National Assembly - 04 April 2003
FRIDAY, 4 APRIL 2003 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 09:05.
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.
FLOOR CROSSING
(Announcement)
The SPEAKER: Order! I have to announce that, in terms of Schedule 6(a), Mr A Blaas has, on 3 April 2003, left the New NP and joined the ACDP. [Applause.]
I also wish to clarify concerns that have been expressed about a second period to cross the floor in the new future. Now, concerning the period provided for in the amended Constitution, notwithstanding reports to the contrary, the current window period closes at midnight tonight.
Further, I have obtained legal opinion that the second window period that occurs in the fourth year after the date of an election would, for the term of this Parliament, have occurred between 1 and 15 September 2002. There is no further window period until after the next election. [Applause.] The staff will be available up until midnight tonight to deal with any more floor crossings.
NOTICES OF MOTION
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Mrs J A SEMPLE: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day:
That the House discusses the continued scourge of human trafficking in the Southern African region, particularly the trafficking of women as sex slaves, with a view to identifying measures to prevent cross-border human trafficking. EVERT VAN NIEKERK ROAD SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
(Draft Resolution)
Mr J DURAND: Madam Speaker, I hereby move without notice: That the House:
(1) notes that -
(a) the Evert van Niekerk Road Safety Achievement of the Year Award,
the premier accolade for the furtherance of road safety in South
Africa, has been jointly awarded to Ingwe Collieries' Middelburg
Mine Services and the Quadriplegic Association of South Africa;
(b) this award is annually presented by the South African Motoring
Journalists' Committee for Active Road Safety (Cars); and
(c) both these two institutions made a significant contribution
towards road safety by changing the mindset of road users; and (2) congratulates them and hopes that their initiatives will encourage
other role-players to follow suit.
Agreed to.
IMBIZO FOCUS WEEK
(Member's Statement)
Mr W G MAKANDA (ANC): Madam Speaker, the Government of the Republic of South Africa has embarked on an Imbizo Focus Week as from 31 March to 6 April. Members of the Cabinet, including Deputy President Jacob Zuma, are participating in events across the country where they are interacting with the peoples of South Africa. The theme for the Imbizo Focus Week is: Imbizo: Build a Peoples’ Contract for a Better South Africa.
The imbizo forums are effective in strengthening dialogue and interaction between Government and the people. The imbizo programmes also reflect the preparedness of the people’s Government to listen to the concerns of the people and build winning partnerships to build a better life for all our people. We call on all our people to participate in the imbizo programmes and ensure that their voices are heard. It is through dynamic interaction between Government and the people that we can achieve our noble goal of a united, nonracial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
CONSEQUENCES OF FLOOR CROSSING
(Member's Statement)
Mr W J SEREMANE (DA): Madam Speaker, the legal provision allowing members of Parliament to cross the floor to other parties has ensured that the two largest political parties have grown larger, emphasising that the choice of voters is between the ANC and the real alternative, the DA. [Interjections.]
An unfortunate aspect of floor crossing has been the proliferation of small parties. The NA now has four parties which did not receive a single vote in the last elections. Some of these may have been inspired by the fact that leaders of parties have received allowances from Parliament. However, democracy has a way of dealing with such people. [Interjections.] An election is scheduled next year and the voters will be able to have their final say in the matter. [Applause.]
The SPEAKER: Order! Hon members, I wish to alert you that casting aspersions on the motives of anyone crossing the floor is unparliamentary and should be avoided.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME TO POOR RURAL PEOPLE
(Member's Statement)
Prince N E ZULU (IFP): Madam Speaker, in times gone by, people in rural areas were not sustained by governments. They knew in the back of their minds that governments do not create wealth. Wealth is created by private sectors working on farmlands, producing mealies, corn, sweet potatoes, amadumbe, etc. This work was done as a collective by neighbours and well- wishers which, in today’s frame of mind, are called co-operatives. Such indigenous people sustained themselves by tilling the soil and keeping their stock.
What is today known as the frontiers of poverty was in fact unknown at that time. Soil tillage was the only source of livelihood and people’s houses, though shaped like igloos, were neat, clean and hygienic.
Soil tillage was possible because there were farm implements such as spans of oxen and donkeys, hoes and other farming tools. Because of the absence of the above, the frontiers of poverty keep on haunting us. If Government, as we saw it during the Agriculture and Land Affairs Budget Vote debate, can intensify its assistance with tractors, rakes, planters, etc, to rural and traditional communities, hunger and poverty will be driven away.
TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN BETWEEN MOZAMBIQUE AND SOUTH AFRICA
(Member's Statement)
Miss M N MAGAZI (ANC): Madam Speaker, while driving in Hillbrow, Yeoville and Mellvile, you will see young Mozambicans sitting on the street. The SABC’s Special Assignment featured a programme on human trafficking between South Africa and Mozambique.
Young girls from the age of 12 and women are lured to come to South Africa to work in restaurants. When they arrive in the country, they are sold as sex slaves. Some of these girls are employed in brothels in Hillbrow as prostitutes. Because of their situation they become vulnerable to drugs and to HIV infection and other forms of abuse. Their dealers take away their travel documents and these women are unable to report cases of abuse as they would be arrested for being in the country illegally. Some have come to accept this role imposed on them as it provides possibilities for food and security and thus they can escape the poverty in their country of birth.
The sex slave trade undermines the dignity of young women. This barbaric act is a reflection of male-dominated and exploitative social relations in society. Such acts are a crime against humanity and are contrary to the spirit of the Bill of Rights that seeks to protect the individual’s rights to choices and freedom of movement.
We call on people to expose and isolate those elements that make a profit from this practice. We recommend strongly that the Governments of South Africa and Mozambique introduce measures or mechanisms that ban the sex slave trade so that those who are found to be practising it are put behind bars. I thank you. [Applause.]
REVISION OF LAND ACTS
(Member's Statement)
Mr J DURAND (New NP): Madam Speaker, the New NP welcomes the Minister of Housing’s statement that the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 is being amended.
Last year, the New NP submitted a request to the Minister of Housing and the Portfolio Committee on Housing to urgently revise the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997 this was because the ruling of the appeal court on the interpretation of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997 as well as the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act gave the green light for the protection of nonpaying tenants and property owners, which we believe was an unintended consequence of the Act.
The New NP acknowledges human rights as stated in the Constitution with regard to housing, but it is just as important that we protect the rights of investors, financial institutions and estate and letting agents. South Africa cannot afford uncertainty in the housing market. Therefore the amending Bill should be submitted to Cabinet as a matter of urgency.
GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS AND HUNGER
(Member's Statement)
Ms N C NKABINDE (UDM): Madam Speaker, the remarks made by Deputy President Jacob Zuma that HIV/Aids treatment will be dead without nutrition is an insult to millions of suffering South Africans. If the Deputy President and the Minister of Health were serious about hunger, they should have addressed the matter over the past nine years of ANC-rule.
For the past year, they have ignored the UDM’s food parcel proposal to fight starvation and malnutrition. Now that they feel the pressure for neglecting the people living with HIV/Aids, they are shifting the blame to hunger. Both the Deputy President and the Minister of Health are failing dismally to announce a national plan of action to combat the HIV/Aids pandemic. HIV/Aids is reaching crisis proportions, and so is hunger. With their latest disingenuous argument, the ANC-led Government is merely highlighting its failures on both fronts. [Interjections.]
RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION
(Member's Statement)
Mr K MOONSAMY (ANC): Comrade Speaker, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Comrade Valli Moosa, visited a plastic bag recycling factory in Bronkhorstpruit on Tuesday, 1 April 2003. This visit is part of the Government’s Imbizo Focus Week which started on 31 March 2003. Minister Moosa visited the Transpeco factory to get a first-hand account from workers on how the recycling industry has changed workers’ lives through job creation.
He told workers that a section 21 company would be established to promote efficiency in the use, reuse, collection, recycling and disposal of plastic bags. The company will also manage and support Government in the removal of plastic bag litter from environmentally sensitive areas. The government programme to recycle plastic bags is part of a programme to enhance development which preserves our environment.
Furthermore the recycling of plastic bags creates sustainable jobs and thus empowers the community through environment preservation. This programme reflects the Government’s commitment to building a better life for all our people through managing waste. [Applause.]
IMPACT OF MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION
(Member's Statement)
Mr P H K DITSHETELO (UCDP): Speaker, we have noted with regret that the poorest of the poor continue to be subjected to inhumane and unfriendly conditions of employment, especially in rural areas. The recent incident that happened in Limpopo Province involved the farmworkers employed by one of the leading tomato producing companies called ZZ2 which has responded negatively to the Government-initiated legislation of minimum wages. It is further reported that ZZ2 deducted 55% of their gross income towards their accommodation and food, which means that an employee who earns R650 takes home R300.
This company, together with other companies in the same sector, has resorted to defying the Government by punishing and dismissing its workers. It is sad indeed that a democratic society like ours, with all the relevant progressive labour regimes in place, has a situation where workers are still oppressed. This case is an indictment of the Department of Labour’s inability to be proactive in monitoring the implementation of its policies. We cannot afford a situation where more than 2 000 jobs are being lost because the department has not acted on time to inspect the working conditions the farmworkers are exposed to.
We need some proactive action from the department in terms of assisting the dismissed workers to be reinstated. We should avoid locking the stable after the horse has bolted.
EFFORTS BY SA POLICE SERVICE TO ERADICATE CRIME
(Member's Statement)
Mr P J NEFOLOVHODWE (Azapo): Madam Speaker, over the past week we must have noticed the efforts of the SA Police Services to rid the suburbs of Hillbrow and Berea of crime. These two suburbs have become almost liberated zones for criminals of all types from all over the world, including illegal immigrants. These suburbs have become the prime destination of the smooth and rough criminals.
If not tackled right now, this little murky world of crime and vice will gradually spread, and ultimately engulf all surrounding neighbourhoods. No one wants to live under the heels of murderers, drug lords, smugglers, hijackers and street corner bombers, not to mention those who trade in human beings.
The men and women who are in this service certainly need our support. Their salaries and other benefits need to be adjusted, because they risk their lives and give their all to make life in society normal. I thank you. [Applause.]
ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
(Member's Statement)
Mr K M MOEKETSE (ANC): Madam Speaker, there were media reports that more than 100 people were missing, and some were feared dead, after they had jumped into a river in Nigeria. This happened because of the pre-election violence that is taking place. Nigerians are scheduled to go to parliamentary elections on 12 April 2003 and the presidential election is on 29 May 2003.
The people of Nigeria, and their popular representatives, are making strides in building stability and national unity in their own society. They have also shown their commitment to Africa by playing an important role in the revival of the continent through the African Union and Nepad. As they approach both the parliamentary and presidential elections they must work for the success of these historic processes, as they are doing in working for the rebirth of the African continent.
The lesson that South Africans have learnt is that lasting peace and stability are further strengthened if the government of the day is based on the will of the people. We call on all Nigerian people to work for peace, political tolerance and to uphold the right of individuals to belong to and vote for a party of their choice. This, in our view, is also important if we, the people of South Africa, Nigeria, and the African masses as a whole, are able to tackle the task of making this century an African century.
We, therefore, call on all the Nigerian people to work for peace and ensure that these elections will be an expression of the voice of the people of Nigeria. Thank you. [Applause.]
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME
(Member's Statement)
Mrs S V KALYAN (DA): Madam Speaker, the recent outbreak of atypical pneumonia, or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), has infected more than 1 700 people in 15 countries and resulted in the deaths of at least 62 people in South East Asia. This killer virus, which is rapidly spreading across the globe, has been declared a communicable disease and presents a great threat to HIV-positive persons, as they are more likely to succumb to SARS as a result of a lowered immune system.
It gives cause for concern to note that South Africa has not implemented any screening procedures at international airports for those travellers who are disembarking from affected hubs. The Ministry of Health is urged to set up screening desks immediately, and to also distribute information pamphlets outlining the symptoms of SARS, quarantine and treatment procedures. Failure to implement a national awareness campaign about the seriousness of SARS is sure to impact, not only on the health of South Africans, but also on tourism and the economy.
WAR IN IRAQ
(Member's Statement)
Mr S K LOUW (ANC): Madam Speaker, the war in Iraq continues to cause unimaginable pain, devastation and destruction of all aspects of Iraqi lives. It has not only affected military infrastructure, personnel and equipment, but it has also wreaked havoc on hospitals and shopping centres and has resulted in overall human suffering, with women and children bearing the brunt of the war.
A recent Unicef briefing on the situation in Iraq notes that there is now a threat of disease as tens of thousands of people in their homes, hospitals and care institutions attempt to survive the war and find what water they can from the rivers and other sources. The report from the state is that children are now likely to die from diarrhoea and dehydration. The organisation continues to estimate that at least 100 000 children under the age of five are now at risk. These painful developments should serve to emphasise the need to exhaust all peaceful multilateral avenues before the path of violence is contemplated.
RIGHT-WING ELEMENT IN DA
(Member's Statement)
The ANC expresses the hope that the war will end quickly to minimise human suffering. [Applause.]
Mnr A Z A VAN JAARSVELD (Nuwe NP): Mevrou die Speaker, die regse onderrok van die DA hang daagliks al verder uit. Dit word bevestig deur die feit dat die DA vir Bernice Sono na die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies verskuif het en haar vervang het met die oud-KP Wikus Theron ten einde die regse groepering in die Nasionale Vergadering te versterk.
Woensdag het DA-lede in hierdie Huis hand geklap toe dit aangekondig is dat een van hulle kollegas, die agb DA-lid Richard Pillay, na die Nuwe NP oorloop. [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit is duidelik dat die DA bereid is om sy regse geledere te versterk en terselfdertyd dankbaar is wanneer lede wat ‘n bydrae wil lewer tot die skep van ‘n nie-rassige Suid-Afrika die DA verlaat. Dit bevestig die agb Pillay se standpunt dat die DA deur ‘n regse elite beheer word en dat die DA-grondwet verseker dat daardie elite altyd in beheer sal wees.
Weet die oud-Progge in die DA wat die prys is wat betaal sal moet word vir die regse Trojaanse perd wat nou ook in sy geledere ingekom het? Koerantberigte bevestig dat dit ‘n plan is om van Tony Leon ontslae te raak. Die Nuwe NP het goeie raad vir die agb Leon: Slaap met jou een oog oop, want die ``men in suits’’ is terug in jou party om wraak te neem. Ek dank u. [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Mr A Z A VAN JAARSVELD (New NP): Madam Speaker, the right-wing petticoat of the DA is showing more and more every day. This is confirmed by the fact that the DA moved Bernice Sono to the National Council of Provinces and replaced her with the ex-CP Wikus Theron in order to strengthen the right- wing grouping in the National Assembly.
On Wednesday DA members applauded in this House when it was announced that one of their colleagues, the hon DA member Richard Pillay, had walked over to the New NP. [Interjections.] It is clear that the DA is prepared to strengthen its right-wing ranks and is simultaneously grateful when members, who want to make a contribution to the creation of a nonracial South Africa, leave the DA. This confirms the hon Pillay’s viewpoint that the DA is being controlled by a right-wing elite and that the DA constitution ensures that this elite will always be in control.
Do the ex-Progs in the DA know the price they will have to pay for the right-wing Trojan horse that has also now come in among its ranks? Newspaper reports confirm that this is the plan to get rid of Tony Leon. The New NP has good advice for the hon Leon: Sleep with one eye open, because the ``men in suits’’ are back in your party to take revenge. I thank you. [Interjections.]]
The SPEAKER: Order! Hon members, as the IFP did not make a second statement, the rules allow the UDM, if they have one, to make a second statement.
LACK OF INFORMATION ON PROVIDENT FUND
(Member's Statement)
Mr J T MASEKA (UDM): Madam Speaker, I would like to highlight some of the problems facing citizens of this country who belong to the working class, especially those working for Tiger Brands, previously known as the Beacon company, and the Portnet workers in Durban.
When their pension fund was transferred to a provident fund, some were not advised on how much money was involved, and those who were informed have not been given regular reports as to how and where their moneys were invested. They are not being kept informed about the development of the fund itself, despite the fact that this fund belongs to them. Sometimes they do get information that the fund was invested in certain projects, but nobody knows what is happening to the dividends.
In some cases workers were told that they were shareholders, but in this case the companies seemed reluctant or not prepared to hold meetings with the workers to brief them about their dividends. For example, at the harbour container terminal section, workers were told in black and white that their shares were worth approximately R1 299, but a year later they were told their shares were worth only R500 because of the depreciation of the rand. Today they have been told that their shares are not worth a cent.
The big question is: Where has the money gone to? This matter has been reported to the labour unions and from the manner in which it was handled, it seems the unions concerned are now working in cahoots with the management. I thank you.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 14 - Arts and Culture and Vote No 18 - Science and Technology:
The MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Madam Speaker and hon members of this House, I am very happy that we have the youth present here because arts, culture, science and technology are very much about them and their future.
I would like to congratulate Minister Brigitte Mabandla on her appointment as Minister of Housing, and thank her for the contributions she has made in the domain of arts, culture, science and technology. It is a pleasure also to congratulate the new Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, on her appointment. [Applause.]
Science and technology are strengthening and deepening their contribution to our society and continent. Resource-poor farmers are receiving better support through the targeted programmes of the Agricultural Research Council. The poverty alleviation programmes of the Department of Science and Technology have created permanent and sustainable jobs through the transfer of the papermaking technologies and the development of bee-keeping and honey-making in rural communities.
The CSIR, working with the automobile manufacturing sector, has strengthened this industry with skills programmes, research outcomes and joint efforts that improve the quality and reduce the manufacturing cost of cars produced in South Africa. The Council for Geoscience has been transferring skills and capacities for geological mapping to our counterparts in Mozambique in an integrated programme supported by the World Bank.
The Human Sciences Research Council has produced the first comprehensive report detailing the disease profile of HIV/Aids and its social impact on our society. This careful piece of work was given signal support by the former President, Mr Nelson Mandela.
These are snapshots of the huge contributions made by our scientists and researchers in bringing new knowledge and its benefits to our society in practical ways. I could also talk about the massive leadership shown by Sasol in significantly increasing its research and development over the past number of years, and could point to an increasing number of small firms that receive their technology and development through the Godisa Incubator Programme and the Tshumisano Technology Stations Programme.
These developments take place in the context of the National Research and Development Strategy which was accepted by Cabinet last year and has led to a welcome increase, in real terms, of Government science and technology spending for the first time in a number of years. I am pleased to inform you that it was decided at the Cabinet Lekgotla that we will produce an important complementary strategy on technology transfer. Work on this strategy has been initiated and we intend to produce this strategy in good time to secure the necessary support and resources for its implementation in the next financial year.
I would like to turn to the issue of our legislative programme. During the course of this year I hope to present to Parliament legislation on the protection and effective utilisation of indigenous knowledge. This legislation results from a careful, wide-ranging policy development process, which has been strongly supported since its inception by the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
We are in the early stages of developing legislation that will harmonise the governance of research councils and agencies, and government science and technology institutions. The requirement for this legislation, identified in the National R & D Strategy, results from the lack of a single, coherent picture of Government spending on science and technology, and also a need to ensure that institutions conform to a common set of sound research and innovative management practices.
Legislation will be presented to Parliament outlining a common, enabling framework for research and innovation utilising public funds, and will, among other matters, deal with the vexing question of intellectual property rights that arises from such national investments.
In the very short term, we hope to complete the process of the adoption of the SA Council for Natural and Applied Scientific Professions Bill by this Parliament. It has already been the subject of detailed consideration by the portfolio committee. I am very pleased to report to you that the increases in the Science Vote are to be applied to a number of important strategic areas identified in the National R & D Strategies.
Notwithstanding the ongoing, positive outcomes from our National System of Innovation, there are many challenges still to be addressed. There is an urgent need for enhanced innovation that will lead to new products and services being available to our people, and for increased economic growth mediated through our firms and industries.
The main focus of our spending this year will be the first full year of investment in the Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres and the National Bioinformatics Network. The Tshumisano Technology Stations Programme and the Godisa Incubator Programme will have substantial increases in resources to strengthen their ability to create and serve small, medium and micro enterprises.
We have also dedicated resources to the improved use of technology and innovation in poverty alleviation. This programme will grow with time and the focus in this first year is the identification of new and effective techniques of mobilising our resources in this important area. The National Advisory Council on Innovation has advised me that it has completed the process of developing the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy that I requested them to initiate in June last year. This important strategy will be taken to Cabinet soon. It targets a number of areas related to the Integrated Manufacturing Strategy of the Department of Trade and Industry, where technology and innovation can make a substantial difference to the quality and productivity of our industry. In addition, work is being undertaken to develop technology and innovation strategies for our resource-based industries.
In all these areas, a combination of reprioritisation and requests for new and additional resources will be used to deliver real value and benefits to our people and underpin the positive development of our economy.
Science and technology has made a positive contribution in the development of a vaccine for HIV/Aids. The South African Aids Vaccine Initiative, known as Saavi, was recently reviewed by the Department of Science and Technology and there is every indication that the first phases of the clinical trials will be undertaken during 2003. I would like to applaud all the South African and international institutions that have joined us in financing this initiative.
Astronomy is good business for South Africa. I have reported in the past on the construction of the South African Large Telescope, popularly known as Salt. The South African Large Telescope continues to make good progress and we are anticipating that it will reach first light during 2004. I hope that it will represent part of the celebration of 10 years of democracy and freedom in South Africa.
More recently, Cabinet gave its support to a South African expression of interest to be the site for the next-generation radio telescope, known as the Square Kilometre Array, or SKA for short. This radio telescope will be built at a cost of US$1 billion, and the nation that hosts this facility is expected to derive a direct economic benefit worth about half of this investment. It would be a major development, which would be completed by 2015 and would operate at least until 2050.
It is true that science and technology seems sometimes only to take the long view, or in the case of astronomy, a distant view, but close examination of our system shows that there are considerable challenges, in the very short term, in increasing the number of scientists, engineers and technologists in South Africa. This includes school-level interventions, strengthening tertiary education and the provision of meaningful careers for the young people who come through the system. Government plays a critical role in this regard, and we applaud the initiatives of the Department of Labour and the Department of Education in strengthening our higher education and further education and training domains.
My department will initiate a centres of excellence programme in partnership with the National Research Foundation, which is intended to strengthen postgraduate production in key areas of relevance and importance to our nation. Centres of excellence concentrate on groups of academics and beneficiaries rather than on individual projects. This has the positive benefit of making a larger contribution over a shorter period of time, and making the work more interesting and challenging for postgraduate students.
In addition to this, we will be strengthening our investment in key science areas of enduring value to South Africa, including astronomy, as indicated above, palaeontology, the Antarctic and the Islands Research Programmes as well as indigenous knowledge and key bioresources.
There have been a number of positive developments in international relations. I wish to single out our ongoing interaction with the European Union and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries to secure new financing for science and technology programmes within the ACP countries. We will report the full outcome of this process during the course of the year, but the very practical and targeted nature of science and technology and international relations is critical in these uncertain times.
Knowledge, we know, defeats poverty. Scientists are involved in the business of developing knowledge. We will continue to build and develop our National System of Innovation to serve the interests of all our people. We invite our colleagues across Government to use knowledge and innovation more widely and more creatively to reduce the costs of delivering services while at the same time improving the quality of the services, their reach and their impact. We should not only rely on tried and tested solutions, but also continuously strive to acknowledge innovation in everything that we do.
We will continue to report to you the positive developments arising from science and technology as much as we present the continuing challenge to strategically increase our investment in this domain so that we can employ the next generation of inventors and innovators who will bring new benefits and quality of life to our people.
I now turn to the arts and culture portfolio. A few weeks ago, the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology invited South Africans to make submissions on the Department of Arts and Culture budget. As a people-centred Government, it was a positive sign to note with appreciation our stakeholders’ willingness to partner the department to ensure that resources are a strategic tool to create a better life for all. With changing demands within the local and global context, the new Department of Arts and Culture was formed in August last year. I am very happy to welcome to this, his first budget debate on arts and culture, our new Director-General for Arts and Culture, Prof Itumeleng Mosala. [Applause.]
As we approach the end of the first decade of democracy, we must find means to cement the bonds of our nation. I foresee that culture will be at the centre of developments to celebrate our 10 years of democracy and what it has made possible in terms of reconstruction and development and nation- building and reconciliation.
The 10th anniversary of our democracy will be next year. The build-up will begin this year and celebrations will reach their peak in April 2004 with various local activities and functions at most South African embassies abroad. We have dedicated significant fiscal resources to celebrating that which is the major turning point in the history of our country. For projects or programmes on celebrating 10 years of democracy, the Department of Arts and Culture has been allocated an amount of R80 million which is spread over two financial years.
This is one of the significant increases in baseline allocations in the 2003 budget, for which our total allocation is R926,527 million. Others are an amount of R60 million in 2003-04 and R80 million in 2004-05 for the infrastructure needs of our national library and national archives; and increased allocations to institutions and the Pan-South African Language Board to the order of R31,5 million and R46,5 million, respectively.
Our institutions are the bedrock of arts delivery and key partners in unlocking creativity and implementing arts policy. In the next three-year financial cycle, the department is dedicating considerable amounts to this sector. For the 2003-04 financial year, the allocation is R30 million, and for the 2004-05 financial year, the allocation is R45 million. Finally, in the 2005-06 financial year, we forecast the budget for institutions at R60 million. Out of this purse, the National Heritage Council is to be established within the current financial year. One of its objectives will be to disburse funding to heritage institutions.
Our playhouses and previously bloated art councils continue to transform. We are committed to ensuring their maintenance and the stability of their functioning. Our arts institutions assist in creating a sustainable performing arts industry based on access, excellence, diversity and redress. We have earmarked a total of R14 million for capital works to playhouses this year. The total budget for performing arts institutions is approximately R80 million. In addition to funding playhouses, the State Theatre, Artscape, Pacofs and the Playhouse Company, there are increased allocations to the Market and Windybrow Theatres.
Through ringfenced funding which is located at the NAC, the department has been creating new arts companies which are effectively SMMEs and will be funded over a three-year period. The advantages of that are manifold as these smaller entities create stability within the arts and allow creative freedom and the pursuit of excellence. This will go a long way to creating role models and ensuring a cadre of industrious performing artists.
While debates on matters concerning our playhouses have been strong, so too have concerns about the functioning of our orchestras. As a means to meet the needs of a rapidly changing funding environment, the Department of Arts and Culture developed a policy requiring partnerships between local, provincial and national governments to support orchestras. In 2002, an agreement was reached in KwaZulu-Natal that the municipal government, the metro of Durban, the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal and we, should all contribute to supporting the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. We have provided R3 million for that purpose.
This year, we extend the partnerships to the Western Cape and Gauteng with agreements to ensure that a total of R9 million is allocated from the Department of Arts and Culture alone. Orchestras will be developing training programmes to ensure greater representation and participation by young black South Africans.
The budget of the National Arts Council has dramatically increased over the last two years to R42 million, which is committed to supporting performing arts and dance companies at professional level and to developmental community-based projects. These allocations from the Department of Arts and Culture are used to optimise the value of international relations as well.
Through proposed and signed cultural agreements, most notably with the Norwegian, Flemish and Swedish governments, we will be able to commit significant resources to the development of music and other art forms. For example, R25 million has been leveraged from the Flemish for five projects which look into community art centres, arts education and training, cultural management, craft and cultural policy. They will be funded for a period of three years.
We are also in the process of establishing the Swedish-South African institutional development fund with the Swedish government where they will contribute R25 million per year for the next five to 10 years. The Department of Arts and Culture will match those funds by allocating R5 million per year. The fund that will be launched in 2004 will also look at disability issues.
Norway has made available a sum of R10 million per year until 2005 for the Mmino project which is located in the National Arts Council. The funding for arts and culture has grown as more resources have become available. The Ministry has dedicated three officials to the National Lotteries Board, and through them we ensure that we provide access to support the full range of the arts.
Since the turn of the millennium, we have seen a rapid growth of our budget in arts and culture at an annual rate of 18,3% for the arts and culture sector. I believe that this reflects well on the seriousness with which we take our work and our accelerated rate of delivery. Growth is projected to increase at an annual average of 20% over the medium term.
The department has geared up for efficient delivery. The added responsibilities, new programmes and projects have necessitated a new structure and organogram. Three new branches have been formed. They are arts, culture and language in society; cultural development and international relations; and heritage, national archives and library services. Each of these will be headed by a deputy director-general.
In keeping with our commitment to building a strong institutional capacity, our most rapid growth areas are characterised by transfers of a capital nature. An amount of R764,035 million, 83% of the 2003 budget, will be devoted to transfer payments to support arts, culture and heritage institutions. The Department of Arts and Culture are responsible for 27 public entities including museums, art galleries, the National Zoological Gardens, the national archives and the six playhouses mentioned above.
A strong and economically healthy nation places emphasis on the construction and maintenance of its facilities. The department’s capital works budget has grown by more than 100% from R81,5 million in 2002-03 to R168,5 million in 2003-04. Examples of how this money is spent are: Investments that were made in institutions this year included R7 million that was allocated to the Qunu component of the Nelson Mandela Museum; R6,3 million that was allocated to the Voortrekker Museum; R5,5 million was allocated to the Northern Flagship institutions; R3,1 million was allocated to the national museum; and R17 million was allocated to the Robben Island Museum - R4,5 million of which went to the long-term project of repairing the breakwater wall at Robben Island.
As we record and make our history accessible, it is also important to create conditions that promote accessible, people-centred delivery and information on Government and its resources for all our people. One of the important efforts in which we will be engaged in in the coming years, in order to achieve those objectives, is the popularisation of the National Language Policy Framework which was launched in late March this year. This important strategy will contribute significantly to service delivery from Government and will increase access to the work of Government for all our people.
The National Language Policy Framework promotes the equitable use of our official languages and ensures redress for the previously marginalised indigenous languages. While a national vision for our people and the use of our languages has been forged, provincial governments should model their policies for promoting multilingualism within the National Language Policy Framework, and take into account regional circumstances and the needs and preferences of local communities.
Building on my budget address last year, I am able to announce new projects which have been developed to enhance communication and information flows, particularly across the language barrier. The videophone facility for sign language interpreting was launched in August as part of the Tissa project. Another Tissa pilot project is currently operational at some 40 police stations across the country.
There have been hiccups in these pilot projects, but I would like to assure the House that we are dealing with those and we will not allow this very important initiative to falter. In addition, we showcased Tissa at the World Summit on Sustainable Development and enabled delegates to have access, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to 20 designated SA Police Service sites for the duration of the summit. The telephonic interpreting service was available between English and the Arabic, French, German, and Italian languages as well as Swahili, in addition to the official South African languages.
The underlying theme of the WSSD was the eradication of poverty. Research has substantiated the belief that the poor can and do find opportunities in the craft sector and, therefore, cultural industries have made a meaningful contribution to the economically marginalised and have contributed to growth in the tourism and marketing sectors.
This year the Department of Arts and Culture will work with the Department of Trade and Industry in order to ensure that the craft export council is established. A strategy for craft marketing and financing will be submitted to Cabinet to engage Government on this issue. The DAC is also busy, together with Create Africa South Africa, on a joint project with the Mappp- Seta and the Department of Labour. That project will address skills development in the creative industries, in particular the crafts.
Those initiatives complement our poverty alleviation programme which now stands at R42 million. We are committed to ensuring that this allocation makes a positive impact on the lives of the poor. For the new financial year, the Department of Arts and Culture will focus on urban renewal and has designed pilot projects to an amount of R10 million in Alexandra, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Durban. These projects will economically empower South African artists, sculptors, painters and crafters. Additionally, they also complement the strategic work of the Moral Regeneration Movement and its current focus on infusing the urban landscape with the values of tolerance, compassion and commitment.
A key issue that we need to continually address in our work is transformation, particularly so in our heritage sector where developing a rounded view of our history must not be underestimated. To this end we have allocated R6,5 million for the transformation of heritage institutions and the establishment of an advisory panel. Approved projects at some of the 50 national heritage institutions will address issues of multilingualism, HIV/Aids awareness, development of new, accessible and relevant exhibitions and the repatriation of South African artworks.
Given the importance of the heritage sector in reflecting our identity as a nation, an amount of R8,3 million is earmarked for transformation and human resource development specifically to create jobs and safeguard our national idiom. New councils will be representative of all our people. A macro body, the new National Heritage Council, will assist the Ministry in co- ordinating the implementation of policy through the various players in the heritage sector.
Since 1994 we have, through the Legacy Project, instituted programmes to celebrate South Africa’s heroes who have made it possible for us to live in a democratic society. Not least of those was Chief Albert Luthuli, a freedom fighter and the first South African to win the Nobel prize. It is a multifaceted project, in partnership with the provincial departments of arts and culture, the local community, members of the Luthuli family, the church, the national Department of Public Works and Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali, which will officially be launched in December in Stanger. For Freedom Park, an international architectural competition has been accredited to a body established by Unesco. Architects will be working within a conceptual framework that includes representations from the precolonial, colonial, apartheid and postapartheid periods. Winners will be announced on 24 July this year.
President Mbeki has spoken of the second decade of freedom and the memory of heroes in the struggle for freedom and justice. People of such calibre are recognised in a multitude of ways. One of the most important is through the award of national orders, the first of which was on 6 December 2002 at a high-profile ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
May 25 is Africa Day and South Africa will be hosting representatives from across the continent. Nepad and the formation of the African Union have broadened our horizons and stimulated Government to new ways of creating multilateral and bilateral linkages. An example of that is the South Africa- Mali-Timbuktu Manuscripts Project which is driven by the Department of Arts and Culture through the national archives. The restoration of the historical manuscripts of Timbuktu dates back to the Middle Ages. These documents deal with the jurisprudence, science, trade, economy and every day life of the Niger Delta valley with its intellectual centre being Timbuktu. This will be formally launched, in the presence of our President and the President of Mali, on Africa Day.
Transfers to heritage institutions in the heritage, national archives and national library services programmes; arts and culture; and institutions in the arts, culture and language in society programme will always dominate the Arts and Culture Vote, and will make up 72% of it in 2003-04. Transfers to heritage institutions will be R486 million in 2003-04, bolstered by large allocations for Freedom Park over the medium term, and are more than twice the value of transfers to arts and culture institutions which amount to R180 million for the year 2003-04.
I am sure that the recent handing over of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission signifies a new era in our national identity, especially as we enter the second decade of democracy. Our national archives are setting up secure systems for the archival storage of electronic records and documentation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in accordance with their recommendations. The Mellon Foundation is partnering us and has approved an initial seed grant of US$50 000 for storing electronic records and setting up a database and website at the archives.
In conclusion, we are committed to harnessing the greatest potential benefits from our programmes and our local and international projects in the arts and related sectors. As we approach the second decade of democracy, let us not only reap the rewards of the first 10 years but also sow the seeds for a strong, vibrant and secure future.
I have had the honour to present the combined budget for these two separate departments. However, these two departments are very much similar in the sense that we, as Government, do not have to interfere. We simply provide the enabling environment for creative people, scientists, researchers and artists to do their work to their utmost and to show excellence. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mrs M A A NJOBE: Madam Speaker, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members, as we assemble here this morning, in a peaceful environment in this Chamber, men, women and children in Iraq are under siege of bombardments 24 hours a day. Isn’t it sad to witness on our TV screens women and children, in particular, die or suffer pain through no fault of theirs - in a war that could have been avoided had the United Nations inspectors of weapons of mass destruction been given an opportunity to complete their task?
An HON MEMBER: What about Zimbabwe?
Mrs M A A NJOBE: As South Africans, let us reiterate the words of President Thabo Mbeki when he addressed the nation on 14 February this year and said that we prefer peace to war.
Having said that, I wish to congratulate the following people on their new appointments. Firstly, I congratulate the hon Brigitte Mabandla on her promotion and appointment as Minister of Housing. Our portfolio committee wishes her success in her new deployment. Secondly, I congratulate the hon Buyelwa Sonjica on her appointment as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. To her the portfolio committee expresses the hope that we shall work together well. [Applause.]
Then congratulations go to Prof Itumeleng Mosala on his appointment as the Director-General of the newly established Department of Arts and Culture. We hope for good and productive working relations with your department as we all face the challenges ahead. Although you’ve been on the job for only four days, we notice that you have already delivered the Department of Arts and Culture’s strategic plan document. Congratulations. [Applause.]
Members, you now know that the former single Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology has been split into two separate departments: Arts and Culture, and Science and Technology, but under one Minister. We see the separation as an acknowledgement by the ANC-led Government that the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology had reached a level of maturity where it was necessary to focus in more detail on each area. Indeed, many of us had previously proclaimed in our various interventions in this Parliament that the mandate of the former department was rather too broad.
We want to congratulate Minister Ben Ngubane for having succeeded in steering the department to the stage at which it is today and wish him and his deputy success in the added responsibilities of providing political leadership to two different departments.
Madam Speaker, the ANC supports this budget. Briefings to the portfolio committee on the budget revealed that the DAC now has a completely new organogram and new programmes as tools to implement policy. Apart from the administration, the other three programmes of this department are arts, culture and language in society; cultural development and international relations; and heritage, national archives and the national library services.
These four programmes form the basis for the portfolio committee’s oversight work in this new department. Arts and culture should be regarded as the building blocks of reconciliation, nation-building and moral regeneration. This is an imperative for South Africa, a country with diverse cultural values and norms. Programmes and activities that address the transformation and promotion of arts and culture should be directed at the alleviation of poverty in our society, the creation of jobs, the eradication of diseases such as HIV/Aids and TB - as the Minister has already mentioned - and even fighting crime.
South Africa has produced a wide range of good artists recognised locally and internationally. Many have been honoured for their contribution. This national asset should be utilised to promote patriotism among all the peoples of this country.
During the budget hearings which the hon Minister referred to, which the committee conducted two-and-a-half weeks ago, participating stakeholders generally observed that new funding has come into the arts and culture sector and that the areas they had been concerned about actually had real increases in this financial year. They said the increases in transfer payments to cultural institutions such as theatres, museums, funding bodies and orchestras are an indication that indeed there is new funding for arts and culture.
The National Arts Council, which supports various disciplines of arts and culture through equitable distribution of funds, boasts an increase of R7 million over the medium term, while the budget for the promotion of arts and culture in South Africa increases by over R28 million in the same period. It is, therefore, hoped that the National Arts Council will no longer be faced with the drying up of funds six months before the end of a financial year, as has been the case before. It is also hoped that the fund will benefit some of the traditional performing groups still struggling to improve their lot. For instance, we notice that on programmes like Ezodumo on SABC, in my opinion, the groups are not yet on the same level of performance. I feel that those that are still struggling should be assisted so that they can also come up to the same level as the others.
Madam Speaker, the promotion of linguistic diversity in our country is entrenched in the Constitution, which protects language rights and promotes indigenous languages. Therefore, approval of the draft national language policy framework by Cabinet last year poses a challenge, not only to the Government departments, but also to this Parliament, which currently is also grappling with formulating its own language policy. I am glad, Madam Speaker, it’s still you who is on duty.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: The only commonality between the Speaker and myself is that we are wearing red today. [Laughter.]
Mrs M A A NJOBE: Oh, I see. I thought it was still Madam Speaker. I am sorry.
However, one wishes to acknowledge some improvement in the interpretation of indigenous languages in the National Assembly and advise the colleagues on my left to once again make use of their microphones as they used to do in 1994. This was of course before they were discouraged by the interpretation that was not so good at that time. So, let us pick up our microphones when people are speaking in their indigenous languages and listen to the speeches. [Interjections.] We do so when it comes to Afrikaans. I think you should also do the same for the indigenous languages. [Applause.]
Let me now address the heritage sector and museums. The existence of monuments, museums and memorials is an indication of the growing consciousness of a nation seeking to represent its history and depict its struggles, victories and changes from the past to the present. These representations may sometimes express conflicting views. The South African experience is a typical example of where the past was marked by conflicts and divisions, while the present aims to redress these by striking a balance between the past and the present and using them as building blocks for reconciliation and nation-building, and as agents of change.
Since 1994, nine Legacy Projects have been identified. Of these, six have been delivered by the department. Identification of Legacy Projects involves public participation. The Legacy Committee, guided by specific principles, evaluates the proposals and develops them into commemorative structures or sites. Legacy Projects managed by the South African Heritage Resource Agency, or SAHRA for short, are varied and widely distributed throughout the country and therefore communicate a stimulating message of a rich cultural diversity. Their commemoration should therefore be seen as a living heritage.
The largest Legacy Project, of course, is Freedom Park - the Minister has already mentioned this - located in Pretoria. Last year, the hon Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology announced an allocation of R50 million to kick-start the project. This doubles in the current financial year and continues to do so in the medium term. Its budget is also boosted for next year by an allocation of R40 million for the 10th anniversary celebrations of democracy in April 2004. Dr Wally Serote, who is Freedom Park’s executive chairperson, describes it as a grade one project, a heritage resource with qualities so exceptional they are of special national significance.
On 11 April - that is next Friday - a delegation of the portfolio committee will visit Freedom Park to gather firsthand information, which we hope to use to initiate a debate in this House as part of our contribution towards the 10th anniversary celebrations, and also, of course, to inform ourselves as members of Parliament about this important project.
There are noticeable increases in allocations to the various museums, including the Iziko museums of Cape Town, which the new CEO, Prof H C J Bredenkamp, hopes to turn into African museums of excellence that empower and inspire all people to celebrate and respect our diverse heritage. Such, hon Minister, is the inspiration which stakeholders have derived from the restructuring of the department, accompanied by an obvious increase in funding.
While acknowledging an increase in the allocation for cultural industries, it is, however, hoped that the new department will in future expand this sector, as it has the potential for creating jobs and thus pushing back the frontiers of poverty. Noted also is the allocation in 2003-04 of R42 million for poverty relief and we hope that the allocations for the next two financial years, which have not yet been decided on, will be finalised soon.
Among its activities, as a contribution towards the African Renaissance and Nepad, the portfolio committee hopes to visit Mali - funding, of course, being available - to view progress made and learn from the conservation of the Arabic manuscripts in Timbuktu, whose cultural importance inspired President Mbeki when he paid a visit to Mali in 2001. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr S E OPPERMAN: Deputy Chair, in spite of a few hiccups and shortcomings, for instance the lack of interpreting services for the visitors to the House, we would like to thank the Minister and his department for a job well done. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The DA agrees with the sentiments of the new DG for Arts and Culture, Dr Mosala, as outlined in the document, Strategic Plan for the Department of Arts and Culture for the period 1 April 2003 - 31 March 2006, that it is essential for Arts and Culture to play an important role to promote economic empowerment; to assist with poverty alleviation; to promote nation- building; to improve sound governance; and to assist with the fight against crime and HIV/Aids. We can no longer nurture creativity and innovation in a vacuum but must also use it as a tool to confront South Africa’s three priority challenges, namely, unemployment, crime and HIV/Aids.
Met omtrent ‘n derde van ons potensieel ekonomies aktiewe landsburgers wat werkloos is, ‘n situasie waarna Cosatu verwys as ‘n nasionale krisis, moet elke departement ‘n bydrae lewer as deel van ‘n korttermyn strategie om die probleem van werkloosheid te konfronteer. Die Regering alleen kan nooit die probleem oplos nie. Sy verantwoordelikheid is om ‘n gunstige klimaat te skep met verantwoordelike en verantwoordbare wetgewing en om ‘n fasiliterende rol te speel. Daardeur word vertroue gebou en stabiliteit verseker wat weer sal lei tot vaste investering, groter vertroue, groter stabiliteit en groter investering. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[With approximately one third of our potentially economically active citizens who are unemployed, a situation to which Cosatu refers as a national crisis, every department must make a contribution as part of a short-term strategy with which to confront the problem of unemployment. The government could never solve the problem on its own. Its responsibility is to create a conducive climate with responsible and accountable legislation and to play a facilitating role. In this way, confidence is built and stability ensured, which will in turn lead to fixed investment, increased confidence, increased stability and increased investment.]
The community arts centres identified since 1993 by the National Arts Coalition and the Arts and Culture Task Group can play an important role as institutions in realising the ideals as set out by the department.
I want to repeat what the hon Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture once said, namely that a people which cherishes its art and culture is a people with confidence, passion and dreams. I can apply the truth to a person described by a journalist in 1998 as a ``razzle-dazzle showman, a prolific playwright, a reform enthusiast and trainer of some of the country’s finest actors’’. This person is none other than Bra Gib. Although he is HIV- positive and broke, he is as flamboyant as ever, wearing the crown as father of township theatre - truly, a man full of confidence, passion and dreams.
Community arts centres can assist in creating people with inner strength, people with confidence and dreams. Therefore the department must urgently address problems if we want community arts centres to reach their full potential. These problems are issues like funding, the capacity-building of art centre managers, integration of community art centres into local IDPs, assistance to municipalities who lack funding to support their own arts centres, policy development and the establishment of national and provincial steering committees. While some centres are positively impacting their communities, others are no longer operating.
Ons verstaan die probleem van die Tesourie ten opsigte van befondsing, maar indien ons nie genoeg fokus en doelgerig ons ideale probeer bereik nie, sal elke poging eindig in frustrasie, verleentheid en teleurstelling. Die DA glo elke mandaat moet deur behoorlike befondsing ondersteun word. Dit sou ook waardeer word indien die Minister ons kan inlig ten opsigte van die vordering van die Kommissie vir Bevordering en Beskerming van die Regte van Kulturele, Godsdienstige en Taalgemeenskappe. Dit is uiters noodsaaklik, veral in die lig van die huidige debat rondom godsdiens in skole. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[We understand the problem of the Treasury in respect of financing, but if we are not focused and do not attempt to achieve our ideas with dedication, every attempt will end in frustration, embarrassment and disappointment. The DA believes every mandate must be supported by proper funding. It will also be appreciated if the Minister can inform us about the progress of the Commission for Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. This is essential, especially in the light of the current debate on religion in schools.]
In conclusion, the DA foresees serious problems with the unrealistic projection of the South African Geographical Names Council to deal with the backlog of 57 000 names by March 2005. It implies, on average, dealing with over 2 000 names per month. It will help if the hon Minister could advise the Council that reviewing the names of geographic features, orthography of names and research to establish original names takes time, needs wisdom and a good dose of sensitivity. We cannot allow the exercise to end in more Tzaneen/Mark Shope debacles. [Time expired.][Applause.]
Prof H NGUBANE: Thank you, Deputy Chair. Hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and colleagues. My focus in this debate is on the language policy in the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
The department must be congratulated on producing a National Language Policy Framework to implement the constitutional commitment to recognising and bringing equity to all 11 languages of the country. It is also gratifying to note that the Budget Vote under the National Language Service in 1999 stood at R10,7 million and has been increased this year to R39,3 million. This is an indication of the commitment to handling and promoting the complex issue of 11 official languages.
Some of the highlights of the language policy are that official languages will be used in all legislative activities, including Hansard publications, as a matter of right as required - provided that, in the case of provincial legislatures, regional circumstances determine the languages to be used.
Thus, local governments will determine the language use and preferences of their communities within an enabling provincial policy framework. All government structures as well as institutions performing public functions in terms of the legislation are bound by the language framework.
Various measures to promote the facilitation of multilingual communication are indicated in the policy framework. One of these is engaging language experts to assist with the process of developing functional multilingual programmes.
With the development of the National Language Policy Framework, far- reaching advances would be realised in Southern Africa, especially in the SADC region. Thus there would be easy communication with people who speak the Sotho cluster of languages - this would cover the people of Lesotho, Botswana and the Barotse of Zambia. The Nguni cluster spreads over Swaziland, the Ndebele of Zimbabwe and the Ngoni of Malawi. This facilitation of mutual understanding will not only be enjoyed within the plural society of South Africa, but will embrace a large part of Southern Africa.
The National Language Policy Framework dovetails with the language policy in the Department of Education which stresses multilingualism as an extension of cultural diversity, which is an integral part of building a nonracial South Africa. The underlying principle is to retain the learner’s home language for learning and teaching and to encourage learners to acquire additional languages as well. This strengthens their efforts both in school and in public life.
Within this programme there is flexibility. For instance, in cases where government documents will not be available in all 11 languages, national government departments must publish documents simultaneously in at least six languages. This is at least one from the Nguni group, one from the Sotho group, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, English and Afrikaans.
Knowing other people’s languages is in itself empowering. Most people in Gauteng, for instance, speak four languages with ease, that is, one of the Sesotho languages, English, Afrikaans and isiZulu. Recently, I went to a meeting in Gauteng and suddenly the people I was with began speaking one of the Sotho languages and I protested and said: ``Speak English so that I can understand what you are saying.’’ Then they said: Why speak English? We are going to speak Zulu so that you understand better.’’ I felt that they were highly empowered in being able to move freely from language to language and there I was, unable to move beyond my mother tongue.
Language is not only an understanding of words, sentences and communication but it carries culture and an understanding of very deep notions and nuances of behaviour in society. Most of us, since we travel by air, see a journal by the SAA called Sawubona. At first glance, it merely means a greeting: We see you. But if you begin to know the language and really think about what it says, you realise that it says: We are happy to see you. And then you begin to ask: Why the plural? Why ``we’’? Then you realise that in the African cultures, very often people define themselves in the plural. [Time expired.]
Mrs T J TSHIVHASE: Thank you, Chairperson. My speech will be focusing on Programme 2 of Vote No 14, which focuses on art, culture and language in a society.
Mudzulatshidulo, ANC i khou tikedza hoyu mugaganyagwama. Nga ḓuvha ḽe Muhulisei Muphuresidennde wa shango vha vha vha tshi khou amba na lushaka, vho ri nndwa ya Muvhuso ndi ya u lwa na u pandela vhushai nga nḓila dzoṱhe. Nndwa iyo ndi ya vhathu vhoṱhe, zwihulusa ro sedza mihasho yoṱhe. Muhasho wa Vhutsila na Mvelele u tea u sedza zwauri vhutsila vhu vhe nṱha kha u bvisa vhushai vhathuni nahone hezwo zwi nga vhonala fhedzi arali nyambo dzo pwanyeledzwaho u bva nga tshifhinga tsha tshiṱalula, zwihulusa dza vharema vha Afurika Tshipembe dza bveledzwa. Izwo zwi katela ``performinga arts’’. I teaho u khwiniswa nga nungo dzoṱhe u bvisa vhushai. (Translation of Venḓa paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, the ANC supports this budget. During the state of the nation address, the President of the country indicated that the fight of the Government is to push back the frontiers of poverty. This fight is for everyone, especially all the departments. The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology must make a point of ensuring that the arts are the top priority in pushing back the frontiers of poverty amongst our people. That will only be visible if languages, which were oppressed since the apartheid era, and more especially the black South African languages, are developed.]
The first democratic Government in 1994 identified arts and culture as a building block of reconciliation and nation-building, since South Africa is a diverse country with different cultural values and norms. More progress needs to take place regarding the transformation of the language system in our country, especially in public institutions and sectors, for example, in courts, on aeroplanes, in universities and Parliament.
Luambo ndi ifa ḽe ra ḽi wana kha vhomakhulukuku washu. Phalamennde i na mbofho ya u tandulula ndinganyo ye ya sa vhe hone nga tshifhinga tsha tshiṱalula kha u bveledza nyambo dza vharema vha Afurika Tshipembe dze dza vha dzo pwanyeledzwa. Ndeme ya luambo tshitshavhani ndi ya uri muthu u a kona u ḓivhea. (Translation of Venḓa paragraph follows.)
[Language is a heritage, inherited from our forefathers. Parliament has the challenge of solving the black South African language problems created during the apartheid era.]
In other words, one can be identified by the language. With regard to the language policy for Parliament, I have just highlighted a few things. The key elements of the language policy are as follows: The element will spell out the intention of the policy and the scope of applicability.
Luambo lu tea u bveledzwa lwo pulaniwa nga kha saintsi u itela uri lu tshimbile na tshanduko dza thekinoḽodzhi ine ya khou bvela phanḓa. Zwine Mulayotewa wa khou lavhelela ndi u ṱalutshedzwa, u ṱhonifhiwa ha ndugelo dza nyambo, u dzhenela kha vhadzulapo, u vhona ndinganelo ya nyambo dzoṱhe dza tshiofisi u itela uri miraḓo yoṱhe ya Phalamennde i vhonale i tshi khou dzhenelela kha zwoṱhe zwa nyambo dzavho na uri vhaṅwali vha dzibugu vha tea uri bugu dzavho dzi bveledzwe.
Hezwi zwi tea u vhonala u itela uri luambo lu vhe lwa u davhidzana hu tevhelaho fhano Phalamenndeni: Miṱanganoni, Nḓuni ya Buthano ḽa Lushaka sa fhano, zwiṱirakitshani zwa Phalamennde sa kha madzingu na kha lushaka na mashango-ḓavha. Rekhodo dzoṱhe dzi tea uri dzi ṅwaliwe nga nyambo dzoṱhe dzo fhambananaho fhano Phalamenndeni.
Kha vhuḓologi hu tea u vha na tshomedzo dza nyambo dzoṱhe fhano Phalamenndeni u itela uri vhaḓologi vha sa vhe na vhuleme. Hu songo ḓologwa nga Luisimane fhedzi. Nyambo dzoṱhe dzi tea u bveledzwa nahone vhaambi vha tea u wana vhuṱanzi u itela uri vha kone u bvisa vhupfiwa havho nga nyambo dze vha ḓinangela dzone. U khunyeledza demokirasi, nyambo dzi songo khethululwa kha vhaambi. Vhaṱoḓisisi na vhone vha tea u nea vhaambi vhuṱanzi hu tshe na tshifhinga nahone hu sedziwe na uri izwo zwoṱhe zwi songo ḓurela mugaganyagwama uyu, u itela uri hu si vhe na ṱhahelelo.
Vhaḓologi vha tea u gudiswa tshifhinga tshoṱhe u itela uri tshumelo i vha lelutshele. NLS na PanSALB dzi ḓo tea uri dzi bveledze nyambo dzo pwanyeledzwaho u bva kale. Hu na nyaluwo kha mugaganyangwama kha zwiimiswa izwi zwivhili. Sa zwenezwo, ri lavhelela tshomedzo dza vhuḓologi dzi ḓo wanala u itela uri thaidzo dzi fhele. (Translation of Venḓa paragraphs follows.)
[Language must be scientifically planned before being developed in order to suit the technological changes. The Constitution is focusing on interpretation, respect for language rights, and the participation of the community. Government must see to it that all languages are equal and all authors must make sure that their books are published in their own languages.
All these measures should be visible to make sure that all languages are used in meetings, both in the national Parliament and in the legislatures. Records must be kept in all the different languages in Parliament.
As far as interpreting services are concerned in Parliament, all relevant facilities must be there to make it easier for all interpreters. Interpreting must not only be provided in English. All languages must be developed and speakers must be provided with information in time, in order to express their feelings in the language of their choice. As far as democracy is concerned, languages must not be discriminated against. Researchers must give speakers information in time. It should be taken into consideration that this procedure is supposed to be expensive and we need to budget for it in order to avoid shortages.
Interpreters must be trained all the time so that they can do their work properly. The NLS and PanSALB must develop the long oppressed languages. There is an increase in the budget for these two structures. We expect interpreting facilities to be available in order to solve these problems.] The measurable objectives of this programme are to promote access to resources mainly for arts and culture, improve artistic excellence and to promote the language rights of the 11 languages through relevant policies, development, legislation, equitable funding and service delivery. The aim of the programme is to encourage and protect the arts and culture of the country, especially when looking at the capability when coming to the policy for gender and moral regeneration and linguistic diversity, in order to allow all South Africans to participate fully in social, political and economic life.
Mushumo wa tshiimiswa itshi tshiswa tsha `perfoming arts’ ndi u lavhelesa zwivhadwa, mizika, dzifiḽimu na mitshino zwine zwa lavhelela u bveledzwa ha vhutsila na ikonomi. Vhenevha vharema a vha na ndango kha dziindasiṱeri dza muzika na dza dzifiḽimu. Dzi kha ḓi vha zwanḓani zwa vhenevhala vhe vha vha vha tshi khou dzi laula u bva kale. Zwino-ha, zwi vha kwama siani ḽa ikonomi. (Translation of Venḓa paragraph follows.)
The duty of the performing arts structure is to look at sculpting, music, film and dance, with the focus on developing arts and the economy. Certain people still control the music and film industries, and this affects them economically.]
Language stimulates moral regeneration and linguistic diversity in order to allow South Africans to participate fully in social, political and economic life. Crafters, musicians, film-makers and dancers must be developed. Resources must be made available to enhance the above-mentioned skills. Access to arts and culture must be maintained to improve artistic excellence, and to protect the language rights of the eleven official languages through relevant policy, development, legislation, equitable funding and service delivery.
Lupfumo na zwa pfunzo ya mitshino ya zwa sialala sa tshikona, domba, mutshongolo na givha zwo vha zwi tshi khou fa. Sa zwenezwo, hu khou ṱoḓea masheleni a u zwi bveledza. Matambwa na one a tea u bveledzwa sa izwi zwi tshi ḓivhea zwauri `local is lekker’. Muzika wa zwa dzikereke, kwaito na dzikhwairi na zwone zwi tea u bveledzwa-vho. U itela u bvisa vhushai kha vhathu, hu tea u vha na miṱaṱisano u swikela musi vha tshi swika mashangoḓavha.
Muhasho wa Vhutsila na Mvelele, u tea u shumisana na wa Vhudavhidzani u itela uri hezwi zwithu zwoṱhe zwine vhathu vha khou zwi ita, zwi bvelele- vho na kha TV. A nga vha matambwa, mitshino, na zwiṅwe-vho, zwo ambiwa zwauri na zwone zwi tea u vhonala. Mabofu ashu a Afurika Tshipembe ha koni u swikelela u vhona zwithu zwa kha TV. ANC yo zwi vhona kha guvhangano ḽa musi vha tshi khou pembelela miṅwaha ya 51 ngei Stellenbosch mahoḽa, zwauri zwithu zwoṱhe zwine vhathu vha zwi ita, vha zwi amba kana vha zwi bveledza vhuponi havho, zwi tea u vhonala kha theḽevishini. Izwi zwi amba zwauri mbekanyamushumo ine ya khou tea u vha hone kha vhudavhidzani i tea u sumbedza zwoṱhe. Ndi a livhuwa mudzulatshidulo. [Tshifhinga tsho fhela.] [U vhanda zwanḓa.] (Translation of Venḓa paragraphs follows.)
[The learning of traditional dances like tshikona, domba, mutshongolo and kivha is fading away. Money is therefore needed to develop them. Plays must also be developed, as it is well-known that ``local is lekker’’. Religious songs, kwaito and choirs must be developed as well. There should be competitions up to overseas level, and we would benefit from that economically.
The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology must work together with the Department of Communications to develop all the art forms on television. It could be plays, dances, etc. Blind people in South Africa have no access to what happens on television. Last year during the ANC’s 51st celebration in Stellenbosch, we noticed that what people do, say or develop within their communities must be seen on television. This means that the programme that is supposed to run within the community, must show all these things. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]]
Mrs ANNA VAN WYK: Mr Chairman, today is a historic occasion. It is the first time a separate budget debate is held on Science and Technology, and it marks another milestone on the way toward achieving the objectives set out in the White Paper. Only last year did I gain some insight into the process that led to the development of the science and technology policies and strategies subsequently adopted by the present Government. I noted with interest that Keith Gottschalk, on behalf of the ANC Western Cape’s science and technology group, proposed in his critique of the groundbreaking Proposals for a future national science and technology management system by De Wet and Kaplan that the portfolio of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology would be best divided into two departments. It has happened.
I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the many scientists and researchers on whose shoulders we stand today. Without their vision and selfless devotion, South Africa would not be the leader in science and technology on the continent today. It is obvious that a fresh wind is blowing through science and technology and we certainly hope that the division of the departments will benefit Arts and Culture to the same extent.
Die skepping en die inhoud van ‘n nasie se toekomsvisie, om net enkele aspekte aan te roer, is ‘n onontbeerlike element van nasionale sukses. Dit gee ‘n raamwerk waarbinne aksies gerig kan word op die nasionale doelwitte. Die suksesvolle Oosterse lande het sulke nasionale visies geskep, waarvan Japan en Singapoer goeie voorbeelde is. Die vermoë van die Stille Oseaan- lande om hul bevolkings rondom ‘n gedeelde doelwit te mobiliseer en om die pogings van regering met die privaatsektor te integreer en met mekaar in ooreenstemming te bring, is ongeëwenaard.
In ons land is daar nog baie werk wat gedoen moet word om die struikelblokke uit die weg van so ‘n konsensus te ruim. Op die terrein van wetenskap en tegnologie in alle sfere staan die vervreemding van skaars en ouer wordende kundigheid kritiek tot die inval agter so ‘n nasionale visie. Die dilemma wat die departement het, is dat sekere nasionale beleidsrigtings en ‘n hele skaar wette met betrekking tot menslike hulpbronne nadelig inwerk op die bereiking van sy doelwitte. Miskien is dit tyd dat die Regering opdrag gee aan die Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing om ‘n meer doeltreffende model van regstellende aksie te ontwerp. Dan sal die Minister se pogings om die breinkwyn omgedraai te kry dalk gouer sukses toon. Terloops, dit is ook een van die doelwitte van Nepad. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The creation and the content of a nation’s vision for the future, just to touch on a single aspect, comprise an essential element of national success. It provides a framework within which actions can be directed at national aims. The successful Eastern countries, of which Singapore and Japan are good examples, created such national visions. The ability of the Pacific Ocean countries to mobilise their populations around a common goal and to integrate the efforts of government with the private sector and to bring them in line with each other, is unequalled.
In our country much work still has to be done to clear the stumbling blocks out of the way to such a consensus. In the area of science and technology in all spheres the alienation of scarce and aging expertise is critical to the support of such a national vision. The dilemma which the department faces is that certain national policy directions and a whole range of legislation with regard to human resources negatively affect the achievement of its goals. Maybe the time has come for the Government to instruct the Human Sciences Research Council to design a more efficient model of affirmative action. Then the Minister’s efforts to turn the brain drain around may perhaps achieve success sooner. By the way, that is also one of the goals of Nepad.]
A good place to start would be to look at the service delivery end of the paradigm. It is no use supplying racial quotas at the top end of the scale when that compromises the ability of the Government to improve the quality of life of the poor. A model should be devised that places their interests at the centre of the focus, instead of the present colour coding.
It is also encouraging that the South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology, SARG, has been established which will be a permanent subcommittee of the National Advisory Council on Innovation, NACI. Gender mainstreaming will be the ultimate strategy which, inter alia, will assist NACI in promoting a research agenda, including influencing funding that will improve the quality of life of women, as well as promoting innovation that will allow women to make a greater contribution to wealth generation in South Africa - presumably with themselves as the primary beneficiaries so as to counteract the feminisation of extreme poverty. The New NP wishes them well in this and their other tasks.
The presentations on the budget by some of the science councils were informative and enlightening and I should like to recommend particularly that the comments and concerns raised by, among others, the Council for Geoscience be taken into account by the department. We support that budget, as well as the other one.
Die Nuwe NP wil graag Dr Itumeleng Mosala gelukwens met sy aanstelling. Daar is hoë verwagtinge en ons sien uit daarna om hom beter te leer ken. [The NNP would like to congratulate Dr Itumeleng Mosala on his appointment. Expectations are high and we are looking forward to getting better acquainted.]
The Corporate Strategy for Science and Technology just released illustrates an integrationist approach focused around a coherent vision. It is clear that the authors know their field and know where they want to take the country. This should serve as in-house inspiration to sit down with the right people and have a thorough rethink on culture and heritage. Op die oomblik skiet ons nog met ‘n haelgeweer en mis feitlik elke teiken. [At the moment we are still shooting with a shotgun and missing almost every target.]
If it means that the White Paper, the policy and legislation have to be amended somewhat, that is what needs to be done.
Much good work has been done for which credit is due, but I think we need to think even bigger. There is a need for an overarching Government arts and culture system which should provide the framework for governance and the support for the state’s heritage and cultural entities. This department must play a key role in the integration of culture-related and heritage- related activities and functions of the various government departments. For example, it is critically important that planning and development legislation for local government is brought into line with conservation objectives. To destroy older parts of cities, instead of sustainably using them as many countries have been doing for centuries, can simply no longer be allowed. Elsewhere, new buildings are erected outside the historic precincts and that needs to be enforced in legislation here as well. At the moment, fragmented governance structures make it impossible to gain either a complete overview of the heritage and cultural assets of the nation, or the potential for improving quality of life and the real economic growth so brilliantly achieved in France, Germany, the USA and elsewhere. The role of different government departments in governance and setting output targets for Government’s cultural and heritage usage is neither clear nor synergistic. No value can be put on the national patrimony and, from a budget perspective, there is no holistic view of spending in this field by government departments.
So is die Departement vir Openbare Werke verantwoordelik vir duisende staatseiendomme, waarvan ten minste 3 000 historiese geboue is. [In this way the Department of Public Works is responsible for thousands of state- owned properties, of which at least 3 000 are historical buildings.]
In the absence of coherent policy and governance, this department intends to abolish the excellent Heritage Assets Management Unit, if it has not done so already. I call on our Minister to take this up as a matter of urgency and save what can be saved. A further good case in point is the unique and wonderful Castle of Good Hope, which should be a draw-card comparable to the Tower of London. The Castle falls under the Minister of Defence. There are umpteen collections of art, furniture and objects of great value in various departments and parastatals scattered all over the country and abroad. Do we know what we possess?
Daar is oor die 400 museums in staatsbesit en die getal groei steeds. Terloops, die Witskrif vir Wetenskap en Tegnologie dui aan dat museums daar tuishoort, en ek stem daarmee saam. Elk van die museums is die tuiste van waardevolle versamelings. Waar is die nasionale oudit? Transnet het wonderlike ou treine en enjins, daar is veteraanvliegtuie; daar is ongelooflike ou masjinerie in pakhuise en werkswinkels. Daar is duisende rotstekeninge, talle en talle argeologiese terreine waarvan maar ‘n handjievol tot dusver ondersoek is. Dan is daar van die mooiste koloniale barokgeboue in die hele wêreld, strandveldse huise, matjieshuise, korbeelhuise, Ndebelewonings en al die sielvolle vissershuisies. Hierdie geboueskat is besig om te verkrummel. Die ontwikkelaars sloop voor die voet en ons wetgewing om erfenisbestuur toe te pas, bly agterweë. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[There are over 400 museums owned by the state and the number is still increasing. By the way, the White Paper on Science and Technology shows that museums belong there, and I do agree with that. Each of the museums is the home of valuable collections. Where is the national audit? Transnet has wonderful old trains and locomotives, there are vintage aeroplanes and unbelievable machinery in warehouses and workshops. There are thousands of rock paintings, and numerous archeological areas, of which only a handful have thus far been investigated. Then there are among the most beautiful colonial baroque buildings in the whole world, strandveld houses, mat houses, corbelled houses, Ndebele dwellings and all those soulful little fisherman’s houses. This treasure trove of buildings is crumbling. The developers demolish at random and our legislation is lagging behind when it comes to the applying heritage management.]
The enormous economic potential of heritage conservation as a wealth- generating industry needs to be quantified and put at the centre of arts and culture policy. An important step to be taken is for indigenous buildings to be grouped with strategic industries in the Department of Trade and Industry. It is accepted that indigenous building is a craft based on indigenous knowledge and it is unconscionable that, in a country where there is such a wealth of vernacular building styles and architecture, any kind of mass housing should be undertaken without reference to such a valuable resource. The skills are there and the economy inherent in organic and environmentally friendly building speaks for itself.
I would also like to call most specifically on the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to start interesting himself proactively in arts and culture, and particularly in heritage. He has been conspicuously silent on conserving and developing built heritage as a tourism product.
In a new vision and a new policy, library services would take its rightful place as irreplaceable in a knowledge-based economy. Time is running out to solve the impasse of unfunded mandates for the provision of library services by provincial governments.
Ten laaste wil ek toevoeg dat uitvoerende kunstenaars ook nie hul regmatige plek in die staatsekonomie geniet nie. So lank as musici, toneelspelers en kunstenaars dikwels armlastig moet sterf terwyl die kunste vervlak en verkommersialiseer word om te kan voortbestaan, sal ons nie kan sê ons het ‘n geslaagde kunstebeleid en ‘n suksesvolle departement nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Finally, I want to add that the performing artists do not enjoy their rightful place in the state economy either. As long as musicians, actors and artists often have to die as paupers while the arts are demeaned and commercialised in order to survive, we cannot say that we have a successful arts policy or a successful department.]
There are many more aspects of culture that need to be dealt with in such a thorough rethink and repositioning and I look forward to fruitful interaction with our new director-general. The New NP supports this much improved and very welcome budget.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! We have with us in the gallery today a number of distinguished South Africans. They are Dr Ntwana Tanzemane, John Shempe-Shapa, Tina Eboka, Prof Mike Broughton, Phil Mujuwana, Nock Frick, Mandi Mzimba, Brian Figaji, Mark Orkin, Cheryl de la Rey, Aziza Fredericks, Marc Lottering and Ahmed Kathrada. Welcome to all of you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Chairperson, Minister Ngubane, hon members, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests, I think there are a number of thank-yous that I have to say before I can get to my speech.
I think it is proper for me to pay tribute to as well as to congratulate and wish hon Minister Mabandla well. She did sterling work while she was Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, especially in championing the issues relating to women. [Applause.]
I also want to thank the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Minister Ngubane - it is a very long sentence, the name of this portfolio - for a very warm welcome and the good support that he has given me thus far. I am looking forward to a good working relationship between us. [Applause.] I also want to thank Dr Rob Adams who was acting Director-General of Arts and Culture as well as Director-General for Science and Technology. I want to thank him for his advice and guidance. He has always been there for me. Thank you very much, Rob.
Most importantly, I want to thank my staff who made it possible for me to have this document which I will be reading from very confidently. It is through the toiling of those people in my office that I have a speech. Thank you very much to them.
Hon members, ladies and gentlemen, in about 11 months from now, on 27 April 2004, as a country, we will be celebrating 10 years of democracy. A week ago my comrades testified at this podium that indeed the conditions have improved for the majority of South Africans since 1994 and, to a certain extent, I think Anna, when she was here, did bear testimony to that.
They also acknowledged the challenges that are still outstanding in our programme of transformation and poverty eradication. It is for this reason, among others, that the ANC declared this year ``the year of united action to push back the frontiers of poverty.’’
The 2003 Budget tabled by the Minister of Finance reflects this call and makes an attempt to respond comprehensively to the needs of the people on the ground. Likewise the budget of Arts and Culture has been designed to achieve the broader aims of Government to accelerate spending on social services and infrastructure investment for poverty alleviation through job creation, among other things.
Minister Ngubane has already indicated the significant fiscal investment we have made in hundreds of viable poverty alleviation projects around the country. The list includes the R2 348 028 support given to craft and cultural development projects in the St Lucia wetlands and the training of about 692 people, most of whom are women.
The department funded numerous strategic craft and culture development projects with spin-off benefits resulting in employment opportunities. So, anybody who says we are not making an attempt at or a contribution towards the reduction of the high unemployment rate, is making a mistake. The CSIR’s crafts project in the Eastern Cape has thus far created 275 jobs. In cases where jobs are not created directly, training is given in such a way that self-employment opportunities are opened up, swelling the capacity of the small and medium enterprise sector. For instance, the St Lucia project has already ensured the training of the 692 people, as already alluded to.
The restructuring process of the department to separate arts and culture from science and technology by the end of 2002 was a result of the realisation by the department that these are two very complex areas that need special attention. What is importantly is the recognition that developing our diverse culture and heritage is one way to sustainable development.
We are determined to work hard and ensure accelerated service delivery and the implementation of our projects. The department welcomes the growth pattern of the arts and culture budget at an increase of 18,3%. The Minister has already mentioned that that has been so for the past three years. There is a projected annual growth of 20% over the medium term.
We hope that the restructuring which has taken place within the department will result in further broadening access to arts and culture resources in the country.
Out of the four programmes of the department, the Heritage National Archive and the National Library Services programmes dominate in respect of the increase in the arts and culture budget. Central to this increase is the Freedom Park programme, which is the centrepiece of our Legacy Project. As we approach the tenth anniversary of democracy, it is necessary to create awareness and educate the nation about the heritage associated with the liberation movements that have contributed to our goal of democracy.
It must be noted that there are a number of significant heritage collections emanating from the struggle for liberation that have not been made available to the general public of South Africa. These collections remain invaluable in telling the story of the liberation of South Africa, and they are an important testimony to the international solidarity and friendship which was forged during the struggle.
We are keen to ensure that this heritage which we share with the international community is given space within the heritage landscape of South Africa.
It gave me great pleasure to note that Minister Mabandla participated in the opening of the women’s centre at the women’s jail on the Constitution Hill, Old Fort precincts. I think some of our comrades know what that jail is like and what it used to be like.
The historic value of this area and what it symbolises for the struggle for freedom and dignity in our country is immeasurable. Making the women’s jail part of our national heritage is one of the initiatives that symbolises the fall of apartheid.
As we reflect on the transformation of the heritage landscape through the implementation of Government’s legacy projects, among them the Robben Island Museum, Nelson Mandela Museum, Ncome-Blood River and the commemorations of the Anglo-Boer War, we are proud to say that we have made some significant strides in the area of arts and culture. This I want to attribute to the Ministry led by the hon Dr Ngubane, but more specifically, to my predecessor, Comrade Brigitte Mabandla.
As per the White Paper, we have so far managed to develop arts and culture as a learning area, opening up opportunities and creating access to economic development for the majority of South Africans.
Integrating arts and culture in our education curriculum is a fundamental part of sustainable development. This is a major breakthrough and indeed the tide is slowly turning in the direction we have been steering in for the past 91 years.
The department has promoted conferences on women in writing and we will continue to nurture this initiative. Allow me to emphasize that the department is committed to public-private partnership and to cluster co- operation with other departments. This is in line with Government’s integrated development approach for co-ordinated and sustainable service delivery.
It is within this context that I am proud to say that the department’s craft programmes continue to have both a national and international impact and, fortunately, I happened to visit one of these projects when I was invited to launch it. When I looked at the product, I saw that indeed it was of international standards. I was very proud to be associated with such a product. [Applause.]
This was demonstrated by the Proudly South African accredited Beautiful Things Crafts Exhibition at the WSSD. The success of this project has prompted the setting up of a semipermanent exhibition in Newtown, Johannesburg. The exhibition coincided with the DAC’s annual craft imbizo.
Total sales at the WSSD in 2002 were worth about R2 million. Trade and Investment South Africa, TISA, brought in approximately eight importers using the inward-buying mission to the imbizo in 2002 to source new craft products for their markets.
The direct and spin-off benefits of this are self-evident. We hope that the recently announced Black Economic Empowerment Strategy and the envisaged legislation will further strengthen opportunities for the SMME sector which dominates the area of arts and culture. The department will make an effort to use the Black Economic Empowerment Strategy to broaden participation and economic activity within the sector. Together with provincial governments - I hope the MECs are here because if they are, and we did not even mention their presence here, then I now want to acknowledge them - we will ensure that cultural diversity, particularly that which is indigenous to the provinces, is promoted equally in an equitable manner.
The department hopes to encourage the National Film and Video Foundation to work with provinces and host awareness and educational seminars in different provinces so that films are reflective of our cultural diversity.
Further, the barriers that limit participation of women within the film industry need to be addressed. The initiative by the Women of the Sun needs to be enhanced and supported. We also wish to encourage … [Interjections.] I am sure I will have my speaking time because of my coughing. We also wish to encourage partnership between the Government and the private sector to the support of the film industry.
The department has worked with provincial governments in developing film industries and we have, among other things, funded conferences and workshops such as the African Film and Broadcasting Conference that is held at Sithengi during November; one was held in November 2000.
Cultural industries such as film, publishing, music, design and crafts are an important focal area for the department. We have set aside about R180 million for skills training for these and other creative industries over the medium term. This is in line with Government policy that investment in skills is necessary for sustainable poverty eradication and development.
According to the annual report of the department, the industry generated up to R4 billion in 2001 in Cape Town alone. [Interjections.] So this misconception that arts and culture is about entertainment and decorating, I think, should be done away with. Arts and culture generates jobs and creates wealth for a lot of people.
We acknowledge the inadequacy of R35 million allocated towards the film fund, but this is only a start and we hope to review it as we go along. This industry, if supported, may grow into a multibillion rand industry, as seen in countries such as Canada, Japan, India and others. Members of the House will remember the extensive programme of building architecturally and functionally relevant community art centres around the country in 1997. This complemented other rural development and urban renewal strategies. We are using these resources as hubs of learning and information-sharing for training and skills development in the film industry and other sectors. This year we hope to secure the opportunities for training and assistance for international partners through existing bilateral cultural agreements. We are also in discussions to set up an animation centre which is to be funded by an international partner.
We also continue to emphasize the importance of public-private partnerships. Through one of our collaborations, we are co-ordinating an empowerment programme for young film-makers.
The music industry is another strategic area especially for local economic development. The Ministry has made strides in an effort to support the music activities of the historically disadvantaged communities for whom music has been the backbone of our culture. We need to encourage the private sector to invest more in the local music industry, especially when it comes to breaking the monopoly of the recording companies.
As a country, we have a responsibility to preserve and protect our national heritage. Our archives, libraries and museums are important to the historical and cultural memory of our nation.
As we are all aware, provinces do not have sufficient funds to carry out this competence. The department probably needs to improve in this area. The department will engage relevant stakeholders and explore the possibility of providing some allocations as a conditional grant to municipalities for the building and improvement of libraries.
A strong and economically healthy nation places emphasis on the construction and maintenance of its facilities such as libraries, archival buildings, museums and theatres. I am pleased to announce that the department’s capital works budget has grown by more than 100% in just one year from R81 million to R168 million.
We are appreciative that people in the democratic South Africa have been able to stand together as a nation united in diversity. One can proclaim with confidence and pride that indeed the tide has turned.
Focusing on science and technology, I would like to thank Minister Mabandla who drove the actions leading to the launch of the South african Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology on 7 March this year, with the support and leadership of Dr Ben Ngubane. This initiative, which he championed, highlights the ongoing challenge of making science and technology more applicable and accessible to the women of our nation.
Given that I have very limited time, I will thank the reference group for the good work that it has done. I hope I will have another opportunity to speak more on science and technology. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Thank you, hon Deputy Minister. Hon members, I wish to recognise Mr Rashied Lombard, the organiser of the North Sea Jazz Festival, who is here with us. [Applause.]
Dr P W A MULDER: Mr Chairman, the Deputy Minister spoke about Old Fort prison, and I would just like to remind her that Afrikaners fighting for freedom, like General de Wet, were also kept at that Old Fort, so it also has sentimental value for us.
The other day I was standing in a queue at a government office. The English- speaking woman behind the counter could not solve the problem of the Zulu- speaking woman in front of me. The English woman got angry and arrogant. At my request, they finally got hold of someone who could speak isiZulu. The Zulu woman’s face lit up and the problem was solved in seconds.
Sir, when you respect my language, you respect me. That is what dignity is all about. We agree on most of the theory of the Government’s language policy. The Freedom Front has said so more than once. However, the citizens out there experience a big difference between theory and practice. If you study the instructions from Ministers on the language policy within their departments, it differs from department to department.
If you must fill out a form at certain departments, it is only available in English. Sir, that is against the Constitution. Part of this Minister’s responsibility is to help to implement section 6 of the Constitution. I just want to read one part of it that says ``all official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably’’.
As the Government, you either respect the Constitution and implement this section or change the Constitution if you are not serious about languages. With the ANC’s two-thirds majority, they can now easily change these language clauses, scrap the other languages and make English the only official language. Then theory and practice would be in line as we experience it every day.
Meneer, die dilemma in Suid-Afrika vir mense wat vir taal veg, soos die Vryheidsfront, is dat jy jouself altyd in ‘n wen-verloor posisie bevind. Tree jy in en veg jy vir ander tale, word jy van paternalisme beskuldig en vertel dat jy nie namens ander mag optree nie. Tree jy in net vir jou eie taal, word jy beskuldig van selfsugtige eiebelang.
Meneer, die swart mense van Suid-Afrika sal waardelik nie vry wees voordat hulle ook nie kultureel vry is nie; nie voordat hulle eie tale gelyk behandel word nie. As Afrikaanssprekendes het ons daardie les in ons geskiedenis op die harde manier geleer. Maar Meneer, swart mense self is hulle grootse probleem. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Sir, the dilemma in South Africa for people who fight for language rights, such as the Freedom Front, is that one always finds oneself in a win-lose situation. If one intervenes and fights for other languages, one is accused of being paternalistic and it is said that one should not be allowed to act on behalf of others. If one only intervenes for one’s own language, one is accused of selfish selfinterest.
Sir, the blacks in South Africa will not truly be free before they are also culturally free; not before their own languages receive equal treatment. As Afrikaans-speaking people, we have learnt that lesson in our history the hard way. But Sir, black people themselves are their own biggest problem.]
What is meant by the saying black is beautiful, if we cannot see beauty in the black languages? Deputy Minister Mangena wrote in The Star on identity and said that the education we receive is in a foreign language, the social and cultural nuances and messages are foreign, but the sad thing is that the educated African is so proud of his deculturisation. He tries hard to put a distance between himself and the uneducated masses. The educated lot are the worst cultural traitors you find; the African elite are often strangers to their own people. And those are harsh words.
I was wrong when I said that the Government’s planned legislation for a language policy got lost in the corridors of the Union Buildings, and I’m happy to say that it was approved by Cabinet, if I’m correct, on 12 March. It was announced on 17 March. Our congratulations on this. And I would like the Minister to give us some indication of the timeframes of implementing this policy, because I think it is really a step forward, although we have waited almost 10 years for that. My congratulations on that. Thank you. Mrs N D MBOMBO: Mandibulise kuwe Mbomvu nabanye abantu abakhoyo apha, kunye neNdlu ngokupheleleyo. Phambi kokuba ndithethe ngoMthetho oYilwayo … [Let me say, ``greetings to you, Mbomvu ‘‘[clan name of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology] and the other people who are here, as well as the entire House. Before I talk on the Bill …]
… I would like to congratulate the organisers of the North Sea Jazz Festival, which was the biggest and the most successful event so far and also the organisers of the impeccable cultural display at the opening of the Cricket World Cup, right here in Cape Town. [Applause.]
Sithi halala kubaququzeleli. Siyile emjuxuzweni, saguqa ngamadolo. Ndicela ukukhuselwa, Sihlalo. [We commend the organisers. We went to the dance, though, and we did the dance called ``Guqa ngamadolo’’. [Interjections.] I ask for protection, Chair.]
It was a lovely event, but we had some frustrations …
… Mbomvu, sisiwa ngapha nangapha, kodwa ke, ayinamsebenzi loo nto. I-ANC iyawuxhasa lo Mthetho oYilwayo. Ndiza kuthetha ngamaziko obugcisa okanye inkcubeko ekuhlaleni. Ezi ndawo mazibe ziindawo zokuphuhlisa amasiko nezithethe zakwantu, apho kuvuselelwa iilwimi, kuxatyiswa neendlela zethu zokuphila … (Translation of Xhosa paragraph follows.)
[… Mbomvu as we were sent backwards and forwards, but that doesn’t matter. The ANC supports this Bill. I am going to talk about community art centres. These places must become locations to develop the customs and traditions of the African people, where languages are revived and our ways of life are respected …]
… in line with the Stellenbosch resolutions.
Ingaba amasiko ethu abalulekile na? Ewe amasiko ethu abaluleke kakhulu. Kangangokuba kufuneka thina siwakhusele ngenyameko, njengenkukhu ikhusela amantshontsho ayo. Ke ezi ndawo ndithetha ngazo mayibe ziindawo zokwenza oku, sikhuthaze nabantwana, kanti nathi sikhuthale, sifundise abantu, ngakumbi abahlala ezilalini, okokuba ezi ndawo sizigcine njani, kwaye ziluncedo kangakanani zona kubo.
Mayibe ziindawo ezinomtsalane kubakhenkethi, kutsho kuvuleke amathuba emisebenzi, ze ikati isuke, kuhlale imbiza eziko, kuphele indlala nobuhlwempu. Ezi ndawo, ke Mbomvu, kufanele zizise abakhenkethi kukhule uqoqosho; ibe ziindawo ezakhelwe namhlanje nangomso. Kungabizizo iindawo ezakhelwe abantu abathile; ibe ziindawo ezakhelwe abantu bonke, zibe namaqula (swimming pools) okufunda ukudada nokudlala intenetya neqakamba, imixhentso, indlamu, ukutyityimba nokucula; ibe ziindawo zokufunda ubugcisa nemijuxuzo.
Xa ndithetha ngomculo thina sizwe esintsundu singoongqa phambili. Ndikhumbula ngexesha ledompasi. Kwathiwa isizwe siyabizwa nguMabhude. Abantu bahlangana befuna ukwazi okokuba uMabhude ubabizela ntoni na. Wasiqokelela ndawonye uMabhude yintoni? Kwathiwa hayi uMabhude … (Translation of Xhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Are our customs important? Yes, our customs are very important, so much so that we must protect them with diligence like a hen protecting its chicks. So, these places that I refer to must be locations to do this, encouraging the children also. We, too, must be diligent and educate people, especially those living in the villages, on how we should keep these places and to what extent they are of help to them.
They must become tourist attractions, such that employment opportunities are opened up and so that hunger is defeated and food is placed on the table. These places, Mbomvu, should draw tourists and bring about growth in the economy. They should be locations that are established for the present and the future; they shouldn’t be locations established for the elite, they should be locations established for everyone. They must have swimming pools for learning to swim, as well as facilities for playing tennis and cricket, for doing traditional dances of African origin, dancing by quivering the body and singing; they should be locations to learn art and dances.
When talking about music, we, the African nation, are leaders. I remember during the dompas era, it was said that Mabhude summoned the nation. People got together and wanted to know why Mabhude gathered them at one spot. It was said: No, Mabhude …]
… is going to tell you how beautiful you live when you have a dompas.
Sabizana, yaye ndandisafunda ngelo xesha. Babuza apha kum ootata okokuba yintoni le. Ndathi mna yimithetho yedompas. Kuthiwa niza kuphatha amapasi. Abanye babe ngayazi okokuba liyintoni na ipasi. Kodwa Mbomvu, sathi sifika kwaMabhude yabe ingoma isitsho ngasemva. Phambi kokuba sifike, wabe ewuvile umyaleza. Sabe sisitsho sisithi `nimxelel’ uMabhude, nith’ amaMpondo awayifun’ idompasi. Sebeyithathile nje… ‘. Sathi sifike wabe sele evile okokuba sithini. Ezi ndawo ke Mbomvu esixoxa ngazo kufanele ibe ziindawo zokuxoxa iintsomi. (Translation of Xhosa paragraph follows.)
[We called each other. I was at school then. My father and other men asked me what this about. I said these were dompas laws. It is said you are going to carry the dompas. Others had no idea what a dompas was. But, Mbomvu, by the time we got to Mabhude’s place, the song sounded at the back. He got the message even before we arrived. We were saying, ``Tell Mabhude and say the Pondos do not want the dompas, although they have received it’’. By the time we arrived, he had heard what we were saying. These locations we are talking about, Mbomvu, should be places to relate fairytales.]
But not bedtime stories this time … Zixoxwe emini, wonke umntu ekhona. Namabali, iindawo zokuzibuyisa izimilo, ukuze siyazi imvelaphi yethu. Singajongeli phantsi amasiko ethu sixabise awabanye abantu, kubekho neendawo zokufunda kwabantu abadala, ze ecaleni kwezi ndawo okanye kwalapha ngaphakathi, kubekho indawo yokuthengisa okuya ethunjini, amathala eencwadi, i-IT kunye neekompyutha ukuze ezi ndawo zoluntu zibe likhaya lokufuna ulwazi neendlela zokuthumela imisebenzi kwamanye amazwe.
Kufuneka ibe ziindawo apho sifundisa abantwana nezizukulwana zethu nangokutya kwethu neendlela esipheka ngazo, kunye nendlela esicoca ngayo njengokusinda ngobulongwe. Niza kundixolela bantu. Umzukulwana wam ngathuba lithile ndisekhaya eMpuma Koloni wafika kum ephatheke kakubi kakhulu. Wathi makhulu uNobomvu … (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Let these and other stories be told during daytime at rehabilitation centres so that we know our background, so that we don’t look down upon our traditions and revere those of other people. There should be places for adult learning, and then next to these, or even inside, places that sell meals, as well as libraries, and IT and computer centres should be set up; these community centres should be homes from which to seek knowledge and ways to export works to other countries.
Let them be places where we teach our children and grandchildren even about our food, how we cook and how we clean, as is the case when smearing wet cowdung onto the floor. You will please pardon me, people. When I was in the Eastern Cape at some stage, my grandchild came up to me, deeply distressed, and said: ``Granny, Nobomvu …]
… ugcobisa indlu yakho ngamasimba. Ngithi mina `ngamasimba?’ Athi: yebo lamasimb’ eenkomo. (Translation of Zulu paragraph follows.)
[… is smearing your house with faeces. I said faeces?'' And he said:
Yes, the faeces of the cow.’’]
Uyabona okokuba maxa wambi siba ``artificial unnecessarily’’. Kuba nyani wayengabazi ubulongwe. (Translation of Xhosa paragraph follows.)
[Can you see that we become artificial sometimes? Because it is true that he did not know cowdung.] Uma siphekile ngamalongwe uye athi ``Yini nipheka ngasimba’’? (Translation of Zulu paragraph follows.)
[Even if we cook by means of the use of dried cowdung he would ask, ``Why do you cook with faeces?’’]
Ke ezi ndawo mazibe ziindawo zokuthi sifundise sifundisane amasiko neendlela zethu zokuphila nento yokuba kudala sasifudula siphila njani.
Ingathi kwezi ndawo bekunokuba khona izindlu zakwaNtu. Ezi zindlu ekuthiwa ngesiXhosa ``ngoongquphantsi’’. Zaziba nazo izitulo ekuthwa ngusoze isitulo sodaka. Atsho amaXhosa xa ethetha athi `soze isitulo sodaka’. Ngoba asophuki, asinjani, sihlala sinjalo. Ingathi besingakhelwa izindlu ezinjalo, sigcine izithethe zethu.
Kambe ke Mbomvu nawe Hlubikazi, akukubanga kwaphela. UMbomvu uyandi phazamisa qabane uSihlalo. … Ezi zinto ndithetha ngazo ziyenzeka kwezinye iindawo. Ndicela ke okokuba zongezwe, ngakumbi emaphandleni. Abantu baqonde ngazo, bafundiswe, batsho babone okokuba uRhulumente nguRhulumente wabantu. Lo Rhulumente lo uya kuzisa akuthunyiweyo, ngokwesithembiso sakhe. [Laphela ixesha.] (Translation of Xhosa paragraphs follows.)
[So let these be places to educate us with regard to one another’s cultures and ways of living, as well as how we used to live in the olden days.
It would appear that there could be African traditional houses at these
places. These houses are called in isiXhosa, ungquphantsi'' [circular
grass houses that are firmly fixed to the ground through the use of
saplings]. Such houses used to have the kind of chairs calleduSoze,
isitulo sodaka’’ [the never-ever, a dried-mud chair]. That is what the
Xhosa people say when they talk, because that chair doesn’t break, it
remains the same. It stays like that. It would appear that such houses
could be built for us to preserve our tradition.
However, Mbomvu, and you, Hlubikazi [clan name of the Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology] all is not that bad … Comrade Chair, Mbomvu is intimidating me! These things which I am referring to do happen in other places. I ask that they be augmented, especially in rural areas, in order for people to have more understanding about them; that they be taught so as to make them see that Government is the Government of the people. This Government, in line with its promise, does deliver what it is mandated to do. [Time expired.]]
Moh M A SEECO: Modulasetilo, batlotlegi maloko a Palamente, nngwe ya manaane a Lefapha la Bokgabo, Setso, Saense le Thekenoloji e tsenya bodiredi jwa puo ya setshaba.
UCDP e amogela tekanyetsokabo eno gonne e ka tlhabolola le mokgwa wa go tshomolola. Mangwe a maikaelelo a lefapha ke go tlhabolola boitseanape mo dithekinikonong. Tumelo e kgolo ke gore bana ba rona ba a palelwa ke Mmetse le Seanse. Lefapha le ka thusa jang kwa dikolong tse di potlana bogolo kwa magaeng ka ditlamelwana tsa Saense gonne tlogatloga e tloga gale, modisa wa dikgomo o tswa natso sakeng?
Tekanyetsokabo e e tla rotloetsa bana, bagodi le bona ba ba sa itekanelang mo mebeleng mme e le ditswerere mo tirong ya diatla fa ba ka tlhabololelwa mafelo a tiro. Ditlhopha tsa mmino tsa baswa di tlhoka tshegetso. (Translation of Tswana paragraphs follows.)
[Mrs M A SEECO: Chairperson and hon members of Parliament, one of the units of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology is the National Terminology Service.
The UCDP supports this budget because it can improve the interpreting service. Some of the department’s aims is to develop science education at technikon level. There is a wide belief that our children find mathematics and science difficult. The department should find a way to help junior schools with science facilities, particularly in the rural areas, because we should make hay while the sun shines.
This budget will encourage children, adults and the disabled who are good at working with their hands, provided we build them the proper facilities to practise their trades. Our youth’s musical groups also need support.]
The allocation includes nonrecurring expenditure in respect of infrastructure development, including the establishment of Freedom Park as well as the allocations from the Poverty Relief Fund of R48 million in 2002 and 2003, and R64 million in 2003 and 2004. The main features of programme 2 of the department’s Budget Vote is to improve the quality of life of South Africans, through access and the advancement of technology, including the use of indigenous knowledge.
Business is the central driving force for improving the quality of life of South Africans. It is therefore essential that incentives and support be provided to the business sector if it is to meet the new challenges of increasingly competitive markets. The French national assembly voted unanimously on 21 February 2002 to repatriate the remains of Sarah Baartman to South Africa. This nation has to show appreciation to Minister Brigitte Mabandla, who was the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, and hon Minister Ben Ngubane also needs to be applauded for that.
Support should be given for the creation, development and sustaining of microenterprises and small businesses, which contribute approximately 42% of South Africa’s GDP and employs half the private sector workforce. I thank you. [Applause.]
Prof I J MOHAMED: Chairperson, I rise to support the Budget Vote, on behalf of the ANC, of the Department of Science and Technology. The ANC has taken great strides since creating a Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 1994. Now the Department of Science and Technology has been created to fully focus on technological advancement and a vibrant economy to address the poverty problem.
Hon Minister, Dr Ben Ngubane, hon Deputy Minister, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, and Director-General Dr Adam, congratulations on your new Department of Science and Technology, a department which focuses on addressing advancing science and technology and creating institutions which will support the development of technological industries. This department will create the infrastructure with the capacity and dedication to draw together and integrate the management of innovation, incubation and diffuse initiatives in the country.
These in turn support the economic growth of South Africa, and hence work towards bringing the poor and marginalised into the mainstream of the economy and society. Like you, we are concerned that the investment in Gross Economic Research and Development, (GERD) as a proportion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), dropped from 1,1% in 1999 to 0,7% in 2001. This was at a time when the European countries’ GERD/GDP ratio was 2,15%, and we understand they are now aiming at 3%. We believe that with new strategies in place, expenditure on R&D has since increased and hence also the GERD/GDP ratio.
Like you, we are concerned that our researchers, technicians and scientists are ageing, a sign that we are not effectively producing new and sufficient human expertise to ensure South Africa’s ability to innovate. Similarly, we are concerned that the number of women and historically disadvantaged persons taking up careers in science is growing at too slow a pace. The challenge of a demographically representative S&T workforce is becoming increasingly more serious, and requires a creative solution. My comrade Ms Makasi will elaborate further on this matter.
It is a major concern that Government investment in R&D has dropped. We notice the concurrent drop in private sector investment in R&D in South Africa. It appears that these companies are choosing instead to make this investment abroad with their principles. The DST will address this concern and encourage the industries to invest in R&D locally. A key tool the department has developed to increase our nation’s competitiveness is the National Research and Development Strategy, adopted by Cabinet in 2002. This strategy aims to enhance the national system of innovation. It focuses on human resource development, as wealth and employment creation, bringing innovation to the fore and facilitating science and technology performance across Government, ultimately with the aim of delivering economic growth and improved quality of life. The National R&D Strategy is premised on a doubling of the R&D expenditure over the next three years. The DST did not get sufficient funding for this in its budget allocation. This is a critical challenge, as now the planned programme will have to stretch over a six-year to seven-year period, and the competitive advantage sought will be delayed.
This implies a setback for the increased GERD/GDP ratio and consequent competitiveness that we had hoped for. This will also mean that we will lag even further behind the European countries, South Korea and others. To harness resources, we look to DST to enable the closest possible co- operation with partners in Government, science councils, higher education institutions, and the private sector to ensure maximum output through the creative meeting of minds. We welcome the report that the DST will continue to negotiate with State Expenditure to release further funds to effectively enable the strategy.
We know that the DST will continue to work closely with the science councils and that their programmes will be aligned with the National Research and Development Strategy. The budget allocation of the DST has grown by 32,1% from last year’s R1,03 billion, and will increase to R1,36 billion by the end of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period. We note that 92,6% of the DST’s budget allocation is for transfer payments and the number of personnel in the DST will increase by 92,5%. These are substantial increases. It is imperative to ensure that appropriate, skilled capacity is deployed, that well-structured programmes are developed to effectively utilise these funds, and that they are monitored to ensure delivery of set objectives.
The Science and Technology for Competitiveness Programme is the biggest programme of the DST. It enables and drives the key technology missions in the R&D strategy in collaboration with the Government research system, the private sector and higher education. It is the stated intention of the DST to incorporate these science and technology institutions into the Science Vote.
This will enlarge the pool of institutions doing research and development work in support of the National R&D strategy. This programme is allocated R745,1 million, 72,3% of the DST budget allocation. This is very appropriate as the Science and Technology for Competitiveness Programme will be a crucial driver of innovation. Its efforts to increase state R&D expenditure is vital to achieve the objectives of the National System of Innovation. The department states that this programme will also help in the establishment of centres of excellence in research and teaching.
Centres of excellence bring to mind a space staffed by top scientists with excellent research records and advanced programmes for training masters and doctorate students in scientific research and development. These centres will also have sophisticated scientific equipment. Technology for development is the second largest programme in the department. It will focus on improving quality of life through the access to and the spread of technology. It also aims to create the capacity and skills for innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge.
Chairperson, my comrade Ms Hloni Mpaka will speak further on this programme, and therefore I will not say anything on this, save that the uniting of indigenous knowledge and science and technology will lead to innovative projects and products which will address the issue of job creation and the alleviation of poverty.
We also congratulate the CSIR and South African San Council who have reached an agreement on sharing the benefits of the potential commercial success of a CSIR patent, related to the Hoodia plant. If clinical trials are successful, P57, as it is now known, will form the basis of a new obesity treatment. This benefit-sharing model ensures that the San will receive equitable benefits if the drug is successfully commercialised. A pharmaceutical company has expressed an interest in marketing the drug.
Still on partnership, we commend the MRC and the CSIR for the development of an ultrasonic device that can be used to diagnose placental function. Widespread application of this technology could save the lives of 3 200 children per annum in South Africa alone. Funding will also be directed to the Godisa and Tshumisano programmes. The Godisa Technology Transfer Programme is responsible for incubation projects. The Tshumisano project, of which seven stations are currently operational, creates technology stations in the technikons.
We note the steady growth targets you set, and look forward to their expansion. The allocation to this programme is up by R115,2 million over the last year’s allocation. It is worth noting that R110,4 million goes to poverty reduction. That is, 56,1% goes to poverty reduction and the balance, 43,9%, to technology transfer. It is fairly clear how technology transfer could take place through technology stations in technical colleges and other institutions. On the other hand, apart from the cryptic description above, there is no clear indication of how poverty reduction will take place.
Indeed, there are no measurable objectives and outputs as required by the Public Finance Management Act that I have seen. It is stated that, over the medium term, the programme will receive significant increased allocations. The National Research Development Strategy will target poverty fairly directly. We commend you, Mr Minister, on the provision of a framework for the development of the biotechnology strategy. This year we look forward to the implementation. We eagerly anticipate the establishment of the three regional innovation centres, the national bioinformatics facility and a biotechnology public awareness programme.
I congratulate the Ministry and department on a well-planned and targeted budget, and will follow with interest its progress and the ultimate realisation of set objectives. We have confidence that you will succeed in developing appropriate programmes in pursuit of a better life for all. We also wish you well with your ongoing negotiations with State Expenditure to leverage more funds for meeting the goals of the National Research and Development Strategy in the shortest possible time. I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Dr S E M PHEKO: Chairman, the PAC supports the Budget Vote on Arts and Culture, but allow me to make a few remarks on culture. We must intensify our cultural struggle as a tool for mental liberation. Colonialism did much harm to our minds. Yes, Africans must learn from other people but they must not discard their own cultural values. The African people can save themselves. They, however, will not save themselves if they do not decide where they are going, understand where they have been and where they are.
As Africans on the continent of Africa, with few exceptions, we must acknowledge that we have made serious mistakes. We overthrew colonial rule but adopted colonial values and norms. This mimicry has made us custodians of eurocentric cultural values. It makes it difficult for us to decolonise our minds and to rediscover our afrocentric view of the world which prevailed before the transatlantic slave trade and the Berlin Conference.
In reality, we are torn away from our past. We continue to be propelled into a universe fashioned from the outside, a universe which suppresses our values. We are still dumbfounded by a cultural invasion that marginalises us and makes us economic slaves in our own country.
The African people are today the deformed reflection of the image of others. The coloniser has made our continent the paradise of his eurocentric and economic domain. Thus we live for the outside world. It is from the outside world that we receive our concepts and ideas. We need to do research into our African epistemology, politically, medicinally, philosophically, economically and technologically. For instance, socialism which is frowned upon today in the traditional economic system of the African people can be modified to suit present conditions, but the rampant capitalism in this country is speedily burying the African people alive economically and submerging them in perpetual poverty. [Interjections.]
Let me express my appreciation for the efforts made by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, but say that much more needs to be done. We should not value the rights of homosexuals, prostitutes and abortionists while traditional leaders’ rights are trampled underfoot, and there is resistance to amend the Constitution to correct this abnormality.
The monument erected to the martyrs of the Sharpeville uprising and recent attention to their graves is appreciated, but the graves of our martyrs who died in Langa must be attended to.
PAC ha e sa tla dumela hore setjhaba sa maAfrika se kenngwe tebe-tebeng ya kgatello le bohata, ba boetapele bo hapilweng. Re malala- a- laotswe mme, ha re tshoswe ke matshwele a yang le noka kapa mahlaba-phio. Re tsamaya le Bahale ba rona ba qhadileng madi a bona, ba lokolla setjhaba sena seo kajeno ho bapalwang ka sona. Ka hona ke re:
Kganyapa qu ya mmamonwana tshukudu ya sera sa moana-kwena e ntsho a sera sa makakamela monongwaha e tjhorile ho a rateha
[Praise singing.]
E tswa hlaba tse ding sehlabeng hodimo-dimo lerepong ha ra mora motheo mothipoloheng tlapeng le lebe la boritsa la boshwela pere la motho moo pitsi di siyang bapalami ha lerumo le kuka meya dikila ho sala peko di fedile. (Translation of Sotho paragraphs follows.) [The PAC will never allow the African nation to be subjected to oppression and pretence, of the conquered leadership. We are always ready and we are not intimidated by crowds that are easily misled, or traitors. We align ourselves with our heroes who shed their blood to free this nation, the same nation that is being abused today. I therefore say,-
The rhino which has just defeated others on the battlefied High up in the mountain and down through the valley Where a warrior and his horse die Where horses leave their riders When the spears are taking lives.]
Tiko ra hina; shango lashu. [Our land; our land.] [Applause.]
Miss S RAJBALLY: Thank you, Chairperson. Minister and Deputy Minister, over the past years the realisation of the entertaining benefits of arts and culture has been enriched. The department has the important function of preserving the national symbols of South Africa, ensuring that they are representative of South African people and South Africa as a whole. Being home to a diverse population, the arts culture exhibited by us is rich and inspiring from a nation once divided and segregated according to the colour and, in turn, culture.
However, the MF notes that the department’s functions are not restricted to theatre and entertainment, as the title may mislead one to think. The department leads important programme initiatives such as the Legacy Projects. The department plays a part in bridging the gap by making education and training accessible to all, so that South Africans from all walks of life are able to invest in a career within the sector.
The department’s functions are broad and manage a cultural and industrious growth strategy that involves arts festivals, theatre, music, dance, visual arts, photography, architecture, rock art, crafts, design, literature and film. These are globally competitive and it is hard for the department to ensure that they are in line with global standards.
South Africa though has many talented persons in the fields mentioned and the MF is in no doubt that we perform superbly. However, the industry has not seen as many Indians drawn in and the MF suggests that a stronger magnet be placed to attract and draw in persons from various backgrounds into the sector so as to display an equitable representation of South African citizenry.
The MF also notes the department’s challenge to not only manage science and technology within South Africa, but to keep abreast of global advancement and to pursue ways to bring South Africa in line with that. The department is given the duty of keeping the Government up to date with science and technology and is advised by the National System of Innovation.
At the end of the day we as Government and anybody under our employ are answerable to our citizenry. Noting this, the department’s efforts in ensuring public awareness is evident via the Puset project. The Shuttleworth experience has been a great contribution and magnet to the field, as we note that after his trip Shuttleworth went to schools and various institutions to relay his experience. This is exceptionally beneficial to introducing our youth to education and training in the sector and perhaps rouse ambitions so that people will be attracted to that sector. The budget for the department is appropriate, and the MF is confident that it will be utilised wisely by the department for the development and advancement of arts, culture, science and technology in South Africa. The MF supports the budget for Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Thank you, Chairperson.
Mopišopo L J TOLO: Motlhomphegi Modulasetulo, mogolo wa Ngwako, Tona ya tša Bokgabo, Setso, Saense le Tekenoloji Ngaka Ngubane, Motlatšatona Mohumagadi Sonjica, ka Sepedi: Šeao madume.
Ke nyaka go leboga Presidente ya Naga, Mohlomphegi Mna Mbeki go ya ka tsela yeo a kgethilego Tona le kgaetšedi gore e be Motlatšatona. O dirile gabotse ka ge ngwana a sa belegwe ke monna a nnoši. Gape ebile ngwana ga a belegwe ke mosadi a nnoši. Ngwana o belegwa ke batho ba babedi ba patagane gomme ba mo rute leleme. Bjale ka ge Tona le Motlatšatona e le baetapele ba kgoro ye, go bolela nnete ye tletšego, o kgonne go le kgetha gabotse, Ngaka Ngubane.
Re bolela ka setšo sa gaborena se bohlokwa ka kudu. Puku ya Genese 1 e bontsha gabotse gore Modimo o hlotše motho gomme a mo fa molekane le setšo le maleme ao a farologanego. Ka tsela ye, bagešo, re filwe setšo sa gaborena se bohlokwa sa go ba le tlhompho. Ge re be re ka latela setšo sa gaborena ke dumela gore le bolwetši bjo bo lego gona bja Aids bo ka fela ka ponyo ya leihlo. Sehlare sa go fetša bolwetši bja Aids go rena bohle ke ge re ka boela setšong sa gaborena gobane ka segagaborena lesogana ga le a swanelwa go kopana le kgarebe goba kgarebe ga ya swanelwa go kopana le lesogana pele ga lenyalo. Taba yeo e be e direga. Re bile le masogana le dikgarebe mehleng ya pele. Ge ke ratana le kgarebe, pele ga ge re ka tsena dikobong mmogo re swanetše go nyalana. Seo se ra gore ge bana ba rena ba ka hlokomela go theetša batswadi gomme ba ba le maitshwaro a mabotse, ba hlokomela setšo, ke na le nnete ya gore bolwetši bja Aids re ka bo fenya ka ponyo ya leihlo.
Bageso, setšo se bohlokwa. Ge nna ke gola ka šetso sa gaborena re be re tseba le gore re ka dira bjang go neša pula. Ke saense ya segagaborena. Re be re kgona go neša pula; re kgona go bolela le Modimo ka pula. Re be re na le bokgoni bja go tseba gore ge dinaledi di eme ka tsela ya gore-gore, ngwaga wo ke wa El Ni-ño goba ge di eme ka tsela ya gore-gore, pula e tlo ba gona.
Ntlha yeo ke nyakago go e bontšha še: Ke nna moruti. Seo se ilego sa re ntšha go segagaborena ka kudu ke ka mokgwa wo bodumedi bo ilego bja tlišwa ka gona mo Afrika. Go fa mohlala, nna ke Lepostola. Ge nna le mosadi wa ka re kolobetš wa, go na le seaparo sa go rokwa ka mesego ya segagaborena seo mosadi a se aparago. Baruti bao ba bego ba re ruta lentšu la Modimo ba be ba re: Tšeo ga le a swanelwa go di apara ka gobane ke dilo tša baheitene. [Disego.] Ka mantšu a mangwe le swanet še gore ge le se na go kolobetšwa, mosadi a apole seaparo se sa go rokwa ka mesego ya segagaborena ka gore ba re ke ya baheitene. Efela monna ka gore o apere marokgo, ga a apole ka gore a segilwe ke batho ba ba itšego. Seo se laetša gabotse gore mokgwa wa bodumedi ke wo o re ntšhitšego go segagaborena.
Re na le dingaka tša segagaborena, fela go laetšwe gore ka seisimane go thwe ke witch-doctors gomme ka seAfrikaanse go thwe ke toordokters. Le rena re re ke dingaka-baloi. Ga se nnete! Puku ya Mateo 9:12 e bontšha gore monyaka-ngaka ke motho yo a babjago. Puku ya 1 Bakorinthe 12 e bontšha gore ba bangwe ba filwe bohlale bja go alafa ke Modimo.
Go na le ngaka ye nngwe ya go tsebega kudu mo Afrika Borwa. Mabakeng a go feta re ile ra swarwa ke ``lekker-krap’’ gomme go thwe o tšhollotše mpholo ka nokeng gore re swarwe ke cholera. Eupša ka ge e le mošweu ga go thwe ke moloi; go thwe ke ngaka. Ge e be e le mothomoso nkabe ba re ke moloi. [Legofsi.] Ka gona, nna ga ke amogele le ge go thwe ke traditional healers gobane ke goreng re sa re ke dingaka, ka ge di swana?
Go ya ka Puku ya Bagalatia, ge motho a loya ka go tšhela mpholo ka dijong, ke molato. Ge re bala Puku ya Genese, Testamente ye Mpsha e thomile ka BC 6, ge Jesu a belegwa kua dinageng tša Yuropa mola Testamente ya Kgale e thomilwe mo Afrika gomme yona e bolela ka setšo sa gaborena. (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[Bishop L T TOLO: The hon Chairperson, Speaker, The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ngubane, Deputy Minister, Mrs Sonjica in Sepedi we say: Greetings!
I would like to thank the President, the hon Mr Mbeki, for choosing the Minister and a sister to be his deputy. He did well because women are mothers of the nation. A child is not born because of a woman alone. A child is born because of the bond between a man and a woman and they will teach the child their language. Because the Minister and the Deputy are the leaders of this Department, they speak the honest fact; he chose you very well, Dr Ngubane.
We talk about our culture which is very important. Genesis Chapter 1 shows clearly that God created a human being and then gave him a partner, culture and various languages. In that way, my people, we were given our important and respectable culture.
If we can follow our culture, the HIV/Aids disease will be quickly eliminated. The cure to the HIV/Aids pandemic is to return to our culture because in our culture a girl cannot have sex with a boy, or a boy have sex with a girl, before marriage. It is true. We had real ladies and gentlemen. When I was in love with a girl, we could not get into bed before we were married. This means that if our children can follow after us, behave well and respect their cultural norms, the HIV/Aids pandemic can end quickly.
People, culture is very important. When I grew up my people knew how to create rainfall. It is our cultural science. We could make rain fall and speak to God to make the rain fall. We could tell by studying the positions of stars whether we would have rain or El Niño in a particular year. I am a priest and I want to illustrate how religion estranged us from our culture. My wife used to wear traditionally knitted dresses but when I married her in the apostolic church she was prevented from wearing the traditional dress because the church regarded it as the dress of atheists. My trousers were not rejected because they were tailored by a Westernised person. This clearly shows that religion undermined our culture.
Our African doctors are called witchdoctors or “toordokters” and even some Africans call them witches. It is not true. Matthew 9:12 states that a sick person is the one who needs a doctor. 1 Corinthians 12 states that ``God gave some people wisdom to heal.’’
A certain witchdoctor who used biological weapons infested our river with poison and we suffered itching skin rashes. The doctor wanted cholera to kill Africans. If he was black he would be called a witchdoctor.
I do not accept the title ``traditional healers’’ because they are doctors like Western doctors.
According to the book of Galatians, if a person bewitches by poisoning food, it is a criminal offence. When reading Genesis the new testament started at BC 6, when Jesus was born in European countries while the Old Testament started in Africa and addresses our culture.]
Ngikhuluma ngamadlozi. Uma unkosikazi wami engatholi mntwana, siyafuna ukuthi izinyanga zakithi zimsebenze bese umntwana efika. [I am talking about the ancestors. If my wife is unable to give birth to children, I would want our traditional healers to doctor her so that she would be able to have children.]
Ge monna le yena a sa hwetše ngwana dingaka tša segagaborena di a mmereka gore a kgone go hwetša ngwana.
Seo se ra gore Testamente ya Kgale e dumela mekgwa ya seAfrika. Ge o ka lebelela Testamente ye Mpsha, ga e nape e amogela mekgwa ya seAfrika, efela Testamente ya Kgale, ka ge e dirilwe mo Afrika e a e amogela. Ke ka baka la eng? Ka gona, ke nyaka go bontšha gore ge re ka hlompha segagaborena, se bohlokwa.
A ke gopotše Mohumagadi Van Wyk wa New NP gore ga ke lebale le setšo sa ba bašweu. Ge ke gola ka bo 1950 le 1960 o be o hwetša basadi ba makgowa ba apere dikati tše kgolo le diroko tse telele tsa go fihla fase gomme banna ba tswere marokgo a go tlengwa mo dipotaneng, ba rwele dikefa. E be e le mo go botse. Bjale le lebetše. Ke bone maloba mohlomphegi McIntosh a nkgahla a apere roko. Aowa, o katane monn’a gešo.
Ke tshepa gore ge bohle re ka hlokomela setšo sa gaborena se bohlokwa. Pukung ya Genese 17:10 go bolelwa ka lebollo. Ke a tseba gore ba bangwe ga ba le šomiše mola ba bangwe re le šomiša. Abraham o bolotše a na le nywaga ye masome a senyane a metšo ye senyane le morwa wa gagwe Ishmael a na le mengwaga ye lesome le metšo ye meraro. Seo se ra gore ka segagešo ge re iša motho thabeng go bolla e napile ke monna wa banna gomme o swanetše gore a be le tlhompho. Ge re ka tiiša segagaborena ka moka, ke dumela gore tlhompho e tlo tšwela pele gomme re tlo ba ngatana ka ye tee ra fenya malwetši ka mehutahuta ya wona.
Ka boripana ke rata go leboga mohlomphegi Tona ge a re re loteng setšo gobane ke se se botse. Nna ke thomile go bereka ka 1960. Leina la ka ke Lekoba. Eupša yo mongwe o ile are … [Tsenaganong.] (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[I am talking about the ancestors. If my wife is unable to give birth to children I would want our traditional healers to heal her so that she would be able to have children.
If a man is impotent our doctors treat him so that he can father children.
That means the Old Testament accepts African customs. If you study the New Testament, you will realise that it does not accept African customs. The Old Testament which was written in Africa, accepts African customs. Why? I want to prove that if we can respect our culture it is important.
I remind Mrs Van Wyk of the New NP that I do not forget white culture. When I grew up in the 1950 and 1960s white women were wearing big hats and long dresses that extended to the ground and men were wearing trousers with belts at their pockets and hats. It was beautiful; now you have forgotten. The day before yesterday I was impressed by the hon Mr McIntosh wearing a ``dress’’. Yes, you did well, my man! I hope we will all respect our important cultures. Genesis 17:10 writes about circumcision. I know that some do not follow circumcision while others do. Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99 with his son, Ishmael, who was thirteen years old. In our culture a person who is circumcised is a man amongst men and he must be respected. If we can all strengthen our cultural norms, respect will increase and we will be united and be able to defeat the diseases.
In short, I thank the hon Minister for asking us to preserve our culture because it is beautiful. I started working in 1960. My name is Lekoba. However, somebody said … [Interjections.]]
En ek is nie ‘n voertuig se jack'' nie. As jy praat van diejack’’,
praat jy van die ding wat die voertuig optel as dit miskien ‘n puncture''
gekry het. Met ander woorde, my ma en my pa het my my naam gegee; my naam
is Lekoba. Dankie aan die ANC. Hulle het pragtige werk gedoen. Almal van
ons respekteer kulture en ons kultuur. Die ANC doen dit en ons moet ook so
maak. As jy sê mnr McIntosh het sy tradisionele drag aangetrek met die
opening van die Parlement, dis nie jy nie. Dis die ANC wat dit vir hom gun.
[Applous.] Ek doen 'n beroep dat die mense van Suid-Afrika seker moet maak
dat hulle die ANC beskerm. Daardie ander party wat gaan kom, gaan maak dat
mnr McIntosh nie weer daardieskirt’’ dra nie. [Gelag.]
Ek doen ‘n beroep op die mense van Suid-Afrika dat die ANC beskerm moet word. Ons is die goeie leiers. Mnr Aucamp en die VF praat van kulture, maar ek het nog nooit hulle kultuur gesien nie. Kyk mense, ek praat die waarheid. Julle vloek bietjie-bietjie, maar julle moet ons ondersteun, want ons is die regte een wat so maak.
Laastens, in Exodus 7 gaan dit oor Moses en die arm broer wat die Here vir hom gekies het, omdat die Jood die Egiptenaar daar moes aflos. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[And I am not a vehicle’s jack. When you talk about the jack, you are talking about the thing which lifts the vehicle when it perhaps has a puncture. In other words, my mother and my father gave me my name; my name is Lekoba. Thank you to the ANC. They have done wonderful work. All of us respect cultures and our culture. The ANC does this and we should do the same. When you say that Mr McIntosh wore his traditional clothing to the opening of Parliament, that is not you. It is the ANC that grants him that. [Applause.] I want to make an appeal that the people of South Africa must ensure that they protect the ANC. That other party which will come would result in Mr McIntosh not wearing that skirt again. [Laughter.]
I want to appeal to the people of South Africa that the ANC should be protected. We are the good leaders. Mr Aucamp and the FF talk about culture, but I have never seen their culture. Look people, I am speaking the truth. They curse every now and then, but they must support us, because we are the right ones doing this.
Finally, in Exodus 7 it deals with Moses and the poor brother that the Lord chose for him, because the Jew had to redeem the Egyptian there. [Applause.]]
Mr C AUCAMP: Hon Chairperson, they say that the day when the best kwaito singer in the world is white and the best golfer is black and Germany does not want to go to war is the day you know the world has changed. [Laughter.] Indeed, the world has changed.
Globalisation has resulted in a street in Cape Town and a street in New York or Taiwan tending to look the same, with its McDonald’s and its Coca- Cola, its cellphone shop and its Microsoft. In South Africa we are part of this change, and even more so, part of a radical change in society since 1994; a change that can swing the pendulum and - that’s a danger - from one wrong to another; from a total isolation of cultures to the dissolving of cultures; from separatism to a one-size-fits-all hegemony.
In dié verband is daar ‘n paar rooi ligte - bepaalde wanklanke; hulle wat my en my gemeenskap marginaliseer en vervreem. Ek noem enkeles daarvan. [Tussenwerpsels.] Ja, die absolute stormram van veranderinge van plekname, die nuwe beleid oor godsdiensonderrig in skole, ‘n Minister se weiering om ‘n skool te besoek omdat daar ‘n borsbeeld van Hendrik Verwoerd in die portaal staan, ‘n herrie op ‘n kunstefees omdat ‘n kunstenaar dit durf waag het om Die Stem te sing. Wil jy nou glo!
Agb Minister, u departement het teen hierdie agtergrond ‘n groot verantwoordelikheid teenoor die wyse waarop die verskillende gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika binne hierdie klimaat van verandering ‘n gedeelde lojaliteit in hierdie land kan handhaaf, maar terselfdertyd die geborgenheid van ‘n eie kultuur, taal en godsdiens kan geniet.
Suid-Afrika is uniek. Vanweë die rykdom en verskeidenheid van sy kulture bied ons ‘n wêreld in een land. In watter land ter wêreld kan jy na van boeremusiek tot kwaito luister, van simfonie-orkes tot operasang, tot die trom en marimba van Afrika? Ons moet hierdie verskeidenheid voed en koester. Ons moet oor en weer mekaar se kulture kan waardeer en respekteer. Die een mag vir die ander nooit ‘n bedreiging wees nie, veral nie oor getalle nie. Daarvoor is die vlaktes in Suid-Afrika te oop en sy horisonne te wyd. Ons mag nie toelaat dat kulturele imperialisme die unieke eiesoortigheid van ons verskillende kultuurgemeenskappe verdring tot ‘n vaal en eentonige eendersheid nie.
Daarom, Minister, pleit die Nasionale Aksie dat ons die verskeidenheid in groter mate verdiskonteer op die wyse waarop die staat ook kulturele aktiwiteite subsidieer en mee help. Elke kultuurgemeenskap moet oor eie strukture vir kuns en kultuur beskik, wat sonder inmenging van die sentrale Regering bedryf word en gesubsidieer kan word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[In this regard there are a few warning signs specific - notes of discord which mariginalise and alienate my community and I. I will name but a few. [Interjections.] Yes, the total rush to change names of the place, the new policy with regard to religious instruction in schools, a Minister refusing to visit a school because there is a bust of Hendrik Verwoerd in the hallway, an uproar at an arts festival because of an artist who has dared to sing Die Stem. Can you believe it?
Hon Minister, against this background, your department has a big responsibility towards the way in which different communities in South Africa can maintain a shared loyalty within this country in this climate of change, and yet at the same time, can enjoy the security of their own culture, language and religion.
South Africa is unique. Owing to the richness and diversity of its cultures we have a world in one country. In what other country in the world can one listen to anything from ``boeremusiek’’ to kwaito, from symphony orchestra and opera music to the drum and marimba of Africa? We must nurture and cherish this diversity. We must be able to mutually appreciate and respect each other’s cultures. The one may never pose a threat to the other, particularly not on account of numbers. For that to happen, the plains of South Africa are too open and its horizons too wide. We may not allow cultural imperialism to usurp the unique distinctiveness of our various cultural communities to become a grey and monotonous sameness.
Therefore, Minister, the National Action appeals for greater negotiation of diversity, also in the manner in which the state subsidises and supports cultural activities. Each cultural community must also have its own structures for arts and culture at its disposal which can be operated and subsidised without interference from central Government.]
The building blocks for real nation-building is a recognition of the advancement of the different cultures in South Africa. One overall state Department of Arts and Culture is not the answer. I want to make a plea to devolve powers of Government on issues intimately involved with culture to the community itself. The mission of the Department of Arts and Culture should be to decentralise as much as possible, not only geographically, but also culturally. This is in regard to the long overdue Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. Section 185 which can play an important role in establishing different cultural councils, as envisaged in this section, is of the utmost importance in the promotion of the treasures of our diversity. If the section 185 Commission could legally and financially empower cultural communities which belong to civil society and empower them to take control of their own affairs, it would be a positive step.
As gekyk word na die begroting van die departement, word daar gans te veel geld spandeer aan groot nasionale feeste, terwyl die geleenthede vir eiesoortige kulturele ekspressie deur die verskillende gemeenskappe gemarginaliseer word. Ons moet onsself werklik die vraag afvra of ons nie soms maar net lippediens bewys aan die erkenning van die multidimensionele kenmerke van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[When one looks at the budget of the department, far too much money is being spent on large national festivals, whereas opportunities for distinctive cultural expression by different communities are being marginalised. We must really ask ourselves the question whether we are occasionally only paying lip service to the acknowledgement of the multidimensional characteristics of South African society.]
The National Arts Council’s main task must be to facilitate the process in such a way that every culture can blossom without the dominance of a forced uniculturalism or globalism.
The Department of Arts and Culture, with the co-ordination of the section 185 commission is in a position to link South Africa in the full realisation of the slogan of the coat of arms - Unity in Diversity. We dare not fail this challenge. I thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr P J NEFOLOVHODWE: Chairperson, when a presentation was made at one of the hearings on science and technology, I asked a question relating to innovations that are characterised by unplanned and unco-ordinated township and rural activities. I did this because in Azapo we are deeply worried about scientific research and innovations that do not translate into useful tools that the poor communities can access and use in order to change the material circumstances in which they live.
The questions we have to ask are: Who are the beneficiaries of South Africa’s innovative scientific studies? Of what benefit are these studies to the poor? Are our many scientists adequately researching areas that can help us eradicate poverty and suffering?
Azapo is aware that to date many scientific studies that have been conducted at various institutions of research in South Africa have benefited the rich. Our belief is that this trend should not be allowed to persist.
Whilst we say this, we should not be understood to be saying that all types of scientific studies and innovations should only benefit the poor. On the contrary, we are raising this in view of our country’s commitment to the eradication of poverty and other ills of society.
Azapo supports the stimulation of innovations through the National Advisory Council on Innovation. We support the ARC studies that are geared at helping small-scale farmers and rural communities in their struggle against poverty. The point we are raising, though, is: How much of this research and the results meant to benefit the poor can actually be accessed by the poor?
Chairperson, most of the scientific knowledge is stored in some highly technical language and the poor cannot access this. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Ms H M MPAKA: Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and hon members, it is a pleasure for me to support, on behalf of the ANC, the Budget Vote of the Department of Science and Technology. I congratulate Mama Buyelwa Sonjica on her appointment as Deputy Minister.
There is so much the department is doing. I think the Department of Science and Technology is one of the best departments in spite of the huge task confronting the Minister and the Deputy Minister. The activities of the department cover a very wide range, much wider than many of us imagine, including the MPs themselves. These activities range from overseeing to financially supporting the work of the science councils.
Comparing the budget allocation to this plethora of responsibilities and litany of programmes undertaken by the department, we can safely conclude that the funds cannot be said to be adequate. The Government does need to devise a strategy to allocate additional funds if these noble tasks are to be carried out as expected, and as required. This observation is backed by the fact that in almost all the presentations on the annual report by stakeholders to the portfolio committee, the common complaint was that policies could be better implemented if more funds were available.
However, it is encouraging to note that despite these limitations, the budget allocation for science and technology has been revised upwards in the current financial year. Notable also is the fact that science and technology spending dominates the department’s budget.
We in the ANC wish to congratulate the department on the strategic plan it has set up to guide its programmes over the next few years. We acknowledge the developments in science and technology in our country and work done under very challenging circumstances. The strategy document outlines a number of exciting possibilities and initiatives for South Africa. Just to mention a few, the Department of Science and Technology, through its agency, the Foundation for Education, Science and Technology, Fest, launched a programme of public understanding of biotechnology, which aims at promoting a clear understanding of the potential of biotechnology and to ensure broad public awareness, dialogue and debate on its current and potential future applications, including genetic modification.
As a result, the public understanding programme is calling for proposals from individuals and organisations with proven capacity in innovative science communication.
Their great achievement is especially true in the area of science and technology. The use of strategic investments in science, therefore, is the only big option that is open to the department and us as the nation. A number of investors and entrepreneurs from the disadvantaged communities have benefited from this programme, which is trying to address the fears of the member of Azapo. New products have been developed, processes improved and product quality significantly enhanced.
The budget document before us recognises the need to strengthen the crucial links between strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring and, most significantly, reporting on service delivery. If service delivery takes place at a speedy and optimal level, we shall have the endorsement of the voters and a valid argument for substantially increasing the budget of this department. There are no grounds for complaints about a bigger share for science and technology. I believe the role of science and technology, as hon members will see, is very extensive and crucial and so this Budget Vote should be increased substantially.
The science and technology programme is divided into four sub-programmes with its tasks and achievements. The first programme is called ``Science, Technology and Knowledge System Development and Maintenance’’ which supports science and technology policy formulation, creating working systems and instruments for development. It transfers technology and knowledge to various institutions.
We have the human resource development and upgrading of staff programme which funds the Innovation Fund. The Poverty Relief Programme, as we all know, challenges the massive poverty that faces our country, but the Department of Science and Technology has made an effort in fighting poverty through its partnership established with the CSIR and the Agricultural Research Council.
Just to cite one example, there is a community in Eshowe that received training in manual paper making technology. Now the community produces a variety of paper-based products and generates a sizeable monthly revenue. As a result of the new developed technologies in, among other things, paper making, beekeeping, leather products and mohair production, other job creation activities have been transferred to poor communities.
The Innovation Fund was created to focus on large-scale projects with a significant research and development programme. The aim is to enhance the efficiency of scientific and technological institutions, to improve the quality and quantity of science and technology skills and produce advanced production systems and products. For example, biologists, organic chemists and gold- mining engineers were brought together by Mintek to develop bioleaching. This recovers gold from gold-bearing orc by biochemical means rather than purely nonorganic chemical means, which uses dangerous chemicals.
Finally, Chairperson, I would like to commend the Minister and both departments for being able to launch an indigenous music programme through the Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Foundation in Tembisa on 21 March 2003. This clearly shows the commitment made by this ANC-led Government to ensure that the lives of the people of South Africa are improved. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr V C GORE: Chair, hon members, economic prosperity and progress is unavoidably linked to science and technology. We need science and technology to design and build new bridges, dams and roads. We need science and technology to find cures to new diseases and viruses. We need science and technology to throw off the shackles of apartheid and poverty, and to claim our rightful place as a leading nation and continent in this world.
However, one of the largest problems facing science and technology in this country, and hence the prosperity and wellbeing of each of our citizens in this country, is research. These fall into two main areas: problems in the area of the aging cohort of our research body; and problems in the amount of money that, as a country, we are spending on research. It is encouraging to note the hon Minister’s admission that this country faces considerable challenges in this regard in addressing the problems of serious scientific skills shortages. The hon Minister has alluded to some possible solutions such as school-level interventions and strengthening tertiary education.
However, the question that needs to be asked is that of supply and demand. Does South Africa have the capacity to produce the required number of researchers in order to fulfil the needs and expectations of its citizens, or is South Africa providing the necessary incentives for our researchers to remain in this country? That is, are our researchers paid comparable packages in an ever-increasingly globalised world? An example of this failure is that the Agricultural Research Council told us recently that they have been unable to give increases to their employees for the last three years.
However, hon Minister, your solutions do not go far enough. What this country needs and what this country demands is strong and definitive leadership in this regard. This country needs to produce a hundredfold more researchers and scientists in a very short period of time. We need to pay them salaries that are comparable in a globalised village.
In this regard, we need to look no further than India to see how they have achieved this. Less than 20 years ago, India was producing the same number of Masters and Ph D researchers in the engineering field as South Africa. Today India produces approximately 45 000 annually - almost 15 times more than South Africa. The direct socioeconomic affect has been immeasurable for India, with huge industries being developed in software development and call centres.
As I mentioned earlier, another major problem that science and technology and hence this country faces is the expenditure on research. It is extremely disturbing to note that expenditure on science and technology investment remains at a comparable low level of 0,17% of GDP as compared to some countries where this figure is as high as 3%.
How are we as a country going to provide the stimulus for new industries and improve existing industries if it remains at this level? How can South Africa solve many of our unique problems if there is no investment in science and technology? Admittedly, it is not solely the responsibility of this department to increase this expenditure. However, this department needs to bring other role-players to the table, such as the Departments of Trade and Industry and Labour, and private industry.
This department needs to play a facilitatory role in ensuring South Africa goes from being an underdeveloped country to a developing country, and ultimately, to a developed country.
In conclusion, on a personal note, it is encouraging to see that the Department of Science and Technology is one of a handful of government departments that has achieved its target for equitable employment of disabled individuals. This achievement is clearly shown. While the ANC-led Government spouts forth its commitment to disabled people, when it comes to real delivery, they pass their responsibility off on an IFP-led Ministry.
The ANC simply ignores the issues of disabled people. The ANC Government expects disabled people to be grateful for what scraps they are thrown from the generous table of their master. The ANC is missing the boat by not recognising the amazing abilities that people with disabilities have developed or utilising their very unique and specialised skills.
In addition, it must be recorded that this department’s target of 2% of its workforce being disabled individuals, when compared to the South African disabled population of around 14%, falls embarrassingly and unacceptably short.
I encourage the hon Minister to raise the bar, employ more disabled people in your departments and utilise their very special and very unique skills, and show the ANC Government what real transformation is all about. Thank you. [Applause]
Ms X C MAKASI: Chairperson, hon Minister, Dr Ngubane, hon Deputy Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, hon members, on behalf of the ANC, I rise to support the Budget Vote.
For such a long time, science and technology have been regarded as a man’s world, and as such women have been, in the most cases, discouraged from taking up careers in the science and technology fields. As a result today, in the private sector and public sector, positions of engineers, technicians and researchers are occupied by men.
This is regarded as a problem and hence the National Advisory Council on Innovation was set up to advise the Minister on strategies for the implementation of the National Systems of Innovation. DACST produced the National Research and Development Strategy, an important document to address various issues which present a problem for science and technology development and hence the growth of the economy. This NRDS document listed a number of problems that prevent rapid economic development. Amongst these issues is that of the ageing scientists, technicians and researchers who are not replaced quickly enough by younger people. This results in the decreasing output of scientific and technological research. In turn, our industries lag behind those abroad; thus our industries become less competitive.
Very few women, in particular black women and the historically disadvantaged youth, have qualified in the science and technology field. Even when they qualify in science and technology, very few stay in the career.
Young girls and black youth have not found science and technology attractive because of the level of the teaching in these areas at the historically disadvantaged schools. This is so because their teachers in turn were also disadvantaged.
Young black girls and youth, but particularly the girls, find it difficult at the universities because they are not properly assisted. This requires that students in engineering and science need to get on-the-job training before they can be awarded a degree. Black women find it particularly difficult to secure jobs for in-service training for a few months because companies reserve these jobs for men, and white men in particular. This means that they cannot complete their degrees since they do not get in- service training. This is discrimination of the worst kind.
The Department of Trade and Industry launched a programme called Technology for Women in Business in 1998. The mission of this programme is to enhance the use of technology by women in business by means of recognising outstanding achievements in this regard; identifying the generic success and challenges of women entrepreneurs in the use of technology, and building up a technology support system to encourage girls and young women to choose careers in science and technology by means of the techno-girl and girlchild programme; and to encourage solutions-based technology research and respond to the needs of SMMEs managed or owned by women.
These are some of the programmes that show that the ANC-led Government is really committed to redressing the imbalances created by the past and the patriarchal society as it seeks to make sure that women really take their deserving place in society and play a meaningful role in the development of the growth of our country’s economy.
In 2002, the National Science and Technology programme for young women was launched by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. This programme aimed to provide girls with the opportunity to engage in an innovative exciting hands-on programme in science and technology and offered them ongoing follow-up support in order to interest and inspire them into studying science at school level and further considering careers in science, engineering and technology.
The target audience of this programme are girls who are doing Grade 6 to Grade 10, which means girls from age 12 to 17, and they will be selected from all nine provinces through the national criteria. These girls will be coming from public schools that offer mathematics and science at the higher grade level. These are some of the great strides that the department has taken in exposing women to the world of technology at a tender age.
NgesiXhosa sithi: Lugotywa luselutsha.'' [In Xhosa we say:A child is
trained at a tender age’’.]
While acknowledging the fact that there is no specific budget, these kinds of programmes must also be encouraged through all other government departments so that we can have balanced development, and enhance the growth of development in our country.
The National Research and Development Strategy advocates the need for the empowerment of women in the science, engineering and technology sectors in order to enhance their involvement in contributing to South Africa’s economic development and growth. It also emphasises the need for special programmes to address the demands of society in a responsive manner by enhancing development in the science and technology field.
Women account for over half of the population and are essential partners in turning the tide against poverty through the development of innovative strategies. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Nkk L R MBUYAZI: Sihlalo nendlu ehloniphekile, ngizokhuluma ngaphansi kukaVoti 18. Ngivumele kuqala ngiqale ngokubonga uNgqongqoshe noMnyango kulo Mnyango waMasiko nezoBuchwepheshe ngegalelo ababe nalo kulo Mnyango, nabo bonke abebebambisene nabo. Ngifisa nokubonga uNkosazana uBrigitte Mabandla, uNgqongqoshe omusha eMnyangweni lo asewuthathile njengamanje ngomsebenzi oncomekayo awenzile wokulandela nokubuyisa udadewethu uSarah Baartman ukuba azophumula ezweni lakubo nelokhokho bakhe.
Ngifisa futhi ukufisela inhlanhla inkosazana laphaya engene ezicathulweni zakhe, iPhini likaNgqongqoshe, uBuyelwa Sonyica. Siyazi ukuthi inkonyane isethuka isisinga, kodwa-ke uzojwayela nkosazana, nokuthi-ke uma sikubona thina siyoma. Njengamanjena-ke asisezokomela amanzi kodwa sesomele ubuchwepheshe ozobukhipha kulo mnyango nolwazi lwezobuSayensi kwabesifazane.
Sihlalo ngizogxila ezindaweni ezimbalwa kule nkulumo yesabiwo mali, kwabesifazane kanye nakwi-programme 2. (Translation of Zulu paragraphs follows.)
[Mrs L R MBUYAZI: Chairperson and honourable House, I am going to talk about Vote No 18. Allow me first to thank the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology for his role in this department, and all those he works with. I also want to thank Ms Brigitte Mabandla, the new Minister in the department that she is in now, for her good work, especially that of bringing our sister Sarah Baartman to the country of her birth to come and rest in it.
I would also like to express my good wishes to the lady who has come to fill her position, the Deputy Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica. We know that she is still new in the position, but she will get used to it. Another thing is that when we see her, we become thirsty. At the moment, we are not thirsty for water; we are thirsty for the science and knowledge that she is going to bring to this department, particularly for women. I will focus on many areas in this budget speech. I will focus on women and on programme 2.]
The main features of programme 2 are to improve the quality of life of South Africans through access to the advancement of technology. This entails creating capacity and skills for innovations, and the use of indigenous knowledge. The main focus in these areas are technology transfers and poverty reduction.
The IFP welcomes the doubled allocation of funds in this programme from R115 million to R232 million.
Umbuzo wami-ke ukuthi ngabe uMhlonishwa kulo mnyango uzokwazi yini ukuthatha igxathi lokuqeda ububha ngokuthi alekelele ososayensi abasakhasa ukuba bakwazi ukuziqalela awabo amabhizinisi amancane kanye nama-SMMES ikakhulukazi abesifazane, intsha kanye nabakhubazekile ukuze bathole ukuxhaswa? (Translation of Zulu paragraph follows.)
[My question is whether the Minister in this department will be able to alleviate poverty by assisting small scientists so that they can start their small businesses. In fact, will he be able to create new entrepreneurs and SMMEs, especially with regard to women, youth and the disabled people, so that they could be sponsored?]
On 26 August 2002, Deputy Minister Brigitte Mabandla chaired the Third World Organisation for Women in Science (TWOWS). This was a panel discussion on women’s perceptions of science and technology for sustainable development.
Sasilaphaya ukuze sikhulume ngokuthi izwe lisibuka kanjani njengabantu besifazane kule misebenzi yobuchwepheshe nobusayensi. Abanye abantu abakholwa ukuthi ugesi ungafakwa umuntu wesifazane. Abanye abakholwa ukuthi ibhanoyi seliyakwazi ukuthi lishayelwe ngumuntu wesifazane. Abakholwa ukuthi umuntu wesifazane engakwazi ukuphasisa uhlaka lwesakhiwo sendlu. Abanye abakholwa ukuthi imoto iphephile uma ishayelwa nje umuntu wesifazane. Baze basho uma kwenzeka iphutha bathi kusho ukuthi bekushayela umuntu wesifazane. Bayaye bajabhe uma sebethola ukuthi kanti bekungenye yamadoda ebishayela. (Translation of Zulu paragraph follows.)
[We were there to discuss how the world perceives women in the areas of science and technology. Some people do not believe that a woman can be an electrician. Others do not believe that a woman can be a pilot. They do not believe that a house plan can be approved by a woman. Some people believe that it is not safe for a woman to drive. When an accident happens, they even say that it is because the driver was a woman, and are disappointed when they find that, in actuality, the driver was a man.]
I am glad to say that on 7 March 2003 the Deputy Minister announced the launch of the South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology (SARG). We hope that this will empower women in the science, engineering and technology sectors in order to enhance their involvement in contributing to South Africa’s economic development and growth.
Women comprise over half of the population and are essential partners in turning the tide against poverty through the development of innovative technology.
Ngifisa ukubongela izingane zethu esezingochwepheshe kwezobusayensi, ubunjiniyela nobuciko. Ngifisa ukuzibongela zonke kodwa ikakhulukazi ezamantombazane, esezikwazi ukushayela amabhanoyi, imikhumbi, esezingodokotela, ezisemikhakheni yogesi, kwezokwakha kanye nezokufunda isimo sezulu.
Ngithanda futhi ukuthinta nasolwazini lwendabuko. Ngabe umnyango uke ukuqaphele nje ukuxhashazwa kwabantu abadala abanolwazi olunzulu ngezinto ezithile? Kuye kusuke abantu abathile baye emakhaya bephelezela abanye bafike bathekele ulwazi maqede bakhohlise lowo muntu omdala mhlawumbe ngo- R50,00. Babuyele emuva bese bona beyobhala emabhukwini amakhulu, kubhalwe phansi amagama abo athole ukuthi aziwe nasemabhukwini amakhulu bese kude kuthiwa ubani wathola ikhambi elithile kanti ulilande laphaya phansi kwesihlahla kumuntu omdala. Lokho-ke kuwukuxhaphazeka kwabantu abadala basemakhaya.
Sifisa ukuthi umnyango ubabheke labo bantu abathola udumo ngabanye abantu. Kukhona-ke futhi abanye abantu abanolwazi lwezinto ezithile kulo ulwazi lwendabuko. Ngizobala okumbalwa ngoba okunye bakuthintile.
Kukhona ukuthi kugaywe ukudla kwesiZulu, ummbila uxutshwe namantongomane kube wukudla nje umuntu angakudla indlela yonke, okuwukudla okungaboli. Okunye kokudla okukhona lokho ukudla okunomsoco kodwa futhi okwenza umuntu akhule. Indlela okwakuphekwa ngayo, kwakubiliswa, kubekwe amathanga phezu kommbila. Umuntu wayedla kahle ukudla kungazange kuphume umsoco.
Ngithanda nokubala izindlela zomhlabathi ukuthi abantu banolwazi ngomhlabathi njengokuthi bakutshele ukuthi kule ndawo ungakwazi ukutshala, kodwa ngeke umakhise umuntu kule ndawo ngoba ayilungele ukwakhiwa.
Kukhona futhi eminye imithi eyaziwa abantu bakithi. Uma umuntu ephuke ithambo sinendlela yokuthi lixhunywe libuyele endaweni yalo. Lokhu kwenziwa ngomhlabelo. Ngabe uMnyango uke uwubheke nje ukuthi umhlabelo lo unomsebenzi omkhulu kangakanani? Ngakho-ke uma kukhulunywa ngolwazi lwendabuko, nawo awucwaningwe bese kwakhiwa nomkhandlu wabo laba bantu abanolwazi oluthile ngoba phela bakhona ezindaweni kuzo zonke izifundazwe.
Ubaba laphaya uke wathinta indaba yokuthi sinolwazi ngezinkanyezi ukuthi inkanyezi ethile isho ukuthini, njengokuthi indonsa isho ukuthini. Ngakho- ke luningi ulwazi oluphethwe abantu bakithi laphaya emakhaya.
Siyayisekela … [Kwaphela isikhathi.] (Translation of Zulu paragraphs follows.)
[I would like to say congratulations to our children who are now scientists, engineers and artists. I would like to say congratulations to all of them, especially the female children who are now pilots, captains of ships, doctors, electricians and climatologists.
I also want to talk briefly about indigenous knowledge. Has the department noticed the extent to which our elders who are experts in indigenous knowledge are exploited? Some people accompany researchers to the rural areas to search for knowledge from the people there. They would just pay the informant R50,00. Then they would go back and write huge books. Their names would be popular because they would be in big books. People would say so, and discover that all the while he was in fact using the knowledge he got from an elderly person in the rural areas. That is how the elderly people in the rural areas are exploited. We would like to ask the department to watch out for people who obtain popularity through those means.
There are people who are experts in certain areas of indigenous knowledge. I am going to mention a few areas of indigenous knowledge here because other areas have already been mentioned.
There was a method of cooking in which a Zulu food would be ground up. The mealies would be mixed with groundnuts to make ``padkos’’ that one would eat all the way without the food going stale. Those are some of the kinds of food that we have and which are grown. The way it was cooked was to boil the mealies and put some pumpkin on top of the mealies. One would eat food that had not lost its nutrients.
I would like to mention the types of knowledge that our people have about soil. They can tell one that one can grow crops here and that one cannot erect a building there because the soil is not good for that.
There are also some medicines in which our people are experts. If one had had broken a bone, they were able to fix it. They would fix it with umhlabelo medicine. Has the department done research into how useful the umhlabelo medicine is? Therefore, when we talk about indigenous knowledge, the umhlabelo must also be researched and a council of experts in indigenous knowledge should be formed, because we have these people in all our provinces.
My father over there said something about the knowledge of stars. He said something about what a certain star represents, for instance, about the indonsa star and what it represents. Therefore, our people there in the rural areas have a lot of knowledge.
We support … [Time expired.] [Applause.]]
Mr E N NGCOBO: Thank you, Chairperson. Firstly allow me to thank the hon Minister for presenting his budget today. I stand here on behalf of the ANC to support the Budget Vote on the Science and Technology Appropriation Bill. Allow me also to congratulate the Deputy Minister on her new appointment to this challenging job. Science and Technology is a very challenging job, but with effort you will achieve results.
Hon members, guests of Parliament, on behalf of the ANC, I support the Budget Vote for the following reasons: The Vote is based on the National Research and Development Strategy as approved in 2002 by the Cabinet with a clear vision of alleviating poverty, and the enhancement of freedom among our suffering masses.
Through a variety of interventionist programmes such as Godisa and Tshumisano, the Pumani papermaking project, and biotechnology centres in some provinces, South Africa is being taken into world centres of excellence such as the Nonaligned Movement Science and Technology Centre in India and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Italy, where we are very close to cloning human beings; and that happens at these centres, just to mention a few points. South Africa’s biotechnological potential is being shown that it is people- centred and on the verge of an irreversible rise from the ashes of the apartheid isolation from the world community of progressive nations.
On the question of taking science and technology back to the people, the department has also done well so far. This is seen and witnessed by the promotion of the Public Communication of Science and Technology programme, and the testimony to this fact is the seventh international congress that was recently hosted at the University of Cape Town in December 2002, via the Foundation for Education in Science and Technology, Fest, an organ of the Department of Science and Technology, in which 42 nations of the world participated. Another similar programme which the Government has also initiated is Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology, Puset, aimed at popularising technical sciences with our masses.
Most important of all is the promotion of information and communication technology as a tool for the new working order of Government, aimed at bridging the gap between the people and the various institutions of government, including Parliament. This has mutual benefits for both the Government and the people on the ground in that the ICTs are cheaper and quicker than human-executed processes for the storing, processing, outputting and transmitting of information. Over and above the above- mentioned benefits, firstly, they can lead to faster and more transparent decision-making; secondly, innovative e-government can demonstrate the benefits of ICTs to the wider population, thus catalysing the ICT industry and encouraging foreign investments; thirdly, civil servants can be better motivated and the civil service can improve its public image through information and communication technologies, and, fourthly, when citizens are able to access information and understand the workings of Government, the scope of corruption can be reduced.
Among the potentially repeatable success stories in the adoption of ICTs in developing countries are, for example, Egypt, where a comprehensive national database has provided an accurate and cost-effective basis for issuing national ID cards.
Secondly, there is Tanzania, where Internet-enabled systems for civil service financial management are being rolled out countrywide.
Thirdly, in India, village entrepreneurs run cyberkiosks. They go online on behalf of clients, help them talk to customers and officials and thus bridge the gap between cyberspace and rural life.
There are many such important developments based on e-government which have taken place in the world, especially in the developing countries. In a nutshell, e-governance will lead to e-administration which will connect e- citizens with e-services, thereby building an e-society which will no doubt be globally competitive. This will mark the greatest achievement by the Department of Science and Technology as well as that of the ANC-led Government.
The quality of life of any nation is measured by the economic growth of that given nation. Economic growth is itself governed by three factors, namely, growth in physical capital inputs into production, growth in labour inputs into production, and improvements in technology. In the South African context, statistics reveal that, in the period from the 1970s to the 1980s, the average economic growth was heavily led by capital and labour inputs, whilst in the 1990s the situation started to be reversed, resulting in efficiency improvement in production due to technological advancements.
The latter emphasises the importance of a well-defined national system of innovation which is necessary to create an enabling environment for the development of technological skills, as well as the allocation of these skills and resources to research and development, coupled with the facilitation of capital investment to exploit the output of such research and development strategy. The foregoing observation seems to suggest, therefore, that innovation, science, technology and human capital can all play a significant role as enablers of sustainable long-term growth in our national economy.
However, sustainable economic growth for our nation will not be realisable in the current socioeconomic set-up and arrangement as dominated by racial imbalances, both in human and physical capital. What then should be done? The answer is concise: black empowerment.
At this juncture, it may be wise probably to re-examine the successes and failures of the white empowerment programmes adopted since 1892 by the then Cape colonial governments, including the apartheid regime in 1948. Such a review reveals the following trends. Firstly, white empowerment programmes demonstrate that when government focuses on long-term investment in education, poverty relief and affirmative measures - that is procurement and employment coupled with an enabling environment for economic growth - a developmental state can support economic growth and at the same time reduce levels of poverty and increase business ownership within a targeted population group.
Secondly, it reveals that the promotion of white supremacy through white empowerment was a disastrous initiative which led to the emergence of the world’s most unequal society, torn apart by mass civil strife and conflict, regional wars and environmental degradation.
Thirdly, it also reveals in the context of a growing economy that white empowerment ensured that whites were absorbed at levels higher than blacks and the latter led to the emergence of a self-sustaining white labour aristocracy based on superior knowledge and skills.
Fourthly, there were colonial government initiatives such as land settlement, irrigation, public works, etc, aimed at improving the living conditions of poor white families, grew the economy, while at the same time relieving poverty.
Fifthly, industrial policy put in place by General Jan Smuts between 1918 and 1924, which focused on growth, research and development, state enterprises, etc, helped to widen the gap between blacks and whites in educational and economic opportunities, so that by the 1950s, the supply of unskilled whites had already disappeared and been substituted by blacks. By the 1980s, whites controlled most businesses and were the majority within professions and the skilled labour market.
Arising from the above-mentioned experiences, our ANC-led Government has therefore undertaken to initiate and support black empowerment on the basis of the following principles: firstly, education and skills development in the historically disadvantaged communities resulting from white empowerment of many decades; poverty relief; affirmative preference; land and capital ownership, and economic growth fostered by a developmental state.
Unlike the white empowerment programmes of the former illegitimate colonial governments which were dedicated to entrenching white supremacy, our legitimate Government promotes black empowerment, not as a goal, but as a business strategy aimed at facilitating access to educational and economic opportunities for the formerly disadvantaged communities.
Secondly, it is building a democratic society where individual ability, talent and effort is rewarded with recognition and incentive. Thirdly, it is eliminating poverty and creating a better life for all within a policy framework for sustainable development. Therefore, under these strategies, where black and white empowerment were aimed at serving different goals, we think that this is a big challenge - to the Ministry of Science and Technology, in particular, but the whole Government in general - to review and speed up the changes in black empowerment, especially among women as well as people with disabilities.
We have not done much since 1994, but something has been done, and it needs to be acknowledged; but we think that in the near future more will be done and at an accelerated pace.
Before I conclude my talk, I would just like to go back and address the House about the Iraq question.
An HON MEMBER: The debate is about science and technology! [Interjections.]
Mr N E NGCOBO: The Iraq question is really based on science and technology. It is based on science and technology with weapons of mass destruction at the centre of the science and technology arena. [Interjections.] The world should unite against the illegitimate invasion of one country by a superpower whose sole reason is that it possesses weapons of mass destruction to destroy anybody who challenges its invasion. Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Chairperson, I would like to acknowledge very significant members of the science and arts communities in the public gallery: Ms Sylvia Mdunyelwa, an artist; Prof Cynthia Marivate, the CEO of PanSalb; Mr Eddie Mbalo, CEO of National Film and Video Foundation; Mr Rashid Lombard, the maestro here who gives us the North Sea Jazz Festival every year … [Applause] … Dr Peter Lor, CEO of our National Library; Prof B Serowe, acting CEO of Northern Flagship; a delegation from the Flemish government’s Ministry of culture who are currently in South Africa to assist in the formulation of collaborative projects that the Department of Arts and Culture is working on with the Flanders government. You are most welcome and we appreciate your co- operation. [Applause.]
Many issues have been raised by the hon members of the House. There were very constructive observations, encouragement and, of course, invaluable support that has been given to the two departments that we head. I’m very deeply appreciative of the support that has been given and I believe that, working together through the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, we will refine our strategies and create new thrusts in the future in terms of the priorities for this country, for our region and for the continent.
Quite clearly, human resource development is at the heart of it. We cannot produce a vibrant, innovation system in the country, both in terms of science and technology, but also in terms of the arts, without a continuous flow and growth of new researchers and new artists populating our institutions.
We have seen a lot of progress, particularly in the number of African students who are passing matric at the higher grade level in mathematics and science. Quite clearly, a new culture is now taking shape abroad all over the communities. Parents are getting more interested in the education of their children. I know that a lot of parents who can afford to do so are buying computers for their sons and daughters. Quite clearly, the message is reaching somewhere.
Education is working very closely with us, as well as the private sector, and a lot of foreign governments are very keen supporters and participants in the drive to create a science and technology cadre in terms of teachers in our schools. Programmes to upgrade teachers’ qualifications are very successful. So I must say that the prospects are good for this country, and good also in terms of retaining our young scientists, our artists and our computer experts.
As we implement the new research and development strategy, we will be creating new career paths for our young people. It is quite meaningless to train people at a PhD or Masters level and then expect the only avenue of employment to be that of becoming a teacher. For too long in this country, African graduates could only become teachers. People went to university, did their BSc and found that many of the avenues were closed at the time, and then the teaching profession became less and less attractive because people felt the restriction.
Our biotechnology regional centres of excellence, which will be multidisciplinary, are opening up a whole new avenue in terms of pharmaceuticals, soil remediation, water purification and in terms of our forestry and chemical industries and, of course, in terms of enhancing our natural-resource-based industries. This, I think, is going to absorb a huge number of people.
I was talking to Noc Frick, the CEO of the Council for Geoscience. He was telling me about the problem of acidic water in our mines. And the only solution is not a physical one, but a mechanical one, through biotechnological remediation, using bacteria, etc. And here, just in that area alone, huge possibilities for doctoral and post-doctoral students are developing.
So the situation is bright. Let us not be despondent. We may not do everything all at once. We may not achieve total eradication of poverty, but by creating the basis for new industries and for new markets, we can say that we are addressing the issue even now.
As far as culture is concerned, we are on a very strong drive around issues of moral regeneration. We believe that for a society to be progressive, successful and stable, the morality issues, the values and the normative order of society and communities are absolutely critical. So we have engaged on a new project in Arts and Culture, using choral music to drive the Moral Regeneration Movement.
We are, of course, looking at visual arts as well. We have not emphasised the visual arts properly. Sweden and many other countries in the Nordic region make it a law that 1% of expenditure on any new building is allocated to the arts. In other words, every new government building will be a possibility for the exhibition of new artists and even established ones. Therefore you create a market for the visual arts. And I’m going to recommend strongly to our Minister of Public Works that all government buildings become a venue for exhibiting our new artists and also propose that all departments buy this art, just as the private sector has been doing, in order to create a market and therefore to create jobs.
Our performing arts are doing well. For the first time, we are going to have R42 million just for the performing arts companies. This is a very significant … [Applause] … movement compared to what happened in the past when money went to the four performing arts councils. The administrators looked after their own interests, but very little went to paying the artists themselves. So there has been a significant change.
With regard to community arts and the traditional dancers, traditional singers, and composers, someone has made the remark that they are not being developed properly compared to more advanced arts or modern arts. We want to bring indigenous music and indigenous dances onto the same level that Western ballet or Western opera is at, and that means … [Applause] … promoting the teaching of these disciplines at technikons, in private academies and at universities because these are an expression of the indigenous character of our people, and can be a new product that we export as a nation.
I know that the hon Anna van Wyk is very concerned about the heritage sector. She has made this point very forcefully. We are going to take those issues up because we cannot allow this to happen to valuable heritage, which is limited, by the way. You know, built heritage, in comparison with the rest of the developed world, is very limited in South Africa. These old Dutch gables, the churches and the furniture in these buildings have got to be protected and preserved at all costs, so we will be doing so.
I am happy that there is an understanding of the importance of multilingualism in empowering the whole subregion of Southern Africa. I’m happy with this remark because indeed it is going to be prominent in our culture programme when we deal with SADC Ministers. So, thank you very much for your support. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The House adjourned at 12:58. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2003
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
-
Translations of Bills submitted: (1) The Minister of Finance:
(i) uMthethu woLwabiwo Mali-Ngeniso [B 9 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76).
This is the official translation into isiXhosa of the Division of Revenue Bill [B 9 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76).
National Assembly:
- The Speaker:
(1) Mr A Blaas, on 3 April 2003, left the New National Party and
joined the African Christian Democratic Party.
- Referrals to committees of tabled papers:
(1) The Report of the Auditor-General contained in the following
paper is referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for
consideration and report:
The Report and Financial Statements of the Public Investment
Commissioners for 2001-2002, including the Report of the Auditor-
General on the Financial Statements for 2001-2002 [RP 214-2002].
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
- The Minister of Finance:
Memorandum on changes in the form of the 2003 Estimates of National
Expenditure (ENE).
- The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
(1) Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement in the
Southern African Development Community, tabled in terms of section
231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation
and Law Enforcement in the Southern African Development Community.
- The Minister of Labour:
Strategic Plan for the Department of Labour for 2003-2006.
FRIDAY, 4 APRIL 2003
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- Classification of Bills by Joint Tagging Mechanism:
(1) The Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) on 4 April 2003 in terms of
Joint Rule 160(3), classified the following Bill as a section 75
Bill:
(i) Banks Amendment Bill [B 15 - 2003] (National Assembly -
sec 75).
- Translations of Bills submitted:
(1) The Minister of Finance:
(i) Wysigingswetsontwerp op Versekering [W 52 - 2002]
(National Assembly - sec 75).
This is the official translation into Afrikaans of the Insurance
Amendment Bill [B 52 - 2002] (National Assembly - sec 75).
National Assembly:
- The Speaker:
(1) Mr M F Cassim, on 4 April 2003, left the Inkatha Freedom Party
and joined the Peace and Justice Congress.
- Membership of Portfolio and House Committees:
(1) The following changes have been made to the membership of
Committees, viz:
Agriculture and Land Affairs:
Discharged: Hanekom, D A; Zita, L.
Arts, Culture, Science and Technology:
Discharged: Tsheole, N M.
Communications:
Discharged: Mtsweni, N S.
Education:
Discharged: Kgwele, L M.
Finance:
Discharged: Hanekom, D A.
Foreign Affairs:
Appointed: Mokoena, A D (Alt); Ramgobin, M.
Discharged: Lobe, M C; Saloojee, E.
Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women:
Discharged: Twala, N M.
Private Members' Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions:
Discharged: Kgwele, L M.
Public Accounts:
Discharged: Hlangwana, N L.
Public Enterprises:
Discharged: Tsheole, N M.
Public Service and Administration:
Discharged: Baloyi, M R.
Transport:
Discharged: Hlangwana, N L.
Water Affairs and Forestry:
Discharged: Hanekom, D A.
- Referrals to committees of tabled papers:
(1) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Justice and Constitutional Development for consideration and
report:
(a) Southern African Development Community Protocol on
Extradition, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the
Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum on the Southern African Development
Community Protocol on Extradition.
(c) Southern African Development Community Protocol on Mutual
Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, tabled in terms of
section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(d) Explanatory Memorandum on the Southern African Development
Community Protocol on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
Matters.
(2) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Arts, Culture, Science and Technology:
(a) Strategic Plan of the Department of Arts and Culture for
2003-2006.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the National Archivist
and the State Herald for 2000-2001.
(c) Strategic Plan of the Department of Science and Technology
for 2003-2006.
(3) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Public Service and Administration:
Report of the Public Service Commission on the Implementation of
the Framework for the Evaluation of Heads of Department (HOD's)
[RP 9-2003].
(4) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Finance:
(a) Proclamation No 5 published in Government Gazette No 24349
dated 31 January 2003: Commencement of certain sections, made
in terms of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001 (Act
No 38 of 2001).
(b) Regulation No R 302 published in Government Gazette No
24941 dated 28 February 2003: Prescribing of conditions for
the provision of scholarships, bursaries and awards for study,
research and teaching, made in terms of the Income Tax Act,
1962 (Act No 58 of 1962).
(c) Government Notice No R 269 published in Government Gazette
No 24938 dated 28 February 2003: Appointment of members and
alternate members of the Public Accountants' and Auditors'
Board, made in terms of the Public Accountants' and Auditors'
Act, 1991 (Act No 80 of 1991).
(5) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Sport and Recreation:
Strategic Plan of the Department of Sport and Recreation for 2003-
2006.
(6) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Justice and Constitutional Development and to the Portfolio
Committee on Finance, in respect of reparations:
Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tabled in
terms of section 44 of the Promotion of National Unity and
Reconciliation Act, 1995 (Act No 34 of 1995).
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
- The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry:
Government Notice No 354 published in the Government Gazette No 25010
dated 7 March 2003: Correction Notice to Government Notice No 193 dated
7 February regarding the notice of time for a general authorisation
published in terms of section 36 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act
No 36 of 1998).
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
National Assembly:
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Finance on the Banks Amendment Bill [B 15 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), dated 2 April 2003:
The Portfolio Committee on Finance, having considered the subject of the Banks Amendment Bill [B 15 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 75 Bill, reports the Bill with amendments [B 15A - 2003].