National Assembly - 15 August 2002
THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2002 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:02.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.
VACANCY
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have to announce that vacancies have arisen in the National Assembly owing to the resignation of Dr O S B Baloyi, Mr G B Bhengu and Mr V B Ndlovu.
NEW MEMBERS
(Announcement)
The Deputy Speaker announced that the vacancies caused by the resignation of Dr O S B Baloyi, Mr G B Bhengu and Mr V B Ndlovu had been filled, in accordance with item 6(3) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution, 1996, by the nomination, with effect from 12 August 2002, of Mr T E Vezi, Ms M Xulu and Mr M V Ngema, respectively.
OATH
Mr M V Ngema, Mr T E Vezi and Ms M Xulu, accompanied by Mrs L R Mbuyazi and Mr J H van der Merwe, made and subscribed the oath and took their seats.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr J P CRONIN: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House - (1) notes that -
(a) 17 August marks the 20th Anniversary of the murder of Comrade
Ruth First, South African freedom fighter, communist, academic
and journalist;
(b) Craig Williamson, a notorious apartheid spy and agent
provocateur, has accepted responsibility for this crime; and
(c) he has deliberately misled the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission about this assassination plot to protect his former
superiors and collaborators;
(2) salutes the contribution made by Comrade Ruth First in the struggle for the realisation of a liberated, nonracial, nonsexist and democratic South Africa; and
(3) reaffirms its commitment to the noble principles and ideals for which Comrade Ruth First lived and died. [Applause.]
Mr D H M GIBSON: Chairperson, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House -
(1) notes with regret that the President, who is accountable and answerable to Parliament, will be unable to answer Questions on 21 August because of obligations at the World Summit on Sustainable Development;
(2) observes that the dates have been known for months and these should have been co-ordinated with the parliamentary programme;
(3) notes further that the President appeared at Question time once this year, on 21 May 2002, and that if he keeps the dates in September and October, he will have accounted to the House only three times this year;
(4) regrets this disdain of Parliament; and (5) resolves that this is entirely inadequate if Parliament is to fulfil its constitutional obligation to hold the President accountable.
[Applause.] [Interjections.]
Mr E T FERREIRA: I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
(1) notes that five Johannesburg policemen were arrested on charges of robbery, corruption and theft after a robbery of a cellphone shop in Hillbrow;
(2) further notes that the policemen were arrested with the assistance of members of the public;
(3) condemns corruption in the SA Police Service and urges the relevant authorities to take the necessary action needed to wipe out corruption; and
(4) applauds the police and members of the public who assisted them, for the swift arrest of the accused.
Ms M M RAMAKABA-LESIEA: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that Comrade Lilian Ngoyi, a former President of the ANC Women’s League and the Federation of South African Women, and others’ led more than 20 000 women of all races in the historic march in 1956;
(2) recognises her role in inspiring young people to volunteer to defy unjust apartheid laws, and that she was a central figure in the women’s struggle;
(3) acknowledges that Comrade Lilian Ngoyi was the first woman to be elected to the National Executive Committee of the ANC and to be awarded ``isithwalandwe’’
(4) vows in this month of women’s emancipation to continue to work for the ideals that Comrade Lilian Ngoyi has fought for throughout her life, namely -
(a) a society where all shall be truly equal before the law
irrespective of sex and gender; and
(b) a society where all forms of discrimination on the basis of race
and gender, and gender inequality shall cease to exist.
[Applause.]
Mrs S M CAMERER: Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of this House:
That the House -
(1) congratulates Professor Margaret Orr on her moral victory in her fight against sexual harassment, with the resignation yesterday of the man who made her position untenable at Unisa, former Chairperson of Unisa’s Council, McCaps Motimele;
(2) notes that Professor Orr has courageously struck a blow for women by refusing to be part of the conspiracy of silence about sexual harassment and has been completely vindicated in her actions through the damages award by the courts and the subsequent resignation by Motimele; and
(3) supports the decision by Unisa not to pay the damages which were awarded against Motimele that are clearly his responsibility.
[Applause.]
Mr W G MAKANDA: Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the UDM at the next sitting of the House:
That the House -
(1) views with grave concern the revelations in the National Conventional Arms Report that the Government failed to disclose to the UN Register of Arms Sales that it had sold 28 G-5 artillery pieces to Malaysia;
(2) considers this a serious omission that undermines the international credibility of our country and compromises its standing as key player in peace-keeping efforts in the Southern African region and the continent; and
(3) regards it as an ominous dereliction of duty and lack of good faith by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, who are responsible for suppressing this information.
Mrs M L NGWENYA: Chairperson, I give notice that at the next sitting of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) policewomen manned roadblocks throughout the country during the
period of 6 to 9 August 2002; and
(b) during this period 227 people were arrested, 681 traffic fines
were issued, 30 stolen vehicles were recovered and 100 illegal
immigrants were detained;
(2) believes that -
(a) this successful mission reflects that women can carry out tasks
and responsibilities which are in the interest of society as a
whole; and
(b) the Government and the people of South Africa must continue to
work towards the creation of an enabling environment for women
to be equal partners in the struggle to roll back the frontier
of poverty and gender inequality; and
(3) commends the policewomen who carried out these roadblocks and thus contributed to the fight against crime.
[Applause.]
Mr L M GREEN: Chairperson, I intend to move at the following sitting of the House on behalf of the ACDP:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) on 7 August 2002 public hearings were held on the Education Laws
Amendment Bill [B 31 - 2002]; and
(b) these hearings were well attended by teacher unions, SAQA,
Independent Schools Association of SA, the Independent
Examination Board and several Christian organisations;
(2) further notes that several of these organisations expressed their concerns with certain proposed amendments as envisaged by the said Amendment Bill:
(a) The Independent Schools Association of SA was concerned about
the possible diminishing status of independent schools and that
the independence granted by section 29(3) of the Constitution
could be watered down by the introduction of section 6(a) of the
South African Schools Act, which empowers the Minister of
Education to determine a national curriculum as well as a
national process for the assessment of learner achievement for
public and independent schools; and
(b) Section 29(3) of the Constitution allows for the provision of
education that is different from that provided in public
schools. These differences may be of a philosophical, cultural
or religious nature, and the introduction of section 6(a),
especially with reference to a single national curriculum for
independent schools as well, undermines the independence given
to the independent educational institutions, as envisaged by
section 29(3) of the Constitution.
Mr C AUCAMP: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the AEB:
That the House -
(1) notes with disgust that, in reaction to the tackling of the referee in the rugby test match on Saturday, Mr Rian Oberholzer, Managing Director of Rugby South Africa, literally added insult to injury with his emotional outburst against what he called ``boorish, boerewors- eating, brandy-drinking supporters’’;
(2) is of the opinion that Mr Oberholzer makes himself guilty of stereotyping and generalisation, and insulting a large sector of South African rugby supporters, and that the way and context in which he used the term ``boorish’’ may, in tens of the Equality Act, constitute hate speech against a certain section of the community;
(3) asks Mr Oberholzer to take notice that his stiff upper lip approach does not contribute to the popularisation of the game; and
(4) is of the opinion that Mr Oberholzer has missed the opportunity to point out that the disgusting behaviour of but one supporter is an isolated case, and that instead he has thrown petrol on the fire of the venomous international press trying to put the whole country in the dog box because of one isolated incident.
[Applause.]
Ms T R MODISE: Chairperson, at the next sitting of this House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes the statement by the Minister of Health that the Government is seeking ``best use’’ of female condoms;
(2) further notes that female condoms are 20 times more expensive than male condoms and that the Government is working towards ensuring that they are accessible to all women;
(3) believes that the availability of quality and ``easy to use’’ female condoms empower women to exercise their right to choose protected sex;
(4) welcomes the announcement made by the Minister of Health, Dr Tshabalala-Msimang, that the Government is seeking to ensure that female condoms are accessible to all; and
(5) calls on -
(a) the Minister to expedite measures to make these condoms
available to all, as they will also assist to curb the spread of
communicable diseases in order to enable women to exercise their
reproductive rights and to enjoy safe sex; and
(b) all men to accept and respect the right of women to choose to
use female condoms.
[Applause.]
Mr D K MALULEKE: Chair, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the House I shall move:
That the House -
(1) notes the extraordinary statement of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs that the situation in Zimbabwe ``does not endanger regional security’’;
(2) regrets that he and the Government have ignored the constructive proposals of the DA over the last two years, including targeted sanctions against Zanu-PF and using South Africa’s economic leverage to persuade that government to abandon its destructive policies, including antiwhite ethnic cleansing and the destruction of Zimbabwean agriculture, which has led to starvation in the country; and
(3) calls on the Government to use all diplomatic weapons and to cease pretending that quiet diplomacy has any further role to play in this sad chapter of our region’s history.
[Applause.]
Mr H J BEKKER: Mr Chair, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I will move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) the downgrading of Brazil's debt status by Moody's will affect
all emerging markets;
(b) as an emerging market South Africa is also experiencing the woes
of other emerging markets; and
(c) the exchange rate of the rand touched its worst level in 15
weeks; and
(2) urges the Government and the South African Reserve Bank not to overreact about concerns that the devaluation of the rand may rekindle inflation concerns and to refrain from increasing the repo rate, which would necessarily have severe consequences for the South African economy and employment.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that at the next sitting of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) the WSSD is the largest conference to be held in Africa and the
largest gathering of heads of state in South Africa;
(b) the President's inability to attend Parliament is regrettable
but understandable given the magnitude of the summit, and that
an alternative date is being arranged; and
(c) the DP did not raise an objection when the matter was raised in
the Programming Committee this morning; and
(2) calls on the DP to cease their opportunism and make a meaningful contribution to this Parliament and this country.
[Applause.]
SANDF MEMBERS DIED IN FIRE
(Draft resolution)
Mr T D LEE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes that three members of the SA National Defence Force died tragically and another three were seriously injured while attempting to extinguish a fire in Nylstroom;
(2) expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the members in hospital a speedy recovery; and
(3) acknowledges the bravery of our SANDF members who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect and serve South Africa and its people.
Agreed to.
DEATH OF THE SECRETARY OF THE UNION OF AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS
(Draft resolution)
Mr J DURAND: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes that Mr Fall, Secretary-General of the Union of African Parliaments, co-ordinator of activities of the Africa Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union and a Senegalese delegate of the IPU, died on Friday after suffering a stroke;
(2) and especially those Members who participated at the IPU, will remember the energy with which he conducted events of the African continent and his selfless assistance to the South African delegation at the Morocco conference;
(3) notes that his support for the honourable Gwen Mahlangu, a member of this House, led to her being elected as President of the Co- ordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the IPU; and
(4) says that Africa has lost a son, South Africa has lost a dear friend.
Agreed to. CONGRATULATIONS TO REPUBLIC OF INDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR DAY OF INDEPENDENCE
(Draft resolution)
Mr T D LEE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) extends its congratulations to the Republic of India on the occasion of that country’s Day of Independence;
(2) acknowledges the vast cultural contribution that India has made, and continues to make, to the world in general and to our country in particular;
(3) acknowledges also that India is a shining example of how a country that is multilingual, multicultural and heterogeneous may thrive and obtain strength from its diversity; and
(4) wishes the people of India a joyful day and a happy, peaceful and prosperous year.
Agreed to.
EXPORT CREDIT AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS INSURANCE AMENDMENT BILL
(Second Reading debate)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Chairperson, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, after a long absence from this House as a result of my back operation, I think it is only proper and appropriate that I use the first opportunity to thank the members of this House, my friends and colleagues for all the support at the time I was ill. [Applause.] I thank hon members for all those chocolates, the flowers and in particular the prayers. I can assure hon members that I am as fit as a fiddle and on my way to full recovery.
The amending Bill before us seeks to further amend the Export Credit and Foreign Investments Insurance Act, Act 78 of 1957, as amended, to ensure the smooth operation of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Limited. This corporation was established on 2 July 2001 as the official export credit agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. Its role is to facilitate and encourage South African export trade by underwriting bank loans and investments outside the country in order to enable foreign buyers to purchase capital goods and services from South Africa. As such the corporation fills a market gap in the provision of, especially, political risk cover.
In its first financial year, the corporation has undertaken a full assessment of 54 applications for export credit insurance cover and five applications for investment guarantees. It has approved 32 export credit applications for projects in 28 countries and on five continents to the value of R7,5 billion and investment guarantees to the value of R1,2 billion. Ten export credit insurance applications were declined in the process and 12 were being processed at year end. The actual policies issued, or in the process of being issued, totalled R3,5 billion, whereas investment guarantees issued totalled R1 billion.
I now come to the proposed amendments to the Act, especially to sections 1 and 2. Although section 2 of the Act is quite clear on the agency role of the corporation, section 1 may be interpreted in such a way that the Minister is required to approve every contract of insurance and/or amendment thereto. Whilst such micromanagement by the Minister was never contemplated, insured parties are not at ease with the wording of the Act as it stands, because of the large amounts of money involved. Insured parties, particularly international banks who are prepared to put up finance for projects at competitive rates, are concerned that they may not have proper insurance cover due to a technicality in the wording of the Act. Section 1 has therefore been reworded to exclude the Minister’s concurrence. In the process, it is proposed that the definition of contract of insurance be replaced with a more appropriate definition of policy of insurance. As a consequence, section 2 also needs to be amended.
If we look at the proposed changes to section 3, hon members will see that, prior to the establishment of the corporation, we as the DTI provided reinsurance on contracts of insurance pertaining to export transactions. This section deals with the percentage of the cover. The section reads that indemnity shall not exceed 90% of a total loss. In past years, if a transaction had a value of say R100, we as the DTI could indemnify, and in fact we did indemnify, up to R90 of the loss. Close scrutiny by lawyers has revealed that a strict interpretation of the present Act may allow a maximum indemnity of only R81. For this reason the section also has to be amended, because this was not the intention. The intention was to actually provide indemnity for a full R90.
In terms of section 8 of the Act, the Minister shall appoint public service officers to administer this Act. We will see that this is a remnant from the previous dispensation, when officials of the Department of Trade and Industry used to be involved in the administration of reinsurance. Today the corporation issues insurance in terms of the Export Credit and Foreign Investments Insurance Act and in terms of an agreement with the Minister as specified in section 2 of the Act. Furthermore, participation by DTI officials is no longer necessary, because the corporation is subject first to the Companies Law and has an independent board of directors appointed by the Minister. It is also subject to insurance law and is scrutinised by the Financial Services Board. Finally, it is also subject to the Public Finance Management Act and is a listed company.
Clause 5 of the amendment Bill therefore proposes to repeal the whole of section 8 to take away participation by DTI officials. If we look at clause 6, at the time of the adoption of the Export Credit and Foreign Investments Re-insurance Amendment Act, the corporation had not yet been established and as hon members look at the Act they will see that we refer that to the Export Credit Agency and this has created some confusion. Clause 6 therefore proposes the substitution of Export Credit Insurance Corporation. We intend to make the Act retrospective to 2 July 2001. I think it will be in the interest of both the corporation and its clients that the Act has a retrospective effect.
Finally, all stakeholders have been consulted, but this amendment Bill is in fact a result of an approach by all the stakeholders that I have mentioned, including the banking industry and the IDC. So I am hoping that the Bill will be supported by all, because it has come about as a result of problems in the operations of the corporation.
Mr N S BRUCE: Chairman, I congratulate the Deputy Minister on her complete recovery of health, and welcome her back to the House. It is such a novelty to see Ministers in the House these days that we are especially pleased that she is back here. I suspect, having looked at her, that she enjoyed the chocolates more than she did the flowers. [Laughter.]
This is a Bill that will largely facilitate public servants rather than politicians directly, using tax payers’ money in support of investment projects in Africa that are more politically convenient than they are economically viable. Far be it from my party, however, to stand between the Government and its mistakes. While we voted against the nationalisation of this aspect of export credit provision, it would be churlish not to support these amendments now.
What is strange about this nationalisation of export credit guarantees, is that only yesterday five Cabinet Ministers assured the Anglo American Corporation and De Beers that it was not, and never had been, Government policy to nationalise industry or any part of it. It is a nationalisation, modest though it may have been, which also flies in the face of Government’s privatisation policy.
No wonder that for two consecutive years now the Minister of Public Enterprises has assured this House that he is on track to sell off what the trade unions regard as the family silver, but he has sold nothing. The late Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr Gerhard de Kock, used to say, ``Do not think because we do nothing we have not got a policy.’’ The Minister might like to borrow that phrase next year when, for the third time, he repeats his empty promises.
Yesterday, five Cabinet Ministers sat eyeball-to-eyeball across the table with the directors of Anglo American and De Beers - as fine a bunch of upstanding young capitalist as one would find anywhere - when the Minister said that nationalisation never had been and never was our policy. Can we believe them? [Interjections.] After all the bad faith involved in the negotiation of the minerals Bill, and then the leaked Mining Charter, which could have been written by Bob Mugabe blindfolded … [Laughter.] How can investors believe them?
According to the newspapers today, the Minister of Housing wants the banks to lend our savings to customers who are unable or unwilling to repay what they have borrowed. Next thing she is going to want to nationalise them too! Mind you, with Saki Macozoma, the hero of South African Airways, as deputy chairman of Standard Bank, she might be doing some shareholders a good turn. [Laughter.]
The hon Essop Pahad does not have to worry about nationalising the newspapers, the Irish have done a wonderful job for him. [Interjections.] Behind all this confusion is a worthwhile desire to advance black business opportunities. My party can make common cause with Government over this issue, as indeed it can over the need for economic growth at twice the pace it is now. The trouble is that Government does not know how to achieve either of these objectives.
President Mbeki admitted, standing where I am now, when he last came to this House to answer questions, that Government had no policy on black economic advancement. The outcome is contradiction, blunder and inaction, all of which create uncertainty in the minds of investors. For instance, if mines were nationalised, the foreign shareholders who own 70% of Anglo American alone, would have to be compensated. That would be another massive capital outflow we cannot afford.
If they were not compensated, the mining industry would soon atrophy, as no new investment flows in. The pensions of millions would disappear, jobs would evaporate, AIDS would soar. President Mbeki invited the opposition to put forward empowerment ideas. My party is ready to do so, we have constructive ideas, which we believe will spread the wealth of this country among all the people, without constricting wealth creation. [Interjections.]
No matter what the Minister says to the contrary, investors believe that growth and black economic empowerment are mutually exclusive. There is no economic argument to contradict that; convincing investors otherwise can only be done by the demonstration of ingenuity. If President Mbeki is serious about what he said, if he is serious about spreading wealth and creating wealth in this country, he may find, as his Ministers did yesterday, that consensus in this matter is more constructive than confrontation. [Applause.]
Dr R H DAVIES: Mr Chairman, Mr Bruce was not present at the committee meetings when this amending Bill was discussed. [Interjections.] I believe he was over in London doing constituency work. [Interjections.] It is no real surprise that he does not understand what this Bill is actually about. [Interjections.] Last year, when we amended this Act for the first time, he expressed similar views. I think that he failed to understand what the Export Credit Insurance Corporation was all about.
It is a corporation which is there to manage long-term political risk insurance on behalf of Government. This is a form of insurance which is quite critical to enable contractors and suppliers to do business in neighbouring countries, but it is a form of insurance that is simply not being provided by the private market and which the private market indeed expects Government to provide a guarantee for. Now I wonder whether Mr Bruce, next time when he is on a constituency visit to London, would care to talk, not to black empowerment firms, but to white- owned companies such as Billiton, and ask them whether they would prefer, in the name of his principles of the free market or whatever, that political risk insurance was not provided for the Mozal project and other major ongoing projects. I think we know what the answers are. I think we know that what he said was a complete load of nonsense.
It is about establishing an agency which is going to manage this very important form of insurance.
The Bill we have before us today does not, in fact, change any substantial principles in the Act which we passed last year. It is largely a product of debate and discussion between lawyers of various interested parties about the interpretation of certain clauses in the Act which we passed last year, and it is intended to give legal certainty in a context in which some lawyers believe there is ambiguity.
The underlying purpose of the amending Bill today and the reason why this Bill is being passed urgently is to allow certain arrangements with foreign export credit agencies to go ahead. The Deputy Minister outlined the main provisions which are being amended in this Bill to give greater legal certainty, but I must say, in the committee stage all the parties that were there did not have any real problems with those clauses.
There was one issue which did cause us a measure of concern and I just want to mention it here. That was the provision for retrospectivity. This amending Bill, as the Deputy Minister said, is made retrospective to 2 July 2001, the date on which last year’s amending Act came into force.
Like, I imagine, most members in the House, members of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry have an a priori reluctance to agree to retrospective legislation, and we only agreed in the committee in this particular case after we had heard from all the interested parties concerned that they were unanimously in favour of it, which is what persuaded us that this was necessary.
The enactment of this Bill before the end of August will allow the Export Credit Insurance Corporation to conclude an agreement with certain British, Japanese and German export credit agencies which will cheapen the cost of providing cover for phase 2 of the Mozal project in Mozambique. The Industrial Development Corporation as well as a number of South African banks are involved in the financing of phase 2 of the Mozal project.
Mozal 1, which involved a US $1 billion investment in Mozambique, has already had a major impact on the Mozambiqan economy. It was responsible for a jump of 182,9% in the value of Mozambique’s manufacturing output between 1999 and 2000, and for a further 37,4% increase in the country’s manufacturing value added in 2001.
Phase 2 of the Mozal project will double the output of the plant from 253 000 tons to 506 000 tons of aluminium ingots a year. The construction of this project will provide important business for South African firms and also exports to South African suppliers. Phase 2 of the project will involve a similar investment of US $1 billion.
It is clearly, therefore, in our own interest as an economy, as well as that of Mozambique and the region that this investment goes ahead. Since this Bill will clear a small, but significant hurdle on the way to realising that investment, I have pleasure in commending it to the House.
Mr H J BEKKER: Chairperson, I will not cross swords with the hon Professor Davies. In fact, today we are at idem on many of the points. As far as the hon Bruce is concerned, I find his speeches always amusing, if not bemusing, and the member can carry on, at least there is a glimmer of laughter whenever he appears at the podium.
The Export Credit and Foreign Investments Insurance Amendment Bill is noncontroversial, and all political parties present at the committee were in agreement with these amendments. The amendments basically consist of name changes, technical corrections and, most importantly, they clarify the position that the Minister is not required to personally get involved with the acceptance of the insurance policies with regard to foreign investments and the risk acceptance thereof.
Greater clarification about foreign risks, and particularly the so-called sovereign risk, is to be welcomed. One hundred percent of the so-called 90% political risk is now being covered. The importance of this legislation will be that foreign investors can come to the table and invest directly in foreign projects like Mozal. The alternative would have had been that South Africa would have to finance these projects from foreign loans which we had to arrange and had access to.
The IFP and other parties were not happy with the retrospectivity of the amendments, dating it back to 2nd July 2001. However, the committee was assured that none of the interested parties would be prejudiced by this backdating and we had also been assured by those relevant bodies which all attended the meeting. The committee accepted this and as such the respectivity had been implemented.
The IFP will support the amendment to the Bill.
Dr R T RHODA: Chairperson, on behalf of the New National Party I would like to welcome the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry back to the Chamber after her short period of physical incapacitation, and wish her a speedy recovery.
Chairperson, the hon Deputy Minister and the chairperson of the Trade and Industry committee have already briefly explained the need for the amendments. The amendments are mostly of a technical nature and therefore it will not be necessary for me to go into the finer detail thereof.
It is a pity that Mr Bruce did not take some time to study the amendments properly, then he would have known more about it. The Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Limited was established in July 2002. It was established as the official export credit agency of the Department of Trade and Industry in terms of the Export Credit and Foreign Investments Insurance Act of 1957.
As members know, the principal objective of the ECIC is to facilitate and encourage South African export trade by underwriting bank loans and investments outside the country in order to enable foreign buyers to purchase capital goods and services from the Republic.
We have repealed obsolete provisions and substituted certain gender- insensitive words and expressions. South Africa is a commodity-driven country and amendments to this piece of legislation will, I am sure, further boost investor confidence. The New National Party supports the amending Bill.
Adv Z L MADASA: Mr Chairperson, the Bill is really a technical amendment introduced to the House perfunctorily. It seeks to clear perceived or real ambiguities that may arise from the reading of section 2 of the existing Act.
It is alleged that section 2, as it stands, may be interpreted to read that the Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry has to approve every contract relating to policy insurance, despite the delegation of powers to the ECIC. The amendment seeks to bring clarity and allows for the proper interpretation of section 2. Other amendments are consequential hereto.
Although there is nothing contentious contained in this amending Bill per se, I would like to make the following policy statements. Contingency liabilities do increase and because of that the department is not absolved from taking a vigilant stance with regard to these contingency liabilities. I suggest that, as far as risk management is concerned, the department must insure that the risk is spread through engaging other national insurers.
Since there is nothing contentious in the Bill per se, the ACDP supports it.
Mr C AUCAMP: Mr Chairperson, I want to congratulate the Deputy Minister on a speedy recovery after her back operation. I want to give her a bit of sound advice, and that is to keep it calm. My wife had two back operations and maybe the second operation was as a result of her getting too active and busy too soon after the first one.
Globalisering het gekom om te bly. Suid-Afrika kan nie as ‘n eiland bestaan nie, en moet ten alle tye ‘n volwaardige rolspeler wees in die internasionale wêreld.
Die AEB glo dat die tegniese regstellings vervat in die Wysigingswetsontwerp op Uitvoerkrediet- en Buitelandse Beleggingsversekering ‘n positiewe invloed sal hê en sal help om Suid- Afrika se broodnodige uitvoermark te bevorder en te stimuleer. Die wysigingswetsontwerp is bloot tegnies van aard en is juis daarop gerig om mikrobestuur deur die agb Minister te voorkom. Ook die regstelling om alle twyfel oor die maksimum persentasie skadeloosstelling uit die weg te ruim was noodsaaklik. Die AEB gebruik hierdie geleentheid om ‘n beroep op die Regering te doen om alle hindernisse uit die weg te ruim, asook ondeurdagte uitsprake wat ‘n negatiewe uitwerking het op Suid-Afrika se uitvoeromset.
Die AEB steun hierdie wetgewing. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Globalisation is here to stay. South Africa cannot exist as an island, and should at all times be an equal role-player in the international world.
The AEB believes that the technical amendments contained in the Export Credit and Foreign Investments Insurance Amendment Bill will have a positive influence, and help to promote and stimulate the export market that South Africa so desperately needs. The amending Bill is purely technical in nature and for that very reason it is aimed at preventing micro-management by the hon Minister. The amendment that has as object removing all doubt about the maximum percentage in indemnity was also essential. The AEB is taking this opportunity to call on the Government to do away with all impediments, as well as ill-considered statements that have a negative impact on South Africa’s export turnover.
The AEB supports this legislation.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Mr Chairperson, I thank all the hon members who support this Bill and would like to say to hon Madasa that we have noted his input about the spreading and sharing of risk.
I have nothing really to say about the input of hon Bruce, because he had nothing to say about the matter under discussion. His whole input was a waste of our time. However, just to educate him a little bit, let me say the following. To date, South Africa’s export to Mozal amounts to US $1 billion. Secondly, without this initiative Mozal would not have been built if South Africa’s export finance of US $6 million was not available.
Furthermore, the above has created a competitive advantage for South African exporters of technical goods and services that has resulted in a permanent inflow of US $6 million US, without any outflow of the rand. So I am sure that if hon Bruce had attended committee meetings and studied the amendments, he would have seen how valuable these amendments are. Technical as they are, they have a major impact on the economy of the country and on the exports of the country. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.
WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(Subject for Discussion)
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: Chairperson, hon members, the event that all of us have been working so hard for over the past two years is now upon us. The World Summit on Sustainable Development promises to be a pivotal moment in history in which the countries of the world come together to review their progress on sustainable development over the past 10 years and formulate a global plan of action as to how we all wish to work together to tackle the many problems relating to poverty and environmental degradation.
I recall the words of our President, President Mbeki, in Rio at the handing over of the torch, when he stated, and I quote:
As my brother, President Cardoso passes on the torch - the flame being Agenda 21 - to the World Summit on Sustainable Development - the Johannesburg world summit - the enormity of the responsibility and challenge becomes tangible. We know that he hands over the torch on behalf of the victims of unsustainable development, concerned citizens of the world and on behalf of our children and future generations, to whom the earth really belongs.
The handing over of the torch meeting that took place in June of this year saw leaders of the three countries of Sweden, Brazil and South Africa come together to represent the passing of the spirit of international, multilateral co-operation on environmental and sustainable development issues. It all started 30 years ago with the holding of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and was followed 20 years later by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. It certainly is a proud moment in our country and continent that the torch will now be coming to Africa, along with the responsibility of giving the world a new global deal on sustainable development.
In order to mobilise and involve the parliamentary sector in Southern and East Africa, Globe Southern Africa has been running an earth summit campaign in the region over the past year. On 13 and 14 May 2002, the second parliamentary conference ahead of the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Windhoek, Namibia, where the assembled parliamentarians adopted the Windhoek Declaration. I must mention that this Parliament was well represented at that meeting.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated in a speech that he gave to the London School of Economics and Politics in February of this year that, ``Since Rio, 66 countries have become poorer, poverty and environmental degradation is worsening and levels of assistance have decreased’’. These concerns outline the stark reality that the global community needs to be aware of going into the final negotiations of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Although the Johannesburg summit will not be able to rectify all these problems in just two weeks, it is important that a concrete process is put in place that will fundamentally address these concerns. The Windhoek Declaration, therefore, outlines the following points with regard to what Globe members would like to see come out of Johannesburg.
Firstly, the Johannesburg summit outcomes must be action-oriented and focused on addressing the barriers and specific needs of developing countries. The global deal should create the framework for defining a new relationship between the developing countries and the industrialised countries. It must give effect to the targets in the Millennium Declaration and co-ordinate, deliver and monitor arrangements based on partnerships by clearly defined institutional arrangements. It must also ensure that partnerships and initiatives are tangible, result-oriented and include mechanisms for monitoring progress in their implementation.
It should ensure that these outcomes support the implementation of Agenda 21, as well as objectives and targets set by the international community in the area of sustainable development.
These statements are in unison with the African position adopted at the African preparatory conference on the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was held in October last year and which called for the Johannesburg Programme of Action as a key outcome of the summit. The Johannesburg Programme of Action must set out the vision and implementation plan to strengthen policies and processes towards sustainable development. It must define clear targets. This is where Rio had shortcomings. To my mind, the challenge of the World Summit on Sustainable Development is to develop a common vision of sustainable development which all countries and different sectors of society can commit to, and in their own way take the vision forward. I realise that there is still some disagreement on elements of the draft plan of implementation that will be negotiated at the summit. I feel confident, however, that the government delegations and heads of state assembled in Johannesburg will be able to resolve these differences and give the world a concrete plan that we can use to take forward the sustainable development agenda. All of the countries have their own particular interests and preferred ways of addressing the issues, but it is important that we find some commonality that will allow a new partnership between the North and South to emerge.
On the subject of partnerships, I would like to draw hon members’ attention to an important milestone in Africa’s development, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, or Nepad. This is a pledge by African leaders, based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction that as leaders they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development and, at the same time, to participate actively in the world economy.
The international process leading to the summit has been characterised by intense negotiations, with moments of hope and frustration. At many points in the last two years, though, South Africa has shown itself to be a champion for sustainable development and has often taken the lead in bringing direction and focus to the global process. This was particularly evident at PrepCom 3 in New York, where 13 of the largest international NGOs released a publication entitled Sekunjalo Ke Nako, praising the work of the South African delegation and claiming that their nonpaper on the global deal was a small ray of light in the process.
On 17 July this year President Thabo Mbeki convened a friends of the chair meeting that was led by South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. This meeting was held as an attempt to find ways of breaking some of the deadlocks between countries over the most contentious issues contained in the draft plan of implementation. As a result of this important initiative, we can feel confident and we can therefore already hold our heads high in having played a leading international role in making sure that the World Summit on Sustainable Development is a success.
Now, as legislators we have a vital role to play in taking forward the vision of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. As political leaders we can influence public opinion and can increase public knowledge of relevant sustainable development agendas. As legislators we vote on Acts of Parliament and can ensure that the legislation protects the environment and quality of people’s lives and advances effective sustainable development. As advocates we can mobilise the involvement of Government, the private sector and civil society to discharge their societal responsibilities in responding appropriately to the challenges of sustainable development. Lastly, as resources mobilisers we can allocate financial resources to support and enhance effective sustainable development programmes that are consistent with sustainable development principles.
I think at this stage I must mention that all these good things that we have heard are as a result of a collective. As much as I never want to point people out and call them by name, there are men and women in this Assembly today who have played a very important role. I think I have to start with the women, seeing as we are celebrating igama lamakosikazi [women]. Mrs Mbuyazi and Mrs Ndzanga were the two women who went to meet with the US Congress men and women and tried to speak sense to them in so far as the Kyoto Protocol is concerned. Some of those people are still praising the efforts of these two ladies. Sally Nqodi and Mampe Ramotsamai represented us in New York and Indonesia respectively and when the Sekunjalo Ke Nako tract was established and was sung for the South African delegation, these women were actually the torch-bearers. I cannot undermine the efforts of one of the DP members whom I respect so much, Janet Semple. In most cases I always refer to her as ``comrade’’, because she puts the nation first.
I must also mention that at the last conference of the Interparliamentary Union there were two speakers who came from this Assembly, Mr Durand and Mr Arendse.
Mr Arendse, I am very happy you are out of hospital and to hear the contributions that you have made.
He gave a speech with regard to which the University of Cape Town emailed me to say, ``Please give us the speech that Mr Arendse gave at the Interparliamentary Union’’.
And, of course, we have a think-tank. I always say,``Botlhogoputswa ba itse kwa re yang teng.’’ [Elders know where we are going.] Uncle Reg September, Mr Moorcroft, Prof Mbadi, and Mr Le Roux, I will always remain very proud of you.
I want to say, in conclusion, that I therefore look forward to working with all of you at the summit. There are over 500 side-events to date and most of them need parliamentarians to participate, so we will be participating. And we will do our best. We will do what we are known for, and we are known for performance. We will never disappoint you. [Applause.]
Mr E K MOORCROFT: Thank you, hon Chairperson. It is always a pleasure to follow after the hon Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, who is such an efficient chairperson of our portfolio committee.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development will be the largest United Nations Conference ever. It is an enormously complex event, both in terms of content and organisation. It presents a managerial and logistical challenge to this country which, if successfully met, will establish us firmly in the elevated ranks of those countries which have the ability to organise a world-class function. But more importantly, if the summit succeeds, as we all hope it will, it will mark yet another step forward on the long road which we all have to travel if we are to make this earth a cleaner, safer and more pleasant place for ourselves and future generations.
The fact that we are the host country to this hugely important event provides, or should have provided, South African parliamentarians with the chance of a lifetime to be part of it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Apart from a very select few, we as parliamentarians will have to view the event from afar or, at best, from the sidelines. This is deplorable. Other than the executive, the presiding officers of both Houses and the our chairpersons from the Select and Portfolio Committees on Foreign Affairs and Environmental Affairs and Tourism, there will be no participation at all of any other member of Parliament in the central United Nations part of the conference.
Representation of this Parliament at the second level, which is in effect the 2-day International Parliamentary Conference, will be restricted to 25 members of Parliament only. For the rest, the remaining members of this Parliament and the NCOP, participation and observation will be restricted to the third or outer circle of fringe events. I believe that it is highly unfortunate that the interests of ordinary members of Parliament, all of whom will have an interest in some aspect or another of this conference, have been neglected in this way.
To return to the nature of the conference itself, South Africa’s slogan for
the summit is, People, Planet and Prosperity''. This slogan draws
attention to the fact that there has been a shift in emphasis from purely
environmental issues to the importance of sustainable social and economic
development within the context of acceptable environmental practices. This
concept was first articulated at the Rio Earth Summit in terms of the so-
called Agenda 21. This agenda had as its aim the creation of a safe and
just world in which all life has dignity. It worked from the premise that
poverty and inequality were of the greatest threats to global sustainable
development. Our slogan ofPeople, Planet and Prosperity’’ is therefore a
very apt one.
One of the paradoxes of the situation in which the world finds itself is the fact that some of the worst polluters of our environment are not the poorest countries where poverty is endemic, but the richest and most powerful countries. The United States of America, for example, which is one of the wealthiest countries on earth, is also responsible for some of the worst pollution the world has ever seen. This situation has created tensions which will doubtless stimulate a great number of heated debates at the conference.
Of special importance to the African Continent will be the issues of peace, security and stability. These are issues which are basic requirements for sustainable development. Wars and internecine conflicts have hampered many African countries from achieving sustainable development.
Other problems which have global application, but are of particular relevance to Africa, are land degradation, desertification and the loss of biodiversity, which follows in their wake. Of immediate importance is the effect which this land degradation and related issues have on food security and poverty. This continent has the capacity to feed itself, but has in many instances been prevented from doing so because sustainable development has not been pursued.
A further priority area at the summit will be economic development where African countries will be calling for a shift in emphasis away from aid towards trade access with industrialised nations. The impediments which have been placed in the path of free trade with industrialised countries is a thorny issue which will also enjoy serious debate.
There are many other issues which I do not have the time to mention. Suffice it to say in closing that a tremendous amount of work has been put into this very important conference by a great number of South Africans, all of whom are deserving of our thanks. Our sincere wish is that their labours will be rewarded by the best ever World Summit which will set new standards of excellence for other countries to follow.
Mrs L R MBUYAZI: Chairperson, let me start by thanking you for engaging us in this debate. In actual fact, this debate was due yesterday, but let me also thank our Chairperson who has been consistently asking for this slot so that we could have it. In fact, she has been pressurising us in our debates, in our portfolio committee, that we should have this debate. Now it has happened today.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development is a mystery to most South Africans. Some people say that they know nothing about the summit, some say that it is for those who are rich, some know about the World Summit on Sustainable Development but cannot afford to be part of it, some are preparing themselves politically and otherwise for the summit and some are already there with their exhibitions of arts and craft.
We want to thank the departments for helping those people and even for going to the summit. We want to thank all the departments who have made it possible for the poor people to be there. If one asks the people what they think about the conference, and what will this conference achieve at the end, they say that it is just like any other conference that has come and gone. So they do not know what is then going to happen.
If one asks them for the venue of the conference, the answer is that it is ``somewhere in Johannesburg’’, because venues are in different places. Some people are saying that something is happening at Nasrec and Ubuntu Village. So there are so many venues. But on the whole, the summit is a no-go zone for the poor, because it is very expensive; R1 500 is very expensive for the poor.
I want to refer members to the story that was in the Cape Times on the 10th of July. During the world summit pre-conference meeting, the participants were advised that a generous gift from the Dutch government was to be given to the Johannesburg World Summit Company, which is JOWSCO, for distribution. We are certain that it is not the wish of this Government to compromise the poor people, poor civil society, including the NGOs from Africa and in particular from South Africa, by keeping them from participating in the Civil Society Global Forum. The delegates are charged an amount of R1 500. We are appealing to our Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to intervene.
What is this World Summit on Sustainable Development? It is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Our Chairperson has just rightly said that we must preserve the earth for the future generations as we found it, and we owe it to our future generations.
The IFP welcomes the theme chosen for the World Summit on Sustainable Development which will be held in Johannesburg, which is People, Planet and Prosperity. This theme calls for improving the quality of life for all of the world’s people without increasing the use of natural resources. This requires the integration of action in three key areas, that is economic growth, conserving natural resources and environment and social development.
South Africa and other developing countries have a unique opportunity to lead the way, and we have a chance to do it right the first time. We have learnt from the mistakes of the developed countries which have largely destroyed their own natural resource bases. Conservation International has noted that only 17 countries claim two thirds of the world’s natural resources.
The first Earth Summit, which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 made history in bringing global attention to the understanding that the planet’s environmental problems were intimately linked to economic conditions and problems of social justice. It showed that if people are poor and national economies weak, the environment suffers. If the environment is abused, the natural resources overconsumed, people suffer and their economies decline.
Let me examine what has been achieved after 10 years. Instead of human beings being the centre of development in Africa as a whole, their lives and livelihoods have become less and less unsustainable. Instead of poverty eradication, poverty is on the rise worldwide. This is happening in both rich and developing countries, and both rich and poor countries. Diseases such as TB and the HIV/Aids pandemic add to the spiral of poverty. Instead of restoring the integrity of the earth’s ecosystem, we stand on the brink of an environmental catastrophy.
Global warming is on the rise, weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, we have heavy rains in winter, and physical and sexual violence against women has become pandemic. Instead of respect and appreciation of the knowledge of the indigenous people, we find exploitation of their knowledge.
Let me now examine the obstacles to sustainable development in Africa. African people and governments have faced formidable obstacles in their attempts to promote sustainable development in the implementation of Agenda 21 for the following reasons. There was a lack of financial resources and of human resources, a lack of capacity to implement Agenda 21, an increase in HIV/Aids, food insecurity, desertification, poverty, and so on.
Let me also touch on the air pollution. Recently in Richards Bay, there was a case where there was a gas leak and about 200 people were admitted to hospitals. This is very much unfortunate, because it has happened at a time when we are just at the doorstep of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and some people have just been admitted to hospitals.
If we talk about sustainability, it means that the local people must be involved even in the setting up of plants and also in the planning of any development. Our local councillors must be part of the development plan. We must also challenge those who are putting in pipes to say, if this breaks what will happen to our lives? We owe it to our people to tell them what we have done regarding damage control for these things. So we are also awaiting the results of the internal investigation into this matter. What went wrong in that plant when it was then implemented? [Time expired.]
Mr E S MAGASHULE: Comrade Chairperson, hon Ministers and hon members, it is a privilege for South Africa to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which is expected to be the largest international summit ever convened, with approximately 65 000 participants. It is, indeed, a tremendous opportunity for this country to turn a new corner on sustainable development.
Indeed, the second millennium has provided humanity with the capital, the technology and the human skills to end poverty and underdevelopment. Despite the substantial increases in wealth that the process of globalisation has generated in sub-Saharan Africa, almost half the population lives in poverty. There has been no progress in reducing the poverty rate and the number of people in poverty has increased substantially since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
It is therefore clear that the Johannesburg World Summit’s Mission should simply be to reinvigorate, at the highest political levels, the global commitment to sustainable development agreed upon ten years ago at the Rio Earth Summit. There is a broad agreement that the World Summit on Sustainable Development should not be about rewriting Agenda 21, but about delivering on the commitments already made. There is a need for a very clear programme of action to emerge from this summit that sets concrete targets, clear time frames, commitment to fund programmes and monitoring mechanisms to police implementation.
Let me try to focus again on the main issues of my presentation, that is the issue of local government. This is one issue that directly affects millions of people around the world.
The round table on partnership for sustainable cities was conceptualised to include participation by habitat ministers and mayors from the African region and other World Summit delegates from the civil society and local government sectors with a very clear interest in sustainable human settlement. It will therefore be encouraging to get input from South Africa through the mayor of Johannesburg, Comrade Amos Masondo, South African Minister Sankie Mthembu-Mahanyele and habitat ministers responsible for human settlement from Nigeria, Senegal and Egypt.
Agenda 21, just like the RDP document, recognises that broad participation and inclusiveness are key to the success of sustainable development. It is therefore highly appreciated that there will be this local government forum, centred around the unique ability of local government to achieve tangible improvement in global, environmental and sustainable development conditions through cumulative local action.
Since local action moves the world, it is clear that this forum will provide opportunity for local government leaders and role-players and their partners from the local government dialogue paper to be part of the summit and the world. The summit is relevant to our dream as envisaged in the Freedom Charter - the dream that there shall be houses, security and comfort; the dream that the slums shall be demolished and new suburbs built where all shall have transport, roads and lighting, playing fields, crèches and social centres. Sustainable urbanisation brings the crucial linkages between cities and their environments, at local, metropolitan, regional, national and global levels. Poverty, gender inequality and deprivation are central challenges to sustainable urbanisation. No process of urbanisation or development will be sustainable unless it successfully addresses these issues.
This means that the economic and social dimensions are crucial to sustainable urbanisation in human settlements of all sizes. It means that the scourge of HIV/Aids, which so powerfully impacts on cities and poverty, must also be addressed, which is vital to be integrated into sustainable urbanisation. The central question that the World Summit on Sustainable Development must answer is, therefore, what must we do and how must we act in order to turn the world from its current path of unsustainable development and to act decisively to defeat poverty and underdevelopment, particularly in Africa?
Defeating poverty cannot be achieved without a fundamental restructuring of the economic, political and social relations that define our world. In particular, it requires a massive and sustained infusion of resources from the developed world to the countries of the South, particularly in Africa. All this must also happen at local government level. South Africa has been implementing the RDP since 1994 and the principles of the RDP reflect very clearly the objectives and vision of Agenda 21. The vision of integrating social, economic and environmental factors into planning, implementation and decision-making has been central to all programmes and policies of the ANC-led Government at all levels.
The process of IDPs, which requires a high level of community participation, is a critical feature of the legislative framework of our new system of local government. It is an important demonstration of a country committed to the principles and objectives of sustainable development. As a country at local level, we have managed to pursue the goal of equity and poverty eradication through the provision of the free basic services policy; through economic development by way of special development initiatives; through identifying communities that have been economically neglected; and through integrated, sustainable rural development programmes and urban renewal programmes.
Our system of democratic and nonracial, sustainable local government is barely 18 months old. Municipalities in South Africa are legally mandated to develop IDPs. The intention of these IDPs is to realise integrated, sustainable and participatory development planning and other goals of Agenda 21 at a local level. These are the issues which the World Summit on Sustainable Development will have to focus on and learn from different experiences. It is also clear that the issue of sustainable energy is one fundamental area in which to address poverty. The urban sustainable energy environment and development programmes have been working in South Africa, in particular in an area called Khayelitsha, to introduce people to the concept of sustainable energy-efficient homes.
I am sure we will be able to learn and share experiences, but ultimately also resources, with the rich developed countries and cities. Let me conclude by once more quoting from the Freedom Charter:
There shall be peace and friendship.
We declared in 1955 that the right of all people of Africa to freedom shall be recognised and shall be the basis of close co-operation. This is becoming a reality. The dawn of the African century is a reality.
We have a destination: The World Summit on Sustainable Development. To get there we need to turn our attention towards implementation. Let us make Johannesburg a success. Ours is a march that must unite the broadest range of progressive forces in action for building a better world for all; a march that must build on the capacity of ordinary people for self- emancipation and unleash this potential for the benefit of all humanity.
Indeed, we are on course. Let the summit intensify the struggle to secure the social and economic upliftment of all the people everywhere in a manner that protects the global environment. This is, after all, South Africa beyond apartheid - a non-racial, non-sexist and united democracy.
Mr J W LE ROUX: Mr Chairperson, I would like to thank our very able Chairlady, the hon Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, for her very kind words. Thank you, Gwen.
Gedurende die laaste aantal maande het Minister Moosa, die departement, die beheermaatskappy en sy talle komitees alles in die stryd gewerp om van die komende beraad ‘n sukses te maak. Die toewyding en entoesiasme was oorweldigend en ons vertrou dat die wêreldberaad ‘n reusesukses sal wees.
‘n Beraad van hierdie omvang het natuurlik ‘n invloed oor die hele wêreld en sal tot ‘n groot mate bepaal watter natuurlike erfenis ons vir die nageslag laat. As gasheerland het ons die ideale geleentheid om Suid-Afrika te bemark as ‘n land met ‘n blink toekoms. Dit is ‘n reklamegeleentheid wat net eenvoudig móét slaag.
Die 120 staatshoofde en duisende belangrike invloedryke mense wat nou vir ons gaan besoek, kan vir ons op die langtermyn uit ‘n finansiële hoek gesien deurslaggewend wees. Elk een van hierdie besoekers moet oorweldig word deur ons gasvryheid en goeie diens en moet ons land verlaat as ambassadeurs.
Een van die hooffokuspunte van die beraad is armoedebekamping en baie debatte sal oor omgewingsvriendelike ontwikkeling gevoer word. Daar is sekerlik baie redes vir armoede in Suid-Afrika en in Afrika, maar die gebrek aan beleggersvertroue is ons grootste probleem. As ons aan hierdie besoekers kan bewys dat Suid-Afrika ‘n veilige hawe vir kapitaalinvestering is en dat die groeipotensiaal geweldig groot is, het ons in die eerste doel van die beraad geslaag.
Aangesien ‘n derde van die afgevaardigdes reeds aangedui het dat hulle ook verder in die land gaan toer, kan hierdie beraad toerisme in die algemeen bevorder. Die komende beraad bied aan ons die geleentheid om Suid-Afrika as ‘n uitstaande toeristebestemming te bemark. Toerisme dra tans minder as 5% van ons bruto binnelandse produk by terwyl in suksesvolle lande die syfer om en by 10% is. Dit word verder beraam dat die beraad ons ekonomie as geheel met R1,6 biljoen sal baat en dat 16 000 korttermyn- en 1 600 langtermynwerksgeleenthede geskep sal word.
Die begroting vir die beraad was aanvanklik R550 miljoen. Dit lyk egter of die koste om en by R630 miljoen gaan wees. Dit is noodsaaklik dat, wanneer sulke groot bedrae geld gespandeer word, ons seker moet maak dat ons land die maksimum voordeel kry.
Die beraad sal fokus op belangrike sake soos water en sanitasie, energie, landbou, gesondheid en bio-diversiteit. Tydens die beraad sal daar gepoog word om langtermynooreenkomste te sluit om hierdie wêreldvraagstukke op te los.
Wat die ekologiese toestand van die aarde betref, is dit so dat die meeste kenners saamstem dat die afgelope 30 jaar katastrofies was en dat, as ons nie besin nie, die volgende 30 jaar sal bepaal wat die kwaliteit van lewe op die planeet gaan wees. Bewaringsorganisasies en wetenskaplikes is dit eens dat ons tans baie meer verbruik as wat vervang word en dat besoedelingsvlakke gevaarlike afmetings aanneem. Daar is tans geen sprake van volhoubare benutting van die meeste belangrike bronne van die aarde nie. Die vernietiging van natuurlike habitat, die oorbenutting van natuurlike hulpbronne, die verspreiding van indringerplante en diere en veral die vrylating van koolstof in die atmosfeer is die brandpunte waaromheen langtermynoplossings gevind sal moet word.
Soos ons gesien het met die debat rondom HIV/Vigs, is daar botsende teorieë en is dit nie maklik om altyd kaf van koring te skei nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[During the last few months Minister Moosa, the department, the control company and its many committees have done everything possible to make the forthcoming summit a success. The commitment and enthusiasm have been overwhelming and we trust that the world summit will be a huge success.
A summit of this extent naturally has an impact on the entire world and will, to a large degree, determine what natural heritage we leave behind for our descendants. As the host country we have an ideal opportunity to market South Africa as a country with a bright future. This is a marketing opportunity which simply must succeed.
Viewed from a financial perspective, the 120 heads of state and thousands of important, influential people who are now going to visit us could be crucial to us in the long term. Every one of these visitors must be overwhelmed by our hospitality and good service and must leave our country as an ambassador.
One of the primary focus points of the summit is poverty alleviation and many debates will be held on environmentally friendly development. There are certainly many reasons for poverty in South Africa and in Africa, but the lack of investor confidence is our biggest problem. If we can prove to these visitors that Africa is a safe haven for capital investment and that the growth potential is enormous, we will have succeeded in the first objective of the summit.
As a third of the delegates have already indicated that they are also going to tour elsewhere in the country, this summit can promote tourism in general. The forthcoming summit offers us the opportunity to market South Africa as an excellent tourist destination. Currently, tourism contributes less than 5% of our gross domestic product, while in successful countries the figure is approximately 10%. It is further estimated that the summit will benefit our economy as a whole by R1,6 billion and that 16 000 short- term and 1 600 long-term job opportunities will be created.
The budget for the summit was originally R550 million. However, it appears that the costs will amount to approximately R630 million. It is essential that when such large amounts of money are spent we must ensure that our country gets the maximum benefit.
The summit will focus on important issues like water and sanitation, energy, agriculture, health and biodiversity. During the summit an attempt will be made to conclude long-term agreements to solve these global issues.
As far as the ecological condition of the earth is concerned, most experts agree that the past 30 years were catastrophic and that, if we do not reconsider, the next 30 years will determine what the quality of life on the planet is going to be. Conservation organisations and scientists agree that we are currently using much more than is being replaced and that pollution levels are assuming dangerous proportions. There is currently no suggestion of sustainable utilisation of the most important resources on earth. The destruction of the natural habitat, the overutilisation of natural resources, the expansion of alien vegetation and animals and the emission of carbon into the atmosphere in particular, are the burning issues to which long-term solutions will have to be found.
As we saw with the debate around HIV/Aids, there are contradictory theories and it is not easy to always separate the wheat from the chaff.]
There are several controversial issues that must be debated and long-term planning is now essential. On the issue of carbon dioxide emission, all scientists agree that the level of pollution is far too great. This is not a problem for the African continent. The entire continent is only responsible for 3% of the world’s carbon emission. Unfortunately, the production of electricity at our coal power plants does cause serious pollution problems.
At present the best technology by way of which to avoid the emission of carbon dioxide is nuclear power. Unfortunately, that leaves us with radioactive waste, which is an emotive issue and needs serious debate. At present solar and wind power is environmentally friendly but far too costly. In this regard many new and innovative methods of producing energy will be discussed. It is hoped that in the near future exciting breakthroughs will occur.
A second issue, on which there is virtually total scientific agreement, is the question of biodiversity. At present there are more species identified than ever before in the history of our planet, so one would not expect biodiversity to be a problem. In actual fact, there are over 11 000 species in grave danger of being wiped out. Many species on the danger list are classified as important species. The loss of these important species has huge ripple effects and some scientists believe that the sixth mass extinction of life on earth is under way. [Interjections.] The way in which our abalone reserve is being destroyed by our own citizens and the destruction of the Patagonian toothfish reserve, as well as the red roman, red steenbras, poenskop and many other species, is a stark reminder of how quickly extinction takes place.
Lastly, Chairperson, we do see a difference of opinion amongst scientists on whether we are in a period of global warming or whether we are actually in a rather cool period. The melting of the ice caps and rising sea levels do indicate that we have a huge problem and that the greenhouse effect is taking its toll. The argument against the global warming lobby points out that for the last 20 years air temperatures have been measured with extreme accuracy and show no warming whatsoever. Sea temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean show the same result. Actually, these temperatures have been constant for a long time. It is interesting to note that during the Viking civilisation Greenland was a habitable colony with lots of farming activity, but it is now a frozen wasteland.
Speaker, the aim of the summit is to find long-term solutions to major environmental and poverty-related problems. It is good news that two days have been set aside before the conference to reach general consensus on major outstanding issues. The summit must focus on eradicating poverty and a balance must be found between social development, economic development and the protection of the environment.
It will serve no purpose if the conference gets embroiled in a fight between developed and underdeveloped countries and, worse still, if USA- bashing becomes the focus of the conference. If 120 heads of state and 60 000 delegates can come up with a global action plan to achieve environmentally sound development and as a result eradicate poverty, we will be satisfied and proud. I thank you.
Mnu L M MBADI: Mgcinisihlalo, abaphathiswa abalapha, ndivumeleni ndithi kuNkosazana uGwen Mahlangu: ``Phezulu ngabafazi, phezulu!’’
HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Phezulu! [Kuyaqhwatywa.]
Mnu L M MBADI: Phantsi ngamadoda! [Kuyahlekwa.] Ndiyabulela kakhulu, ndilusizi kuba uSekela-Mongameli engekho apha. Ngokunye ndimbuzile, kanye ngalo mcimbi mhla wayebuzwa imibuzo. Kambe akazange andive, kuba ndandithetha isiXhosa samaXhosa. Ndandibuza okokuba ngaba baphi na abantu ngathi sithetha phezu kwabo nje. Kambe ke ngomhla wesibhozo kwakuyo le imiyo uthethe nabo kule Ndlu ingasekunene kwethu ngaphezu kwethu. Enkosi. (Translation of Xhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Mr L M MBADI: Chairperson, hon ministers, please allow me to say to Ms Gwen Mahlangu: ``Forward with women, forward!’’
HON MEMBERS: Forward! [Applause.]
Mr L M MBADI: Down with men! [Laughter.] I am grateful however, it is a pity that the hon the Deputy President is not here. Otherwise I asked him, particularly about this matter, when he was being questioned one day. He did not understand me, because I spoke pure Xhosa. I asked him where the people are because it seemed we are talking above their heads. However, on 8 August 2002 he addressed them in the House that is above us on the right side. Thank you.]
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, in his statement to the National Assembly on 8 August, created hopes and expectations in the minds of both urban and rural communities by listing the main areas already agreed upon. These are the eradication of poverty; implementation and delivery of issues agreed upon; the realisation of a balanced emphasis on all three pillars of sustainable development, namely, social development, economic development and the protection of the environment; as well as access to water and sanitation, energy, health, food security, biodiversity and ecosystem protection. I have mentioned here but a few main areas that touch at the heart of local communities. Communities in and around the conference areas stand to benefit from the spin-offs. The question may well be asked, what outcomes can the local communities in the deep rural areas expect? The sincerest expectation is the translation of the agreements into reality, thus bringing a better quality of life to all.
The main areas that could improve the life of local communities are the following. Firstly there is Education. It is promised that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary education. Children living in rural areas and those living in poverty, especially girls, will have access to, and have the opportunity to complete, a full course of elementary education, so that they might acquire the basic skills necessary to enhance their wellbeing in the community and society.
The conference promises to meet the millennium development goal of promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005. If these promises are to have any meaning for the deep rural areas, a rethink is needed on the condition of their schools and infrastructure which make these schools accessible. It is not mean to remind this House that in some areas learning still takes place under trees or in dilapidated mud-brick classrooms or in mud-brick rondavels of homesteads around the schools. There is no schooling during inclement weather. Children in such schools are hoping that the World Summit will bring about an improvement in the conditions that they have to endure.
Next we come to health and sustainable development. The Rio Declaration states that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development and that they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. The goals of sustainable development cannot be achieved when rural hospitals have no doctors and both hospitals and clinics have no medicine. There is a shortage of nurses in both hospitals and clinics and very little is being done to improve the situation. The House is aware of the condition of hospitals in some provinces. Special programmes to assist children orphaned by HIV/Aids and other diseases are not yet in place in many rural areas.
Poverty eradication is another area.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon member, your time has expired.
Mr L M MBADI: Ndilusizi kakhulu, mhlekazi, kuba bendisenomcimbi ebendifuna ukuwubeka apha eNdlwini. [It is just a pity because I have an issue that I wanted to put forward to this House.]
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, the critical issue facing us as parliamentarians will be monitoring the implementation of the final agreement arising from the summit. The Interparliamentary Union will meet during this summit, and focus on the role of parliamentarians in ensuring implementation and accountability with particular reference to compliance with reporting requirements. This will go a long way to ensure that the implementation problems following the 1992 Rio agreement are not repeated. We are proud as a portfolio committee that the hon Gwen Mahlangu serves on the executive of the IPU, and will undoubtedly make a valuable input at its meeting.
It must also be recorded that we do not agree with all the aspects contained in the chairman’s text for negotiations, particularly those related to reproductive health care. We will however, positively contribute to the debates surrounding the implementation plans in the six priority areas of health, education, water and sanitation, energy, food security and technology.
Poverty alleviation is clearly a main thrust of the conference, and quite rightly so. Recently various organisations including the WHO, UN Development Programme, the World Bank and Oxfam calculated the total cost of implementing millennium development goals which are aimed to halve the world’s poverty by 2015. The lowest quote came in at US$50 billion and the highest at US $100 billion per year. The question can also be posed as to what role religious communities and churches can play at the summit. Whilst churches continue to play a pivotal role in poverty alleviation worldwide, they can also contribute theological and moral substance to discussions at the summit.
Biblical stewardship holds that we are trustees and keepers of creation. We need to understand that we are wielders of extraordinary cumulative power that can affect all of life in fundamental and unprecedented ways. We now possess the knowledge to build and destroy on a massive scale. Our knowledge is outstripped only by our ignorance and its dangers. The steward’s moral quest, then, is for a just and sustaining use of unprecedented knowledge and power. It is apposite, therefore, to conclude with the Creation Care Prayer which churches are encouraged to use on the eve of the summit, on Sunday 25 August 2002.
The Creation Care Prayer is as follows: C - creating God, you have given us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth; R - resources conserved; E - earth tended; A - atmosphere cleansed; T - trees planted; I - injustice ended; O - oceans teeming; N - nations at peace; C - creator; redeemer, sustainer. A - alert nations, enthuse churches; R - receive our commitment and so entwine our lives with Your purposes; that E - earth and heaven will then sing of Your glory. Amen. [Applause.]
Ms B P SONJICA: Chairperson, as we celebrate this month as a month dedicated to women, I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all women, especially those who were at the forefront fighting alongside our male comrades for the liberation of the oppressed in our country.
My input is drawn from South Africa’s position paper on Water, Sanitation and Forestry, for the WSSD, which was presented recently by Comrade Ronnie Kasrils at a water symposium in Stockholm. Of course, I will elaborate on the elements that I have chosen.
The South African Constitution, section 27(1)(b), declares water services as a basic right, making it obligatory for the Government to make it available to all its citizens for social and developmental usage. Comrade Kasrils captures this very well when he says:
Water is life. The amount and nature of the available water determines the extent and nature of that life. The amount and nature of water available also determines where development can take place. It is the task of a government to care for this water, to seek its fair distribution, balance the competing usage and to facilitate its wise use for, amongst other things, social and economic development. Development is crucial to ensure that we can eradicate the scourge of poverty that stalks our planet.
This statement is relevant for all governments, but most importantly for governments of the developing world, which is characterised by famine and underdevelopment. As all hon members know, South Africa is also one of those countries.
Apartheid South Africa was characterised by social injustice, reflected in inequality in all sectors of our society, including the water sector, a situation which the democratic Government had to redress. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry was established to carry out that task. It came up with the Water and the Water Services Acts respectively, to bring about social justice in this area.
The position to be presented is based on the background I have just outlined. The following are some of the issues that South Africa will raise at the summit: One, the commitment of governments and international bodies to ensuring that water services are accessible to all; two, setting and meeting of the targets; three, people participation, especially participation by women; four, the programme of action beyond Johannesburg.
On the first point of governments’ commitment to making water services accessible to all citizens, South Africa’s democratic Government can proudly say that it has made strides in trying to breach the gap between the people who did not have access to water services and those who had, pre-
- There is no doubting its commitment, which is reflected in both its policies and the budget allocation that has been increasing over time.
Siyazi ukuba abantu abazizigidi ezisixhenxe abakawafumani amanzi, kanti abazizigidi ezilishumi elinesibhozo abakabonelelwa ngeenkonzo zogutyulo lwelindle. La manani abandakanya naba bantu lihamba lisima nabo ilungu elihloniphekileyo, iNkokeli yeQela eliPhikisayo, ukuze livele kumabonakude, lisenza ngathi liza kubalungiselela kwiingxaki zabo. Hayi, siyazi ukuba yipolitiki nje yakhe leyo. Eneneni, ziinkqubo zikaRhulumente ezi azibangayo esele ziqhubeka ukuzama ukutshintsha imeko yeendawo ezinamanzi amdaka.
Ndibhekisa kwezaa nkqubo zohlaziyo lwemimandla yeedolophu kwaneNkqubo Manyanisiveyo yoPhuhliso lwaMaphandle. Kaloku kukho imali ayibeke bucala uRhulumente ukuze kulungiswe ezi meko. Ntonje uphuhliso asinto uvuka seyenzekile ngathi ngumsebenzi wobugqi; yinto ethabatha ixesha, ngakumbi xa ubani ezimisele ukwenza into eyiyo engenzi nje, esenzela abantu abaxabisileyo.
Kukho umkhuba othile obonakalayo phakathi kwamaqela ezopolitiko wokuba iimbono neenkqubo zikaRhulumente azenze ezawo. Kaloku izitshixo zikuRhulumente kwaye uRhulumente wazinikwa ngabantu beli lizwe ngalaa voti yamisela uRhulumente wesininzi. Zonke ezi zinto zenzeka ngenxa yokuba uRhulumente okhokelwa yi-ANC uzimisele ukufezekisa laa minqweno yayilwelwa yi-ANC, yokuphucula impilo yabantu bonke kungakhethwanga bala. (Translation of Xhosa paragraphs follows.)
[We know that 7 million people still do not have access to water, and that 18 million have not been provided with sanitation services. These figures include the people that the hon the Leader of the Opposition has appeared with on TV, pretending that he is going to help solve their problems. We know that he is just playing politics. Indeed, it is the existing Government policies that attempt to turn around the situation in places with no clean water that he is claiming as his. I am referring here to the urban renewal projects and the Integrated Rural Development Strategy. Money has been set aside by Government for this purpose. However, development does not happen overnight - abracadabra; and there it is. It takes time, particularly when one intends to develop something worthwhile for the people one holds dear.
There is a tendency among opposition parties to claim as their own Government views and policies. The keys are with the Government and were given to it by the people of this country during the election that put the majority Government in power. All these things have become possible because the ANC-led Government aims to fulfil the rights that the ANC fought for, such as improving the health of all the people irrespective of colour.]
We also need the commitment of the developed world and other international bodies to direct donor funds towards ensuring service to the 7 million people in South Africa that do not have access to clean water and the 1,1 billion people who do not have water in the whole world. I am also referring to the 18 million people without sanitation, as well as the 2,4 billion people who do not have access to adequate sanitation in the world. That should be redressed. We cannot begin to talk about sustainable development if the conditions under which the very people, who are key to development live, are not improved.
The second issue that South Africa will endorse is the setting up of targets for halving the backlog in the water supply that I have alluded to by 2015. We are also calling for a similar target for the provision of sanitation to halve the number of people without access to adequate sanitation by 2015.
South Africa and Africa are already gearing themselves towards this achievement as evidenced by the African Sanitation Conference and South Africa’s sanitation workshop, which was held recently in Johannesburg.
South Africa is also supporting the international Wash programme of the Water Service and Sanitation Collaborative Council, which is based in Geneva. The campaign promotes a comprehensive approach to sanitation, that sanitation is not only about toilets, but also about water and hygiene, especially if we are aiming at combating the water-borne diseases and improving the health of our people, especially the health of women and children.
Water is life. It is, therefore, imperative that all governments work towards ensuring that fresh water is available forever. So we need to conserve and protect this commodity. The Department of Water Affairs has just released its National Water Resource Management Strategy, which establishes mechanisms for water management in our country. The establishment of catchment management agencies dealing with leakages is one of the areas referred to in this strategy.
However, the best way we can manage the resources is to empower people with information. Of utmost importance is the involvement of women in strategic positions within the sector. Sadly, at this point in South Africa they are grossly underrepresented. We believe that by bringing women into the mainstream we would be bringing in efficiency, equality, accountability, transparency and clean governance.
It is also important for the developed world to assist the developing world to redress the infrastructure backlog. However, the infrastructure that will be put in place must be able to provide a sustainable service. There is a move towards the abolition of the construction of dams, which is based on the fact that contractors that have been involved in the construction of dams have been accused of corruption.
We are saying that rather than putting a blanket approach on this, we should address the problem of corruption because such an approach says that the developing world must look into options that will not provide sustainable services.
The global target of aid, which is 0,7% of GDP in developed countries, has not been reached and in some countries levels have been reduced. We are calling on the developed world to meet its target and also to enter into agreements with developing countries rather than loose partnerships, because we believe that this will minimise corruption.
Lastly, we call on all South Africans to go there with a united, proudly South African voice and put South Africa on top of the international agenda. The most important call that we will make is that a strategy to implement the Johannesburg Resolution should be established and implemented and we are confident that South Africa will lead by example. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Dr P W A MULDER: Mr Chairperson, if we look around us in South Africa and in Africa, we see that we are in trouble; in trouble because development, as we know it, is not solving the problems of the poor. The old development definitions and methods are not solving the problems of the poor - not in South Africa, Africa or in the rest of the world.
Why? Because the industrial economy, as we know it, is not sustainable. The destruction of our basic resources, for example, land, water and the atmosphere, is the critical point. It is calculated that if everyone in the world tried to reach the development level of the average middle-class American today, then we would need five more Earths. We do not have five more Earths. We only have this one, and the resources of this Earth.
Dit het ingrypende implikasies as ons aanvaar dat die industriële ekonomie soos ons dit ken, nie volhoubaar is nie. Vernietiging van ons basiese hulpbronne, naamlik grond, water en die atmosfeer het dus ‘n akute punt bereik. Steeds poog lande nie om die proses om te keer nie, maar slegs om dit te stabiliseer. In Amerika se geval sien hulle nie kans vir stabilisering nie, maar hulle vereis steeds meer hulpbronne.
Die eenvoudige probleem is dat te veel van die aarde as beperkte hulpbron verwag word. Die armes vereis te veel van die aarde, omdat hulle nie oor die middele beskik om iets anders te doen as om roofbou toe te pas nie. Die rykes vereis te veel van die aarde omdat hulle begeertes geen einde ken nie. Ek herhaal: Daar word bereken dat as elke wêreldbewoner ‘n lewenstandaard handhaaf wat gelyk staan aan dié van ‘n middelklas- Amerikaner, sal ons die hulpbronne van nog vyf aardes nodig hê. Wat nou gemaak?
Die antwoord lê dus nie net in bevolkingsbeperking nie, maar in begeertebeperking. Of anders gestel: As die mens as organisme wil bly leef, moet hy homself as ‘n element van die ekologie sien, as deel van die natuur en hom so probeer gedra.
Globalisering hou baie voordele vir ons in, maar globalisering word ook deur baie gesien as ‘n proses wat die rykes bevoordeel en die armes benadeel. Ons moet ‘n balans hier vind. Hopelik sal die komende beraad daarin slaag om hierdie balans te vind. Globalisering het daartoe gelei dat daar nuwe waardering vir die plaaslike, die eie, die besondere is. Die moderne mens is ``global and local’’. In Amerika trek die mens na die platteland waar hy rustig dan met sy rekenaar aan die globale wêreld kan deelneem, terwyl hy die voordele het van ‘n klein gemeenskap waarin hy lewe.
Die VF glo dat die ontwikkeling en die antwoord vir die ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika en Afrika in ‘n gemeenskapsbenadering lê. Afrikagemeenskappe moet daarvan vergeet dat die regering, die Weste, of wie ookal, hulle gaan red. Ons moet begin werk aan selfstandige gemeenskappe. Dit beteken dat ‘n gemeenskap homself verbind om tot ‘n baie groot mate sy eie behoeftes te bevredig. Dit geld ook vir Afrikaners wat tans rondworstel op soek na oplossings vir hulle groterwordende probleme van armoede en ontmagtiging.
Die Britse ekonoom Schumacher het in sy werk Small is Beautiful, Economics as if People Mattered opgemerk dat ons uiteindelik daarvoor moet hoop dat ons liewers ‘n miljoen klein ``villages’’ wêreldwyd sal hê, as enkele groot megapolisse. Kom ons hoop hierdie benadering geld by die beraad. [Tyd verstreke.] [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[This has far-reaching implications if we accept that the industrial economy as we know it is not sustainable. The destruction of our basic resources, namely the soil, water and the atmosphere, has indeed reached an acute point. Still some countries do not attempt to curb the process, but merely to stabilise it. In the case of America they do not see their way clear to stabilisation, but yet they continually demand more resources.
The problem is simply that too much is expected of the earth as a limited resource. The poor demand too much of the earth because they do not have the means to do anything other than overcropping. The rich demand too much of the earth because their demands know no limits. I repeat: It is estimated that if every citizen of the world maintained a standard of living similar to that of a middle-class American, we would need the resources of another five earths. What must be done?
The answer therefore does not lie only in limiting the population, but in limiting our desires. Or, put otherwise, if man wants to live on as an organism, he should see himself as an element of the ecology and as part of nature, and try to behave accordingly.
Globalisation has many advantages for us, but is also seen by many as a process which favours the rich, to the detriment of the poor. We need to find a balance here. Hopefully the coming summit will manage to find such a balance. Globalisation has led to a new appreciation of the local, the own, the unique. Modern man is both global and local. In America, people are moving to the rural areas, where they can quietly participate in the global world with their computers, whilst still enjoying the advantages of the small community in which they are living.
The FF believes that development and the answer to development in South Africa and Africa as a whole lie in a communal approach. African societies should not rely on their government, the West, or whoever, to rescue them. We should start working towards self-sufficient communities. This implies that a community should, to a very great extent, commit itself to meeting its own needs. This also applies to Afrikaners who are at present struggling to find solutions for their ever-increasing problems of poverty and disempowerment.
The British economist Schumacher remarked in his work Small is Beautiful, Economics as if People Mattered that we should hope that we would end up with millions of small villages worldwide, rather than with a few very large metropolises. Let us hope that this will be the approach at the summit. [Time expired.] [Applause.]]
Mr P H K DITSHETELO: Mr Chairperson, the moment that we have been waiting for in South Africa has arrived: Thousands of foreign visitors are descending on our shores to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
What is significant about this event in our country? Firstly, the summit is expected to propose and commit to a programme of action aimed at addressing sustainable development goals. It is at this gathering that the summit is expected to find practical solutions on how to better the lives of the world’s poor countries.
It is appropriate that the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development is taking place in the rich Sandton suburb a stone’s throw away from Alexandra, one of South Africa’s oldest and poorest townships. This opulent meeting place will provide international decision-makers and visitors with a first-hand experience of what we mean by uneven development. It will capture, succinctly, what is meant when we say there are two worlds in one country. When we compare and contrast Alexandra, Gugulethu, Soweto and many other townships in South Africa with Sandton, Constantia and Waterkloof, we find answers as to what damage apartheid policies in South Africa have done to the majority of this country in terms of unequal living standards.
It is not by coincidence that the summit’s agenda mirrors the development and transformation challenges faced by our country. These challenges are: access to clean running water, affordable energy and technology, waste management, access to healthcare, food security and poverty eradication.
The reality is that issues of sustainable development are not about the environment only, but should be inclusive of broader issues addressing the poverty that is deeply entrenched in our communities and the underdevelopment of poor countries. The question of trade relations and debt management or cancellation should be at the centre of the discussion.
Secondly, we need to take pride in the fact that our country will be a subject of international and national focus. The immediate benefits of the summit are being felt at the economic level - direct and indirect employment opportunities have been created, which is good for our economy.
This is an opportunity to take advantage and to showcase South Africa to the world and deal with the negative perceptions about this country. South Africa has a lot to offer the world. Let us share with our visitors our experiences as to how we have managed to reach where we are democratically, despite … [Time expired.]
Dr M S MOGOBA: Mr Chairperson, global summits can be helpful and effective only if the majority of the world participates.
The World Summit on Racism held in Durban was unfortunately boycotted by some countries which, ironically, needed the summit most. After that summit, the world witnessed dark clouds gathering when the September 11 episode shook the world, and nearly brought all of us to the brink of a cataclysmic end. One might even say that the Israeli-Palestinian problem, which has the same elements of world tragedy, could have been resolved at the Durban summit.
The Earth Summit, taken seriously, could impact on the whole world and help to make our planet a better and safer place for our children and posterity. In order to realise this ideal we should have adequate funding. It is a pity that the rich countries of the world have not been magnanimous enough to contribute to the success of the summit.
One of the main emphases of the summit is poverty. The number of people going to bed with empty and rumbling stomachs is increasing. Our own country, which is hosting this summit, and our neighbouring SADC countries are no exceptions. We hope that the glittering lights of Gauteng - literally meaning `place of gold’ - will not blind the delegates to the groans of the poor.
It is a pity that the sophisticated infrastructure required to host a world indaba of this size can only be found in places such as Sandton. The ideal place for hosting this type of conference would have been Sekhukhuneland, Vendaland, Ciskei, Transkei, Zululand, etc. It is hoped that the needs of the poor will not be forgotten, and that the poor and unemployed will be given some slices of the cake that the windfall of the summit will bring.
The other focus of the summit is on a cleaner and more secure environment. The concerns for clean water and sanitation should not be ignored. Industrial pollution and pollution caused by poverty should be reduced or contained. It is hoped that no strikes or demonstrations will be planned for the duration of the summit, particularly if they are aimed at throwing rubbish in the streets.
I might add that although the democratic rights of citizens bringing forward the concerns and the plight of the poor, jobless and the landless must be respected, any attempt to disrupt the summit must be roundly condemned.
The PAC has supported the summit for months, and we will continue to do so. We therefore wish the summit every success, and hope that it will bring changes to our country, our continent and our planet.
The MINISTER OF HEALTH: Madam Speaker and hon members, as with other ministries, I am proud to report that my ministry has played a significant and central role in the build-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. At the Rio Summit, health was seen as being at the centre of sustainable development. Ten years after the Rio Summit health is still seen as one the most important priorities in sustainable development.
This is a concept that I hold dear, because we cannot achieve sustainable development if the health problems of the world, and in particular those of the developing world, are not addressed. Because of this, I have ensured that health plays a pivotal role in the summit. In January this year I hosted a meeting supported by the WHO, the SADC health ministers, and representatives of E9 countries. At this meeting we explored in detail the relationship between health and sustainable development and emerged with what is now internationally known as the Johannesburg Declaration on Health and Sustainable Development.
The US, having participated at this meeting in Johannesburg, did not pledge itself in support of the Johannesburg Declaration. This was later to have an influence on the positions to be taken by the US both in Geneva and in the subsequent international forums. In this declaration we recalled the first principle of the Rio Declaration, which proclaimed that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.
We note with concern the reality that despite much progress health today and into the future continues to be severely compromised, with sub-Saharan Africa carrying the greatest burden of disease. In our declaration we called for reaffirmation of the millennium development targets and a commitment from the international community to scaling up its efforts in health to the level required to make the desired impact on disease.
The declaration, which I will make available to Parliament, offers an understanding of the inextricable link between health and sustainable development, calls for scaled-up interventions to impact on the countries most burdened with disease, and identifies specific actions needed to address the poverty, globalisation, environmental and health systems and causes of ill health.
The Johannesburg Declaration formed the basis of a resolution that I presented to the assembly of the WHO in May this year. This declaration formed the foundation of a resolution that was adopted by World Health Assembly. This means that health ministers around the globe share our concerns and recognise that improved health drives sustainable development, and that urgent action is required to reduce the unacceptable levels of unnecessary suffering and death.
This concern is shared by the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Kofi Annan, who has placed health amongst the top five issues for sustainable development. We have also seen the Health Chapter of the base document for the Summit, known as the Chairman’s Text, grow in clarity and content through the various preparatory committees, culminating in the situation where health was the most agreed upon chapter at PrepCom 4 in Bali, a chapter that drew heavily on our Johannesburg Declaration.
It must be noted that the preparatory work and negotiations have paid dividends. This was evidenced by the fact that when the Health Chapter was adopted with only a few instances of so-called bracketed text, the delegations at the PrepCom 4 spontaneously broke into applause. The only outstanding area is around the Doha Trips Agreement on access to affordable medicines. This is an area in which we cannot afford to compromise and we will continue fighting to ensure that the world’s poor have access to affordable medicines.
Whilst we would have preferred tighter time frames and more binding language, I am nevertheless pleased that the Health Chapter is comprehensive. It deals, amongst other things, with; unacceptably high levels of poverty, and the need therefore for programmes to eradicate poverty and starvation and to ensure development; strengthening the capacity of health care systems to deliver basic health services to all in an efficient, accessible and affordable manner; improving the development of human resources in the health care services; a programme to achieve health literacy globally; reduction of mortality rates for infants and children and maternal mortality rates; promoting the use of traditional medicine and protection of traditional knowledge; sharing access of women to health care services including reproductive health care; accessing environmental threats to human health; technologies for safe water, sanitation, and waste management; strengthening occupational health programmes; promoting health by ensuring access for all to sufficient; safe, culturally accepted and nutritionally adequate food; combating HIV and Aids; implementing national preventive and treatment strategies for HIV and Aids; ensuring adequate funds for the global fund to fight Aids, TB and malaria; mobilising funds for research and development and ensuring that it is directed towards relevant research; reducing health problems associated with air pollution and other health problems associated with the environment; and addressing non-communicable health problems such as cancer, hypertension and diseases of lifestyles. It is quite a comprehensive Health Chapter and it is something that we can build on and strengthen during the next 10 years. The key tenets of this declaration are completely in line with Nepad, which is our guiding socio- economic political framework for making a visible impact in health, sustainable development and poverty alleviation in the region and on the African continent.
Eight years after the first democratic elections in our country we are at the verge of totally eliminating polio in South Africa, and we are working towards certifying the whole of the SADC region polio-free by 2005. Immunisation coverage among children has improved substantially and measles is no longer a serious threat to child survival in South Africa.
In 1996 there were 10 567 cases of measles and 24 deaths. In 2000 this came down to 1 593 cases and no deaths. As part of our international solidarity work, we signed a co-operation agreement with Angola to assist them in the training of their health personnel and to be their referral centre for polio diagnosis. In July 2002 we signed an agreement with Italy for collaboration in health research and strengthening health policy and planning at national level.
I am also pleased to report to Parliament that I will, in collaboration with WHO, be hosting a parallel event at the Ubuntu village during the summit. Among others Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, the Director-General of the WHO and Ms Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of Unicef will be the key speakers during this event. The meeting will explore the evidence and action for investing in health and in particular children’s environmental health. We will carefully consider pragmatic examples of health and sustainable development and the potential for partnerships in health research for development.
One cannot consider health and sustainable development without focusing on the very real tragedy unfolding right now on our sub-continent, which is famine. The health parallel event will begin with the ministers’ round- table which I will be convening entitled, ``Pushing back the frontiers of poverty to address the issues of poverty and nutrition.’’ Colleagues from SADC countries will present an analysis of the situation and offer intersectoral proposals for addressing the immediate challenge of hunger, and for putting in place sustainable solutions so that future generations do not suffer from the scourge of malnutrition.
As health ministers we will be advocating that this must remain a very central purpose of the summit. I believe that if, at the very least, this is one thing that we achieve, a combined call and action that ensures that no person shall suffer hunger, then the summit will be a success.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the WHO and my fellow SADC health ministers for the support they have provided and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for the effectiveness of the lead role he and his department have played in the preparations for the summit. [Applause.]
Mnr C AUCAMP: Mev die Speaker, ‘n groot eer het Suid-Afrika te beurt geval om gasheer te wees van die komende Wêreldberaad oor Volhoubare Ontwikkeling. Die AEB is maar te deeglik bewus van die reusetaak wat op die organiseerders en die duisende rolspelers en vrywilligers rus om van die beraad ‘n sukses te maak.
Ons wil Minister Moosa en sy span alle sterkte toewens en die vertroue uitspreek dat ‘n eersteklas aanbieding daartoe mag lei dat Suid-Afrika se gradering op alle vlakke regoor die wêreld sal styg. Dit is ‘n geleentheid om Suid-Afrika te bevorder as toeristebestemming, beleggersbestemming en gewaardeerde handelsvennoot. Ook die 1 600 permanente werkgeleenthede wat as gevolg van die beraad geskep gaan word, is ‘n belangrike byvoordeel wat nie misgekyk mag word nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Madam Speaker, a great honour has been bestowed upon South Africa, that of acting as host for the coming World Summit on Sustainable Development. The AEB is all too well aware of the giant task of making a success of the summit that rests on the shoulders of the organisers, the many role-players and the volunteers.
We want to wish Minister Moosa and his team everything of the best and we want to express our confidence that a first-class presentation may lead to an elevation in South Africa’s grading at every level right across the globe. It is an opportunity to promote South Africa as a destination for tourists and investors and as a valued partner in trade. Also, the 1 600 permanent job opportunities that are going to be created as a result of the summit is an important additional advantage that may not be overlooked.]
Please ensure that Mr McHugh of Ireland is not one of the officials.
Die vraagstuk omtrent volhoubare ontwikkeling is van kardinale belang vir
alle lande regoor die wêreld. Een van die belangrikste beginsels wat die
Bybel ons leer, is dié van verantwoordelike rentmeesterskap. Koos du
Plessis sing in sy bekende Gebed":Wat ek is, is net genade, wat ek
het, is net geleen.’’ Die gedagte is duidelik: Ons moet só omgaan met wat
die Skepper tot ons beskikking gestel het dat ons nie blote parasiete,
blote opgebruikers word nie, maar dat komende geslagte ook ‘n ruimte kan
vind in ons land, ons kontinent en oor die hele wêreld.
In die laaste strofe van Die Stem van Suid-Afrika'' bid ons, … dat
die erwe van ons vaad’re vir ons kinders erwe bly.’’ Dit kan in ‘n sekere
sin die leuse wees op die beraad. Enige suksesvolle boer sal vir ‘n mens sê
as jy boer, kan jy nie net kyk na vanjaar se oes, net om volgende jaar ‘n
uitgetrapte plaas te hê nie. ‘n Mens moet so boer dat jy volgende jaar nog
kan boer, en meer nog, dat jou seun ná jou ook kan boer en dat jou buurman
ook water vir sy beeste het.
In die wêreld is daar vandag inderdaad ‘n legio gevare vir volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die verhitting van die atmosfeer, die toename van skadelike aardgasse, die uitwissing van mariene bronne en ja, ook die vraagstuk van armoede wat die hele wêreld bekruip, is maar enkele voorbeelde. Dit is krities belangrik dat hierdie sake met verantwoordelikheid en oorleg gehanteer sal word.
Die AEB wil egter waarsku teen een gevaar: Terwyl Suid-Afrika die gasheer
is, moet ons daartoe bydra dat die beraad nie ontaard in ‘n onsmaaklike
polarisasie tussen die haves'' en diehave nots’’ nie. (Translation of
Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The question concerning sustainable development is of vital importance to countries right across the globe. One of the most important principles that the Bible teaches us is the principle of responsible stewardship. Koos du Plessis sings in his well- known song Gebed: ‘‘Wat ek is, is net genade; wat ek het, is net geleen.’’ The sentiment is obvious: We must deal with what the Creator has put at our disposal in such a manner that we do not become mere parasites and consumers, but so that future generations could also find a place in our country, our continent as well as the entire world.
In the last verse of ``Die Stem’’ of South Africa, we pray: …’’ that the heritage they give us for our children yet may be’’. This can in a certain sense be the slogan at the summit. Any successful farmer will tell one that when one is a farmer one cannot just look at this year’s crop, only to have a denuded farm the next year. One must farm in such a manner that one can still farm the following year; and more so, that one’s son can farm after one and that one’s neighbour also has water for his cattle.
There are indeed numerous threats to sustainable development in the world today. The warming of the atmosphere, the increase in harmful natural gases, the eradication of marine resources and yes, also the question of poverty that stalks the world are but a few examples. It is of vital importance that these issues should be handled with responsibility and consideration.
The AEB however, wants to warn against one danger: While South Africa is the host we must make a contribution to the summit not degenerating into an unpleasant polarisation between the haves and the have nots.]
We must take care that the summit does not become an exercise of blame shifting on the industrialised countries of the world, or the other way round. Something like this happened with the World Conference on Racism recently held in South Africa. During that conference, the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs played an important role and tried her best to avoid just that. We call on Minister Moosa and every important role-player in South Africa to do their utmost so that the summit should not turn into an event of the good, the bad and the ugly.
Die AEB wens hulle alle sterkte toe met die belangrike beraad. Mag dit nog baie vir ons land en vir die toekoms van alle bewoners van hierdie planeet beteken. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The AEB wishes them well with this important summit. May it hold great promise for our country and for the future of all the inhabitants of our planet.]
Mr P J NEFOLOVHODWE: Madam Speaker, every society strives to create a political, social and economic framework around which developmental processes can take place. The political, social and economic framework can be referred to as a system in which role-players are allowed to participate provided they stick by the rules. In modern society, these rules are formalised by way of laws, various conventions and agreements that are entered into amongst nations of the world. Most, if not all of these conventions and agreements, are in favour of the rich.
The poor always get marginalised and their activities are seen as mitigating against good governance and order, meaning good governance and order in favour of the rich. This is what happens when the poor do not have access to clean water; when the rich pollute the environment; when the rich sell drugs to poor at exorbitant prices; when there is no fair trade between poor and rich countries; when the capitalist system of the rich marginalises the poor into poverty; and when the rich regard all of this as normal. Therefore, for the poor, the World Summit on Sustainable Development should mean an arena of struggle against very powerful forces. For the poor and poor countries, the conference should be a platform to let the rich know that their survival is dependent on the eradication of poverty and all forms of deprivation that the poor live under.
For poor countries, in particular, the agenda should be to challenge the rich countries to understand that within the global developmental framework, poverty eradication, the creation of a clean environment, equitable distribution of resources to all earth’s children and the ending of trade imbalances between rich and poor countries is fundamental. The success of sustainable development in a world where the majority are poor, can only be judged by the way in which it is capable of transforming the material conditions under which poor people, all over the world, find themselves into something better and its ability to enable the poor to sustain the developmental processes.
The outcome of the conference should be capable of creating an enabling environment and conditions that create a better world for all.
Mr M I MOSS: Madam Speaker, I am privileged to speak in this debate on the World Summit on Sustainable Development as it is, in many aspects, the biggest and the most important gathering of people from all walks of life to ensure that planet earth will not only be preserved for future generations, but that the plight of the poor will be relieved through sustainable development.
Since the World Summit on Sustainable Development will address virtually all issues one can think of, I shall limit my input to matters pertaining to the environment, fishing and the protection of the coastal and marine life. South Africa has proved itself as a champion in the world when it comes to the issues of protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity, fishing and marine resources.
To substantiate the above, is the fact that we are one of the very few countries in the world that can significantly increase the total allowable catch of fish stocks and other marine resources in our waters. Our population of wildlife is growing and our national parks are expanding all the time. These constructive and positive developments take place in full consultation and partnership with communities, especially those directly affected. An example is the San Heritage Land and Mier Heritage Land which will be subject to separate contract park agreements with South African National Parks. According to this agreement, South African National Parks will conserve the animals, plants and natural environment on the heritage land. The community parties may, by means of the entity that represents them, use the land in terms of the agreement as landowners. The two communities may also use the land for symbolic and cultural purposes. The South African National Parks and the community parties will form a joint management board. This month is women’s month and our chairperson, who is also a woman, started the debate on a very positive note. I want to add that our Government has allocated fishing quotas to many women who not only work at sea, but also add value to the product. They also participate in the full process of the fishing industry, including exports.
Within the African process, African countries have undertaken an integrated and innovative approach to the protection of the coastal and marine environments with the overall aim of enhancing sustainable economic development, food and economic security and addressing poverty eradication. The African process has achieved substantial political support and has been warmly endorsed by the African Union and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment. Most recently, it has been integrated into the coastal and marine component of the environment initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
The years of hard work since the inception of the African process have finally proved to be a reality. By joining hands, we shall ensure the success not only of the partnership conference, but also of further work on the African process.
Over the past century, governments all over the world, including the previous South African government before 1994, had no respect or mercy for the environment at large. Many fish species decreased and were on the brink of extinction. In South African waters fish stocks are beginning to recover.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa, who is and will be playing a key role at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, said in Parliament recently, and I quote:
For most of this period, our ancestors lived in harmony with nature. Over the millennia, human beings advanced socially, economically and culturally, never once facing self-destruction. All that changed in the last 100 years. Human beings, for the first time, started destroying the very earth which we need for our survival. A lack of resources to combat the above has led to a massive decrease of abalone on our coasts. Patagonian toothfish populations in the Southern Ocean are declining at an alarming rate as a result of over a decade of overfishing mainly by illegal, unreported and unregulated operators.
Die uitdruklike doelwit van menige internasionale mariene, vissery- of kusooreenkoms is ingestel op die bevordering van die volhoubaarheid van die bron op die lang termyn. Terselfdertyd moet politieke stabiliteit op wêreldvlak verseker word deur die verwydering van die oorsake van konflikte, ekonomies of andersins.
Alhoewel dit edele doelwitte is hierdie, is die realiteit dat die kompleksiteit van die ooreenkomste en die gebrek aan internasionale beheerstandaarde lei tot die bevoordeling van die ontwikkelde lande. Gesien in die lig van hierdie lande se lang geskiedenis van uitbuiting is dit daarom van kardinale belang dat die ontwikkelende lande moet saamspan om beheerstandaarde daar te stel wat sal voldoen aan die beginsels van regverdigheid, gelykheid en nie-diskriminasie in die oseane en ten opsigte van kusbeheer op nasionale, streeks- en wêreldvlak. Hierdie standaarde en beheerraamwerk moet ook voorsiening maak vir ‘n heroorweging van die toekenningsvereistes.
Die verminderende visbronne in die ontwikkelde wêreld en die gevolglike hoë pryse van vis en verwante produkte het oor die afgelope dekades gelei tot die verskuiwing van die fokus van hierdie lande na die meer oorvloedige visbronne van die ontwikkelende lande. Hierdie faktor, tesame met oorbefondsing en die feit dat regerings van die ontwikkelde lande massiewe subsidies uitdeel, het gelei tot ‘n verkragting van visbronne in die ontwikkelende lande.
Tans is daar ‘n groot beweging van die waters van geïndustrialiseerde ontwikkelde lande na die waters van die ontwikkelende lande. Hulle het toegang bekom deur vennootskappe aan te gaan met plaaslike maatskappye wat ‘n tekort het aan gepaste skepe en implemente, en deur die nodige ooreenkomste met ander regerings en dié van ontwikkelende lande.
In die strewe na ‘n uitvoergeoriënteerde beleid is dit noodsaaklik dat daar gewaak word teen die toekenning van kwotaregte en permitte aan groot uitvoermaatskappye ten koste van kleinskaal- en bestaansvissermanne. ‘n Voorkeur aan ‘n toekenningsbeleid ten gunste van groot uitvoermaatskappye sal later daartoe lei dat kusgemeenskappe uiteindelik toegang tot ‘n baie belangrike voedselbron ontneem word en dat vis slegs ‘n luukse-item sal word op die tafels van mense in die ontwikkelde wêreld, wat reeds ‘n oorvloed voedsel het. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The express objective of many international marine, fishing or coastal agreements is geared to the promotion of the sustainability of the resource in the long term. Simultaneously, political stability at a global level must be ensured by the removal of the causes of conflicts, economic or otherwise. Although these are noble objectives, in reality the complexity of the agreements and the lack of international control standards result in the favouring of the developed countries. In view of these countrys’ long history of exploitation, it is therefore vitally important that the developed countries must work together to set control standards that will comply with the principles of fairness, equality and non-discrimination in the oceans and in respect of coastal control at national, regional and global level. These standards and the control framework must also make provision for a reconsideration of the allocation requirements.
Reduced fishing resources in the developed world and concomitant high prices of fish and related products during the past few decades have caused a shift in focus from these countries to the more abundant fishing resources of the developing countries. This factor, together with overfunding and the fact that the governments of developed countries hand out massive subsidies, has led to the exploitation of fishing resources in developing countries.
At present there is a large movement from the waters of industrialised, developed countries to the waters of developing countries. They have obtained access by entering into partnerships with local companies lacking suitable ships and implements and by means of the necessary agreements with other governments and those of developing countries.
In pursuit of an export-orientated policy it is essential that we guard against the allocation of quota rights and permits to large export companies at the expense of small-scale and subsistence fishermen. Priority in allocation policy in favour of large export companies will later result in coastal communities ultimately being deprived of a very important source of food, and that fish will become only a luxury item on the tables of people in the developed world, which already has an abundance of food.]
The people who will be gathering at the World Summit for Sustainable Development will have to ensure that the slogan, ``People, Planet and Prosperity’’ will preserve planet earth for generations to come. South Africa will certainly play a big role to ensure that the focus is on poverty eradication, sustainable development and access to water and sanitation, energy, health care, food security and biodiversity and ecosystem protection. The summit will also be about implementation and delivery. [Applause.]
Ms J A SEMPLE: Madam Speaker, special greetings this afternoon to Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde. We are very proud to be part of her team.
Ecotourism, defined by the International Ecotourism Society as ``responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the wellbeing of local people’’, is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. As many as 60% of international tourists travelled during the 1990s to experience and enjoy nature.
Ecotourists are usually very environmentally aware and South Africa’s hosting of the World Summit this month offers a window of opportunity for our tourism industry to confirm its commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
We are probably all aware of the benefits that tourism can bring to our country. President Thabo Mbeki, in an article in Sawubona this month, states:
For us in South Africa, tourism is part of the long walk to economic freedom, as the natural beauty and diversity of our people are shared with visitors.
Some of these benefits include the fact that roughly 65% of new jobs created by tourism annually are found in the developing world. Many of these positions go to women. Approximately 45% of workers in the hotel, catering and restaurant sectors are women - a much higher share than in the labour market overall. Did the hon members know that 90% of the world’s tourism enterprises are small businesses, from family-owned restaurants to one-person snorkeling operations?
The tourism branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has initiated the development of an integrated Ecotourism Development Plan for South Africa as well as the Generic Guidelines for Responsible Tourism Development. These responsible tourism guidelines are voluntary and intended to protect and enhance the environment in which they operate, all of which dovetails very nicely with the aims of the World Summit.
Measurement of good, sustainable environmental best practice, an environmental management system and an awards programme will position the hospitality industry in South Africa as world leaders in sustainable development. The working group, consisting of representatives of Southern Sun, Intercontinental, FEDHASA, JOWSCO and certain Metro councils in Gauteng, certainly deserves credit for these proposals.
An initiative by the Association of Independent Tour Operators, Aito, to avoid destinations and properties where no environmental management programmes have been established was confirmed by the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between these leading international tour operators.
The guidelines are based on very similar social, economical and environmental principles, which also govern the greening of the summit such as air quality and pollution, by managing and reducing, where possible, emissions into the atmosphere; community and social involvement, by managing and involving all stakeholders such as the local community, staff and guests in the environmental programme; measuring and monitoring of appropriate short-term and long-term energy usage such as oil, gas, electricity, petrol, wood, etc; taking positive steps in the management and creation of awareness of relevant health issues like HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, hepatitis and waterborne diseases; procurement policies that are conducted with minimum impact on the environment; the collection, storage and recycling of waste material and by-products and water conservation.
I do not have much time to go into much detail on the above, but members might be interested to know that one of the visible features of the summit will be the consumption barometer which will demonstrate, on a daily basis, how much carbon the summit is generating, how much waste is going to landfills, how much is being recycled and how much water and energy is being used. The barometer will be displayed at major venues on electronic billboards and published in daily newspapers.
Members of the hospitality industry have been asked to sign a statement of intent, committing themselves to implementing a responsible tourism programme and all signatories will be listed in a Responsible Tourism Guide for South Africa. These programmes, initiated in part by the holding of the World Summit, will leave a lasting legacy for sustainable tourism in South Africa. [Applause.]
Dr R RABINOWITZ: Madam Speaker, from a South African perspective the World Summit is already a success even before it has begun. For that, congratulations must go to the Departments of Environment, of Agriculture, and of Arts and Culture, our hon Gwen Mahlangu and JOWSCO, because they have managed to co-ordinate their efforts, which is something that we are not always good at doing. [Applause.]
They have managed to prevent the summit from becoming an avenue for any one of the major players to force the agenda, either of business, government or so-called civil society. I say so-called, because no group or organisation can claim to be the single representative voice of civil society.
The summit has offered a platform for all to work towards the goals of partnerships between the developed and the developing world and between business, Government and civil society. If goals are scored by opposing teams, the game will be lost. It will be won if we collectively ensure that the globalising world unfolds in a way that narrows the gap between rich and poor and that it enables the earth to prosper.
Preliminary success has been felt mainly in Gauteng, where an explosion of energy has triggered into action schemes that have been in the pipeline for many years. A core of young people and all parts of communities have been trained in tourism and now understand that everything they do makes a difference to the planet.
The entire universe comprises energy. Energy has as much power to create as to destroy. Everything in the world is ecologically linked, whether it is nature, society, economics or politics, and in all fields every positive step has a ripple effect that takes us forward, and every negative one on a downward spiral.
There will be logistical problems at the summit. There may not be an agreement on time frames, but these will not constitute failure. Failure will result if NGOs place their demand for time frames, which are extremely difficult to set realistically, above a collective intention to improve life on this earth.
Failure will result if promises of partnership between the developed and developing worlds are not realised into technology transfer, shared research and joint programmes.
Failure will result if we do not find a way to globalise equity and to agree across continents on how to draft patent laws, so that they encourage development while respecting and protecting the indigenous knowledge and goods, such as rooibos tea, of local people.
If we compress 15 billion years of the history of the Cosmos into one year, humans emerged on 31 December and began their ascendancy one hour before midnight. It has taken less than half a second to threaten the continued existence of life on earth and in the next millisecond it could all be gone. Hopefully, this seminal Summit will set us on an uphill spiral towards the twenty-first century.
The IFP wishes the organisers and the visitors ``indlela entle’’ [a safe and rewarding journey]. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Madam Speaker, it is my very pleasant task this afternoon … [Interjections] … when the babble on my left stops, to say that I appreciate very much the high degree not only of consensus, but also of agreement reached in the House.
The cynic might say, of course, if there is agreement, it must be a very artificial situation. But I think the cynic, as some Irishman said, who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, would be wrong. I am very proud of this House, because this session was enormously important. It was enormously important to relate our own existential issues to the rest of the world. It is more enormously important that we have reached a degree of understanding of that, because it is important.
Secondly, I do not think it is the numbers that will make the conference. It will not be the heads of state that will make the world conference, although I think we will feel good about it that the numbers make it the largest conference ever.
I do not think it is these physical manifestations. It will largely be the way in which we can strengthen the international consensus on the various issues that the hon members have spoken about, and how we can forward the battle. There is a real battle here. That is why I think it is important to recognise that 30 years ago, when the first conference was held on development in Stockholm, for the first time, they could say that they would talk about the human environment, not only the physical environment. Then, 10 years ago, at the extraordinary conference in Rio de Janeiro, in which many of us took part - not as a governmental delegation, but because it was necessary to redeem the earth and humanity, the emphasis there in Rio was really about environmental and social policies and priorities. For the first time, the world related social policies to the environment.
That is why I believe, myself, that there is an opportunity in Johannesburg now to project this understanding. We, particularly, will play a very important part, because Africa will be the centrepiece in this. That is why that I regret very much that there was no agreement here.
The hon Moorcroft must realise that the essence of this conference is that it is an intergovernmental conference. South African participation will be limited to the two Ministers and the President who will be there. That is why we pushed very hard for the other areas of involvement so that parliamentarians can play a part in that. That is why it is important that in the parliamentary session, we cannot have more than 25, because there are 180 countries taking part in this. That is why it is important to recognise that it will be a South African position reflecting the views of this House. It is a common South African position that will be reflected there. I think it is very important that a common South African position will be there. South Africa and Africa will play an important part in the world summit. Therefore, the slogan that everybody has referred to, ``People, planet and prosperity’’, will play a leading part for our continent.
However, how ever much agreement there may be, we must recognise that whatever our focus, we must also bear in mind that notions of development are contested. Conceptions of development are shaped by many issues, contradictions, challenges and, more importantly, opportunities. We therefore need to ensure that the real developmental needs of our continent, our country and the developing world are at the forefront of this summit’s deliberations.
A very famous bishop in Brazil once said that, in fact, development must be to exercise one’s option for the poor. Exercising the option for the poor must be the central feature. That is why there will be contestation, not, in fact, a deliberate attempt to sour relations, but there will be differences of world view at the conference. The whole issue, for example, of debt relief or debt abolition, and the issue of trading patterns are enormously important for the south. In the same way, the transfer of technology is also an important issue. We have moved away from declaratory resolutions, which we had at Monterey, where five billion was offered, to a much greater understanding of Nepad as to what the exact needs of our continent and, therefore, of the world are.
The market itself cannot resolve these contradictions and problems that we face. There must, therefore, be social intervention. There must be intervention by states, between states and within the community to recognise the real basis of development. So, central to this is championing the issue which I have been asked to speak about, which is the relationship between education and development. There, I have answered the hon member who asked me.
As Africans, we assert that education is key to confronting the multiple challenges of social dislocation, of environmental degradation and poverty eradication. We must assert that education is a vital process to attain human development goals, and to place the African continent on the pathway of sustainability.
So members should appreciate that no country or region is ever successfully developed without adequate levels of human capital. Investment in education, therefore, is crucial. Our own President’s emphasis, in his state-of-the-nation address in February, was to talk about the dynamics of development in our country. However, many make the mistake of reducing the role of education to simply that of economic development. There is no doubt that economic development forms one of the foundations. Most experts believe that economic development without skills development will lead, in fact, to a cul-de-sac.
This narrow interpretation therefore, misses the necessary contribution that education makes to the development of values such as good citizenship, justice, tolerance, sensitivity to the environment and peace. If we exclude these ethical factors, then we will have the situation of Enron, of WorldCom, of America Online, of Vivendi and many others, where greed becomes the main motivating force for human existence.
The market, as Adam Smith once thought, might moderate greed. However, Adam Smith’s ghost will be turning around now, because the market has not mediated as far as greed is concerned. The collapse of the financial markets, then, … [Interjections] … I see that hon member has grown a beard now. He will look very much like Lenin now! [Interjections.]
The collapse of the financial market has shown that there must be mediation. The mediation must be one of solidarity, an understanding between states that economic systems are not cast in stone, and that their developments have to take place to meet the needs. Education plays an important role in providing for sustainable and comprehensive understanding.
The investment in education on the continent has steadily declined through the adoption of policies laid down by external financial agencies, by greed, corruption, the lack of ability of governments to act or lack of will. This, in turn, has reduced our institutional capacity to sustain the quantity and quality of output in the production of intellectual capital. Many African universities, once proud centres of excellence, have been unable to keep pace with technological innovations to sustain the up-to- date libraries and information systems vital to the cutting edge of research. Enabling environments and richer countries continue to draw promising intellectuals away from the difficult and sometimes incapacitating realities of many universities on our continent.
Public schools have suffered similarly in terms of resources and skilled personnel. Illiteracy rates remain high as 33,4% for men and 52,7% for women in sub-Saharan Africa. Wars deny education to young boys and girls, forced into fighting at an early age. Gender inequalities that privilege male children in terms of attitudes, opportunities and economic duties prevent and discourage girls from receiving education. More than half of school-aged girls in 22 countries do not even receive an education. So, we will require a capital injection in Nepad with the demand for U$64 billion a year. Central to Nepad is the question of human-resource development. Human-resource development will drive, therefore, the revolution in Africa.
As for ourselves, we know that investment in our people is no luxury. We know and realise that education is a process and that, today, in a technological world and, to use a catchphrase, through globalisation, education does not end with a final qualification. That is why we are going to take a lead in Africa to help our brothers and sisters in Africa by convening the first conference on distance education next year, so that we can share our remarkable capacity in distance education with countries that have not yet moved in that direction.
There has to be some statement about what this conference will do for the poor. I do not think the conference will do anything for the poor. It is the standards the conference will set that we must invoke. I will, therefore, say that as far as we are concerned, it is not doom and gloom.
We can now show that we have the highest proportion of girl children in schools in the Third World, and we are possibly leading there. More than 50% of our students in universities and technikons are young women. We have a virtual 100% participation rate in primary school education. We have the highest proportion of children in the secondary cycle in Africa. All this has been achieved through the commitment we have made to our people. It is not something for self-glorification. It is simply that we recognise that we must make this kind of leap in the educational world.
The international community, therefore, has made great strides in widespread consensus for a global agenda for education and training since Rio, and in many other areas we have a never-diminishing role for declaratory resolutions passed, because declaratory resolutions can become the basis for building on that. We know, after Rio, the treaties that deal with the environment have come into force. They are a matter of enormous importance, because they are being implemented. The floods in Europe and the Far East show how we cannot play the fool with our environment. Therefore, we have to grapple through public opinion to ensure that some of the more negative aspects of non-ratification of the protocol are challenged.
I end by saying that it is enormously important for us to show that sense of solidarity with Africa, but understanding that without joint and collective action, we cannot do anything. I think myself, on behalf of the Government, that what Johannesburg will show is the last stage or, possibly, the last chance that we have to deal with the enormous issues such as health - including the eccentric views of Mr Swart - and, for the first time, water and sanitation are playing a central role. We must ensure that the countries of the north are able to target and take part in the implementation.
I think it is a glorious opportunity in which this House is reflected. We can build a world fit for all our children to live in, and make Johannesburg succeed in that. Phambili, phambili, Johannesburg! [Forward, Johannesburg!]
Debate concluded.
The House adjourned at 16:50. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- The Speaker and the Chairperson:
(1) The following Bill was introduced by the Minister of
Communications in the National Assembly on 15 August 2002 and
referred to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification
in terms of Joint Rule 160:
(i) Broadcasting Amendment Bill [B 34 - 2002] (National
Assembly - sec 75) [Bill and prior notice of its introduction
published in Government Gazette No 23745 of 15 August 2002.]
The Bill has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Communications of the National Assembly.
In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of
the Bill may be submitted to the JTM within three parliamentary
working days.
National Assembly:
- The Speaker:
The following changes have been made to the membership of Portfolio
Committees, viz:
Health:
Appointed: Gous, S J; Rhoda, R T (Alt).
Discharged: Durand, J.
Trade and Industry:
Appointed: Rhoda, R T; Van Deventer, F J (Alt).
Discharged: Redcliffe, C R.
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
- The Minister for Safety and Security:
(a) International Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist
Bombings, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution,
1996.
(b) International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of
Terrorism, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution,
1996.
(c) Organization of African Unity Convention for the Prevention and
Combating of Terrorism, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the
Constitution, 1996.
(d) Explanatory Memorandum to the Conventions.
(e) Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and other
Related Materials in the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Region, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the
Constitution, 1996.
(f) Explanatory Memorandum to the Protocol.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
National Assembly:
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence on the National Conventional Arms Control Bill [B 50B - 2000] (National Assembly - sec 75), dated 13 August 2002:
The Portfolio Committee on Defence, having considered the subject of the National Conventional Arms Control Bill [B 50B - 2000] (National Assembly - sec 75), recommitted to it, presents the National Conventional Arms Control Bill [B 50D - 2000] (National Assembly - sec 75).