WEDNESDAY, 26 MARCH 2003 __

                PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
                                ____

The House met at 14.06

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.

                       FORMATION OF NEW PARTY

                           (Announcement)

The Speaker announced that Ms P de Lille had, in terms of Schedule 6A to the Constitution, today left the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania and formed a new party, namely the Independent Democrats.

                          NOTICES OF MOTION

                SERIOUS FLOODING IN THE LITTLE KAROO

                         (Notice of Motion)

Mr T D LEE: Chairperson, I hereby move:

That the House -

(1) notes the serious flooding in the Little Karoo ad Southern Cape, particularly in Montagu and Ashton.

(2) further notes the loss of life and serious damage to homes and infrastructure; and

(3) expresses its condolences to the families of those who have died and who have suffered grievous loss.

The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon Lee, was that a motion without notice? We have called for Notices of Motion. Can we record that as a motion without notice? Is there any objection to that motion without notice?

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chairperson, there is an established procedure, as well as a Rule in terms of which motions without notice are dealt with. We cannot be surprised and be staged upon by a motion without notice in this particular Chamber that is not dealt with according to the Rules. For that reason, procedurally, we object.

The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Mr Lee, would you like to put that as a notice of motion?

Mr T D LEE: Chairperson, a motion without notice. Could I respond? It was circulated yesterday and this morning. [Interjections.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon Lee, the procedure is that if there is an objection, the motion cannot be proceeded with. You can liaise between parties and resolve the matter.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chairperson, I move:

That, notwithstanding Rule 106, the following times be allocated for party responses to the statement by the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

African National Congress: 5 minutes; Democratic Party: 4 minutes; Inkatha Freedom Party: 4 minutes; New National Party: 3 minutes; United Democratic Movement: 2 minutes, and all other parties: 1 minute each.

Agreed to.

                    WORLD CUP CRICKET TOURNAMENT

                             (Statement)

The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Thank you, Chairperson. Chairperson, the ICC Cricket World Cup for 2003 has drawn to a close after 44 days of at times pulsating, crowd-pleasing and even frustrating cricket. As the host nation, we have set benchmarks that will have to be met or improved upon in future tournaments of this magnitude.

As a country and continent, we have sent a message to the global community that South Africa is out there with the best with regard to the hosting of major international events. We have effectively debunked the myth, the mistaken notion, that world-class events cannot be staged in the developing world. With our co-hosts, Zimbabwe and Kenya, we have staged an event that has been precise in its planning, superb in its splendour, efficient in its execution and unprecedented in its magnitude. It is to the credit of our country that we could host an event of such long duration without a single significant security breach; with more than 1 000 accredited journalists lauding our communication expertise that made their jobs a joy to carry out; with volunteers who carried out their responsibilities and functions with pride, efficiency and courtesy; with an organising committee that displayed dedication, commitment and a determination to succeed and a policy committee that gave able and competent leadership; with tens of thousands of spectators and millions of supporters who opened their hearts and homes to 20 000 visitors; with the United Cricket Board of South Africa and its affiliates taking every conceivable step to ensure the comfort of teams, officials and spectators at all our stadia and venues; with service providers and government structures that provided efficient, consistent and top class support; and with an opening ceremony that reflected our continent and our people, driven by thousands of volunteers who offered their time, skills and even resources simply because of their love for their country. To Dr Bacher, to Malcolm Grey, to Malcolm Speed, Percy Sonn and Gerald Majola, enkosi, thank you, Realeboga, baie dankie.

The decision of the ICC to award the Cricket World Cup to us has been more than vindicated and it has set the scene for South Africa to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010 and even the Olympic Games in years to come. The economic benefits for the country have been tremendous and their impact will filter through in the months and years to come. Both SA Tourism and the International Marketing Council have been very prominent in promoting our country and the Cricket World Cup has given our blossoming tourism industry another major boost.

Of course, we cannot overlook the fact that our national cricket team did not live up to expectations, but they still remain our team. But despite the disappointment in their performances, they added to the overwhelming success of the event and they can only be spurred on by the support that they received from millions of South Africans.

During the early days of the tournament difficulties were experienced with teams such as England and New Zealand, who were reluctant to meet their obligations outside the borders of our country, but the leadership displayed by the ICC and their support for Zimbabwean and Kenyan cricket meant that scheduled matches could go ahead with minimum disruptions.

It is to the credit of the South African Police Service that they could assist their counterparts in Zimbabwe and in Kenya in putting in place a safety and security plan of the highest international standards, comparable to our own safety and security plan. The tireless work of the women and men of the SAPS ensured an event that was not only safe, but also a pleasure to attend and to be part of. The services provided by other security agencies, our traffic officers and our intelligence officials contributed to the overall success of a safety and security plan that will stand us in good stead in our bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Chairperson, I have already given notice that I will present this House with comprehensive detail of Government’s role in staging the Cricket World Cup. This will include information about the resources provided by all three tiers of government.

I would, however, want to extend my gratitude to President Thabo Mbeki and my Cabinet colleagues, especially the Cricket World Cup Interministerial Committee, for the unstinting support that they have given in staging the tournament. The involvement of various government departments, provincial governments and municipalities has demonstrated the undoubted value of co- operative governance. The role of parastatals and other institutions has been phenomenal and the collective efforts of all South Africans are recognised, acknowledged and appreciated. It is appropriate to mention the roles played by, amongst others, the Treasury, Trade and Industry, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Foreign Affairs, the GCIS, the Presidency, Health, Home Affairs, Transport, Arts and Culture, the National Intelligence Agency and, of course, the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa. Without the support and assistance of these departments it is almost unthinkable to imagine that such events can be hosted independently of Government. Cabinet took the lead in ensuring Government participation and these levels of co-operation augur well for future initiatives of this nature.

My personal appreciation is also extended to the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation under the leadership of Sis Ruth Ntshulana-Bhengu, also the Select Committee on Education and Recreation and the MECs responsible for sport and recreation for their significant support and involvement throughout the event.

It is now important that the gains of the Cricket World Cup be consolidated to serve as a springboard for taking the game to every corner of our country and our continent. We are once again presented with a vehicle that would ensure that every South African will have the opportunity to participate in cricket, and all its related activities. In addition to that, economic benefits derived from staging such major sporting events are no longer in question. It is imperative that we not only host such events successfully, but also that we take full advantage of the socio-economic spin-offs in building a better South Africa.

On behalf of Government, I wish once more to say: Congratulations to all South Africans on this magnificent achievement. We are a nation alive with great possibilities, creating a new dawn every day. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr T D LEE: Mr Chairman, the Cricket World Cup proved to be a financial success. In large part it was due to the generous support of the South African public, who backed the tournament all the way, despite South Africa’s early exit. We should also thank and applaud the volunteers for their selfless contribution.

Unfortunately, though, it has become second nature to the ANC and the Minister of Sport and Recreation to try to gloss over the shortcomings of our sporting administration by looking in the wrong direction. The fact of the matter is that history will remember this World Cup for good cricket, yes, but also for political interference, bad judgment and the shocking behaviour of a very senior cricket administrator.

Indeed, since the ANC came to power, political wrangling and mismanagement has come to define South African sport. And this continues, to our detriment.

The United Cricket Board’s decision not to send the Proteas to Sharjah should be commended. As with any regulating sporting body, the UCB’s priority is to look out for the safety and security of our players. However, when the English and New Zealand cricketing boards raised the same concerns, the ANC’s response was to attack those countries’ governments and their motives.

President Mbeki described the decision to boycott games in Kenya and Zimbabwe as ``political’’ and he said it had nothing to do with security. Once again the ANC managed to turn a sporting matter into a political catfight.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation and the ANC Youth League were very quick to jump on the bandwagon and also accuse those countries of promoting a hidden agenda. [Interjections.] That is what you said! [Interjections.] With the decision to miss the Sharjah competition, perhaps the ANC will now understand once and for all that sport is best left in the hands of sports administrators. South Africa’s unfortunate run in the World Cup was a blow to the country, but South Africans need to look no further than the ANC’s entirely political agenda of transformation for the reason for that failure.

It was President Mbeki himself who said last year, ``for two or three years, let us not mind losing international competitions, because we are bringing our people into those teams’’. All I can say is: Well, Mr President, you have got your wish. How does it feel?

Under the ANC, sport has become another political tool. In marked contrast with the efficient, well-run Australian set-up, our administration, led by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, is defined by mismanagement, bad judgment and interference. Politics has no place in sport! Until the ANC learns this, South African sport will continue to suffer. I thank you.

Mr B W DLAMINI: Chairperson, hon members, according to a survey conducted in 2000, there was an increase in the contribution of sports and recreation to the GDP from 1,9% to 2%. Its estimated worth was about R15 million. According to the same survey, sports and recreation provided 34 000 full- time jobs and 16 000 part-time jobs, and made use of 8 000 volunteers. The Cricket World Cup Organising Committee expected to create 6 000 jobs during the World Cup.

In October 2001 the United Cricket Board of South Africa and its project partners, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Sport and Recreation, South African Breweries, Standard Bank and PPC Cement launched the biggest sports development project ever seen in this country, namely the Cricket Legacy 2003 project.

The project involved more than R25 million in 50 projects throughout the country. At each oval involved some 50 jobs were created for a period of four months. All these jobs were to be filled by local communities, including that of a full-time curator after completion of the project. Government contributed R12 million to this project.

I want to say to the Minister of Sport and Recreation and other Ministers that the legacy of Cricket World Cup should carry on, because the problem with creating future Smiths and Cronjés lies with access to facilities. I think the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Local Government should sit down and look at the issue of access, at developmental level, to facilities, because it hinders development at that level.

This illustrates that the hosting of major sports events in our country is not only about entertainment but also about economic benefits for our people. Therefore, the IFP wishes to thank and congratulate the organising committee, the police, the volunteers and the relevant departments for making this Cricket World Cup a success. Viva South Africa, viva! [Interjections.]

We are also taking this opportunity to plead that the Soccer World Cup bid for 2010 should not be politicised. Let all of us, as South Africans, rally around the bid so that we succeed. The success of the bid is not for political party A or B but for all of us as South Africans. [Applause.]

Mr S SIMMONS: Chairperson, participation in sport is one way to unify communities and build a united South Africa, and also to break down old outdated discriminatory practices.

But, as regards returning to the past old laagers and apartheid formations, the present crop of New NP MPs who crossed the floor to the almost entirely white DA opposition is clearly an indication that the DP/DA is returning to the past, and is on the same dead-end road as Ian Smith’s party of Zimbabwe. And the same will happen that happened to Ian Smith’s party which is no longer in existence: short-term successes, but total long-term oblivion. Co-operation is the only successful way available for a united and successful South Africa.

The New NP also has a young, vibrant, visionary captain like Graham Smith, the hon Marthinus van Schalkwyk, whose vision includes short-term goals, but whose vision also stretches far beyond the 2004-05 elections. The electorate cannot always be fooled with fight-back strategies. ``Fight back’’ against whom? Does it refer to the masses that represent 66% of the electorate, and whose leaders are governing this country?

The New NP supports most of what the hon Minister has said. South Africa has already benefited hugely, both economically and through the fantastic global awareness that has been created for South Africa by the hosting of the World Cup Cricket tournament. Spin-offs include the vast number of international tourists and supporters who came to South Africa, amounting to approximately 25 000 people, who will also be our ambassadors on their return to their respective countries.

Millions of rands of profit were made from hosting the Cricket World Cup in South Africa, and will be partially be directed to those cricket unions which are currently struggling financially, in so doing empowering them to improve cricket facilities such as pitches and to employ good cricket coaches, to name but two benefits.

I also want to congratulate the United Cricket Board of South Africa on the successful World Cup Cricket tournament, and the hon Minister and his department for their role and contribution to the success of the World Cup. It has shown, as the Minister has said, that South Africa is capable of hosting any big sporting event, like the World Cup Soccer tournament or the Olympic Games, to name but a few.

The only sad part of the World Cup Cricket tournament was when cricket teams did not see their way clear to playing in Zimbabwe and Kenya. This resulted in a skewed final section, which has shown that as soon as politics creeps into sport, you can expect negative results. [Time expired.]

Mr C T FROLICK: Chairperson and hon members, despite our general dismay at the South African cricket team not performing up to their standards, there is much value, Mr Minister, we can take away from this event.

Indeed, thousands of visitors and billions of television viewers have seen various South African, Zimbabwean and Kenyan cities, towns and landscapes in all their splendour. They have witnessed the dedication and spirit of our people, as was especially illustrated by the thousands of volunteers who made this event happen. We applaud these South Africans. The combined result is that Africa has been showcased on a never-before-seen scale as a premier and diverse tourist destination.

We must also acknowledge the organisers, under the leadership of Dr Bacher, for demonstrating that South Africa has the know-how, the facilities and the management to stage a large international event spanning many weeks and numerous venues.

The Minister and the Government need to be supported and congratulated for the splendid role you played in containing and resolving management issues which arose during the course of the event. It is no longer a case of South African bids having to claim on paper that we can host these events. Now we have once again impressively and unequivocally proven our abilities.

Mr Minister, even in the face of adversaries, as we heard earlier, the groundwork has been laid for the Soccer World Cup and many other events to come to these shores. As Malcolm Grey, the president of the ICC, said at the closing ceremony of the World Cup: ``The world called and South Africa responded.’’

Lastly, Mr Minister, I had the opportunity to visit one of the legacy projects last Saturday, when the Motherwell Cricket Club played a game on one of these grounds that were left behind and splendidly developed. You could see that indeed a permanent legacy has been left behind for the disadvantaged people of this country. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mrs R M SOUTHGATE: Mr Deputy Chairman and hon Minister, the ACDP wishes to congratulate Dr Bacher and the ICC for making South Africa proud of a well- managed and successful World Cup. This event has placed South Africa among the big contenders in hosting any world event, as we have proven this through our strong administrative and organisational skills. The tight security plan for this World Cup, even amid serious international setbacks, was able to secure the safety of all players and tourists.

The level of competition among the international sides was of a high standard and the fighting spirit of the Kenyan side, which ended up in the semi-final, entertained the spectators. May I say that it was not because of the Duckworth-Lewis system, but because they got there on merit. Most, if not all, of the matches were well supported and this definitely contributed positively to the economy.

The conduct of our President of the UCB, however, brought shame and disrepute. Fortunately the success of the World Cup overshadowed this negativity. We in the ACDP hope that this will be dealt with at the appropriate level.

The ACDP congratulates Shaun Pollock … [Time expired.]

Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Mnr die Voorsitter, daar is ‘n Afrikaanse spreekwoord wat lui: ``Een vrot appel in ‘n kas maak die hele kas vrot’’. Die agb Minister kom spog hier met die pragtige beeld wat Suid-Afrika geskep het met hierdie kriekettoernooi. Hy is reg, maar die een vrot appel is die President van die Verenigde Krieketraad van Suid-Afrika, Adv Percy Sonn. Sy optrede het die hele beeld van Suid-Afrika skade gedoen. Hy is nie net ‘n skande vir homself nie, maar ook vir Suid-Afrika en vir krieket in Suid- Afrika. Die agb Minister is altyd so lief om in te meng met sport uit ‘n politieke perspektief. Dit is tyd dat die Minister dan ook hierdie Adv Percy Sonn aanspreek en van hom ontslae raak, want hy is die vrot appel in die kas. Hy het nie net skandelik opgetree deur besope te wees nie, hy het nog gaan vloek op toeskouers ook, wat graag wou gesien het dat dit goed gaan in die Wêreldbeker. Dit is onaanvaarbaar. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)

[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Mr Chairman, there is an Afrikaans saying which goes: ``One bad apple in a crate infects the whole crateful’’. The hon Minister has been bragging here about the wonderful image South Africa has created with this cricket tournament. He is right, but the one bad apple is the President of the United Cricket Board, Adv Percy Sonn. His actions have damaged South Africa’s image altogether. He is a disgrace, not only to himself, but to South Africa and to cricket in South Africa.

The hon Minister always loves to interfere in sport from a political perspective. It is time the Minister spoke seriously to this Adv Percy Sonn and got rid of him, because he is the bad apple in the crate. He not only acted disgracefully by being drunk, he also went and cursed at spectators who would have liked to see that all is well in the World Cup. That is unacceptable.]

Mr I S MFUNDISI: Deputy Chairperson, it is the Cricket World Cup that was. National teams came, saw, but only the Australians won. Congratulations to them.

We may have lost in the competition, but we have made a statement. South Africans showed beyond doubt that the rainbow nation pulls in tandem. There were some hitches during the games, such as the inebriated behaviour of the likes of the UCB President, Percy Sonn. Our team, the Proteas, seemed to have been dogged by misfortune by having two of their matches not played to the end, but with the results being declared draws owing to the rain.

The performance of the security officers was exquisite. The men and women in blue showed that they have gone through the mill. They have proven that there is nothing to beat experience. No rank amateurs could have contained the situation like Deputy Commissioner Pruis and his men did. We are greatly indebted to them.

South Africa may have lost the match, but we have won a greater battle in that we have friends across the globe. We have won the respect of doubting Thomases who thought the games would fail. A big cheer to Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The success of the tournament should serve as a yardstick for Fifa when considering the host for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. [Time expired.]

Miss S RAJBALLY: Deputy Chair, the MF would firstly like to thank and congratulate the South African team on their admirable performance. You have played well, in the spirit of your people. We are proud of you and wish you every success in your preparation for the challenges that the team shall face in the forthcoming year. Your are our team and we support you.

To the department and all who were involved in hosting this auspicious event, the MF congratulates you on a superb event that has uplifted South Africa’s status globally. Having hosted the event without hiccups and having attracted tourists from around the globe, the event is sure to have raised revenue. The success of this event has also shown ours to be a safe country with beauty that must be seen by tourists. To everyone who came from far, the MF bids you a safe journey home. It has indeed been an honour and privilege to have you visit our country.

We congratulate the Australians, who have taken the cup, on a superb game. The MF applauds the hon the Minister, the volunteers and Dr Bacher on the success of this event. [Time expired.]

Mr C AUCAMP: Mr Chairperson, on 8 February President Mbeki started the World Cup when he said: ``Let the games begin.’’ I think that six weeks later we can look back on a successful tournament.

Daar was teleurstellings, en ek vereenselwig my met diegene wat hul misnoeë uitgespreek het met adv Percy Sonn. Dit is ook jammer dat Suid-Afrika nie kon deurdring nie, maar dit is nie die Minister se skuld as Shaun Pollock nie kan tel nie. Daar is die probleme met Zimbabwe en Kenya en ons moet dit rêrig oorweeg of dit die risiko werd is.

Tog, dink ek, kyk ons terug en sal die Wêreldbeker 2003 uitstaan as ‘n baken. Waar al daardie spanne nou ook al in die wêreld terugry huis toe, dink ek hulle sê vir mekaar Suid-Afrika is ‘n bakgat plek. Waarom moet ons dan met mekaar baklei oor ‘n suksesvolle toernooi wat verby is?

Die Nasionale Aksie glo nie aan die groot katastrofeteorie nie. Ons glo nie dat alles moet platval nie. Ons soek die sukses van Suid-Afrika en ons wens almal wat betrokke was baie geluk. Mag dit ook dien as ‘n basis dat ons die toernooi van 2010 in Suid-Afrika kan aanbied. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows)

[There were disappointments, and I can identify myself with those who have expressed their displeasure with Adv Percy Sonn. It is also a pity that South Africa was unable to go through, but it is not the Minister’s fault if Shaun Pollock cannot count. There are the problems regarding Zimbabwe and Kenya and we will really have to consider whether it is worth the risk.

Still, I think, we can look back and World Cup 2003 will stand out as a beacon. Wherever in the world all those teams may be on their way home right now, I think they are telling each other that South Africa is a great place. Why should we then argue with each other about a successful tournament that has ended?

The National Action does not believe in the great catastrophe theory. We do not believe that everything has to collapse. We are searching for South Africa’s success and we wish everyone involved well. May this also serve as a basis to present the 2010 tournament in South Africa. [Applause.]]

Nkszn N R NTSHULANA-BHENGU: Sihlalo, uMhlonishwa uLee ukhombise ngokusobala kule Ndlu ukuthi i-DA iyiqembu lezombusazwe elihlupheka kanjani ngoba uyahluleka ukukhuluma ngodaba esiphezu kwalo namhlanje. Ukhetha ukulwisa uNgqongqoshe nepolitiki yezemidlalo eNingizimu Afrika. Mhlonishwa uLee, sikhuluma lapha ngomdlalo obe yimpumelelo nobewenganyelwe iNingizimu Afrika nokufanele engabe sonke siyaziqhenya ngawo.

Kanjalo futhi noMhlonishwa uMulder lapha, yena-ke akahlali ngisho nakuleli komidi lezemidlalo. Mhlonishwa uMulder sinezindlela esibhekana ngazo nezinto ezingamahlazo ezisuke zenzekile. Ikomidi lizohlala phansi lenze isethulo esifishane, savumelana nekomidi elalengamele umdlalo weqakamba. Asikho-ke isidingo sokuzozenza iqhalaqhala lapha ukhulume izinto esizozikhuluma sihlezi phansi, singabantu baseNingizimu Afrika.

Abantu baseNingizimu Afrika kanye nabantu basemazweni angomakhelwane okuyiKenya neZimbabwe basebenze ngokukhulu ukuzinikela, benzela ukuthi le ndebe ibe yimpumelelo. Ukusebenza ngokubambisana kwezinhlanga zonke zakuleli zwe ekwenzeni ukuthi le ndebe ibe yimpumelelo kugcwalisa umbhalo okusoMqulu weNkulukelo i-Freedom Charter, othi iNingizimu Afrika eyabo bonke abahlala kuleli zwe. Ukudlalwa kwale ndebe kwenze ukuthi abantu abahlala emakhaya nasemalokishini babe nothando olukhulu lomdlalo weqakamba. Bewuthola ogogo abadala bebonisa ukuthi sebeyaqonda ukuthi lo mdlalo udlalwa kanjani.

Sebeyakwazi ukubona ukuthi kunemidlalo yendabuko edlalwa ngohlobo olufanayo nalo mdlalo weqakamba. Sebeyakwazi ukuthi i-Wicket bayifanise nokuwisa u-3 tin okuwumdlalo esiwudlalayo. I-Run bayifanisa nokugijima kuthiwe wafika ekhaya. I-Catch bayifanisa nokuthi ubanjiwe, sewufile kumele uphumele ngaphandle. I-Bowl bebeyifanisa nokuthi uyashubhesha. Lokho kubonisile ukuthi indlela abasakazi abawusakaze ngayo lo mdlalo ngolimi oluqondwa ngabantu, kwenze nogogo nabantu abahlezi emakhaya bakwazi ukuwubona lo mdlalo bawujabulele bakwazi nokuwulinganisa bawufanise neminye.

Abadlali abavelele bamaqembu ahlukene bebewundabuzekwayo emakhaya, begagulwa ngamagama abo. Ezinye izingane bezize zithi: qhashi qhashi owami uBrian Lara''. Omunye athi:Owami uSteven Tikolo’’. Angikhulumi-ke ngoSachion noRicky ungathi bahlala kuleli zwe ngendlela abaziwa ngayo yintsha yasemakhaya neyasemadolobheni. Lokhu kubonisa ukuthi laba badlali babe yisibonelo esihle kwintsha yaleli zwe nokuthi imidlalo ineqhaza elingakanani ekushintsheni izimilo nendlela yokuziphatha kwabantu ngoba abanye sebefisa ukuthi bazisondeze kubona bafane nabo.

Emakhaya sibone kuvuseleleka ukudlalwa kwemidlalo yendabuko ecishe ifane nebhola leqakamba. Sekuzoba sezandleni zezakhiwo zemidlalo nemiphakathi esivela kuyo ukwenza ukuthi izinga lokuthanda umdlalo weqakamba ligcine liphezulu. Izivakashi nezethameli ebezivela kwamanye amazwe aziwuvali umlomo ngendlela eziphathwe kahle ngayo lapha ekhaya. Bekuthi lapho bebuza indlela, abantu bakithi bangabakhombisi nje ngokukhomba ngomunwe ukuthi hamba ushone le. Bebengabayaleli futhi ukuthi uzojika ngala uthi uthi. Bebethi woza ngihambe nawe ngikuyise lapho. Lokhu-ke kukhombise inhlonipho ephezulu kwizivakashi nobuntu baseNingizimu Afrika. Siyabonga kakhulu. [Kwaphela isikhathi.] (Translation of Zulu speech follows.)

[Ms N R NTSHULANA-BHENGU: Chairperson, the hon Lee has clearly shown in this House that the DP is a desperate political party because he fails to deal with the issue on the table. Instead he chooses to fight the Minister and the politics of South African sports. Hon Lee, we are talking here about the successful games which were hosted by South Africa and which we should all be proud of.

It is the same thing with hon Mulder over there; he is not even in the committee on sports. Hon Mulder, we have ways through which we deal with some unacceptable things that have happened. The committee will sit down and hold a short session. We agreed on this with the cricket committee. Therefore, there is no need for you to arrogantly show off and talk about things that we will discuss in a meeting as South Africans.

The people of South Africa, together with people from neighbouring countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe, worked with great dedication in order to make these games a success. The working together of people of different races in order to make these games a success is the fulfilment of the clause in the Freedom Charter, which says that South Africa belongs to all those who live in it. These games, as they were played here in South Africa, have given people in townships and in the rural areas a great love of cricket.

One found grannies showing how these games were played. They are now able to see that there are African games which are played the same way as cricket. They can to relate wicket to 3-tin, a game that we Africans play. They compare run'' to a game where you run and other people would say: Now you have arrived home'.'' The catch'' is being compared to a game where people say: Now you have been captured, you are dead. Get out.'' The bowl'' is compared to a game where one finishes all one's `cows’’ in a circle on the ground.

This shows that the way media announcers have broadcast these games in people’s languages has made grannies and people in the rural areas watch and enjoy them, and even compare them to other games.

Outstanding players are very popular in the homes of our peoples. These players were called by their names. Some children said: Hey, Brian is my favourite.'' Others said:My favourite is Steven Tikolo’’, not to mention Sachin and Ricky. One might think that they live in this country the way they are so popular in the rural areas and in the townships. This shows that these players were good examples to the youth of this country and it also shows how big a role is played by sport in changing people’s behaviour, because some now wish to be like these players.

In the rural areas we saw the renewal of traditional games like soccer and cricket. Now it is going to be for the sport structures in our communities to raise the standard at which cricket is supported.

Visitors and spectators from other countries greatly appreciated the way they were treated here at home. If one needed directions, our people did not just show the person by pointing with a finger, saying: Go there''. They also did not say:Turn there and there’’. They said: ``Come, I will take you there’’. This showed a great level of respect to our visitors. It also showed ubuntu in South Africa. We thank you very much for this. [Time expired.]]

Debate concluded.

              THE CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN TO THE ECONOMY

                      (Subject for Discussion)

Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: Thank you, Chairperson and hon members. I am very honoured to be participating in this debate on the best ways to account for women’s contribution to the economy and the general welfare of society, and to assess its full value.

Addressing the Commission on the Status of Women as it began its 47th session, Mr Desai stressed that the commission has a special role to play in reaching gender equality and a responsibility to developmental issues as a whole. He emphasized the link between the commission’s work and the work covered by such major conferences as the Second World Assembly on Aging, the Monterey World Conference on Financing for Development, and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Echoing Mr Desai’s sentiments, Angela King, special adviser to United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan on gender issues and the advancement of women, said the goals were mutually reinforcing, with progress towards one affecting any headway towards the others. The theme for international Women’s Day, ``Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals’’, aimed to create an awareness of gender equality with respect to all the goals, and to stress the importance of gender dimensions in poverty and hunger eradication. It is obvious that the new century has to bring back the people in the processes and institutions of democratic governments through the feminisation of the political space. Making our democracies increasingly inclusive and genuinely representative is the basic task for the new century.

Only after bringing back the people, particularly the women, we will succeed in saving democracy from the forces of terror. It will also make us more effective in eliminating three major challenges of our times: hunger, violence and war. All three have devastating effects in every society, but they hurt the women more.

Mahatma Gandhi, in his observation in the then young India in 1918, said, and I quote:

Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities. She has the right to participate in the minutest details of activities of man and she has the same right of freedom and liberty as he. By sheer force of a vicious system and custom even the most ignorant and worthless men have been enjoying superiority over women, which they do not deserve and ought not to have.

Women matter in the affairs of human society. Our struggle for equal representation in politics and decision-making is a response to the most critical need for creating human social order free of hunger, violence and conflict. With the eradication of poverty as our urgent task, we must at the same time advance continuously towards social transformation.

Since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration in 2000, the Millennium Development Goals now stand at the centre of international development corporations and national agendas. Of the eight goals, goal 3 specifically addresses gender equality and empowerment of women. While it is important to develop innovative and feasible strategies to realise this goal, we firmly believe that gender equality concerns are highly relevant to achieving all the other Millennium Development Goals and should be effectively incorporated. Our important task now in the implementation of these goals is how we engender all processes of implementation and adopt an integrated and gender- mainstreaming approach to attaining all the goals. This task confronts us and we must deal with it effectively.

The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action adopted unanimously at the Fourth World Conference of Women in 1995 by representatives from 189 countries reflect a new international commitment to the goals of equality, development and peace for all women everywhere. The platform identifies 12 areas of concern, considered to represent the main obstacles to women’s advancement. One such obstacle is the best way to account for women’s contribution to the economy and the general welfare of society, and to assess it at its full value.

Women contribute significantly to economic life everywhere. Their share in the labour force continues to increase. Their income is becoming increasingly necessary to all households. However, women are largely absent from economic decision-making. They face low wages, poor working conditions and limited employment and professional opportunities. Though women contribute to development through paid and unpaid work, their unpaid work, such as domestic and community work, is not measured in quantitative terms and not valued in national accounts.

Discrimination in education and training, remuneration, and promotion, as well as inflexible working conditions, lack of access to productive resources and inadequate sharing of family responsibilities contribute to restricted employment, economic and professional opportunities for women.

Chapter 6 of the Beijing Platform for Action identifies 12 focus areas for action, and women and the economy is one of them. This focuses on the following: the promotion of women’s economic rights and independence, access to employment and appropriate working conditions; facilitating women’s equal access to resources, employment markets and trade; providing business services, training and access to markets, information and technology, particularly to low-income women; strengthening women’s economic capacity and commercial networks; eliminating occupational segregation and all forms of employment discrimination; and finally, promoting the harmonisation of work and family responsibilities for women and men.

Women work more hours than men. They are responsible for between 51% and 53% of the workloads all around the world. Nevertheless, their income is lower. The higher their qualification and their occupational rank, the higher also is the salary gap, a phenomenon which therefore affects not only the poorest women, and those from Southern countries like ourselves, but also qualified and higher-income women in the Northern countries.

Gender inequality is evidenced more harshly and clearly in education. Even though there has been relative progress in schooling and retention in the entire world, two thirds of the estimated 876 million illiterate people are women.

We must develop research on women’s input into the economy. There is a need for appropriate statistical tools and sex-desegregated data to assess and value women’s unpaid work. Men and women alike must ensure that women are part of economic decision-making, as they already are the building blocks of economies; fight inequality of working conditions and advantages; fight abusive behaviour towards women; and strengthen women’s access to training and technology.

To strengthen our democracies in the world, we need to advocate for strong institutions and supporting social equality of opportunities for both men and women, in other words, equality of gender with a great social foundation and without exclusions.

In that context, pushing back the frontiers of poverty constitutes a challenge of high priority in which it is crucial to provide a central part for women in the elaboration of the strategies and the development of their capacities, as well as the execution of policies and programmes designed to that end. We must continue to support the execution of such programmes and projects in order to improve the skills and abilities of women who are already contributing a lot towards the economy. Without these skills, they live in situations of poverty, and yet their contribution to development is immense. They need the skills. Governments and other stakeholders should provide the necessary conditions to ensure women’s equal access to information and knowledge, as well as their equal role as producers and decision-makers in all aspects related to the shaping of information technology policies and frameworks.

The convening of the World Summit on the Information Society, or WSIS, by the United Nations is a unique opportunity to focus global attention on the building of an information society that is based on goals of social, political and economic justice, sustainable human development, support for democracy, participation and empowerment, and gender equality. Equal partnerships of governments, United Nations agencies, the private sector and civil society can make a meaningful contribution to achieving this goal.

I met with a number of women in New York a few weeks ago, as they celebrated their achievements. I remarked how lucky I was, because what they were celebrating, I celebrate tenfold or hundredfold in my country. I’m proud to be a South African.

In Bahrain, the women told us that eight women stood for elections. None of them won, but they were celebrating that two managed to make it to the second round. It’s so touching. In Djibouti, this year in January they had an election and for the first time they managed to produce seven women MPs, and they were celebrating. This happened in January 2003.

Sometimes religion and culture are used as impediments to women’s development. Some Arab countries were celebrating. Morocco was celebrating because for the first time 10,3% of members in parliament were women. Algeria has 24 women MPs and they had every reason to celebrate because before they had only 12 women MPs. Jordan had to amend its laws to create six seats for women. You look at these women who are celebrating something that for a South African is nothing to be celebrated, and you say to yourself: ``Am I not proud to be a South African?’’

I was actually happy that I was representing the Interparliamentary Union so I had no reason to speak about South Africa, because it would have come across as if I was bragging if I told them how many women Ministers we have, how many women Deputy Ministers, and how many women chairpersons of Parliament. Because I had a certain mandate, I felt that I would not be bragging; otherwise it would have come across as if I was bragging.

And yet we know that it is still not enough. I happen to be part of a delegation that met with women from Saudi Arabia. These are women who don’t even choose their partners because of arranged marriages in their countries. These are women who do not choose what they want to wear. When I go to shop, I choose what I want and nobody tells me to cover a certain part of my body. But they have to cover themselves. Men choose whether they may go to school or not. They obey their father, their husband and their son, and only then do they come into the picture.

These are the women who came to meet us as the IPU executive, to ask for inclusion of Saudi Arabia at the IPU. Of course we refused to have Saudi Arabia as a member of the Interparliamentary Union because the statute says very clearly that if women are not allowed to vote in your country, you should not even think of becoming a member of the IPU. You cannot talk about democracy when you leave the majority of people outside.

I want to thank the ANC-led Government and all of you for being vocal on gender issues. We are a shining star. Let us go out there and teach other people that by having women in their rightful places, you can only make things better. [Applause.] I still have to see a group of people who will say that if you have a woman in a decision-making position, she will disappoint you. [Applause.]

Only yesterday we met with a group from the fishing companies. They had the men talking to me for two and a half hours. We could not get any solution and I said: ``You better go away and we will meet some other time.’’ But they went away and came back with a different strategy. They had two women to speak on their behalf and the meeting lasted thirty minutes! Thank you very much. [Applause.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Thank you, hon member. You were able to say all that and save ten seconds!

Mrs G M BORMAN: Deputy Chairperson, Carol Burnett said: ``If it were not for women, men would still be wearing last weeks’ socks!’’ [Laughter.]

It is widely recognised today that women fulfil much more important roles than merely sweetening up men’s socks. Firstly, what is not recognised is that women who choose to be homemakers and family nurturers make a huge indirect contribution to the economy in these roles. A woman invests her time in the training of her children and the managing of her home. Despite all the social changes of the last few decades, the nuclear family is still the basic unit of society. Families grow people. Families consume goods and services. Families inculcate values, maintain traditions and engender awareness of culture. Women are the engines of these family units.

Secondly, as consumers women make another very big contribution to the economy. It is they who are the objects of mass marketing. Women’s tastes influence the kinds of goods that manufacturers produce. Food manufacturers target women in their advertising because they appreciate the nutritional value of different products. Pharmaceutical companies know that women are the guardians of their families’ health and beam their messages accordingly.

Women balance the housekeeping budgets and it is just as well that they do. Let a women take her husband shopping at the supermarket and she soon finds the trolley filling with luxury foods and the bill going through the roof.

The third way in which women contribute to the economy is by working in industry, business, the professions and government. Women are putting on the yellow helmets and competing in traditionally male fields. The Sowetan yesterday carried the headline ``Woman contractor in major prison revamp’’:

The Government’s women empowerment drive bore fruit when Minister Stella Sigcau visited Johannesburg’s Leeukop Prison, where a R19 million revamp project by black woman contractor Stephina Moloko has just been completed.

The report went on to say that Moloko is one of the women making up 10% of the country’s more than 3 000 registered emerging contractors in the male- dominated R37 billion a year industry. We as women parliamentarians salute all the Molokos out there. There is an increasing number of them in all fields of human endeavour. [Applause.]

In the textile industry, women make up 80% of the workforce. They work long hours. They do repetitive work, frequently under difficult working conditions. In the field of health care, women run hospitals, perform highly skilled professional nursing and ensure that other workers return speedily to the coalface after illness. In the field of education, women fill a high percentage of teaching positions in schools, thus training the nation’s workforce to make its contribution to the economy.

We can never mention the contribution of women without highlighting the role of domestic servants. This workforce is a million strong. It is often underpaid and cruelly exploited. Nevertheless, it generates some R800 million a month, which provides income in the poorest households. Furthermore, these women release hundreds of thousands of skilled and highly trained women to enter the labour market. In reality, they are the unsung heroines of the South African economy, notwithstanding the difficulty of finding one because, as Pieter-Dirk Uys says, they are all in Parliament.

Many women face the continuous challenge of having to balance homelife and being out in the workplace - running a home, bringing up children, managing the budget, feeding the family, doing the shopping, being a wife. Balancing all that against a full day’s work, often very demanding, helps women become multitaskers, says Kim McFarland of Investec. But the challenges facing women in making their contribution to the economy are enormous.

Women will continue to make an even bigger contribution to the economy in the future. How significant that contribution will be, will depend on how they themselves define it and equip themselves for it. I thank you. Dr U ROOPNARAIN: Deputy Chairperson, hon members, the IFP expresses its support for this debate, as we live in a society where male chauvinism constantly rears its ugly head, especially in the workplace. We have made real progress in empowering women in the economy, but there is much to be done.

Women’s economic history in South Africa tells a sad tale of economic exclusion, isolation and exploitation. However, we need to take another step forward and look at the many women who are in the invisible economy, those women who are responsible for human production, the nurturing of life and the care of others. It is these women who protect life, and this work is unpaid and goes unnoticed.

Of course, there have been achievements for women, such as maternity benefits, UIF, family responsibility rights and equity legislation. But the real crunch is that unemployment is growing like an annoying fungus. Yesterday Statistics SA released findings that unemployment was rising. In a separate report it was found that women workers tend to have a lower absenteeism rate and lower levels of alcohol abuse at work.

There are also too many locked gates keeping women out of employment. It is explicit that any economic policy needs to be hypersensitive to the needs of women. But women also need to act, experiment, implement and develop initiatives. It is the IFP who has steadfastly called for self-reliance, constantly urging women to take bold and new approaches. The IFP believes that there needs to be an impact study on Government’s macroeconomic strategy and its impact on the empowerment of women. As I understand it, empowerment is about developing mechanisms, pathways and people so that access to the mainstream economy is a real possibility.

Financial institutions need to do more. Women need more access to capital. Coupled with this, there needs to be an equitable evaluation using yardsticks other than money, like promotion and ownership of companies. A quick glance at the Public Service exhibits that there are still too few women in top management levels.

So, the picture is really simple. Males still have a disproportionate share of the wealth and females a disproportionate share of poverty. But the larger picture becomes even more complex. How does one classify an investment fund or a listed company in terms of race and gender, especially when online facilities make selling and exchange of ownership so easy? How do you enact or transfer ownership without discouraging foreign investors? How do you avoid enriching a select few? How do you ensure that women become part of the mainstream economy? How do you ensure the empowerment of poor women and not just the intelligentsia? These are some of the important issues we as parliamentarians constantly have to grapple with.

For all my male colleagues who seem to think that there is too much emphasis and debate on women’s issues, I would like to leave you with a quote by Nancy Reagan, who once said that a woman is like a tea bag - only when she is in hot water does she realise how strong she is. And to all the women I want to say: Halala, mantombozana! [Congratulations, girls!] [Applause.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Thank you, and I hope more women will be in hot water. It appeared to me that the hon Borman was in hot water with the hon Ellis, but the Chair will provide the hon Borman with protection if that is the situation.

Mev ANNA VAN WYK: Mnr die Voorsitter, eerder as om die statistieke oor vroue in die ekonomie aan te haal, wil ek net enkele punte beklemtoon. Die verwydering van diskriminasie teen die vrou staan nog maar in sy kinderskoene, en die armste van armes is vroue. Baie van die vrou se deelname in die ekonomie word onderskat, indien nie heeltemal geïgnoreer nie, want dit kan nie maklik gemeet word deur die gebruiklike dataversamelingstelsels nie. Werk soos die instandhouding en bestuur van die tuiste en huishouding, kinderopvoeding, versorging van bejaardes en siekes, die haal van water en brandhout, én die kweek en voorsiening van voedsel, sowel as informele handel en ruilhandel, word merendeels nog nie as ekonomiese aktiwiteite beskou nie en kan nie deur ongenuanseerde meetinstrumente bepaal word nie. Sonder hierdie onbetaalde werk kan ‘n gemeenskap egter nie oorleef nie.

Buigsaamheid in die arbeidsmark is een van die onvermydelike gevolge van globalisering en dit lei enersyds tot mededingende omstandighede waarin geleenthede tot onregverdige uitbuiting volop voorkom, maar andersyds ook daartoe lei dat vroue ‘n meer integrale en toenemend onmisbare deel van die globale ekonomie word.

Die ekonomiese bemagtiging van vroue vind ‘n onmiddellike en direkte neerslag tot die voordeel van die gesin en die gemeenskap, terwyl dit nié in dieselfde mate die geval is met betrekking tot mans nie. Waar spesifiek vroue nie verseker is van ‘n volhoubare minimum inkomste nie, dra hulle die armoede aan hul kinders oor, wat lei tot die chroniese of endemiese armoedeverskynsel. Maatreëls om armoede te bestry, lewer die beste resultate waar vroue in die eerste instansie benader word as ekonomies aktiewe deelnemers en nie passiewe ontvangers nie.

Terwyl die nie-formele ekonomie ‘n reuse groeisektor in die opkomende wêreld is, is die deelname van vroue besuide die Sahara in dié sektor groter as die van die man. Daar is ‘n groter gebrek aan opleiding en geletterdheid onder vroue as onder mans. Dít is die breë agtergrond. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[Mrs ANNA VAN WYK: Mr Chairperson, rather than quoting statistics on women in the economy, I just want to emphasise a few points. The removal of discrimination against women is only in its infancy, and the poorest of the poor are women.

Female participation in the economy is largely undervalued, if not totally ignored, because it is not easy to measure when employing conventional systems of data collection. Jobs such as the maintenance and management of homes and households, child-rearing, care of the aged and sickly, collection of water and firewood, and the cultivation and provision of food, as well as informal trade and barter, are mostly still not regarded as economic activities and cannot be determined by ungraded measuring instruments. Yet without this unpaid work a community cannot survive.

Flexibility in the labour market is one of the unavoidable consequences of globalisation, leading to competitive circumstances in which opportunities for unfair exploitation abound on the one hand, but which lead to women becoming a more integral and increasingly indispensable part of the global economy on the other.

The economic empowerment of women does have an immediate and direct impact to the advantage of the family and the community, while this is not the case to the same degree in respect of men. Where women, in particular, are not assured of a sustainable minimum wage, they transfer this poverty to their children, which leads to the phenomenon of chronic or endemic poverty. Measures towards poverty alleviation yield the best results where women are approached, firstly, as economically active participants and not as passive recipients.

While the informal economy is an enormous growth sector in the new world, the participation of women south of the Sahara in this sector is bigger than that of men. There is a greater lack of training and literacy amongst women than amongst men. This is the general background.]

One of the principles contained in the Constitutive Act of the African Union is the promotion of gender equality, and included under the section ``The new political will of African leaders’’ in Chapter III of the Nepad programme, it says:

To achieve these objectives, African leaders will take joint responsibility for the following …

And then a list follows, including:

Promoting the role of women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training; by the development of revenue-generating activities through facilitating access to credit; and by assuring their participation in the political and economic life of African countries.

Sectoral Priorities lists among its objectives: ``To give special attention to the reduction of poverty among women’’.

It is to the credit of our country that much has been done through legislation and various other measures to give flesh to this undertaking. Here I would like to acknowledge particularly the role played by black women in South Africa to achieve this. They are indeed the forerunners on the continent in the emancipation of African women, and their expertise needs to be deployed far more actively and extensively to assist in attaining the objectives of the AU and Nepad, for much still remains to be done here, as well as to the north, in respect of the liberation and empowerment of women. Through them could come the emancipation of whole nations in Africa.

Dit moet egter gesê word dat die bemagtiging van vroue vir baie mans, en selfs hele kulture, as ‘n bedreiging ervaar word, en die reaksie van verontwaardiging en argwaan dan in ‘n verskeidenheid van maatskaplik negatiewe gevolge neerslag vind. Dat dit op die ou end ten nadele van die hele gemeenskap en streek strek, weeg nie op teen ‘n onderliggende vrees vir magsverlies nie.

Ek hoop hierdie boekie - en ek het hom ‘n vorige keer ook vir u gewys - word iewers in leerplanne ingewerk, selfs op laerskoolvlak al. Dit sal help om die konsensus waaromheen alle burgers in hierdie land moet saamwerk, te motiveer, bekend te maak en om aanvaarding daarvoor te kry. Suid-Afrika het mos eenvoudig geen keuse as om mense opgehef te kry nie, en daarvoor is die vrou sy mees direkte instrument. Dit geld in ‘n nog groter mate in die res van Afrika. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[It must be said, however, that the empowerment of women is experienced by many men, and even whole cultures, as a threat, and that the reaction of indignation and mistrust then has an impact upon a range of socially negative consequences. That this can, in the long run, be to the detriment of the whole community and region does not weigh up against an underlying fear of loss of power.

I hope that this booklet - and I have shown it to you once before - is added to the curricula somewhere, even already at primary school level. It will help with the motivation and introduction of, and the gaining of acceptance for, the consensus on which all citizens in this country must work together. Surely South Africa has simply no option but to uplift people, for which the woman is its most direct instrument. This applies even more to the rest of Africa.]

And may I say, just on a lighter note, that our Parliament looks a great deal better for the presence of so many women. Just generally speaking, I find them much prettier, I think, than most men.

There is another action that this Government and Parliament need to undertake expeditiously, and that is, in line with the stipulations under Poverty Reduction on page 119, to establish -

… a gender task team to ensure that the specific issues faced by poor women are addressed in the poverty reduction strategies of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

I stand to be corrected, but as far as I know this has not been done yet. In my view such a task team should not be lumped under the usual politically correct heading of ``gender issues’’, but should include, among others, people who have real power, political will and economic clout. Thank you.

Ms N C NKABINDE: Deputy Chair, hon members, the contribution of women to the economy can be distilled into two simple questions. Firstly, are jobs created for women? And secondly, are opportunities provided for women to create jobs?

In this country we often speak about equality and the will of the majority. Women are the majority of the population, yet they do not have equal, never mind proportional, access to jobs or economic participation.

Women are still excluded through institutional and cultural practices, despite the laws that are passed. Women are still expected to be primarily responsible for tasks which limit their time and skills development to noneconomic or informal activities. Even where women are considered as economic participants it is often within strongly demarcated boundaries. For instance, women are commonly encouraged to become nurses or social workers, but not to become surgeons. Or women may become secretaries or tea- ladies, but not the director of finance. Every profession and position has its virtue, and there is no shame in being a nurse, but we should never blindly assume that women should have their economic choices limited, irrespective of the individual woman’s capacity and interests.

It is not all doom and gloom. Yes, despite the barriers, many women have reached the highest levels in many sectors of the economy, but sadly they are a small minority among millions of women who continue to be excluded.

If we acknowledge that the role of women in the economy is about jobs, then we must also acknowledge that the employment of women is still unacceptably low. Even the Government itself does not have a public service that adequately represents women across all post levels.

Jobs and job-creating opportunities for women are often mentioned in the same breath as small business development. The UDM fully endorses the view that small business is a major key to job and wealth creation. However, we must look at the reality on the ground and recognise that specific steps will have to be taken in order to provide fair and equal access for women.

According to the 1999 statistics of Ntsika, Government’s enterprise- promotion agency, self-employment for women across all sectors of the economy is low. On average, women constitute only 41% of all self-employed people in the formal economy. In specific economic sectors self-employment by women is very low. For instance, it is 25% in finance, insurance, real estate and business services, and only 11% in transport, storage and communication.

It is fine and well for us to speak eloquently about economic opportunities for women, but in the end we have a duty to recognise the barriers, and to actively remove them. I thank you.

Mrs R M SOUTHGATE: Deputy Chair, the hallmark of a truly democratic society is that it is one where women play an active role in shaping the destiny of their nation. South Africa is such a nation. Women from all walks of life and cultures are weaving their inherent strength of character into business, politics and the social fabric of this nation. Women have always been hard workers. Families rely on the maternal strength of a woman. Society in general relies on the sensitive powers of women’s authority. In business, women enhance the quality of client relations. These are some of the contributory factors which women provide and that a democratic society can ill afford not to possess.

There are many women who successfully manage companies today that provide incentives to others to follow suit. Every effort should be made by Government to support women’s empowerment in business. Women are just as successful in business as men, not because they are in opposite camps, but essentially since they complement each other in their distinct views on business operations.

Every year we celebrate women’s achievements in business. At all those occasions we enjoy the great business character that women add to the economic model of this nation. In this light, I would like to pay tribute to Ursula Fredericks - one of the many women who has found a niche in the motor industry amidst huge obstacles such as racism, chauvinism and discrimination by financial institutions. She has proven to be a valuable asset and contributor to our economy.

There are still certain constraints that reduce the effectiveness of women in business. I would just like to mention a few: a cultural perception that women are nonviable as an economically active group; limited education opportunities focusing on women’s business programmes; and limited financial access to banking institutions. We need to do more as Government to create an environment where young people, especially young women, are encouraged to enter in disciplines that will empower their entrepreneurial capacity.

To all women who wish to enter business: We encourage you to seize the day. Carpe diem! [Time expired.]

Mr M M CHIKANE: Chairperson … [Applause.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: The hon member appears to be the second most popular person in Parliament.

Mr M M CHIKANE: Chairperson, especially with women.

Women’s contribution to social welfare and economic progress in society is incalculable but often largely invisible. The assessment of the full value of women’s contribution to the economy and the general welfare of society is extremely difficult, because much of their contribution is generally undervalued and unacknowledged. Overwhelmingly, their contribution is not visible to society at large, because it takes place outside the formal economy and often within the confines of the family unit.

Regarding the assessment of the full value of women’s socioeconomic contribution in general, society does not give proper recognition to the social and economic contribution of women, as much of women’s work is unpaid. Instead, society attaches a superior value to women’s contribution as part of the paid workforce. As a consequence, the social and economic value of the following contributions generally have low value attached to them: within a family - as primary caregiver to minor children, especially orphans; as caregiver to aged relatives; as caregiver to disabled relatives; as caregiver to relatives suffering from chronic illness such as TB and so forth; and as provider of domestic labour.

In addition to the fact that these forms of unpaid labour are often undervalued and unacknowledged by society, the economic value of their contribution is generally not officially acknowledged by governments. In rural areas women’s social and economic contributions include the following roles: collector of dung or wood for fuel; collector of water for family use; gatherer of wild plants for consumption, for purposes of medicine and other use; contributor to agricultural development and food security; and manager and protector of the natural environment.

As a result of this unpaid contribution by women, women shoulder burdens which in many cases would have been the responsibility of Government. For example, women’s role as unpaid caregivers enables many governments to evade their responsibility with regard to health and social welfare. This applies particularly to developing countries where women, in particular rural women, play an important role as producers of food and contributors to food security. They also spend a large part of their day gathering wood and fetching water from sources that are often a great distance from their homes.

With regard to access to water, it should be noted that in Africa 14 countries are subject to water stress or water scarcity, and a further 11 will join them by 2025. The implications of this situation for all poor people in Africa, but especially for women, are obvious, since it is their unpaid work which ensures that these basic needs are met and services provided.

While it is as a result of women’s contribution that many governments are able to avoid spending on the financial resources required to provide access to a range of socioeconomic services to alleviate poverty and hunger, their contribution is seldom acknowledged or given an economic value. Thus, women in subsistence agriculture are not even included in the South African workforce figures.

Women make a significant contribution to the informal economy, often as sellers of goods which they either produce themselves or which they purchase and resell. Women tend to be concentrated in the home crafts trade, hawking and personal services industries. Women are active within the informal sector because its unregulated nature enables them to enter it with great ease. Working within the informal sector is often disadvantageous to women, as they are often constrained by factors such as harassment by officials, difficulties in accessing the marketplace and lack of access to capital.

It is difficult to assess women’s contribution to the informal economy precisely because of its unregulated nature. Nevertheless, their participation in this sector is often all that stands between them and poverty. It is the mechanism that enables many women and their families to survive.

Within the formal economy, historically men dominate the more profitable sectors of finance, construction and value-added manufacturing. Women are found at the lower, subordinate end of the enterprise spectrum. For example, women are concentrated in the soft goods sector, with a strong presence of 50% in the textile and clothing sector, and 35% in the food and beverage sector. Women have a 5% presence in the construction industry and a 10% presence in manufacturing of metal products and machinery. Within the small, medium, and micro enterprise spectrum, women are concentrated in the survivalist sectors, totalling 42%. In the rural areas the gender disparity is even greater. The contribution of women within the formal economy is characterised by a number of factors. Firstly, they tend to congregate in the orphan sectors of the economy, for example in service rather than production. Secondly, women tend to congregate in certain jobs within each sector. But in both instances women find themselves accorded less value, lower pay and fewer benefits.

The most important distinguishing characteristic about the participation of women in the economy, however, is that they operate under a number of constraints. The most obvious of these constraints is the discrimination which exists against women. Even where women perform the same task, they often receive lower pay and fewer benefits than men. Throughout the economy, women are most likely to be employed in temporary, casual or part- time positions. It may therefore be said that discrimination against women and their exclusion from the economy have hampered their contribution to the economy.

Other constraints include the following: lack of mobility in the economy as a result of no access to capital; lack of technical and managerial skills; and lack of access to the credit market, raw material and the service necessary to grow and expand. It is little wonder therefore that male-owned and -controlled enterprises outnumber those owned and controlled by women by more than three to one.

In conclusion, given the context of this discrimination, numerous obstacles in the path of women regarding the economy, and the lack of value and recognition for their unpaid contribution to the welfare of society, it is clear that the conventional method of assessing will not reveal the extent and nature of their contribution. The only way to assess the full value of women’s contribution to the economy and the general welfare of society is, firstly, for the real economic value of their unpaid work to be recognised by society and, secondly, for their participation in the informal sector to be taken into account.

In order to bring this about, the following proposals, which encourage societal acknowledgement and official recognition of women’s socioeconomic contributions, are put forward. Improve the quality of information available and women’s socioeconomic contribution by identifying information gaps; collect and expand information; update databases; generate gender- specific information and sexually aggregated data; disseminate information on gender issues as widely as possible; utilise the mass media to highlight women’s position in society; support women’s positive contribution in the management and safeguarding of the natural environment; and promote gender awareness amongst role-players in development both in Government and at nongovernmental levels.

Effective implementation of legislation around employment equity would greatly enhance women’s participation in both the formal and informal sectors and by so doing also enhance the contribution of women. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr I S MFUNDISI: Deputy Chairperson, gone are the days when people used say that the place of the woman is in the kitchen. Women have room anywhere under the sun. In fact, Ron Hubbard put it succinctly when he said:

A society in which women are taught only the management of a family, the care of men and the creation of the future generation is a society which is on the way out.

Women are known to be good at saving for the family and hence they are called ministers of finance in their homes. They keep the family budget intact and most women’s leagues have more capital than even the parties they are affiliated to. Women have a role to play in the economy of the country. We have so many women executives in both the private and the public sectors. Dr Mokgokong, the businesswoman and chairperson of the Unisa Council, is one of a young breed of women who are taking the economic world stage by storm.

The role of women in the church has become such a great challenge that even the most conservative of denominations are beginning to ordain women as preachers.

Most family businesses are successful for as long as wives are around. Experience has taught that if a wife dies before her spouse the business crumbles. Women have that necessary finesse.

In trying times, when the family goes without food, it is always the woman who has ways and means of finding food for the family, thus displaying that rare economic power.

A good number of prominent people owe it to their mothers who contrived plans to see them through their schooling. It may have been through working as domestics to save for their education, or by joining Mokgodisano [a type of stokvel]. In fact, most entrepreneurs these days who conduct their businesses at schools, taxi ranks and elsewhere, are women. Thank you. [Time expired.] Dr S E M PHEKO: Deputy Speaker, first of all, let me honour all the mothers of this nation and of Africa. Let me remind members that they constitute 54% of our population. Without them there would be no nation.

Unfortunately, in Africa, for many years, women were neglected educationally. Time has proved, however, that when they are given the tools of education they excel in almost every sphere of life. The PAC affirms that women are the backbone of our economy. Women, under Gear and globalisation and the privatisation of public services, are the economic safety net.

Women’s unpaid work and labour continues to fill the gap, particularly at this time when the state is duplicating its responsibilities to small business. Women’s contribution in taking care of HIV/Aids sufferers saves the state billions of rands. Women contribute in the formal economy under increasingly difficult conditions. They are subjected to forced removals on the streets and there is no infrastructural support from Government. The agricultural economy would not survive without women in this country. Women farmworkers are still subjected to the worst working conditions, that are also exploitative.

Despite women’s unaccounted contribution in our public accounts, they are experiencing increased poverty yearly and more are becoming the head of their households without recognition for being the engine of economic growth of our country.

The PAC appeals that the black economic empowerment strategy that was debated yesterday be focused on assisting our women to play an increased role in the economy of our country and become the backbone of the economy of this country. I thank you. [Time expired.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon members, I think everyone knows that I don’t have a cellphone, but someone has kindly left one behind. Whether it’s for me, or whether you want to claim it, it’s a Nokia telephone. Thank you.

Miss S RAJBALLY: Thank you, Deputy Chair. We, the mothers of the nation, produce lawyers, doctors, plumbers, workers, even presidents. Women provide the economy with the manpower to sustain itself.

But that’s not all we do. Shifting from the patriarchal society that we previously had been barred to, we have more and more women entering the global market as contributive competitors alongside their male counterparts. Though tradition and culture are still maintained and upheld women have, to a large degree, been liberated from domestic positions and introduced to previously male-dominated positions.

However, it has been made the norm of so many centuries that women mentally still fall into the trap of sheltering behind the male. Those who have escaped this must be given their due, but in more African and Asian traditions where women are modelled to be subservient to their male counterparts, breaking away from this system is hard.

Nonetheless, it has been realised that, no matter what culture or tradition we descend from, we have the ability to contribute to the state’s wellbeing in a greater way than we already are doing. Beyond being a wife and mother, we are capable of attaining the skills that would be able to incorporate us into some field or another in the economy and thus contribute to the sustainable development of South Africa.

The sole demarcation of women into domesticated fields should be shifted. Though educational institutions show a large percentage of females in their attendance, criteria should be inculcated to influence a greater magnitude of females from more rural areas. We at Parliament have a percentage of women that, though we should be proud of it, is not enough to maintain or ensure equal gender representation. The hammered rand, poverty and large percentage of unemployment are not easy to overcome.

Women of South Africa, the MF salutes you. Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi! Phambili boomama, phambili! [Praise the name of women! Forward, women, forward!] [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Mr C AUCAMP: Geagte Voorsitter, wanneer ons praat oor die bydrae van die vrou tot die ekonomie, is ons geneig om te kyk na statistiek, om te kyk hoeveel persent van direkteure is vrouens, hoeveel persent van die mense in die Parlement is vrouens. Ek wil ‘n bietjie verder gaan. Ek wil my praatjie toewy aan ‘n spesiale spesie van vrouens, wat almal besturende direkteure is, wat almal besig is met ‘n ingewikkelde besigheid - dié van ‘n daaglikse huishouding.

Meneer, kry ‘n bietjie vir jou ‘n kwotasie vir iemand wat tegelykertyd sekretaresse, kok, skoonmaker, ontvangsdame, chauffeur, algemene bestuurder en sommer nog minnares ook moet wees en kyk wat gaan dit jou kos per maand. Kort-kort spog ons: soveel persent van ons LPs is vrouens, soveel persent van DGs en van besturende direkteure. Die dag as ons kan spog met soveel persent van ons kinders in Suid-Afrika word tuis deur hulle eie ma grootgemaak en onderrig, dan kan ons sê, het ons gevorder.

Die bydrae van die vrou: sy sorg vir ‘n stabiele huis, vir die opvoeding van die geslag van môre, vir koers en rigting. Maar ons kan verder gaan. Die advertensiewese is in hoofsaak op die vrou afgestem. Hoekom? Huisvrouens is die grootste aankopers. In die verkoopswêreld is dit hulle wat die besteding moet doen, wat die geld wat moet inkom moet aanwend.

Ek het geen beswaar dat ons vrouens uitmunt op alle vlakke van die lewe nie, sowel ook vrouens in die Parlement. Ons kan selfs ‘n vrouepresident kry, net nie die een wat mnr Geldenhuys gister genoem het nie. Maar ons wil dit ook nie verdoem dat vrouens orals in die lewe hulle plek volstaan nie. Ons salueer die vroue in die sakewêreld, in die Kabinet, in die akademiese wêreld - ek vra net vandag in hierdie debat, kom ons haal ons hoed af vir ‘n spesiale spesie. Hulle waarde is ver bo korale. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)

[Mr C AUCAMP: Hon Chairperson, when we talk of the contribution made by women to the economy, we tend to look at statistics in order to see what percentage of directors are women, what percentage of the people in Parliament are women. I would like to go a little further. I want to dedicate my talk to a special species of women, who are all managing directors, who are all engaged in a complex business - that of a daily household.

Sir, get yourself a quotation for someone who will simultaneously be secretary, cook, cleaner, receptionist, chauffeur, general manager and lover as well, to boot, and see how much that will cost you per month. Every now and again we boast: such and such a percentage of our MPs, and such and such a percentage of DGs and managing directors, are women. The day that we can boast that a certain percentage of our children in South Africa are being raised and educated at home by their own mother, is the day that we can say we have made progress.

The contribution of the woman: she provides for a stable home, for the education of the generation of tomorrow, guidance and direction. But we can go further. The advertising industry is mainly directed at the woman. Why? Housewives are the major purchasers. In the sales world they do the spending; they must spend the money that comes in.

I have no objection to the fact that our women excel in all areas of life, including women in Parliament. We can even have a female president, only not the one that Mr Geldenhuys indicated yesterday. But we do not want to condemn the fact that women are fully represented in life. We salute women in business, in the Cabinet, in the academic world - I only want to ask today in this debate that we take our hat off to a special species. Their price is far above rubies. I thank you.]

Ms J A SEMPLE: Deputy Chairperson, I firmly believe that if it wasn’t for women and their contribution to the economy, there would be no economy. And I have to agree with hon Moss Chikane that their wages, whether they are paid or unpaid, are inestimable in terms of the economy.

Many women have no other choice but to run small business ventures or micro enterprises which require little start-up capital and usually involve the marketing of homemade foodstuffs and handicrafts. Though women’s restricted access to capital leads to high rates of return on their tiny investments, the extremely low capital-labour ratios confine women to low-productivity undertakings.

It might surprise some of the men here, particularly in my own party, to know that studies in Latin America and Asia have found that where credit is available to women with informal sector micro enterprises, repayment rates have been as high or higher than those for men. And because women are able to make more productive use of capital, their rates of return often exceed those for men.

One of the economic sectors in which South African women have led the way is in housing. Not only is the department headed by a woman, the director- general is a woman and there is at least one woman director and 40% of the middle-management positions are held by women. [Applause.] The department also has an official policy on the acceleration of equality between men and women.

The Housing Act of 1997 promotes the active participation of women in housing and creates opportunities for women to participate in the industry by granting them bridging finance. Women, through their nurturing role, are by nature homemakers, but in the South African environment, especially the rural areas and informal settlements, they are also the home builders. Many female contractors had to subcontract because of the lack of access to finance. They also lacked skills in terms of finance and project management.

The executive director of the National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency, Nurcha - a woman, of course - tells of how she took an emerging housing contractor, Irene Mahlangu, to a bank in Mpumalanga to obtain a loan. Irene had no collateral and in the end the loan was granted purely on the good name of the representative from Nurcha. Needless to say, the project was completed on time and within budget. [Applause.] The bank manager asked for more female clients and Irene has gone on to build a further project of 500 units. [Applause.]

A high proportion of women-led housing companies received support from Nurcha itself in the form of their guarantee programmes with 4 442 houses being built, with a value of nearly R80 million. These women’s contribution to the economy is not only in terms of capital, but also in employment and the creation of other small enterprises related to the building industry.

Another Nurcha beneficiary, Granny Seape, has completed housing projects in Gauteng and Limpopo, creating close to 1 500 jobs and as a result of these projects small entrepreneurs such as cupboard fitters, glaziers and brick makers have also started their own businesses.

The contribution of South African women to the housing sector and its direct benefits to the economy is but one illustration of what women can do. Given the same opportunities, training and education, and access to finance as are given to men, women can do the job just as well, and probably even better. [Applause.]

Mr M F CASSIM: Hon Chairman, thank you very much for relieving me in order that I could participate in this debate. I want to say to you loudly and clearly that when it comes to the international forum, South Africa has a very high standing thanks to the hon Gwen Mahlangu. [Applause.] She is received in the whole of world politics as an inspiring leader who is contributing to the development of politics in which women begin to participate in meaningful numbers. And I think you should know that and we should all be congratulating her for the role that she is playing. [Applause.]

But let it also be known that I have a distinction also in Africa in that amongst the male politicians I am willing to stand up and speak loudly and boldly and clearly on behalf of women. [Applause.] I do this because I think any society which has a large number of women participating in the economics and the politics is inherently a good, just and moderate society. It is a society in which the prospects of war and conflict recede and the prospects of negotiation come to the fore.

South Africa is also unique when we look at the figures, and I’m looking at the figures as of December. Forty per cent of all those who are economically active in South Africa are women and that constitutes 7 million women in this country. And they do not only now occupy the lowest positions. The latest figures are startling in what they reveal. In respect of professionals in South Africa, believe it or not, 55% of those who are active in professions are women. [Applause.] And this trend is also shadowed in our universities and in our technikons, so it is quite clear that the brains of this nation will be the women of this nation. They are providing the impulse for education and for professionalism.

Sixty-nine per cent of all the clerks in our country are women and therefore the records of the nation are kept, by and large, by women. When it comes to community and social services, women again dominate with 54% of them being active in that field. In the all-important financial field - insurance, real estate and business - women might have been far behind in the past, but as of December 2002 43% of those who are active in this field are women. And even in manufacturing the figure is 34%. And, believe it or not, in what used to be an exclusive male area, the technical field, colleagues, you’d be surprised to know that the number of women that are engaged in the technical field is not in the least bit insignificant. In fact, women are poised to overtake men in this respect, because 48% of those that were active in South Africa in the technical field are women.

So South Africa is indeed a wonderful model, a role model, for the rest of Africa and for the rest of the world. We should therefore be congratulating the women because they have now begun to come into their own. More than that, they are beginning to dominate in a number of fields and all of this basically means that the kind of democratic society, the kind of free society, the kind of society in which we will have kindness and tenderness is likely to emerge here on the southern tip of Africa.

Well done to all the women. I hope that indeed we continue to encourage all our daughters and all our sisters and even our mothers to continue to study, to continue to take positions in all spheres of society in order that we can become an atypical society in which the women play a very dominant role. Such a period is not even on the horizon; it’s closer than the horizon.

So I want to take this opportunity of congratulating the women for the enormous role that they are playing in our economy and hope that this will continue to strengthen. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

Ms L M T XINGWANA: Chairperson and hon members, let me start by declaring, on behalf of the women of South Africa, our solidarity and support for the people of Iraq, in particular the women and children … [Applause.] … who are confronted by an invasion and aggression that the world has never witnessed before. Our thoughts and prayers are with the women of Iraq at this moment.

The ANC Women’s League, in particular, is saying enough is enough. This illegal and illegitimate war that is killing and brutalising men, women and children must come to an end. [Interjections.] [Applause.] Of particular concern was the incident of horror that was reported in the news at one o’clock today, of a guided missile that hit the market place in Baghdad, in a shopping area. Fifteen people were reportedly dead immediately and hundreds more were injured. I do not understand what we mean by targets and precise, or whatever it is, weapons. If those are not weapons of mass destruction, I don’t know what they are. The ANC Women’s League is saying the men who started this senseless and selfish war must come to their senses and stop the war. An HON MEMBER: Do you support polygamy?

Ms L M T XINGWANA: Are you interested in polygamy? Go ahead! [Interjections.]

Our topic for today is the contribution of women to the economy. How can women contribute to the economy in the midst of a war that we all know will affect not only two or three countries, but entire continents, especially the African continent and all developing countries economically. What is most vulgar and immoral about this war is that the greedy and powerful, like some of those on my left, are already fighting about who gets what stake in the reconstruction of a postwar Iraq. [Interjections.]

Noxa kunjalo ke. [Be that as it may.]

We have a one-eyed giant on my left who can only see Zimbabwe in the whole world.

Noxa kunjalo ke malungu ahloniphekileyo mandibuyele emxholweni. [However, hon member, let me come back to the subject matter.]

First of all, our Government has played a leading role in the empowerment of women. The Government has signed and ratified most of the international instruments that protect human rights, including women’s and children’s rights. In particular, Cedaw and the Beijing Platform for Action were signed as early as 1995, a year after the new democratic nonracial and nonsexist South Africa was established and the ANC elected to Government. Also, the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development was signed in 1997.

All these instruments promote the rights of women as human rights. They promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination and abuse against women. In particular, they provide for equal opportunities and access to education and employment opportunities for women and girls. They also call for macro- and microeconomic policy programmes, which our Government has already prioritised. We also need to take account of their impact on women and rural development.

I want to dwell on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which was adopted by the UN’s General Assembly in 1979, and is aptly described as the ``International Bill of Rights for Women’’, consisting of a preamble and 30 articles. It defines and explains what constitutes discrimination against women, and sets up an agenda for international action to end such discrimination.

The convention defines discrimination against women as -

… any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.

By accepting the convention, states commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all its forms. It also promotes the incorporation of the principle of equality of men and women into the legal system, abolishing all discriminatory laws and adopting appropriate ones which prohibit discrimination against women. It establishes tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination, ensuring the elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organisations or enterprises.

The convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women’s rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. State parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of trafficking in women and exploitation of women.

Countries that have ratified and acceded to the convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submitting national reports at least every four years on measures they have taken to comply with the treaty’s obligations. This applies to South Africa, as the country has ratified the convention.

The Beijing Platform for Action was adopted by the fourth World Conference of Women in 1995 and recognises that in order to successfully mainstream a gender perspective in support of gender equality, the generation of gender statistics must be institutionalised. It referred to the need to measure and reflect the participation of women and men in the economy. The value of unpaid labour has already been mentioned by speakers before me, in particular the so-called domestic work which is usually ignored. The Beijing Platform for Action demands that this work be recognised and declares that this is a major misrepresentation of the value and contribution of women to the economy.

The gender mainstreaming mandate of the Beijing Platform for Action states that governments should, as appropriate, ensure that women’s priorities are included in public investment programmes for economic infrastructure such as water and sanitation, electrification and energy conservation, and transport and road construction, and that they promote greater involvement of women as beneficiaries in projects such as road construction as well as access to jobs. Government should also integrate a gender perspective into all economic restructuring and the design of programmes for women who are affected by economic restructuring.

With regard to the progress which we have made in South Africa, the South African Government has placed a high priority on poverty eradication. To this end its anti-poverty strategy includes meeting basic needs and developing human resources. Consequently, the approach of most Government departments to poverty eradication has shifted from a welfare approach to a social developmental approach.

According to South Africa’s progress report in respect of the Beijing Platform for Action, an enabling environment for overall transformation and gender equality has been created. Specifically, policies and legislation have been adopted and passed which support the development of an enabling environment. These include our very Constitution, which was adopted in 1996, the affirmative action policy adopted by our Government, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act of 1999, the employment equity policy, and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000, to mention but a few.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon members, you are causing the speaker to strain her voice now because of the volume of noise. Hon member, you can now proceed.

Ms L M T XINGWANA: In addition, equity considerations have been pronounced by the President in all his state of the nation addresses, which is indicative of a political will to address gender inequalities in the country.

Key gains directly related to the gender programme have been the development of a comprehensive national gender machinery, the development of key programmes which respect the integrated programmes to address poverty, HIV/Aids and rural development, which all have clear gender implications. There is also a development programme for unemployed women with children under the age of five years.

Some of these gains have been the development of selective learning areas, such as in agriculture and tourism. We also have the Abet programme which focuses on women and ensuring that they get literacy and numeracy skills. We have the Municipal Infrastructure Programme and also the Expanded Public Works Programme, the beneficiaries of which are mostly women in the rural areas.

Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has initiated various programmes to train women, especially in the rural areas. They have set up co-operatives and small businesses and trained women to be able to run their agricultural businesses. Women are also trained by the Department of Labour to ensure that they can initiate small businesses. We have initiated many of these programmes in our rural areas, such as piggeries, poultry and other food production projects.

We also have projects that empower poor unemployed women in our townships and informal settlements. For instance, in Gauteng the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has trained women to produce vegetables on small plots in the townships. This has gone a long way towards addressing the question of unemployment, hunger and poverty. The women have been able to sell and also to address the important question of food security.

In the Department of Minerals and Energy we have Sawima, which was launched to assist women to get access to the mining industry that has for centuries been the monopoly of white males in this country. [Applause.] We have also had opportunities created by the department for accessing the jewellery industry, especially by women. So we will not only be the customers; we will be the owners of these industries. We also have special projects in the Department of Minerals and Energy that will assist women to access the oil and energy sector.

Ngoko ke, kukuthi makhosikazi. Amasi abekwe elangeni ngulo Rhulumente we- ANC. Sithi ekumele siphume, sisukume, siye kusela. Nango amasi. [Therefore, it’s up to us women. The ANC-led Government has put the ball back into our court. We are the ones who have to get up and get things going. That is the challenge.]

I also want to applaud the Ministry of Housing. I will not dwell too much on this one. I agree with every word my colleague Janet Semple said.

I want to mention the cultural industries which have been initiated by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. I think they provide great opportunities for giving our women, especially in the rural areas, home-based industries. The department also provides export and import opportunities and the opportunity to be involved in sustainable development.

The Department of Correctional Services has done a great deal to ensure that female inmates - and male inmates, but I am interested in the female inmates - are trained in different skills, so that at the end of their sentences they are able to go out and contribute to the economy of this country, and train other women and create jobs in the community where they came from. This is a very good example of rehabilitation and reconstructing people’s lives and our communities.

In conclusion, with regard to the challenges that we face concerning unpaid labour, we recommend that the Government set up a special fund, like the Umsobomvu Fund, that will assist the women of this country who have contributed so much to our economy, to start more rural development programmes, home-based industries and other small businesses that will empower them economically. We also need more Abet programmes in the rural areas and financial schemes to assist our women. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The Housed adjourned at 18:16. ____

            ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:

1. Assent by President in respect of Bills:

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fourth Amendment  Bill  [B
69B - 2002] - Act No 2 of 2003 (assented to and signed by President  on
19 March 2003).


     NOTE: The name of the Act is the Constitution of  the  Republic  of
     South Africa Amendment Act, 2003.

1. Introduction of Bills:

 (1)    The Minister for Provincial and Local Government:


    (i)      Local Government:  Property  Rates  Bill  [B  19  -  2003]
    (National Assembly  -  sec  75)  [Bill  and  prior  notice  of  its
    introduction published in Government Gazette No 24589 of  18  March
    2003.]


     Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on  Provincial
     and Local Government of the National Assembly, as well as  referral
     to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for  classification  in  terms
     of Joint Rule 160, on 27 March 2003.


     In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the  classification  of
     the Bill may be submitted to  the  Joint  Tagging  Mechanism  (JTM)
     within three parliamentary working days.

1. Translations of Bills submitted: (1) The Minister of Defence:

   (i) Molaotlhomo wa Kiletso ya Meepo ya Twantsha motho [M 44 - 2002] (National Assembly - sec 75).

   This is the official translation into Setswana of the Anti- Personnel Mines Prohibition Bill [B 44 - 2002] (National Assembly

   • sec 75).

TABLINGS:

National Assembly:

1. The Speaker:

 Petition of the Treatment Action Campaign on the implementation of  the
 National HIV/Aids Treatment Plan.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

National Assembly:

1. Report of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on Notice in terms of Interim Rationalisation of Jurisdiction of High Courts Act, 2001, dated 11 March 2003:

   The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of a Notice which, in terms of the Interim Rationalisation of Jurisdiction of High Courts Act, 2001 (Act No. 41 of 2001), alters the area of jurisdiction for which a High Court has been established, referred to it, recommends that the House, in terms of section 2(2) of the said Act, approve the Notice before publication thereof in the Gazette.

 Request to be considered.