National Council of Provinces - 20 June 2002
THURSDAY, 20 JUNE 2002 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
____
The Council met at 14:04.
The Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, on a point of order: Is it parliamentary for members to wear traditional farmers’ clothing during a sitting? [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Are there members wearing traditional farmers’ clothing? I do not note any members. I see members dressed in their usual peculiar way. [Laughter.]
Mnr A E VAN NIEKERK: Voorsitter, ek gee hiermee kennis dat ek by die volgende sitting van die Raad gaan voorstel:
Dat die Raad -
(1) kennis neem, saam met die Noord-Kaap en die hele Suid-Afrika, dat -
(a) die DA gister in Kimberley, die parlementêre hoofstad van die
Noord-Kaap, in 'n tussenverkiesing vernietig is;
(b) die steun van die DA van 1 048 stemme in 2000 na net 137
getuimel het, en dat selfs die onafhanklike kandidaat byna drie
keer meer stemme op hom gevestig het as die DA; en
(c) hierdie uitslag op die vooraand van die oorloopgeleentheid weer
eens 'n bewys is dat die DA se steun besig is om te kwyn, en dat
dit nie 'n tuiste bied nie vir denkende kiesers wat nie net wil
raas en blaas nie, maar ook 'n verskil in Suid-Afrika wil maak
en deel van die hoofstroompolitiek wil wees; en ... (Translation of Afrikaans notice of motion follows.)
[Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move -
That the Council -
(1) notes, together with the Northern Cape and the whole of South Africa, that -
(a) the DA was annihilated in a by-election yesterday in Kimberley,
the parliamentary capital of the Northern Cape;
(b) the support for the DA plummeted from 1 048 votes in 2000 to
only 137 and that even the independent candidate drew nearly
three times more votes than the DA; and
(c) this result on the eve of the floor-crossing event proves once
again that support for the DA is dwindling, and that it does not
offer a home to thinking voters who do not only want to huff and
puff, but who also want to make a difference in South Africa and
who want to be part of mainstream politics; and]
(2) further notes that it is time for South Africans under the DA banner to become proud South Africans or remain partial South Africans under the leadership of Tony Leon in the DA, the Defeated Alliance.
[Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Is it parliamentary for members to wear hats in the House?
Ms M P THEMBA: Chairperson, yes, women can wear hats in the House. [Laughter.]
I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House:
That the Council -
(1) notes that the Department of Land Affairs has launched a massive manhunt for 1 000 to 1 500 German nationals who came into South Africa on tourist visas during the past three years but have never left;
(2) further notes that they are now suspected of being part of a syndicate which brings European nationals into South Africa where they are promised a good lifestyle and jobs in foreign companies;
(3) also notes that some of them are wanted in Germany for tax evasion, and that some have set up small shops claiming that they are investing in South Africa; (4) commends the department for tracking down some of these supposed-to- be tourists who are currently facing charges and deportation; and
(5) believes that we cannot allow people to disrespect the country’s immigration laws and do as they please.
Mrs E N LUBIDLA: Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House:
That the Council -
(1) notes that the ANC has scored a significant victory in the by- elections that took place in Roodepan in the Northern Cape …
This is my constituency -
(2) further notes that it is the first time the ANC has won this ward which was traditionally controlled by opposition candidates; and
(3) congratulates the ANC candidate on his emphatic victory.
Dr E A CONROY: Chairperson, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House:
That the Council -
(1) echoes the sentiments of our President, the hon Thabo Mbeki, when he said in the National Assembly yesterday:
``Farmers and Boers are as much South African and African as I am,
entitled to the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by any
other South African.''; and
``Nobody, anywhere in our country, whoever they are, has a right
to call for the killing of any South African, whatever the colour,
race, ethnic origin, gender or health condition of the intended
victim ... nobody, whoever they are, has the right to call for the
killing of farmers or Boers, nor the right to threaten violence to
advance their particular goals.''; and
(2) unequivocally ratifies the call by the hon Mosiuoa Lekota, Minister of Defence and former Chairperson of the NCOP, in this House yesterday that hon members should use their reconciliatory role to prevent inflammatory statements, sentiments and actions which can cause polarisation between the various communities of South Africa.
Me E C GOUWS: Voorsitter, ek gee hiermee kennis dat ek by die volgende sitting van die Raad gaan voorstel:
Dat die Raad -
(1) kennis neem -
(a) van die tussenverkiesing wat in die Kamdeboo Munisipaliteit,
Graaff-Reinet-gebied, plaasgevind het;
(b) van die groei in stemme vir die DA van 12% tot 25% in 'n wyk wat
deur die ANC oorheers word; en
(c) dat die uitslag kenmerkend is van die DA se groei in
tradisioneel swart gebiede; en
(2) die sinspeling dat daar agteruitgang in die DA is, met die minagting wat dit verdien, verwerp. (Translation of Afrikaans notice of motion follows.)
[Ms E C GOUWS: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the Council -
(1) takes note of -
(a) the by-election which took place in the Kamdeboo Municipality in
the Graaff-Reinet area;
(b) the increase in votes for the DA from 12% to 25% in a ward
dominated by the ANC; and
(c) the fact that the result is characteristic of the DA's growth in
traditionally black areas; and
(2) rejects the allusion that there is a decline in the DA with the contempt it deserves.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Grashalm, suster, grashalm! [Gelag.] Laaste stuiptrekkings! [Straw, sister, straw! [Laughter.] Last convulsions!]
Dr P J C NEL: Voorsitter, ek gee hiermee kennis dat ek by die volgende sitting van die Raad gaan voorstel:
Dat die Raad - (1) kennis neem dat -
(a) die Wit Huis en die Senaat in Amerika onlangs in nuwe
terreurwetgewing voorsiening gemaak het vir die
beskikbaarstelling van fondse, veral aan Afrika-lande, vir die
bestryding van Vigs;
(b) president George Bush Woensdag, 19 Junie 2002, bekend gemaak het
dat die VSA 500 miljoen dollar, ongeveer R5,1 miljard, gaan
skenk om die oordrag van Vigs van moeder na kind te bestry;
(c) Suid-Afrika een van die agt Afrika-lande is wat gaan baat vind
by die skenking; en
(d) die Nuwe NP, hoewel die omvang van die skenking aan Suid-Afrika
nog nie bekend is nie, die aankondiging verwelkom omdat die Nuwe
NP glo dat dit binne die vermoë van Suid-Afrika is om die fondse
doeltreffend aan te wend; en (2) 'n beroep doen op die res van die internasionale wêreld om die VSA se
voorbeeld te volg. (Translation of Afrikaans notice of motion follows.)
[Dr P J C NEL: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) the White House and the Senate in America recently made
provision in new terrorism legislation for the release of funds,
mainly to African countries for the combating of Aids;
(b) President George Bush announced on Wednesday, 19 June 2002, that
the USA will donate 500 million dollars to combat the
transmission of Aids from mother to child;
(c) South Africa is one of the eight African countries which will
benefit from the donation; and
(d) although the extent of the donation to South Africa is not yet
known, the New National Party welcomes the announcement as the
New National Party believes that it is within the ability of
South Africa to utilise the funds effectively; and
(2) appeals to the rest of the international world to follow the USA’s example.
CALL TO DESIST FROM USING SLOGANS THAT UNDERMINE NATION-BUILDING AND
RECONCILIATION
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes that -
(a) nation-building and reconciliation are central to the ethos and
aspirations of our democratic constitutional dispensation; and
(b) our constitution guarantees protection to all sections and
sectors of our nation;
(2) recognises that farmers, industrialists, workers and all other sectors collectively contribute directly to the development of our economy and are collectively responsible for the country’s reconstruction and transformation;
(3) further notes that, if repeated, certain slogans and utterances, including the slogan “Kill the Boer, kill the Farmer”, can result in the alienation of a significant section of our nation;
(4) resolves that such slogans and utterances are inimical to undermining nation-building and reconciliation; and
(5) calls on all persons to desist from perpetuating such slogans and utterances in the future.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
POOR SPORTMANSHIP EXHIBITED BY ITALY
(Draft Resolution)
Mr N M RAJU: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes that the chairman of the Italian Serie A club Perugia has summarily fired Korea’s ``golden boy’’ Ahn Jung-Hwan, who was responsible for scoring the golden goal for Korea in the second-round match against Italy, the early World Cup favourites;
(2) expresses its disgust at such an unsporting decision; and
(3) deplores the failure of Italians to accept the result of a great soccer match played at the World Cup finals.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Is there any objection to that motion? There is an objection. The motion will therefore become notice of a motion.
KING ZWELITHINI 30 YEARS ON ZULU THRONE
(Draft Resolution)
Prince B Z ZULU: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
(1) notes that -
(a) King Zwelithini will celebrate 30 years on the Zulu throne co-
inciding with his birthday on 26 July 2002; and
(b) for the past 30 years the King has become a symbol of peace,
justice, prosperity and stability among the Zulus, and he has
played a major role in keeping the nation intact and preserving
its values; and
(2) hopes that through this foundation a living legacy of the King will be sustained.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Policy debate)
Vote No 25 - Agriculture:
Vote No 29 - Land Affairs:
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Chairperson, I would just like to explain why I am appearing here before the House today. As hon members know, today is the day on which the Budget Votes of the departments come before the National Assembly. There was an instruction that Ministers be present there. That is why my Minister cannot be here, and I offer her apologies for this problem, which is basically out of the control of the Ministry.
I must say that I do appreciate one thing, which is the presence here of six MECs for agriculture. I might be wrong as I may have counted incorrectly. There is Mr Gelderblom as well. This is, indeed, a day of provincial Ministers of agriculture. The main purpose for me here today is to take close note, from the side of the national Ministry, of what the provincial Ministers are going to tell us today and the subjects they are concerned about. I can promise the House that we will get it through and make a record available for ourselves of these proceedings, and take it very seriously.
I would like to start first with the agricultures. There is a basic democratic problem. I think that in two main points I can bring the agricultural problem which we have to the fore. The one side of the agricultural problem, which we must address, is also part of the basic democratic problem. Since the end of the Second World War there has been continued and far more intensive political steerage of socioeconomic problems, and there are always complaints about how things pan out in practice a democracy.
We have a continual analysis of the problems of legitimacy in modern democracies. We have a mounting awareness of national, regional and global crises which are, especially in the agricultural sector, coming to the fore all the more, especially if we think about the food security crisis all over the globe.
I think the basic democratic problem, which is also the basic problem from the viewpoint of agriculture governance in South Africa, is to be faced, on the one hand, by the claims for participation in the governing systems and, on the other hand, by claims of efficiency - to make things work and to maintain an integrating capacity for action. That, I think, is the basic democratic problem.
It is very easy in an autocratic state, in which you have a dictator and someone like Goebbels, to say, ``Ein volk, ein Deutschland, ein Führer’’. That is very easy. One nation, one leader. One does not have integration problems in that situation. This is at the heart of the democratic problem and it is also the problem which we have to face in agriculture. That is why this institution is so important - to get that into integrating capacity for action.
What is also important is the quality of the participation. I think we still have a lot to do in that field. The quality of one’s participatory systems - like we have with the national and provincial systems and also with the local governmental systems - should be measured by the manner in which decisions at every level influence or modify action at other levels; the way in which decisions at local level influence national decisions, in which provincial decisions influence national and in which national decisions influence local and provincial decisions.
Those influences of the decisions are the real measure in which circumstances are altered for a better life for one’s citizens. I submit that that is the basic problem which must addressed and that is also the basic problem of agricultural governance in South Africa - this integrating for co-ordinated action.
The second aspect which the speech addresses of the Minister, which I will make available immediately after I have finished - including the Land Affairs speech for the speakers in this debate - is the underestimation of the role of agriculture in national economies. I would like to hear the provincial Ministers on that matter. It has been demonstrated that the surest way in which one can increase one’s Gross National Product is by increasing agricultural productivity. Nothing comes close to that. It has been proven that by putting up or growing agricultural productivity, one stimulates growth, generates income and reduces poverty like no other governmental intervention can do. This has been proven by research.
One’s growth in agriculture resulting from yield-increasing technologies has possibly the highest multiplier effects on overall economic growth. In some of the studies that have been done this has been two to three times more than the initial agricultural growth rate.
For example, research done in India has shown that when one promotes agricultural growth of all the possible governmental interventions, this has a larger economic impact on economic growth in general than spending on other rural programmes. The second factor which comes closest to agriculture is spending on rural roads - this, by the way, has been found to be the case in India - followed by irrigation, rural electrification, soil and water conservation, education and then health. The highest effect on coping with rural poverty is, for me, at the heart of the matter; these two questions: co-ordination on the one hand and growing agriculture on the other hand.
I personally believe that if Africa is to overcome its poverty, this will happen through being based on agricultural development, and recovery in Africa must be led by agriculture and nothing else. Thereafter, the other things can follow.
Regarding the budget, in the year under review before hon members we have been seeing the results of key policy changes that our Government has implemented. The main elements of that have been to broaden access to agriculture and, secondly, to make agriculture more representative of the South African population. What this has meant for those of us working in agriculture governance is that all our departments nationally and provincially simply have to reposition themselves to align their work more and more. If we have the common objective - and I know that cuts across all parties - of bettering the lives of our people, that is the only way that we can go, namely to align our work and work together far more than we we have done in the past.
What are our strategic goals? From the side of the national Ministry and the department I will quote them for hon members quickly. They are in the speech that hon members will get as soon as I am finished, which members can then read at their leisure. The first goal is to promote equal access to resources; secondly, to enhance global competitiveness and profitability in agriculture; thirdly, to ensure sustainable natural resource use; fourthly, to promote new entrants to the sector; and, fifthly, to ensure consumer confidence.
It does not help to have a very nice strategy and very beautiful documents with nice words, because where the implementation must happen is at the provincial level, as the provincial Ministers and members of the NCOP know very well. That is where it really must happen and South Africa depends on the provincial activities to make this true. What we need is a diversity of approaches to the delivery of services. We cannot just do this in one single, linear way. We need an alignment of approaches and we need a common set of measurable indicators to do this work. There have been various initiatives in South Africa in the year under consideration. The most important, perhaps, is the strategic plan for South African agriculture.
There is a purpose for wearing these shirts today. I hope every member of the NCOP will get one so that they can do their rural constituency work very well. I am sure this can be arranged. They must just come to the dinner. [Laughter.] The message is on these caps and shirts and that is the basic purpose of this strategic plan for agriculture - a united and prosperous agricultural sector. United and prosperous.
I think that is our aim, and it has to be effected in South Africa. Much of this plan is thanks to the President personally who actually invited industry, the national department, the agricultural unions, Agri-SA and Narfu, to draw up this common agricultural vision, which it really is.
I must say that my Minister thanks these unions. She thanks academics who were involved in this plan, and the officials at all levels and in all spheres who played a role in the drafting of this plan. What this sector plan shows is the interrelationship which needs to exist between the many arms of our Government and the other parastatals that are involved in this sector. This will require us to change the way we plan, to change the way we operate and to change the way we evaluate the work of our departments nationally, provincially and locally.
I must just say that the implementation plan of the strategy has already been drafted, finalised and presented to the President. I believe that it has also been tabled to the select committee of the NCOP.
Let me just say the most important thing. We need to have these initiatives succeed; to have them work. We need to align and co-ordinate not only the functions of the different departments of agriculture, but also to align the budgets of these different departments.
We must move towards the concept of a consolidated agriculture budget, which expresses this co-operation and this co-ordination without which agriculture cannot succeed in South Africa. I would like to hear the reactions of the Ministers to this, and then we can start building agriculture in South Africa and worldwide.
If one looks at the budget itself, one will see a few changes in the structure. The number of programmes has increased from six to eight. We now identify trade and business development as separate from economic research and statistics.
What is really not a happy story is the way in which the budget of agriculture nationally has grown. If one looks at the budget one would see that is has grown by an annual average of nearly 7% from the 1998-99 budget to that of 2001-02.
However, this is misleading. At the beginning of 2001-02, a three-year annual allocation of R85 million was included in that budget. This was intended to restore and rehabilitate agricultural land and assets held by communities in Limpopo province and Mpumalanga after the floods of 2000. This distorts the picture. If one discounts that allocation, the budget of our department has only grown by 3,4% a year from 1998-99 to 2001-02. In other words, if one works it out it is an average of 1,3% in the medium term by which the budget has grown.
I must be honest with hon members: that is not enough. If we acknowledge the importance of agricultural development to the growth of our economy as a whole and as a way to escape from poverty - as I think the Minister from KwaZulu-Natal will tell us today - we need bigger growth in our agricultural budgets all over South Africa. I want to plead for that. We have to continue to exert pressure in the fiscal review process to effect this. It must be our joint and united purpose to direct agriculture where it should go. Let me make a few comments on land affairs. Here, as well, the speech of the Minister will be made available to the House as soon as I have finished. I think I have enough copies for all the speakers in the debate. What are we seeing in land affairs? In land affairs, in general, we see a very clear and relatively even pattern of delivery in all nine our provinces - if one looks at the expenditure, how expenditure of our allocated budget is being run.
We see an increase in projects of good quality in all the provinces. This has been achieved in the Department of Land Affairs by a rather comprehensive re-engineering and simplification of the procedures which are being utilised by the department. This was a difficult process.
I could perhaps also just mention the decentralisation of delivery measures, which, as the Minister indicated in her budget speech last year, were critical, unnecessary interventions for getting this delivery.
In other words, what are we saying? I am saying that the Department of Land Affairs has responded strongly, positively and effectively to the call made by South African citizens to increase the pace of delivery. This can be demonstrated now, and it has not ended there. We have also improved the quality of the delivery, as demonstrated both in terms of the restitution claims settled and in terms of redistribution projects finalised in the previous year.
In the case of restitution, I think we have kept the promise to focus on rural claims and thus increase our coverage of rural poor communities.
In terms of redistribution, on the other hand, the launch of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development programme, LRAD, heralded a new era in which land redistribution is part and parcel of agricultural development, which is fundamentally the correct approach, thus addressing both rural food security as well as income generation. I maintain that this is the best way to go forward with rural development.
I think we stand to do even better in the new financial year. With regard to ensuring that the momentum of the previous year is kept up, I think the Department of Land Affairs is making major strides in areas in which they were weak. Those areas were capacity-building and the management of their human resources. In terms of restitution, we are looking forward to an increased pace of delivery as we move towards the finalisation of the big exercise of validating all land claims.
We also expect the delivery of LRAD to pick up pace. As we go into the final phase of putting in place the delivery of the necessary legislation and policies, we expect more activity from another big area of activity in the department, namely spatial planning and information. As hon members know, since the National Land Tenure Conference, which was held in November last year in Durban, decisive steps have been taken towards addressing the critical and difficult questions in the area of land tenure reform, especially in the community areas and also in the commercial farming areas.
Our framework for delivery in the field of land affairs is clearly reflected in the multiyear strategic plan of the Department of Land Affairs, which has also been tabled before this House.
Madam Chair, I am not sure how much time I have left. I do have the speeches available in writing. Perhaps it would be best now to start listening to what the provincial Ministers and the other members of the NCOP have to say. I believe I have taken more than 20 minutes already. [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Thank you, Deputy Minister. Of course the matter of time is at my discretion entirely, but in this instance I will allow you.
Moruti P MOATSHE: Modulasetilo, Tona, Motlatsatona, Bakhuduthamaga ba tsa temothuo le mafatshe go tswa kwa diporofenseng, maloko a Ntlo ya bobedi mo Palamenteng ya bosetšhaba, le Mokomišinara wa go gwetlha go boa ga mafatshe. Rre Ngoxi, Tona le Bakhuduthamaga ba tsa temothuo le mafatshe ba dira go katlala seatla. Fa ba suga thari ya go belega setšhaba se se anameng mo Afrika Borwa, barwa le barwadi ba lefatshe la rona ba lebile lona … [Tsenoganong.] (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Rev P MOATSHE: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, MECs for agriculture and land affairs from the provinces, members of the second House of Parliament, and the commissioner overseeing the redistribution of land, Mr Ngoxi, the Minister and the MECs for agriculture and land affairs are working hard. When they are hard at work for the South African nation, the sons and daughters of our land look to them … [Interjections.]]
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, on a point of order: We really want to follow the hon speaker, but we have no translation service again.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: There should be a translation service available. This requirement was indicated to the Language Services Section. Shall I write out the speech in English and send it to you, Mr van Niekerk? [Laughter.] I shall write it out for Mr van Niekerk. The appropriate notice was given. I shall sent you a copy of my written translation, Mr Raju. You may proceed, hon member. [Laughter.]
Rev P MOATSHE: Modulasetilo, Motswana a re korwe ga ke je, ke bapalela tsetse. O bua gape Motswana a re, mpa ngwana e a beelwa. Ke Motswana yoo.
Re solofela gore tekanyetsokabo e e fa pele ga rona, e tlaa tlhaeletsa go fitlhelela balemirui ba ba fatlhogang go tsaya karolo mo metseletseleng ya go aga le go godisa ikonomi ya lefatshe la rona. Motswana a re mphemphe … [Tsenoganong.] (Translation of Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[Rev P MOATSHE: Chairperson, a Motswana says that a breadwinner always thinks of those who depend on him. He again says that when eating or drinking, one has to remember that tomorrow is another day.
We hope that this budget in front of us will stretch and reach the emerging farmers to enable them to take part in the processes of building and developing the economy of our country. A Motswana says … [Interjections.]]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Apologies, hon member. Hon members, the service is available on channel 5, if members could follow the translated version there. You may proceed, hon Moatshe.
Rev P MOATSHE: Modulasetilo, Motswana a re mphemphe wa lapisa motho o kgonwa ke sa gagwe. Ke Motswana yoo. [Chairperson, a Motswana says that people should avoid asking from others and work for themselves.]
Elijah Mohammed was correct when he said:
Man depends on land for the necessities, food, clothing and shelter for survival. A prime requisite for freedom and independence is having one’s own land. There can be no freedom without a people having their own land.
One of the major challenges the advent of democracy presented this ANC-led Government with was that of addressing the legacy of the 1913 land Act. We are challenged, on the one hand, to fast-track our land and reform programme, whilst, on the other hand, ensuring sustainable development. Realising the precarious balance, we have to address poverty, ensure equitable distribution of land ownership and also contribute to a prosperous and peaceful new future for this country.
As we engage in this, we are heeding President Mbeki’s injunction in his state-of-the-nation address this year to lend a hand and push back the frontiers of poverty in order to expand access to a better life.
This revered House commends the hon Minister and her department for their policies and key objectives to ensure access and to promote and protect a system of land rights suitable for South Africa’s conditions, challenges and development. They have done so by transforming the Department of Land Affairs to provide for the following functions: surveys and mapping; deeds registration; the surveyor-general; land development planning; land reform, which includes restitution, redistribution and tenure reform; and the management of state land.
In August 2001 the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development programme, LRAD, was launched in Mpumalanga to provide a framework for the new policy shift in Government’s land reform programme, and at which 241 title deeds were handed over to LRAD recipients.
The strategic objectives of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development programme include facilitating the transfer of 30% of agricultural land over 15 years; to assist historically disadvantaged black communities to buy land or agricultural implements, specifically for agricultural purposes; to improve the nutrition and income of the rural poor by raising levels of production; and to expand opportunities for rural women and youth. This will be done in the form of government grants, which will be provided in accordance with specific criteria. This programme was indeed one of our major achievements for 2001-02.
The department has also convened a conference to consolidate and rationalise legislation on tenure reform through the drafting of the Communal Land Rights Bill, which will be before Parliament in August this year. Moreover, it is at present drafting legislation on national land use, spatial planning, spatial information and the planning profession, which is also to be tabled before Parliament this year, in September. In addition, the department has drafted standard eviction procedures to prevent and resolve unlawful land invasions and unlawful evictions.
With regard to land reform, Government has made huge strides. This is highlighted by the 36% allocation over the medium-term expenditure framework years on this programme. This is one of the challenging programmes owing to the competing rights that are inherent in the land where the claim is. We support the hon Minister in her discussions with the parties involved. Moreover, we appreciate the increase in spending on provincial offices to deal with this particular challenge. To date, more than 5 000 claims have been settled in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal respectively, with the rest of the claims received still being validated.
The process involving restitution presented problems of its own initially, but in the period between April 2001 to March this year we have witnessed unprecedented heightened activity in delivery. During this period all nine provinces have had handing-over ceremonies virtually every week. In the Limpopo province, eight large community claims were settled, and the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal distinguished themselves with the largest numbers of hectares to date, namely 221 759 and 61 691 respectively, involving high-quality land.
Mpumalanga, too, also came to the party, making impressive progress despite having a relatively new office. Moreover, all the provinces have posted considerable progress and the figures are available at the provincial offices.
In fact, President Mbeki alluded to this during his state of the nation address to Parliament this year. I quote:
The pace has dramatically increased in the case of land restitution, with 48 claims settled at the end of 1998; while by the end of 2001 the total number of settlements has increased to 29 000 … We intend, within the next three years, to complete the land restitution process, which is a critical part of our land reform programme.
We are therefore confident that once this process is turned around, the foundations for local economic development will have been laid.
This House also applauds the hon Minister and her department on their departmental human resource policy and their workplace skills plan, which were designed to improve service delivery. We also acknowledge the role the Land Bank has played in giving special attention to the needs of historically disadvantaged communities in terms of empowerment, capacity- building, and financial and technical assistance in order for them to be able to utilise the land productively. This would enable them even to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
In conclusion, we would like to invoke the call by our President, Vukuzenzele - tsoga o itirele [rise up and act], because Government cannot do all of this. There is a role and space for everybody, the civil organs of society, the private sector, donor organisations, and local and provincial governments.
Motswana a re, kgetse ya tsie e kgonwa ka go tshwaraganelwa. A boe gape a re, mphemphe wa lapisa, motho o kgonwa ke sa gagwe. Ke rata go leboga komiti ya me ya tsa mafatshe. Ke leboge Lefapha le le tshwaraganeng le rona ka malatsi otlhe. Ke leboge bakhuduthamaga go tswa ka diporofenseng. Ke leboge badulasetilo ba dikomiti kwa diporofenseng. Ke leboge Tona ya Lefapha le Motlatsatona wa Lefapha. Ke leboge motlotlegi rre Ngoxi le sesole sa gagwe go gwetlha bao ba tshwereng mafatshe gore a boele beng ba ona. Ka mafoko a ke re a pula e ne. [Legofi.] (Translation of Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[Rev P MOATSHE: A Motswana says that a job becomes easier when many people lend their assistance. He again says that people should avoid asking from others and work for themselves.
I would like to thank my committee on land affairs; the department that is working with us at all times; the MECs from the provinces; the chairpersons of committees in the provinces; the Minister and the Deputy Minister and the hon Ngoxi and his army that challenged those who have land so that it should be returned to its rightful owners. [Applause.]] Mrs A M VERSFELD: Chairperson, hon Minister, the Elandskloof community was the first in South Africa to have ancestral land restored by the Land Claims Court in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act of 1994. In October 1996 the court ratified the claim of the community, which had been evicted 34 years previously by the apartheid government.
In terms of the settlement the Government bought 3 138 hectares of land in the Clanwilliam district for almost R4 million from a white farmer and returned it to the community. Each of the 308 families entitled to settle on the land also obtained a R15 000 settlement grant.
Maar dit is nie so mooi soos wat dit klink nie, want vandag, vyf jaar later, is daar geweldige probleme in hierdie Elandskloofgebied. Die natuurlike plantegroei daar sluit boegoe in. Van die probleme wat die mense daar ondervind, is byvoorbeeld die grensgeskille, dit wil sê geskille oor waar die grenslyne lê. Daar is ook mense wat plase stroop, maar ek sal netnou daarna terugkom. Ek wil agb lede eers vertel van boegoe, en hoekom ek glo dat die Minister se departement ‘n belangrike bydrae kan lewer tot die verbou van boegoe in die Wes-Kaap. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[However, all is not as well as it seems, because today, five years on, there are enormous problems in the Elandskloof area. The natural vegetation there includes buchu. Some of the problems experienced by the people there include the boundary disputes, in other words, disputes regarding the locality of borderlines. There are also people who are stripping farms, but I will come back to that in a moment. I first want to tell hon members about buchu and why I believe that the Minister’s department can make an important contribution to the cultivation of buchu in the Western Cape.]
The only place in the world where buchu grows is in the Western Cape, mainly in the area from Somerset West to Clanwilliam, and up to Swellendam. The biggest buchu business in the world is at the Waterfall Health Farm near Paarl. Boegoe het spesifieke temperatuur- en habitatvereistes, byvoorbeeld bergagtige, onbemeste grond wat oor goeie dreinering beskik. Van die sowat 180 endemiese boegoespesies landwyd, word twee spesies kommersieel ontgin, maar al die boegoespesies is tot beskermde flora verklaar. Dit beteken dat mense nie sonder ‘n spesiale permit of lisensie boegoe mag pluk, vervoer of uitvoer nie.
Boegoe is een van die Wes-Kaap se belangrikste plantuitvoerprodukte, met ‘n geraamde omset van minstens R40 miljoen per jaar. Die bedryf verskaf werk aan tussen 1 000 en 2 000 mense. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Buchu has specific temperature and habitat requirements, for instance mountainous unfertilised soil which is well drained. Of the approximately 180 endemic buchu species countrywide, two are being harvested commercially, but all buchu species have been declared protected flora. This means that nobody may gather, transport or export buchu without a special permit or licence.
Buchu is one of the Western Cape’s most important floral export products, with an estimated annual turnover of at least R40 million. This industry provides employment to between 1 000 and 2 000 people.]
This might not seem a lot, but the hon the Minister must bear in mind that 10 years ago buchu was selling for 75 cents a kilogram. Last year it was sold at R25 a kilogram, and this year, with the sliding rand, the price shot up to R45 a kilogram. The demand for buchu is increasing steadily, with a very healthy export market to Europe, the United States, China and India.
Buchu has a myriad of uses, therefore it is in such demand. In fact, all parts of the plant can be used. If is used for medicinal purposes, flavourants, deodorants and soaps, and buchu water is also used as a tonic. They also put it in the feed of horses to treat kidney problems. The oil of this plant, depending on the quality, sells for between R5 000 and R9 000 a litre. One hundred and fifty tons of buchu gives about 1,5 tons of oil. Approximately 800 ml of buchu oil weighs about one kilogram.
To extract the oil, the buchu is cooked before being processed and a resin is extracted from the solids left behind. The water evaporates and the resin remains. This is powdered and used in top medicine.
The problem with buchu is that it is like perlemoen, abalone, at the moment. The poaching has started.
Die stropers raak al hoe meer georganiseerd. Hulle loop soms tot agt kilometer in reservate in om te pluk. Die boegoe word dan verniel, want dit word uitgetrek; dit word nie afgesny nie. Die stropery dwing nou grondeienaars in die gebied om boegoe te pluk op ‘n manier wat nie volhoubaar is nie.
Boegoe neem omtrent vyf jaar om te groei. Vanaf die derde of die vierde jaar kan dit geoes begin word. Maar dit moet net elke tweede jaar geoes word, anders benadeel dit saad- en blomvorming. Die grondeienaars is egter nou bang vir moontlike stropers wat kom, en dat hulle met niks sal sit nie, so hulle stroop die boegoe elke jaar. Dit beteken dat die natuurlike aanwas van boegoe in hierdie gebied, terwyl dit tans ‘n hoogtepunt bereik het, die gevaar loop om totaal en al uitgewis te word.
Kaapse Natuurbewaring het in samewerking met Elandskloof se gemeenskap en die produsente verskeie vergaderings gehou. Ek het ook van die vergaderings bygewoon. Na die eerste vergadering is daar drie werkgroepe saamgestel. Die eerste werkgroep is oor die volhoudbare benutting van boegoe. Op daardie spesifieke werkgroep dien daar ook iemand van die Landbounavorsingsraad. Die tweede werkgroep spits hulle toe op grensgeskille, en die derde werkgroep op iets wat baie belangrik is, naamlik menseverhoudings.
Op die oomblik gaan dit baie beter as wat dit drie maande gelede gegaan het. ‘n Uitstekende verhouding het tussen die gemeenskappe ontwikkel. Op die oomblik, as daar bewerings is van iemand wat gestroop het, of van iemand wat iemand anders sleg behandel het, moet die betrokkenes ‘n beëdigde verklaring aflê as deel van die ooreenkoms wat saamgestel is vir hierdie werkgroepe.
Dit is ook ‘n goeie geleentheid vir die boere, die gemeenskap en die Landbounavorsingsraad, en dit is hiér waar die Minister se departement van belang is. Ek wil vra vir die nodige geld sodat die Landbounavorsingsraad kan navorsing doen oor die tegnologie om boegoesaad te ontkiem. Dit is moeilik. Op Stellenbosch is hulle besig om navorsing daaroor te doen, maar hulle sukkel en het nie veel sukses nie. Dit is tegnies gesofistikeerd om die saailinge te vestig, en daar sal ook besproeiing moet wees. [Tyd verstreke.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The poachers are getting more and more organised. At times they will walk up to eight kilometres into reserves in order to gather buchu. The buchu is then destroyed, because they do not cut it, but pull it out. The poachers are forcing landowners in the area to gather the buchu in a way which is not sustainable.
Buchu takes about five years to grow. Harvesting can start from the third or fourth year, but it should only be harvested every second year, otherwise seed and flower development can be harmed. However, the landowners are now scared that the poachers may come and that they will be left with nothing, so they are harvesting the buchu every year. This means that the natural growth of buchu in this area, although it is currently at a peak, is in danger of being wiped out altogether.
Cape Nature Conservation has held a number of meetings in conjunction with the Elandskloof community and the producers. I have also attended some of these meetings. After the first meeting three task teams were assembled. The first task team is focused on the sustainable exploitation of buchu. Someone from the Agricultural Research Council also serves on this particular task team. The second task team concentrates on boundary disputes, while the third task team pays special attention to something very important, namely human relations.
Currently things are a lot better than they were three months ago. Excellent relations have developed between the communities. At present, if someone has allegedly been poaching, or one person has mistreated another, those involved must make a sworn statement as part of the agreement that was drawn up for these task teams.
This is also a good opportunity for the farmers, the community and the Agricultural Research Council, and this is where the Minister’s department is of importance. I want to ask that funds be made available so that the Agricultural Research Council can conduct research into the technology of buchu seed germination. This is difficult. At Stellenbosch they are researching it, but they are struggling, having little success. Technical sophistication is involved in establishing these seedlings, and there will have to be irrigation as well. [Time expired.]]
Mr T RALANE: Chairperson, Deputy Minister, MECs, the MEC of the Free State is ill, and therefore he is unable to be here. His message is this: We should enable the agricultural sector to move from its current reality to the strategic objective of, and I quote:
… equitable access and participation in a globally competitive, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector contributing to a better life for all.
The following national sectoral challenges need to be addressed with great urgency: Firstly, an equitable access and participation programme; secondly, global competitiveness and profitability; and thirdly, sustainable resource management.
To meet these national challenges, the Free State department of agriculture has developed a strategic plan which is not only in line with the South African agricultural sectoral strategy, but also with the Free State development plan announced by the Premier of the Free State during the opening of the Free State legislature in 2002.
The Free State is recognised as an agricultural province. Agriculture contributes on average 9% to the gross geographical product of the province, making it the third biggest contributor to the economy of the province, after mining and tourism.
With regard to our strategic plan and objectives, as gold- and diamond- based economies decline, economic development in the agricultural sector must be promoted. The strategic objectives of the Free State department of agriculture are primarily directed at unlocking the agricultural potential of the Free State and focus on the following co-objectives: firstly, agricultural production and processing, job creation and poverty alleviation through equitable access and participation; secondly, agricultural, economic and market development; thirdly, optimisation of plant and livestock health, production and product safety; fourthly, service delivery innovations; fifthly, natural resource and infrastructural utilisation and management; sixthly, improvement of research and experimental facilities; seventhly, education and training; and eighthly, good corporate and co-operative governance.
The success of our strategic plan will be measured by the successful achievement of the above-mentioned objectives, aimed at ensuring that our emerging black farmers have the means to pursue their productive activities successfully, while maintaining the established commercial farmers.
The MEC for Agriculture and the MEC for Safety and Security, as well as other role-players such as organised agriculture, have personally investigated the livestock theft problem on the Lesotho border. Different alternatives as solutions to the problem of theft were received from various stakeholders.
It was specifically indicated that with a R1,5 million fence and a good relationship between the South African and Lesotho farmers, theft was kept to a minimum for 120 years. It is thus proposed that good relationships between Lesotho and South Africa be re-established through liaising committees, consisting of government and organised agriculture, to curb the theft of livestock and infrastructure. The immediate solution to the border issue is to increase visible policing and to restructure the stock theft unit.
Under state land administration, the various functions of caretaking, contractual renting, disposal actions and actions to ensure that illegal occupation does not take place are fulfilled. Under the power of attorney agreement, the Free State is redistributing land as quickly as possible. Only 16 000 hectares are still available under the agreement, and this land is being redistributed as a high priority, mainly under the LRAD scheme.
This department is working very closely with the Free State provincial land reform office on the land redistribution programme. The following figures apply up until March 2002 for the LRAD scheme. One hundred and nineteen project applications have been approved, there are 630 direct beneficiaries of land redistribution, of whom 33% are women and 66% men, and 28 000 hectares of farm land, to the value of R20,5 million, have been approved for transfer.
These totals represent 33% of the total number of hectares redistributed in the whole of South Africa. After March 2002, that is, over the past three months, a further 15 project applications have been approved, 111 direct beneficiaries of land redistribution have benefited, and 6 000 hectares of farmland have been approved for transfer, to the value of R4,4 million.
At the end of June 2002 the totals were therefore as follows: 134 projects, 741 beneficiaries, 34 000 hectares, and R25 million in grants. Various initiatives have already been launched and are in the process of being implemented to expedite redistribution.
The know-your-neighbour campaign, where mentorship support from commercial farmers and various role-players is initiated, as well as the pick-your- neighbour campaign, in which farmworkers and emerging farmers are supported to acquire land with mentorship. Inputs from organised agriculture are currently being implemented.
Intensive aftercare support, training amd mentorship are also provided to ensure that businesses are put on an economically sound and sustainable basis. A total of 600 LRAD beneficiaries have already received training during 37 courses, at a cost of R130 000.
The Free State department of agriculture was also able to spend R638 325 on land care projects during the 2001-02 financial year. This was a joint effort, involving project committees, the private sector and local government. The first regional land care committee was established in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district, while a number of training sessions were held with emerging farmers, with the emphasis on veld management. As a direct result, some emerging farmers are adopting sustainable resource conservation farming methods.
The Land Bank is fulfilling its function as an important role-player for supplying finance to both the commercial and emerging sectors. The following figures apply to support for emerging farmers settled under the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development grant: there were 71 projects involving 380 beneficiaries, R6,7 million was awarded in loans, 27 000 hectares of land were involved and R17 million was awarded in grants.
During 1998 the European Union donated 17 million euro to South Africa for agricultural development and food security. The Free State Department of Agriculture is expected to contribute a third of the total towards capital investment for development projects.
For the first three years great difficulty was experienced in implementing this programme effectively. Up until June 2001, 64 projects to the value of R11,4 million had been approved, of which R3,5 million was physically disbursed to these projects. Currently, 129 projects have been approved, to the value of R20,3 million, of which a total of R11,8 million has so far been disbursed to all the projects. A total of 2 111 beneficiaries, comprising 907 females and 1 104 males, are currently supported through this programme.
In the past, South African agricultural producers traded within a highly protected environment. Towards the end of the 1990s, the domestic marketing of agricultural products changed completely with the introduction of the new Agricultural Marketing Act of 1996 and the abolition of the marketing boards. Globalisation also opened up unlimited opportunities for producers to optimise their export earnings. More innovative producers were able to utilise the opportunities that came with this increased market access immediately. Others are only now realising that they need to adapt if they want to survive in the open market system.
Previously, prices were determined by Government after taking into account issues such as input costs. This entailed that as input costs increased, product prices were adjusted accordingly. In the free market environment, however, it happens that product prices sometimes increase before input costs do. This is due to the market powers of demand and supply, and farmers have to make use of these opportunities to increase their earnings. The terms of trade, ``ruilvoetverhouding’’, in agriculture, which is an indication of the extent to which producer prices in agriculture keep pace with the prices of variable costs, strengthened from 0,7 in 2000 to 0,78 in
- [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! The MEC for Agriculture in Gauteng!
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
Ms M E METCALFE (Gauteng): Chairperson, it is nice to get ``hear, hears’’ from the Western Cape as well as from my colleagues behind me. I just want to comment that every time I come to the NCOP, one of the things that always impresses me is the contributions made by hon member Versfeld, in the sense that they are always drawn from very detailed constituency work. I think that we should acknowledge that and thank her for that, as speechless as she may seem by that compliment, because I do not think it happens often. [Applause.]
I will have to have a debate with my colleagues, who are telling me she has a farm. But whether it concerns environmental issues or whatever other issues, her contributions are deeply rooted in constituency work and I want to recognise that.
Now, I think members may think that I am starting off on a tack like that because there is general scepticism in the country that Gauteng should indeed have an MEC for Agriculture. Everyone’s image of Gauteng is very much of a highly urbanised environment, but I think I need to remind the House that in fact comparative national figures of production and contributions to gross national product and gross geographic product show that, indeed, Gauteng compares very favourably with other provinces. We have over 3 000 farmers. We have nearly 40 000 farmworkers in Gauteng, and at least 6 000 black farmers that are currently operating.
One of the challenges, though, is that only 67% of our potential arable land is being cultivated at the moment and we do, therefore, have spare capacity. In terms of contribution to the provincial economy, agricultural production accounts for the greatest foreign export earnings after gold and mining, so it is indeed a very significant contribution to our gross geographic product and one of the strategic goals of the department is to increase this contribution.
I think the reasons for this disproportionate value of agriculture to Gauteng, despite the fact that we do not have large farms, mealie fields, rolling fields of sugar cane and the winelands of the Cape, are our advantages in terms of infrastructure and access to markets, the fact that we have easy access both in terms of domestic and international markets.
In fact, our veterinary services in Gauteng last year issued export certificates for, I think, over 16 million kilograms of meat. All that meat is certainly not produced in Gauteng, but passes through Gauteng on its way to the international markets. We also have advantages in terms of communication and our commodity supply and transport.
But there are also real challenges facing agriculture in Gauteng. I think that anyone who has done a bit of work in agriculture will know that if one looks at agricultural resources, it is really towards the east of the country that one has better provision of water, better quality of soils, and that large portions of Gauteng would fit into a picture where we talk of water stress and semi-arid conditions.
But the challenges are also greater, and that has to do with competing land uses. We are continually faced in Gauteng with demands and applications for subdivision of agricultural land. To some extent subdivision of agricultural land can be good for agriculture, particularly for changing the race and gender profiles and patterns within agriculture in Gauteng in terms of ownership. But more often those subdivisions of agricultural land lead to the establishment of residential areas on what we believe is high- quality agricultural land.
The challenges of this are enormous, because there is high demand for land in Gauteng, both for residential and for industrial and commercialisation processes, which does inflate the value of land and which has negative consequences for people interested in farming, because of the negative impact of that on their gross margins.
The reality is that because of those competing land uses in Gauteng, we do have to look at the comparative analysis of other sectors of the economy, and we must allow those to determine choice of land use, so that the most profitable and sustainable land use patterns are supported.
Now, arising from some of this debate, there has been a decision by our provincial executive council, lekgotla, that in this financial year we are going to undertake detailed comparative economic analyses in terms of the updating of the Gauteng trade and industrial strategy that was last formulated in 1997. That strategy identified growth sectors for the Gauteng economy and was the precursor in terms of the work that resulted in the Blue IQ industrial strategy, of which major components are indeed the information technology area, tourism and the automotive industry area.
This work is going to be a very important piece of strategic thinking that is going to guide the way that we approach land use patterns, and also the way that we support the agricultural sector strategy the Deputy Minister spoke about.
In the meantime, we are working very hard, together with our local governments and IDP processes, to make sure that we do retain full and sustainable use of agricultural land for primary production. We have completed a very detailed agricultural resource audit that is going to be translated this year into a web-based decision support tool, which will be an agricultural potential atlas. I know other provinces such as KwaZulu- Natal have done similar work.
We have completed an agricultural audit of our smallholdings, of which there are about 3 000, and in terms of our strategic goal to provide agricultural information systems to support best decision-making, we have done some very exciting work, not only around niche markets, but we have also done some production trials under controlled conditions in terms of high-value crops, some of them indigenous crops, such as bambara or brown onion, spilanthes, green amaranthus and others.
What has been phenomenal and very exciting to the department - some of our farmers who are here and people who have an interest in agriculture will know this - is that the forecast profiles of profit per hectare are way above what the textbooks say. For example, in terms of spilanthes, we are talking about a profit per hectare of R4 500, and in terms of our forecast for green amaranthus, we are looking at R10 000 profit per hectare, which is very exciting.
I spoke about the fact that we do have an audit for smallholdings in Gauteng and that we are under huge pressure in terms of land use. One of the ways that that is felt very keenly in the province is in terms of the continual increase in illegal evictions in terms of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act. The Gauteng legislature, in the second half of last year, passed a resolution that they required the MEC for agriculture, conservation, environmental and land affairs to work in a co-ordinated function with all the relevAnt stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of the application and implementation of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act in Gauteng. We are very delighted with the progress that is being made there.
Our meetings, which happen every two months or so, are attended by all the relevant local authorities and a range of national government departments, including the Department of Labour, the Independent Complaints Directorate and the provincial Ministry of safety and security. Of course, the Department of Land Affairs is a very important component of that forum, and we also have very strong participation from the agricultural unions operating in Gauteng, particularly AgriGauteng and the Transvaal Agricultural Union, as well as Saapawu, the union which does work with farmworkers.
The progress that is being achieved there, I think, is enormous in terms of being able to co-ordinate information in terms of the three goals of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act. One of the major problems that we experience is the lack of resources to assist people that are facing illegal eviction, and that is a constant plea to the Department of Land Affairs, to provide the necessary resources so that people can be supported.
In terms of the positive obligations on the state to make interventions in terms of translating what is intentional permanent security of tenure, as envisaged in the Constitution, we have really made enormous progress. Currently we work with two major organisations representing landowners of farms and we are going to take forward the framework for an agreement where all members of AgriGauteng and the Transvaal Agricultural Union will be guided by their unions as to how they can start working with local authorities, and primarily with the Department of Land Affairs, to ensure that we do have on-farm residential settlements that are provided, or perhaps off-farm as envisaged by the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, so that instead of just trying to prevent illegal evictions, we are actually taking forward the positive implications of the Act.
The fact that we have the World Summit on Sustainable Development, I think poses particular opportunities for all of us in terms of both our use of natural resources as well as food security. This morning I had the opportunity of hearing our Director-General for Agriculture on the Tim Modise show. She did extraordinary well and I believe Tim Modise and the public must have been very proud of that leadership.
But because the resource base in agriculture is finite, we believe that it must be the responsibility not only of Government, but also of land users to ensure that we do have best practice, and that that best practice in terms of sustainable land use must result in the reduction of persistent organic pollutants, that there must be greater investment by landowners in land care, that waste disposal, particularly in the livestock industry, must be better managed, as well as that there must be better risk management.
In Gauteng we do a lot of work in terms of land care. One of the legacies of Fangile Tite, who has now joined the national department, is land care regional forums, where land users, together with the relevant national and provincial departments, ensure that there is dissemination of ideas and information, and co-ordination around land care issues.
In this financial year we will be working together with Working for Water to clear about 20 000 hectares of land of alien invasives. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, before I start with the debate I want us to get clarity on a situation for order in this debate and the House. We need a ruling on the announcement that all DP members had to forfeit their membership of the DP before one o’clock this afternoon and to join the DA by signing such a form.
If any member of the DP in this House has signed the form, it means he or she cannot be a member of this House today and we need clarity on this. If they are not members, they have to go. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! I know recent events have excited a great deal of activity among members and parties. However, as far as I am aware, the particular law that the hon member is referring to comes into effect tomorrow. As far as I am aware, at this time there is no party that has merged in the way described by the member with respect to membership in the National Assembly or the provincial legislatures. To my knowledge, I have not been informed by either the Secretary of Parliament or the Secretary of the NCOP of any change of party or membership.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, I still think that the matter needs some investigation because there are such allegations. But thank you for your ruling. [Laughter.]
When we talk about agriculture in this debate we need to be aware of some realities.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Hon member, is that a point of order?
Ms C-S BOTHA: Chairperson, I certainly hope so. I think that it is necessary that this House not be misled about the nature of the legislation, which does not allow NCOP members to do anything of the kind. If the member had been informed correctly, he would not have made that statement. [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! That is not a point of order. I suggest that all hon members familiarise themselves with the relevant legislation. [Laughter.]
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, that is exactly why I asked whether they had joined the DP, because they are not allowed to cross the floor and I know that some of them would have loved to. [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Proceed, hon member.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, since 1995 the production costs in agriculture have increased by more or less 43%. Our inflation rate over the same period was in the order of 31%, which means that the increase of production costs was higher than inflation. The shocking aspect is that agriculture product price only increased by 16% over the same period. I do not see the hon the Deputy Minister here to respond to this later on. [Interjections.]
Ms C-S BOTHA: He crossed the floor.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, I hope that he did not cross the floor. He has to answer first.
South Africa’s farmers, black and white, can compete with the best farmers anywhere in the world, but we cannot compete with other governments. Government’s assistance to agriculture in South Africa is approximately 5%; in the EU it is 45%, in Japan 63%, and in the US 22%.
This is not where the unfair competition stops. Illegal imports of agricultural products which compete directly with our own amount to many millions of rands. It is estimated that the Government lost approximately R1,2 million in tariff fees over the past two and half years. The latest is that syndicates steal grain from lorries. But we congratulate the SAPS on the breakthrough they had in this regard yesterday. Die strategiese plan vir landbou in Suid-Afrika is egter ‘n hoogtepunt. Landbou is só belangrik dat die President nou self betrokke is, maar daar is ‘n probleem. Hierdie plan het R400 miljoen nodig, en ons sien dit nie in die begroting nie. Ek sou graag, as die agb Adjunkminister dit gehoor het, dat hy daarop reageer. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The strategic plan for agriculture in South Africa is, however, a high point. Agriculture is so important that the President has now become involved, but there is a problem. This plan needs R400 million, and we do not see this in the budget. If the hon Deputy Minister heard this, I would like him to respond to it.]
South Africa’s agriculture is as important as the gold industry to South Africa, and therefore it must be protected. We must be united and prosperous in agriculture. I agree with the Deputy Minister when he says that it starts on the ground. That is why I want to turn to my province.
In die Noord-Kaap is daar goeie planne, veral in die Kuruman-Mathibestad- gebied, wat deel vorm van die President se ontwikkelingsplan. Daar is onder andere ‘n bokboerdery vir die uitvoermark. Dit is goed, maar ek het gister met die hoof-uitvoerende beampte van die Noord-Kaap Landbou-unie gepraat, wat slegs vaagweg van die projek gehoor het. Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat daar nie beter skakeling is tussen die presidensiële boerderyprojekte en die bereidwillige, kommersiële, georganiseerde boerderysektor nie.
Op Victoria-Wes was daar ‘n soortgelyke bokprojek wat ‘n totale mislukking was. Die gemeenskap se bokke is uiteindelik deur die dierebeskermingsvereniging verwyder. Ons kan nie in die landbou van Suid- Afrika sulke mensgemaakte mislukkings bekostig nie.
Die tekort aan veeartse moet aangespreek word, en dit moet by Onderstepoort gedoen word. Ons studente hoef nie Spaans te leer om in Kuba te gaan studeer nie, en ons boere hoef nie tolke te gebruik om die Kubaanse veeartse te verstaan nie. Die Noord-Kaap het ‘n groot tekort aan veeartse, en die Noord-Kaap … (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[In the Northern Cape there are good plans, particularly in the Kuruman- Mathibestad area, which forms part of the President’s development plan. There is, inter alia, goat farming for the export market. This is good, but yesterday I spoke to the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Cape Agricultural Union, who has only vaguely heard about this project. It is unacceptable that there is not better liaison between the presidential farming projects and the willing, commercial, organised farming sector.
At Victoria West a similar goat project was a total failure. The community’s goats were eventually removed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In the agriculture of South Africa we cannot afford such man-made failures.
The shortage of veterinary surgeons should be addressed, and this should be done at Onderstepoort. Our students do not have to learn Spanish to go and study in Cuba and our farmers do not have to use interpreters to understand the Cuban veterinary surgeons. The Northern Cape has a huge shortage of veterinary surgeons, and the Northern Cape …]
Mrs E N LUBIDLA: Chairperson, on a point of order …
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! What is the point of order?
Mrs E N LUBIDLA: Chairperson, the speaker is supposed to speak on behalf of the New NP. There is somebody who will be speaking on behalf of the province.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! That has been noted.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, I think that the hon Chief Whip of the province is more confused that I am. [Laughter.] Because I am talking about agriculture and referring to the province where I come from, but I will inform her a bit later. [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon member, I did not ask for a debate on it. I ask you to carry on.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, I am just reacting and I am allowed to. I hope that you are going to give me extra time this time. [Interjections.]
Mrs E N LUBIDLA: Stay away from the province.
Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, there is another hand.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Is that a point of order?
Ms B N DLULANE: Yes, Chairperson. There is no interpreting service whatsoever. Can somebody interpret for us? Those who do not understand Afrikaans would also love to hear what the member is saying. The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon member, unfortunately, for the sake of consistency … We have had this problem an hour ago. So, you will get a translation that you can read. Hon Mr Van Niekerk, please carry on.
Mnr A E VAN NIEKERK: Voorsitter, dit is baie belangrik dat daar streng kontrole moet wees oor vleisslagtings en -verwerkings, veral vir die binnelandse mark, maar ook vir die buitelandse mark. In die Noord-Kaap is daar op die oomblik ‘n groot projek aan die gang om juis hierdie deel van die bedryf te fasiliteer en aan die gang te kry. Daarom is dit baie belangrik.
Vyf jaar gelede het agb Minister Asmal, toe hy nog Minister van Waterwese en Bosbou was, en baie goeie werk gedoen het, 4 000 hektaar waterweg vir besproeiing in die Noord-Kaap belowe. Dit is vir grond waar hoofsaaklik nuwe boere uit die voorheen benadeelde gemeenskap ‘n geleentheid gebied sou word vir boerdery. Ons weet nie wat daarvan geword het nie. Niemand neem die inisiatief om die proses aan die gang te sit nie. Ek hoop die Minister het vir ons duidelikheid daaroor.
Ons sit met ‘n wesenlike grondbewaringsprobleem in die Noord-Kaap. By Hartswater is groot dele bedreig deur versuiping. Die Adjunkminister weet as die grond versuip, is die produksie en die werkgeleenthede daarmee heen. Dit is ‘n krisissituasie wat aangespreek moet word. Krisissituasies ten opsigte van grondbewaring is in die Wes-Kaap en in die Oos-Kaap in die verlede aangespreek, en ons provinsie behoort dieselfde behandeling te kry.
Ons het wel pragtige skemas op papier, maar daar is nie geld om dit uit te voer nie. Nasionaal behoort daar geld geoormerk te word, want ons het net een bodem en dit vorm die basis vir volhoubare ontwikkeling.
Ek soebat elke jaar vir meer geld vir landbounavorsing, en ek sal nie ophou nie totdat daar meer geld toegeken word. Die sukses van landbou in Suid- Afrika is in ‘n groot mate te danke aan die navorsing wat op internasionale standaard was, en aan ‘n goeie voorligtingsdiens. Die begroting voldoen nie aan die vereistes in hierdie verband nie. Ons het nou ‘n nuwe generasie landbouers wat suksesvol móét wees, en ons mag hulle nie hierdie kompeterende voordeel ontsê nie.
Ons het nou talle boere wat plase op ‘n groepbasis besit en daarop boer. Sedert Augustus 2001 is daar in die Noord-Kaap 660 000 hektaar beskikbaar gestel, maar daar is nog baie min van hierdie grond wat enigsins aanduidings toon dat dit kommersieel sal wees. Ons sal moet aandag gee aan individuele eiendomsreg, en dus individuele verantwoordelikheid.
Ek wil die Minister en die departement, en die Adjunkminister ook, bedank vir hulle benadering tot volhoubare landbou en grondontwikkeling in Suid- Afrika, maar al die boere in Suid-Afrika moet weet: (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mr A E VAN NIEKERK: Chairperson, it is very important that there should be strict controls in place with regards to meat slaughtering and meat processing, especially for the domestic market, but also for the foreign market. In the Northern Cape at the moment there is a big project underway precisely to facilitate this part of the business and to get it underway. For this reason it is very important.
Five years ago hon Minister Asmal, when he was still Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry and doing very good work, promised a 4 000 hectare canal for irrigation in the Northern Cape. This is for land where primarily new farmers from the previously disadvantaged communities would have been given an opportunity for farming. We do not know what became of that. No one is taking the initiative to get the process underway. I hope the Minister has clarity on that for us.
We have a substantial soil conservation problem in the Northern Cape. At Hartswater big parts are threatened by flooding. The Deputy Minister knows that when the land floods, the production and job opportunities are drowned along with it. This is a crisis situation which should be addressed. Crisis situations with regard to land conservation in the Western Cape and in the Eastern Cape were addressed in the past and our province should receive the same treatment.
We do have beautiful schemes on paper, but there is no money to implement it. Nationally money should be earmarked for this because we only have one surface and this forms the basis for sustainable development.
Every year I beg for more money for agricultural research and I will not stop until more money is allocated. The success of agriculture in South Africa is to a great extent due to research which was at an international standard, as well as a good extension service. The budget does not comply with the requirements in this regard. We now have a new generation of farmers who will have to be successful and we should not deny them this competitive benefit.
We now have many farmers who own farms on a group basis and who farm on those farms. Since August 2001, 660 000 hectares were made available in the Northern Cape, but there is still very little of this land which shows any indication that it will be commercial. We will have to give attention to individual property rights and thus individual responsibility.
I want to thank the Minister and the department and the Deputy Minister as well, for their approach to sustainable agriculture and land development in South Africa, but all the farmers in South Africa should know:]
… walala wasala. [… you snooze, you lose.]
Ms K C MASHEGO-DLAMINI (Mpumalanga): Chairperson, we would like to voice our appreciation to the Minister for her sterling work in her efforts to provide the necessary assistance and guidance at an opportune time.
History in agriculture is yet to present co-operative and empowering working relations that will outshine the relationship that we have come to experience so far under the democratic leadership of Minister Didiza.
We have gone through thick and thin during the previous financial year, and experienced the various challenges of drought, veld fires, floods and the scourge of animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, to which the Minister has alluded in her speech.
Through the co-operative working relationship between farmers, Government and the private sector we have managed to triumph and chart the way ahead. Had it not been for the co-operative effort of all of us, the efforts of our skilled officials, the co-operative farmers and the brave leadership of the Ministry, we would not have managed to deal with the foot-and-mouth disease in both Nkomazi and Middelburg in Mpumalanga.
We in Mpumalanga would like to express thanks for the co-operative spirit that prevailed among all role-players during these trying times. Mpumalanga has reason to laugh and to celebrate.
We have taken the precaution of ensuring that the animal health monitoring programme is implemented in the province. All our redline spots are regularly surveyed and monitored.
The area of Mlondozi was unproductive, dry land in past years, but today, through the soil care programme that the Minister has alluded to, they have indeed multiplied fourfold their maize production. This has played a major role in the restructuring of the land use for productive purposes, and the support of the ARC extension officers and the financial assistance by the NDA are highly appreciated by the Mlondozi farmers.
The agricultural sector strategy is one of the best initiatives this country has ever had and is being applauded as an integrated strategy that is addressing current global challenges. The products of the sweat of all participants in the agricultural sector will indeed take us one step further in respect of the agenda for agricultural development.
In my province organised farmers and the department are engaged in a process of seeking better ways to implement the strategy. At the moment we have embarked on a programme of engaging various stakeholders with an interest in agricultural development, including our municipalities in the province, to solicit buy-in. Our challenge is to align our provincial programme with the national ones in order to ensure synergy. The alignment will also ensure national accountability for resources allocated for agricultural purposes.
We agree with the Minister that the issue of security on farms is still a challenge, but we are confident that through the co-operative efforts of farmers, farmworkers, Government and the community we will find a lasting solution, as we did with other challenges in the past.
The food security programme is the big programme for our rural community in fighting poverty. As a province, we have 42% of the high-potential arable land and there is approximately 37% unemployment, with high levels of poverty. We are geared up to meeting the commitment of decreasing the number of hungry people by half by the year 2015. At this point in time about 631 poverty relief vegetable gardens are supported by us, which involve 95% of rural women.
As Mpumalanga province we support the restructuring of the Land Bank. We want to thank them today for the production of the vernacular brochures in our province. We would further like to commend Onderstepoort Biological Products Ltd for producing a special animal vaccine. I would like to encourage them to produce drugs for exotic diseases for the country.
Indeed, it is our quest to push back the frontiers of poverty. However, this cannot be done successfully unless the ownership of the means of livelihood, of which land forms the core, is evenly distributed amongst those who wish to be the tillers of the soil.
The exact meaning of the success the Minister has alluded to could easily be conceptualised if members of this Council could have the benefit of interacting with the 2 500 beneficiaries already settled in my province. Members should imagine themselves in their shoes. The joyful and jubilant atmosphere that fills the Wakkerstroom, Ermelo and Piet Retief landscapes that the beneficiaries are experiencing will raise the spirit of hope for members, as it did for all the claims settled and the 10 471 claims yet to be settled.
The implementation and the introduction of the LRAD programme is being rolled out really fast in our province. Were it not for this project, the smile of Baba Khombisa of Phiva, the tireless fighter for agricultural development, and his colleagues in the seven projects of Nkomazi, covering seven villages, would not be visible as they walk across the 132-hectare stretch of land inspecting their sugar cane crops. In the past, as we drove through South Africa, down from the Limpopo border gate of Mozambique towards the Mananga border gate of Swaziland, the only farmer one would see would be white and probably Afrikaans-speaking. But, today, when taking the same route, one is greeted by the dust cloud that is decorating the air as more land is cleared to give way for the planting of more and more crops under the stewardship of a variety of people.
The farming business in this area of Nkomazi has indeed been redefined and reorientated by this Government as the business of all people of this country. The people of Nkomazi will always say: ``Sibonga uLaMswane umntfwanentfombi’’. [We thank the Minister, LaMswane, our daughter’s child.] It is for this reason that we celebrate with the Minister the progress she and her department have made in increasing the productive capacity of this country through availing and maximising the usage of agriculture-rich land.
It must also be applauded that the broadening of opportunity in land usage has coincided in such a way that it has assisted transformation of the ownership patterns of land in this country. Indeed, there are many challenges ahead relating to the post-settlement of the new aspiring farmers.
Our province is set to tackle those challenges, and we are working closely with the Land Affairs officials, the land commissioners and the Land Bank in the province. Let me not hesitate to say that organised farmers from all walks of life have pooled capacity to help in this regard.
As a province we support the signing of the trilateral co-operation agreement. For us it serves as a safety net for the new landowners in order for them to start to use their land productively.
On behalf of the people of Mpumalanga I support the work of the Ministry. We call upon this House to support the Ministry in being included in social services and to be part of this department so that the poverty of this country can be alleviated. [Applause.]
Mr K D S DURR: Chairperson, it a great pleasure for me to speak in the House with my hon colleague the MEC, who is here for the first time in this capacity. He is already doing very good work in the Western Cape with some of the initiatives that he has taken, and I welcome him here today as a colleague.
I have to say to the Minister that I think things are looking up for her. If I look at the 2000-01 production year and at what is happening now, things are looking much better. The Minister must take some of the credit for that.
There has been a sharp increase in grain prices; maize prices have more than doubled; and wool prices, I think, are something like 80% up on last year. Meat prices and grazing conditions are generally good in the country. We have had a record table grape harvest in the Lower Orange River region. I think they had a record harvest of approximately 14,5 million boxes of grapes that we exported - 6,5 million more than last year - at good prices. Here in the Western Cape, of course, we had our problems, as we did also in my area with downy mildew which reduced the grape harvest. As a result, there was a shortage of white wine and grape juice. However, the apple industry is looking promising for the first time in a long time. Prices and volumes are good, and so things are looking better than they were.
This brings me to my speech. To some extent things are still travelling on the momentum of the past. In terms of the problems in our country, there are three basic challenges, I think. They are: confidence, security and research. Without confidence one will have no investment, and one will not have commitment. Without commitment, one will have no investment, and without investment, one will have long-term problems in the industry, because this is an industry which is hugely capital intensive and one has to keep investing.
I would just like to give the Minister an example of that. I think my figures are probably right. Something like 11,5% of the farms are for sale in this country or are on the market, as opposed to a historical average of about 3,5%. Also, the prices in real terms are far down on what they were just a few years ago. That is a very bad thing because if the prices are not good, if the collateral the farmer has is not very good, if his confidence or his feel-good factor is not good, then one is going to have all kinds of problems downstream.
Of course part of that does not fall under the Minister’s department as it is a question of rural safety. I say to the Minister that if there is no rural safety, if there is no farm security; there is going to be no food security in Southern Africa, because farm security and food security go hand in hand.
The Minister would know, 900 farms were attacked last year, which is much more than in Zimbabwe. One hundred and forty farmers were killed in our country. That is an absolutely hopeless situation and cannot continue. Nothing has demonstrated the need for food security better in our country than the current prevailing famine circumstances in Southern Africa. [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Mr Durr, there is a point of order.
Mr K D S DURR: No, I am not prepared to take a question.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Mr Durr, there is a point of order.
Mr K D S DURR: The hon member wants to ask a question. I said that I was not prepared to take a question. [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: But sit down at least, Mr Durr.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon Durr, the Chair is in control. [Interjections.]
Mr M V MOOSA: Thank you very much, Chairperson. My point of order was that the hon member must be disciplined to abide by the Rules of this House. When the Chair asks him to sit down, he should do so in terms of a point of order.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: I have attended to that, hon member. Hon member, what would be the point of order now, because nobody is speaking?
Mr V V Z WINDVOëL: Hon Chairperson, I want to say, without prolonging this matter, that the member should with immediate effect apologise to the Chair of the House.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon member Durr, will you continue with your speech. [Interjections.]
Mr K D S DURR: I know that the Minister is very interested in farm security and we thank him for his efforts in that regard.
Now the last thing is the question of research …
Ms J L KGOALI: Chairperson, on a point of order: The hon member proposed that the hon Durr apologise for undermining the Chair. I am standing here, Chairperson, to say that he actually is disregarding the Rules of this House. Therefore the hon member must apologise to the Chair for not listening to the Chair when the Chair says something to him.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! I called the member to order by drawing his attention to the fact that I was in the Chair. Hon member Durr, will you please apologise for not obeying the Rules of the House, and then continue.
Mr K D S DURR: You have my apology, Chair.
On the question of research, we are the second largest fruit exporter in the world. We exported the first refrigerated fruit to Europe more than 100 years ago in 1902, I think, to Covent Garden. We exported our Alberta peaches to them. This was 50 years before the Australians. Now they are beginning to overtake us, and that worries me.
One of the reasons for that is the level of research that we are applying. Therefore, I was absolutely delighted to hear from the Minister’s speech that it is intended that public-sector investment in agricultural research is increasing from 1% to 3% of agricultural GDP. I can think of nothing more important than that.
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: We are fighting for that.
Mr K D S DURR: Oh, you are fighting for it, hon Minister. Yes, I understand that. I understand that the plan of the NARF is being supported at the moment. I say to the Minister that it is absolutely vital. For example, if one looks at the problems in the apple industry, a lot of it is related to cultivars. Unless we stay ahead of the game in terms of our research, we are going to lose.
So those are the three points I wanted to make, namely the question of security, the question of confidence and the question of adequate research. With that we wish the Minister well for a successful agricultural year. [Applause.]
Mr J P GELDERBLOM (Western Cape): Madam Chair, hon Minister and colleagues of other provinces, it is a privilege to be here this afternoon.
Ek wil heel aan die begin sê dat ek dank wil uitspreek teenoor Minister Thoko Didiza en Minister Dirk du Toit vir die wyse waarop hulle Wes-Kaap altyd ontvang en vir die kennis wat hulle met ons deel. Van ons landboukant af, bring ons hulde aan persone wat bereid is om te luister na ons saak. Baie dankie vir die wyse waarop ek met die adjunkminister in gesprek kan tree en die probleme van die Wes-Kaapse landbou bespreek. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[I would right at the outset like to express my gratitude to Minister Thoko Didiza and Minister Dirk du Toit for the manner in which they always receive the Western Cape and for the knowledge that they share with us. From our agricultural side, we pay tribute to persons who are prepared to listen to our cause. Thank you very much for the manner in which I am allowed to enter into discussions with the Deputy Minister and discuss the agricultural problems of the Western Cape.]
In the Book of Proverbs we find the words: ``Where there is no vision, the people perish’’. I have a vision for the people of the Western Cape, and this vision is of enough food, where the farmers, be they commercial, or resource poor, and their workers have healthy and prosperous lives, where our precious resources are handled with respect, and where agriculture takes its rightful place on the demanding and ever-changing world markets.
Ek glo vandag dat ons in die finansiële jaar wat voorlê in die Wes-Kaap aansienlik meer geld benodig om in landbou te belê. Ons is ten nouste verbind tot die doelwitte soos uiteengesit in die nasionale Regering se nuwe landboustrategie. Die Wes-Kaapse regering is oortuig dat met hierdie plan ons landbou in die regte baan plaas vir die jare wat voorlê. In die komende maande sal ons intensief aandag gee aan die implementering van hierdie plan. Ons is dankbaar dat landbou so ‘n plan het en Afrika op die wêreldkaart kan plaas.
Dit is duidelik dat die tak landbou aansienlik meer verantwoordelikheid in die Wes-Kaap sal moet neem om as belangrike rolspeler binne Suid-Afrika hieraan reg te laat geskied.
Landbou is toegewy aan die ontwikkeling van die landelike gebiede van die provinsie en sy mense deur te fokus op werk- en welvaartskepping, sowel as op voedselsekuriteit en -veiligheid. Ek voel geïnspireerd deur die magdom geleenthede wat binne landbou lê, geleenthede om werklik ‘n verskil te maak in die lewens van die inwoners van die Wes-Kaap. Ek wil so vêr gaan as om te sê dat landbou die ruggraat is van landelike ontwikkeling. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follow.)
[Today I believe that during the coming financial year we need considerably more money to invest in agriculture in the Western Cape. We are very closely committed to the objectives as stated in the national Government’s new agricultural strategy. The Western Cape government is convinced that with this plan we are putting agriculture on the right course for the years that lie ahead. In the coming months we will focus our attention intensively on the implementation of this plan. We are grateful that agriculture has such a plan and can place South Africa on the world map.
It is clear that the agricultural branch should take considerably greater responsibility in the Western Cape in order to ensure, as an important role- player in South Africa, that this comes into its own.
Agriculture is dedicated to the development of the rural areas of the province and its people by focusing on creating work and wealth, as well as on food security and safety. I feel inspired by the wealth of opportunities in the agricultural sector, opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of the residents of the Western Cape. I shall go as far as to say that agriculture is the backbone of rural development.]
Agriculture is the backbone of rural development.
Landbou voorsien in die mees basiese behoefte, naamlik die behoefte aan kos. As ‘n mens egter kyk na Maslov se bekende hierargie van behoeftes, voorsien landbou ook in die hoogste vlak van menslike behoeftes, naamlik selfverwesenliking, deurdat ons mense help om hul drome waar te maak. Ons staan daardie mens wat met sy wese begeer om ‘n boer te wees by, en vat hom aan die hand.
Ons prioriteit vanjaar is om landelike ontwikkeling te bevorder, en daarom is dit belangrik dat ons hierdie ruggraat van ons ekonomie in die Wes-Kaap vertroetel sodat hy sy rol kan speel in die groter ekonomie van die Wes- Kaap. Ons wil gelyke toegang tot deelname in die landbousektor bewerkstellig, en volhoubare landelike ontwikkeling stimuleer. Ons wil ook alle produsente se mededingendheid op plaaslike, sowel as op nasionale en internasionale, gebied verhoog om sodoende die kosbare hulpbronne tot die Wes-Kaap se beskikking volhoubaar te benut, en dit vir toekomstige geslagte te bewaar. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.) [Agriculture provides in the most basic need, namely the need for food. However, if one looks at Maslov’s well-known hierarchy of needs, agriculture also provides for human needs at the highest level, namely self- realisation, in that we help people to realise their dreams. We assist those people who desire with their entire being to be farmers, and take them by the hand.
Our priority this year is to promote rural development, and for that reason it is important that we nurture this backbone of our economy in the Western Cape so that it can play its role in the greater economy of the Western Cape. We want to bring about equal access to participation in the agricultural sector, and stimulate sustainable rural development. We also want to improve the competitiveness of all producers at local as well as national and international levels, in so doing to bring about the sustainable utilisation of the precious resources available to the Western Cape and preserving them for future generations.]
Without dwelling on the past, we must admit that the present situation, also in agriculture, is a result of the past. To quote F W Robertson: ``There is a past which is gone forever, but there is a future which is still our own’’.
The encouraging thing is that what we do today will influence the future. Through focused training programmes and the settlement of emerging farmers, we can create a healthier and more balanced picture of agriculture in the Western Cape.
Een van die belangrikste maniere om gelyke toegang tot deelname in die landbousektor te verseker, is om voldoende aandag te skenk aan die voortgesette ontwikkeling van een van landbou se vernaamste hulpbronne, naamlik sy mense. In dié verband glo ons dat plaaswerkers vorentoe meer aandag moet kry wanneer dit kom by opleidingsprogramme, en daarom het ek reeds vanjaar in my begroting voorsiening gemaak vir die nodige opleidings- en vaardigheidsprogramme vir ons plaasmense. Om te verseker dat opleiding die korrekte aspekte aanspreek, is ons tans besig met ‘n ondersoek na die behoeftes van veral plaaswerkers, beginnerboere, en begunstigdes van die grondhervormingsprogram.
In die Wes-Kaap se begroting het ons reeds ‘n addisionele R6,1 miljoen toegeken vir die bou van bykomende voortgesette onderwysfasiliteite. Ongelukkig is dit so dat daar geld beskikbaar is vir ander instellings wanneer dit kom by opleiding, maar daar is nog nie genoeg geld beskikbaar gestel, vanaf nasionale kant, vir die opleiding van plaaswerkers nie. As ons daaraan dink dat 70% van Afrika se arm mense in landelike gebiede bly, glo ek dat daar gekyk sal moet word na die toekenning van addisionele geld vir vaardigheidsopleiding ten opsigte van plaaswerkers.
Die gewilligheid van die departement alleen is egter nie voldoende om reg te laat geskied aan so ‘n belangrike aspek van die landbou nie. Die produsent sal ook ‘n rol moet speel om plaaswerkers aan te moedig om verdere vaardigheidsopleiding te ondergaan.
Ek wil ook vandag my dank betuig aan Agri Wes-Kaap vir die groot rol wat hulle speel in die versoeningsproses tussen werkgewers en werknemers. Die daarstelling van ‘n gedragskode tussen werkgewer en werknemer is ‘n uitstekende voorbeeld van hoe vêr ons alreeds gevorder het in ons poging om goeie verhoudinge te stabiliseer en te bevorder. Ek wil Agri Wes-Kaap gelukwens met die doeltreffende wyse waarop hy sy werkgewers en werknemers nader aan mekaar bring. Hervestiging van nuwe boere gaan ook gepaard met probleme. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[One of the most important ways of ensuring equal access to participation in the agricultural sector is by paying sufficient attention to the continued development of one of the most important resources of agriculture, namely its people. In this regard we are of the opinion that in future more attention should be paid to farmworkers as regards training programmes, and for that reason I have already made provision in my budget for the necessary training and skills programmes for the people on our farms. In order to ensure that the correct aspects are addressed by training we are presently conducting an investigation into the needs of especially farmworkers, emerging farmers and beneficiaries of the land reform programme.
In the Western Cape budget we have already allocated an additional R6,1 million for the building of additional continuing educational facilities. Unfortunately it is a fact that money is available to other institutions when it comes to training, but not enough money has as yet been made available, from the national side, for the training of farmworkers. Bearing in mind that 70% of Africa’s poor live in rural areas, I do believe that the allocation of additional money for skills training in respect of farmworkers will have to be investigated.
However, the willingness of the department alone is not enough for justice to be done to such an important aspect of agriculture. The producer will also have to play a role in encouraging farmworkers to receive further skills training.
I want to convey a word of thanks today to Agri Western Cape for the major role they play in the reconciliation process between employers and employees. The introduction of a code of conduct between employer and employee is an excellent example of how much progress we have made in our attempt to stabilise and promote good relations. I want to congratulate Agri Western Cape on the efficient way in which it has succeeded in fostering better relations between employers and employees. The resettlement of emerging farmers is also fraught with problems.]
Land is a fundamental issue, in essence, to most South Africans. The process of land redistribution for agricultural development is one in which we believe and to which we give great priority. The creation of a new directorate responsible purely for farmer settlement is an indication of the high regard we have in our province for the merits of this programme.
I am proud to announce that, to date, more than R24 million has been spent on the redistribution of land and settling of new farmers on 3 500 hectares throughout the province. During the next year, we plan to spend more than R7 million on the settlement of new farmers and infrastructure development.
Probleme met oordrag van transporte na nuwe eienaars word tans ondervind. Ek dink dit is ‘n praktiese probleem en ons sal moet kyk hoe ons dit kan bespoedig. Ons het baie goeie samewerking met ander departemente. Ons sal egter die proses moet stroomlyn, want om 18 of 24 maande te wag, maak sommige van ons werknemers gefrustreerd. Ons sal moet ondersoek instel na die proses van die oordrag van plase. As ons daardie probleem kan aanspreek, kan ons miskien vinniger die plase op die persone se name kry.
Dit is ook vir ons belangrik om, ten opsigte van plaastoekennings, vir ons mense die nodige nasorgdiens te gee. In dié verband het ons in die Wes-Kaap besluit om vir nuwe inwoners en nuwe boere op die plase die nodige voorligting te gee. Die tyd is verby dat ons net vir iemand kan sê: Daar is ‘n plaas. Dit is ook ons verantwoordelikheid, vanaf landbou se kant, om baie nouer betrokke te raak in dié verband. Daarom sal ons in die Wes-Kaap hierdie rol in al groter mate speel. Ons wil die Minister bedank dat ons weet dat ons ook vanaf nasionale vlak die nodige steun van die Minister sal kry.
Dit is so dat die Wes-Kaap baie sterk steun op landbou. Dit is een van die twee ekonomiese slagare van ons provinsie. Dit is ook so dat die landbou se uitvoerprodukte vir ons van kardinale belang is ten opsigte van ekonomiese groei.
Die mededingende posisie van ‘n sektor word deur ‘n hele aantal faktore bepaal. In die verlede was die aard van die natuurlike produksiefaktore, beskikbaarheid van goedkoop arbeid en kapitaal die basis van internasionale mededinging. Hierdie tradisionele konsepte van grond, kapitaal en arbeid word egter toenemend vervang deur kennis en inligting as bron van welvaart.
Ons het vanjaar meer as R1,5 miljoen by die Departement van Landbou begroot ten opsigte navorsing, bykomend tot die R14,3 miljoen wat ons reeds verlede jaar daarvoor begroot het. Die Afrika-renaissance kan en sal werk, maar dan sal ons in ‘n toenemende mate moet seker maak dat navorsing sy regmatige deel van die groter begrotingskoek kry. In dié verband is ek baie dankbaar om te sê dat ons in die Wes-Kaap daardie rol speel, en dat ons ondersteunend sal wees.
Ek wil die Minister ook bedank vir die gesindheid en die hartklop wat sy openbaar teenoor navorsing. Ons besef dat navorsing die toekoms se programme vir ons gaan aandui, nuwe projekte vir ons van stapel gaan stuur, en ook sal meehelp dat as ons met navorsing sal voorloop sodat ons voldoende nuwe werkgeleenthede kan skep. Navorsing bly vir die Wes-Kaap van kardinale belang, omdat ons landboubedryf in die Wes-Kaap grootliks afhang van navorsingsuksesse. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Problems regarding the transfer of deeds to new owners are being experienced at present. I think this is a practical problem and we will have to see how we could expedite it. We have excellent co-operation with other departments. However, we will have to streamline the process, because some of our employees are frustrated by having to wait 18 to 24 months. We shall have to investigate the process by which farms are transferred. If we could address that problem, it might take less time to have the farms registered in the names of the relevant persons.
It is also important to us, in respect of the allocation of farms, to provide our people with the necessary follow-up service. In this regard we in the Western Cape have decided to provide new residents and emerging farmers on the farms with the necessary extension service. The time is over merely to say to someone: There is a farm. It is also our responsibility, as agriculture, to become far more involved in this regard. For that reason we in the Western Cape will play this role to an increasing extent. We want to thank the Minister for knowing that we will also receive the necessary support from him at the national level.
It is a fact that the Western Cape relies very strongly on agriculture to a great extent. It is one of the two economic arteries of our province. It is also true that agricultural exports are of cardinal importance to us in respect of economic growth.
The competitive position of a sector is determined by a number of factors. In the past the nature of the natural production factors, the availability of cheap labour and capital formed the basis of international competitiveness. However, these traditional concepts of land, capital and labour are being replaced to an increasing extent by knowledge and information as a source of prosperity.
This year we budgeted more that R1,5 million at the Department of Agriculture in respect of research, in addition to the R14,3 million which was budgeted for this last year. The African renaissance can and will succeed, but then we will have to ensure to an increasing extent that research receives its just portion of the greater budgetary cake. In this regard I am pleased to say that we in the Western Cape play that role and will be supportive.
I would also like to thank the Minister for her attitude towards and heart for research. We realise that research will identify future programmes for us, launch new projects for us, and also contribute to our taking a leading role in respect of research, enabling us to create sufficient new job opportunities. Research remains of vital importance to the Western Cape, because our agricultural industry in the Western Cape depends largely on research successes.]
Another factor that exercises a strong influence on the competitiveness of our producers is the issue of food safety. There is no doubt that the state is the accepted custodian to render guarantees to consumers on food safety issues. Failure to do so is met with great and understandably severe retaliation from the public. I need not remind hon members that the outbreak of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom resulted in complete chaos. The contamination of poultry resulted in the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture in Belgium and the Minister of Health in the Netherlands.
The majority of producers in the agricultural sector in the Western Cape are export orientated, which can be expected if one considers that the province contributes 60% to all agricultural exports of the country, to the amount of R7 billion per annum.
The province is currently poorly positioned to meet the demands of our international trade partners. The recent inspections of the European Union have identified several faults in the national certification and veterinary service delivery system to guarantee our animal products safe for export, especially in respect of the ostrich and dairy industries. We need to be proactive by providing the means and infrastructure to our officials … [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Ms B N DLULANE: Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, when closing his debate yesterday, the hon the President referred to a train of progress that we as South Africans must join. This train is never going backwards, but is always moving forward. It is a train that advances towards transformation, creating a new South African and an African identity; a train of a multitude of opportunities; a train never to be missed.
Land reform is central to that journey. It is the engine that drives the train of progress forward, for without addressing the injustice of the past, the injustice of forced removals, that train cannot move forward, as we have witnessed in our beloved neighbouring country, Zimbabwe. Land reform is of critical significance to that journey, as it drives the transformation process to redress the historical injustice that left our people landless and poor. It is about pride, belonging, development, growth and empowerment.
The key objectives of land reform, which are to ensure security of tenure, eliminate overcrowding, supply residential and productive land to the poorest of our society, underpin economic growth, foster national reconciliation and stability, improve household welfare and alleviate poverty, are critical to the prosperity, progress and stability of our economy.
On that note, I would like to congratulate the department for its efforts to ensure that the objectives of land reform are met. I would further like to congratulate the department for the route it has chosen to reverse the legacy of land dispossession through orderly processes of land restitution, land redistribution and land tenure reform, and respect for the rule of law. This has contributed and will continue to contribute significantly to poverty alleviation, equity, efficiency and sustainable growth.
We are all aware that it has indeed been a challenging and difficult task for the department, but that did not discourage the department. Instead, this made it more determined to succeed in contributing to a better life for all.
The land restitution programme, for instance, has increased significantly since April 1999 due to the adoption of simpler administrative processes for the resolution of cases. In terms of redistribution, opportunities have been created to improve the economic livelihoods of people through land allocation, while on the other hand dealing with tenure security issues has given the landless the right to own land. These developments do not go unnoticed and are important to our democracy.
I am going to repeat what other speakers have just said. Today in Mpumalanga province 2 500 out of 12 971 labour tenants’ claims have been settled. In KwaZulu-Natal 2 654 out 6 000 labour tenants’ claims have been settled.
I would further like to congratulate the department on the launch of the land redistribution for agricultural development subprogramme of the land redistribution programme, which is central to economic development and poverty alleviation.
In support of the Urban Renewal Programme, 20 154 hectares of land were delivered to vulnerable communities and individuals. Yimpumelelo enkulu ngokumangalisayo ke leyo. [That shows a very big success.]
With regard to land restitution, the commission has settled 29 877 claims as at the end of March 2002, with 332 243 beneficiaries representing 62 245 households.
Ayisisithelanga loo nto. Iyandivuyisa intetho yoMphathiswa xa esixelela ukuba yena neSebe lakhe baye baphulaphula xa abantu bebesithi mabakhawulezise, kuba uziso lweenkonzo luyacotha kwimimandla yasemaphandleni. Kambe ke uyatsho uMphathiswa ukuba sakuba sitsho njalo kunyaka ophelileyo baye benza imitsi ukuze babe ngoku banale ngxelo ibhaliweyo apha.
EMpuma Koloni baye babuyisela umhlaba kwimimandla esemaphandleni kusapho lwakwaGwitshi, kwikomiti yobuyiselo-mhlaba iDwesa, neefama zolimo ezingama- 20 eMakhoba. Kambe ke, le nto ndiyihlakulela ngokuthi sithi siyazi ukuba balisebe elikhathalayo. Bathi bakungxoliswa basukume. Loo nto ke ndiyithethiswa kukuba andifuni ukuba batyhafiswe yile nto ndiza kuyithetha. (Translation of Xhosa paragraphs follows.)
[That is not unknown to us. The hon Minister’s speech makes me happy when she tells us that she and her department listened when people asked them to speed up the process, because the delivery process is slow in rural areas. However, the hon Minister also mentions that when we said the same thing last year, they took appropriate steps to speed up the process and that enabled them to present this report that is before us.
In the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, land was given to the Gwitshi family, the land distribution committee, Dwesa and 20 farms for production of crops at Makhoba. I say this because we know that they are a department that cares. Complaints always urge them into action. That I say because I do not want them to be discouraged by what I am just about to say.] However, with transformation comes challenges. I am concerned about the slow process of delivery with regard to land reform, particularly in the rural areas.
Kuthiwa izicelo zobuyiselo-mhlaba eziphicothiweyo zingama-9 022, Rodwa ke, xa sithetha ngezintathu kuphela ezithe zalunga phaya emaphandleni, loo nto ithetha ukuba le nkqubo isacotha. Sibathembile kodwa ukuba baya kuthi xa bephinda bebuya bathi bavile ukuba abantu bathi le nkqubo isacotha. Asazi ke ukuba olu lwazi silufumana kubo njengeengcaphephe lunyaniseke kangakanani na, kodwa ke ndiza kuluphalaza. (Translation of Xhosa paragraph follows.)
[It is said that there are 9 022 land claims that have been investigated, but if we can only speak about just three that have been settled in the rural areas, that shows that delivery is slow. We trust that when they come again they will be able to say that they have heard what people are saying about the slow delivery process. We are not sure how valid this information we get from them as specialists is, but I have to refer to it.]
Despite the recent speeding up of the restitution process, the number of outstanding claims is reported to be massive. Further, it has been reported that the bulk of claims settled are urban in nature, claims which represent individuals, while rural claims involve a far larger number of people. Therefore, restitution may have had a limited role so far in addressing rural poverty.
Xa ndiza kuhlala phantsi [Before I sit down] I would like to conclude by quoting the hon the Minister:
The struggle for dignity, equality and a sense of belonging has been the driving force to honour the promise of the Constitution to restore the land rights of the people of South Africa.
On that note we are proud of the department’s work and will continue to support it for a better life for all. [Applause.] Mr M A SULLIMAN: Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister, MECs, comrades, ladies and gentlemen, today is World Refugee Day. I think it will be proper for us to say that we do have some refugees in our country, and that we want to wish them well, and will pray for them.
It is with great pride that I have undertaken the responsibility of addressing this House on behalf of the Northern Cape province. As members would know, the province largely depends on agriculture for the achievement of sustainable rural development and for improving the lot of its people. The Northern Cape as an agricultural province has the potential to increase South Africa’s GDP.
It is in this spirit that we are calling on the Minister to continue giving this province special focus. We are glad that the Deputy Minister highlighted in his speech the need for an improved GDP contribution.
As we are all aware, the year 2002 is an important milestone in the recognition of South Africa as part of the global society by our hosting the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August/September this year. It is in this context that an inextricable link is identified in the issues raised by the Minister in his Budget Vote and those raised by the province in yesterday’s agricultural Budget Vote in our province.
What we should all agree to is that we are faced by common problems as a country and as a continent. South Africa faces the responsibility of food shortages, and this is an issue that affects all of us. The looming problems facing South Africa and Southern Africa have resulted in a joint agreement amongst the African heads of state and the South African Government to make agriculture a top priority for sustainable development.
The vehicle to drive sustainable growth is the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which will focus on six major constraints hindering progress in agriculture. These are: firstly, assisting rural populations to access the necessary resources to ensure investment in agriculture; secondly, providing adequate and efficient agricultural systems; thirdly, increasing the purchasing power of rural people; fourthly, addressing climatic uncertainties by providing more efficient systems; fifthly, ensuring strong institutional support through research and extension services; and lastly, ensuring the plight of the rural poor is included on the agendas of donors and multilateral institutions.
In terms of the national agricultural economy, gross farm income for all products grew at a rate of 13,3% over the corresponding period last year. Specifically, gross farm income from field crops increased by 18,3%, income from horticultural products increased by 14%, and that from animal products by 9,4%. In relation to this, the Northern Cape agricultural economy grew at similar levels.
In the case of wheat, 56 000 hectares were planted, representing 13% of the total national crop. This generated a farm income exceeding R500 million. In respect of maize, 47 000 hectares were planted, representing 5,3% of the national production and generating in excess of R580 million.
Some 14 million crates of table grapes were packed, mainly for export. This was more than 30% more than the expected production. In line with higher than expected grape production, raisins also showed a significant increase, with South African Dried Fruit alone paying out more than R200 million to some 1 200 producers.
The situation in the red meat industry also showed a revival in the past financial year and present prices will enable producers to consolidate their position. This potential increase in production for emerging red meat producers is enormous and will play a significant part in opening up international meat markets.
The department of agriculture in the Northern Cape committed itself to performing a number of activities. These include unlocking the potential of the provincial agricultural economy, ensuring food security, establishing an environmentally sustainable framework, and ensuring effective delivery and administration. Not only have we achieved much of the above, but these pillars are now part of the mission of the department.
The provincial department of agriculture, land reform, environment and conservation will enable the development of the province by establishing a sustainable environment framework that seeks to unlock potential and provide food security through the provision of efficient and effective service support. During the past financial year our department has managed to achieve some of these key projects and deliveries from an exhaustive and impressive list.
We are able to complete the three-year strategic plan, which gives the department strategic direction in terms of its service provision. This allows us also to set the scene for integration within the department. Financial and staff restructuring was also undertaken, which we hope to complete in this financial year. In the province’s agricultural budget vote for 2001-02 it was mentioned that the department had set aside R500 000 for the hydroponics project at Windsorton to create jobs for our people. This project is in the process of implementation. A detailed business plan has been developed and we are in the process of appointing a service provider to erect the structures. The site has been fenced, and water and electricity have been supplied. The Minister was present at the sod-turning ceremony.
In terms of the land reform for agricultural development programme, the department, in partnership with the provincial office of land affairs, through the Provincial Grant Committee, approved quite a number of projects. Examples are the projects in Witpan, Kraanvogel, Rietfontein, De Aar - it is a long list. As part of the advancement of emerging farmers by means of the improvement of their livestock, breeding material was made available to various communities, including farmers at Niekerkshoop, Eksteensfontein, Mier, Colesberg and Frazerburg.
During the 2002-03 financial year the department of agriculture will have a very strong bias towards and focus on the sustainable development of the Northern Cape. This focus will include the following key performance areas: changing and unlocking the provincial economy; the development and growth of emerging farmers; land reform and sustainable use; an overall sustainable environment; developing the human resource potential of the province; and transferring technology and information through scientific research for community development and land uses.
During the 2002-03 financial year the land reform co-ordination subcommittee will be revived in order to provide a structure through which all land-related development projects can be channelled to enable proper co- ordination and effective implementation.
During this financial year our department will make available 28 708 hectares of state agricultural land to emerging commercial farmers. This will be in the form of leasing, outright sale and access to grazing land. The programme for the disposal has already started with the advertisement of seven units for lease and sale in the Kgalagadi district, two units in Siyanda, and one in Frances Baard for sale to emerging commercial farmers.
Ten projects will be undertaken which will involve the establishment of approximately 50 new commercial farmers. In conjunction with the Department of Land Affairs, 25 projects will be implemented, which will involve 125 beneficiaries. Information sessions for communities on land redistribution for agricultural development will continue to take place.
As part of our Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme, the cross-border municipalities in the Kgalagadi district, identified as one of the presidential nodes, the department spent R100 000 in Kono on windmill maintenance, the purchase of boer goat rams and Bonsmara bulls, and the repair of fences. The department also offered an informal training course on vegetable production in Bankhara/Bodulong to the amount of R6 000.
This year the department has set aside R350 000 to start a waste recycling project, and R110 000 has already been allocated to start a land care project.
The department will in this financial year strengthen the efforts and expedite the process of providing post-settlement support in terms of agricultural development to land reform beneficiaries. Some work has already been done, for example a training course was organised for farmers in Kono in March 2002, and the department also purchased tools for farmers, as well as repaired fences.
To increase the levels of permanent employment and empowerment of disadvantaged communities through an increase in primary agricultural production and agro-processing activities, the department is going to fast- track the process of allocating 4 000 hectares of water rights. To this effect, we are in the process of appointing the project co-ordinator. The post has already been advertised. The following has, however, been achieved so far: establishment of the reference group and draft terms of reference for the project co-ordinator finalised.
For the 2002-03 financial year our department will be implementing the strategic plan for South African agriculture. The agricultural sector in the province will be engaged to develop a common implementation approach. In view of this, the technical staff of our department is to meet with the general manager of the Northern Cape agricultural union to discuss the implementation plan. So we want to assure the Deputy Minister that the good work done by the presidential working group will bear the necessary fruit.
Our people are caught in a trap of poverty and hunger that requires particular attention. Reducing hunger is not only humanitarian, but also has a strong economic rationale. To address the plight of our people, the department, together with other departments during the Letsema volunteer programme, provided families and projects with starter packs that included wheelbarrows, seeds, seedlings, irrigation equipment, implements such as garden forks, and so forth.
To make sure that this is not a once-off exercise, the department is launching a household food security unit to promote self-reliance regarding sustainable food security. The unit will focus on women, children, youth, people with disabilities and the unemployed in order to produce their own food as they are the most vulnerable. The department has made available R460 000 this financial year to start eight household food security projects - two per region in our province.
One of the provincial strategies is to target vulnerable groups for social and economic renewal. In the light of this and of strengthening women in the agriculture, our department is currently organising a conference on women in agriculture. This conference will highlight specific issues faced by women in the agricultural sector and should give specific recommendations relating to the establishment of strategies to address issues surrounding women’s participation in the agricultural sector. The conference also aims significantly to improve their livelihoods to enable them to have the same opportunities and access to resources as their male counterparts. This conference will be held in the Karoo district, in my home town, De Aar, from 31 July to 2 August. We are expecting about 130 women farmers to participate in this conference.
The amount allocated to these programmes is in no way recognition of the opposition’s accusations, but rather has to do with the fundamental restructuring and rethinking around the roles of conservation and environment. As mentioned previously, the Platfontein and the Schmidtsdrift projects are to take conservation out of the electrified fences and into the real lives of people. [Applause.]
Mr N SINGH (KwaZulu-Natal): Chairperson, Deputy Minister, hon members, it is a pleasure to follow on a former senator colleague - Senator Sulliman. Firstly, I would like to associate my department and me with the ideas and objectives expressed by the Deputy Minister on behalf of the national Minister, particularly in the crucially important areas of food security, poverty alleviation and farmer settlement and support.
KwaZulu-Natal and the national departments appear to be of one mind on such issues, and I find this a pleasing indication of the smooth meshing of the activities of our two spheres of government, as required by the Constitution. I also believe that the grain famine, which currently threatens so much of Southern Africa, starkly underlines how important it is that every region of agricultural potential, in every country, should be geared towards optimising production.
The hon member Mr Sulliman did remind us that today is World Refugee Day. It was quite interesting to note that when some of the people were being interviewed this morning, a reason they gave for seeking asylum in other countries was the famine that existed in their very own countries. On that theme, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hon Minister in absentia for including me in the South African delegation to the World Food Summit in Rome. It was indeed a very worthwhile exercise for me as one responsible for agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal, and I certainly came back with many ideas which I think I can share with the rest of my colleagues.
This World Food Summit essentially was a follow-up to the World Food Summit of 1996, where there was a declaration that malnutrition should be reduced in the world. Unfortunately, many aspects of the 1996 declaration were not adopted, because in 1996 it was agreed that by the year 2015 there should be a reduction of at least half of the 800 million people who suffer from malnutrition around the world. Of the 80-odd national leaders that spoke from various countries, including our own President Mbeki, it was quite evident that very little was done to reduce the number of malnourished people in the world. Hopefully, the declaration signed last week will lead towards implementation of what is contained in that declaration. Again, it was also a privilege for me, on behalf of hon Minister Didiza, to co-chair a session with the hon Minister of Agriculture from Sweden, Margareta Winberg. The topic of that session was: ``Rural women: Crucial partners in the fight against hunger and poverty.’’ I must say that having listened to about 28 representatives from all over the world, there is certainly clearly a common thread that permeates all of us, whether we come from east, west, north or south in this quest to ensure that women around the world are empowered, particularly in the agricultural sector.
I also had an opportunity there to share with about 400 or 500 people what opportunities are available for women in South Africa, particularly in the agricultural sector. I referred to things like institutional reform, to the number of women Ministers and Deputy Ministers that are in different parliaments and in our national Parliament, to the initiatives being taken to ensure that women are empowered when it comes to land reform and the acquisition of state land, and to the female farmer of the year, which is an initiative that only South Africa can boast at this moment in time.
With that, I would like to inform this House about some of the things that are happening in agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal. For more than three years now my department has been running a food security programme, which we call ``Xoshindlala’’ which, translated, means: Chase away hunger. We have facilitated and funded more than 800 small community food and cash income production projects, in which there are roughly 30 000 participants and 240 000 beneficiaries. Xoshindlala is to continue, though the main emphasis of activity has switched this year to unlocking agricultural potential, which I see as a major vehicle of poverty alleviation and job creation.
The unlocking programme has three main thrusts, the first thrust being intensification of production. This requires an intensification of extension services and a bringing to bear of the latest in science and technology. My department is to spend R10 million this year in establishing a series of mechanisation service centres, in partnership with the private sector, to bring the benefits of mechanised farming to small-scale producers especially. In this regard, might I indicate to this House that we intend paying the deposits for about 200 tractors that we will acquire in KwaZulu-Natal as a kick-start to the mechanisation services project. This has been done in conjunction with other role-players, banks and the Agricultural Development Forum.
Communities themselves would own these structures. They would have to pay the balance of the purchase price, 90%. We are also setting aside a few million rand in case there are some bad debts so that we as the department will be able to cover them. I might also mention that land care is an important focus in KwaZulu-Natal. Officials of my department are concentrating increasingly on the eradication of weeds and alien invader plants, which can be useful poverty alleviation projects as well.
The second thrust of unlocking agricultural potential is the facilitation of agri-industry. Through the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Development Trust, a public-private sector partnership, my department seeks to facilitate such private-sector investment. A R100 million cotton and wheat project is under way on the Makhathini flats, and the region is soon to be marketed locally and overseas for private-sector investment.
On the issue of land reform and farmer settlement, I think we are all aware that the hon national Minister has given MECs power of attorney to settle new farmers on state land. So far, in KwaZulu-Natal, we have settled people on 36 000 hectares of state land with short-term leases, which can be converted to freehold once claims to the land have been adjudicated on. In this regard, I must say that we are working well with the land claims commissioner in ensuring that priority attention is given to addressing land claims in areas which we have identified as key areas with agricultural potential.
My department’s programme of unlocking agricultural potential seeks to almost quadruple production in the province over 20 years, a target scientifically established as realistic. To achieve this, we have established a tripod-type approach. The tripod consists of my department, the Development Trust, which I have already mentioned, and the KwaZulu- Natal Agricultural Development Forum, chaired by Dr Patrick Sokhela. This forum brings together all farming communities, small as well as large- scale. We therefore, have this tripod consisting of Government, the private sector and the farming communities themselves.
I believe agriculture will be a key component of the Nepad configuration, which our President seeks with the developed world, and I believe that we in KwaZulu-Natal already have such a configuration in microcosm - a mini Nepad. I believe partnership is the answer.
We have borrowed from India the term ``Green Revolution’’ to describe the 20-year quadrupling in productivity which we have set for ourselves. I must emphasise that this quadrupling is no figure snatched from thin air. It is based on scientific data, provided by the department’s bioresource unit located at the Cedara Research Station, which combines painstaking research over many decades with the modern wonders of computerisation and satellite imagery.
It is now possible, at the touch of a keyboard, to determine what crops may be successfully grown, on which farms in Kwazulu-Natal, and what the economic returns are likely to be. I believe that this is the only system of its kind in Africa, and it lies at the heart of our plans for a green revolution.
The House must please bear with me if I now strike a negative note. I must appeal to the hon national Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs to fast-track legislation and regulations surrounding compensation for disasters. Last September farmers in the north west of KwaZulu-Natal were struck by double disaster - runaway fires which caused a huge loss in human life, livestock and property; followed by snow and freezing cold, which wreaked further damage.
Officials of my department and of the KwaZulu-Natal agricultural Union expeditiously gathered details of individual losses, and submitted relief claims. To date, I believe, not a cent has been received by the farmers who have suffered heavy losses. I appeal to the hon Minister for urgency in this particular case and for an overhaul of the procedures surrounding disaster compensation. I am, however, fully aware of the legislation that is on the table to deal with this, and I am also fully aware that it does not fall within the purview of the Department of Agriculture only and that other departments are involved.
Now to revert to the positive - the good news. The foot-and-mouth disease emergency is over and this was announced by the national Minister. South Africa is again able to export cloven-hoof meat products following a decision by the World Organisation for Animal Health that it should revert to its former status as an FMD-free zone.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon member, if you could wrap up, please, sir. Mr N SINGH (KwaZulu-Natal): This follows presentation by officials of the national department and I want to place on record our appreciation as KwaZulu-Natal and on behalf of the farmers their appreciation to the national department and all the officials for that.
Lastly, I would like to agree with the hon Deputy Minister that funding needs to be addressed very critically. The President of our country and many leaders have always said that agriculture and tourism are the catalysts for economic development, particularly in rural areas, but we do not see that coming with sufficient funding.
We as people involved in agriculture need to ensure that sufficient funds are allocated to agriculture so that it can play its meaningful role in economic development and rural development. [Applause.]
Dr P A MOTSOALEDI (Northern Province): Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister and colleagues, in February 1999 the provincial government of Limpopo, together with members of civil society, adopted agriculture, mining and tourism as the cornerstones of the economy of our province. These cornerstones were put down in what we called the growth and development strategy of the province. Needless to say, it is impossible to implement that without land. It is for this reason that on behalf of the people of Limpopo, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Minister and her department as well as the Land Claims Commission for the sterling work done in giving land back to our people.
In September 1999 only three claims were settled out of 6 000, but after a visit by Rev Moatshe and his team from the NCOP to our province, the Minister moved very swiftly to implement their recommendations and a commissioner was appointed to our province in Polokwane. The result is that as I speak here today no less than 10 communities have received their land since February this year, starting immediately after the President ordered that all land claims be settled in three years’ time. Nearly every second weekend since February we have been celebrating in Reboyile, Mabungeni, Shingange, Kranskop, Makotopong and Manamela as many more people receive their land.
The Minister and the Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Advocate Mgoqi, became such frequent visitors to our province in giving land back to our people that we are about to give them citizenship of our province. [Interjections.] As for the advocate, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his sterling job because tomorrow the University of Cape Town will be awarding him an honorary doctorate of law. To the advocate I say congratulations. [Applause.] We also agreed in our province that we would award him an honorary RDP house so that he does not have to leave the province when awarding land. [Laughter.]
We know that with the return of land comes very big responsibilities. The White Paper on land allocation states that four issues must be looked at on land reform. We must redress the injustices of the past; we must foster reconciliation and stability; we must engender economic development; and alleviate poverty and ensure household food security.
In terms of redressing the injustices of the past, I think we are doing very well. In terms of fostering national reconciliation and stability, we also come out with flying colours. The challenge now is how to engender economic development, and how to alleviate poverty and ensure household food security on the land that has been returned to our people. This is a very big challenge which everybody must be aware of. For this reason, we are very fearful in our province of the prospect of finding people starving only a few years after their land has been restored to them. Therefore, the Limpopo province, the department, together with the Land Claims Commission, has set aside R19 million to plan for the utilisation of the land which has been returned to our people. For this reason we have devised what is called a starter pack which consists of a tractor, a plough, a harrow, a planter, fertilisers and pesticides. This pack will be given to every community which has received their land. Before the end of this month, we are expecting validation of 3 800 claims which have been outsourced by the Land Claims Commission.
We are also very happy that the department has instituted LRAD, Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development, and we need to congratulate them because it has helped us very much. In the province we have taken a stand to dispose of all state land as a matter of priority, but unfortunately we have discovered that about 85% of the land earmarked for disposal is subject to land claims. Regardless of this problem, we have already settled no less than 24 farmers on 10 367 hectares of land who were given LRAD grants totalling R5 784 million.
We also wish to take this opportunity to thank the Roman Catholic Church because they have donated 1 897 hectares of land to 203 families who have been tenants on their land. We call on the other churches to emulate the noble deeds of the Roman Catholic Church. We have given these 203 families a grant of R4 million from LRAD for poultry and cattle enterprises on their farms. We are also very proud that out of the 24 farmers who have received their land, the biggest slice has gone to a woman. On average 700 hectares of land are given but we have given more than 1 000 hectares of land to her in order to advance gender equality.
We also are very serious about irrigation schemes. One of my colleagues has already mentioned the famine threatening our neighbouring countries, and quite a number of people are asking if that famine will not also visit our beloved country. In view of this, we recognise that in our province there are no fewer than 171 irrigation schemes, in which R4 billion has been invested over the past 20 to 25 years by the homeland governments. Unfortunately, these irrigation schemes are dysfunctional in one way or another and we have in place a 10-year programme to rehabilitate them.
We believe our irrigation schemes have the capacity to support 40 000 small- scale farmers starting with one hectare to five hectares of land. According to our calculations, they can support 250 000 dependants, but we need R161 million for this rehabilitation and that is the amount of money which, unfortunately, we simply do not have. We would be very happy if, as in the past, the national department could help, because we have rehabilitated 11 irrigation schemes with money from the national departments of Water Affairs and Forestry and of Public Works for which we are very grateful. We will continue accelerating the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes and also continue accelerating giving land under LRAD.
Perhaps many hon members do not understand why land is an emotional issue in our province. In the past week there have been stories in the media about race relations and hate speech. I am not about to go into that in this House, but I think it is important to put these things in perspective. And for this reason I want to read a document here to show exactly what has hit our province in terms of the land issue. A gentleman by the name of Westlake drew up a policy document for one of the homeland governments. This document, I understand, was given to all the other homelands on 15 October 1970, when 10 000 hectares of land were confiscated from rural communities to plant sisal for the government. The document reads:
The object of developing a sisal industry within the Bantu homelands is to provide a source of paid employment for the many Bantu for whom either land cannot be found or whose inclinations are to be paid employees rather than independent peasant farmers who are often working on an uncertain subsistence level.
The desire to be an independent farmer or businessperson is probably no more developed in the Bantu than it is in other races and the desire to find paid employment without taking risks is developing amongst the Bantu as it has done in other races, and this process will undoubtedly accelerate in years to come.
Mr Westlake went on to say:
The constant clamour by Bantu for land is closely tied up with his fear of old age and land is in many cases looked upon as the only old age insurance. This fear is real and can only be eliminated when the Bantu has got used to normal, steady employment allowing him to set aside funds for his old age.
Steady employment draws a large number of Bantu to the white areas as little such employment is available for him in his homelands. Furthermore, in the Bantu homelands such employment would appear unlikely to materialise to a large extent for years to come because the prospects of large industries run by Bantu are remote.
The development of industrial agriculture crops may therefore play a great role in relieving the pressure on the land and in finding industrial employment for a number of Bantu.
Some of the industrial crops such as cotton, tea, coffee, etc, open up venues for large-scale employment, but for these crops the demand for labour will often be seasonal, and they may grow in areas which already have a high potential … A fibre crop such as sisal would, however, appear to have virtue.
The results of this legislative imposition is that, for instance, my colleague in Gauteng has only 500 employees in the department of agriculture. I also know that my colleague in the Western Cape has no less than 650 employees, but in Limpopo we have 13 700 employees in the department of agriculture following this policy. For this reason, we have developed a five-point strategic plan. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Nkk B THOMSON: Mphathisihlalo, ngizothi qaphuqaphu ngoba ngincishiwe kuleli thuba amaminithi okukhuluma. Nginikwe amaminithi amancane sengathi ngiyiqembu elincane. Kodwa-ke angisho lutho, ngizophonsa nje kancane esivivaneni lapho sekuphonse khona odadewethu nabafowethu. Ngizobabiza ngodadewethu nabafowethu ngoba uma sekuza endlaleni izisu ziyefana. Isisu sami nje uma sesilambile siyefana nse nesika-Versfeld. Uba nolaka naye uma eselambile, nami ngiba nolaka. Ngakho-ke ziyefana izisu uma indlala isifikile. Ngizofuna ukusho nje kancane ukuthi kuyaye kube kubi uma sishona le nale uma ngabe sesiza ezindabeni eziphathelene nendlala. Mina ngokwami ngibona ukuthi inselele yendlala ilele ngqo kulo mnyango kaNgqongqoshe uThoko Didiza. Yebo, ngiyazi ukuthi neminye iminyango njengomNyango wezeMpilo nowezeMfundo inaso lesi sigejane soqedindlala kodwa umnyango obhekene nale nselele ngqo umNyango wezoLimo nezemiHlaba.
Ngiyaye ngiphatheke kabi ngoba ikhona le nsila yokuthi abantu bakithi abathandi kahle ukulima noma sebethi bayazama uyaye uzwe sebekutshela ukuthi, ``asinazo izinto zokuvundisa inhlabathi’’ bese uyabona nje ukuthi kusekude emuva naphambili. Abanakho lokhu kuqonda kokuthi zikhona lezi zinto zokuvundisa eziyimvelo njengomquba nezitibhili zezinkukhu. Ngiyazi ukuthi oJoyce noNono abazi nokuthi ngikhuluma ngani uma ngikhuluma ngobulongwe. Into abangakaze bayibone leyo okuyofuna ngelinye ilanga ngiyiphathe ngopulasitiki ngizobakhombisa ukuthi into enjena-ke ubulongwe. [Uhleko.]
ILUNGU: Sihlalo, uyadelela.
Nkk B THOMSON: Sihlalo, hhayi angideleli. Ngiyazi ukuthi kuba yinkinga ngoba sikhuluma ngezinto abanye bethu kule Ndlu abangazazi lezi zinto esikhuluma ngazo. Abanye bayawuthenga umoba, thina KwaZulu-Natal asiwuthengi, singena nje eceleni kwehlathi siqhephule bese siyadla. Ezinye zezinkinga esiyaye sihlangabezane nazo lezo ukuthi sikhuluma ngezinto abantu abangazazi.
Ngiyafuna ukuxoxa ukuthi mina lapho ngizalwa khona indlala impela sasingayazi, sasifidwa size sifidwe nangomakhelwane. Nanamhlanje uma ngiqhamuka lapho ngizalwa ngakhona bayaye bacabange ukuthi kusaqhamuka lokhuya kudla. Bayaye bacabange ukuthi bazothola lokhuya kudla bese ngiyabatshela ukuthi sekwabheda phela manje ngoba abafuni ukulima nokufuya.
Kukhona le nto yokuthi iphekwa ngomhluzi wenye, abakwazi-ke oJoyce lokho ``ukupheka ngomhluzi wenye’’. [Uhleko.] Ukuchazela oComrade Joyce, ukupheka ngomhluzi wenye ukuthi uhlabe bese upheka kuthi kungakapheli bese uhlaba okunye bese ukupheka ngomsobho obupheka ngawo okokuqala. Abanye bamalungu lawo mathuba azange bebe nawo ngoba ngisho igeja abanye bamalungu abalazi nokuthi libanjwa ngalaphi. Ngingathi ngiyabanika baliphendule balibambe ngalapho lingabanjwa ngakhona ngendlela okusafuneka ngayo ukuthi thina njengamalungu lezi zinto sizame ukuthi sizibuyisele kubantu bethu, bakhumbule futhi bakwazi ukuzenza ngoba impela impela abantu abalimayo indlala ihambela kude nabo, akulula ukuthi bayithole.
Mhlawumbe-ke njengoba sengishilo ukuthi ngike ngafunda ku-Natal Witness iphepha elalibhalwe nguRaymond Oberg okhuluma ngazo lezi zindlela zokuqokelela ukudla, ngabuka ngahala ngathi ukuba benginawo amandla, abantu abanjengabo oRaymond ngabe siyabasebenzisa kulo mnyango ukuze bathuthukise abantu bakithi kulezi zinto ngoba uma singabhekile kahle indlala izosijwayela kabi uma ingakasijwayeli kabi.
USEKELA SIHLALO WAMAKOMITI: Thulani! Bengicela ukuba ilungu elihloniphekile liqoqe. Nkk B THOMPSON: Sihlalo, bengithi akufanele sijwayeze indlala ukuthi ibe ngumngani wethu. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of Zulu speech follows.)
[Ms B THOMSON: Chairperson, I will talk briefly because this time I was not given enough time to speak. I was given few minutes, as if I belong to a minority party. But I am not disputing anything. I will just add to what my brothers and sisters have contributed. I will refer to them as brothers and sisters because when it comes to poverty, all stomachs are the same. When I am hungry my stomach is the same as Mrs Versfeld’s stomach when she is in the same situation. She is very bad tempered when she is hungry and I am also the same. Therefore, all stomachs are the same when they are being assailed by hunger.
I would like to mention that it is bad if we always go here and there when we talk about the issues of poverty. As far as I am concerned, the challenges of poverty lie in the department of Minister Thoko Didiza. Of course, I know that other departments, like the Department of Health and the Department of Education, have these groups of hunger fighters, but the department that is faced with this challenge is the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs.
I always get upset, because there is this habit of our people not wanting to do farming. Even when they try, one hears people say: ``We do not have fertilizers’’ and this means that there is still a long way to go. They do not understand that there are natural fertilizers like cattle manure compost and chicken droppings. I know that Joyce and Nono do not know what I am talking about when I talk about cattle manure. This is something that they have never seen, which means one day I should bring it in a plastic bag so that I can show them what cattle manure looks like. [Laughter.]
AN HON MEMBER: Chairperson, she is being contemptuous!
Ms B THOMSON: Chairperson, I am not being contemptuous. I know this is a problem because we are talking about things that other people in this House do not know. Some buy sugar cane, but we, in KwaZulu-Natal, do not. We just go to a bush close by, we break it off and eat it. Those are some of the problems that we are talking about here; the things that other people do not know.
I would like to share that where I was born, we never experienced poverty. We were fed at home and even by neighbours. Today when I visit the place where I was born they think there comes the food. They thought that they would get food and I tell them that things have become worse because they did not want to plough and farm with animals.
There is this saying, which goes: it is cooked with the juice of the
other''. Joyce and others do not know aboutcooking it with the juice of
the other.’’ [Laughter.] To explain this to Comrade Joyce and others, to
``cook it with the juice of the other’’ is when one has slaughtered an
animal and then cooked it. While the meat has not yet been finished, one
slaughters another one that will then be cooked with the juice of the first
one. Some of the members did not have those opportunities and others do not
even know how to handle a hoe, which means they have never ploughed with
it. If I gave it to them now they would turn it and hold the wrong way, but
these are the things that we need to take back to our people so that they
can remember and be able to do these things since people who are
substantial farmers are far from being affected by hunger.
As I have said, I read an article in the Natal Witness. It is an article written by Raymond Oberg, who talked about ways of collecting food. I then developed a ravenous appetite and I thought that if I had the power, we could have used people like Raymond in this department so that they could develop our people in these fields because hunger is going to cause serious problems for us if it has not yet done so.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Can I ask the hon member to conclude, please.
Ms B THOMSON: Chairperson, I was saying that we should not make hunger a friend of ours. [Applause.]]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: I sympathise with you, hon Thomson, that you were treated like a minority. But I think it is good at last to have experienced it.
Ms B E E MOLEWA (North West): Chairperson, I thought because both the Chief Whip of this House and the chairperson of the portfolio committee are from the North West province, I would be given more time. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, Deputy Minister, colleagues from various executive councils, members from provinces and of this House, and all our friends present here, I would like to follow in the footsteps of those of my colleagues who have already congratulated the Ministry and indeed the department for the wonderful work that they are doing to develop agricultural land in our country. We are delighted as a province to participate in this important budget debate on agriculture and land affairs. We believe that the contributions we will make, both in this debate and through implementation of our programmes in the province, will go a long way towards growing our country’s economy, creating jobs and alleviating poverty.
As the North West, we are convinced that for us to be able to grow our agricultural sector, we need to act in unison and develop this sector as a national system. On this basis, we welcome, and will continue to do all in our power to support, the recently developed sector strategy. Very often when strategies of this nature are developed, implementation plans follow much later, resulting in some delays in implementation. What is pleasing about this agricultural strategy is that it is agreed to and shared by all in our country and, above all, an implementation plan is in place. The North West has followed suit by developing a provincial implementation plan, which details how we as a province will contribute to the national strategy.
The agriculture, conservation and environmental sectors are extremely important to the economy of our province. We do mention conservation and the environment, because we recognise the need to use our rich natural resources in a sustainable manner. The agricultural sector alone contributes about 13% to the total GGP and 19% to total formal employment in our province.
The rural communities of our province depend largely on agricultural activities and the use of the surrounding natural resources for their livelihoods. In the context of rural poverty, the natural environment and agro-food sector provide food, fibre, building material, fuel and clean water, which represent the most important basic human needs. Ensuring the success of these sectors in the province is therefore not only important for the economic development, but also for the social safety net and basic needs. It stands to reason, therefore, that in the North West these sectors have a high potential to grow and thereby contribute even more significantly towards creating a better life for all. I would now like to touch on some of the issues which we will address as a province as part of our contribution. In this connection, we have identified the following key issues to be dealt with. We have three core and five supporting strategic focus areas which are contained in the national sector strategy; firstly, to enhance equitable access and participation by those who were previously marginalised; secondly, to improve competitiveness and profitability; and thirdly, to ensure sustainable resource management, supported by good governance, integrated sustainable rural development; to provide support to international co- operation, and safety and security.
Let us look at enhancing equitable access and participation. We are thankful that in her speech to the National Assembly, and indeed today in the National Council of Provinces, the Minister, also represented by the Deputy Minister, has alluded to the need to implement programmes that will ensure access and participation by those previously disadvantaged. We are therefore compelled to deracialise land and enterprise ownership, and to unlock the full entrepreneurial potential in the agricultural sector. The focus must be on speeding up land reform, ensuring start-up support packages for the new entrants into farming in its entirety, partnership development and promotion of the sector.
As a province we appreciate the initiative taken by the Ministry, the national department and the Land Bank in ensuring that within the land reform programme we have a subprogramme known as LRAD. In this regard, we will continue to work closely with the Department of Land Affairs and the Land bank, which we can now proudly refer to as an entity that transforms at lightning speed.
We can proudly report that less than eight months after this programme was started, 18 LRAD projects have been finalised, benefiting 113 beneficiaries. We have also finalised 80% of distribution cases and new leases on the 16 000 hectares of land that we managed under power of attorney on behalf of the national department. We work very closely with the Land Affairs directorate in resolving the many cases that resulted from the reallocation of land by the former Bophuthatswana government. A clear programme of action is in place to address this problem.
The Land Commission, led by Ntate Nguqi, continues to deliver at high speed. Some of the best models of restitition are found in our province, for example the Bakwena ba Mogopa case, which will be showcased during the WSSD.
However, we would like to raise an issue, one that has remained a little behind, for the Minister to consider, and that is the need speedily to consider the sunrise package. Some of our farmers own land, but are unable to access adequate funds that can help them all at once to buy the necessary implements, fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides, seeds and all the inputs that are needed. We believe that, where their proposed farming business plans make business sense and are viable, we might need to consider providing start-up packages within the LRAD programme. The provision of a start-up package can indeed take us a long way towards equitable access and participation by those who already own some land.
This brings me to the next issue, that of access to finance. Many of our farmers still lack access to finance, for reasons ranging from previous debt to legal requirements. In this regard, we welcome the initiative contained and detailed in the sector strategy. As a province we are also endeavouring to implement some of the mechanisms that we have put in place, and we believe that these will finally help us address this problem.
Sustainability and the graduation of emerging farmers to commercial farmers can be achieved through partnerships, intensive training and mentoring, and support of such farmers. In this regard, we as a province also have a role to play and we are indeed doing so through extension services, technical services, research and so on, and also by working with many of our farmers’ unions that have developed partnership programmes. We also appreciate the new outfit that has been started by the Land Bank which deals with partnership development. Joint implementation of such programmes is unfolding well.
Let us look now at improving competitiveness. We are duty-bound to ensure that the South African farming community has access to international agricultural markets. There is a dire need to enhance profitability through sustained global competitiveness in the agricultural sector, input supply, primary production, agri-processing and the agri-tourism industry. The initiative of continued research to find inexpensive production methods and inputs should be encouraged and supported by all of us as legislators and implementers.
The bigger battle we face, however, at the international level. If we fail fearlessly to wage and one day win this battle, to which I will refer a little later, the gap between rich and poor countries, between the rich and the poor, will become even wider.
While it is imperative that we work hard to improve the level of competitiveness here in our country, we must encourage and continue to support our Ministers who fight these battles on the international front. Their battles are to gain access to markets, particularly of agricultural produce. The battle against the ever-increasing subsidies of the developed countries must be won.
The reality of the matter is that even if we were to consider increasing our subsidies here at home, with all our competing social needs, we could never really succeed. We could never afford the level of subsidies provided by the developed countries. Even though we may strive to be competitive, we are not likely to compete successfully on a fair basis.
Let us therefore give all our support to the team of Ministers, that is, hon Ministers Didiza, Manuel, Erwin and many others. Let us give them support like we give to Bafana Bafana, Banyana-banyana, Amabhokobhoko and Amaglug-glug. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr R Z NOGUMLA: Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister, hon MECs from the provinces and my hon colleagues, in 1997 the joint Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs was created, thus locating the national Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Affairs in one Ministry. This development has enhanced the ability of both departments to streamline their activities with regard to land administration, and has strengthened the synergy necessary to support land reform for agricultural and rural development.
The Department of Agriculture has identified seven priority areas. These are as follows: farmer settlement, market development, trade promotion, natural resource management and use, food security, infrastructure development and human resource development. The more general vision of the Department of Agriculture is to strive to lead agricultural development for economic growth in South Africa and to play a constructive role in agricultural development in Africa. In essence the vision implies that the strategic goals are to promote equitable access to resources for agricultural development; to enhance global competitiveness in the field of agriculture; to ensure sustainable natural resource use; to promote new entrants to the sector; to ensure consumer confidence in agricultural products; and to achieve departmental service excellence.
With regard to global competitiveness, members of this House will recall that in a recent debate on African unity and the African Parliament it was mentioned that only a sophisticated and unified continent could negotiate and improve in terms of trade in global fora such as the World Trade Organisation.
A single lobby group from this continent would have more muscle and be better positioned to improve its bargaining power when negotiating with the developed countries. I look forward to hearing the views of the hon Minister on this subject because they are very important to us.
The members of the Select Committee on Agriculture are aware of the various bilateral agreements that were negotiated. These agreements reflect new ways of dealing with Europe in which relationships are established through Ministers of agriculture in order to work together with their development corporation partners.
South Africa and the European Union reached an agreement on the technical aspects of the denomination of certain types of wine and spirits. This agreement formed the basis of a free-trade zone between South Africa and the EU. International liaison was promoted through co-operation with multilateral organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. The signing of a bilateral agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria was of particular significance as it sought, amongst other things, to promote the transfer of technology within the context of Nepad. Agreements were signed with other African countries such as the Arab Republic of Egypt and with Rwanda, the latter in the field of agriculture and livestock.
With regard to farmer settlement, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has been working with farmers to develop a strategy for the resettlement of farmers that will bring all stakeholders on board. In addition, elementary work has been done on the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development Programme, which is designed to provide grants to previously disadvantaged South African citizens from the African, coloured and Indian communities in order to access land specifically for agricultural purposes. At least 30% of the country’s agricultural land will be redistributed to black farmers over the next 10 to 15 years. This has already been referred to.
Farmer support and development also require that financial assistance become an integral part of this package. The members of this House are aware that the Land Bank does not only understand its new role, but has also met the challenge of transforming its clientele from a race-based one to a more diverse one.
To date, the Land Bank is proud to announce a R16 billion loan book, made up of resource-poor farmers and their commercial colleagues. The department has adopted a multipronged approach to emerging farmers. Besides facilitating financial assistance, the department makes sure that this sector also receives training, thereby increasing the prospect of becoming sustainable.
We appreciate the establishment of a flood relief scheme, designed to provide assistance to farmers affected by the floods. The Ministry, largely through the Department of Agriculture, has the challenge of ensuring the establishment of an environment within which opportunities are created for farmers to become prosperous and competitive, whilst making sure that use of natural resources is sustainable.
The department was historically designed to cater for the interests of a relatively small number of well-resourced commercial farmers whose production was aimed at attaining national self-sufficiency. The so-called subsistence farmers were serviced with a non-market orientation. The institutional changes brought about by a new political dispensation encouraged the transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming. The registration of more than 1 500 co-operatives is a demonstration of this move away from subsistence farming. In addition, training is provided in conjunction with a German body co-operative. A pilot programme has been launched in the Northern Province in which buying associations were inaugurated.
The members of this House would also like to thank the department for successfully containing the outbreak of a foreign serotype of foot-and- mouth disease, in consultation with other provinces. In May this year the international organisations responsible for standard setting on animal health in the world declared South Africa as a country that was free of foot-and-mouth disease. The outbreak of Karnal Bunt in the Douglas area was contained.
Following the outbreaks of the disease, the reinstatement of bilateral trade could be negotiated with most of the countries within the SADC region and with several international trade partners, including the European Commission, who accepted the sanitary guarantees for the resumption of trade provided to South Africa.
I could not hide my excitement and happiness about the contents of the speeches and inputs from the provinces, about my experience in my own province and about the progress that has been made so far by this department. This is also reflected by my bag here. This is my bag from the department. I cannot hide the fact it is quite clear that within 10 years we are going to see lots of input. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Chairperson, my lasting impression from what I heard this afternoon has perhaps to do with two things. Number one is the impressive activity going on in the provinces, and the motivation to work hard and drive the agricultural sector and land affairs in the provinces.
I think the provinces are doing excellently. I think things are going well in agriculture in South Africa given the circumstances. I think the rains have also helped. I hope next year this time that the agricultural Ministries will be going as well as the weather is going. This has to do not only with the weather, but also with some very solid work that has been going on.
The second impression I have is about the huge challenge agriculture and land reform represent in this country, and all over Africa. Hon members know how serious this is. Even if we are doing quite well at the moment, the challenge out there is huge. Let me give hon members a few figures so that they can also think about this.
Senegal is doing very well in South Korea with their soccer. They are doing very well. Bafana Bafana has also done well. Twenty-five years ago the GNP of Senegal was equal to that of South Korea. Today the GNP of South Korea is 20 times bigger than that of Senegal. What happened?
The African political and scientific leaders have set a target for themselves to increase agricultural output throughout Africa - and we are part of this - by 6% a year for the next 20 years. I am now wondering what the plans of KwaZulu-Natal are. Six per cent a year for the next 20 years - that is what Africa needs to come out on par.
Now from that 6% the improvements in total factor productivity - that means real agricultural growth or yield growth - will contribute about half of that to 3% a year. The other 3% of the 6% must come from increasing investment.
The point of the matter is that achieving 3% in total factor growth in agricultural productivity is extremely challenging. No region of the world has increased their factor of productivity by more than 2,5% over a sustained period of time.
What does it require to achieve that? Number one, it will take political will. And I have heard the political will here today, because South Africa is still two worlds, if we talk agriculture. We have a highly developed agricultural sector which, to my mind, really is the result of many years - decades - of support that was given to the white farming community. This was from dipping tanks, fencing, drought relief to support systems that have been sustained. One of the reasons for that, if one really analyses it, was the strong political influence which farmers had here in Parliament in this Chamber specifically.
The reason for that was a specific electoral system which operated in the old South Africa. It was a constituency system which was loaded in favour of the rural areas or farming areas. A vote in a rural area just counted more than a vote in an urban area. That really was the way it was - am I right? That is why the farming community had such a huge influence on these green benches here. They could ask for subsidies; for support systems. This gave results as there is a huge developed farming sector out there and it is technologically advanced. But that does not apply to the whole of South Africa. We know that.
The new farmers who land on the farms do not have that support. Our department is now working on the development of support systems. We must all work together on that because it is really something that needs co- ordinated action from everyone working in the agricultural sector. This is because - and I need to be truthful with hon members - looking at this only in terms of real economical criteria, if we, the state, compose a land reform policy, even LRAD, or a restitution approach or whatever, the land passes into the hands of the new emerging farmer. But that is not agricultural support; that is not economic investment. That will only start the economic investment - the 3% economic investment I spoke of - but there is still the other 3% to get to 6% growth. This is because it is just a case of getting someone else on the land. We have just bought the land for someone, but that does not constitute economic investment. That must still happen.
So we cannot say that is economic growth. We cannot count it. It is a good thing; it is justice that is being done. It is a political programme of redistributing the land. However, we must then start growing. What is required to get that 6% growth in all areas of South Africa? Agricultural research systems are required that deliver knowledge and technology to increase output productivity. We have to do that without destroying the environment, without destroying the market systems. Secondly, technological delivery systems are needed that quickly bring the innovations to farmers and agri-businesses, because we must think further than farming. We must think of the agricultural chain. We must think farmer to plate - from the farmer until the food is on the plate. We must plan that whole chain.
Thirdly, mechanisms must be brought in that reduce the cost of inputs and the risks of new approaches. I have seen this in action. I saw last week. I went down to Wits, where the Agricultural Research Council was delivering a seminar to dairy farmers. It is unbelievable what knowledge is available. I heard about things I did not know about - how genetics has an influence on mosquitoes and how selenium makes a difference to the production of dairy cows. It is unbelievable the knowledge that we have available. The problem is to get it out there. I believe that agricultural research must be intimately connected to extension services. The provinces and the national department must be at the heart of our co-operation models. There must be a straight line from research down to extension services. That is the only way in which we are going to get the 6% production yield increase everywhere in South Africa. [Interjections.] We will work on it.
I will come back to this consolidated budgetary approach that we have introduced and on which consultation is already taking place. We have to do this, because this is the future, if one looks at the growth in agricultural productivity in the world. In Africa our productivity is 12% lower than it was in 1980. In every country in the world that has experienced development, one will find that agricultural productivity has increased. That is why KwaZulu-Natal is correct in their approach. It is actually happening in all the provinces, but KwaZulu-Natal has an explicit agricultural growth programme. But this is happening in all the provinces. Some provinces are doing very well while others have to overcome a few problems.
What is happening all over the world is that agricultural production has to increase. It is the basis of general economic growth. If one looks at Africa’s share of total world agricultural trade, in 1965 Africa accounted for 8% of world trade in agricultural products. What is it now, or at least a few years back? The figure I have is for 1996, which is 3%. We are losing out and there is no reason for this. Africa has the land and the people who can farm. We have everything, but it is also understandable, because we were held back by the colonial, apartheid and other systems that were inflicted on Africa. We were held back and we focused on other areas, such as urban development and health. Money had to go for social development projects, and for housing. I also want an RDP house next to the Kruger ÿ.ÿ.ÿ. [Laughter.] But I will also accept a hut near the Kruger! The reasons are complicated.
There has been a lot of talk about agricultural research. There are macro- economic reasons why research funding in South Africa stagnated, and even decreased. We do acknowledge that this is a problem, and we have to increase the funding. But let me be very honest: What I cannot stand is the ``politieke geniepsigheid’’ [political nastiness] of the criticism. I will be very honest with hon members: there is even an element of racism in the criticism. It is being said that whites are being driven out because of affirmative action programmes while research is going backwards. Let me tell hon members that that is nonsense. There is nothing of that kind. However, there is a very difficult restructuring process taking place. But the only way we can get this right is to work together. Trying to make political gain from the argument about agricultural research is not going to get us anywhere, apart from the argument not being true. Let us work together on that matter.
Now, I have spent a lot of time answering that question. If hon members will give me a little time, rather than go home, I just want to make a few observations on some of the very good speeches that we had here. It was really an excellent debate. I will just give a few quick reactions, because I cannot respond to everyone.
Rev Moatshe referred to the impact of accelerated land reform. Let me give hon members an idea of issues on which we can stand together and get something right. In the documentation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development there is a very important paragraph on land reform. At the moment it is still bracketed, meaning it is not accepted. If we could just get that accepted. Let us stand together and hear members’ voices. If we could get that through in the WSSD implementation document, we would be making progress. It is like everything else: If we stand together, we can make a real difference.
Mrs Versfeld has apologised since she had to go to her constituency. [Interjections.] She was talking about buchu. Now, I thought buchu was a product that came in a bottle of brandy. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] I always drank this to support organic agriculture in South Africa. Now I hear one gets it in other things apart from brandy. [Interjections.] I can tell hon members that it works very well in brandy! What the hon member said was very interesting. In actual fact, the Agricultural Research Council is involved with research and development along the buchu chain of productionÿ.ÿ.ÿ.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon Deputy Minister, could you begin to wrap up?
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Chairperson, Mrs Versfeld was only the second speaker. [Laughter.] Well, I gave it a good shot. I wanted to answer everyone, but I will speak to people.
In conclusion, Ms Metcalfe spoke about conflicting land uses in Gauteng. This is an extremely important problem. I can just say that it has actually been proven in other countries that in highly built-up areas, as we have in Gauteng, one can actually develop green production areas. I know the department is doing very good work there. But we also have to fight, as representatives of agricultural governance in this country, to keep highly productive agricultural areas.
With great respect to Mr Gelderblom - I thank him for his excellent speech
- hon members can go and look at what is happening in the Paarl-Wellington area. That excellent production area is being built up. There must be ways in which one can control this. The land use management Bill we are introducing, hopefully next quarter, has been finalised. This Bill will provide some very good tools, also for protecting agricultural production. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
KWAZULU CANE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION ACT REPEAL BILL
(Consideration of Bill and of Report thereon)
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: I see that the hon member Thomson is this time no longer treated as a minority!
Nk B THOMSON: Sihlalo, ngiyakuhoxisa lokhu engikushilo sengathi awuphathekanga kahle.
Nkk J N VILAKAZI: Sihlalo, nami angiphathekanga kahle.
Nk B THOMSON: Sihlalo, ngiyakuhoxisa nakumama. (Translation of Zulu paragraphs follows.)
[Ms B THOMSON: Chairperson, I withdraw what I said, since it looks as if it discomforted you.
Mrs J N VILAKAZI: Chairperson, I am not comfortable with it either.
Ms B THOMSON: I also withdraw it for you, mother.]
The transformation of agriculture entails ensuring equitable access to agriculture and promotes the contribution of agriculture to the development of all communities, society at large and the national economy. Moreover, it seeks to enhance income, food security, employment opportunities and quality of life in a sustainable manner. This requires recognition of the contribution of all farmers and the sustainable utilisation of agricultural resources, production and marketing to unlock the full potential. [Interjections.]
In order to arrive at these objectives all role-players and different agricultural industries are obliged to operate in a new general policy framework, hence the repeal of the KwaZulu Cane Growers’ Association Act of 1981 through the KwaZulu Cane Growers’ Association Act Repeal Bill. Currently, small-scale KwaZulu-Natal cane growers are subject to the provisions of this Act and the Sugar Act of 1998, which are inconsistent with the Constitution.
The double system that applies to small-scale cane growers living in the territory that used to be KwaZulu is untenable and the repeal of the Act will clearly be to the benefit of these small-scale cane growers. In terms of the Act they are compelled to pay two levies, namely 60c per ton and 49c per ton in terms of the Sugar Act.
Since sugar cane has been classified as an agricultural commodity in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act of 1996, the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, who is responsible for market-related issues within the industry, has to ensure that general policy directions are adhered to and that role-players are in line with Government directives.
Apart from repealing this Act, it is envisaged that with this Bill assets and money standing to the credit of the KwaZulu Cane Growers’ Association at the time of the repeal of the Act will be paid over to a trust to be established in terms of the Trust Property Control Act of 1998. The main purpose of the trust would be manage the assets, including the balance of levies as at the commencement of the Bill, to the benefit of the said cane growers who paid levies in terms of the KwaZulu Cane Growers’ Association Act. In conclusion, in the new agricultural paradigm it is inevitable that the content of existing laws will change. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.
The Council adjourned at 17:31. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- The Speaker and the Chairperson:
(1) Assent by the President of the Republic in respect of the
following Bills:
(a) Performers' Protection Amendment Bill [B 74D - 2001] - Act
No 8 of 2002 (assented to and signed by President on 18
June 2002);
(b) Copyright Amendment Bill [B 73D - 2001] - Act No 9 of 2002
(assented to and signed by President on 18 June 2002);
(c) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment
Bill [B 16B - 2002] - Act No 18 of 2002 (assented to and
signed by President on 19 June 2002);
(d) Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill [B
22B - 2002] - Act No 20 of 2002 (assented to and signed
by President on 19 June 2002);
(e) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second
Amendment Bill [B 17D - 2002] - Act No 21 of 2002
(assented to and signed by President on 19 June 2002);
and
(f) Loss or Retention of Membership of National and Provincial
Legislatures Bill [B 25B - 2002] - Act No 22 of 2002
(assented to and signed by President on 19 June 2002).
(2) The following Bill was introduced by the Minister of Finance in
the National Assembly on 20 June 2002 and referred to the Joint
Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule
160:
(i) Taxation Laws Amendment Bill [B 26 - 2002] (National
Assembly - sec 77).
The Bill has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Finance
of the National Assembly.
National Council of Provinces:
- The Chairperson:
(1) Bill passed by National Council of Provinces on 19 June 2002: To
be submitted to President of the Republic for assent:
(i) Private Security Industry Levies Bill [B 11 - 2002]
(National Assembly - sec 77).
(2) Bill passed by National Council of Provinces on 20 June 2002: To
be submitted to President of the Republic for assent:
(i) KwaZulu Cane Growers' Association Act Repeal Bill [B 48B -
2001] (National Assembly - sec 75).
(3) Message from National Assembly to National Council of Provinces:
Bill passed by National Assembly on 20 June 2002 and transmitted
for concurrence:
(i) Appropriation Bill [B 4 - 2002] (National Assembly - sec
77).
The Bill has been referred to the Select Committee on Finance of
the National Council of Provinces.
- The Chairperson:
The following papers have been tabled and are now referred to the
relevant committees as mentioned below:
(1) The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
Land and Environmental Affairs:
(a) Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements
of the Ingonyama Trust Board for 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1999
[RP 17-2002].
(b) Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements
of the South African Wool Board for 1999-2000 [RP 74-2002].
(2) The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
Economic and Foreign Affairs:
Report of the Auditor-General on the Reinsurance Fund for Export
Credit and Foreign Investments for the period 1 April 2001 to 30
June 2001 [RP 64-2002].
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
- The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
Explanatory Memorandum to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants.
- The Minister for Safety and Security:
Regulation No R 721 published in Government Gazette No 23443 dated 24
May 2002: Regulations tabled in terms of section 24(1) of the South
African Police Services Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995).
National Council of Provinces:
- The Chairperson:
(1) Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic
Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament, tabled in terms
of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Protocol.
Referred to the Working Group on the African Union for consideration
and report.