of gender equality policies, and the evaluation of their impact and effectiveness;

· The review of priorities, targets, time frames and performance indicators; of existing policy using gender-analysis that ensures that gender responsive indicators are to be included within the Government wide Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to ensure gender is being mainstreamed in Government's monitoring processes;

· Create an enabling policy environment for translating government commitment to gender equality into a reality.

b) The branch on the Rights of People with Disabilities will work on finalizing the draft national disability policy. As well as review other national policies that have an impact on people with disabilities.

c) The Children's Rights and Responsibilities branch will work on the finalisation of the draft national policy for the Advancement and Coordination of Children's Rights as well as the Children's Rights Delivery Guide for Municipalities. It is envisaged that in the year 2010/11 the two documents will be taken through approval processes in the clusters and Cabinet.

2. whether any new policy processes are currently underway for each specific sector in terms of (a)key focus areas, (b) envisaged public participation processes and (c) possible costing for implementation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

1) As indicated in the response above, the department will focus on the review of existing policies with regards to WEGE as well as finalization of draft policies with respect to the disability branch and the branch on children's rights and responsibilities. The cost implications for the entire policy process are captured in the department's operational plan for the year 2010/11.

a) The WEGE branch will have consultations in all the nine Provinces to ensure participation of all stakeholders. A task team comprising of gender experts has been formed. The branch will as part of the review hold consultations with the relevant stakeholders within government and also with civil society and NGOs.

b) The branch for people with disabilities will ensure consultations on the draft disability policy within South African Disability Alliance (SADA) and the National Disability Machinery (NDM) meetings.

c) The draft national policy for the advancement and coordination of children's rights went through an extensive consultation process at national, provincial and local government levels. Further consultations will be held in this financial year with the view to finalise the policy for adoption.