Questions & Replies: Science & Technology
2011-03-11
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QUESTION NUMBER: 3445
"3445. Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister for Science and Technology:
(1). (a) How many copies of each annual report that was produced by (i) her department and (ii) the entities reporting to her were commissioned for print in the 2010-11 financial year, (b) how many copies were actually printed and (c) what were the (i) total and (ii) individual costs of printing these reports;
(2). (a) who printed each specific report, (b)how was the specific printer decided upon and (c) on what date the specified printer delivered the report to the specified entity;
(2). Whether any of these specified reports that had been printed were found unsatisfactory; if not what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (a) which reports (b) for which entity (c) by which printer, (d) what action was taken and (e) what were the costs?" NW4131E
REPLY
Please see the reply here: www.pmg.org.za/questions/RNW3445-2011.pdf
QUESTION:
3336. Ms SK Plaatjie (COPE) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
Whether she has found that the Government has been successful in encouraging
private enterprise to partner with the Council for Industrial and Scientific
Research (CSIR} or universities through research funding in support of
photovoltaic technology development and systems integration; if not; why not; if
so what are the relevant details'?
REPLY
1. Encouraging private sector/industry 10 collaborate and invest into energy
research is an ongoing process and solar photovoltaic technology
research is amongst the under funded technologies. In mast cases the
private sector [nV8strnents decisions are taken when the currently used
fossil based resource become scarce, they become unaffordable and also
due to climate change issues.
2. Government, through Science Councils [like the Council for Industrial and
Scientific Research (CSIR), and the South African National Energy
Development Institute (SANEDI) and Universities support research
focusing on existing and emerging solar photovoltaic technologies. For
example through the solar photovoltaic technology spoke, the Nelson
Mandela Metropolitan University and University of Fort Hare are working
closely with companies like Telkom, Tagex, Power-tech etc: on various PV
related matters. Also in the thin film solar photovoltaic front the
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in collaboration with two German
QUESTION NO 3302
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 OCTOBER
2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 35 - 2011)
Ms MR Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether (a) SumbandilaSat or (b) any other satellite whose missions are managed by the SA National Space Agency (SANSA), were used to provide satellite images to the Libyan (i)(aa) government, (bb) military or (cc) security services during the period 20 February 2011 up to the
latest specified date for which information is available; if so, what are the relevant details?"
REPLY:
No images from (a) SumbandilaSat or (b) any other satellite whose missions are managed by SANSA were provided to the Libyan government, military or security services during the period indicated in the question.
QUESTION 3198
QUESTION PAPER: (31 OCT08ER
2011} (INTERNAL. QUESTION PAPER NO. 33198-2011): PROGRESS ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNOLQGY-LINKED INTERN PROGRAMME WITH
SMALL AND MED~UM ENTERPRISES
"3198 Ms MR Shinn (DA) to as the Minister of Science and Technology"
{a} What progress has been made with developing the technology - linked
intern programme with Small and Medium Enterprises and (b) what
number of (i) interns and (ii) firms have expressed an interest in this
regard?
REPLY:
(a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is currently implementing
the Science, Engineering and Technology (SE1) linkedilnternship
programme. The programme is implemented by the Technology lnnovation
Agency (TlA). The participating Interns are deployed amongst the 15
(geographically distributed) technology stations to render technology support
to small and medium enterprises or directly hosted by some of the small and
medium enterprises.
III addltion, the DST has contracted the Council for Mineral Technologies
(Mintek) to implement an internship programme for the local foundry industry
This is an extension of DSTs Technology Localisation Programme to provide
technology assistance packages (TAPs) to local foundries. The interns will
be placed at the foundries receiving technology assistance.
{b) For the 2:01012011 financial year, the intern information was as follows:
i) The DST provided funding for 121 interns. However, some interns
found permanent employment before the conclusion of their internship
year. This releases funding that is used to bring other graduates into
the internship program, The actual number of interns involved in the
internship programme was therefore 173,
65 interns were placed in industry, of which nine interns. were deployed
in small and medium enterprises,
ii) Eight SMMEs hosted interns.
For 2011/12 financial year, the intern information to date is as follows:
i} The DST provided funding for 164 interns of which 33 are designated
to the foundry industry
The current number of interns placed in industry is 62 of which 21
interns are deployed in small and medium enterprises,
(ii) To date, 18 SMMEs expressed interest to host interns,
QUESTION NO. 3032
QUESTION 3445 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: MR A FIGLAN (DA): HOW MANY COPIES OF EACH ANNUAL REPORT THAT WAS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND ENTITIES REPORTING TO THE MINISTER WERE COMMISSIONED FOR PRINT IN THE 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
"3445. Mr. AM Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) How many copies of each annual report that was produced by {i) her department and (ii) the entities reporting to her were commissioned for print in the 2010·11 financial year, (b) how many copies were actually printed and (c) what were the {i} total and (ii) individual costs of printing these reports;
(2) (a} who printed each specific report, (b) how was the specific printer decided upon and {c} on what date the specified printer delivered the report to the specified entity;
(J} Whether any of the specified reports that had been printed were found unsatisfactory; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (a) which reports, (b) for which entity, (c) by which printer, (d} what action was taken and (e} what were the costs?
NW413'1E
REPLY:
(1} (a) (i) The Department of Science and Technology produced 1500 {One thousand and five hundred) copies of the 2010/"1-1 Annual Report.
(ii) The public entities reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology commissioned the following number of copies:
| Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) | Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) | National Research Foundation (NRF) | South African Council for Natural Scientific Profession (SACNASP) | Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) | Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) | Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) | South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) |
| 3000 (Three thousand) hardcopies | 500 (five hundred) hardcopies | 1000 (One thousand) hardcopies | 100 (One hundred) hardcopies | 600 (Six hundred) hardcopies | 600 (Six hundred) hardcopies | (Three thousand) hardcopies | 200 (two hundred) Hardcopies and 300 (Three hundred) electronic copies |
{b} The actual number of copies printed is provided in a table below:
| Department of Science and Technology (DST) | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) | Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) | National Research Foundation (NRF) | South African Council for Natural Scientific Profession (SACNASP) | Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) | Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) | Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) | South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) |
| 1500 (One thousand five hundred) hardcopies | 3000 (Three thousand) hardcopies | 500 (five hundred) hardcopies | 1000 (One thousand) hardcopies | 100 (One hundred) hardcopies | 600 (Six hundred) Hardcopies and 150 (One hundred and fifty) discs | 600 (Six hundred) hardcopies | (Three thousand) hardcopies | 200 (two hundred) Hardcopies and 300 (Three hundred) electronic copies |
(c) (i) The total costs for the DST and its public entities annual reports are provided as follows:
DST: R269 154.22
AISA R231 447.00
ASSAf: R131 442.00
CSIR: R450 870. 99
HSRC: R114 384·18
NRF: R165 790.00
SACNASP: R1 587.00
SANEHI: R194 753.04
TIA: R335 741.50
(ii} The information regarding the individual cost$ of printing these reports fur the DST and its public entities is provided below:
DST: R179.43
AISA: R462.89
ASSAf: R219.07
CSIR: R150.29
HSRC: R114.38
NRF: R165.79
SACNASP: R15, 87
SANERI: R360 (hardcopy) and R106 (USB), the remaining amount (R90 953.04)is for the design.
TIA: R559.57
{2)(a) The information regarding the printers of the DST and its public entities annual reports is provided in a table below:
| DST | CSIR | AISA | NRF | SACNASP: | TIA | ASSAF | HSRC | SANERI |
| Malachite Marketing and Media | Brand Builders (Design) and Four Images (Printing) | Blue Apple (Design) and Bhubezi (Printing) | Words worth | Potent Cape Town central | Msomi Puisano(Pty) Ltd | Boldesign | Creda Communications | WW Lateral Application |
{b} DST and its public entities printers were identified and decided upon through a supply chain procurement process except for the SACNASP and ASSAf. The identification and decision of the SACNASP printer was based on the location for the delivery of reports. The ASSAf printer was identified and decided upon by the ASSAf Executives through their internal processes.
(c) The annual reports were delivered on the following dates to the DST and its public entities:
DST: 31 August 2011
AISA 21 September 201
ASSAf: 26 September 201
CSIR: 27 August 2011
HSRC: 06 September 2011
NRF: 09 September 2011
SACNASP: 16 September 2011
SANERI: 26 September 2011
TIA: 15 September 2011
{3} Yes
(a) CSIR, HSRC and ASSAf Annual Reports.
{b) CSIR, HSRC and ASSAf.
(c) For the CSIR it was Four Images, ASSAf it was Bo1design and for the HSRC it was Creda Communications.
(d) The action taken for the:
· GSIR was to reprint 98 copies;
· ASSAf was to reprint 150 copies; and
· HSRC was to reprint the correct version of the page error for 1000 copies.
(e) There are no additional costs for the HSRC and CSIR; the additional costs for ASSAf are estimated at R5 699.08.
QUESTION NO. 3389
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 4 NOVEMBER 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 36-2011)
"3389. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether she intends establishing the post of scientific advisor to the (a) President of the Republic or (b) Cabinet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (i) status of this endeavour and (ii) purpose of the post;
(2) when (a) does she intend to present the proposal to establish such a post to Cabinet and (b) is it envisaged that this post will become effective;
(3) whether there will be a public (a) nomination and (b) interviewing process for the post; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(4) whether her department approached a certain person with a proposal to consider accepting the appointment; if so,
(5) whether the said person accepted the post; if so, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4068 E
REPLY:
(1) The department is currently preparing a discussion document pertaining to the possible establishment and role of a Chief Scientific Advisor.
(2) No decision has been taken regarding the time frames for the presentation of the proposal to Cabinet.
(3) N/A
(4) N/A
(5) N/A
QUESTION NO 3335
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 OCTOBER 2011 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 35 - 2011
"494. Ms S K Plaatjie (COPE) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether any progress has been made regarding the production of Joule; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
NW3995E
REPLY:
The next stage of development of the Joule is in the commercialisation space and the appropriate departments and agencies are part of the process. This work has at least two parts namely (a) creating a favourable environment that supports electric vehicles aligned to a government position and (b) securing strategic equity partners that would invest in the commercialisation value chain of the electric vehicle.
a) The Department of Trade and Industry supported by the DST are finalising the government position on electric vehicles. The position paper will indicate government support and plans for the electric vehicle industry including the Joule. The position is essential and provides a sense of government commitment to the development of the industry and will be useful in improving investor confidence. Going forward the scope for Department of Science and Technology (DST) interventions is limited to supporting research, development and innovation.
b) The projected (yet to be verified) investment required to commercialise the Joule is approximately R9 billion (escalation due to exchange rate and inflation). This amount is to cover all production related matters such as production development, manufacturing and retail operations to mention but a few. There has been a challenge in getting a one stop investor and the signal from potential investors is that they may consider partnering on certain parts of the value chain. This work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
QUESTION NO. 3334
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (28 OCTOBER 20"11) {INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 35 - 2011): PLANS TO INCREASE THE UPTAKE OFTHE TAX INCENTIVE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
"3334 Ms SK Plaatjie (COPE) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether the department has any plans in place to increase- the uptake of the tax incentive for research and development; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the Department of Science and Technology has a plan to increase the uptake of the R&D tax incentive programme,
The current promotional plan to create awareness amongst companies about the incentive is being updated. It will be re-launched in January 2012 to incorporate information about the new administrative arrangements resulting from the amendment of section 11D of the Income Tax Act. The campaign will continue to use various media platforms as well as presentation to companies, Industry Associations, Science Councils and Provincial Investment Promotion Agencies.
QUESTION NO. 3198
DATE OF PUBUCATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (31 OCT08ER 2011} (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33-2011): PROGRESS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNOLQGY-LINKED INTERN PROGRAMME WITH SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
"3198. Ms MR Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) What progress has been made with developing the technology-linked intern programme with Small and Medium Enterprises and (b) what number of (i) interns and (II) firms have expressed an interest in this regard?
REPLY:
(a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is currently implementing the Science, Engineering and Technology (SEI) linked internship programme. The programme is implemented by the Technology 1nnovation Agency (TIA). The participating interns are deployed amongst the 15 (geographically distributed) technology stations to render technology support to small and medium enterprises or directly hosted by some of the small and medium enterprises.
In addition, the DST has contracted the Council for Mineral Technologies (Mintek) to implement an internship programme for the local foundry industry. This is an extension of DST's Technology Localisation Programme to provide technology assistance packages (TAPs) to local foundries. The interns will be placed at the foundries receiving technology assistance.
(b) For the 2:01012011 financial year, the intern information was as follows:
i. The DST provided funding for 121 interns. However, some interns found permanent employment before the conclusion of their internship year. This releases funding that is used to bring other graduates into the internship program. The actual number of interns involved in the internship programme was therefore 173.
65 interns were placed in industry, of which nine interns were deployed in small and medium enterprises.
(ii) Eight SMMEs hosted interns.
For 2011/12financial year, the intern information to date is as follows:
(i) The DST provided funding for ·164 Interns of which 33 are designated to the foundry industry_.
The current number of interns placed in industry is 62, of which 21 interns are deployed in small and medium enterprises,
(ii) To date, 18 SMMEs expressed interest to host interns.
QUESTION NO. 3197
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 OCTOBER 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION NUMBER 332-2011
"3197. MS MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is funding any programmes on the development of medicines for treating tuberculosis and multi drug resistant TB; if not why not, if so, a) through which entity, b) where are the programmes being carried out, c) what is the cost of each programme and d) what are the relevant details of the progress that has been made in terms of and success rate for each specified programme."
REPLY:
The Department of Science and Technology is funding the research and development of drugs for both drug sensitive and drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) through an initiative called the South African TB Research and lnnovation lnitiative (SATRII).
a. The South African TB Research and lnnovation Initiative is funded by DST through an agency agreement with the Technology lnnovation Agency.
b. The programmes are carried out at the Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Witwatersrand, as well as the National Health Laboratory Services, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ithemba Pharmaceuticals, and the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the United States of America.
c. There are three key projects that are currently funded by SATRll under the drug discovery programme.
The first project is aimed at determining the inhibitory activity of anti-TB compounds and the potential identification of anti-TB targets. The budget for the project is R2 400 000.
The 2nd Phase of the project involves the selection of the most promising candidates of the drug screening program for further development and optimisation. The budget for the project is R4 800 000.
The 3rd component of the project involves the establishment and management of a functional library of TB compounds capable of supporting access to chemical diversity by research groups nationwide. The budget for this project is R1 500 000.
d. The drug discovery programme is still at the early stages of drug discovery and development. The SATRII has acquired a number of compounds that were sent to the NlAlD to be screened in the leading TB assays in the field with the intention of discovering novel compounds that could be used as starting points in the discovery of new TB drugs. The screening results were highly encouraging and resulted in the discovery of a number of compounds which offer potential for the development of TB drugs in South Africa. A set of similar compounds were sent to the collaborators at WITS/Stellenbosch Universities for activity confirmation as a first step of transferring biology skills to South Africa. The results depicted a high degree of confirmation of the NlAlD results thus giving great confidence in the ability of South Africa to conduct an entire drug discovery program. It is anticipated that the compound library acquired by SATRll will in future be screened for other diseases of importance to the country.
QUESTION NO. 3075
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 OCTOBER 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31- 2011)
"3075 Mrs. M R Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any senior officials of her department intend to visit or have visited New Zealand during the 2011 Rugby World Cup Tournament; if so, what is the (0 (aa) name, (bb) rank and (cc) position or designation of each specified person accompanying (aaa) her (bbb) the Deputy Minister and (ccc) each specified senior official and (ii) (aa) nature and (bb) official reason for the visit;
(2) What (a) total amount will be spent on accommodation, (bb) travel and (cc) subsistence costs?
REPLY:
1. (a) The Minister of Science and Technology, (b) the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and (c) senior officials of the department did not visit and have no intentions of visiting New Zealand during the 2011 Rugby
World Cup Tournament.
2. Not Applicable.
QUESTION NO 2987
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTJON PAPER: 4 October 2011 INTERNAL QUESTION P.APER National Assembly NO 31-2011
Ms MR Shinn {QA) to ask the- Minister of Science and Technology (Tag A):
(1) What is the status$ of the bio-economy strategic plan. (b) are the reasons for the delay in producing the plan and (c) impact does this delay have on her department's intention to have South Africa to be rated as one of the world's top bio-economic nations by 2018;
(2) (a) what (I) bio-economy programmes are functioning despite the strategic plan not being finalised and (ii) funding has her department made available to these programmes and (b) from which programme or entity weresuch allocations made?
(NW3471E)
REPLY:
(1) The bio-economy strategy is current1y under development, (b) the developrnent of the strategy intends to be a consultative process which requires inputs from various stakeholders. The stakeholders include groups from academia, science councils, government and the private sector. In addition, it is important to note that the bio-economy strategy is a government strategy that requires alignment among relevant government departments in order to ensure successful implementation. (c) Although the crafting of the bio-economy strategy is delayed, work continues in the health, industrial and agricultural sectors of it. Good progress is being made especially in the health innovation field. Despite this, significant further investment and time will be required - as will be defined in the bio-economy strategy - in order to overcome the effects of the recent recession and to position South Africa to compete more effectively in the global bio-pharmaceutical sectors
(2) (a) (i) The- main programmes are Health Innovation, HIV/AIDS, Biotechnology innovation via the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (lCGEB), Bioinformatics via the NRF and the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB), (ii) The funding for each of these prograrnmes amount to R38 million, R20 million, R174 million, R9,9 rnillion, R6.5 million and R6.5 million, respectively. (b) The allocations are made from the Biotechnology and Health Innovation sub-programme under Programrne 2 (Research, Development, and Innovation) of the Department.
QUESTION 2891
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 30
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) (a) What is the process that has to take place for a person's name to appear on the child protection register, (b) how long does the process take, (c) what are the requirements for a person to be (i) placed on this register and (ii) deemed unsuitable to work with children and (d) how many names are currently on this register;
(2) (a) which organisations are legally required to screen their employees through this register (b) what amount has to be paid by an organisation to screen its employee through this register and (c) how long does the screening process take;
(3) whether schools are required to screen their teachers through this register; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) (a) what is the backlog of employees being screened according to the register, (b) how many employees have been (i) screened and (ii) deemed unsuitable to work with children, (c) what was spend on this register (i) in the (aa) 2009-10 and (bb) 2010-11 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (d) how was the money spent? NW3362E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The process that has to take place for a person's name to appear on the National Child Protection Register (Register) is done by making a finding of a person unsuitable to work with children, in terms of section 120 (1) of the Children's Act (No. 38 of 2005) by:
" (a) a children's court;
(b) any other court in any criminal or civil proceedings in which that person is involved; or
(c) any forum established or recognised by law in any disciplinary proceedings concerning the conduct of that person relating to a child. "
The registrar of the relevant court, or the relevant administrative forum, must notify the Director-General in writing, within 21 working days of a finding that a person is unsuitable to work with children.
In the event that a relevant administrative forum has no official or staff member acting in the capacity of a registrar or a clerk of the court, the person responsible for convening the meeting or hearing of the administrative forum where the finding of the unsuitability of a person to work with children was made, must notify the Director-General of the finding as contemplated in section 122 of the Act and Regulation 42.
The Director-General must enter the name of a person in Part B of the Register immediately on receiving the notification that a person has been found unsuitable to work with children regardless of whether appeal proceedings have been instituted or not. The Director-General will inform the affected person, within 21 working days that his/her name has been entered onto the Register.
(b) In terms of Regulation 44 (4) of the Children's Act, the Director- General must notify the affected person in writing within 21 working days of such entry.
(c) (i) The requirements for a person to be placed on the Register are:
Any person who has abused a child can be found unsuitable to work with children in any disciplinary proceedings concerning the conduct of that person relating to the child. This can include:
· Any sexual abuse (molesting; grooming; rape; pornography etc.);
· Physical abuse (corporal punishment; burning; cuts; bruises; fractures etc); and
· Emotional abuse (corruption through exposure to illegal activities; self destruction behaviour; exposure to violence; deprivation of affection; rejection etc) against such a child. The finding on guilty or innocent is not dependent upon a finding in a criminal court.
In the case of a criminal procedure a person must be found unsuitable to work with children when they are convicted of murder, attempted murder, rape, indecent assault or assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm with regard to a child. The court must make such a ruling as part of the sentencing of such a person.
In terms of persons who has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, rape, indecent assault or assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm with regard to a child during the five years preceding the commencement of the Children's Act, is deemed to have been found unsuitable to work with children. The data must still be provided by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to DSD.
(c) (ii) Persons deemed unsuitable to work with children is explained above.
(d) 22 names are currently on the Register.
(2) (a) All organisations and designated child protection organisations providing services to children are legally required to screen their employees through the Register.
The Act also prescribes that other organs of state must comply with these requirements, namely:
· The South African Police Service may not allow a person who works in a unit of the Service tasked with child protection;
· the Municipal council of a municipality, for a person in a position where that person works with or has access to children; or
· the Head of a State Department may not allow a person whose name appears in Part B of the Register to be employed in a position where that person works with or has access to children.
(b) No payment is required for an organisation to screen its employee through the Register.
(c) The screening of an application must be completed within 21 working days.
(3) Yes, schools are required to screen their teachers through the Register as prescribed, in terms of section 123 (1) (a) of the Act.
(4) (a) The backlog of employees that need to be screened according to the Register is 11 446,
(b) (i) 3 672 employees have been screened,
(b) (ii) None of the screened employees were deemed unsuitable to work with children due to lack of historical data as stated in the response given in question 1 (c) (i), paragraph 3.
(c) (i) (aa) and (bb) and (ii): The following budget was received from the IJS. The money was provided for the development of the integrated systems with Departments of Home Affairs, South African Police Service, Correctional services and Justice and Constitutional Development.
| Year | 2009/2010 | 2010/2011 | April 2011 to date |
| Budget | R1, 628,000 | R1, 725, 849 | R99, 818,00 |
(d) the money was spent as follows:
| Activity | 2009/2010 | 2010/2011 | April 2011 to date |
| Capacity Building in provinces | R777.40 | R82,942.29 | R5 745.00 |
| Equipment | - | R 52,415.85 | R700, 000 In process of procuring laptops, photo copier, printers/scanners) |
| Project Management Office – Compensation Project Manager Project Administrator System Developers (2) Analysts (2) | R1, 679, 526.65 | R41,013, 548 | R94 073. 32 |
| 6 contract persons | 4 contract persons. 2 persons resign from the project | 3 contract persons. 1 contract system developer since June 2011 | |
| Key deliverables: | Part A: Phase1: Online notification by the public and persons mandated to report cases. Development of Part B. Provincial training in eight provinces | Conversion from web CPR to SDIMS. Conversion done (25%) Sustain Part A of the CPR with provinces by addressing capturing problems experienced by users Visits to 9 province to assist with the implementation of the CPR. 4 Provinces re -trained on the system | Full conversion of Part A and Part B of the CPR from PORTICO to DotNet including Online Notifications Maintenance of the CPR. Awareness raising within provinces |
End.
Source: National Department of Social Development
Branch: Welfare Services
QUESTION NO 2840
DATE OF PUBUCATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 September 2011: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 30-2011
2840. Ms M R Shinn (DA} to ask the Minister of Science and Techno1ogy:
(1) Whether her department is funding any research and development of any plant material for conversion into bio-fuels; if not, why not; if so, what are- the relevant details?
(NW331i6E)
REPLY:
1. In support of the transition to a low carbon economy and in line with the Bio-fuels Industrial Strategy, the Department of Science and Technology is funding two bio-fuels research initiatives. The first level of support is at a basic research stage through the bio-fuels related Research Chairs at the Universities of Stellenbosch and North \Nest. The second is at near commercialisation stage and through the Technology Innovation Agency the DST is funding the demonstration of bio-fuel projects. The emphasis for both initiatives is on later generation bio-fuels technologies, which focus on using non food materials (like waste material, biomass, algae, etc.) as a feedstock to produce energy.
2. The main focus of the bio-fuels research undertaken is on developing the conversion technologies rather than the feedstock material. However, the inter-linkages on conversion technologies provide insights also on how the feedstock should be prepared or genetically altered in order to obtain rnaximum benefit. Pending on the availability of the feedstock in question the research groups either collaborate or support the growth of that feedstock (in a controlled environment - greenhouse) with the main objective being an optimum feedstock for conversion into bio-fuels.
QUESTION NO 2838
"2838. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology :
Whether there are any plans to increase the number of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) funded through the National Research Foundation (NRF); if not, why not; if so, (a) how many will be created, (b) what will be their focus areas, (c) where will they be located and (d) from which budget allocations will this funding come? NW3304E
REPLY
1. Yes, there are plans to increase the Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
(a) Only one CoE will be created.
(b) The focus of this CoE will be in Paloesciences.
(c) There is no decision on where the CoE will be located. A call for proposals to host the CoE will be made to the research community using the National Research Foundation (NRF) systems.
(d) The funding will come from the DST's Human Resource Development (HRD) line item allocation.
QUESTION NO 2745
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERAL QUESTION PAPER: (INTERNAL
QUESTION PAPER NO. 29=2011)
2745. Mrs. M R Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Who is the preferred service provider that is used by her department for hiring of vehicles (b) why the specified service provider is preferred?
(2) What is the (a) name of the service provider and (b) reasons for using the specified service provider in each stance where vehicles have been hired for use by her or her Deputy Minister since March 2011.
REPLY
(1) (a)The DST's preferred service providers for the hiring of vehicles are Budget, Hertz, Avis, and EuropCar.
(b)The above specified service providers are chosen by the DST because of their experience, cost competitiveness and the quality of service that they offer.
Minister and the Deputy Minister
(2) (a) The names of the preferred service providers are Budget, Avis, Hertz and EuropCar.
(b) The reasons for using the above-mentioned preferred service providers are the quality of service and experience as alluded to in the preceding paragraph.
QUESTION NO 2705
"2705. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether any additional funding has been allocated to any Centres of Excellence in the 2011-12 financial year; if not, why not; if so (a) to which centres, (b) why were the specified centres chosen, (c) what amount in each case and (d) what is the total amount of funds that will have been made available to each specified centre by the end of the 2011-12 financial year? NW3165E
REPLY
1. Yes, there has been additional allocation for Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in 2010/11, and a standard Inflation adjusted growth of 5% in 2011/12.
(a) The two CoEs which were allocated a 50% increase in 2010/11 are:
(i) CoE in Tree Health Biotechnology, and
(ii) CoE in Birds as Key to Biodiversity.
(b) The two CoEs were supported at half the appropriate values since they were built on pre-existing research programmes or institutes. In 2009/10, the independent reviewers of the CoE programme recommended the full funding of the two CoEs. This decision was informed by their excellent performance.
(c) In 2010/11, the additional 50% allocation to the two CoEs amounted to:
- CoE in Birds as Key to Biodiversity - R2.9 minion.
(d) The 2011/12 funding for each of the two CoEs was R5.2 million Inclusive of 50% increase in 2010/11, and a 5% inflationary increase in 2011/12.
QUESTION NO. 2673
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29-2011)
"2673. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What negotiations are (a) being planned and (b) taking place with the Minister's of Health, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to determine whether the SA Medical Research Council and the Agricultural Research Council will be transferred to her department?
REPLY:
There are no negotiations:
(a) being planned; and or
(b) taking place with the Ministers of Health, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to determine whether the SA Medical Research Council and the Agricultural Research Council will be transferred to the Department of Science and Technology.
QUESTION NO. 2672
Ms MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
Whether her department has financed the further development of the Joule electric car since the final scheduled payment of R23 000 000 in August 2010, if so (a) on which grounds (b) what amount has been paid since August 2010 (c) from which programme was it paid (d) through which entity was the payment made?
(2) Whether any further payments are anticipated for the ongoing development of the Joule electric car, if not why not if so (a) what are the amount and (b) is the purpose in each case?
REPLY:
1. The last financial support, an amount of R23 million, for the further development of the Joule electric vehicle was paid to the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA:) in March 2010. TIA is the agency that has been driving the project managing the development of the Joule. The TIA, then released the funding in tranches based on the team (Optimal Energy) developing the vehicle meeting the certain milestone
2. There are no further payments anticipated. The Joule is in the commercialisation stage and the appropriate departments and agencies are part of the process. However it should be noted the Department of Science and Technology as per its mandate will continue supporting research, development and innovation in support of the emerging electric vehicle industry.
QUESTION NO. 2609
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 09 SEPTEMBER 2011(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28 – 2011)
"2609 Ms M R Shinn (DA) ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) What were the (i) terms and (ii) conditions of the severance package of a former employee of the National Research Foundation (NRF), (b) what was the financial value of the package, (c) how was the amount calculated and (d) what were the terms of his original employment contract and (e) how many years remained on the said contract at the time when he left the NRF? NW3024E
REPLY
(a) (i) and (ii)
The terms and conditions of the severance package of the NRF former employee are contained in a detailed agreement and the parties signed a confidentiality or no-disclosure clause of the terms and conditions, unless required to do so by law or required to by a court.
(b) The financial value of the package cannot be disclosed as per agreement mentioned in (a) above.
(c) Not applicable
(d) The former employee was employed on a five (5) years fixed term contract ending on 28 February 2014.
(e) The former employee had two (2) years and eight months (8) remaining on the said contract at the time when he left the NRF.
QUESTION NO 2495
DATE OF PUBLCATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 SEPTEMBER 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27 - 2011)
2495. Mr S J Masango (DA) lo ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(9 > Whether (a) her department and (b) entities reporting to it have (i) awarded any tenders and (ii) concluded any (aa) contracts (bb) financial transactions with certain companies (names and details furnishes) in each specified financial year since 2005-06; if so, (aaa) which company or entity, (bbb) what are the relevant details, (ccc) what was the value of each (aaaa) tender, (bbbb) contract or (cccc) financial transactions and (ddd) what was the name of &he companies who failed for each tender, contract or financial transaction that was awarded? NW2909E
REPLY
Neither the Department of Science and Technology nor any of the public entities reporting to it have awarded any tenders, concluded any contracts and financial transactions with any of the companies specified below in each specified financial year since 2005-06:
· Bobwil Projects;
· Casino Retail;
· Chamber Management Services;
· Hyperception Properties 213;
· Just Co Investments
· Lezmin 2554
· Mokekong Printing and Promotions;
· Que Trade 101 RHC Properties;
· Sonex; and
· Ivothondaba Properties
QUESTION NO 2451
DATE Of PUBUCATION IN iNTERNAL Q:UEST~ON PAPER: {2
SEPTEMBER 2011} {INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27 ~ 2011)
Ms MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) Wheather her department has cormmited to further fund the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) 004 tenofovir gel trials; if not, why not if so (a) what amount has been allocated, (b) when will this amount be available and (c} from which budget programme will the further funding come;
(2) Whether she has been informed that CAPRISA's application to proceed with CAPRISA008 trial that was submitted to the Medicines Control Council in November 2010 has stalled; if not,
what is the position in this regard; if so, what action has been taken in this regard;
(3) Whether she intends taking any action in this regard; if not, Why not, if so, what action?
REPLY:
(1) The path to licensure and public health implementation of Tenofovir requires a number of clinical research studies: (i) The confirmation study conducted by the; Follow-on African Consortium for Tenofovir Studies (FACTS 001) (ii) the completion of the CAPRISA 004 study; (iii) the CAPRISA 008 study, that is a Phase IIIb open-label randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of tenofovir gel provision through family planning services in KwaZulu-NataI, South Africa.
The purpose of the; study is to access the effectiveness of an implementation model which integrates tenofovir gel provision into existing family planning services; and (iv) CAPRISA 009, an open label randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of prophylactic exposure to tenofovir gel on the efficacy of subsequent tenofovir containing antiretroviral therapy on viral suppression, The purpose of the study Is to provide care, treatment and monitoring for former CAPR1SA 004 trial participants who had become infected with HIV while in the trial. The Department of Science and Technology has committed to provide funding for all these studies.
QUESTION NO. 2450,OATE OF PUBLICATiON IN gNTERNAL QUEST~ON PAPER: (2 SEPTEMBER
20'11) (INTERNAL QUESTION P.eI,PER NO. 27-Z011}: PRESENTATION Of THE.
2009-10 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE RESEARCH AND DEVLOPMENT TAX
INCENTIVE PROGRAMME TO THE CABiNET.
"2450. Ms MR Shien (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether the 2009-10 Annual report on the Research and Development Tax Incentive Programme wm be presented to Cabinet; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will It be tabled In Parliament and (b) what (J) has been the delay in tabling the report and (ii} are the reasons as 10 why this will only be the second report on this scheme to have been produced since the incentive scheme was launched in 2006?
REPLY:
(1) Yes. the 2009 -10 annual report on the Research and Development Tax Incentive Programme was presented to Cabinet on 22 June 2011 and;
(a) was tabled in Parliament on 19August 2011.
(b) (i) Already tabled.
(ii) The first published report could have been that for 2006/7, but at the end of the reporting period no applications had been received. At the same time the DST was implementing awareness campaigns and setting up administrative systems, Companies that knew about the programme indicated that They needed time to align their reporting system$ to the requirements of section 11 D for them to participate in the incentive.
The first ctalt11 for the R&D tax incentive was received in November 2007 a year after the effective date of the initiative. From then on companies slowly began submitting their applications. For this reasons, the first report (2007/8) was compiled using data covering the period from 2 November 2006 to 30 September 2008, during which period the DST received 80 requests.
The 2008/9 report was not compiled because most of the information had already been incorporated into the 2007/8 report. For the remainder of the 2008/9 period, the DST received 30 applications whose information was incorporated into the 2009/10 report.
QUESTION NO: 2444
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 SEPTEMBER 2011 (NTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27-2011)
"2444. Ms. M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether the report of the Ministerial Review into the science and technology landscape win be submitted to Cabinet; if not, why not; if 50, (a) when and {b) what was the reason for the delay;
(2) Whether any further payments have been made to members of the review committee since the reply to question 1330 was tabled on 11 May 2011; if not. what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what has been the total cost of the review committee to date, including {i) accommodation, (ii) transport (iii) logistical support, (iv) staff salaries and (v) remuneration of committee members?
{NW2852E)
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
(a) The committee will submit its first draft report to the Minister by the end of October 2011 forconsideration: however, the final report will be submitted by the end of November 2011, Thereafter the Minister wm then submit to Cabinet.
(b) There were no delays.
(2) Yes.
(a) The total Cost for the Committee for the period from May 2011to August 2011 was R82, 688.00 broken-down as follows:
(i) Accommodation R1, 408.00.
(ii) Transport R27, 289.00.
(iii} logistical support RO.
(iv) Staff' salaries is not applicable on the DST staff members who provide secretariat work to the Committee are not paid additional salaries for assisting the Committee w1th administration.
(v) Remuneration of committee members based on their attendance was as follows:
· Chairperson Prof Nongxa R0.
· Vice chairperson Prof Gevers R14, 662.00
· Prof Kahn Rl0, 952.00.
· Prof Ngoepe R13, 715, 00.
· Prof de la Rey R0.
· Prof Setati R3, 532.00.
· Mr Spicer R7, 420.00.
· Prof Figaji R3. 710.00.
QUESTION NO. 2415
Date of Publication in Internal Question Paper ( 2 September 2011) (Internal Question Paper No 27-2011)
2415. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What amount was (a) claimed by (b) paid to (i) her and (ii) her deputy minister for subsistence and travel in each month in the 2010-11 financial year? NW28D9E
REPLY
Please find the table here: http://www.pmg.org.za/questions/table2415-2011.pdf
QUESTION NO 2388
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 SEPTEMBER 2011 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2011)
2388. Ms A Z Ndlazi (ANC) to ask Minister of Science and Technology:
What initiatives has her department embarked upon in response to the Government's commitment to the long-term development of women in scarce skill, as referred to by the President during his speech at the Official Women's Month celebration?
NW2778€
REPLY
1. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) mainstreams gender in all its human capital development initiatives, with a stipulated targets of more that 50 percent participation by women in all its human capital development initiatives. All the Department's human capital development initiatives, from school focused talent development initiatives to postgraduate bursaries (Honours, Masters and Doctoral), have more than 50% participation by girls and women.
The Department monitors the participation of women in research and scientific careers through the National Advisory Council on Innovation's (NACI) subcommittee, the Science, Engineering and Technology for Women (SET4Women). NACI has conducted studies that monitor the participation and performance of women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), as well as those that inform policy planning on enhancing women participation in SET. These studies include:
· Women in SET: Exploring the Facts;
· Facing the Facts: Women's Participation in Science, Engineering and
Technology;
· Creating the Future South African National System of Innovation:
Gender, Race and SET Sector Issues; and
· South African Science and Technology Indicators.
In addition, since 2003 the Department has hosted the annual South African Women in Science Awards (WISA). These awards are aimed at profiling women scientists and researchers as role models for younger scientists and researchers; encourage and reward younger women who are beginning their research careers. The Department profiles WISA award winners as role models in awareness programmes with learners to rnotivate them to follow science and research careers.
QUESTION NO 2367
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02
SEPTEMBER 2011 (INTERNAL PAPER NO. 27 - 2011)
"2367. MR GOLOLO (ANC) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether (a) her department and (b) the entities reporting to her have implemented any energy-saving (i) practices or (ii) devices for buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
REPLY:
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and its public entities implemented energy-saving practices or devices for its buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010-11 financial year as detailed below:
(a) Department of Science and Technology
(i) An awareness programme on energy efficiency has been implemented in the organisation.
(ii) The DST utilises the Building Management System (BMS). The system is programmed to automatically switch on all lights from 06:00 to 20:00 and air-conditioning system on from 06:00 to 18:00 weekdays only.
(b) Implementation by the respective entities is as tabulated in the table below:
QUESTION NO 2353
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (26 AUGUST 2011) (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2011)
"Ms MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What is the status of Cabinet's decision to purchase a majority stake in SunSpace;
(2) whether the evaluation by a certain company (details furnished) on the size and value of her department's share has been concluded; if not why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) when will the (a) majority share purchase be finalized and (b) cost to the taxpayer be known?"
(NW2729E)
REPL Y:
(1) The decision has not yet been taken. The SANSA team has just finalised the draft business case and the possible structuring of the deal. A special SANSA board meeting will be discussing the report from a consulting firm in order to advise the Minister accordingly.
(2) The evaluation of the share of the Department's contribution has not been finalised, as it would depend on the overall structuring of the deal and shareholding arrangement. The process is still underway and the final business case will be tabled at a special SANSA Board meeting with recommendations to be made to the Minister.
(3) The decision of acquiring a stake should be (a) finalised and presented to Cabinet before the end of October 2011 and (b) the cost thereof will also be made known to Cabinet.
QUESTION 2352
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (25 AUGUST 2011) (INTERNAL QUESTION PA.PER NO 26" 2(11)
'''Ms. Mr. Shinn to ask the- Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What (a) is the monthly operational cost of SumbandilaSat and (b)
has the total cost of the satellite been up to the latest specified date for which information is available including (i) design, (ii} manufacturing, (iii) (aa) transport and (bb) launch and (iv) (aa) operational and (bb) repair costs
(NW2728E}
REPLY:
(a) The monthly operational G05t of SumbandilaSat is R 468 500. This constitutes the hours of the three dedicated personnel at Hartebeeshoek and SunSpace support activities.
(b) (i) and (ii) The total cost for the design and manufacturing of the satellite was R 26 072 142. This was the original contract with Stellenbosch University.
(iii)(aa) The cost to transport SurnbandilaSat was R. 706 148.
(iii)(bb) The cost for the launch was R8 392 400.
(iv) (aa) The operational cost for SumbandilaSat is as follows:
- 2009/2010: R 2 602 177.
- 2010/2011: R 6 622 000,
- 2011/2012: R 5 622 000.
(iv)(bb) Satellites cannot be repaired, but can be maintained in orbit through tile normal operations. Hence, the cost of maintenance is included in the operational cost
QUESTION NO 2351
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (26 AUGUST 2011) (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2011)
"Ms MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) What was the cause of the failure of the unit powering SumbandilaSat's the operations of the satellite, (c) what steps have been taken to (i) rectify the problem and (ii) prevent it from recurring and (d) what was the cost of the repair;
(2) whether end-user applications have been compromised, as a result of the power failure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the relevant details?"
(NW2727E)
REPLY:
(1) (a) The most likely cause of the damage was solar radiation due to harsh conditions in outer space.
(b) The damage prevented SumbandilaSat operations between 21/6/11 and 04/07/11 while the anomaly was being resolved.
(c) The problem was remedied by uploading new software onto the satellite. This software will enable easier system reset operations should a similar system failure occur in the future.
(d) There was no additional cost incurred as the satellite was recovered to an operational state as part of the normal operations. Troubleshooting and anomaly resolution form part of operations as it is the nature of satellites to have failures that require attention.
(2) There has been no direct implication for end-users, as the satellite is not usually used in an on-demand scheduling mode, but used during the targeted acquisition mode.
QUESTION NO 2353
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (26 AUGUST 2011) (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2011)
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY BY MS S K PlAAT.JIE (COPE:)
"2260. Ms S K Plaatjie (COPE) to ask the Minister of Science & Technology:
(1) Whether she has found that Africa has achieved the greatest increase in rnobile phone usage in past decade; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how will her department use (a} this mobile phone technology to increase awareness of Science and Technology amongst the youth and (b) mobile phones to assist in the learning of school children?
NW2631 E
REPLY:
Question 2260
Yes, Africa has achieved the greatest increase in mobile phone usage in the past decade. In 2008, the continent was home to 246 million mobile cellular subscriptions, compared to 11 million in 2000. The annual growth rate between 2003 and .2008 in mobile cellular subscriptions in Africa has been twice that of the world. Overall, the population covered by a mobile cellular signal in Africa increased from 25 per cent in 2000 into 58.5 per cent in 2008 with a slow-down in growth since 2005.
(a)
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has identified mobile enablement as one of the key focus areas for research, development and innovation in rnobile applications, service and content. The mobile phone technology may in the near future be integrated into the DST's existing programmes that seek to promote science and technology awareness among the general public, particularly the youth, such as the national science week, science festival and other pmgrammes implemented by science centres, agencies, national science councils and facilities. The programrnes are managed by these organisations at more than 90 localities in all 9 provinces
(b)
The DST has contributed to information and communications technology (ICT) research, development and innovation by funding a portfolio of projects at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Meraka Institute, which included a focus on ICT for Education, One of the outputs of that research is the project called Dr Math which is an online mobile tutoring service running on the MXIT platform assisting learners with their study of Mathematics.
The DST, in partnership with CSIR's Meraka Institute and some private sector organizations such as Nokia, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and MXit to name a few, are in support of collaboration in ICT for Education. Dr Math has the stage and ushered the bouquet of additional mobile learning services currently offered, of which many have been developed and based on the learning and experiences in the environment establishment by the Department of Basic Education.
QUESTION NO. 2339
QUESTION 2339 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: MR J SELFE (DA): WHETHER HER DEPARTMENT AND ANY ENTITY REPORTING TO HER WAS APPROACHED BY A CERTAIN POLITICAL ORGANISATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO ITS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS?
"2339. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(q) Whether (a) her department and (b) any entity reporting to her was approached by the African National Congress to contribute to its centenary celebrations; if so, in each case, (i) which entities and (ii) what was the (aa) nature and (bb) value of the contribution that was requested;
(2) Whether (a) her department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to her agreed to the request; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (i) who approved the request, (ii) what was the justification for the agreement to the request and (iii) from which budget will the contribution be paid;
(3) Whether (a) her department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to her made financial contributions to the said political organisation without being approached for such financial contributions; if so, in each case, (i) what amount will be contributed, (ii) from which budget, (iii) who made the decision to provide the specified funds to the said political organization and (iv) how is this (aaa) and (bbb) amount justified;
(4) Whether (a) her department and (b) any of the entities reporting to her rely on any (i) statutory and (ii) policy provisions in (aa) agreeing and (bb) making such contribution; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details? NW2715E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The Department of Science and Technology was never approached by the African National Congress (ANC) to contribute to its centenary celebrations.
(b) No entity was approached by the ANC to contribute to its centenary celebrations.
(i) None.
(ii) (aa) Not applicable.
(ii) (bb) Not applicable.
(2) (a) The Department of Science and Technology did not agree to the request because it was never approached for a contribution towards the centenary celebration.
(b) No entity agreed to the request because they were never approached for such contribution and it is not part of their mandate to make such contributions.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(iii) Not applicable.
(3) (a) No
(b) No
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(iii) Not applicable.
(iv) (aaa) Not applicable.
(bbb) Not applicable.
(4) (a) (b)
(i) No.
(ii) No.
(aa) Not applicable.
(bb) Not applicable.
QUESTION NO 2258
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN 1NTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 AUGUST 2011: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 -2011
2258. Ms S K Plaatjie (Cope} to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What measures have been implemented to (a) increase public appreciation of how chemistry assists to meet the worlds need, (b) encourage an interest in chemistry amongst young; people and (c) generate enthusiasm for the future of chemistry.
NW2529E
REPLY
a) The Department of Science and Technology promotes science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation literacy to the general public and the youth through various initiatives. In 20-11, these initiatives have a particular focus on the promotion of chemistry, as the United Nations declared this year, the International Year of Chemistry. The promotion of chemistry has been achieved through the support of the National Science Week campaign, science festivals, science centre programmes and focussed events and publications. Chemistry focussed events range from speakers, videos, experiments such as the global water experiment, debates, conferences and science shows among others., The cumulative reach of all these initiatives can be estimated to exceed 250 000 direct participants, while science festivals would reach an estimated 50 000 individuals. The reach of the initiatives through the media (radio, television and print) can be estimated to be more than 5 million people.
b) The youth proportion of the general public reached through the initiatives mentioned in a) is expected to be approximate1y 70%,
c) South Africa hosted a number of International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) sponsored events. The 40th South African Chemical Institute (SACI) convention and the 3f'(] Federation of African Societies of Chemistry meeting was held at the University of the Witwatersrand during January 2011; and the 11th International Conference on Frontiers of Polymers and Advanced Materials was held at the University of Pretoria during May 2011. In March 2011, the IUPAC and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) launched the global water experiment in Cape Town. Publications such as the South African Journal of Chemistry, the South African Journal of Science and the Academy of Science for South Africa's Quest magazine have 2011 special editions focussing on chemistry.
QUESTION NO. 2236
DATE OF PUBLICATION INTERAL QUESTION PAPER: (19 AUGUST 2011) (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 25-2011)
"2236. MR D C SMILE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:"
(1) Whether (a) she (b) her deputy minister, (c)any specified officials and (d) any other persons have been issued with a government of official credit card during the period 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, what are the relevant details for her, her deputy minister and each holder of a credit card in respect of the (i) name; (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv) outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the credit card arid (vii) uses that such a credit card is intended for;
(2) Whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) whose credit cards are over the limit and (b)what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit;
(3) Whether any action has been taken against such person's for exceeding their cards limits; if not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2190E
REPLY
(1) (a} The Minister of Science and Technology was not issued with the
government officia1 credit card.
(b) The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology was also not
issued with the government official credit card.
(c) There was no DST official issued with the government official
credit card.
{d) No one in the Department of Science and Technology was issued
with a government official credit card.
(2) (a) and (b} not applicable, please refer to 1 above.
(3) Not applicable, please refer to 1 above.
QUESTION NUMBER: 2025
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 – 2011 DATED 05 August 2011
"2025" Mr D C Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
(1) At how many (i) International and (ii) domestic hotels / guest houses were (aa) she and (bb her Deputy Minister accommodated during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what (i) was the (aa) name, (bb) star rating and (cc) city location for each specified establishment (ii) was the (aa) duration and (bb) purpose of the stay in each case and (iii) (aa) was the total of the cost of accommodation and (bb) is the breakdown of the accommodation cost in each case ? NW2271E
REPLY
(a) The Minister was accommodated at (i) 17 international and (ii) 68 domestic hotels / guest houses and (bb) Deputy Minister was accommodated at (i) 12 international and (ii) 96 domestic hotels/guest houses between April 2009 up to July 2011.
(b) (i) (aa) The Minister and the Deputy Minister were accommodated at various hotels and guest houses (bb) the hotels and guest houses ranged from three to five star rating and (cc) they are located in various domestic and international cities.
(ii) The average duration was two days and (bb) in all cases the purpose of the visit was business.
(iji)(aa) The total cost for the Minister in all the cases was R217 132.88 and the total cost for the Deputy Minister was R209 491.67