TUESDAY, 05 SEPTEMBER 2006 __

          PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

                                ____

The Council met at 14:02.

The House Chairperson Mr T S Setona took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers and meditation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.

                 NO MOTIONS DURING QUESTIONS SESSION

                           (Announcement)

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Hon members, I have been informed by the Whippery that there will be no motions in this our ordinary session for questions to the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and the Ministers in our economic cluster of governance. We shall now proceed with questions as printed on the Order Paper.

Before we start, I want to welcome you, hon Deputy President, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are here with us this afternoon. On that note, I will proceed to the first question on the Question Paper in the name of the Chief Whip, hon V V Z Windvoël, to the Deputy President.

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY

THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT

      Steps to promote participation of women in formal economy

1. Mr V V Z Windvoël asked the Deputy President:

 What (a) programmes has the Government put in place to address the low
 level of participation of women in the formal economy to ensure that
 women entrepreneurs become the core and a visible component in building
 a vibrant and sustainable small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME)
 sector, (b) progress has been made since 2004 to ensure that there is a
 conducive climate for women entrepreneurs to enter the formal economy
 and establish viable business initiatives and ventures and (c)(i) areas
 of support does the Government provide for women entrepreneurs that
 have been identified as facing major challenges, particularly rural and
 previously marginalised women, and (ii) measures have been put in place
 to address these challenges?                  C198E

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon Chair, members, the question is on women’s economic empowerment and SMMEs and the answer is as follows: The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry’s gender and women empowerment unit, has recently finalised the development of the strategic framework on gender and women’s economic empowerment. Thank you very much Deputy Minister Thabethe, who has worked very hard on this. This is done to ensure that the low level of women’s participation in the formal economy is addressed.

The strategy sets the following primary and secondary objectives: Firstly, to increase access, control and ownership to economic resources. Secondly, to increase the number of enterprises owned and managed by women. Thirdly, to increase and facilitate women’s equal, easy and transparent access to financial and productive resources. Fourthly, to promote and encourage women’s access to both local and international markets, as well as other trade and investment opportunities. Fifthly, to ensure that the life experience and views of South African women contribute equally and inform the reform of trade, investment and enterprise development. Just to name a few.

To ensure that the above-mentioned objectives are achieved, interventions were also proposed based on the extensive coherent research study. Those interventions include entrepreneurial capacity-building and training, which we have worked together on, especially in the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition, Jipsa, also boosting women’s involvement as entrepreneurs, as well as women in special areas identified by Asgisa.

Entrepreneurial support, especially financially, trade and investment, after studies confirmed that international trade affects both positively and negatively employment, markets, production, distribution and consumption, which are the core elements of business. This intervention is aimed at ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in formulating, implementing and evaluating trade agreements and initiatives, thus benefiting women- owned businesses.

Progress has been made since 2004 to ensure that there is a conducive climate for women entrepreneurs to enter the formal economy and establish viable business initiatives and ventures. Thank you.

    Acquisition of foreign expertise to enhance service delivery

1. Mr V V Z Windvoël asked the Deputy President:

   Whether the Government has outlined priority areas of foreign expertise for recruitment in order to enhance service delivery in line with the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa); if not, why not; if so, (a) how many foreign experts have been acquired since the launch of Asgisa, (b) from which countries are they and (c) what mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that there is a transfer of skills to local people? C199E

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Chair, this question is also on the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa, and the answer is as follows: Following the growing national concern with and focus on critically scarce skills, the Department of Labour has developed a national list of scarce skills and a quota list of scarce and critical skills.

These will provide a more concrete and less anecdotal picture of skills shortages that have been identified as contributing to blocking economic growth and development. As proposed, a 2006 immigration quota list of scarce skills has been prepared by the national departments involved in human resource development.

These are the departments that make up the core of the skills focus group that works under the auspices of the economic cluster. They include the Department of Labour, the Department of Education, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Home Affairs and the Presidency.

The proposed list has been submitted to the Director-General of Home Affairs to be finalised by the Minister of Home Affairs and to be published as the immigration quota list for 2006 as required by the Immigration Act.

I must also emphasise that it does not mean that while all of this has been happening we have been at a standstill in terms of recruiting the scarce skills.

The scarce skills occupations identified include manufacturing and construction engineering professionals, natural and physical science professionals, biomedical engineers and technicians, call or contact centre service managers, information and organisation professionals, and others.

Government’s role in this regard is not to manage the importation of skills directly, but rather to simplify and streamline the processes of skills importation so that the necessary skills can be brought into the country by employers, as and when they are required.

Many companies have complained to government that when they need to employ and appoint senior officials who may not be available in South Africa it becomes very difficult for them and that in some cases they actually have to close down projects or delay their implementation. So, with this arrangement we make it easy for them to source the best skills and best brains anywhere in the world. Thank you.

SOSISWEBHUWEMKHANDLU WEMAPROVINSI: Mgcinisihlalo, ngitsandza kubonga imphendvulo yemhlon, liSekela laMengameli. Njengobe besibuta nje singuleNdlu kutsi siyalusekela loluhlelo lwe-Asgisa. Ngitsandza kulandzelisa umbuto lotsi, Lisekela laMengameli lingaba nako yini kutsi selike litsi caphu-caphu, kusho nje kutsi ngubaphi labochwephesha lesike sibatfole lababuya kulamanye emave? Singabonga kakhulu nangabe liSekela laMengameli … [Kuhlaba lulwimi.] (Translation of Siswati paragraph follows.)

[The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I would like to thank the hon Deputy President for the reply that she has given. In order for this House to make the decision whether or not to support the Asgisa programme, I would like to ask a follow-up question. Hon Deputy President, could you please explain to this House, briefly, who these experts are, and from which countries they come? We would be very grateful if the hon Deputy President … [Interjections.]]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Hon Chief Whip, could you take your seat for a minute please? Could we have an interpreting service so that other members are also privileged to know what the follow up question is about? Could somebody attend to the interpretation?

SOSISWEBHUWEMKHANDLU WEMAPROVINSI: … kutsi sive kutsi ingabe basuke bavela kumaphi emave labochwephesha lakhuluma ngabo? Kubaluleke kakhulu kutsi siwati lamave lasisekelako kulomklamo lesiwuphetse. Sizatfu kutsi labanye bantfu bakulamanye emave bayaye bete lapha betele kutawudla nje kuphela, kube kute labasisekela ngako. (Translation of Siswati paragraph follows.)

[The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: … so that we can understand, which countries do these experts that you are referring to come from? It is very important to understand this so that we know which countries support us in this project. The reason I ask this question is that people from some countries come here only for their own gains and not to support us in any way.]

IPHINI LIKAMONGAMELI: Sihlalo ohloniphekile, ngithi kowekunene, maqondana nalezi zingcweti esizitholayo eziningi, phakathi kwamazwe asesisekele kakhulu iminyaka eminingi kukhona ilizwe lase-Cuba enilaziyo nani nonke. I- Cuba isisekele kakhulu futhi isaqhubeka nokusisekela ngoba nawo amakhono ezempilo siwafaka phansi kohla lwamakhono abalulekile.

Elinye lamazwe asisekele kakhulu futhi yizwe lase-India. Njengamanje sikhuluma indaba yokuthi mabasisize kakhulu ngothisha bezibalo, hhayi ngoba sithi yibo asebezofundisa izibalo kodwa bazosiza othisha bethu ukuthi bakwazi ukuzifundisa kahle izibalo. Kodwa maqondana nezikole lezi ezisemaphandleni, othisha balapha ekhaya abangathandi ukuya kuzo, sizobacela laba base-India ukuthi baye khona njengoba senibonile ukuthi nabase-Cuba nabo abesabi ukuya emaphandleni.

Ohlangothini lwamanye amazwe esisebenzisana nawo, asikawatholi amazwe aletha abantu abaningi. Izinkampani zona ziyazitholela abasebenzi emhlabeni wonke bese beyeza. Into esiyenzayo thina manje ukuthumela abantu bethu baye kofunda. Akhona amazwe asethe azimisele ukuthatha kakhulu abantu abaningi abasebasha - ngoba besilokhu singqongqoza emnyango yawo.

Njengoba ngikhuluma nawe nje sinawo amantombazanyana ayiqeqebana ase-India futhi sinawo amanye azohamba kulezi zinsuku aye e-United Arab Emirates. Kukhona namanye asendleleni ebuyayo abekade ese-Qatar nase-Germany. Siyabalanda abanye kanti futhi nathi siyathumela ukuthi baye kofunda khona. Into enhle ukuthi amanye amazwe ayabambisana nathi ngoba nawo azitshathela kowawo umhlane izindleko zokufundisa laba bantwana – njengalaba abanye abazokuya e-China. Sizocela nakwi-Russia njengoba ivakashele lapha. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)

[The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Hon Chairperson, let me say to the hon member that with regard to many professionals that we get, as you all know, Cuba is among the countries that has helped us a lot for many years and it is continuing to offer us its support because even life skills are classified as important skills.

The other country that has helped us a lot is India. Presently, they are helping us with mathematics teachers. We are not saying that they should teach mathematics, but they are going to help our teachers to be able to teach mathematics. With regard to schools in rural areas, we are going to ask Indian teachers to go there since teachers here in South Africa do not want to go to these schools. As you may have seen, Cuban teachers are not afraid to go there.

With regard to other countries that we are working with, they have not yet sent staff here. Companies are recruiting employees themselves from all over the world and then they bring them here. What we are doing from our side is that we are sending our people to study overseas. There are countries that have shown an interest in accepting a lot of youth, because we have always been asking.

As I’m speaking to you, we have a group of girls who are in India and we also have a group that is going to leave soon for the United Arab Emirates. Others are on their way back from Qatar and Germany. We are recruiting others back to South Africa and we are sending others overseas to study. What is great about this is that the other countries that are working with us are paying for the studies of these students, like those who are going to China. We are also going to ask Russia, as they are visiting us.]

Plans to increase awareness of Moral Regeneration Movement and to adopt Charter of Positive Values

1. Mr M A Mzizi asked the Deputy President:

   (1) Whether, in light of the seemingly dwindling awareness and media attention given to the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) since its launch, the Government has any plans in place to increase and regenerate awareness amongst the general public of this important initiative; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

   (2) whether the MRM has made any progress in addressing the moral decay of our society; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

   (3) when will the Charter of Positive Values be adopted? C185E

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Chairperson, this question is about the Moral Regeneration Movement. Since the launch of the Moral Regeneration Movement on 18 April 2002, some progress has been made. I wish to remind you that the MRM information document in November 2002 said: “Building a nation is like building a house. It needs a good design and a good leadership. But it can only be built brick-by-brick, room-by-room and floor-by-floor.”

To date, I can say that the MRM has created a demand for moral renewal. The MRM is operating at grassroots level, in regional and provincial structures. MRM local structures are strong in KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Gauteng provinces. The Western Cape has infused its work within its strategic framework of iKapa Elihlumayo.

The MRM office is currently planning to assist the North West province. Individuals, organisations and constituency sectors have been engaged in a number of activities that complement the work of the movement.

A partnership of Christian communities and civil society has produced the Heartlines TV programme, which we see on our screens, and the nation is currently discussing some of those moral values. That, in part, is part of ensuring that the issues around values and morals are discussed across the nation.

Different government departments, in partnership with civil society, are campaigning. For instance, the SA Police Services with the Community Policing Forum, Correctional Services Moral Regeneration Advocacy Week and the Department of Social Development are mainstreaming MRM strategies and focusing on families. At local level, faith-based leaders, traditional leaders, traditional healers, community policing forums, councillors, youth and women’s organisations attend these forums and workshops on moral regeneration.

The movement has written to all mayors and municipality managers, encouraging them to provide room for moral renewal activities. I would like to say that maybe even here in the two Houses we could think of doing something to support the movement.

Radio is also very supportive and exposes MRM on topical issues. The Big Question theme on morality runs throughout the year. I do hope that hon members will again and again take this call for moral regeneration to their constituencies and uphold our sound values based on ubuntu.

During the founding conference of the MRM, all stakeholders were in agreement that the South African society is based on sound moral values and ubuntu. The overwhelming majority of our people, men and women of all races, are law-abiding and decent citizens, and they were also convinced that our efforts must be geared towards ensuring that we leave an indelible mark, that we are a caring, friendly and moral nation.

I wish to remind members also about what former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela said in 1991: “Morality is not individual goodness, but a co- operative project of survival.”

To begin to address this challenge of moral decay, we should, as South Africans from all walks of life and from all sectors of our society, rededicate and commit ourselves to the strengthening of this noble movement and ensure that it lives on. To succeed, we require a collective effort from all sectors of society.

The MRM has a board, a secretariat and staff, and I regularly meet with them to consider the activities that they are undertaking. As we speak now, we have asked them to restructure the board so that it reflects a broader constituency in society besides faith-based organisations. We have asked them to recruit people from the sports arena, business, young people and education. I’m looking forward to our next meeting where we will consider how far they have been able to restructure the board and integrate and infuse greater participation of society. Thank you, Chairperson.

Ms A N T MCHUNU: Chairperson, may I please know from our hon Deputy President if she will lead members of this House to Umkhosi Womhlanga over the weekend at Enyokeni? [Laughter.]

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I’ve not been invited.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): In fact, I’m not very good in languages, except my own mother tongue. I was, in any case going to rule the question out of order as it is, in fact, a new question.

    Plans with regard to Moloto Rail Development Corridor Project

1. Mr A Watson asked the Deputy President: Whether, in light of the fact that the Moloto Rail Development Corridor is a major government infrastructure investment for Mpumalanga and is the flagship project of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) for the province, this project will go ahead despite the recent reports of shortages in rolling stock; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? C186E

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is about the Moloto Rail Development Corridor, and the answer is as follows: the Moloto Rail Development Corridor Project will go ahead, pending the detailed feasibility study that government has requested to be undertaken on the viability of the corridor.

Aside from government’s Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa – Asgisa - the high daily travel demand of about 40 000 commuters and associated road safety concerns on the Moloto Transport Corridor have made it necessary to explore viable and sustainable transport that will serve the Moloto Development Corridor. Of course, the study will tell us in more concrete terms the options that we can pursue.

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government and Nkangala District Municipality, in conjunction with the Department of Transport, have made a request for proposals with a view to appoint a professional team to undertake the detail feasibility study. The closing date for proposals was 25 August, with the tender adjudication process under way as I speak.

It is anticipated that after the appointment of the professional team, the detailed feasibility study would take approximately 12 months to complete. It would therefore be premature for me to comment on whether or how the project will go ahead as the detailed feasibility study will be addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the project, including concerns raised by the hon member. What I can say is that we do not want to leave the situation as it is. Some intervention is needed but that must be based on sound information. I thank you, Chairperson.

Mr A WATSON: Thank you, hon Deputy President. Yes, I hear your reply in regard to it being a bit premature but the report about the severe shortage of rolling stock in South Africa in general is something that might impact even more heavily on the Asgisa project as a whole and not just the Moloto rail link. Are you concerned about it and is government doing something about that particular problem ahead of waiting for the feasibility study and maybe to find that we’re in a deadlock?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you. Yes, hon member I think I went half-way with the answer. Actually, yes, the government has approved accelerating the rolling stock investment strategy, which will initially focus on stabilising and maintaining the current level of service without any further deterioration. And then as a follow up, we’ll focus on recovery and growing the service. So, these processes will be running parallel.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): That concludes the first session of questions, which were questions to the Deputy President of the Republic. I want to take this opportunity once more to thank you, Deputy President, on behalf of this august House, for the effort and commitment you have shown this House, which occupies a very unique place within our political system, to enjoin the three spheres of government under one roof. Thank you very much.

Hon members, for obvious reasons I would like to make a ruling that we adjourn the House for 10 minutes and then come back, because there are only two Deputy Ministers here in my reading of the Question Papers. In terms of official notification, we have been advised that only the Minister of Finance will not be available to be with us today, because of a budget lekgotla.

Secondly, I have just received an apology from the Minister of Transport, hon Mr Jeff Radebe, who indicated that he may join us later in the course of the session as he has been summoned by the President. I will therefore ask hon members for a break of 10 minutes, because otherwise I don’t think it will make sense – it is going to be disruptive - to only have two Deputy Ministers here: the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs and the Minister of Trade and Industry. We will adjourn for 10 minutes and then come back.

BUSINESS SUSPENDED AT 14:24 AND RESUMED AT 14:38.

                              ECONOMICS
                              Cluster 3

MINISTERS:

  Strategy for the management of South Africa’s elephant population

1. Mr C J van Rooyen asked the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

   What progress has been made in the development of a strategy for the management of the elephant population in South Africa?

           C140E
   

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, the department, in consultation with the SA National Parks and the provincial authorities, has developed draft norms and standards relating to the management of elephant populations in our country. These draft norms and standards were developed in terms of section 9 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. These draft norms and standards will be published for public comment as soon as they are ready, and we will honour our commitment to publishing them for the full 60 days.

 Achievement of job creation targets, and setting up of lines of co-
                 operation and reporting structures

1. Ms B N Dlulane asked the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

 (1)    Whether the target of a 30% increase in the number of jobs
     created in and around protected areas is on track as planned for
     2006; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are
     the relevant details;


 (2)    what lines of co-operation and reporting structures have been
     set up with the Department of Public Works as overall co-ordinator
     of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP);

 (3)    whether his department achieved its job creation targets for the
     2005-06 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the
     relevant details?
     C141E

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, it is the question on job creation. The answer to the first part of the question is yes, 472 permanent and 10 867 temporary jobs were created for 2005-06. Two: the department is the lead department for the environment and culture sector of the Expanded Public Works Programmes. The Department of Public Works co-ordinates the sectors, namely environment and culture, economic, infrastructure, as well as social, from a national perspective. This is done through national and provincial sector co-ordinating structures as well as quarterly reporting per sector in respect of the EPWP outputs.

Three: yes, the job creation target in respect of the social responsibility programme for 2005-06 was 12 000, and 15 994 job opportunities were achieved.

            Assessment of organisations promoting tourism

1. Ms H F Matlanyane asked the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

   (1) Whether any evaluations have been carried out to assess organisations promoting tourism; if not, why not; if so, what are the results of such evaluations;

   (2) whether any interventions have taken place; if so, what are the relevant details? C142E

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, this is the question on tourism marketing. The answer to the first part of the question is: SA Tourism is the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s national tourism marketing organisation.

They provide the department with annual targets at the beginning of each financial year, and provide us with quarterly finance and performance reports. Our department then tracks performance and achievements based on increased arrivals. The total arrivals for the first four months of 2006 have increased by 16%, with arrivals from Africa increasing by 22%, and arrivals from overseas – that is, the general category – increasing by 4,2%.

The answer to the second part of the question is: the international tourism growth strategy was adopted by Cabinet in 2003. The growth strategy was revised for the period 2005 to 2007, based on the knowledge and experience that was gained over the past three years. Furthermore, SA Tourism undertakes a rigorous data-driven assessment process of all global markets every three years, which sets the marketing portfolio for the following three years.

Engagement with hospitality industry on grading of accommodation services, and establishment of communication systems

1. Rev P Moatshe asked the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

   (1) In light of the 2010 World Cup event, to what extent is his department engaging with the hospitality industry on issues around the grading of accommodation services, including accommodation in the national parks;

   (2) whether his department has established any systems of communication with the Department of Sport and Recreation in order to synchronise the actions needed to prepare for the 2010 Soccer World Cup event; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what were/are the challenges? C143E

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chair, the answer to the first part of the question is as follows: The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism contributes to the funding of the grading council, and therefore works very closely with the organisation in monitoring the levels and status of grading in the country.

The grading of accommodation in national parks is currently part of the national grading programme. Over the next four years the grading council will undertake the following tasks: grade accommodation establishments: golfing estates, restaurants, conference venues, transport - the tour operator is part of that – and backpackers; have awareness campaigns on the importance of grading; train assessors; and monitor service standards in the tourism industry.

Two, the department is represented at the 2010 interministerial committee and the technical co-ordinating committee at national level. The purpose of these structures is to ensure the co-ordination and alignment of 2010 activities between all departments, including our own department, and the Department of Sport and Recreation. The main challenge at this moment is not knowing the match schedules, as they have a great impact on demand management in the host cities and on the surrounding areas.

Mnr A WATSON: Agb Minister, dankie vir die antwoord aan ons kollega, maar kan ek net vra of hierdie ondersoeke wat aan die gang is die hoeveelheid akkommodasie beskikbaar insluit? Kan ek net die voorbeeld noem van die Kruger Nasionale Park. Een van die plekke waar daar groot sokker gaan wees, is Nelspruit, en dit is die ideale toegang na die Kruger-park toe. Met ’n onlangse besoek was daar ’n groot probleem met die kwaliteit van die akkommodasie self, maar ek wonder of u departement ook kyk na die getalle van akkommodasie beskikbaar. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)

[Mr A WATSON: Hon Minister, thank you for replying to our colleague. But may I just ask whether these investigations that are currently in progress include how much accommodation is available? May I just mention the Kruger National Park as an example. One of the areas where big soccer events will be hosted is Nelspruit and it provides ideal access to the Kruger National Park. On a recent visit there was a big problem with the quality of the accommodation itself, but I am wondering whether your department is also looking at how much accommodation is available.]

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, the answer is yes.

Die vraag het twee dele, mnr Watson. Met betrekking tot die eerste deel oor die hoeveelheid akkommodasie is die antwoord ja. SA Toerisme het so pas die eerste oudit ooit in ons geskiedenis van alle akkommodasie in Suid-Afrika voltooi. Dit is nou van bed-en-ontbytplekke af dwarsdeur al die kategorieë tot by die luukse hotelle.

Op die 10de of die 12de Oktober van hierdie jaar het ons die eerste werkswinkel met Fifa en die Match-maatskappy wat al die akkommodasie vir hulle doen, en ons nooi al die rolspelers in Suid-Afrika uit om daardie dag deel te wees van die werkswinkel sodat ons spesifiek vir 2010 ooreenstemming kan kry oor ons benadering. Presies hoe wil ons 2010 benader, met al die rolspelers, want daar is baie gerugte wat die rondte doen in die land van hoeveel beddens ons kort.

Dit wissel van 100 000 af. Sommige mense maak daarop aanspraak dat ons tot 200 000 beddens in die land te min het. Ons dink dis ’n totale oorskatting, maar vir die eerste keer is daar nou ’n oudit en ons gaan saam met al die rolspelers ooreenkom oor ’n benadering daaromtrent, want baie van die hotelgroepe wil nie in ’n posisie geplaas word om hotelle te bou wat ná 2010 gaan leegstaan nie.

Wat betref die kwaliteit van akkommodasie in nasionale parke en spesifiek in die Kruger-wildtuin, het ons in hierdie MTEF-periode meer as R300 000 aan die opgradering van infrastruktuur in die parke bestee; heinings, paaie en hekke, maar ook akkommodasie. Dit sluit goed in soos om by baie van die ruskampe swembaddens te bou - in die ou dae was die filosofie daarteen – en selfs by van die parke ook televisiestelle in die rondawels te sit. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[The question has two parts, Mr Watson. With regard to the first part the amount of accommodation, the answer is yes. SA Tourism has just completed the first ever audit in our history of all the accommodation in South Africa. It ranges from bed and breakfast places to luxurious hotels, including all the categories across the board.

On 10 or 12 October of this year, we will have the first workshop with Fifa and the company that arranges all their accommodation and we are inviting all the role-players in South Africa to participate in the workshop on that day so that we can reach an agreement on our approach, specifically with regard to 2010. We must decide on exactly how we want to approach 2010, with all the role-players, because there are many rumours going around in the country about how many beds we are lacking.

It varies from 100 000 upwards. Some people claim that we have a lack of as many as 200 000 beds in the country. We think that this is a complete overestimation, but for the first time now there is an audit and we will , together with all the role-players, agree on how to approach this matter, because many of the hotel groups do not want to be in a position where they build hotels that will not be occupied after 2010.

With regard to the quality of the accommodation in national parks, and specifically in the Kruger National Park, we have spent more than R300 000 in this MTEF period on the upgrading of the infrastructure in parks; including fences, roads and gates, and accommodation as well. This includes the building of swimming pools at many of the rest camps – in the olden days there was a philosophy against it – and even installing televisions in the chalets at some of the parks.]

Kgoshi M L MOKOENA: Thank you, Chairperson. Arising from the Minister’s reply to the initial question, are there mechanisms in place to make sure that during the period of the 2010 Soccer World Cup the price of the accommodation in question is not unnecessarily ballooned, simply because there will be people coming from outside into our country? That might indirectly tarnish our image, as if we want to ``milk the bull’’. Thanks, Chair. [Laughter.]

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Yes, I absolutely agree with the hon member Mokoena. We have certain commitments already from the hospitality industry, because in some countries - not necessarily with regard to the World Cup, but other international events - there is always the temptation to do that kind of thing. We would like the hospitality industry in our country to understand that over the long term it can be very damaging indeed if they cannot resist that temptation. Part of that workshop is to also get agreement on how to approach that.

We have been in discussion with the hospitality sector for quite some time on that issue, but I don’t believe that it will be a problem. My impression is that the important role-players there understand that there is a long- term plan and a long-term vision to develop our hospitality industry.

Let me just say with regard to the kind of accommodation in question: in Germany the experience was that they misjudged; that many of the soccer supporters eventually did not end up in the four-star and five-star hotels, but in the two-star and three-star hotels. People actually stayed down in order to rather enjoy a lot of other activities. We believe the same will happen in South Africa. We should be very careful about what kind of accommodation we develop and put in place for 2010 additionally.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Thank you, Chairperson. Talking from experience, during the World Summit on Sustainable Development, emerging entrepreneurs invested in guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, with the view that they would also be part of the market that was coming into the country, but some of them never benefited owing to the fact that travel agencies still looked to making bookings with established enterprises, thus making the rich richer and those who had invested there, who were rather poor, poorer, because they lost in terms of their investment.

The follow-up question is: Has the department contemplated meeting, or has it already met, with the travel agencies and other role-players in order to ensure that when bookings are done, there is a balanced - and not a skewed – focus on attending to the previously disadvantaged emerging entrepreneurs?

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, as the hon member correctly mentioned, this was a problem with some previous events that we had in the country. The Rugby World Cup is a good example, in which people miscalculated. This time our approach is to have all the facts on the table so that people know exactly what the needs are and what we should do in the country, so that people don’t build bed and breakfasts or add on to their homes and miscalculate in doing so. That is why we want that audit on the table so that all of us know what the accommodation needs are and where those needs are.

With regard to the marketing channels, we have committed ourselves to establishing, at least two years before 2010, one central booking platform at which people can make bookings: bed and breakfasts, hotels - whatever the case may be – and, in the roll-out of SA Tourism, marketing those areas where, for the first time, we have new bed and breakfasts, new hotels. That’s a cornerstone of our approach.

There were two or three members accompanying me a few months ago when we visited the first hotel to be built in Soweto, the five-star hotel that will open its doors there quite soon, as well as the first graded bed and breakfast in Soweto. So, that is all part of our plan.

Ms M P THEMBA: Thank you, Chairperson. In response to the Minister’s reply regarding the national technical committee that has been established, my question is: Will there be any such provincial technical committees in the provinces? If there will be: when; and, if not: why not?

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM: Chairperson, to the hon member, my impression is that most of the provinces, if not all of them, already have the technical committees in place. I can testify that at the political level we work very closely with the premiers and all the relevant MECs. We just had a meeting last week at which we, again, did some joint planning on some aspects of 2010, where the provinces and local government will be absolutely crucial. My impression was that most of them, if not all of them, were already supported by technical committees.

         Time limit for supply of electricity to a community

1. Kgoshi M L Mokoena asked the Minister of Minerals and Energy:

   What is the time limit for the supply of electricity to a community after an application has been submitted? C157E

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: Thank you very much, Chairperson, and thank you to the hon member. The response to the question is that there is, strictly speaking, no time limit, but this matter depends on a number of factors. However, the Department of Minerals and Energy tries to ensure that all the projects that have been gazetted for a particular financial year are executed within that year.

To illustrate this, an electrification project follows different processes before it is implemented, including the following. The first aspect is the assessment of the network by a licensed distributor for the identified project. The second aspect that they look at is the inclusion of the project in the municipal IDP. Thirdly, there is the submission of the plan to the Department of Minerals and Energy by either Eskom, or that licensed distributor, or the municipality, as is appropriate. The fourth point that they look at is the allocation of the budget by the DME to the project, the procurement of services for the implementation, including design and construction.

The answer to the second part of the question would be that the municipality receives applications for electrification from communities. These projects are identified by local communities through the IDP process. The department and Eskom representatives are continually involved in order to provide technical support, and respective ward councillors ensure that these projects form part of the municipal IDP for approval by the municipality.

Once a final list of projects has been approved, the IDP is submitted to the DME for inclusion in the integrated national electrification programme for the identified financial year. The allocation of funding for the project is subject to the availability of funding.

It is important to note that not all projects on the municipal priority list can be funded within one year. Key considerations for project prioritisation are the extent of funding allocation from the National Treasury, the availability of bulk infrastructure and the network capacity at that municipality.

It is vital that community leaders liaise with communities and their municipalities to provide feedback on the reviewed IDP priority list and to prioritise projects accordingly. Thank you, Chairperson.

Kgoshi M L MOKOENA: Thank you, Chairperson. Let me thank the Minister for the appetising response. [Laughter.] Arising from the Minister’s response, is the Minister aware, for example, that, based on information given to the department, it is possible for some of the detachments in her department to not even be able to respond to some letters, because in one area a community submitted the request or applications in November 2003. Until now there has been no response to that particular community as to whether the area is on the programme of the department for electrification. The question is: Is the Minister aware that there is this red tape that results in some of these projects not being implementable? Thanks, Chair.

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: I am sure that the hon member will appreciate that I have been in the department for three months, and it is challenges of this kind that one will be trying to deal with. But I would appreciate it if these matters were brought to my attention so that we can respond appropriately. Also, the municipality has a responsibility when it comes to follow-ups and pressure on the department. It appears as if this particular one is an administrative problem, which he is bringing to my attention.

I would be happy to get a letter from the hon member so that we can take up the matter. And, indeed, we apologise for that delay. Three years is quite a long time. We could at least have responded to you, if the project was not going to be considered. We should have indicated that already.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Thank you, hon Minister. Are there any further follow-up questions? No. In the absence of any, we will skip Question 40, as I am informed that the Minister responsible for the question is busy in the other House with other commitments. She has indicated that she will join this august House later, and that permission has been granted. We’ll therefore move to Question 41, which is printed in the name of the hon N J Mack to the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs. Deputy Minister?

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, we have also been informed that the Minister of Transport has been urgently requested by the President to join his entourage in the meeting with the Russian president. He was actually ready with responses for the House, if that may also be noted. Thank you.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Chief Whip, I noted that before we adjourned earlier, when I said that we only had two Deputy Ministers and that the only written confirmation of delay was from the Minister of Transport. So, regarding the point you are raising, we have already seen to it.

      Steps regarding need to reopen land restitution deadline

1. Mr N J Mack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs:

   (1) Whether she has taken note of the deliberations at various summits regarding the need to reopen the land restitution deadline; if so,

   2) whether she or her department will introduce a concept document or debate on the complex nature of this matter?

                C166E
   

The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Thank you, Chair. The answer to the first part of the question is: yes. The answer to the second part of the question is the following. The concept document and debate will ensue from the activities of the national steering committee that has been established to take forward the recommendations of the July 2005 land summit. Thank you.

Progress regarding assessment of use of funding provided for Atlantic
                     Economic Development Trust

1. Ms D Robinson asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:

   Whether, with reference to the court papers served by a certain company (name furnished) alleging the misuse of funds provided by it for the Atlantis Economic Development Trust, he will make a statement on the progress made with the assessment of whether the funding for the AEDT was applied productively? C191E

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Thanks Chairperson. The response to question 44 is that the matter is currently before the courts and until it is finalised the Department of Trade and Industry cannot comment because we do not want to prejudge what the outcome of the court case will be, so we believe in that spirit. The statement will be made later by the Minister after the judgement. Thank you.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Any follow up question? But do not ask follow up questions because the sub judice rule applies. You know if the matter is before the courts of law, I don’t think it is fair to continue following up on the issue.

I therefore take your statement hon Deputy Minister that the matter is closed and when the Minister makes that statement at the appropriate time, the hon member will have the opportunity to pursue his or her question on the matter. We will, therefore, proceed to question 45, also to the hon Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. Progress with roll-out of Small Enterprise Development Agency in provinces

1. Ms J F Terblanche asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:

   Whether he will make a statement on the progress made by his department with the roll-out of the Small Enterprise Development Agency in the provinces? C192E

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Thank you very much Chair. The answer to the question regarding the progress of the Small Enterprise Development Agency called SEDA’s roll-out within the provinces is as follows: SEDA has been launching six provincial agreements which have been finalised with the following provinces - North West, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Northern Cape - with the three remaining provinces to be launched soon, but those offices are working already. The launch does not mean that the offices are not working. A total of 28 district branch offices have been established across all provinces, consolidating the manufacturing advice centre and local economic development agency infrastructure. Finally, 103 enterprise information centres have been opened with the view to leveraging on partnerships with the private sector. The financial year end targets for roll-out include network expansion to a total of 44 branch offices and 184 enterprise information centres. However, a certain roll-out challenge exists. Foremost, while SEDA’s roll-out is based on partnerships with the provincial and local spheres of government, the Act establishing SEDA does not give guidelines with regard to funding protocols from these spheres of government, thus the budgetary constraints. The support from the provincial and local government levels remains voluntary, depending on the negotiations we have with the different provinces and the local government.

This poses a challenge to the sustainability of the funding model of SEDA with regard to the proportion of budget support from the provincial and local government level. It is a challenge which has hampered infrastructure roll-out and product development. To overcome this challenge the DTI has engaged in consultations with provincial MEC’s in order that they assist with recommendations on additional funding arrangements.

The possibility of a regulatory framework to provide clear guidelines in support of the implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored. Once these financial and institutional arrangements have been finalised we anticipate a drastically accelerated small enterprise development roll-out. Thank you.

Ms J F TERBLANCHE: Thank you, Deputy Minister. The Deputy Minister has alluded to the fact that there are budgetary constraints. Is this also the reason why many of these branches are not branded at all or have any signage or, as in the case of the branch office in the Western Cape when visited by the DA researcher recently, not even the receptionist of the office complex in which it is situated knows there is a SEDA branch in the complex and what SEDA is.

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: As I indicated, we have launched in six provinces. Western Cape is one of the provinces that are outstanding in terms of the roll-out and maybe the signage issue is due to budgetary constraints. We believe that not only the national DTI, through their budget, should bear the cost, because SEDA is an agency. As I have said, we have not launched Western Cape officially, but the services are provided for and people are being sent to those offices.

We believe that if a person has an address, he will be able to reach an area, because if you’ve got a street address and an office block, surely even if there is no sign for SEDA people will be able to get the information. So far people are accessing that particular centre and they are getting information in most of the branches. So the question of signage and all that, is not a major problem to us at the moment, because people can access the information, until such time that as the question of the budgetary constraints and the commitment from the different provinces can be sorted out. I do not believe that we should blame DTI or SEDA in that regard.

          Statement on assertion regarding local government

1. Ms J F Terblanche asked the Minister for Public Enterprises:

   Whether he will make a statement on a recent assertion regarding local government, attributed to him, as reported in the media (details furnished)? C193E

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: Thank you Chairperson. Eish, I’ve had lots of problems recently, but I think this needs to be taken in the context of what was happening. This was a breakfast organised by Business Unity South Africa. Because of this breakfast, a particular member of the audience asked a long question around the national regional electricity distributors. And in explaining the person’s question he really provided a lot of inaccurate information, about which I am not going to go into details. But what worried me was that the person was actually quite senior in local government. So I then explained in some detail precisely what the proposal was, but that it had been made by Eskom for the national regional electricity distributors.

In the course of further discussion, more issues arose and I made it quite clear that I felt that certain of those proposals were useless in relation to the reality of electricity supply and I gave some examples of the sort of negotiations we have to have with major electricity users. So if they had reported the whole conversation, which went on for some 20 or 30 minutes, I think the context would have been fairly clear. And I certainly did not make the statement that the whole of local government is useless. The only thing I can say that about with confidence, is my golf, but I did not make that statement and I certainly would not be making any further statements on this matter, particularly since this was a very long discussion in a closed breakfast, but my colleagues in local government can feel secure that I will support them fully, and if they make statements which are a bit off beam, I reserve my right to call them useless. Thank you.

          Statement on growing shortage of skilled artisans

1. Ms S H Chen asked the Minister of Labour:

   Whether he will make a statement on the growing shortage of skilled artisans, particularly in the construction industry?C194E

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (for the Minister of Labour): Chairperson this is a very easy response, and please don’t shoot the messenger. On whether he will make a statement on the growing dearth of skilled artisans, in particular in the construction industry, the Minister will not respond at the moment. But I think there is a reason for that. Clearly, this is a matter that is being looked at in some detail and I am quite certain that the Minister would prefer to be able to give his own reply in full, rather than allow the Minister for Public Enterprises to try and do it.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Yes. I am not sure whether members are really tempted to make substantive follow-up questions, particularly in a situation where a Minister is responding on behalf of another Minister. I am really tempted to encourage members not to be tempted to do that because it is a bit unfair. The Minister who has delegated another Minister to respond has all the details about the question.

On that note then we will proceed to Question 52. I have drawn the attention of the House to the fact that the hon Minister of Finance and the Deputy Minister are not going to be with us, because of their commitment with a budget lekgotla or whatever its called. So we are not going to entertain those questions. We will, therefore, move straight to question 52 to the Minister of Labour.

Strategy with regard to compliance with health and safety regulations

1. Mr J M Sibiya asked the Minister of Labour:

   (1) Whether, in light of the September 2004 and June 2006 blast that took place at the Sasol plant, his department has devised any new strategy with regard to non-compliance with the health and safety regulations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what strategy;

   (2) whether his department will revisit the current health and safety regulations in order to ensure better compliance to safety regulations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? C209E

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (for the Minister of Labour): Chairperson, the written reply reads as follows. Since the September 2004 explosion at Sasol, in Secunda, the Department of Labour has analysed the incident statistics in the industries. Four sectors were identified as high- risk sectors, namely iron and steel, construction, food and beverage and the chemical sector.

The Department of Labour’s incident prevention strategy ensures that the department’s resources are deployed at the right places. After the sectors had been identified, advocacy campaigns and blitz inspections were carried out to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A new initiative is to train shop stewards in the four high-risk sectors on occupational health and safety. This training will start very soon. Already, in the previous financial year - 2005-06 - a reduction of 3,8% in fatal incidents was recorded.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations are amended on a regular basis as the need arises. Most of the changes are done as a result of the challenges faced by our inspectors in enforcing and monitoring legislation and also due to experiences in incident management.

There is no need at this stage to amend any regulations as a result of the September 2004 incident.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Thank you, hon Minister. Before we move to the next question, I’ve just been informed that the Minister of Finance has responded in writing to the members who have asked questions and that all copies of the answers are available for other members, as the House is also privy to those questions, not only the members who have posed the questions.

Processes to enhance Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa

1. Mrs E S Mabe asked the Minister of Labour:

   Whether his department has begun any processes to enhance the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) programme; if not, what constraints have been encountered in implementing Asgisa; if so, which processes? C210E

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (for the Minister of Labour): Chairperson, as I understand it the Deputy President also dealt with this matter. The Department of Labour is involved in the Asgisa initiatives. The laws that we are responsible for are in the main aimed at providing skills and ensuring stability in the labour market to enable the country to realise Asgisa objectives.

My department is also playing a critical role in two of the six constraints that we identified in the Asgisa framework as major constraints that will impact on our ability to achieve 6% economic growth, namely the shortage of suitably skilled labour and disjointed special settlement patterns, the regulatory environment and the burden on small and medium enterprises.

With regard to the shortage of suitably skilled labour, I would like to highlight the following: All our interventions under the national skills development strategy, which is, by the way, a very small part of the broader human resources development strategy, are aimed at contributing towards the skills needs of this country and to improving the skills of those in employment and the unemployed to gain formal or self-employment.

I serve with the Minister of Labour on the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition – Jipsa – and the task team that includes other Ministers who are responsible for the other HRD intervention areas and other stakeholders. Our officials also serve on the Jipsa technical working group that is looking at a range of skills development delivery blockages.

My department has ensured that the biggest component of the projected R5 billion skills level income for the 2006-07 period and beyond will be used to support the skills component of Asgisa.

The SETA service level agreement concluded with the Department of Labour for the 2006-07 financial year has scheduled a clearly outlined kind of special Asgisa project that they are involved in. There are also special skills development-related Asgisa projects that we are funding under the National Skills Fund as well.

On the regulatory environment and the burden on small business, my department is working closely with other departments such as Trade and Industry, Provincial and Local Government and the National Treasury, in order to develop an integrated report for presentation to Cabinet. We have also conducted a number of round tables and bilateral consultations with labour and business constituencies on various aspects of our labour laws. Thank you, Chair.

 Effect of black economic empowerment policies on foreign investment

1. Ms M P Themba asked the Minister of Labour:

   (1) How do foreign investors respond to black economic empowerment (BEE) policies;

   (2) whether BEE affects investment negatively; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what corrective measures is his department taking in this regard? C211E

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Thank you, Chairperson. The reply is as follows: Black economic empowerment policies have recently become the focus of much attention of foreign investors. Undoubtedly, most foreign investors are supportive of the need for broad-based black economic empowerment. For example, the US Bureau of Public Affairs explains that US companies support the broad goals of South Africa’s black economic empowerment policies. Also, the codes of good practice, in particular, provide certainty around the implementation of broad-based black economic empowerment.

The assumption that the South African broad-based economic empowerment regulatory framework is a deterrent to FDI, or foreign direct investment, is not correct. International evidence points out that strengthening economic foundations, and more specifically stabilising the economy and promoting competitive markets, contributes much more effectively towards the attraction of foreign investment than the pure focus on offering tax breaks, import duty exemptions, land and power subsidies and other incentives.

Business confidence in the South African economy is confirmed by the South African Chamber of Business – Sacob – business confidence index, which shows that business confidence has escalated from a low of 79,4 in January 2000 to a record high of 103,1 in January 2006 and remains over 99,1 in all months recorded in 2006.

If BEE were indeed an obstacle to business confidence, then it follows that an increase in BEE-related regulations and documentation would result in a decrease in confidence levels. The opposite, however, has been found to be the case and the notion, therefore, that the South African black economic empowerment regulatory framework negatively affects FDI appears unfounded. Thank you, Chairperson.

Plans regarding revision of 70-year lease period iro forest in Richards Bay area

1. Nks N D Ntwanambi ubuza uMphathiswa waMashishini kaRhulumente:

   Ingaba, njengoko inkampani ethile inesivumelwano seminyaka engamashumi asixhenxe kumahlathi ommandla wase Richards Bay, nto leyo eyenza ukuba lo mhlaba ungafumaneki kubantu abawunqwenelayo, isebe lakhe lingakhe liqwalasele ixesha lesi sivumelwano; ukuba akunjalo, kungokuba kutheni; ukuba kunjalo, zithini iinkcukacha malunga nalo mba? C212X (Translation of isiXhosa question follows.)

[55. Ms N D Ntwanambi asked the Minister for Public Enterprises:

  Whether, in light of the fact that a certain company (name furnished)
  has a 70-year lease on the forest in the area of Richards Bay,
  rendering that land unavailable for allocation to needy people, his
  department will revise the lease period; if not, why not; if so, what
  are the relevant details?         C212E]

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: Chairperson, the forests referred to were previously in the KwalaMnambi area and Port Dunford. These plantations were declared in terms of the National Forests Act. Essentially, what Safcol did was to dispose of these forests and, as a result, Safcol no longer operates them. As members may be aware, these forests were disposed of to Siyaqhubeka, a company or consortium which includes BEE components and has various provisions for ESOPs.

The forests do not leave state hands, however. The land remains in state hands. As members may be aware the growth time of a tree is about 35 years. So, the lease needs to be for two cycles of trees in order to make it a viable economic proposition, and this is why the lease period is 70 years. However, the department that actually manages the leases, because the lands remain on their books, is the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

Whilst I understand the question, I think attempts were made to provide for participation by communities in this. The logic of the 70-year lease is fairly strong, but any decision as to whether there would be a change will reside with the Ministry and Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, not with Public Enterprises, which is no longer involved in those forests apart from a warehouse and shareholdings that we have in the particular company, Siyaqhubeka.

Opportunities for previously disadvantaged people to participate in sand mining

1. Nks N D Ntwanambi ubuza uMphathiswa weZimbiwa naMandla:

   Ingaba ukombiwa kwentlabathi eNtshona-Koloni kuwazisile na amathuba okoba nabo babengabandakanyeki kolushishino babandakanyeke; ukuba akunjalo, lizakuthini isebe lakhe ukuqwalasela oku; ukuba kunjalo, zithini inkcukacha malunga nalo mba? C213X (Translation of isiXhosa question follows.)

[56. Ms N D Ntwanambi asked the Minister of Minerals and Energy:

  Whether opportunities were given to previously disadvantaged people to
  participate in sand mining in the Western Cape; if not, what is her
  department doing to rectify this matter; if so, what are the relevant
  details?         C213E]

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: Firstly, I think I need to apologise to the House. The details, especially the statistics given in the response, are really not something that I can present to the House. It is very confusing. Unfortunately I couldn’t get an opportunity to look into this, because I was participating in the programme of President Putin’s official visit. So, I couldn’t really look at this.

But, looking at it now, I can’t present it to the House. So, I am requesting that the hon member brings back the question. Then I will come and respond to it.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Hon member, is that acceptable? Thank you.

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: Well, I could also reply in writing. Thank you.

Position regarding legislation on beneficiation, and recruitment and
               advancement of people with disabilities

1. Mr D D Gamede asked the Minister of Minerals and Energy:

   (1) Whether her department is anticipating any legislation on beneficiation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when; (2) how many people with disabilities (a) have been recruited in her department and (b) hold (i) senior and (ii) middle management positions;

   (3) whether mines are meeting the national target of employing people with disabilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

   (4) how is her department monitoring the mines in this regard?

                C214E
   

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: Chair, currently the department is not anticipating any new legislation on beneficiation as it is our opinion that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the two amendments of both the Diamond Act and the Precious Metals Act are adequate to encourage beneficiation of diamonds and precious metals in South Africa. Thank you.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Any follow-up question? In the absence of any follow-up questions, we then proceed to the next question, which is printed in the name of hon Gamede.

Mr D D GAMEDE: Chair, I just wanted to say that there were four questions, and the hon Minister has answered the first one.

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: The reply to the second part of the question is as follows: The Department of Minerals and Energy has recruited 12 employees with disabilities. One employee holds a senior management position, six are in middle management positions and five are below that. The total percentage of disabled people in the department is 1,4%. So, indeed, hon member there is a lot that we still need to do.

In response to the third part of the question, issues related to employment equity, like the employment of people with disabilities, are handled by the Ministry of Labour and not necessarily that of Minerals and Energy. We are required to comply with the Act as well, but the enforcement of the Act is more the responsibility of the Minister of Labour.

Measures to ensure 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament is not disturbed by power outages

1. Mr J M Sibiya asked the Minister of Minerals and Energy:

   Whether her department has put any measures in place to ensure that the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament in our country is not disturbed by power outages; if not, why not; if so, (a) what measures and (b) what (i) successes have been achieved and (ii) challenges have been encountered to date? C215E

The MINISTER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY: Oh! I’m in trouble today. The reply to the question is as follows: With regard to the World Cup, the Department of Minerals and Energy has taken specific actions to ensure quality and security of supply to all venues and host cities. There is a strategy in place for that particular purpose.

Firstly, we also have a regulatory framework relating to electricity distribution. Secondly, we will be looking at the refurbishment and rehabilitation programme as part of the electrification programme. There is also a proposal for additional funding submitted to the National Treasury. We are also looking at interacting with other countries, especially Korea and Germany that have had the World Cup before, so that we can get some lessons from them. Thank you very much.

Research into obstacles preventing an entrepreneur culture in South Africa

1. Mrs E S Mabe asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:

   Whether his department has conducted any research into the obstacles and bottlenecks preventing South Africans from building an entrepreneur culture in our country; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? C222E

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Chairperson, this is my last response today. The reply reads as follows: Between 2000-01, the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Union commissioned a study on the state of entrepreneurship in South Africa. The objective of the study was to inform the design of our national strategy to foster entrepreneurship in South Africa. The method employed was to conduct research on various aspects of entrepreneurship and approaches to the promotion of entrepreneurship with a view to formulating policy recommendations for a national strategy. The research pointed to the general lack of awareness of entrepreneurship as an alternative career choice.

As part of the strategy to raise the profile of entrepreneurship, on 26 June 2006 our Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister Mpahlwa, declared July and August as national entrepreneurship months. We are conducting workshops on entrepreneurship in all nine the provinces as well as running campaigns through the media. The initiative will become an annual feature in the DTI calendar of events. It will also be reinforced by other enterprise support measures currently being carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry institutions and other government departments.

Also, you will agree with me that during the apartheid era, people were made to go to school, but afterwards they had to go and be job seekers. We are trying to change that aspect, that people can start at an early age. That’s why we also have the Techno Girls programme in the department to try and make sure that they can start to think about entrepreneurship at an early age so that when they finish studying, whether it is tertiary education or not, they are geared-up to start businesses rather than depending on government or the private sector to employ them.

That is what we have done even in July/August for DTI, practically going to hold these particular workshops in the nine provinces. We were particularly focusing on areas that are rural or peri-urban, because we believe that that is where the need is crucial. Thank you very much.

Strategy to utilise unused goods sheds within the context of black economic empowerment

1. Mr A L J Moseki asked the Minister for Public Enterprises:

   (1) Whether he has a comprehensive strategy to fully utilise the unutilised goods sheds within the context of black economic empowerment; if so, what are the relevant details;

   (2) how are communities in the rural areas taken on board in order to be informed of and benefit from opportunities presented by the strategy to outsource goods sheds? C223E

The MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: Chair and hon member, we have just completed a very comprehensive survey of the properties of Transnet, Eskom and Denel a few months back. But let me focus on Transnet properties.

In large measure, our first job was to identify whether this property would be required for the core function of Transnet or the non-core. We could do that to a large extent although there are still two processes that require to be completed before we can finalise all of the possible non-core land. The first process is the plans within Transnet on ports and rail, which we still would consult with the Department of Transport on and also the study by the Department of Transport dealing with branch lines and non-corridor lines.

But, we have identified a significant amount of non-core property. Some of these may be sheds and marshalling yards and goods sheds, but others are various forms of land, housing, etc. The process that we have adopted with the approval of Cabinet is, firstly, we have approached other government departments and asked whether this land would be of use to them.

A significant amount of the land will be purchased for housing by the Department of Housing. We have also had certain pieces of land that would be transferred to and/or purchased by the Ministries of Education, nationally and provincially, for certain projects that they would benefit from. We are also currently in discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry, because it is possible that certain pieces of that land could be used within the Small Enterprise Development Agency, SEDA, context or other contexts for infrastructure in small areas.

The balance of the land that we will dispose of is going to be done according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s BEE charters. So, people can analyse that. There will be a very strong emphasis on BEE.

The one addition that we have put in which I think makes a lot of sense is that, for certain pockets of land, we give special preference to people in the town where that land is. That process will commence fairly soon and we will have road shows around the provinces on that.

There are other pockets of land which are much larger and can be used in conjunction with cities or towns to help with their development within the city. We will handle that process slightly differently but again giving priority to empowerment and working very closely with the local governments that are concerned with that.

So, I believe it is an interesting opportunity indeed to utilise assets and property not required by Transnet to benefit BEE and local communities. We will mount provincial and local road shows because this land is spread right across the country. Not all of it is goods sheds, but I have widened it because I think there’s a lot of other property that we use fully as well.

Thank you Chair.

Mr A L J MOSEKI: Thank you Chairperson for the detailed response from the Minister. I just want to request the Minister, if possible, to give us that written response. Thank you very much.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Thank you for that request. That is not a follow-up question. I don’t think that there’s a problem with the request. Any follow-up questions, hon members? In the absence of questions, we will proceed to Question 61 printed in the name of the hon J Tau to the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs.

          Delay in handing over land to community of Pniel

1. Mr R J Tau asked the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs:

   Whether she has been informed that, although the Pniel land restitution case was finalised in December 2005, a delay has occurred in handing over the land to the community; if so, what are the reasons for the delay? C225E The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Thank you, sir. This Pniel matter was very difficult. Let me just give the answer – I won’t explain too much about this matter.

Yes, the commission is aware of the delays. I wish to point out that the claim has not been finalised earlier due to the reluctance, for various reasons, of the landowner to sign the offer to purchase to the settlement agreement.

The good news is that yesterday my Minister signed the bloody thing. [Laughter.] I’m sorry, sir. Just for your information, this is a very important place because there are diamonds there. So, you have lots of vultures hanging around and messing up everything. It is as simple as that!

Let me just tell you that the original asking price, just for your information, was R76 million. We valued the land and what we got was R31 million. It has been settled now for R35 million - still not small money after three years of negotiations.

Can I just tell you what in the end the problem was? It was this question of interest on the price. The problem was if the Minister signed in terms of section 42 (d) of the Restitution Act – a so-called settlement - that settlement was not with the owner of the land.

In this case it was with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa. The settlement was with the claimants.

Actually, the whole section has nothing to do with the settlement or the owner. Now, if the Minister agrees with the claimants that this is a valid claim and they must get the land, the state must go and acquire the land. What normally happens, as Minister Didiza will know very well, with a section 42-application to the Minister, is that there is a settlement with the owner. Then everything is quicker.

In this instance, the seller of the land wanted interest from the day that the agreement of sale was signed until the date of registration in the deeds office. And that can be up to a year. Now, we are using state money to pay that interest, and it is a huge amount. We have a problem in principle with that, and that’s why I have always said it is fairer to the owner of the land to expropriate the land, because when the notice of expropriation is given ownership passes immediately.

There aren’t those things like the farmer moaning ``Hey, I can’t plant things. The banks are not giving me loans, I am sitting here for a year and a half on the land and have no income and as such can’t plant anything’’ - and then there is heavy pressure on the Ministry. Expropriation is far fairer, which I would say in this case should have been done. It is a quicker road. Thank you very much.

Mr M A SULLIMAN: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for the reply, we appreciate that. But, hon Deputy Minister, are you aware that there is some infighting taking place there and that that was one of the causes. Has that infighting been sorted out from your office? Thank you.

The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Well, I won’t go into that very complicated infighting, because then it would look as if we are saying these are right and those are wrong. All I can say is that the claim has been settled with the claimants in terms of section 42(d) and we have a settlement with the owner on the amount of money. The process will now continue.

The Minister was there just this weekend handing over land and the people are going to mine the diamonds down there. That matter went well. It also took a long time but things are moving, one by one, and I hope we won’t have further problems. We can’t do too much after the event. Thank you.

Ms B L MATLHOELA: Thank you, hon Chair. This is a courtesy follow-up question to the Minister relating to the Pniel question. Last week, a delegation of the legislature of the Northern Cape did oversight with regard to this, together with Mr Tau. Seeing that we have received this good message from the hon Minister, can this delegation have the honour to go and give this message to those people personally again, please? Thank you.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): I am not sure hon Deputy Minister whether we have powers to authorise that but you can do that. [Laughter.]

The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: I will tell you why I am going to say no, because if you go I can’t go to Kimberley to my hometown of Boshoff next door. So well, okay, you can go. [Laughter.]

Mr A WATSON: Chair, mine is not a follow up question but a point of order. Can I ask you to rule that the Deputy Minister restore the decorum of this House by withdrawing the word he used earlier on. I didn’t want to disturb the question but the word he said sorry for must be withdrawn officially.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Without really delaying the question, I think the Deputy Minister has proactively apologised. I was going to rule him to order. But, I’m not sure if you really want to insist. I was going to rule him to order. I was not going to allow that but the Deputy Minister has said sorry, proactively. Are you comfortable with that, hon Watson?

Mr A WATSON: Yes.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Hon members I would like to welcome the hon Minister of Transport and the hon Minister of Public Works. Hon Ministers, we have been informed of your apologies to join us later due to other commitments - the hon Minister of Public Works was in the National Assembly and the hon Minister of Transport was part of a delegation that welcomed the President of Russia. On that note, your apologies have been accepted and conveyed to the House.

We will treat your questions as follows: I will start with the Minister of Transport with two questions and then proceed to the Minister of Public Works with three questions. I will start with the Minister of Transport with Question 34 written in the name of hon Robertson to the Minister.

Alternative mode of transport available to rural farm workers and their children

1. Mr M O Robertson asked the Minister of Transport:

   Whether there is any alternative mode of transport available to rural farm workers and their children other than being transported by farmers to town and school using their bakkies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? C71E The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Chairperson, the answer is yes. Other than bakkie-based transport services supplied by farm owners, alternative modes of transport, both motorised and non-motorised, are also utilised in rural areas. The minibus taxi service constitutes the predominant mode of transport, followed by bus services, cars and bakkies, which are all commercial services provided on the basis of financial reward, as opposed to farm owner services that are provided in kind.

In addition, non-motorised modes such as walking, cycling and animal-drawn transport are also utilised in remote rural settings. Specific local circumstances obviously affect the range of alternatives available. Where none are currently available, the Department of Transport and provincial authorities have been tasked to identify these as a priority.

The amendments to the National Land Transport Transition Act - courtesy of my colleague the Minister of Public Works last week – are in the process of being passed by Parliament to provide for light delivery vehicles, LDVs, used for public transport to be legalised.

The draft rural transport strategy for South Africa, which is being refined by the Department of Transport for Cabinet approval, also looks at several issues regarding transport in rural areas and proposes a set of actions on rural transport services and infrastructure, which will also benefit farm- workers. The use of nonmotorised transport is part of the balanced rural transport system suggested in the strategy.

In addition, the Department of Transport is in the process of developing a national scholar transportation strategy, which will assist school children in rural areas as well. The Shova Kalula bicycle programme has been implemented since 2001 and is currently entering its fourth phase. The aim of the programme is to provide bicycles as a low-cost transport solution to learners, women and farm-workers. So far, 17 000 bicycles have been distributed. We hope that within 10 years we would have distributed 1 million bicycles.

The Department of Transport is working on sustainable alternative modes with the SA Bureau of Standards – the SABS. A new nonmotorised transport design concept, which covers modified bicycles and animal-drawn carts, is being developed.

The department has also planned to promote a small, coherent set of modes in selected localities with a view to building the critical mass of users to overcome sociocultural and economic inhibitions. These targeted interventions are included in the Rural Transport Development programme, which this hon House will have as soon as Cabinet has approved it. I thank you.

Mr M O ROBERTSON: Hon Minister, thank you very much for your reply. The question went a bit haywire. The section that was left out was that the people, farmers and taxi drivers who use their bakkies to convey people, are being fined by the police for loading people on the back of their bakkies. If you could help me with that please, Minister. The SAPS is actually fining them if they put one person or more on the back of the van.

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: I think I addressed that issue when I stated that the current Act is being amended, which will take into account the question that the hon member has asked. So if we can wait until Parliament has adopted these amendments, then your question will also be relevant at that time.

Mr B J MKHALIPHI: Chairperson, could the Minister share with us as to whether, when delivering on this Shova Kalula programme, there would be any programmes on road safety as well as repairs and maintenance for these bicycles? I thank you.

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Part of the conditions that we lay down when we distribute these bicycles, especially to schools, is to make sure that the schools budget for their maintenance and also, when kids leave the school they have to leave the bicycles at school so that other children who come in can use them.

Recently, I went to Sekhukhuneland Municipality where we delivered these bicycles and I was pleasantly surprised to see joy on the faces of those children when they received those bicycles because our children walk kilometres and kilometres on end, some walk as far as 10 km to school and back. So this Shova Kalula concept, I think, is a well-deserved intervention to alleviate the plight of our children and also women, especially in the rural areas.

Last week we had this international conference on gender, transport and development in Port Elizabeth. It is actually horrifying to know the reality of South Africa and this is based on the results of the research that was done in the Eastern Cape. The burden of transport on rural African women in our new democracy is something that we should not be proud of. So, we need to make interventions such as this one, to alleviate the plight of our people.

Mr M O ROBERTSON: Chair, in a lighter vein, will the hon Minister refund the funds that have been paid in the meantime? [Laughter.]

Kgoshi M L MOKOENA: Chairperson, arising out of the Minister’s initial reply and based on the follow-up question by my colleague, hon Robertson, while waiting for the Bill to be passed by Parliament to address what I can call a “crisis” for now, are there interim measures to address this crisis?

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: I think that as members of the NCOP we should be the first ones to advocate the observance of the laws that we do pass. So, until the Act is amended, the law must take its course. [Laughter.]

Upgrading of Mpumalanga national roads, and possible conversion thereof to toll roads

1. Mr A Watson asked the Minister of Transport:

   (1) In view of the fact that in the 2005-06 financial year a major portion of the national roads was transferred from Mpumalanga to the SA National Roads Agency Limited and that a further 916 kilometers will be transferred this financial year, when will upgrades to these roads commence, especially in light of the expected increase in traffic on all Mpumalanga roads from now until after the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament and the large influx of tourists to the Kruger National Park and the two countries bordering Mpumalanga;

   (2) whether any of these upgraded roads will be converted to toll roads, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? C189E

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Chairperson, can I ask the indulgence of the hon member and give a summary report, and I will hand over to him the details in terms of kilometres.

The answer is: The SA National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, has recently incorporated another 41 km of provincial roads as part of Sanral’s primary road network. In addition to this, a further 637 km will be incorporated into the national road network over the next two financial years.

All these roads are part of routine road maintenance contracts and the primary aim is to make them safe for our users. Work commenced on sections of the N11 in November 2005 and is ongoing. Most other work on other roads will commence during the first quarter of 2007 and will last approximately two years, depending on each project. As I have indicated, I will provide the specific details to the hon member.

Secondly, the section of the N17 between Springs and Ermelo, and between Ermelo and Oshoek border post, has been declared a continuous toll road. Sanral, under the current circumstances, does not envisage declaring any other national road in the Mpumalanga province as a toll road.

        Programme of building offices for traditional leaders

1. Kgoshi M L Mokoena asked the Minister of Public Works:

   Whether her department will continue with the programme to build offices for traditional leaders that was started by her predecessor; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many buildings are going to be built in this financial year and (b) in which provinces? C158E

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, the answer to the question is that the programme referred to by Kgoshi Mokoena, to provide traditional leaders with an administrative base on which to initiate community development projects or programmes, was introduced as a subcomponent of the Community-Based Public Works Programme, CBPWP. This programme was a poverty alleviation programme, as well as assisting communities with infrastructure they deserve.

We are all aware that this programme was discontinued in 2003, following the introduction of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, which was allocated, and which is still allocated, to municipalities. The discontinuation of CBPWP has meant the discontinuation of all associated programmes or initiatives.

Currently there are no funds in the Department of Public Works’ budget that can be utilised to build offices for traditional leaders. I would want, however, to indicate to Kgoshi Mokoena that a matter which relates to this has been raised by the House of Traditional Leaders and we will be engaging with the Department of Provincial and Local Government to see how best we can address the need that has been expressed. Thank you.

    Quantification of success of Expanded Public Works Programme

1. Mr G R Krumbock asked the Minister of Public Works:

   Whether the number of work opportunities the Expanded Public Works Programme created was an adequate measure with which to quantify its success in achieving its core objective of ensuring the improved future labour market performance of its participants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? C188E

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, the answer to the question is as follows: The EPWP is one of a range of initiatives agreed to by business, labour and government, if we recall, in 2003 at the Growth and Development Summit. The Growth and Development Summit Agreement stated:

Expanded Public Works Programmes can provide poverty and income relief through temporary work for the unemployed to carry out socially useful activities. These EPWPs will be designed to equip participants with a modicum of training and work experience. We should enhance their ability to earn a living in the future.

Following the Growth and Development Summit Agreement, the government formulated the Expanded Public Works Programme in consultation with the social partners and set a target of creating 1 million work opportunities, coupled with training in the first five years of the programme. This is to be achieved by delivering public goods and services in a more labour intensive manner, particularly with regard to infrastructure. Today, the EPWP is on track to exceed this initial five-year target.

With regard to the measurement of the number of work opportunities created, I must indicate, one cannot say currently whether it is sufficient to ascertain the impact of the programme on the ability of the unemployed to earn a living in the future. There may be anecdotal experiences where some of the people who have been through the programme have been able to find work opportunities in the future, but on others we cannot say so with certainty. I want therefore to assure this House that given the work that we, ourselves, have commissioned to evaluate this programme, we will be able to come back and report what the findings of our commission relate to.

     Steps to improve service delivery in Northern Cape Province

1. Mr R J Tau asked the Minister of Public Works:

   Whether, in light of the highly publicised problems in her department in the Northen Cape, she has taken any steps to improve service delivery without compromising the Expanded Public Works Programme progress in the province; if not, why not; if so, what steps? C227E

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Chairperson, hon Tau has raised a question, which relates to the problem in the Northern Cape. I must apologise first, that I did not ask hon Tau whether this relates to the regional office or to the Department of Public Works in the province. However, the information that one has in terms of the problems, which we assumed might have been referred to, relates to the Northern Cape Department of Public Works and Transport.

I would want to say to hon members, I am not sure that I would be a competent authority to talk on the problems that may exist in the Department of Public Works of the province, but rather to say that I have been informed by the Premier of the province that Members of the Executive Council responsible for transport and public works, as well as the head of department in the same department, have actually been given leave in order to find a way in which to deal with the problems that are there. She has further indicated to me the request for assistance from my department to assist the department on a range of issues, particularly infrastructure expenditure to support the various departments of state.

It is important to me to indicate that with regard to the Expanded Public Works Programme in the province, our own assessment is that it is intact and fully operational. There is, even during this leave period of the Members of the Executive Council, an MEC who is acting, as well as the head of department who is acting in the department. Therefore, governance continues.

A provincial co-ordinating committee, consisting of representatives from various implementing departments, is in place. The lead department, which is the provincial Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works, is taking care of the submission of quarterly monitoring data. Draft data for validation had been reported on more than 200 projects for the first quarter of the financial year 2006-07. Sector fora for the infrastructure, environment, culture of the social and economic sectors deal with all sector-specific matters such as training.

The National Department of Public Works is confident that the implementation of the EPWP will not be compromised by the challenges that might be faced. As I’ve said earlier, there are structures that support the lead department, which is the Department of Public Works and Transport, in this regard. There is also an acting executive authority and I am sure the executive council itself will have an interest to ensure that this programme does not suffer. Thank you.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr T S Setona): Any follow-up question, hon members? In the absence of any, I will take this opportunity to thank hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, who have taken it as part of their commitment to be part of this session this afternoon. I think the manner in which questions have been responded to was not only to satisfy the Members of Parliament, but, more broadly, to inform the public about what government is doing to better their lives as a mandate of our democratic government after 2004. On that note, thank you to everyone who has participated.

See also QUESTIONS AND REPLIES.

The Council adjourned at 15:57. ____

            ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

                       MONDAY, 28 AUGUST 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Classification of Bills by Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM

(1)     The JTM on 21 August 2006 in terms of Joint Rule 160(3),
    classified the following Bill as a section 75 Bill:

    (a)      National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill [B 17 – 2006]
         (National Assembly – sec 75). TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National Parks
    (SANparks) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

                       TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Classification of Bills by Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)

(1)     The JTM on 29 August 2006 in terms of Joint Rule 160(3)
    classified the following Bill as a section 75 Bill:

    (a)      Carriage by Air Amendment Bill [B 18 – 2006] (National
         Assembly – sec 75).

1. Translation of Bill submitted

 (1)    The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs


      a) Wysigingswetsontwerp op Geneties Gemanipuleerde Organismes [W
         34 – 2005] (National Assembly – sec 75).


     This is the official translation into Afrikaans of the Genetically
     Modified Organisms Amendment Bill [B 34 – 2005] (National Assembly
     – sec 75).

1. Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159

 1) Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, 2006, submitted by the
    Minister of Minerals and Energy. Referred to the Portfolio
    Committee on Minerals and Energy and the Select Committee on
    Economic and Foreign Affairs.

National Council of Provinces

The Chairperson

1. Message from National Assembly to National Council of Provinces in respect of Bills passed by Assembly and transmitted to Council

(1)     Bill passed by National Assembly and transmitted for
    concurrence on 29 August 2006:


    (a)      Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of
         Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Bill [B 42B-
         2005] (National Assembly – sec 75)] (introduced as Prohibition
         of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of
         Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill [B 42-
         2005]).


       The Bill has been referred to the Select Committee on Security
         and Constitutional Affairs of the National Council of
         Provinces.

1. Message from National Assembly to National Council of Provinces in respect of Bill passed by Assembly and sent back to Council for concurrence

(1)     Bill amended and passed by National Assembly on 29 August 2006
    and returned for concurrence:


    (a)      National Land Transport Transition Amendment Bill [B 38D –
         2005] (National Council of Provinces – sec 76).


         The Bill has been referred to the Select Committee on Public
         Services of the National Council of Provinces.

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Speaker and the Chairperson a) Report and Financial Statements of the Electoral Commission (IEC) on the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Fund for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 137-2006].

2. The Minister for Public Enterprises

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Airways
    (Proprietary) Limited (SAA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of
    the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

 b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Forestry
    Company Limited (SAFCOL) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

1. The Minister of Education

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Council on Higher Education
    (CHE) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on
    the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

 b) Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Quality
    Assurance in General and Further Education and Training – Umalusi
    for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on
    the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

1. The Minister of Arts and Culture

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Artscape for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006.

1. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

 a) Report and Financial Statements of South African Tourism for 2005-
    2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

National Council of Provinces

1. Report by the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs on the Corporate Laws Amendment Bill [B6B – 2006], dated 29 August 2006:

The Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs, having considered the subject of the Corporate Laws Amendment Bill [B 6B – 2006] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 75 Bill, reports the Bill with proposed amendments as follows:

                             LONG TITLE 1.    On page 2, in the second line, to omit “public interest” and to
  substitute “widely held”.
                              CLAUSE 1

1. On page 3, in line 53, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

2. On page 3, in line 56, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

3. On page 3, from line 59, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

4. On page 4, from line 8, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

5. On page 4, in line 19, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

6. On page 4, in line 20, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

7. On page 4, in line 23, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                          NEW CLAUSE
   

8. That the following be a new clause:

   Amendment of section 35 of Act 61 of 1973

     8. Section 35 of the Companies Act, 1973 is  hereby  amended  by the substitution for the proviso thereto of the following proviso:
   

   “provided that the memorandum of its registration contains as an object of such company the ratification or adoption of or the acquisition of rights and obligations in respect of such contract and that [two copies] of such contract, [one of which shall be certified by a notary public,] have been lodged with the Registrar together with the lodgment for registration of the memorandum and articles of the company”.

                           CLAUSE 11
   

9. On page 6, from line 22, to omit “together with a certificate by a notary public to the effect that the articles of the company have been truly stated” and insert “[together with a certificate by a notary public to the effect that the articles of the company have been truly stated]”

                          NEW CLAUSE
   

10. That the following be a new clause:

    Amendment of section 173 of Act 61 of 1973

    Section 173 of the Companies Act, 1973 is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsection: “(4) The information required to be disclosed in terms of this Act, as contained in the latest annual return of a company will, in the absence of any subsequent compliance with any relevant disclosure requirement of this Act, be regarded as the latest disclosed information in respect of the company concerned”

                            CLAUSE 22
    

11. On page 9, from line 32, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

12. On page 9, in line 38, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 23
    

13. On page 10, in line 26, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

14. On page 10, from line 50, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

15. On page 11, in line 4, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 25
    

16. On page 11, in line 25, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 26
    

17. On page 11, in line 32, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 27
    

18. On page 12, in line 5, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 28
    

19. On page 12, in line 14, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

20. On page 12, in line 17, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                           CLAUSE  30
    

21. On page 12, from line 40, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

22. On page 12, in line 42, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 32
    

23. On page 13, in line 26, after “that” to insert “[in the conduct of the affairs of the company]”

24. On page 13, in line 28, after “place” to insert “[which has caused or is likely to cause financial loss to the company or to any of its members or creditors,]”

                            CLAUSE 34
    

25. On page 14, in line 8, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 43
    

26. On page 16, in line 49, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

27. On page 17, in line 4, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company” CLAUSE 44

28. On page 17, in line 35, to omit “public interest” and to substitute “[public] widely held”

                            CLAUSE 45
    

29. On page 17, in line 45, to omit “public interest” and to substitute “[public] widely held”

                            CLAUSE 51
    

30. On page 23, in line 40, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

31. On page 25, in line 28, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

                            CLAUSE 54
    

32. On page 29, in line 7, to omit “public interest company” and to substitute “widely held company”

33. On page 29, in line 10, to omit “285(1)” and to substitute “285A(1)”

34. On page 29, in line 11, after “(1)” to omit “(a) or (b)” CLAUSE 59

35. On page 30, in line 31, to omit “must for the purposes of this Act” and to substitute “will”.

                    WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2006
    

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Council of Provinces

The Chairperson

1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled

1.      The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Finance
    for consideration and report:

      a) Report and Financial Statements of the Insurance Sector
         Education and Training Authority (Inseta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 77-2006].

      b) Report and Financial Statements of the Banking Sector Education
         and Training Authority (Bank-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the
         Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
         2005-2006 [RP 67-2006].


2.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises, the Select Committee on Land and
    Environmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Education and
    Recreation for consideration and report:

      a) Report and Financial Statements of the Tourism, Hospitality and
         Sport Education and Training Authority (Theta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 87-2006].

3.      The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Economic and Foreign Affairs:


      a) Government Notice No R853 published in Government Gazette No
         27946 dated 2 September 2005: Standards Matters in terms of the
         Standards Act, 1993 (Act No 29 of 1993).


      b) Government Notice No R854 published in Government Gazette No
         27947 dated 2 September 2005: Withdrawal and replacement of the
         compulsory specification for motor vehicles of category N2/3,
         in terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No 29 of 1993).


      c) Government Notice No R855 published in Government Gazette No
         27947 dated 2 September 2005: Withdrawal and replacement of the
         compulsory specification for motor vehicles of category M2/3,
         in terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No 29 of 1993).


      d) Government Notice No R856 published in Government Gazette No
         27947 dated 2 September 2005: Withdrawal and replacement of the
         compulsory specification for motor vehicles of category M1, in
         terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No 29 of 1993).


      e) Government Notice No R857 published in Government Gazette No
         27947 dated 2 September 2005: Withdrawal and replacement of the
         compulsory specification for motor vehicles of category N1, in
         terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No 29 of 1993).

      f) Government Notice No R915 published in Government Gazette No
         28039 dated 23 September 2005: Incorporation of an external
         company as a company in the Republic of South Africa:
         Paddington Limited, in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No
         61 of 1973).

      g) Government Notice No R916 published in Government Gazette No
         28039 dated 23 September 2005: Incorporation of an external
         company as a company in the Republic of South Africa: Kasvel
         Limited, in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No 61 of
         1973).

      h) Government Notice No R.397 published in Government Gazette No
         28767 dated 28 April 2006: International Trade and
         Administration Commission of South Africa: Tariff
         investigations: Regulations, in terms of the International
         Trade Administration Act, 2002 (Act No 71 of 2002).


      i) Proclamation No 22 published in Government Gazette No 28824
         dated 11 May 2006: Commencement of the National Credit Act,
         2005 (Act No 34 of 2005).

      j) Government Notice No R.489 published in Government Gazette No
         28864 dated 31 May 2006: Regulations made in terms of the
         National Credit Act, 2005 (Act No 34 of 2005).

      k) Government Notice No R.517 published in Government Gazette No
         28894 dated 1 June 2006: Establishments of Collecting Societies
         in the Music Industry, in terms of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act
         No 98 of 1978).

      l) Government Notice No R.477 published in Government Gazette No
         28848 dated 2 June 2006: Regulations: Payment of levy and the
         issue of sales permits with regard to compulsory
         specifications: Amendment, in terms of the Standards Act, 1993
         (Act No 29 of 1993).

      m) Government Notice No R.478 published in Government Gazette No
         28848 dated 2 June 2006: Regulations: Payment of levy and the
         issue of sales permits with regard to compulsory
         specifications: Amendment, in terms of the Standards Act, 1993
         (Act No 29 of 1993).


      n) Government Notice No R.479 published in Government Gazette No
         28848 dated 2 June 2006: Regulations: Payment of levy and the
         issue of sales permits with regard to compulsory
         specifications: Amendment, in terms of the Standards Act, 1993
         (Act No 29 of 1993).
      o) Government Notice No R.599 published in Government Gazette No
         28924 dated 15 June 2006: Exemption from the provisions of
         sections 143(2): WPP Group PLC, in terms of the Companies Act,
         1973 (Act No 61 of 1973).

      p) Government Notice No R.654 published in Government Gazette No
         28976 dated 7 July 2006: International Trade Administration
         Commission of South Africa, in terms of the International Trade
         Administration Act, 2002 (Act No 71 of 2002).

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister for Public Enterprises

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 9 – Department of Public
    Enterprises for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements of Vote 9 for 2005-2006 [RP 154-
    2006].

1. The Minister of Labour

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Services Sector Education
    and Training Authority (Services Seta) for 2005-2006, including the
    Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
    2006 [RP 85-2006].

 b) Report and Financial Statements of the Health and Welfare Sector
    Education and Training Authority (HW-Seta) for 2005-2006, including
    the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
    2005-2006 [RP 76-2006].


 c) Report and Financial Statements of the Wholesale and Retail Sector
    Education and Training Authority (W&R-Seta) for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 88-2006].


 d) Report and Financial Statements of the Chemical Industries
    Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) for 2005-2006, including
    the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
    2005-2006 [RP 69-2006].


 e) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Service Sector
    Education and Training Authority (PSeta) for 2005-2006 [RP 83-
    2006].


 f) Report and Financial Statements of the Media, Advertising,
    Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and Training
    Authority (MAPPP-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 80-
    2006].


 g) Report and Financial Statements of the Information Systems,
    Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education
    and Training Authority (ISETT-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the
    Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
    2006 [RP 78-2006].


 h) Report and Financial Statements of the Energy Sector Education and
    Training Authority (Eseta) for 2005-2006, including the Report of
    the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP
    71-2006].


 i) Report and Financial Statements of the Mining Qualifications
    Authority (MQA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 82-2006].

1. The Minister in The Presidency

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Media Development and
    Diversity Agency (MDDA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

1. The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Legal Aid Board for 2005-
    2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 44-2006].


 b) Report of the Auditor-General on the unsigned summary of statements
    of monies kept in trust in the Guardian’s Fund for 2004-2005.

1. The Minister of Education

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the National Student Financial
    Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 150-
    2006].

1. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 27 – Department of
    Environmental Affairs and Tourism for 2005-2006, including the
    Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Vote
    27 for 2005-2006 [RP 175-2006].

 b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National
    Biodiversity Institutes (SANBI) for 2005-2006, including the Report
    of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

                      THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159

 (1)    Civil Union Bill, 2006, submitted by the Minister of Home
    Affairs. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs and
    the Select Committee on Social Services.


 2) Films and Publications Amendment Bill, 2006, submitted by the
    Minister of Home Affairs. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on
    Home Affairs and the Select Committee on Social Services.


 3) Immigration Amendment Bill, 2006, submitted by the Minister of Home
    Affairs. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs and
    the Select Committee on Social Services.

 4) Postal Services Amendment Bill, 2006, submitted by the Minister of
    Communications. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on
    Communications and the Select Committee on Labour and Public
    Enterprises.

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Speaker and the Chairperson

   a) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Protector of South Africa for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 212-2006].

2. The Minister of Finance

   a) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial Services Board (FSB) 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 91-2006].

   b) Report and Financial Statements of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 102-2006].

(c)     Report and Financial Statements of the Public Investment
     Corporation (PIC) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
     Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 14-
     2006].

1. The Minister of Labour

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Commission for Conciliation,
    Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for 2005-2006, including the
    Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
    2006 [RP 106-2006].


 b) Report and Financial Statements of the Agricultural Sector
    Education and Training Authority (Agri-Seta) for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 66-2006].

 c) Report and Financial Statements of the Manufacturing, Engineering
    and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MER-
    Seta) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on
    the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 81-2006].


 d) Report and Financial Statements of the Safety and Security Sector
    Education and Training Authority (SAS-Seta) for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 84-2006].


 e) Report and Financial Statements of the Forest Industries Education
    and Training Authority (FIETA) for 2005-2006, including the Report
    of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006
    [RP 74-2006].

1. The Minister in The Presidency

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 7 – Government
    Communication and Information System (GCIS) for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements of Vote 7 for 2005-2006 [RP 123-2006].

1. The Minister of Housing

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Rural Housing Loan Fund
    (RHLF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Independent
    Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

1. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor- General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 48-2006].

 b) Report and Financial Statements of the Marine Living Resources Fund
    (MLRF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 173-2006].

                      FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159

   1) Further Education and Training Colleges Bill, 2006, submitted by the Minister of Education. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Education and the Select Committee on Education and Recreation.

2. Translations of Bills submitted

   1) Die Minister van Onderwys a) Wysigingswetsontwerp op Voedingsmiddels, Skoonheidsmiddels en Ontsmettingsmiddels [W 35 – 2005] (Nasionale Vergadering – art 76)

      This is the official translation into Afrikaans of the
      Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Amendment Bill [B 35 –
      2005] (National Assembly – sec 76).
   

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Speaker and the Chairperson

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial and Fiscal
    Commission (FFC) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 105-2006].

1. The Minister of Finance

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial Intelligence
    Centre for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 132-2006].

1. The Minister of Labour

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 17 – Department of Labour
    for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
    Financial Statements of Vote 17 for 2005-2006 [RP 59-2006].

1. The Minister of Safety and Security

 a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 22 – Independent Complaints
    Directorate (ICD) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Vote 22 for 2005-
    2006 [RP 113-2006].

1. The Minister of Arts and Culture

 a) Report and Financial Statements of The Freedom Park Trust for 2005-
    2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006.


(b)     Report and Financial Statements of the William Humphreys Art
    Gallery for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 121-2006].


 c) Report and Financial Statements of the National Film and Video
    Foundation (NFVF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 111-
    2006].


 d) Report and Financial Statements of the South African State Theatre
    for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
    Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 152-2006].


 e) Report and Financial Statements of the National English Literary
    Museum for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 f) Report and Financial Statements of the Windybrow Centre for the
    Arts for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on
    the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 g) Report and Financial Statements of the War Museum of the Boer
    Republics for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 h) Report and Financial Statements of Blind S A for 2005-2006,
    including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
    Statements for 2005-2006.


 i) Report and Financial Statements of the National Library of South
    Africa for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 158-2006].


 j) Report and Financial Statements of Business and Arts South Africa
    (BASA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 135-2006].


 k) Report and Financial Statements of the Voortrekker Museum –
    Isigcinamagugu for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [PR 107-2006].


 l) Report and Financial Statements of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town
    for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
    Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 89-2006].


 m) Report and Financial Statements of the National Museum –
    Bloemfontein for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 152-2006].


 n) Report and Financial Statements of the South African State Theatre
    for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
    Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 o) Report and Financial Statements of the National Arts Council of
    South Africa (NAC) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 p) Report and Financial Statements of the Performing Arts Centre of
    Free State (PACOFS) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


 q) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Library for
    the Blind for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.
 r) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Heritage
    Resources Agency (SAHRA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 131-
    2006].

1. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Greater St Lucia Wetland
    Park Authority for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

                      MONDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2006

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Speaker and the Chairperson

 a) Quarterly Report of the Auditor-General on the submission of
    financial statements by municipalities and the status of audit
    reports as at 30 June 2006 for the financial year ended 30 June
    2005 [RP 153-2006].

1. The Minister of Education

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African Qualifications
    Authority (SAQA) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
    General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 189-2006].


                      TUESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker

1. Introduction of Bills

 (1)    The Minister of Minerals and Energy


     (a)     Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill [B 20 – 2006]
         (National Assembly – proposed sec 76) [Explanatory summary of
         Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in
         Government Gazette No 29192 of 4 September 2006.]


     Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Minerals
     and Energy of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the
     Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint
     Rule 160.


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

National Council of Provinces

The Chairperson

1. Message from National Assembly to National Council of Provinces in respect of Bills passed by Assembly and transmitted to Council

(1)     Bills passed by National Assembly and transmitted for
    concurrence on 5 September 2006:


    (a)      Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B 12B - 2006] (National
         Assembly sec - 75).


       The Bill has been referred to the Select Committee on Security
         and Constitutional Affairs of the National Council of
         Provinces.

1. Referral to Committees of papers tabled

1.      The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises for consideration and report:

    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of Vote 9 – Department of
         Public Enterprises for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
         Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Vote 9 for 2005-
         2006 [RP 154-2006].
    (b)      Report and Financial Statements Clothing, Textiles,
         Footwear and Leather Sector Education and Training Authority
         (CTFL-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
         General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 70-2006].


    (c)      Report and Financial Statements of the Services Sector
         Education and Training Authority (Services Seta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 85-2006].


    (d)      Report and Financial Statements of the Wholesale and
         Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&R-Seta) for
         2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
         Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 88-2006].


    (e)      Report and Financial Statements of Vote 9 – Department of
         Public Enterprises for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
         Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Vote 9 for 2005-
         2006 [RP 154-2006].


    (f)      Report and Financial Statements of the South African
         Airways (Proprietary) Limited (SAA) for 2005-2006, including
         the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006.


    (g)      Report and Financial Statements of the Media, Advertising,
         Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and
         Training Authority (MAPPP-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the
         Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
         2005-2006 [RP 80-2006].


2.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Public Services and the Select Committee on Labour and Public
    Enterprises for consideration and report:

    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of Transnet Limited for
         2005-2006, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on
         the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.

3.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Education
    and Recreation for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Education, Training
         and Development Practices Sector Education and Training
         Authority (ETDP-Seta) for 2005-2006, including the Report of
         the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006
         [RP 72-2006].


4.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Joint Monitoring Committee on
    Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Children, Youth and
    Disabled Persons for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Umsobomvu Youth
         Fund (UYF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
         Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


5.      The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises for consideration and report:
    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the National Economic
         Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the
         Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


    (b)      Report and Financial Statements the National Productivity
         Institute (NPI) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
         Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


6.      The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Land and Environmental Affairs for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of Vote 27 – Department of
        Environmental Affairs and Tourism for 2005-2006, including the
        Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of
        Vote 27 for 2005-2006 [RP 175-2006].


     b) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National
        Parks (SANparks) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
        Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


     c) Report and Financial Statements of South African Tourism for
        2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
        Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


     d) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National
        Biodiversity Institutes (SANBI) for 2005-2006, including the
        Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
        2005-2006.
7.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Social Services for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Independent
         Electoral Commission (IEC) for 2005-2006, including the Report
         of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
         2006 [RP 97-2006].


8.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Social Services and the Select Committee on Security and
    Constitutional Affairs for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Electoral
         Commission (IEC) on the Public Funding of Represented Political
         Parties Fund for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
         General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 137-
         2006].


9.      The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Land and
    Environmental Affairs for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the South African
         Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) for 2005-2006, including the
         Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements
         for 2005-2006.


10.     The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Education and Recreation for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Council on Higher
         Education (CHE) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
         Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


    (b)      Report and Financial Statements of the Council for Quality
         Assurance in General and Further Education and Training –
         Umalusi for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Independent
         Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006.


    (c)      Report and Financial Statements of the National Student
         Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for 2005-2006, including the
         Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
         2005-2006 [RP 150-2006].

11.     The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Social
    Services for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Health and Welfare
         Sector Education and Training Authority (HW-Seta) for 2005-
         2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
         Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 76-2006].

12.     The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Economic
    and Foreign Affairs for consideration and report:


      a) Report and Financial Statements of the Chemical Industries
         Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 69-2006].


13.     The following paper is referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Local
    Government and Administration for consideration and report:


      a) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Service Sector
         Education and Training Authority (PSeta) for 2005-2006 [RP 83-
         2006].


14.     The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Education
    and Recreation for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Information
         Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector
         Education and Training Authority (ISETT-Seta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 78-2006].

    (b)      Report and Financial Statements of the Media Development
         and Diversity Agency (MDDA) for 2005-2006, including the Report
         of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
         2006.

15.     The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Economic
    and Foreign Affairs for consideration and report:


    (a)      Report and Financial Statements of the Energy Sector
         Education and Training Authority (Eseta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 71-2006].


    (b)      Report and Financial Statements of the Mining
         Qualifications Authority (MQA) for 2005-2006, including the
         Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
         2005-2006 [RP 82-2006].

16.     The following papers are referred to the Select Committee on
    Labour and Public Enterprises and the Select Committee on Education
    and Recreation for consideration and report:


     (a)     Report and Financial Statements of the Information
         Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector
         Education and Training Authority (ISETT-Seta) for 2005-2006,
         including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
         Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 78-2006].

    (b)      Report and Financial Statements of the Media Development
         and Diversity Agency (MDDA) for 2005-2006, including the Report
         of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-
         2006. TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister of Defence

(a)     Report and Financial Statements of the Armaments Corporation of
    South Africa Limited (ARMSCOR) for 2005-2006, including the Report
    of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006
    [RP 139-2006].

1. The Minister of Public Works

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Construction Industry
    Development Board (CIDB) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the
    Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 198-
    2006].

1. The Minister of Labour

 a) Report and Financial Statements of the Unemployment Insurance Fund
    (UIF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-General on
    the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 89-2006].