National Assembly - 22 September 2003
MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2003 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:03.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.
NEW MEMBER
(Announcement)
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have to announce that the vacancy that has arisen as a result of the resignation of Mr J J Niemann has been filled, in accordance with item 6(3) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution, 1996, by the nomination of Mr P W Saaiman with effect from 18 September 2003.
The member made and subscribed the oath in the Speaker’s office on Friday, 19 September 2003.
I also wish to inform members that the Speaker has received notification from the President that he has appointed Mr Saaiman Deputy Minister of Correctional Services. [Applause.]
CANCELLATION OF PROTEAS' TOUR TO PAKISTAN
(Draft Resolution)
Mr D H M GIBSON: Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes the decision by the United Cricket Board to cancel the Proteas’ tour to Pakistan;
(2) believes that the safety of our sportsmen must be paramount in any decision on sports tours;
(3) regrets the loss of opportunity for our cricketers to display their skills on the world stage; and
(4) expresses the hope that a safe and satisfactory solution can be found to this matter which may yet see the tour go ahead.
Agreed to.
CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING AWAY OF LESOTHO'S QUEEN MOTHER
(Draft Resolution)
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes -
(a) with sadness the passing away on 13 September 2003 of Lesotho's
Queen Mother, Nkhono `Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, who was buried on
19 September 2003; and
(b) that the queen mother was a tireless worker for social
development, running a scholarship fund for needy children and
involving herself in several charity groups in Lesotho; and
(2) expresses its heartfelt condolences to her family and friends and the government and people of Lesotho.
Agreed to.
SUSPENSION OF RULE 253(1)
(Draft Resolution)
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I move the motion printed on the Order Paper in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, as follows:
That Rule 253(1) be suspended for the purpose of conducting the Second Reading debates on the following Bills:
(a) Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B 28B - 2003] (National
Assembly - sec 75);
(b) National Gambling Bill [B 48 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec
76);
(c) General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill [B 47 - 2003] (National
Assembly - sec 75); and
(d) Electoral Laws Amendment Bill [B 54B - 2003] (National Assembly
- sec 75).
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections?
Mr D H M GIBSON: Deputy Speaker, there are objections from the DA to item (b). The rest we support; item (b) we do not.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is an objection from the DA to item (b).
Agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Inkatha Freedom Party dissenting).
APPOINTMENT OF DR TSHABALALA-MSIMANG AS ACTING PRESIDENT
(Member's Statement)
Nkk M N OLIPHANT (ANC): Sekela Somlomo, labo abangezwani nokukhushulwa kwesithunzi nempilo yabantu besifazane badumele ngenkathi uNgqongqoshe, uDkt Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, efungiswa ukuba nguMongameli wezwe obambile kulo Msombuluko esisuka kuwo.
Izitha zenqubekela phambili ziyakhohlwa umsebenzi omuhle owenziwe nguHulumeni ka-ANC ekwenzeni ngcono impilo yabantu bakithi. Ziyakhohlwa yiqhaza elibalulekile elibanjwe nguNgqonqgoshe wezeMpilo kulo mkhankaso. Zishiswa ubandlululo nokubukela phansi abantu besifazane. Izitha zenqubekela phambili zishaya sengathi zilwa noNgqongqoshe kanti zilwa ne- ANC nemigomo yayo ethi abantu besifazane mababekwe ngokushesha ezingeni elihambisana nemiyalelo yokuhlonishwa kwamalungelo esintu.
Siyabonga kuNgqongqoshe uTshabalala-Msimang ukuthi uzibambe kahle izintambo zombuso ngenkathi uMongameli nePhini lakhe bengekho. Lokhu kuyinselelo kubo bonke abesimame ukuba bazi ukuthi akukho mqansa abangewukhwele. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)
[Mrs M N OLIPHANT: Deputy Speaker, those who are opposed to women’s empowerment were unhappy when Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was sworn in as the Acting President of the Republic of South Africa.
The enemies of progress tend to forget about the good work the ANC Government has done to improve the lives of our people. They forget the important role played by the Minister of Health in this campaign. They are full of the apartheid spirit and they look down on women. The enemies of progress pretend to criticise the Minister but in fact they are criticising the ANC’s policy, which says that women should be put at a level that is in line with the rules respecting human rights.
Thank you, Minister Tshabalala-Msimang for performing the duties of acting President so well while the President and his deputy were away. It is a challenge to all women to know that there is no challenge that they cannot face successfully. Thank you. [Applause.]
BY-ELECTION IN MALMESBURY
(Member's Statement)
Mnr F J VAN DEVENTER (DA): Agb Adjunkspeaker, die uitslag van die tussenverkiesing wat op 17 September 2003 in Malmesbury plaasgevind het, bevestig tendense in ander tussenverkiesings in die Wes-Kaap, byvoorbeeld Swellendam, Stellenbosch en in Grassy Park, naamlik dat die DA goed op koers is om die ANC-nuwe NP-koalisie uit die kussings te lig in die 2004- verkiesing in die Wes-Kaap. In Malmesbury het die DA 59,1%, die ANC 27,5% en die Nuwe NP 13,3% van die stemme getrek. In die verkiesing van 1999 het die Nuwe NP in dieselfde gebied 50,29%, die ANC 37,27% en die ou DP 4,03% van die stemme getrek. In 2000 was die DA se stemme in dieselfde gebied 55,9%, wat beteken dat daar ‘n groei van 4% in die laaste tussenverkiesing was.
Dit is duidelik dat die kiesers van alle gemeenskappe in die Wes-Kaap die Nuwe NP reeds afgeskryf het as ‘n nuttelose en onbeholpe party in die stryd vir die behoud van ‘n veelpartydemokrasie, wie se invloed nie vele groter is as dié van die MF nie. Die Nuwe NP het niks minder SA ‘n vennoot van die ANC geword om mag te sentraliseer, om sinvolle opposisie te negeer en demokratiese beginsels en vryheid te verkwansel in ‘n poging om te oorleef nie. Die kiesers verdien beter. Die kiesers verdien ‘n DA-regering in die Wes-Kaap. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr F J VAN DEVENTER (DA): Hon Deputy Speaker, the results of the by- election which took place on 17 September 2003 in Malmesbury, affirm trends in other by-elections in the Western Cape, for example Swellendam, Stellenbosch and Grassy Park, namely that the DA is well on its way to ousting the ANC-New NP coalition in the 2004 elections in the Western Cape. In Malmesbury, the DA polled 59,1% of the votes, the ANC 27,5% and the New NP 13,3%. In the 1999 election, in the same region, the New NP polled 50,29% of the votes, the ANC 37,27% and the former DP 4,03%. In 2000, the DA polled 55,9% in the same region, which means that there was a growth of 4% since the previous by-election.
It is clear that the voters from all communities in the Western Cape have already written off the New NP as a useless and inept party in the struggle for the preservation of a multiparty democracy, whose influence is not much greater than that of the MF. The New NP has become a mere partner of the ANC to centralise power, to disregard meaningful opposition and to barter away democratic principles and freedom in order to survive. The voters deserve better. The voters deserve a DA government in the Western Cape. [Applause.]]
SHOCKING KIDNAPPING OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
(Member's Statement)
Nksz M XULU (IFP): Kwenzeke isigameko esishaqisayo lapho owesilisa oneminyaka engamashumi amathathu ethumba ingane yentombazane eneminyaka eyishumi nane ekhaya layo eMpumalanga Koloni, wayiletha lapha eKapa ukuze ayenze inkosikazi yakhe. Le ngane ebifunda ibanga lesithupha, iye yavalelwa emkhukhwini walo mlisa yase inukubezwa ngokocansi izikhathi eziningana.
Okubi kakhulu ukuthi le ngane ayigcinanga nje ngokuhlukunyezwa kodwa ilahlekelwe nayithuba lokuqhubeka nezifundo zayo, njengoba kade ivalelwe emkhukhwini walo mlisa. Ingane eneminyaka eyishumi nane isuke isaqhubeka nokukhula emzimbeni ngisho nasengqondweni. Ngale kwalokho, isuke isenamathuba amahle kanye namaphupho amaningi okusuke kufanele iwenze empilweni. Ngeshwa, le ngane seyephucwe zonke lezi zinto yilo mlisa onomhobholo nenkohlakalo obone le ngane njengento angayisebenzisa ukufeza izinjongo zakhe zokonakala.
Le ngane beyisabhekene nomsebenzi owodwa nje wokufunda kunokuba yenziwe izinto zabantu abadala; singasayiphathi eyokuba yenziwe inkosikazi, okungumsebenzi nakho ngokwakho owehlula abantu abadala ukuthi unganikezwa ingane eneminyaka eyishumi nane.
Sibonga, nokho, bonke abenze ukuthi lo mlisa ogange kangaka akwazi ukuthi aboshwe ukuze nabasazokwenza, bazi ukuthi uma wenza into enjena ubhekana nani. Siyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu member’s statement follows.)
[Miss M XULU (IFP): A shocking incident took place when a 30-year old man kidnapped a 14-year old girl from her home in the Eastern Cape and brought her to Cape Town so as to make her his wife. This child was doing Grade 6. She was locked in this man’s shack and sexually abused on a number of occasions.
What is even worse is that not only was this child abused but she also lost an opportunity to continue with her studies, as she was locked in this man’s shack. A 14-year-old child is still developing physically and mentally. She still has good opportunities and many dreams, which she has yet to fulfil in her life. Unfortunately, this child has been deprived of all these things by this greedy and corrupt man who saw this child as an object to fulfil his evil purposes.
This child was still faced with the duty of studying rather than being made to do adult activities, not to mention becoming a wife - a duty that even adults cannot handle, and yet it is given to a 14-year-old child.
We are thankful, though, to those who made it possible for this very wicked man to be apprehended, so that even those who are thinking of doing the same thing will know what will happen to them. We thank you.
Mr C H F GREYLING: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: There is no interpreting service.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Could we have interpreting please? The staff will look into that.
ARREST OF VIARSA
(Member's Statement)
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE (ANC): Madam Speaker, the ANC wishes to congratulate those South Africans who were involved in the arrest of the vessel, Viarsa. South Africa has been in the forefront of pushing for greater international controls over Patagonian toothfish and other endangered fish species, and illegal fishing practices.
South Africa is, therefore, particularly pleased to have been able to come to the assistance of Australia in this dramatic 21-day hot pursuit across the Southern Ocean. This is the second time that South Africa has co- operated with Australia in this manner. Two years ago, South Africa assisted Australia in the arrest of the South Tommy for illegally fishing Patagonian toothfish which led to her arrest and conviction.
South Africa is committed to such co-operation because not only is Patagonian toothfish highly endangered and requires protection, but also because it is an extremely valuable fish which is found in our seas, notably around Marion Island and Prince Edward Island. Beyond this, South Africa recognises its international obligation in terms of the high seas and protecting Patagonian toothfish. These obligations arise in terms of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources of which South Africa is a member.
We salute the ANC for the notable stability and normality in the fishing industry. I thank you. [Applause.]
APPEAL FOR INTERVENTION BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH IN MPUMALANGA
(Member's Statement)
Dr R T RHODA (New NP): Madam Deputy Speaker, the time has come for the national Minister of Health to intervene in the health department of Mpumalanga. This department has been wracked by controversy over the past years which has, in turn, hampered service delivery. The New NP welcomes the removal of the previous MEC for health after the premier had admitted that the department of health was in serious disarray and that there were cases of gross mismanagement and neglect in the department.
However, only three weeks after the appointment of the new MEC, Busi Coleman, there are, once again, allegations of nepotism and maladministration. The New NP is worried that these allegations will, once again, shift the focus from service delivery to the people of Mpumalanga to internal political disputes. The only solution for this is for the national Minister of Health to intervene because the people of Mpumalanga deserve better service delivery. I thank you.
RELEASE OF CRIME STATISTICS
(Member's Statement)
Mr L M GREEN (ACDP): Deputy Speaker, the most important function of civil government is to protect law-abiding citizens and to bring to justice all those who break the law.
The release of the latest crime statistics to the media today, under the lock-up situation, is unacceptable to the ACDP. We understand if the Minister of Finance needs a lock-up session with the finance committee in order to release details of the Budget before he addresses this House on the same day. But, we fail to understand why crime statistics are made available to the press before they are made available to members of this House. The Safety and Security committee has an oversight role and should be the first to be informed of the latest crime statistics.
The mentioning today, by the Minister, that crime is stabilising is not encouraging to the ACDP. Government must set clear achievable goals to eliminate crime and not to stabilise it. Much more funding must be made available to fight crime. I thank you.
CONVICTION OF TWO RAPISTS
(Member's Statement)
Ms M R MORUTOA (ANC): Deputy Speaker, last week two men who were convicted of serial rape charges in the Delmas circuit court were sentenced to long jail terms. Jan Moraring and Johannes Twala received 254 and 146 year sentences respectively. The ANC welcomes these long sentences that were meted out to these rapists. It is of critical importance that our justice system sends out a clear message that there is no place for abusers of women and children in our society. We also commend the SA Police Service for their sterling work in bringing such culprits to book. Incidents of this nature, though, point to a greater social problem. They are a manifestation of a sickness that still afflicts our society. Partly, they emphasise the need to accelerate our moral regeneration effort and, on a broader level, the need to work unreservedly for the creation of a normal society that is free from sexism, prejudice and inhumanity, and the need to accelerate social, political, economic and cultural transformation. I thank you. [Applause.]
FF WINS TWO ELECTIONS
(Member's Statement)
Dr P W A MULDER (FF): During the past week, the FF participated in two important elections. In both of these elections the FF won. The FF would like to thank the voters for their support and their confidence in the FF.
Last week, the FF defeated both the DA and the ANC in the student representative council election at the University of Pretoria. It is most significant that the New NP had chosen not to participate in this particular election. The SRC election is driven on a party political basis. Both Mr Lekota and Mr Leon visited 30 campuses as part of their parties’ campaigns. The results indicate to what extent the youth and leaders of tomorrow prefer and support the FF as a political party.
Last Wednesday, the FF, also, against the expectations of many, won a municipal by-election in ward 23 in Bloemfontein - one of the strongest DA wards in Bloemfontein. In the by-election, the FF polled 1 231 votes against the 1 206 of the DA. In the previous election, which was held in 2000, the DA managed to obtain 86% of the votes in ward 23. This time, the DA only received 37% of the votes. The New NP received 552 - which is 17% of the votes, and the ACDP received 264. A high voting percentage of 41% was registered.
The results of both these elections indicate a significant shift by voters to the FF, and that has definite implications for the realignment of political parties regarding the general election of next year.
Die Vryheidsfront wil alle kiesers daar buite wat op hierdie wyse hulle vertroue in die Vryheidsfront gestel het, bedank vir hul steun. Baie dankie. [The Freedom Front wants to thank all voters out ther, who put their trust in the Freedom Front in this manner, for their support. Thank you very much.]
CLOSURE OF NEWSPAPER IN ZIMBABWE
(Member's Statement)
Ms T E MILLIN (IAM): Madam Deputy Speaker, weekend headlines and editorials proclaimed, yet again, one of the most disturbing events of the past week, namely, the illegal and unconstitutional shutting down of the last remaining independent newspaper in Zimbabwe. The Sunday Times headline of 21 September states unequivocally what we all know, namely, quiet diplomacy is a national disgrace. [Interjections.]
The Sunday Tribune of the same date refers to President Mugabe’s mollycoddling … [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Ms T E MILLEN: Madam Deputy Speaker, it refers to the mollycoddling of Mugabe as doing serious damage to South Africa’s international reputation under the glaring headline ``Pampering Mugabe shames us.’’ Mugabe’s latest flouting of any so-called attempts at quiet diplomacy have been brazenly disregarded through the dishonouring of a high court ruling last week which ordered the Zimbabwean government to return all confiscated property and allow the Daily News to resume publication.
We have waited in vain to hear our President or at least a spokesman unequivocally condemn these actions against press freedom. Instead, Mr Khumalo berates Australian Prime Minister John Howard’s megaphone diplomacy after Howard rightly stated that Mugabe had no place at the troika meeting in Nigeria.
A former farmer from Zimbabwe came up to me at Cape Town International Airport this morning and told me that his farm was stolen from him by force. He lost everything but he has been welcomed by the Zambian government to start farming there. His heartfelt plea to me was: Please, ask your President to do something to prevent the utter mayhem and havoc that Mugabe has and still is wreaking in Zimbabwe and on its citizens. Thank you. [Interjections.] [Time expired.]
COUP IN GUINEA BISSAU
(Member's Statement)
Mr D J SITHOLE (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, on Sunday, 14 September 2003, the military in Guinea Bissau took over the government of that country in a coup d’état. The ANC condemns this military takeover. We urge the military leaders of Guinea Bissau to urgently hand over power to civilian rule. We believe that the only acceptable way to effect a change of government is through a democratic process.
Governments on the continent should exercise their powers within the new broad vision of good governance, democracy and respect for human rights to avoid any further military interventions. It is in the best interest of all the people of Guinea Bissau that stability be restored so that they can, as a matter of urgency, begin to focus on issues of reconstruction and economic development through the African Union. I thank you. [Applause.]
RELEASE OF CRIME STATISTICS
(Member's Statement)
Mr D H M GIBSON (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, the hon Minister for Safety and Security owes Parliament and the portfolio committee an apology.
In a laughably pretentious action, the media were admitted into a lock-up so that they could receive privileged access to the crime statistics. Those statistics are 18 months old - a lot of them - and the newest are already six months out of date. A Budget lock-up by the Minister of Finance includes parliamentarians and is justified because pre-knowledge of Budget proposals could benefit some, but a lock-up is ridiculous when it releases old and outdated statistics. And, in any event, they have been leaked selectively by the Minister for months, and many, such as Business Against Crime, get these figures weekly.
The crime trend shows that some crimes have stabilised or slowed somewhat, but the arrest and conviction rates are lagging badly. The only lock-up I am interested in is the lock-up of criminals. Whatever the crime trends, the one thing needing attention is the arrest, conviction and punishment of the guilty. The criminals and the public need to know that crime does not pay. This is certainly not the case at present. [Applause.]
CONTROVERSIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
(Member's Statement)
Dr U ROOPNARAIN (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, a decision by the department of agriculture and environmental affairs in KwaZulu-Natal to approve a controversial upmarket housing development on the fringe of a rare coastal forest has drawn fierce opposition from conservation groups and eThekwini Municipality.
The housing complex is on the border of the Hawaan Forest Estate in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. This forest boasts 140 species of trees and is home to animals such as the bushbuck. The main opposition to the development centres on its proximity to the forest and the adjacent grassland that has been earmarked for the site.
We hope that the environmental impact assessment was thoroughly conducted and that all relevant procedures were adhered to. A situation cannot arise where development is put before environment. The environment has to be preserved so that future generations can also appreciate it. This should be the only footprint that we leave behind. Thank you.
ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP BOY DEMANDS TO BE TAUGHT
(Member's Statement)
Mr O BAPELA (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, last Monday an eight-year old boy, Bheki Mbatha, from Alexandra Township near Johannesburg, walked barefoot to school for the first time in his life, entered a Grade 1 classroom and demanded to be taught.
In just over a week the boy has become a model pupil and spends hours after school doing homework. His school, Lekhata Primary School, has provided him with a uniform and shoes. The story of this child serves to remind all South Africans about the sad conditions under which some of our people continue to live. This reality appeals to our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical beings to reject the continued presence of such situations. Such reality denies us the claim of being human. This is the reason for the continuation of the struggle for national liberation and social justice.
It is this reality that creates shock in us when some in this House oppose progressive social transformation in favour of animalism, racism and greed. This reality is the reason we commit ourself to fighting side by side until the right to learn and human dignity, that is the eradication of poverty, are a living reality for all in our country. We thank you. [Applause.]
REVISED ALLOCATION OF LINE FISHING PERMITS
(Member's Statement)
Mnr C B HERANDIEN (Nuwe NP): Mevrou die Adjunkspeaker, die Nuwe NP wil die Minister van Omgewingsake en Toerisme bedank vir sy optrede nadat ons probleme in die toekenning van lynvispermitte onder sy aandag gebring het. Tydens besoeke aan Overstrand het inwoners hulle teleurstelling uitgespreek oor die wyse waarop lynvispermitte toegeken is. Na bewering is permitte toegeken aan plesierbooteienaars terwyl beroepsvissermanne se bote aan wal lê. Die gevolg is dat bestaansvissers in hierdie gebiede in uiterste armoede gedompel is.
Nadat die situasie onder die aandag van die Nuwe NP-leier, premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk, gekom het, het hy onmiddellik die Minister genader en kon hy reeds by die Wes-Kaapse imbizo op 26 Julie 2003 aan mense die versekering gee dat die saak op die hoogste vlak aandag geniet. Die uiteinde hiervan was dat die Minister onderneem het om self die mense se app-èlsake aan te hoor. Daarná het hy aan nog 54 vissersbote en 341 bemanningslede permitte toegeken.
Ten slotte wil die Nuwe NP die Minister bedank vir die onderneming wat hy gegee het om treknetvispermitte voor die einde van die jaar te finaliseer. Anders as die DA, wat net publisiteitshonger is, streef die Nuwe NP na gelykberegtiging. [Tussenwerpsels.] Hierdie saak kan net opgelos word as almal saamwerk en daar nie verwyte oor en weer geslinger word nie.
Die Nuwe NP glo, deur mense die geleentheid te bied om self vis te vang en sodoende kos op hulle tafel te kry, dat dit sal verseker dat hulle elke dag iets het om te eet, in plaas daarvan om hulle met elke tussenverkiesing met kospakkies te verwar. Ek dank u. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Mr C B HERANDIEN (New NP): Madam Deputy Speaker, the New NP wants to thank the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for the action he took after we had brought problems associated with the allocation of line fishing permits to his attention. During visits to Overstrand residents expressed their disappointment at the manner in which line fishing permits had been allocated. Permits were allegedly awarded to pleasure boat owners while career fishermen cannot put to sea. In consequence subsistence fishermen in these areas have been plunged into extreme poverty.
After the situation was brought to the attention of the New NP leader, Premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk, he immediately approached the Minister and at the Western Cape imbizo on 26 July 2003 he was already able to give people the assurances that the matter was receiving attention at the highest level. The outcome was that the Minister undertook to hear these peoples cases on appeal personally. Afterwards he awarded permits to an additional 54 fishing boats and 341 crew members.
In conclusion, the New NP wishes to thank the Minister for the undertaking he gave to finalise the drag-net fishing permits before the end of the year. Unlike the DA, who only hunger for publicity, the New NP strives for equal treatment. [Interjections.] This matter can only be resolved if all the parties involved work together and do not blame each other.
The New NP believes that by affording people the opportunity to catch their own fish and in this way feed themselves, this will ensure that they have something to eat every day, instead of confusing them with food parcels before every by-election. I thank you. [Applause.]]
ELECTIONS AT UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Madam Deputy Speaker, there were two issues that arose. One was raised by the hon Bapela and the other one by hon Mulder. So there are two distinct ones.
In relation to hon Mulder’s intervention, may I say we are all very amused by claims - on either side of the house - of a freak result here and a freak result there. I think we enjoy this in Parliament - knocking spots off each other. Sometimes it is foolish to do that.
At the University of Pretoria the elections were run on a racist basis. [Interjections.] All the parties who participated opposed the elections - the DP, the ANC. One newspaper, a tabloid, published, to its eternal credit, all the posters, hon Mulder, and if they were not racist and chauvinist I do not know what they were. I have written officially to the Vice Chancellor of the University to ask: “How do you soothe this?” [Interjections.] No, no, no.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! What is it, hon Mulder?
Dr C P MULDER: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: Is it in order for the hon Minister to mislead the House?
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: No, no, no. Please, that is a debating point, sit down! [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! No, hon member, you can’t accuse the hon Minister of misleading the House. Please proceed, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Sit down; that is a debating point! Sit down! Look at the photographs; they are quite clearly chauvinist photographs. And there have been interviews with young black and coloured students who said they didn’t feel comfortable at the University of Pretoria anymore. This is the second time this has happened and the university has abdicated its responsibility of creating conditions in which all students would feel comfortable.
I don’t know how far you or your party were involved, hon Mr Mulder, but the fact is, if I were you I would repudiate the results rather than extolling them in this House as prime examples of the victory of your party. [Applause.] You should be ashamed! You should be ashamed of claiming victory there, because you are playing with fire! That is what you are playing with and we are too long in the tooth now to play with fire in South Africa by using racism.
ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP BOY DEMANDS TO BE TAUGHT
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: The second statement, not entirely unrelated to the previous one, was raised by the hon Bapela, because the story of Bheki Mbatha is the triumph of public education. We now have 10 years’ compulsory education from next year. We are carrying out our promise, but the problem is how do you enforce compulsory education? For middle-class parents you do not have to enforce it, because there is an established culture and all the means necessary to bring up the children.
However, when you come to a young boy living with his mother in a little room without windows, how do you enforce it? By prosecuting the mother? By putting her in jail, which is what the Schools Act says we should normally be doing? Or by providing home education which is what many people are doing, but you don’t register? And that is why this young boy going there is a second party. He is asserting his right to education. He is asserting this extraordinary resilience and courage that our people have, faced with a kind of adversity none of us in this Parliament and this House ever faces, and neither does any of us have in our background the same kind of disturbance and alienation.
So, we can say, therefore, that congratulations go to this young person. The congratulations also go to the triumph of the collective spirit by means of which neighbours, school and newspaper readers have come together and said they would help this boy, who obviously has enormous strength and intelligence. What we are doing here by raising this matter is in fact living up to the principles of the preamble to our Constitution.
Let’s draw on the capacity of all our people. It is the first time in our history that we are doing so and we must celebrate Bheki Mbatha, his mother, Lekhata Primary School and those who have shown that wonderful tradition of solidarity against individual greed and malice - the real solidarity in which, in fact, all our people can now find spirit and strength in a better life for all our people. [Applause.]
ARREST OF VIARSA
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to respond to the hon Mahlangu and also to the statement made by the hon Herandien.
I want to express gratitude on behalf of the women and men who participated in the daring expedition to arrest the Viarsa, which was a ship flying a flag of convenience that had poached Patagonian toothfish in Australian waters and which was then pursued by an Australian patrol boat, but the Viarsa was able, so to say, to outrun the Australian patrol boat. It ended up in the southern seas close to Antarctica and Cape Town. When I say close to Cape Town I mean about a five days’ boat ride from Cape Town.
The Australian patrol boat, firstly, was not ice reinforced. So it was unable to break ice and therefore there was a fear that as the sea began to freeze up it would not be able to pursue the Viarsa. Secondly, the Australian patrol boat began to run out of fuel, and in the end it did indeed run out of fuel. So what would have happened is that the Australians would have needed to be saved. And, thirdly, the Australian patrol boat did not have the requisite capacity, as far as the inspectorate is concerned, to physically execute an arrest.
Therefore the role that the SA Agulhas played is one which should not be underestimated. It went out in pursuit of the Viarsa. It was able to refuel the Australian patrol boat. The Australians unfortunately were not prepared for this sort of situation so they were not armed. The armed South African officials were then able to board the Viarsa in order to arrest the skipper and to ensure that all of them were then brought to Cape Town, in fact, just outside our territorial waters, to effect it.
So this was a major drama on the high seas and I think it was a wonderful example of co-operation between South Africa and Australia. In recent years we have also co-operated with France and the United States, and I think we are beginning to reach a point where we can make the southern oceans safe from pirates who fly flags of convenience. So thank you very much for that. I think that the people involved in this will appreciate that comment very much.
REVISED ALLOCATION OF LINEFISHING PERMITS
(Member's Statement)
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Also then on another fishing-related matter, I think the hon Herandien has quite rightly pointed out the degree of confusion that members of the DA have been causing in the fishing industry. [Interjections.]
I can tell you that - I am not referring to anybody in particular so they don’t need to get excited - what some enterprising members of the DA had decided to do was to assist persons to apply for fishing rights and by so doing they prejudiced quite a significant number of persons by doing a number of things wrong; either by filling in the application forms in an incorrect manner or incompletely, or, because of the administrative bungling in the DA offices, by failing to submit the applications in good time. [Interjections.]
So you should know that there were some very poor people and very deserving cases that would not have been prejudiced, had they not been misled by members of the DA. And I would really want to request the DA, like all other parties do in this House, to keep their nose out of things which they do not understand and which they are unable to administer as such. [Interjections.]
There is no record of the DA being able to administer anything complicated. This is beyond you. It is too complicated. Leave it to Government. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: PROTECTED AREAS BILL
(Second Reading debate)
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Madam Deputy Speaker, as members of the House would know, just last week, we ended the ten-day World Parks Congress which was held in Durban. This congress was attended by 3 000 delegates from all around the world and was the most significant international gathering of conservationists to be held in at least a decade.
This congress found that it has cause to celebrate because protected area coverage worldwide has trebled in the past 20 years and has provided society with immeasurable benefits such as clean water, fish stocks, flood protection and the reduction of poverty supporting sustainable livelihoods. Increasingly protected areas are providing impetus for sustaining international friendship, peace and security, through burgeoning transfrontier conservation areas and initiatives across the world.
A central theme of the World Parks Congress was the recognition that protected areas cannot be islands of conservation divorced from the social and economic context within which they are located. They generate significant economic, environmental and social benefits. This makes them powerful contributors to poverty reduction and to the millennium development goals that have been adopted by the United Nations, and the objectives of the WSSD.
We are heralding a new era in which we seek synergies between conservation and developmental agendas. It is an era in which protected areas play a vital role in the achieving of this synergy and integration and provide benefits beyond boundaries: Beyond the immediate boundaries, beyond boundaries of nation states and across societies, cultures and generations.
The congress also laid the foundation for this new paradigm. It has reviewed and reinforced the role of protected areas in conserving the diversity of plant and animal species, in maintaining ecosystems and preserving historical and cultural resources, in securing the beauty of the landscapes that have enriched human experience and in protecting places of spiritual value.
The World Parks Congress clearly outlined a new and complementary role that protected areas play in reducing pervasive poverty and catalysing local and national economic and social development.
We in South Africa have gone a long way in conserving our own biodiversity. I can proudly say that we currently have 403 protected areas covering 6,6 million hectares; and this translates to 5,5% of South Africa’s surface area. We currently have 22 national parks covering 53% of the total area under protection.
Since 1994 we have brought an additional 457 000 hectares of land under protection and I am grateful to Parliament for making this possible by voting the necessary funds. There is still a lot of work to be done if we are to achieve the internationally set target of our land area by 2010.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to this House the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill. This Bill aims to create, across all three spheres of government, a single and interconnected system of protected areas. It is premised on the fact that South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world. It recognises biodiversity as a national asset and encourages sustainable use and management of this asset, and legislates for access and benefit sharing for participating communities.
Initially we intended to include the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill in the National Environmental Management Comprehensive Biodiversity Bill in which protected areas would be one chapter, but, for practical reasons, these have now been separated. We also had to separate the Bill that is before us right now, because the parliamentary law advisors were of the view that the Bill contains both section 75 and section 76 elements. It contains aspects that are purely within the ambit of the national Parliament and those that are shared between the national Parliament and the provincial legislatures. We have therefore separated it and the second part of the Bill will then follow, so as not to put a mixed Bill before Parliament. The integration will take place at a later stage.
The objective of this Bill is really to provide for the declaration and management of protected areas throughout the country. In line with the rest of the world we have been pioneering the concept of people and parks, where we see people as being central in the way we manage the parks. There have been interesting and encouraging efforts by the various management authorities in attempting to involve communities in the management of protected areas and the entering into of agreements on sustainable use and harvesting by communities in and around protected areas.
The Bill recognises these efforts and extends this concept to all management authorities which must have, in their management plans, provisions on how they are going to encourage community-based natural resource management. The Bill recognises the achievements made with regard to land restitution claims in the last 10 years, where successful land claim communities have agreed to make the land available for conservation.
I need to draw your attention to the successful contractual arrangements we have made, for example, with the Makuleke community, the community in the Richtersveld and the Mbyela communities. The communities have chosen not to resettle in the areas in the parks to which they are justly entitled under the land reform process but rather to conserve these areas, while at the same time ensuring sustainable use and development of the ecotourism potential.
The Bill gives legal recognition to these new approaches and encourages other communities to make their land available for conservation without losing their ownership rights. It encourages the concept of contractual parks and seeks to allow for benefit and empowerment of community members.
As I have indicated earlier, this Bill strengthens co-operative governance in the management and protection of protected areas and in creating a national system of protected areas. It allows for the establishment of national norms and standards which will apply to all protected areas in the country. It further requires that management authorities be subjected to a performance management system with clear performance indicators set to their performance as well as periodic reporting on performance targets.
This Bill also provides for the creation of what is called special protected areas or special nature reserves. This will provide for areas like, for example, the Prince Edward Islands, whose ecosystems are so fragile that we cannot really allow for sustainable use of natural resources in such areas.
The Bill that is complementary to this would also allow for the manner in which national parks are created. But the interesting thing that we are now doing is that a nationally protected area could be managed by a variety of agencies and this does not always have to be the SA National Parks. For example, we could well have an ecosystem that is of national or global significance but may well be a provincial park at this point in time. It will now be possible to place such areas under national protection without taking away the right of the province to manage such an area.
In that sense it is very innovative indeed. It also gives Parliament, as the only authority, the right to reverse a decision on a special protected area or on a nationally declared protected area. Once a national park is created, it will not be possible for Government to undeclare, so to speak, such an area. That would have to be a decision of Parliament itself.
The enactment of this Bill will strengthen our resolve to ensure that protected areas are mainstreamed within the framework of a pro-people and pro-development agenda aimed at socioeconomic development and poverty eradication. [Applause.]
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. The Durban Accord from the World Parks Congress describes protected areas as a gift. I quote:
Protected areas are the wonderful gift we pass from generation to generation. On land and at sea they are crucial to the survival of the millions of species forming an ecological web intricately linked to human survival, they are the genetic storehouses containing a promise of a healthier future for the planet and its peoples.
The accord further states:
They protect the quality of air, soil and water. They help regulate and buffer Earth’s natural processes to balance our climate. They safeguard invaluable parts of our natural and cultural heritage and embody spiritual, aesthetic and ethical values for many societies. Protected areas provide sustainable income opportunities to meet the needs of local people.
In the 21st century we are faced with the rapid disappearance of much that is wild. Africa is the custodian of wild lands and cultures, but our own human deeds are now destroying much of it. We were given a clean environment, as contained in section 24 of our Constitution, by our forefathers. That is why this ANC-led Government is giving back that right to ensure that we pass it from generation to generation in the same or better condition. This Bill endeavours to restore pride and, above all, a sense of belonging to our people.
South Africa has the highest level of biological diversity of any country in the world. Estimates of the total number of species in this country vary from 250 000 to a million. This richness and diversity is due to a broad range of climatic, geological, soil and landscape forms found in South Africa. Some 18 000 vascular plant species occur within our boundaries, 7,5% of the global total, of which 80% occur nowhere else in the world. This is more than twice the number of plants found in the USA, a country that is over five times the size of South Africa. That is why our environment must be preserved for generations to come. Very few countries can boast about endemic plants. We must educate our people about their rich heritage for maximum protection.
South Africa has to render its wild lands sustainable at a social level, as well as an economic level. We believe that a true experience of protected areas is the impact of the wilderness on the human spirit. Today, nearly ten years under the new Government, experiences in nature reserves are beyond the economic reach of most South Africans. Recent surveys have shown that only 4% of all black people have experienced nature and game reserves, an experience which motivates the individual to the higher ideal of conservation. Ironically far more Western tourists have been stirred by these wilderness areas. As the need for conservation increases, so does the protection of such areas. As we succeeded just a few days ago, Minister, to make all South African MPs ambassadors of tourism, we should also succeed to make them protectors of the environment.
When addressing the World Parks Congress in Durban, President Mbeki said ``Benefits Beyond Boundaries’’ will look at ways of alleviating poverty of the communities in and around protected areas. He said that the world’s natural resources and biodiversity are a priceless heritage, which hold the key to many challenges, from pharmaceutical properties to strengthening the gene base of South Africa’s basic resources.
Also addressing the Parks Congress Kofi Annan, through Klaus Toepfer, said: “While the number of reported protected areas has multiplied a hundredfold to more than 100 000 since 1962, essential ecosystem functions are being undermined, perhaps irretrievably, as forests are felled and wetlands drained, and terrestrial and marine habitats degraded by pollution.”
We did not attend the last World Parks Congress on protected areas, because we were still not part of the government, but we have achieved most of the objectives set out in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1992.
Firstly, we have ratified the Kyoto Protocol; some old democracies have not. Secondly, we are signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Thirdly, we recognise the importance of local people as stakeholders in protected areas. Finally, we are leading when it comes to transfrontier parks - such parks contribute to stability and peace within countries.
The targets set for the coming 10 years will easily be met by the South African Government, judging from the way we have performed so far. It is not a coincidence that most of the world’s important conferences are brought to South Africa. It is because we continue to be a shining star. We are a good example while we remain mindful and committed to dealing with the plight of humanity, poverty and hopelessness. We also realise that there should be development for prosperity but not at the expense of the environment. We will always be champions of sustainable development.
May I thank the Minister and the department, especially the Deputy Director- General, Sis Pam Yako, for spending such a lot of time away from her family with members of the committee, and of course the members of the portfolio committee for again giving the country one of the best pieces of protected areas legislation in the world. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J W LE ROUX: Madam Deputy Speaker, I think Minister Moosa was very unfair in his severe criticism of the DA. I think it is common knowledge that the DA plays a very positive role in conservation in South Africa.
I would like to place on record that I have an interest in a property- owning company whose property will in all likelihood become part of a protected area, and that I declared my interest to the committee during discussions of the Bill.
Hierdie wet handel ooreenkomstig artikel 76 van die Grondwet en weens ‘n beslissing van die Speaker ten opsigte van die regsgeldigheid van hierdie wet is daar klousules wat betref Nasionale Parke hierin uitgesluit. Hierdie klousules sal met ‘n latere wysiging hanteer word.
Hierdie wet tesame met die wet op biodiversiteit, en amendemente op ander omgewingswette, plaas die Departement Omgewingsake en Toerisme nou in ‘n gunstige posisie om bewaring en toerisme tot hul reg te laat kom. Die wet maak dit ook verpligtend dat ‘n register van bewaringsgebiede gehou word en dat aan norms en standaarde deur bestuursowerhede voldoen moet word.
Hierdie wet sal dit moontlik en bekostigbaar maak om die landsoppervlakte, wat deur een of ander bewaringsorganisasie bestuur word, in vyf jaar te verdubbel. Tans is die oppervlakte wat onder bewaringsbeheer is ongeveer 6% van die landsoppervlakte, en hierdie wet sal dit moontlik maak dat hierdie gebied vergroot tot 12% wat ons dan in ooreenstemming bring met wêreldstandaarde.
Die tweede groot voordeel van hierdie wet is dat grondeienaars en plaaslike gemeenskappe betrokke sal wees in bewaring. Dit is net eenvoudig ‘n feit dat parke nie in isolasie suksesvol kan voortbestaan nie. Selfs nie eens Nasionale Parke wat besonder goed bestuur word, kon die druk van gemeenskappe rondom parke suksesvol hanteer nie.
Derdens sal die wet die beginsel van deelnemende regering ‘n werklikheid maak. Die bedoeling van die wet is om gemeenskappe wat in beskermde omgewings woon ruim geleentheid te gee om betrokke te raak en volledig ingelig te bly oor die bestuur van hierdie gebiede.
Die wet maak voorsiening vir die skep en bestuur van bewaringsgebiede wat onder andere die volgende insluit: spesiale natuurreservate wat verwys na die mees sensitiewe gebiede, soos byvoorbeeld eilande en gebiede waar navorsing gedoen word; natuurreservate wat in die ou terme Provinsiale Parke was, wat dien as aanvulling tot Nasionale Parke; en beskermde omgewings wat ‘n heel nuwe konsep is en wat in die toekoms grootliks sal bydra tot die bevordering van bewaring in Suid-Afrika.
Hierdie gebiede sal dien as buffer sones om onaanvaarbare gebruike rondom ons parke te beperk en om bewaring en toerisme te bevorder. Hierdie buffer sones val dus buite ons Nasionale Parke en natuurreservate. Vyf-en-tagtig persent van hierdie gebiede is in privaat- of gemeenskapsbesit. Groot getalle mense dwarsoor die land sal nou betrek word of ten minste bewus word van bewaringsaksies in hulle gebiede.
Die feit dat groot areas in ons land nou effektief bestuur gaan word, is in sigself ‘n groot prestasie en iets waaroor Suid-Afrika trots kan wees. ‘n Byvoordeel van hierdie wet gaan ook ekonomies wees, en die privaatsektor wag vir geleenthede soos hierdie om te investeer en te ontwikkel.
Die feit dat die internasionale gemeenskap tydens die onlangse kongres in Durban onderneem het om op ‘n groot skaal in beskermde gebiede te belê sal die geleentheid bied vir sinvolle bewaring en snelle toerisme-ontwikkeling. Die Oos-Kaap is een van die beste voorbeelde in die land van wat toerisme- ontwikkeling kan vermag. Gebiede rondom die Tsitsikamma Nasionale Seekuspark wat tot onlangs nog deur armoede en werkloosheid geteister was, groei nou dramaties. Toeriste stroom na hierdie gebied, en dit sal vir die agb lede interessant wees om te weet dat een sakekompleks in hierdie gebied R25 miljoen per maand genereer - uitsluitlik uit toeriste. Die uitbreiding van beskermde gebiede is net die regte sein om hierdie potensiaal nog verder te ontwikkel en om die lewenskwaliteit van ons mense te verbeter.
‘n Berig in Die Burger van 17 September dat die wet op beskermde gebiede sal lei tot die uitsetting van plaaswerkers is totaal misplaas. Die ontwikkeling van gebiede rondom ons huidige parke sal net die teenoorgestelde uitwerking hê. Wat wel waar is in die berig is dat daar duidelike spanning tussen betrokke staatsdepartemente is en dat drog- argumente en bangmaakstories gebruik word om hul eie onderskeie posisies te versterk. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
This Bill is in accordance with section 76 of the Constitution and as a result of a ruling by the Speaker with regard to the legality of this Bill clauses dealing with National Parks are excluded from it. These clauses will be dealt with in a later amendment.
This Bill, together with the Biodiversity Act, and amendments to other legislation dealing with the environmental, places the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in a favourable position to do justice to conservation and tourism. The Bill also makes it compulsory for a register of conservation areas to be kept and for managing authorities to comply with norms and standards.
This Bill will make it possible and affordable to double the land surface which is being managed by some or other conservation organisation within five years. Currently the surface under conservation management is about 6% of the country’s surface, and this Bill will make it possible to increase this area to 12%, which will bring us in line with world standards.
The second great advantage of this Bill is that landowners and local communities will be involved in conservation. It is simply a fact that parks cannot survive successfully in isolation. Even the National Parks, which are very well managed, could not successfully handle the pressure from surrounding communities.
Thirdly, this Bill will make the principle of participatory governance a reality. The purpose of the Bill is to give communities living in protected areas ample scope to become involved and remain fully informed about the management of these areas.
The Bill provides for the creation and management of conservation areas which include the following amongst others: special nature reserves which refer to the most sensitive areas, for example islands and areas where research is being done; nature reserves which were Provincial Parks in the old terms, which are supplementary to National Parks; and protected environments which are a whole new concept and which in future will make an important contribution to the promotion of conservation in South Africa.
These areas will serve as buffer zones to reduce unacceptable practices around our parks and to promote conservation and tourism. Therefore these buffer zones do not fall under our National Parks and nature reserves. Eighty-five per cent of these areas are private or communal property. Large numbers of people from all over the country will now be involved in or at least become aware of conservation actions in their areas.
The fact that large areas in our country will now be effectively managed, is in itself a great achievement and something South Africa can be proud of. This Bill will also have an economic advantage, and the private sector is waiting for opportunities such as these to invest and develop.
The fact that the international community has, during the recent congress in Durban, undertaken to invest on a large scale in protected areas, will afford opportunities for meaningful conservation and rapid tourism development. The Eastern Cape is one of the best examples in the country of what tourism development can achieve.
Areas around the Tsitsikamma National Marine Park, which until recently were ravaged by poverty and unemployment, are now growing dramaticallly. Tourists are streaming to this area, and it will be interesting for hon members to know that one business complex in this area generates R25 million per month - solely from tourists. The extension of protected areas is just the right signal to develop this potential further and to improve the quality of life of our people.
An article in Die Burger of 17 September saying that the legislation on protected areas will lead to the eviction of farm workers is totally misplaced. The development of areas around our current parks will have the opposite effect. What is true in the article is that there is obvious tension between the relevant state departments and that false arguments and scare stories are being used to strengthen their respective positions.] Speaker, there are areas of concern. The issue of mining in protected areas remains a major problem. The committee and the Minister have stood firm that no new mining rights will be given in protected areas. The DA fully supports this view.
Mining in the Richtersveld did create a major problem for the committee. The Richtersveld community has a contractual agreement to jointly manage this national park. Mining is taking place in the park, but the community has no mining rights. Unfortunately the hopes and aspirations of the community could not be accommodated in this Bill, but it is generally felt that somehow the benefits of mining must also assist the Richtersveld community.
The threat of dune mining in Pondoland remains a huge concern, and we urge the Minister never to agree to the destruction of one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa.
Poaching of our resources remains a major problem. As far as the destruction of our perlemoen resource is concerned, it is a disgrace that Government cannot protect this resource. It is unbelievable that we have the capacity to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Parks congress, yet we cannot stop the destruction of our perlemoen reserve.
No government with self-respect can allow the Mafia-type triads to create no-go areas where the authorities are too scared to enforce the law. The DA urges the Minister to declare some areas, where there are still perlemoen beds left, as protected areas, and allow no harvesting activity in these areas.
The same principle applies to certain fish species that urgently need protection, and we request the Minister to create more marine parks. At present 12% of the world’s land area enjoys protected status, yet less than 1% of the world’s oceans are protected. This is a clear indication that much more attention should be given to marine protection.
I would like to thank our chairperson for the competent and fair way in which she led the committee. Special thanks to Ms Yako and her team, as well as the lawyer who assisted the committee.
The DA supports the Bill.
Mrs R A NDZANGA: Madam Speaker, hon Minister, under the apartheid regime, the establishment and expansion of parks in our country was accompanied by severe hardships. Apartheid policies discriminated against South Africans on the basis of the colour of their skins. Apartheid denied black people the right to work and live where they chose. As though it was not enough for that so-called Christian government of apartheid to discriminate against people on colour lines, language and ethnic groupings were used by the apartheid government to divide black people.
When the Kruger National Park was established, the Makuleke community, who occupied land near the junction of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers, were forcibly removed from their land. Their homes, which were on the land where they had lived in peace for many years, had to make way for the Kruger National Park. There are still scattered reminders in the area which show how the Makulekes used to live.
Please, allow me to quote part of President Mbeki’s speech at the opening of the fifth World Parks Congress in Durban:
The mere search for food among poor people, who have limited access to various means to sustain life, has put pressure, and will continue to put pressure, on the national parks in poor countries.
The apartheid government used to dump black people where they had no means of making a living. People lost their ancestral land and their livelihood. Communities which were previously relocated to make way for parks claimed their land under the new dispensation. Their land has now been proclaimed contractual parks.
Other communities who have had their land returned to them through the land restitution process are the San and Mier communities in the southern part of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. The San and the Mier communities have realised the advantage of their land remaining part of the protected areas system, and they have also entered into contractual agreements to ensure that their areas retain national park status. The system is to the advantage of the communities.
We have the Richtersveld National Park. The community of Richtersveld is one of the communities who have had their land returned to them through the restitution process and it now forms part of the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Section 24(b) of our Constitution states, and I quote:
Everyone has the right to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures …
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is actively addressing the past, and is moving towards greater community participation in the management of protected areas and ensuring that the communities who live near our protected areas benefit. In this way, we aim to ensure broader support for our protected areas. Making our parks accessible to all is a natural way of totally doing away with apartheid.
The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill provides much greater advantages than previously. In the declaration of protected areas, provision has been made for consultation beyond just those who own the land. Clause 33 ensures that all persons with rights in the land will be informed that such land is to be declared a protected area, and provision is made for oral representations by interested persons to the Minister. Clause 34 ensures that, in the case of land that is held in trust, not only trustees of the land need to agree to its being declared a protected area but the community involved must also agree. Regarding the management of protected areas, clause 41 states that a management plan, which is to be approved by the Minister, is required to contain procedures for public participation and includes landowners, any local community or other interested parties, and then provide for the development of economic opportunities within and adjacent to the area, and the development of the local management capacity and knowledge exchange.
Communities can enter into an agreement regarding co-management of the area with a management authority which may provide for benefit-sharing between parties, the use of biological resources, access to parks, occupation of the protected area and the development of economic opportunities. I thank you.
Bagaetsho, a pula e ne. [Legofsi.] [Countrymen, let it rain. [Applause.]]
Mrs L R MBUYAZI: Deputy Speaker, I wish to thank Minister Moosa and the department for putting the environment first on their agenda. The Bill represents a milestone in the area of environmental legislation.
Let me hasten to add that the Prince of KwaPhindangene, the leader of the IFP, Dr M G Buthelezi, was a forerunner of the modern concept of cultural tourism and benefit-sharing tourism. Shenge! He has received a number of international awards and accolades for the preservation of the environment and recognition of the importance of ecologically sound principles.
I also want to dedicate this speech to Dr Ian Player and Magqubu Ntombela for the work that they did in the protection of wilderness areas. The IFP, therefore, warmly welcomes this Bill.
Angazi noma ukhona yini ozokwazi ukungitolikela le nto engizoyisho njengamanje: Amdokwe, amabele, avuthiwe, ehlanzeni! [I do not know if someone can interpret what I am going to say! It is harvest time!]
The birds used to sing that. Sometimes they would sing and make certain sounds that you would only hear when you visit the wilderness areas and other areas of conservation. So, what I am saying is that it is very important to conserve those things.
During the conference that we had just recently, in Durban, one of the youths who were there said: ``Oh, what has happened to the dinosaurs? Where are the dinosaurs? We only read about them.’’ There are such types of environments that we cannot see but can only read about. So, what this Bill seeks to do is to preserve whatever we have - in the form of plants, birds, and what is environmental. Thank you, Minister, for tabling this piece of legislation.
Wilderness provides social, recreational and spatial values. Hence, the IFP has continually pushed for its inclusion as a protected area. A wilderness area is pristine nature in its unspoilt form and a scarce biodiversity treasure. It is therefore important that wilderness is included as a protected area. Today, this legislation will ensure that South Africa takes the lead as the first country on the African continent to establish a system of wilderness areas. This Bill has also elicited a number of submissions from various nongovernmental organisations and environmental groups. In the final formulation of the draft, the participation of all affected parties has been considered. This also includes the importance of indigenous and ordinary knowledge.
The local communities and traditional authorities in the area should be part of this entire process. They are going to be directly affected by this legislation. So, they need to know what is happening around them. A situation cannot arise where all the decisions are taken somewhere and the communities are later told of the decisions and how they will affect their lives. These people have a vast amount of knowledge that needs to be accessed. Their inputs are valuable.
Coupled with indigenous knowledge is the plight of the communities living adjacent to mines, as contained in clause 48. Development and the environment should not always be seen as separate issues that cannot coexist. There have been instances in mining, for example, where development has taken place and benefited the communities while taking the environment into consideration.
While this is a relationship that can work, we cannot let development occur at the expense of the environment. The environment must always come first. Therefore, all activities that involve the environment have to be thoroughly assessed and carefully considered, and all the required impact assessments should take place. There must be as little impact on the environment as possible. This is important, especially for the communities who are exploited and have yet to benefit from the levies.
The various departments and role-players should work together in matters that affect the environment. They each have their own special skills and expertise that can assist, for example the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, of Minerals and Energy and of Public Works.
The Bill also seeks to protect areas which are sensitive to development due to their natural characteristics. Social responsibility is coupled with development. Here, I want to touch on the area of levies. More often than not, benefits that are generated from entry to these parks are not filtered down to the local community.
Hon Minister, there should be some assurance that those communities who are adjacent to these protected areas will be able to reap some of the benefits. These community members have knowledge of the local area and conditions that could be of great benefit. This knowledge should be used. Most of these communities are poor rural people. The money that is generated as a result of protected areas should be used to uplift the communities. It is essential that we should now give back to these communities. In doing so, they will be encouraged to adapt and uphold ecologically sound policies and principles. The IFP supports this Bill. Amdokwe, avuthiwe, amabele, ehlanzeni! [Ihlombe.] [It is harvest time! [Applause.]]
Mrs J CHALMERS: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, members of this House, it is with great pleasure that I rise to speak on this, the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill. It forms part of a suite of legislation established to manage the environment in South Africa. Indeed, it has been a privilege to participate in the process that has finally culminated in the Bill before us - a process that has brought together a cross-section of officials, distinguished environmentalists, legal minds and interested and involved members of the public.
In clause 17 of Chapter 3 of the Bill it is stated that one of the purposes of protected areas is, and I quote: “To manage the interrelationship between natural environmental biodiversity, human settlement and economic development.” Today I will talk briefly on how those interrelationships will impact on the face of environmental management in this country. In the complex realm of biodiversity nothing, as we well know, exists in isolation. Natural systems are interwoven and depend on one another for survival. Yet the old institutional arrangements of conservation authorities and protected areas inherited from the past were deeply fragmented and unnaturally divisive. Conservation policies typically mirrored the apartheid policies of the day, and aimed to restrict access to protected areas. They were policies of exclusion imposed by an authoritarian state. The challenge now is to align management of protected areas with the new South African Constitution. The Bill before us today goes far in meeting that challenge.
One of the key words in current use amongst those seeking sustainable solutions to environmental management is the word ``linkages’’. It is fundamental to the success of those solutions incorporating, as they do, links between stratas of government - national, provincial and local; links in the form of corridors and stepping stones between the different parks, nature reserves, wilderness areas, heritage sites and protected environments; links and partnerships between the state and private land owners; linkages - and this is vital - between the terrestrial and the marine environment; and, so much in the news at the moment, linkages between nations, in the form of our transfrontier parks which truly represent linkages on a megascale. Our Minister has played a critical role in the vision and practical realisation of these transfrontier parks.
Madam Deputy Speaker, why is it so important for well-established linkages to become a fundamental part of our environmental planning? For many reasons. Firstly, they increase conservation stewardship in and around protected areas. We need to be looking outward as well as inward as we plan. Management of a protected area does not stop at the boundary fence of the park or nature reserve. Indeed, boundaries between protected areas and the surrounding landscape have compromised integrated and effective management in many ecosystems. Excitingly, many of those boundaries are now being broken down and innovative approaches are being found and adopted where community-based conservation initiatives are reconnecting people and communities with those protected areas.
Secondly, linkages improve the ecological viability of protected areas. As we heard at the recent World Parks Congress so successfully hosted in Durban, the concept of ecological networks and linkages is being extensively explored across the world. It was stated that no park is ever big enough.
In responding to this constraint, we have to face up to the hard fact that because of a number of factors, not least being climate change, nature needs more space. And here South Africa is at the forefront of visionary new initiatives in making a reality of the slogan “Benefits beyond boundaries”, the basic principle being that if local populations within an ecosystem are allowed to interact as a regional network of populations, their local instability can be compensated for by regional stability.
Migrating animals have never acknowledged political boundaries, and the formation of our transfrontier parks is defining a new path for the African continent, enabling our large herbivores, the elephants and the rhinos, and top predators, to move the large distances that were always part of their natural habitat. It provides a unique experience for visitors to our shores to share in this crossboundary experience.
Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, these linkages are not confined to ecological aspects of management. If they are to be sustainable, then we have to ensure their social and economic viability. The value of conservation for so long remained meaningless for many South Africans. No longer. Across the face of our country the growth in ecotourism is being linked to an increasing demand for local products and crafts. This demand is being used to empower local people to develop cultural and natural heritage enterprises.
An aspect of the World Parks Congress, and much commented on, was the sight of our Cape fynbos providing colour and beauty in the exhibition halls. Many had never seen a protea or pincushion flower before. And there they were in massed display - pink and gold and orange, really a sight to behold, and a bunch in our hotel rooms too. Those blooms came from the Flower Valley Conservation Trust, an enterprise creating links across the Agulhas Plain, providing jobs and security for an extended community.
Here is an example of sustainable harvesting linking the riches of the land to the local community, to private farms in the area; an exciting and successful venture confirming, I believe, that we all have a role to play. We must all become links in the chain, contributing to the effective management of our country’s environment. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S N SWART: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, the ACDP welcomes this Bill that seeks, inter alia, to provide for, firstly, the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural landscapes and seascapes; and secondly, the establishment of a national register of all national, provincial and local protected areas, and the management of those areas in accordance with national norms and standards.
South Africa is ranked third on earth for its numbers of plant and animal species. We are hugely diverse, and thus have a special responsibility to effectively conserve and share what we have, for the world and for our succeeding generations. The National Parks Act, Act 57 of 1976, is undeniably outdated and some sections of it are in conflict with the Constitution. This Bill seeks to bring the system of protected areas in line with the new constitutional legal order.
The White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biological Diversity sets out the policy for conservation in South Africa. This consolidated Bill provides one of the tools for the implementation of this policy, by consolidating and rationalising existing legislation dealing with protected areas.
This Bill forms part of a series of pieces of legislation, with the National Environmental Management Act being the parent Bill, and the others complementing each other, namely the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill, the Environment Conservation Amendment Bill and the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill.
The Bill before us, whilst laudable in its scope, is ambitious in the extreme. Whilst we simply don’t have the administrative reach at this time to fulfil many of its objectives, we must undeniably start at some place and start here. So we commend the Minister on this initiative. The Bill also allows us to confirm our national objectives on sustainable use and will allow us to meet obligations in terms of multilateral environmental agreements that we have entered into. The ACDP supports this Bill.
In conclusion, we wish to commend the Minister and his department on the success of the World Parks Congress held in Durban last week. Thank you. [Applause.]
Miss S RAJBALLY: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Minister, the MF supports the inclusion of the national parks and marine locations as protected areas. Being part of our national heritage and South African domination, the life preserved in these parks needs national preservation, security and protection. By maintaining this, we maintain ourselves and that which makes this place South Africa.
The MF has no objection to the protection of the special nature reserves for which provision is made in this Bill. The preservation of this sector is crucial to the development of our knowledge of our ecosystems, species, geological and physiological components.
Nature reserves yield much revenue for us in terms of tourism. Though this would have a great influence on its preservation and protection, it would be its existence as a South African entity that would be the root influence on its protection and maintenance.
Further support is given by the MF to a protection environment and it is in agreement with national parks being included in such descriptions. The management of these sectors is very important and it is pleasing to know that provision is made for this in this Bill.
It is pleasing to note that the national Government, in this Bill, calls on provincial and local government to inculcate such policies within their domains. This allows for the spheres of government to take responsibility for these areas of concern in an independent capacity.
The MF notes the importance of the Minister and his management of our national environment. After all, a healthy, clean and protected environment is an attraction for our tourists.
The MF supports the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Bill. Thank you, Minister.
Mr M I MOSS: Deputy Speaker, Minister and members of the House, the international community is more and more amazed and impressed by the leading role South Africa is playing in all spheres of society in the nine years of our new democracy.
The peaceful transition from a hated apartheid and isolated state to a well- respected and admired democracy is one achievement that stands out as one of the miracles of our new democracy. I would like to concentrate on our achievements when it comes to world heritage sites and marine protected areas.
Last week at the World Parks Congress in Durban, I had the opportunity to speak to many delegates from different countries. I spoke to a delegate from Ireland and asked him about their protected areas at sea, since they are an island. He told me that when one looks at the world’s protected areas at sea, which stand at less than one per cent, their protected area is more or less the same. When I told him about the achievements we had in South Africa, he just nodded his head in amazement.
I also spoke to a delegate from the United States of America, who was a Red Indian, and I asked him about their protected areas. He lives in the north- west of America and he said that, in their area, they have no rights as indigenous people. He also said that they are not even being represented in the parliament and, when it comes to protection of the areas, their rights have been taken away and they have to live from the little the government is allowing them to make use of.
To have an area declared as a world heritage site by the United Nations, the country first has to ratify the World Heritage Convention, which South Africa did in 1997. A world heritage site is an area of natural and cultural importance that needs to be protected for future generations. South Africa has five world heritage sites, namely Robben Island, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, the Cradle of Humankind, Ukhahlamba Drakensberg and the Makapan’s Village in the Limpopo Province.
Robben Island is internationally known as an island on which people such as our former president Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others spent many years in imprisonment. The sea around the island is also protected from rock lobster fishing. There is a small commercial fishery for abalone, but shore-based recreational fishing is limited to those residing on the island.
The first bones of humankind were found at the Cradle of Mankind. The greater St Lucia Park is a very sensitive area with many natural resources in the sea and on the land. The park is situated in KwaZulu-Natal and is the heart of the Lebombo Spatial Development Initiative. These world heritage sites became world heritage sites in 1999.
Our world heritage sites are unique areas of which we can be very proud. This being the month of September, which is tourism month, these sites lure thousands of tourists from across the world to our country. That in itself produces lots of work for our people.
The marine protected areas is one sphere in which South Africa is definitely leading. While the world has less than one per cent of all its protected areas at sea, South Africa is leading in this instance. Fourteen per cent of our seas are classified as marine protected areas.
As a result of this, the fishing stocks are increasing in our waters and that results in more fishing quotas being allocated to people every year. Thousands of people living on our coasts benefit financially through their participation in fishing and by having jobs related to the protection of these resources.
Two weeks ago, I was invited to open the Silvermine Park of the Cape Nature Reserve in Cape Town. It was a boardwalk where people with disabilities, like myself, and those with hearing disabilities and sight disabilities, could go and enjoy the nature of the world. It made me feel as I did more than 10 years ago when I could still walk and was able to touch the nature around myself.
Bogenoemde is geen wonderwerk nie. Vir jare het ons geveg, nie net teen apartheid nie, maar ook teen die ongeregtighede wat daarmee gepaard gaan. Ons het vir ons in daardie tyd gereed gekry om nie net ons land te bevry nie, om nie net ons mense van slawerny te bevry nie, maar ook om ons land op te bou. Dit is alles achievements wat ons voel waarop ons moet trots wees en ons kan net deur samewerking en deur harde werk voortbou op hierdie wonderwerke en geleenthede wat ons in hierdie kort tyd van net nege jaar kon bereik. Baie dankie. [Applous.] Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The above-mentioned is no miracle. We have fought for years, not only against apartheid, but also against the injustices associated with it. We readied ourselves at that time not only to free our country, not only to free our people from slavery, but to develop our country. These are all achievements which we feel we should be proud of, and only with co- operation and hard work can we continue to build on these miracles and opportunities that we have been alike to achieve in this short period of only nine years. Thank you very much. [Applause.]]
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, may I thank all the members for their kind words and for their support for the Bill, and for the very informative comments that they have made.
The hon Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, who is presently doing her work as a tourism ambassador, reminded the House that the other day, Chairperson - I do not know whether you were present - by virtue of the powers vested in me, I appointed all members of Parliament as tourism ambassadors. You are now all tourism ambassadors. [Applause.] You do not have to declare anything, because it is an unpaid job … [Laughter] … but there are duties and responsibilities that are attached to it.
She suggested that in line with that, members of Parliament should also be regarded as being the forward guard of the protectors of nature. I hope that the portfolio committee will think about this. I will think about it and we will come up with some ideas on that and some sort of programme.
The hon Mr Le Roux has made the point about mining. I am quite pleased that the Bill does say that mining is not allowed in national parks and in protected areas. Of course there is the problem of existing mining operations, which are very few and far between, but nonetheless what the Bill requires is that these have to be reviewed. I think that is the important thing, and you can be assured that we will do that.
Mr Le Roux, you have also complained about what I said about the DA. Later on you spoke about the abalone resource. You suggested that there should be areas along the coast where there should be no harvesting allowed at all. You also suggested that certain fish species need protection, etc. I am not certain which province you are from, but I can tell you that in this province, in the Western Cape, whenever Government comes up with measures to protect marine life, especially endangered marine life, the DA is the first to oppose any such measures. That is the reality that we find in this province.
It is difficult to understand why the DA does that, and of course the only conclusion I can come to is that the DA, or certain members of the DA, think they would get votes and take a short-term, narrow approach in order to oppose conservation measures. I hope that after today’s discussion perhaps you would look into that matter.
It is my intention to declare further marine parks. In fact, I have on my desk, right now, for consideration, the declaration of a number of marine parks as part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. This would be in various parts of the Cape Peninsula, and I am giving consideration to that right now. You can expect an announcement on that in the not-too-distant future.
I think we should also thank the hon Mbuyazi for the music that has been provided. [Laughter.] I did not know that you are so skilled. I think that the next time we have a cultural event, the hon member will be the keynote speaker on the cultural item.
I am pleased that the hon Maxwell Moss has referred to the facilities in the Cape Peninsula National Park. These are facilities that we believe many parks around the country and around the world can provide. There are similar facilities for disabled persons at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. For example, if you are a blind person, you would be able to visit the garden and go on a walk unaided because all of the support facilities are in place there, including information about certain plants written in Braille.
Once again, South Africa is at the forefront of showing that outdoor life and the enjoyment of nature are not only for able-bodied persons, but also for our compatriots who are disabled. Thank you very much, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.
ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Second Reading debate)
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, this is the Environment Conservation Amendment Bill. In the earlier Bill this afternoon, we were dealing with so-called green issues, while this Bill deals with so-called brown environmental issues, particularly matters of waste and waste management.
The Bill, of course, deals with a number of aspects. I will go through each one of them. Before I do that, I would just like to say that these amendments introduce, for the first time, some innovative approaches to conservation management. One of the amendments before the House deals with economic incentives, which will complement the orthodox command and control approach to combating pollution problems with a more subtle financial incentive-based approach. I will elaborate on this when I deal with the specific matters in the amendment below.
It is generally accepted that while South Africa has a sophisticated body of environmental laws on its Statute Book, comparable with the best in the world, we have not always been successful in policing and enforcing these laws.
In the past few months we have made considerable progress in meeting these deficiencies through, for example, the establishment of an environmental court in Hermanus, which is the first of its kind in the world, to deal with, amongst other things, Mr Le Roux, abalone poaching.
In the area of waste management, just this week you will have been aware of media reports that officials in my department have swooped on an illegal toxic waste dump in the Eastern Cape, owned by the Mandara Trust. This toxic waste dump has, apparently, been in operation for quite a few years.
The department, through its investigations, found that an illegal dumping site had been created, and that dangerous and poisonous toxic chemicals had been put into drums and stored in an irregular and unauthorised manner just under the ground. A massive investigation has taken place into this matter over the past two weeks and, in fact, the police are also acting on this matter. I am told that the owners of the illegal toxic waste dumping site will be charged, as we take this matter very seriously indeed.
The first part of the amending Bill deals with the question of waste sites. What it does is that it provides for the administration of waste sites generally in this country, and for landfill sites to be transferred from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. This is so that landfill sites can be dealt with in a holistic manner as part and parcel of environmental management in this country and as part of the waste management strategy of Government.
You would know that many concerns have been raised about the condition of many of the landfill sites in our country. We hope that with this authority it will be possible for us to begin to bring landfill sites into order and to ensure that they work properly.
The second amendment gives authority to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, together with the Minister of Finance, to make regulations which may impose compulsory deposits, or a fee, or any other related financial measure on a specific waste type. These are measures which can be extremely valuable in setting up a co-operative relationship with industry.
For example, some people have suggested that when you buy a new tyre you pay for the tyre and also, in the price, a deposit. When you are finished with that tyre, you can then hand it in and get your deposit back. If you are too rich to hand it in to collect your deposit, we know that somebody else will pick up that tyre and go to collect the deposit. This is the sort of measure that will become possible through these potential regulations.
The third part of the Bill empowers Government to make regulations in order to deal with certain types of substances, materials and products in order to prevent the sale, distribution, import, export, etc, of certain kinds of products which may be detrimental to the environment or to human health. Of course, the most important product that comes to mind is asbestos, which this Parliament has been concerned about for a long period of time. This will give us the power to deal with that matter, together with various other products which contribute towards waste, litter, etc.
Once again, I would like to thank the portfolio committee and members of the department for their hard work in bringing us to this stage. [Applause.]
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: Chairperson, the time reflected here is not the time allocated to me.
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: [Inaudible.]
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: It’s just one minute, Minister.
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: We will correct that.
Ms G L MAHLANGU-NKABINDE: Thank you.
South Africa generates over 40 million cubic metres of solid waste every year. An additional 5 million cubic metres of hazardous waste is generated every year. Our capacity to store and treat these high volumes of waste is severely limited.
A further cause for concern is the low percentage of hazardous waste that is disposed of properly. A recent survey showed that of the estimated 5 million cubic metres produced every year, only 5% turned up at hazardous waste disposal sites. This means that there is extensive illegal dumping or frequent accidents and/or spillages. The present Environment Conservation Act does not address these concerns sufficiently, hence this amendment.
This present Act of 1989 has a strange section, section 20, which says that whilst this Act is an Act on conservation under the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, section 20 will be administered by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. I think hon members would know that it is quite strange to have one Bill with two masters.
The Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism has endorsed the transfer of both the solid waste management and hazardous waste management functions from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry’s responsibilities include the following: water quality management, water supply, underground water management, and monitoring pollution that affects the quality and quantity of water. In terms of the new amendment, Water Affairs is still responsible for those functions. However, issues pertaining to the physical environment are the competency of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Water pollution is a sensitive issue since water is linked to health and development. A strategic approach to the management of water pollution should have a multimedia aspect to it as there are very thin barriers, if any, between air, water and land. Therefore, land-based pollution will impact on both air and water.
The fragmentation of our existing legislation has allowed for gaps in the implementation of pollution management functions by both departments. Industry has taken advantage of this fragmentation, and has continued to emit toxic substances into the environment. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism deals with hazardous waste at both the national and provincial level. Therefore, they are well placed to monitor land-based pollution.
Companies that operate at the provincial level are registered with either the province or the local authority. Therefore, control at source, or eliminating the source, is the most effective method of pollution prevention.
With the waste information system to be developed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism next year, all polluting entities will be required by law to report the amounts of waste deposited into the environment. The system will capture waste generation from source to final disposal.
Therefore, transport companies and treatment and disposal facilities will report on the waste transported, received to be treated and disposed of respectively. The tracking of waste will be the key benefit of this system. The issue of illegal dumping will cease as waste generators will be responsible for the safe disposal of waste once it leaves their premises.
In the Polokwane Declaration we have set targets for minimising waste generation. Therefore, this tool will measure how we are doing in that regard. This is in line with Agenda 21 and the WSSD outcomes that require sustainable management of resources, waste minimalisation and the establishment of indicators for the environment.
Agricultural land contaminated with pesticides poses an even greater threat to the environment, regardless of having received media attention. Most of these pesticides, such as DDT, are still used for malaria control in South Africa. Chemical contamination from industrial and agricultural use of organochlorine leads to contamination of the atmosphere and the long-range transport to water bodies.
There is little value in providing drinking water to remote communities - if toxic pesticides contaminate the water - in helping villagers to grow healthy food crops if their soil and air are similarly poisoned. While the data may be available on the pesticide poisoning of workers, it is not collated into a single database to sufficiently inform the communities at risks, current problem chemicals and pathways of exposure. A comprehensive database will influence decision-making and policy direction.
Chemicals such as asbestos and mercury are still in use, or are in hazardous waste storage sites. About 10 days ago a truck on the N1 from Zimbabwe - I think it was destined for Durban because that is where they take their asbestos - was involved in an accident. You would know, Minister, that asbestos is more dangerous when it is broken. All those fibres are somewhere around Mamelodi. I was telling Comrade Moses Chikane that when he starts behaving strangely we should understand that there is a lot of fibre doing the rounds in Mamelodi. [Laughter.]
We had to travel to London, Minister, because we did not have this legislation and we even had to toyi-toyi in front of the House of Commons because we wanted to assist the asbestos victims of Mafefe in the Northern Cape. We don’t need to do that anymore, because now we have the legislation that will deal with this matter once and for all.
These are the powers that we should have had a long time ago. We were not here when that 1989 legislation was drafted, and that is why it is such a strange piece of legislation. Today, what are we doing? We are correcting it in order for there to be a better life for all our people. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr E T FERREIRA: Chairperson, the three discreet amendments to the Environment Conversation Act, for which this Bill makes provision, are all acceptable to the DA and we will consequently be supporting the measure. Of the three, the most far-reaching is arguably the transfer of the management of waste disposal sites from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. We believe that it is entirely appropriate for all waste sites, including hazardous waste sites, to be the responsibility of this Ministry.
During the passage of the Bill through the portfolio committee, concerns were raised by the Department of Water Affairs that the control of hazardous waste sites should at least remain their responsibility, the reasoning being that hazardous waste, unless properly controlled, could leak into and contaminate water resources.
This argument presupposes that the Department of Water Affairs is better able to control such contamination than this department. This was disputed by the portfolio committee. To us it made very good sense that, as the Minister implied earlier, this would be a holistic approach and that all control should fall under the ambit of this department. But, fortunately, good reasoning prevailed and control of all waste sites is now squarely the responsibility of the DEAT.
The second provision which gives the Minister the power to make regulations with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance for the imposition of compulsory charges for identified waste types such as plastic bags, or, as the Minister again mentioned, second-hand tyres and for deposit systems for these problem waste types is also to be welcomed. I hope that this provision will lead to the launching of schemes such as the highly successful Rose Foundation, which has brought a very large proportion of potentially dangerous second-hand oil waste under the profitable and effective control of that organisation.
The third and last provision empowers the Minister to make regulations regarding products which, by their nature, may pose a hazard to the environment if and when they reach the waste stream. Asbestos, of course, provides the best example of such a product.
The final chapter of the abestos story in South Africa has yet to be written. The tragic consequences of asbestosis illustrate what the consequences for the environment and human health can be when the processing and disposal of this kind of hazardous material takes place in a careless, haphazard and irresponsible way. And in this regard, one is shocked to hear that raw asbestos is still being mined and transported in a way which can pose a threat to the environment and human health. A recent accident involving a large truck transporting asbestos in the Limpopo province brings home the need for stricter measures of the kind envisaged in these amendments.
So we welcome these amendments and we think that they do make the Act a much better one. In the few seconds left at my disposal, I would like to endorse what my colleague the hon Le Roux said about the manner in which the portfolio committee, under the very competent chairpersonship of the hon Gwen Mahlangu, went about its business. We find that it is a pleasure to work with hon Gwen and if the third important Bill which we will be dealing with, the Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill is handled in the same way, I am sure that we will get as constructive a result from the outcome of those deliberations as we have had from these. [Applause.]
Mrs L R MBUYAZI: Chairperson, the amendments that are proposed in this Bill are long overdue and very necessary if we want a more integrated approach to the management of waste sites and, ultimately, a cleaner, safer environment. Issues involving the environment are of paramount importance and therefore cannot be taken lightly. Waste sites have the potential to cause much damage to the environment and to people if they are not managed correctly.
These sites can be a hazard and danger to the communities who live close to them. Most of the time it is the poor who cannot afford to live elsewhere. They are the worst affected by these sites. To children these sites just look like interesting and exciting new places where they can play and they do not know of the serious danger that these sites pose to them.
With this amendment the management of waste sites is transferred from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Minister of Environmental Affairs has the power, with the Finance Minister’s concurrence, to impose compulsory charges for the identified waste type deposit systems and associated matters. He must also make regulations regarding products which by their nature can cause a hazard to the environment and human health if and when they reach the waste stream.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will now be better equipped to deal with aspects of conservation and the environment as a whole. We hope that there will also be a more cohesive approach now that waste management is under one department. These sites must also be closely monitored. The department will now also focus more on the communities living near these sites and try to involve them in the management of these sites.
They could also use these sites to try and uplift the community by providing employment-creating opportunities for them. These communities have had to endure the hazards and dangers that come with living near the waste sites. It is time that they get something positive out of this.
The IFP supports the Bill. [Applause.] Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, the ACDP wishes to support this Bill. We see that the traditional approach of controlling pollution on the so-called command and control approach, has not really succeeded and this current approach, as suggested by the Minister, whereby there will be a deposit scheme is a preferable approach to cut down on pollution. It is hoped that this will also complement existing legal mechanisms by providing for greater efficiency in Government’s obligation set out in Section 24 of the Constitution, to combat pollution.
As the previous speaker also indicated, this Bill will also allow the Minister to make regulations regarding products which, in themselves, are hazardous. Regarding the asbestos issue, as Mama Gwen related - we were together in London and we both toyi-toyed outside the London House of Commons. It was a great experience - this seeks to address that.
Whilst we are also mindful that the proposals may result in additional initial costs, these deposits will be recoverable. I am sure that hon members have witnessed the sight of tyres being burnt to obtain a few cents worth of metal. Clearly, this practice and the huge environmental impact caused by such fires necessitate that such additional value should be given to those tyres. That will be in the form of that deposit which the ACDP supports. So we, in conclusion, wish to endorse the hon Minister’s initiative with this legislation.
Miss S RAJBALLY: Chairperson, the MF has no objection to the transfer of the management of waste sites from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Waste disposal appears mostly to be an environmental matter and as such this transfer is appropriate. Our system of garbage disposal appears to be well- managed but many man-made dumping sites and littering certainly negatively affect our natural environment.
The MF strongly supports recycling and hopes that a strong system for this will be developed in waste disposal. The MF notes provisions made regarding products hazardous to the environment and is appreciative of this. Thanks go to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry who has, to date, maintained sector efficiency.
The MF wishes the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism every success in taking this responsibility. It is hoped that better waste management may be introduced in the poverty-stricken areas, where waste disposal systems are minimal. The MF supports this Bill.
Mr J D ARENDSE: Thank you, Chairperson. Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon
members I often find myself using the word asbestosis'' in conversation,
when I really want to sayasbestos’’. I do not think that this is just
because the two words sound so similar. Rather it is because the use of
asbestos and the illness of asbestosis were in the news for a long time.
This past weekend, it once again space featured in the news. This time, however, it was about the more than 7000 claimants in the Northern Cape finally receiving some money. The fact that they are finally receiving some compensation is a good thing. But the amounts that they are receiving are very low. It was reported that they are receiving between R6 000 and R26 000 per person or in many cases per family. One has to ask: Is that all their lives are worth? For some of them it has been too late. They have already been laid to rest. The rehabilitation of those asbestos mining sites is still a matter that needs attention.
Not too long ago the committee embarked on provincial visits and we visited a company called Chloorkop where they found hazardous waste dumped in a hole in the ground and a worker told them that he was asked to plant grass to cover it. The whole issue of Thor chemicals was also given to this Ministry to deal with. I remember at the time that the hon Deputy Minister took centre stage in that matter.
These are only three examples why the Environment Conservation Amendment Bill is so important. What is also particularly contentious in the context of past discriminatory practices in South Africa is the question of the positioning of waste disposal sites. It is the argument of those living near to waste disposal sites, or proposed waste disposal sites, that the establishment of waste disposal sites may impinge on their right to an environment not harmful to health or wellbeing. I firmly believe that these amendments make it possible for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as lead agent on environmental matters to ensure environmental justice.
Pollution, especially land pollution, could be categorised in different ways. Firstly, there is the categorisation by activity, for example agricultural, mining, industrial, dumping and incineration activities. There could also be categorisation by type, for example hazardous toxic waste or substances; solid or liquid waste; mining waste, such as crushed rocks; mining overburdening, resulting in runoff and wind-blown material; industrial waste; powderised fuel ash from coal-fired power stations and so on. It could also be categorised by effect, for example, the effect on health or the effect on the environment.
It is therefore imperative that we move away from fragmented and unco- ordinated waste management to integrated waste management. I believe that this Environmental Conservation Act Amendment Bill is a giant leap in the direction of integrated waste management. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, what has been made very clear this afternoon by the National Assembly and by every political party represented in the National Assembly - although not all spoke, because now we have many small parties which are competing with the MF for the one minute each - is that Government needs more power in order to do more about waste. And what every political party has said to Government is that we are putting more power in your hands; use it to do more about waste.
We now have the powers as Government and I think the message to everybody out there is that nothing can stop us now. [Applause.] There are those who have refused to co-operate with us. But let me give you an example of some who, as a result of measures we took on the plastic bags issue, began to start co-operating because they did not want regulations.
I had a visit from representatives from Nampak and Consol. They told me that between the two companies they make all the glass bottles in the country. They control the whole market. And they presented to me a proposal of what they will do in order to recover bottles from the waste and said if they do that, will Government still introduce regulations. And my reply was: We only need regulations to control people who are not playing their part; where the pollutor is not taking responsibility for the cleaning up afterwards.
I said to them here is a good example: If you do this it will be like collect-a-can. We do not need regulations for beverage cans and for beer cans because the collect-a-can system works very well without regulations. The industry and communities are doing the right thing; we do not need regulations.
We will need regulations on tyres. I just consulted my chief director Dr Matjila who said that he will be putting a proposal before me, once we have this regulation for a deposit system on tyres.
When it comes to the plastic bags issue, the agreement between Government, labour and business is that there will be a charge on plastic bags. The retail sector then decided that they were going to charge 46c or something of that sort. But that was not in the regulation. That was their own decision and then later on they started a price war on the price of plastic bags. We said, let’s reduce the price so that workers do not lose their jobs. Forty-six cents is too high, so if we charge a lower price, people will buy more bags and it will keep the factories going so that the workers do not lose their jobs. At the same time, it will achieve our objective where people will attach a value to the bags; even if it is a lower value, they will not throw it way. But the retailers started a price war, and thankfully, I must say, most retailers are voluntarily keeping to the system. There are those few who are acting in defiance on their own. This legislation will make it possible for us to take the advice which we are now getting from the majority of the retailers to put this pricing mechanism into regulations in one way or another. But I can assure the National Assembly that with these regulations, we will be able to move ahead faster and with greater confidence. And as I have said before: Nothing can stop us now.
Debate concluded.
The Bill read the second time.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS - FOOD SECURITY HEARINGS
Mr N H MASITHELA: Chairperson and hon members, we cannot talk of democracy if we ignore the quality of life of all ordinary people when men, women and children still live in poverty. This is a challenge that the ANC Government is committed to dealing with. The ANC is committed to pushing back the frontiers of poverty and improving the quality of life of all South Africans, both black and white.
Although the right of access to sufficient food and water is enshrined in our Constitution, it was clear from the public hearings that the majority of our people still do not have access to sufficient food as they are supposed to. The report that we are presenting today emanates from the Food Security Public Hearings held in March this year where about 22 organisations, including the Departments of Agriculture and of Social Development, presented their views on food security. This was done to enable this committee to make recommendations to Parliament for resolutions.
These organisations presented diverse views on the subject matter because they represented different stakeholders, ie consumers, commercial and small- scale farmers, nongovernmental organisations, the private sector and research institutes. We learned many lessons from these public hearings. One of these lessons was that whilst one takes cognisance of the fact that Chapters 3 and 4 of the Constitution still prevail, there seems to be a lack of co-ordination and communication between the three spheres of government in terms of policy implementation and programmes in implementing food security.
The same problem exists between and amongst those in the private sector, nongovernmental organisations, community-based organisations and Government. However, for the Government this merely implies that there is only one thing, and that is that there is a need for a constitutional amendment to ensure a unified and integrated approach on food security at all levels and all spheres of government.
The second lesson we learned was that there is a need for Government to intervene and protect the consumer against unacceptably high food prices. However, I am aware that Government has already done something in this regard. It has appointed a Food Monitoring Price Committee to look into this matter. What we have also learned is that the inability to protect, to assess and to cope with emergency situations that interrupt food production and supply such as droughts, floods and many others, has resulted in food insecurity in this country.
Other contributory factors that lead to food insecurity are inappropriate agricultural knowledge and technologies, certain pricing practices, and tax and tariff policies. Whilst we are dealing with this point, I wish to register my disappointment with the role of the private sector in the issue of food security problems in this country. It came to our attention at those public hearings that their role and contribution is very weak and unco-ordinated.
We should compliment all research institutes for the report they presented to the committee. However, the Agricultural Research Council needs to extend its research beyond commercial farmers to include indigenous crops for sustainable emerging and small-scale farmers. There is a need for research on alternative means of ensuring food security and no one can dispute this fact, but this does not mean that research on the use of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms or foods needs to be undermined for food security.
Thorough research needs to be done so that we can have conclusive evidence on the impact of genetically modified organisms on the environment, health and social systems. This needs to be done urgently as I believe that genetically modified organisms can play a significant role in ensuring food security, not only in this country, but on the continent as a whole.
In its submission, Afristar criticised Government for lacking a national vision on food security by not realising there was a need for food security legislation that would secure and protect access to food for all. I hope the Deputy Minister will elaborate more on this point because I know that issue has been dealt with by Government. Research has been done on this legislation and therefore a report will be tabled very soon.
Rising food prices, especially the massive increases in the case of staple foods, are one of the causes of food insecurity. However, the root cause of food insecurity lies in the unequal distribution of income and wealth that we have inherited from the apartheid past. In response to our food crisis, the Government instituted a national food emergency scheme which included the distribution of food parcels and negotiations with retailers to sell maize at discounted prices. The retailers actually need to be commended on their quick response regarding this matter.
However, the problem with these short-term measures is that it encourages people to depend on the Government rather than being self-sufficient. It is on this point that we would appeal to the Government to spend more money both on agricultural starter packs and food gardens. This will help the poor to farm and produce for consumption and for sale. We take this opportunity to congratulate the government of the Eastern Cape for having put R20 million towards revitalising eight irrigation schemes, and initiating and improving food production programmes in that province.
In response to the public outcry for the Government to intervene by preventing collusion by retailers to keep prices high, the Minister appointed a Food Price Monitoring Committee to look into this matter. The committee is monitoring prices, but it is also investigating price formations along the food value chain. It also has a mandate to advise Government regarding appropriate interventions to deal with food security and, especially, the affordability of basic foodstuffs amongst the poorest of our community.
This committee’s work has shown that there is a normal time lag between changes in the producer price and consumer price, which is four months for most consumer prices. However, recent analysis shows that a downward move in consumer prices in response to cheaper commodities and the improved exchange rate has not been met with the same drop in retail prices. This means that food prices remain fairly high for most households in this country.
Trends in retail prices since January vary from product to product, from retailer to retailer and from region to region. The National Data Series indicates that the rate at which food prices increased has stabilised and in certain cases the price of some products has dropped. What this committee has found is that food inflation is a complex issue with a wide range of factors contributing to price increases. To my knowledge this is still being investigated. I know that we will hopefully be getting this report from the Minister when this committee hands over the report to the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs. In the same vein let me also announce that the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs will be interrogating the interim report of the Price Monitoring Committee because we take these issues and responses very seriously.
Let me point out some of the recommendations that were made by the portfolio committee based on the Food Security Public Hearings. Because of time constraints, I will only be able to mention a few. I know other members are going to deal with others.
Firstly, the Government should quickly finalise the research it is conducting around food security legislation and ensure that it is tabled before the National Assembly in the next term of Parliament. Time is of the essence on this matter.
Secondly, Government should develop mechanisms that will enable people to access food at reasonable prices. This may require the creation of strategic food reserves which should be used when the need arises, for example when the price of staple food is high and also at times when we are experiencing periods of drought.
Lastly, all forms of farming, be it commercial, small-scale or subsistence farming, need to be assisted. Whether one wants to call it subsidies or whatever, in my view it needs to happen, because there is no way one would see the development of black commercial farmers and subsistence farmers in this country if Government does not help along the emergence of these farmers in general.
Some of the assistance that Government could provide is by acquisition of land, research, proper technologies, markets and extensions at all levels of government. I am raising this because in all spheres of government, the extension services are very poor. I wish to appeal to all South Africans, particularly the private sector and nongovernmental organisations, to unite behind the South African Government and the United Nations to reach their target of reducing poverty by half by 2015.
It is a fact that small-scale agriculture could play a central role in poverty reduction in rural areas in particular. As members of the ANC, we are aware that the party is doing everything in its power to ensure that poor people have access to land and water.
We want to thank those people who have made contributions, in particular members of the portfolio committee. These 22 organisations have demonstrated that poverty is not acceptable and that we should join hands in eradicating it. The ANC wishes to recommend that this Parliament should seriously consider looking at these recommendations so that we can enable our people to benefit from the product.
Mr A J BOTHA: Good afternoon, Mr Chairperson. Hon members, the issue before us today, is the availability of food and the ability of people to access this food.
In our country there are many who do not have enough to eat and far too many of these people are young children who go to bed hungry at night, if indeed they have a bed to go to at all. Not only are they physically stunted by malnutrition, they are also mentally stunted and their ability to attend school is seriously limited.
Die ironie en die verskrikking is dat hierdie toestand heers in ‘n land wat sulke nasionale voedselsekuriteit geniet dat dit slegs een van ‘n klein handjievol lande in die wêreld is wat ‘n netto uitvoerder van voedsel en vesel is. Ons sit dus met die onuithoudbare situasie van nasionale voedselsurplus aan die een kant en tegelykertyd huishoudelike tekorte aan die ander kant. In ‘n moderne mark ekonomie ontstaan hierdie situasie altyd wanneer die ekonomiese groei nie tred hou met bevolkingsgroei nie en werkloosheid en armoede is die wrede gevolg daarvan. Dit is die werklikheid en ons moenie vir onsself gedurig gaan probleme soek in die verlede en die verlede blameer sonder om ‘n plan te maak oor wat ons nou daaromtrent gaan doen nie.
Die vanselfsprekende oplossing is versnelde ekonomiese groei en werkverskaffing. Dit neem egter tyd en bied geen troos aan die verarmde honger mense nie. Die res van ons se taak is om in die tussentyd hand by te sit om iets hieromtrent te doen en wel op twee heeltemal verskillende plekke; naamlik, in die stedelike- of dorpsgebiede en in die digbevolkte bestaansboerderygebiede.
In die stedelike en dorpsgebiede is uitstekende werk reeds gedoen deur navorsingsinstansies soos Nietvoorby wat die wawieldrukbesproeiingstelsel ontwerp het. Hierdie plan, sowel as ‘n hele aantal ander planne, is ingestel op die herverbruik van huishoudelike water wat water dan as ‘n kostefaktor uitskakel. Dit is afgesien van die feit dat elke huishouding geregtig is op 6 000 liter vrywater per maand, en dat, vir die stelsel, 3 000 liter water per maand nodig is. Met die “starter packs” - skema van die Departement van Landbou word die koste van saad, kunsmis en chemikalieë insgelyks uitgeskakel. Daar is boonop ‘n veelvoud van nie- regeringsorganisasies, soos wat ook deur die voorsitter hier genoem is, wat uitstekende werk doen om mense by te staan in hierdie verband.
Wanneer ons egter gebiede besoek wat hoë armoedsvlakke beleef en hoë werkloosheidssyfers het, kry ons wel voedseltuine, maar dis ongelukkig by verreweg in die minderheid. Ek glo dat die verduideliking daarin lê dat voedseltuine nie ‘n tradisionele gebruik van ons Suid-Afrikaners is wat ons saamgebring het van ons landelike gebiede na snel verstedelikte situasies nie, en dat daar gepoog moet word om nuwe rolmodelle soos godsdiensleiers, onderwysers, raadslede, en so meer aan te moedig om as rolmodelle op te tree en sulke tuine in hulle eie erwe te begin. Baie besige mense sal miskien aanvoer dat hulle nie die tyd daarvoor het nie en in sulke gevalle kan daar tog sekerlik gebruik gemaak word van die see van werklose mense wat hulle omring en enige werklose persoon sal maar te bly wees vir die ekstra stukkie inkomste om sulke werk te doen.
In landelike gebiede is studies lankal reeds gedoen wat aantoon dat die oostelike kusstreek strekkende van KwaZulu-Natal deur die Transkei en die Ciskei van die hoogste droë land potensiaal in die land het, maar van die swakste benutting daarvan. Die rede hiervoor is eenvoudig dat teen ‘n baie hoë reënval en goedgedreineerde grond sulke suurvlakke veroorsaak word dat die opbrengspotensiaal hoegenaamd nie kan bereik word sonder intervensie nie. Die boere in daardie gebiede oorleef met slegs ‘n halfton opbrengs op gronde wat ses tot tien ton potensiaal het. Die sleutel om hierdie potensiaal te ontsluit, is die kennis dat voldoende bekalking en die gebruik van tersaaklike spoorelemente die verandering kan teweegbring. Dit is in die verlede reeds in die George-omgewing gedoen. Daar was van die mees brandarm mense in hierdie land wat afhanklik was van houtkap in die bosse om te oorleef totdat die toepassing van wetenskaplike navorsing daardie gebied in die florerende lushof verander het wat dit vandag is.
Met sinvolle samewerking tussen tradisionele leiers, wetenskaplike navorsers en kommersiële boere kan presies dieselfde gedoen word in die tradisionele stamgebiede. Al die skakels is egter nodig en die staat moet uitskei om die wetenskaplike navorsers in die Landbou Navorsersraad te ondermyn soos wat nou besig is om plaas te vind. En die politici moet uitskei - en die politici wat dit doen, weet wie hulle is - om gedurig kommersiële boere te demoniseer; gedurig te sê soos verlede week hierso dat hulle nooit saamwerk nie en nooit iets vir die land wil doen nie en nie patriote is nie. Ek dink daardie wonderlike uitdrukking van die wysgeer wat gesê het, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” moet mens altyd in gedagte hou wanneer ‘n mens met hierdie goed na vore kom.
Maar miskien die heel belangrikste aspek van voedselsekuriteit, naamlik die na-oesopberging daarvan, kry as ‘n reël die heel minste aandag. Dit verstom ‘n mens eintlik aangesien dit bereken word dat meer as 50% van net graanoeste alleen verlore gaan as gevolg van insek- en knaagdierbeskadiging. Om nie eers te praat van die verlies van bederfbare produkte soos vleis en vrugte en groente wat geberg moet word nie. Daar bestaan reeds ‘n geruime tyd ‘n samewerkingooreenkoms tussen die National Resource Institute van die Verenigde Koninkryk en die Landbou Navorsingsraad, sowel as die Departement van Landbou, om hierdie baie ernstige probleem aan te spreek, veral in bestaansboerderygebiede.
Een van die netelige aspekte van hierdie beskerming is die gebruik van chemikalieë wat baie gevaarlik kan wees, veral as dit by die beperking van insekteskade kom. En die geleerdheidsprofiel van bestaansboere is van so ‘n aard dat hulle nie regtig geskik is om dit self te doen nie en daarom is dit van die uiterste belang dat goedopgeleide en bemagtigde uitbreidingsbeamptes, wat by die mense kan uitkom, in plek gebring moet word sodat hulle hierdie werk kan doen.
Ten slotte, wil ek net noem dat voedselsekuriteit op ‘n verskeidenheid van terreine aangespreek kan word in die kort- en mediumtermyn. Maar in die langtermyn moet ons onsself nie mislei deur te glo dat dit die finale oplossing is nie. Slegs voldoende ekonomiese groei en werkskepping kan die probleme van armoede in die moderne ekonomie aanspreek.
Julle vra altyd vir ons hier in die DA, wat ons aanbied. Ons bied al vir ‘n baie, baie lang tyd die basiese inkomstetoelaag aan. En dit is nie in die belang van ons kiesers of enige iemand se kiesers om vir die mense te sê, “ Julle moet meer betaal om die armes te help.” nie. Maar ons doen dit. Kyk daarna. Ondersoek dit. Ons is nie alleen nie. Die vakuniebeweging beveel dit ook aan. Dink daaraan en gebruik dit saam met die ander middele om medium- en korttermyn aspekte aan te spreek.
Maar kyk tog asseblief in die langtermyn na net een aspek en dit is ekonomiese groei. En ek wil ten slotte die Adjunkminister tog mooi vra vandag. Dink mooi wat ek vandag hier gesê het. Moenie maak soos in verlede week se debat en my kom beskuldig dat ek teen iets is as ek probleme uitwys nie. Ek is nie ten gunste van armoede nie. Ek is nie ten gunste van hongersnood nie. Ek is ten gunste van die oplossing daarvan. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The irony and the horror of this is that this situation is prevailing in a country that enjoys such food security that it is one of only a handful of countries in the world that is a net exporter of food and fibre. We therefore have the unbearable situation of a national food surplus on the one hand and simultaneously household shortages on the other. In a modern market economy a situation such as this always arises when economic growth does not keep pace with population growth, and unemployment and poverty are the cruel results. This is the reality and we should not constantly go and look for problems in the past and blame the past without devising a plan as to what we are going to do about it now.
The obvious solution is accelerated economic growth and provision of jobs. This, however, takes time and provides no solace for the impoverished, hungry people. The task of the rest of us is to lend a hand in the meantime to do something about this and in fact in two completely different areas; namely, in the urban or peri-urban areas and in the densely populated subsistence farming areas.
In the urban and peri-urban areas excellent work has already been done by research institutions such as Nietvoorby, that designed the wagonwheel pressure irrigation system. This plan, as well as a number of other plans, are focused on recycling household water, which eliminates water as a cost factor. This is irrespective of the fact that every household is entitled to 6 000 litres of free water per month and that the system requires 3 000 litres per month. With the ``starter packs’’ scheme of the Department of Agriculture the cost of seed, fertiliser and chemicals is similarly eliminated. Furthermore, there is a multiplicity of nongovernmental organisations, as was also mentioned here by the chairperson, that are doing excellent work to assist people in this regard.
However, when we visit areas that are experiencing high levels of poverty and have high unemployment rates, we do find food gardens, but unfortunately these are in the minority by far. I believe that the explanation lies in the fact that food gardens are not a traditional custom of South Africans that we have brought with us from our rural areas to rapidly urbanised situations, and that an effort should be made to encourage new role models such as religious leaders, educators, council members, and so forth to act as role models and start such gardens in their own yards. Many busy individuals would probably argue that they did not have the time for that and in such cases surely they could use the sea of unemployed people that surround them and any unemployed person would be only too pleased to have the opportunity to earn a little extra money by doing such work.
In rural areas studies have been conducted long ago that indicate that the Eastern coastline, stretching from KwaZulu-Natal through the Transkei and the Ciskei, has among the highest dry land potential in the country, but among the poorest utilisation. The reason for this is simply that a very high rainfall and well-drained soil creates such high acid levels that the yield apotential simply cannot be achieved without intervention. The farmers in those areas manage to produce only half a ton on land that has the potential to produce six to ten tons. The key to unlocking this potential is the knowledge that sufficient calcification and the utilisation of relevant trace elements can bring about the change. This has already been done in the George region in the past. Some of the most indigent people in this country who relied on logging in the forests to survive, lived there until the application of scientific research converted that area into the flourishing paradise that it is today.
With meaningful co-operation between traditional leaders, scientific researchers and commercial farmers exactly the same can be done in the traditional tribal areas. All the links are necessary, however, and the state has to stop undermining the scientific researchers in the Agricultural Research Council as is taking place at present. And the politicians must stop - and those politicians who are doing this know who they are - continually demonising commercial farmers; continually stating, as happened here last week, that they never co-operate and never want to do their bit for the country and that they are not patriots. I think that wonderful expression by the philosopher who said “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” should always be kept in mind when one comes out with such things.
But probably the most important aspect of food security, namely its post- harvest storage, as a rule enjoys the least attention. This is actually astounding, since it is estimated that more that 50% of grain harvests alone go to waste as a result of insect and rodent damage. Not to mention the loss of perishable products such as meat and fruit and vegetables that must be stored. For quite a while now there has been a co-operation agreement between the National Resource Institute of the United Kingdom and the Agricultural Research Council, as well as the Department of Agriculture, to address this very serious problem, especially in subsistence farming areas.
One of the sensitive aspects of this protection is the use of chemicals that can be very harmful, especially when it comes to limiting the damage caused by insects. And the education profile of subsistence farmers is of such a nature that they are not really able to do it themselves and that is why it is of the utmost importance that adequately trained and authorised extension officers, who are able to reach the people, are put in place so that they can do this work.
In conclusion, I just want to mention that food security can be addressed in a number of spheres in the short and medium term. But in the long term we should not deceive ourselves that this is the final solution. Only adequate economic growth and job creation can address the problems of poverty in the modern economy.
You always ask us here in the DA what we have to offer. We have for a very, very long time been offering the basic income allowance. And it is not in the interest of our voters, or anyone’s voters, to say to the people: “You have to pay more to help the indigent.” But we do so. Look at it. Investigate it. We are not alone. The trade union movement also recommends it. Think about it and use it in conjunction with the other means to address medium and short-term aspects.
But please look in the long-term at only one aspect and that is economic growth. And in conclusion, I want to appeal to the Deputy Minister very nicely today. Think carefully about what I have said here today. Do not do what you did in last week’s debate and accuse me of being against something when I point out problems. I am not in favour of poverty. I am not in favour of starvation. I am in favour of solving these problems. Thank you very much.]
Mr M V NGEMA: Thank you, Chairperson. John C Maxwell in The Power of Leadership admonishes as follows, and I quote:
A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them.
The portfolio committee took an important decision when it decided to conduct a two-day public hearing on food security, held on 11 and 12 March this year. The IFP is of the opinion that this good work should not be allowed to be sidelined by the fact that today’s debate is not on the broader subject of food security, but is limited to the report of the portfolio committee on the public hearings.
In its submission the department, through Mr Mongwa, estimated that over 12 million people are most vulnerable to food insecurity. Today, as we debate the report, the figure has risen to over 20 million people, according to the South African survey of 2002-03. According to the same report, the number of people with incomes below the minimum level is as follows: 62% Africans, 29% coloureds, 11% Indians and 4% whites. Currently about 35% of the total population or 14,3 million South Africans are vulnerable to food insecurity.
The South African Human Rights Commission paints an even bleaker picture in its report when it says: “The Government has massively failed South Africa’s most needy citizens.” The report said that poverty alleviation reached only 3 million of 20 million people living below the poverty line. More than 5 million children in South Africa, 30% of those under the age of 17, regularly go hungry, according to the Institute of Democracy in South Africa. Six out of 10 people in South Africa are starving; so said the Government report in May 2002.
We urge the department to focus its research on programmes on how our indigenous communities were able to sustain production and preservation of food prior to our colonialisation. We urge the department to spread its focus on food production right across from producing food for household consumption to commercial farming. Market outlets should be identified prior to production.
We understand food security to include food availability, food access, reliability of food and food distribution. It was clearly stated at a public hearing that the problem of food insecurity in this country did not arise from lack of food, but rather from the lack of access to food. The problem is not whether there is food or not, but that less and less people are able to put food on the table due to, among other factors, high prices, as our food production is geared towards meeting the needs of external markets. The department is urged to involve all role-players in implementing the Integrated Food Security Strategy.
During the briefings by the Land Bank on the 16th of this month, the CEO indicated that South Africa would need to have five times the current capacity of the Land Bank for our country to fully meet the challenge of agricultural development.
However, in a surprise move, the portfolio committee decided in its report, to advise the department to consider altering the existing constitutional arrangement regarding the current national and provincial powers. Neither the department nor the provinces have expressed problems regarding implementation of government policies which could warrant such a shift. Thank you, Chairperson. [Time expired.]
Ms N D NGCENGWANE: Thank you, Chairperson. Hon members, today I feel proud and honoured to be part of this debate on the food security report and its impact on elderly women and children, especially after a call, or rather a plea, by our President on all of us to roll up our sleeves and lend a hand in the national effort to build a better life for all South Africans by pushing back the frontiers of poverty.
This country has a long history of poverty since 1913 when the Natives Act was introduced here. It was during the time of the then Union of South African Parliament that an agreement was reached to set aside 7,3% of the country’s total land for Africans. In 1989, when the African population was estimated at about 28 million, still the areas for occupation by Africans remained what they were in 1936. The unfortunate part of this history is that not all of us in this House, especially those on my left-hand side, who claim to be representing the poor, know the real meaning or the experience of hunger or poverty. There are those who read about it in newspapers and those who see the pictures of it on television.
Let me highlight a few challenges facing this country regarding food security and their impact on women, children and the elderly. The women of this country constitute just over half of our population, that is approximately 52,6%, and they are the most disadvantaged section of the population. Progress made must be measured by the impact that the Government programmes on social transformation have on the elderly, women and children of this country. When we speak about a better life for all, we speak about people-centred development and national programmes which focus mainly on the issues of women, children and the elderly.
Food security in South Africa is inadequate. As a result, according to research done, one out of every four children is under the normal height for their age group. The most vulnerable sectors are lactating mothers, infants, children, child-headed households, female-headed households, people infected and affected by HIV and Aids and the elderly. Most of the affected people are found in the former homelands, are farmworkers and live in informal settlements.
Women’s land rights are still limited and insecure. Lack of information about land rights further hinders women’s ability to access land. The laws of inheritance in which sons tend to inherit land from their deceased fathers sometimes leave widows without rights of tenure. The power and dominance of traditional systems often deny women their rights to represent themselves in land claims. Women in the agricultural field are still only labourers and subsistence farmers and their role is limited to the less commercial sectors. There is not enough capacity-building targeted at women to increase their participation in land reform programmes and projects. Women do not have sufficient access to agricultural resources, including land, credit, technology, marketing and information which promote their contribution to agricultural production.
The ability of women to claim land entitlement is variable and depends to a large extent on social status and goodwill of male partners and relatives. Some progress has been made to improve the plight of women across the spectrum of society, although women still lack access to social and economic opportunities in order to improve their own lives and that of their families, and those most affected are black and rural women.
The ANC-led Government has a huge task to redress the imbalances of the past. South Africa’s new Constitution has enshrined the right of all South Africans to equality. Since 1994 a lot of new laws, especially on women and children, have been enacted to dismantle the apartheid machinery and address inequality and basic human rights in this country.
I need to highlight the legislation amended by this Government to accommodate women in this country. Firstly, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, Act 62 of 1997, ensures that women and children have independent rights as occupiers on farms owned by another person. This ensures that women are protected against arbitrary and unfair discrimination. The preamble to the Prevention of Illegal Evictions from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 specifically refers to women and notes that special consideration should be given to the rights of certain vulnerable groups, which includes female-headed households.
The Land Bank Amendment Act, Act 21 of 1998, gives women access to financial assistance from the bank. The National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, specifies that one third of all members of the water services committee should be women. The Employment Equity Act, Act 55 of 1998, outlaws any discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, family responsibility and pregnancy or HIV status. Because of this Act women are being elevated to better positions and a better life.
The foundation has been laid and a good job is being done by the ANC-led Government to try and redress the imbalances of the past. All we are left with now is the responsibility of making sure that there is proper communication to the communities and implementation is effected through imbozos. Yes, the tide has turned.
In our townships we need to utilise the open spaces in our own backyards to plant vegetables for our own consumption and utilise the open spaces outside the townships. We need to utilise the spaces in our churchyards, clinic yards and schoolyards and then the women who have vegetable gardens in schoolyards will assist in the reduction of vandalism of schools during the school holidays, because they are always visible on the schoolgrounds.
In conclusion, it is important for all of us to join forces and transform this country in real terms. We need to know that transformation refers to a new breeze of responsibility and accountability that is blowing open previously closed doors to some communities in this country. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel to accelerate the pace of change in our beloved country. It is our responsibility, all of us, to break down the barriers of division and create a country where there will be neither black nor white, just South Africans, free and united in our diversity in order to achieve the goals many of our leaders fought and died for in order to be where we are today with this democracy. I thank you.
Mnr A S VAN DER MERWE: Voorsitter, agb Minister, kollegas, voedselsekuriteit is ‘n lywige onderwerp. Dit is ook ‘n baie belangrike onderwerp wat alle mense in Suid-Afrika raak.
My tyd is te min, maar ek wil tog net dít uitspreek. Dit lyk nie of dit ‘n belangrike onderwerp is nie as ek na die teenwoordigheid in hierdie Raad kyk nie. Daar is twee sake: Genoeg voedsel en die beskikbaarheid van voedsel aan almal. Ten spyte daarvan dat Suid-Afrika ‘n landbou-arm land is, het ons landbouers so effektief geopereer dat daar nog nooit ‘n tekort aan voedsel was nie en voedsel teen ‘n billike prys geproduseer is. Miskien het ons so gewoond daaraan geraak dat ons dit nie meer as ‘n prestasie beskou nie. Suid-Afrika is maar een van sewe lande wat ‘n netto uitvoerder van voedsel is. Die groot verantwoordelikheid is om dit so te hou.
Om dit so te hou, is daar ‘n paar sake van dringende belang wat aandag moet kry. Ek lig net ‘n paar uit. Landbou in Suid-Afrika kry geen staatsubsidies nie. Dit is goed so, want subsidies verwring die ekonomie. Dit is egter van die uiterste belang dat landbouers beskerm word teen subsidies van ander lande. Pick ‘n Pay voer honderde kilo’s gesubsidieerde kaas in teen R16,00 per kilo. Hoekom laat ons dit toe? Hoeveel werksgeleenthede gaan deur hierdie soort invoere verlore? Bereik dit die armste van arm mense? Nee, dit bereik nie eers die gemiddelde verbruiker nie. Waar is ons patriotisme?
Landbounavorsing bestaan amper nie meer nie. Ons moet nuwe boere vestig. Hulle benodig die heel beste tegnologie om met die wêreld te kan meeding. Kom die Regering en ons almal ons verantwoordelikheid na? Grondbelasting word sonder reëls op die landbou losgelaat. Die impak van hierdie ongereguleerde belasting is nog nie eers bereken deur die instelling daarvan nie. Ek is ten gunste van minimumlone, maar ook hier lyk dit of die Regering so gretig was om dit ingestel te kry dat die praktiese implementering glad nie in ag geneem is nie. Al hierdie goed vernietig werksgeleenthede. Ek het maar net geraak aan ‘n paar punte wat van groot belang is om voedsel teen bekostigbare pryse te produseer.
Ek vra asseblief: Moet nie die gans wat die goue eiers lê slag nie. Dit gaan voedselsekuriteit uiters nadelig raak. ‘n Baie belangrike faset oor voedselsekuriteit wat uit die verhore mooi na vore gekom het, is die beskikbaarheid van basiese voedsel aan ons heel armste mense van ons land. Ek wil ‘n beroep doen op ons groot kettingwinkels en hulle baie bekwame personeel om te gaan saam sit en met planne na vore te kom wat basiese voedsel aan die afgeleë verbruikers, wat meestal uit arm mense bestaan, goedkoper beskikbaar te stel. Ons kettingwinkelgroepe is van die beste ter wêreld en ek glo hulle kan ook hier ‘n groot bydrae lewer. Hulle het kundigheid. Hulle het fondse. Help asseblief.
Die staat het ook ‘n verantwoordelikheid om deur verantwoordelike hulp basiese voedsel bekostigbaar vir arm mense te maak. Voor ons dit nie bereik nie, het ons nie volledige voedselsekuriteit bereik nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr A S VAN DER MERWE: Chairperson, hon Minister, colleagues, food security is a weighty subject. It is also a very important subject that concerns everyone in South Africa.
My time is too limited, but I would just like to say this. It does not seem to be an important subject if I look at the attendance in this House. There are two issues: Sufficient food and the availability of food to everyone. Despite the fact that South Africa is an agriculturally poor country, our farmers have operated so effectively that there has never been a shortage of food and food has been produced at a reasonable price. Maybe we have become so accustomed to this that we no longer consider it an achievement. South Africa is one of only seven countries that are net exporters of food. The big responsibility is to maintain this.
To keep this up, there are a few urgent matters that require attention. I shall single out only a few of them. Agriculture in South Africa does not receive any subsidies from the state. This is a good thing, because subsidies distort the economy. It is, however, of the utmost importance that farmers are protected against the subsidies of other countries. Pick ‘n Pay imports hundreds of kilos of subsidised cheese at R16,00 per kilo. Why do we allow this? How many job opportunities are being lost through imports of this kind? Do they reach the poorest of the poor? No, they do not even reach the average consumer. Where is our patriotism?
Agricultural research has virtually ceased to exist. We must establish new farmers. They require the very best technology in order to compete with the world. Are we and the Government meeting our responsibility? Land tax is being imposed on agriculture without any rules. The impact of this unregulated tax has not even been calculated yet, after its introduction. I am in favour of minimum wages, but in this respect also it seems as if the Government was so eager to introduce it that its practical implementation was not taken into account at all. All these things destroy job opportunities. I have only touched on a few aspects which are of great importance to produce food at affordable prices.
I am asking: Please do not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. This is going to have an extremely negative effect on food security. A very important facet of food security that came to the fore well during the hearings is the availability of basic food to the poorest of the poor in our country. I want to appeal to our big chain stores and their very competent personnel to sit down together and come up with plans that will make basic food available more cheaply to consumers in remote areas, who are mostly poor people. Our chain store groups are among the best in the world and I believe that they can also make a big contribution here. They have expertise. They have funds. Please help.
The state also has a responsibility to make basic food affordable for poor people through responsible assistance. Until we have achieved this, we have not achieved complete food security. Thank you.]
Ms C DUDLEY: Hon Chairman, hon Deputy Minister, the ACDP is in general agreement with observations and recommendations made by the portfolio committee in their report on the food security hearings, but food shortages in Africa are a complex interplay of many factors including drought, poverty, lack of transport and storage infrastructure and political instability.
An important issue which the ACDP believes should have received greater emphasis is genetically modified crops. Genetic engineering has serious implications for sustainable agriculture and food security and cannot offer solutions in Africa. There is increasing concern over the potential health and environmental hazards posed by genetically engineered seeds. Lack of genetic diversity, increasing vulnerability to pests and disease, monopoly control of seeds resulting in fewer types of seeds being available, gene transfer to domestic relatives and wild plants producing super weeds, are some of the concerns.
For centuries farmers have followed a tradition of saving, adapting and exchanging seed which has promoted biodiversity and food security. If a farmer loses the ability to save seed, he or she cannot continue to select plants best adapted to local conditions and needs. A European Union study states that all farmers would face high additional and even unsustainable costs if GE crops were commercially grown on a large scale in Europe. The EU presently has a five-year ban on approving new biotech crops. South Africa buys and sells to the EU, which is our primary market. If they have rejected GE crops, why would we even consider them? Why would South Africa want to produce what people do not want?
To ignore the findings of the EU with their enormous research capacity is decidedly unwise, especially considering the at present substantially eroded research capacity of South Africa due to Government underfunding. Even Zambia has had the good sense to refuse GE maize for fear of the health effects of consuming it and the fear of contamination of local varieties, not to mention the loss of export markets in Europe. The ACDP commends them on their foresight in this regard.
Organic farming systems are the traditional farming systems of Africa and the way to go. If we pollute food genetically, there will simply be no market. Keeping in mind that South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world, it is unthinkable that we would consider sacrificing this awesome privilege. South Africa has also managed to remain one of the seven net food producers despite poor soil and low rainfall, and it would be tragic to knowingly jeopardise this outstanding achievement.
The ACDP is also concerned that new legislation, giving the Minister powers to expropriate land without a court order, will gravely undermine South Africa’s present agricultural stability and, therefore, food security. When land has no value, no one can produce. There is no interest, no food, no investment, no rural wealth and no rural development. Government actions and statements which erode the value of land and private property sabotage the wealth of a nation.
Food security is a matter of life and death and our best efforts must go into ensuring that no South African has to go hungry. We cannot afford to laugh off suggestions and warnings just because they come from the opposition. The consequences are too great and serious a matter. Thank you.
Miss S RAJBALLY: Chairperson, with starvation being one of the horrific results of poverty, and poverty in turn being one of our greatest problems, the subject of food security should be the focus to maintain the survival of our nation.
The MF is pleased with the committee’s work as reflected in this report. A vast number of important role-players regarding food security appear to have been consulted and many recommendations were made. The MF feels that this allowed for proper representation on the subject and also compliments Abalimi, the name of which means ``the planters’’ in Xhosa. This NGO is doing great work with the community on microfarming.
Further, it is felt that whatever we need to undertake to maintain food security should be done. We depend on food for survival and every effort has to be employed to make this possible. The vukuzenzele campaign must be taken seriously. The MF supports recommendations made by the committee. This subject needs extensive assistance. It is hoped that it will be given. We call on the Minister to please release land that is adjacent to the houses in the townships free of charge to be utilised for planting. [Applause.]
Ms E NGALEKA: Chairperson and hon members, today we are debating a very important subject which is a matter of life and death. The right of access to sufficient food is enshrined in section 27 of the Constitution of South Africa. Food security is defined as when all people, especially the most vulnerable and least resilient, have dignified and unthreatened access to culturally appropriate food of a quality that will fully support the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of the people.
It should, therefore, be noted that food security stands on three legs. Food must be available, accessible and affordable. The principle, therefore, is in line with what our President said in his address at the third African Renaissance festival:
It is the poor themselves who must answer the question: What should be done so that their poverty comes to an end permanently?
We have a lot of factors which contributed to the destruction of food security systems in rural South Africa. The Land Acts of 1913 and 1936 dispossessed people of their land and the separate development strategies that introduced the betterment schemes were the last blow. The consequence of these strategies was that once content, coherent and confident communities able to provide for their own food, were left hungry and living under conditions of immense poverty.
A further consequence of apartheid’s separate development strategies was the disorganisation of social systems on which food security systems were anchored. Migrant labour escalated and almost all the able-bodied men left the villages, leaving mostly women and children to fend for themselves. Subsistence farming was undermined and no small farmers emerged. Working the land was no longer feasible.
Hon members, to combat poverty the immediate underlying and basic causes of the problem need to be addressed and there must be short, medium and long- term actions at various spheres of government and by a range of actors. Economic development strategies and appropriate social spending by Government are important and mutually supportive strategies to achieve sustainable improvement in our situation.
We support the Government in the continuation with plans towards a comprehensive social security system through the consolidation of all other existing measures such as the UIF and social grants, the introduction of national health insurance and through the strengthening and progressive expansion of a social wage system, including the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of free basic services to all in the shortest possible time, particularly in municipalities that serve the rural poor. We know it is the right thing to do.
The Government’s social cluster in relation to food security is highly commended, as the programmes introduced have contributed to relieving the millions of our people, especially women and children, of the scourge of hunger.
The Government’s integrated and sustainable development programmes, both rural and urban will, amongst other things, entail investment in the economic and social infrastructure, human resource development, enterprise development, the enhancement of the development of the capacity of local government, poverty alleviation and the strengthening of the criminal justice system.
The food security strategy of the Department of Agriculture consists of four subunits: Food production and trading; community development, nutrition and food safety, and social safety nets and food emergency.
The Department of Agriculture needs, from time to time, to make an assessment on achievements to measure the effectiveness of implementation. Food security for all is a long-term objective which will be attained mainly through sustained economic growth. Thus, we need to strengthen partnerships with Government and other stakeholders in the implementation of the Government’s poverty relief programmes and projects.
It is our responsibility to encourage our people to engage in sustainable self-initiated income-earning opportunities. Grain South Africa is an organisation of commercial farmers that produces grain and oil seeds. We commend them for their role so far, but we need to ask them as South Africans to be more patriotic.
It is every producer’s responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of South Africans first before going to overseas markets. Charity begins at home. We appreciate the role played by the commercial farmers. But what is often not said is that food is produced by emerging farmers and they contribute to the food supply in this country. We all need to encourage them and lend a hand wherever we can.
Taking into account the call made by Contralesa, we should all be biased towards rural development. The collapse of the meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Mexico is the result of the unfair trade practices aimed against developing countries which then cause the food prices to escalate.
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the alliance formed by the 23 countries like Brazil, India, China and, of course, South Africa - to mention but a few - for their stand to protect their countries’ farmers against these unfair trades practices of the developed countries and that these countries should continue their fight.
South African commercial farmers and black emerging farmers should support the poorest of the poor by making sure that the price of maize and bread is controlled and that they are accessible to the poorest in our communities.
The ANC is calling for land reform to be accelerated while endorsing the processes undertaken, including legislation on restitution and communal land rights. It is also committed to influencing the examination of land ownership and usage patterns in the country, especially the sale of land to foreigners. This situation leads to pricing beyond the reach of ordinary South Africans.
Allow me to say a few words on what was said by members of the opposition. Mr Botha from the DA said that we should forget about the past. Unfortunately, Mr Botha, we cannot forget about the past because if we forget where we come from, we will not know where to go.
Mr A J BOTHA: I said, don’t live in the past! I did not say that we should forget it.
Me E NGALEKA: Ons kan nie die verlede vergeet nie. [Tussenwerpsels.] Ons moet die verlede saam met ons vat, want die verlede gaan vir ons die rigting gee en vir ons sê waarvandaan ons kom. Ons wil nie teruggaan na die verlede toe nie.
Ons vra nie verskoning vir minimumlone nie. Vandat Suid-Afrika ‘n demokrasie geword het, maak kommersiële boere miljoene rande en dit is net reg dat die arbeiders wat op die plase werk, ‘n deel van hierdie geld moet kry.
Baie boere in die Noord-Kaap vertel vir ons hoeveel geld hulle nou maak vandat Suid-Afrika oopgestel is. Dit is net reg dat die plaaswerkers ‘n deel van hierdie miljoene moet kry. Baie boere is boere, maar hulle sit op die stoep en die arbeiders wat die werk doen, kry nie eens die minimumloon waarmee van ons lede hier ‘n probleem het nie. Die minimumloon is hier om te bly en ons sê: ‘n Beter lewe vir almal. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
Ms E NGALEKA: We cannot forget the past. [Interjections.] We must take the past with us, because the past will give us direction and tell us where we come from. We do not want to go back to the past.
We are not apologising for minimum wages. Since South Africa has become a democracy, commercial farmers have been earning millions of rands, and it is only right that the labourers working on the farms should get part of this money. Many farmers in the Northern Cape tell us how much money they are now earning since South Africa has been opened up.
There are many farmers who just sit on the stoep and the labourers who do the work are not even receiving the minimum wage with which some of our members here have a problem. The minimum wage is here to stay and we say: A better life for all. [Applause.]]
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Thank you, Deputy Chairperson. It’s a pleasure to respond to this very important initiative which the portfolio committee has taken.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order, please!
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Let me just observe that there were a few things that I appreciated - quite a few things - in the contributions made, also by the opposition, here this afternoon. For example, the point the hon Botha made about post-harvest storage is very important, because that’s an element that’s always neglected in developmental work. As regards the basic income allowance, he must evaluate what I say later on about his contribution in this regard.
I also appreciated an observation by the hon Rajbally about the release of land adjacent to townships or houses. If you look at what I will say later on, you will see how important that factor will be for the programmes that we are working on at the moment. Unfortunately the hon Dudley apparently had the wrong speech here today, because she has already made that speech before, or perhaps it was just some excellent cut and paste work that we heard from her today. The chairperson of the portfolio committee referred to the question of the the right to food security - that’s contained in section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution. Perhaps I could just tell him that we’ve commissioned a study by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. The first part of that report will be about the appropriateness of legislation, and we’re expecting the first report from them by the end of this month, and we will communicate in that regard.
He also made the point about affordable food prices. The position is that there is naturally a tension between the need, on the one hand, to maintain high income levels for food producers, also for new and emerging farmers and even for people who are just sustaining themselves, and profit margins for traders, and, on the other hand, low food prices for consumers. We took some short-term measures, as you are aware, but this matter has to be monitored continually, and that’s where the Food Price Monitoring Committee comes in, which I understand you’re going to discuss, which is good. The point is, what one should do is try to harmonise the competing objectives of expensive food and cheap food with the minimum amount of tampering with the free-market system. That should be your principle. And in that regard we are considering this question of the regional strategic grain reserve facility, and that discussion continues.
On the other hand there’s a need - if you take that as your point of departure - for the promotion of a large-scale household own-food production capacity which includes local production, storage and processing of alternative staple grains such as root tubers. That is the challenge before us and that is where our plans have now reached an advanced stage.
The third question which you must address is to link efficient suppliers of basic foods to targeted food-insecure groups. One such programme which we are now rolling out is the agricultural ``starter pack’’ scheme. Let me make a few observations on the context in which this scheme is to be seen. You know everyone in this agriculture game, and know that the Cabinet endorsed an integrated food strategy in July 2002. Cabinet has stated this to be a priority of the social sector action plan with an instruction that an implementation programme be developed.
Such an integrated food security and nutrition programme has been developed with five pillars, of which the first is food production and trading, and that’s where agriculture comes in. As you know, when food prices escalated so much in October 2002, Cabinet urgently announced certain measures to alleviate the chronic food insecurity situation which had almost reached famine conditions in certain areas. The point, however, is that food relief is a short-term response to save lives and to alleviate chronic food insecurity situations.
Government at the same time accepted the need to link the food-relief scheme to medium and long-term measures, and the agricultural ``starter packs’’ system, which has now reached a highly articulated and advanced stage, is exactly part of this objective. It’s a medium-term measure that will complement the food parcel system. That programme has already been presented to the directors-general’s cluster in the social sector, and as soon as budgetary arrangements have been made it will be submitted, we presume, to the Minister for her agreement.
Adv H C SCHMIDT: Die lente is om die draai. Julle moet gou maak! [Spring is around the corner. You must hurry up!]
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: No, but we’re also working thoroughly. We are not going for cheap shots in the short term. We are doing what is demanded by emergency systems in the short term, but we’re also working in the long term, because we want to end hunger and malnutrition by the year 2050 in all the nodal and pocket poverty areas in this country.
That will come through a small-holder and community food production scheme which will also have the capacity for surplus production. We must reduce rural poverty by 2050 by redistributing 30% of agricultural land, and we’re going to do that. We must raise black equity participation and investment in farming enterprises and agribusinesses to at least 30% by 2050. A grant funding package must be developed for this agricultural support package.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order, hon members! Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: The targeted beneficiaries of this agricultural support package, or starter package, will be a total of 2,23 million households - a lot of people! These households spend an average of R500 or less per month, as households, on food. They are the most food-insecure and vulnerable households in the country, and they live in the 13 rural and eight urban renewal nodes plus poverty pocket areas in certain areas.
What we have learnt from the food parcel programme is that there must be a graduation from the food-parcel-targeted beneficiaries to an agricultural starter package, whether it be on a small scale or a larger scale. This is an insight that came with the implementation of the food relief scheme and it will be taken into consideration.
In other words, what has been made clear is that there will always be people who will be in a food emergency situation. A lot of them are old, critically ill or suffering from other deficiencies, or they are young, but if we graduate from that then the number-one target of this agricultural starter package is small-holder farmers. They are the next beneficiary group.
I’m sorry that I don’t seem to be able to address all the problems, but let me just say one thing: What we have in South Africa at the moment is that agricultural starter packages already exist in one form or another in almost all the provinces, and they are being implemented by many national and provincial government departments, but they are not co-ordinated.
There’s a lot of duplication and a lot of wasted energy and funds. Departments such as Public Works, Social Development and Health are working on this. On the whole many of the elements of the starter package exist and are to some extent funded, but are not co-ordinated. What we need is to put down standard rules and regulations for key-stakeholder participation in these programmes.
The Constitution of South Africa provides for a decentralised and democratic kind of agricultural production administration. It is not for me to say today that the Constitution should be amended - my views on this are quite well known - but the point is that the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs is the chair of the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme, and the political head of support programmes of this nature.
We have to get the co-ordination and intergovernmental relations in place and working. We need a collaborative programme, and fortunately, at the moment, the FAO, the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, is playing a very important role in the development of these frameworks. The problem is the budget. Where will the money come from? [Interjections.] No. This doesn’t come cheap.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon Minister, if you could wind up, please? The time has run out.
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: All that I can say - thank you, Deputy Chairperson - is that we need about R1 billion per year for the next 12 years to meet this terrible challenge in South Africa. We will get that money. For example, we’ve got money from the closing of the Agricultural Credit Board. We have about R1,1 billion available from that. But we can’t let people starve anymore without putting our hands in our pockets in this country and solving the problem. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Deputy Chairperson, I move: That the Report be noted.
Motion agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Report accordingly noted.
CONSIDERATION OF TWENTY-FOURTH TO FIFTY-SIXTH REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - AUDITOR-GENERAL REPORTS ON AUDIT OUTCOMES, ALEXKOR LTD, CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC DEPOSITS, PRIMARY AGRICULTURE SETA, HEALTH AND WELFARE SETA, COMPETITION TRIBUNAL, VOTE 23 - SAFETY AND SECURITY, SERVICES SETA, DENEL, LOCAL GOVERNMENT WATER AND RELATED SERVICES SETA, SA RESERVE BANK, SA NATIONAL PARKS, PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION, ERF 706 RIETFONTEIN (PTY) LTD, FILM AND PUBLICATION BOARD, ICASA, NATIONAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION LTD, NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY, NATIONAL URBAN RECONSTRUCTION AND HOUSING AGENCY, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, SA CERTIFICATION COUNCIL, SA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY, SERVCON, SOCIAL HOUSING FOUNDATION, PARLIAMENT, PRESIDENT’S FUND, HIGH SCHOOL VORENTOE DISASTER RELIEF FUND, REFUGEE RELIEf FUND, RELIEF FUND BOARD, SOCIAL RELIEF FUND, TRANS CALEDON TUNNEL AUTHORITY, VOTE 13 - HEALTH, AND CPA SEMINAR
Mnr F BEUKMAN: Agb Adjunkvoorsitter, agb lede, baie dankie vir die geleentheid om namens Skoor die volgende verslae aan u voor te hou. Weens ‘n gebrek aan tyd sal ek op die belangrikste verslag konsentreer en indien daar tyd is, verwys na die verslae wat handel oor die SABS, die Parlement en gesondheid. Die meeste van die verslae ter oorweging en aanvaarding vanmiddag deur die NV is die sogenaamde kategoriseer-Skoorverslae of standaardresolusies wat nie verdere interaksie tussen die komitee en die betrokke instelling vereis nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Mr F BEUKMAN: Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon members, thank you very much for the opportunity to present the following reports to you on behalf of Scopa. Due to time constraints I shall concentrate on the most important report and if time permits I shall refer to the reports that deal with the SABS, Parliament and health. The majority of the reports for consideration and adoption by the NA this afternoon are the so-called categorised Scopa reports or standard resolutions that do not require any further interaction between the committee and the institution concerned.]
I want to highlight the following this afternoon, namely, the 24th report of Scopa, which is the general report of the Auditor-General on audit outcomes and activities. One of the main objectives of the general report is to provide an overview of the overall trends and developments in audit finance from year to year.
An analysis of the present report shows encouraging improvements in certain respects. For example, the type of qualifications and emphasis on methods previously recorded in audit reports have largely been eliminated. This includes noncompliance with certain provisions of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999. The committee agrees with the conclusion in the report that this indicates that the responsiveness to audit reports and the implementation of the PFMA are showing an improvement in the underlying financial stewardship of public funds by Government departments and their related entities.
Skoor gaan ook môre ‘n verslag kry van die Tesourie oor die implementering van die PFMA en dit is belangrik dat ons kennis neem van daardie verslag. [Scopa is also going to receive a report from the Treasury tomorrow concerning the implementation of the PFMA and it is important that we take note of that report.]
However, a pattern of recording problems is seemingly starting to emerge in certain departments, notably the Departments of Home Affairs, of Justice and Constitutional Development, of Public Works and Water Affairs and Forestry. Each of these departments should receive qualified audit opinions in both the 2000-01 and 2001/02 financial years. The committee noted the explanation by the Director-General of the National Treasury that these departments are complex organisations. Therefore, it might be unfair to simply stereotype them for poor performance in this regard. Nevertheless, the committee expresses its concern about the state of affairs.
The report reveals an increase in the number of issues relating to the lack of proper internal control of accounting and financial systems and processes. This includes matters such as assets management, procurements, employment and related costs. It would seem that several departments do not have adequate internal control policies and procedures. In almost 50% of provincial departments and almost 40% …
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon colleagues, I think it is very important that you pay attention to the report of Scopa. In the past this House accepted certain reports and you had difficulties afterwards. I think the level of discussion is really causing a disruption. If you will please come to order. I think the Whips can help us. It’s a short, important occasion for you to be concentrating on.
Mr F BEUKMAN: In almost 50% of provincial departments and almost 40% of national departments, the auditors could not rely on internal controls. Internal controls are a fundamental feature of financial management. They are critical to the overall control of the organisation and automative equality of delivery of services and performance of functions.
Scopa shares the view of the Auditor-General that where institutions cannot provide adequate internal control measures to support the organisation, this presents a fundamental obstacle to overall effectiveness. Accordingly, the committee recommends that departments that have been identified as lacking internal control capacity should, as soon as possible, take steps to rectify the matter. Progress in this regard should be reflected in the relevant audit reports, as well as the annual reports of the departments concerned.
It would seem that some of the internal control problems are due to problems with the transversal computerised system, such as the personnel system, Persal, and basic accounting system, Bas; and the older financial FMEs, as well as the general control programmes and the State Information Technology Agency - Sita. The committee supports the Auditor-General in calling for urgent attention to resolve this matter as it could also hamper the effective introduction of accrual accounting.
The next issue which I want to deal with is internal auditing. According to the Auditor-General’s assessment, a significant number of auditees failed to comply with the internal audit requirements of the PFMA. Some had internal audit functions that were not functioning properly, as was evidenced by the fact that only 30% of auditors of national departments placed reliance on the work of internal audits, although it was not clear in how many of these cases nonreliance was due to difference in audit coverage or whether the internal audit functions were actually ineffective or both.
Internal audit functions played a vital role in the assessment of risk and the effectiveness of internal control systems, including performance audits and the value-for-money auditing and reporting. The committee urges the accounting officers concerned to take corrective steps without delay, to ensure that there are properly functioning internal audit sections and audit committees in place.
As far as public entities are concerned, Scopa noted with concern that the difficulties referred to in the previous general report regarding the mandate of the AG, in relation to certain public entities, have not yet been resolved. This is a serious matter because in the end it could jeopardise parliamentary oversight of those entities. Since it would not seem possible to obtain clarity on the legal position, due to incoherencies in the various pieces of legislation, the committee is interested in the manner in which the Public Audit Bill, recently discussed by the ad hoc committee, clarifies the position and how it brings the situation into line with section 188 of the Constitution.
A matter of particular concern relating to the 15 public entities dealt with in the general report, is that only six of them tabled the annual reports in Parliament within the prescribed time. It should be reiterated that reporting to Parliament in time is essential for effective accountability and parliamentary oversight. The committee has noted with interest the new financial management capability model that the Auditor- General will use in future. The committee expresses the hope that this capability model will facilitate and enhance the use of general boards and recommends that in developing this model, the Auditor-General should involve the relevant stakeholders.
In conclusion, with regard to this report, the committee is disturbed by the recent tendency of some accounting officers to dispute the audit findings of the Auditor-General when appearing before Scopa. Scopa is aware that departments are afforded sufficient formal opportunity during the audit process to raise their concerns with the Auditor-General before the report is tabled in Parliament. This has the concurrence of the Directors- General of the National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration. The committee finds this practice unacceptable as it tends to undermine the work of the AG.
The personnel capacity within the Public Service, including the retention of staff and the filling of vacancies - particularly vacancies in critical financial management positions - remains a matter of concern. The committee welcomes the comments made by the Director-General of the Public Service and Administration that the moratorium on filling of vacant posts does not apply to management posts, and that in the case of critical posts, departments are allowed to file an application with the DPSA to fill these posts. He indicated that the DPSA has never turned down any application in this regard. Therefore, the committee urges directors-general to use this tool in addressing the problems.
With regard to the other main reports, I just wanted to refer briefly to the specific views, namely of the SAPS and Parliament. Maybe for the interest of members, the 48th report of Scopa deals specifically with Parliament. We as a committee note the following: The continuing uncertainty pertaining to the legislative financial framework applicable to Parliament. In the same way, provincial legislatures may themselves be in ambiguous positions. Given that the PMFA represents the public sector financial management best practice framework, and further noting the absence of a singular legislative framework for Parliament and the nonprovincial legislatures, the committee wishes to strongly register its utmost concern with the slow progress made in finalising the necessary legislation.
The absence of a clear legislative framework makes it extremely difficult for all the relevant role-players, since the continuing delay in this regard is becoming unacceptable. It impacts on the ability to exercise proper oversight over the institution’s task and with holding the executive accountable. Therefore, Scopa recommends that Parliament urges its presiding officers to facilitate the process of introducing draft legislation in this regard within the next 12 months. The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon Beukman, you can have another minute to conclude your statement.
Mr F BEUKMAN: Thanks. In pursuing this matter, there will also be interaction with the Speakers of the provincial legislatures to ensure consistency of accountability of legislatures at national and provincial levels. That is specifically with reference to the report dealing with Parliament.
The other reports have been published. Therefore, on behalf of Scopa, I want to ask for the support of the House.
There was no debate.
The DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chair, I move:
That the Twenty-Fourth to Fifty-Sixth Reports be adopted.
Motion agreed to. Reports accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 17:32. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2003
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- Introduction of Bills:
(1) The Minister of Home Affairs:
(i) Films and Publications Amendment Bill [B 61 - 2003]
(National Assembly - sec 75) [Explanatory summary of Bill and
prior notice of its introduction published in Government
Gazette No 25421 of 1 September 2003.]
Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Home
Affairs of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint
Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule
160, on 19 September 2003.
In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of
the Bills may be submitted to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)
within three parliamentary working days.
National Assembly:
- The Speaker:
The President has in terms of section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution of
the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996), appointed Mr
Pieter Willem Saaiman as Deputy Minister of Correctional Services with
effect from 19 September 2003.
- Membership of Assembly:
The vacancy which occurred owing to Mr J J Niemann vacating his seat
with effect from 18 September 2003, has been filled with effect from 18
September 2003 by the nomination of Mr P W Saaiman.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
National Assembly:
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B 28 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), dated 19 September 2003:
The Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security, having considered the subject of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B 28 - 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 28A - 2003].
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on the Electoral Laws Amendment Bill [B 54 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), dated 19 September 2003:
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, having considered the subject of the Electoral Laws Amendment Bill [B 54 - 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 54A - 2003].
CREDA INSERT - INSERT ATC1909e
MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2003
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- Introduction of Bills:
(1) The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
On request of the Minister the following Bill was introduced by
the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs in the
National Council of Provinces:
(i) National Environmental Management: Air Quality Bill [B 62
- 2003] (National Council of Provinces - sec 76) [Bill and
prior notice of its introduction published in Government
Gazette No 25289 of 1 August 2003.]
Introduction and referral to the Select Committee on Land and
Environmental Affairs of the National Council of Provinces, as
well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for
classification in terms of Joint Rule 160, on 23 September 2003.
In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of
the Bills may be submitted to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)
within three parliamentary working days.
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
- The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology:
Report and Financial Statements of the National Film and Video
Foundation for 2002-2003, including the Report of the Auditor-General
on the Financial Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 122-2003].
- The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs:
Report and Financial Statements of the Bala Farms (Pty) Ltd for 2002-
2003, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 76-2002].
- The Minister of Trade and Industry:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote No 31 - Department of
Trade and Industry for 2002-2003, including the Report of the
Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 50-
2003].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Technology and Human
Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) for 2002-2003, including
the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
2002-2003.
- The Minister of Health:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Medical Research Council
of South Africa (MRC) for 2002-2003, including the Report of the
Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 91-
2002].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Medical
Schemes for 2002-2003, including the Report of the Auditor-General
on the Financial Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 105-2003].
- The Minister for Safety and Security:
Report and Financial Statements of Vote No 24 - Department of Safety
and Security for 2002-2003, including the Report of the Auditor-General
on the Financial Statements for 2002-2003 [RP 186-2003].
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
National Assembly:
-
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Intelligence Legislation on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill [B 47 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), dated 22 September 2003:
The Ad Hoc Committee on Intelligence Legislation, having considered the subject of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill [B 47 - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 75), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 75 Bill, and having conferred with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, reports the Bill with amendments [B 47A - 2003].
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