National Assembly - 28 August 2007
TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2007 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:04.
The Acting Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.
NEW MEMBER
(Announcement)
The Acting Speaker announced that Mr N Singh had been nominated on 23 August 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by the passing away of Prince N E Zulu.
Mr Singh had made and subscribed the oath in the Speaker’s office.
WOMEN’S PARLIAMENT
(Draft Resolution) The ACTING CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Madam Acting Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
1) notes that since Monday, 27 August 2007, women from all walks of
life in our country convened in Parliament to attend the 2007
Women’s Parliament;
2) further notes that this year’s Women’s Parliament meets under the
theme “Masijule Ngengxoxo Makhosikazi oMzantsi”, simply translated
to mean “Let’s deepen the debate, women of South Africa’’;
3) recalls that the Women’s Parliament forms part of celebrating our
national women’s month and that the aim of the gathering is, among
others, to create a platform for debate on all aspects that have a
direct and indirect impact on gender;
4) extends this people’s Parliament’s warm welcome to all the
delegates to the 2007 Women’s Parliament; and
5) wishes the 2007 Women’s Parliament fruitful deliberations and a
happy stay in Cape Town, particularly those who come from outside
the Western Cape.
Motion agreed to.
EMANCIPATION, EMPOWERMENT, EQUALITY AND POVERTY ERADICATION
(Debate on Women’s Day)
Nkszn S P RWEXANA: Ndiyabulela Bambela-Somlomo. Singoomama abangamalungu ePalamente siyabamkela oomama abaphuma mbombo zone zeli loMzantsi Afrika bezokuba yinxalenye yePalamente yamaKhosikazi. Siyanamkela boomama kwaye sivuyiswa kakhulu kukuza kwenu nize kuxoxa ePalamente. Siye sazimamela zona izinto enithe naziphakamisa phaya kwaye ndinethemba lokuba kumhlahla-ndlela wale Palamente yamaKhosikazi ziza kusiwa iso ezo zinto nanjengokuba uSekela- Mongameli ebethembisile ngale ntsasa yanamhlanje. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Ms S P RWEXANA: I thank you, hon Acting Speaker. As women Members of Parliament we would like to welcome the women of South Africa who have come from all its corners to be part of the Women’s Parliament. We are very grateful that you have come to participate in the discussions in Parliament. We have listened to your concerns and I hope that they will be considered in this unprecedented Women’s Parliament, as the Deputy President also promised this morning.]
Madam Acting Speaker, the month of August marks a special time on South Africans’ calendar as women’s month is observed. The date of 9 August bears special significance as this day commemorates when women participated in a national march in 1956, petitioning against the then pass laws. That had a highly positive effect on the development of women.
Central to the role of fighting poverty is the fulfilment of the objective that the ANC has set itself, namely that of eradicating poverty and creating work for the poor in order to ensure a better life for all. With the demise of apartheid in 1994, expectations and aspirations for improvement in livelihoods among ordinary South Africans and a socioeconomic development strategy for the first 10 years of democracy also sought to address disparities created by the apartheid past.
However, despite the socioeconomic development strategy and status of South Africa as a middle-income country, poverty and inequality are still widespread and manifest themselves in a high rate of unemployment, extreme land hunger and a lack of access to basic human needs.
In both urban and rural areas the majority of South Africa’s population continues to experience conditions of severe deprivation and squalor. A significant number of South African households continue to be poor or are vulnerable to being poor. Poverty is perceived by South Africans themselves to include alienation from the community, food insecurity, living in crowded homes, usage of unsafe and inefficient forms of energy, a lack of jobs that are secure and pay adequately, and the fragmentation of the family.
The ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Hon members, there are too many meetings in the House. As we have said before, we allow the meetings away from the House and let those people who are interested in the business of the House remain in the House. Thank you. Please continue, hon member.
Ms S P RWEXANA: Women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities bear the brunt of poverty. In addition, the distribution of income and wealth in South Africa is among the most unequal in the world and many households still have unsatisfactory access to education, health care, energy and clean water despite concrete progress in redressing the inheritance backlog since 1994. This is contained on page 264 of the report of the African Peer Review Mechanism Country Review of November 2006.
The challenges of ongoing marginalisation and exclusion of the poorest of the poor by organs of society as well as the inadequacy of service delivery, resulting in poor realisation or the nonrealisation of goals related to policies and programmes, compel all South Africans to take charge for change and fight poverty. Below are the gaps that continue to confront poverty reduction strategies: the absence of a common definition of poverty; fragmented and unco-ordinated service delivery; existing poverty reduction initiatives not being co-ordinated between government departments and between government, private sector and civil society organs; an inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanism for measuring the impact of poverty reduction services; the absence of consistent measurable social indicators; unco-ordinated participation for nongovernmental organisations; unstructured mobilisation of parastatals; and nonprioritisation of poverty programmes for women.
It makes sense for developed nations to talk about poverty reduction so that they can commit to assisting, but it makes sense for all South Africans and parliamentarians to commit themselves to poverty eradication as there can be no better life for all if poverty is still the order of the day for the majority of South Africans.
The South African Dialogue has equally identified the following critical issues through research, study tours and previous dialogue events: the overwhelming majority of the poor are women; conditions for women have not improved despite government interventions and infrastructure injections; economic empowerment is still not accessed by women; and there is no special funding for women’s programmes. This morning the Deputy President highlighted that Deputy Minister Thabethe is busy with the process of launching the women’s fund. The existing gender machinery needs to be strengthened; rural women, children and disabled are the most vulnerable. Therefore, relating and given the above information it is critical that parliamentarians, being the representatives and the voice of the people, should find ways to implement the following: agree on the current poverty status; agree on the poverty eradication model and formulate an approach that will be able to target the poor; agree on a basket of services for the poor; agree on a strategy to work together with nongovernmental organisations; mobilise government support for social mobilisation and funding; contribute to the debate on finding a common definition of poverty; and mobilise women to lead the efforts to eradicate poverty as they are mostly affected.
A plan of action will be put in place for an organised workshop for parliamentarians to ensure brainstorming ideas and expectations. The programme will include matters such as a definition of poverty and social indications, good practice models, research from other parts of the continent, funding for poverty programmes and partnerships, building capacity for women, and special programmes for eradicating poverty for women, children and the disabled.
In conclusion, President Thabo Mbeki, on delivering the Fourth Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in 2006, said that to achieve the social cohesion and human solidarity we seek, we must vigorously confront the legacy of poverty, racism and sexism.
It would make sense for all parliamentarians to commit themselves to the eradication of poverty. Thank you very much, Madam Acting Speaker. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Ms J A SEMPLE: Madam Deputy Speaker, the majority of South African women are politically emancipated and empowered. Some, however, are still not as equal as others. Some are free to speak while others are accused of not being team players when they do speak out. [Applause.] We as women are politically free but we are still not free of violence, especially of domestic violence, and we are not free of HIV/Aids.
The biggest problem for most South African women is that poverty, especially in the rural areas and informal settlements within urban areas, keeps us from fully participating in the new democratic dispensation. We are not economically emancipated.
For many, South Africa is seen as a middle-income country, but for the majority of black rural women poverty and inequality are still widespread and manifest themselves in high rates of unemployment, the persistence of abject poverty and the lack of access to basic needs.
The distribution of income and wealth in our country remains one of the most unequal in the world and it is deeply felt by women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities. SAWID, SA Women in Dialogue, points out that violence against women is also a human rights issue, which has a significant social and economic implication for fighting poverty.
Women experience a wide range of abuse including physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, as well as forced isolation in the home and other controlling behaviour. This problem is both individual and social. It is embedded within and emerges from South Africa’s history as well as from the current unequal socioeconomic and cultural relations.
It is widely recognised that empowered women are a prerequisite for poverty alleviation and social cohesion. Real transformation which addresses racial and gender issues uses the power of women at household and community levels.
Many women attending this year’s Women’s Parliament have told us over and over again that rural women are not aware of the programmes and legislation aimed at empowering them that is passed by this Parliament. Rural women are indeed often outside of the formal information system - economic, political, social and technological. They end up being trapped in their communities as a result of a lack of transport, poor communication facilities and limited finance.
Many of these women are survivors and are not victims that need to be helped. They need to be consulted and not told what is good for them. They need to be recognised for their own worth and given the opportunity to gain access to entrepreneurial skills, project and financial management and strategic planning. They need knowledge and education. This must be done together with basic survival strategies such as those relating to food, water, housing and a basic income.
It would require significant interventions to provide the opportunities denied the majority of South Africans over many decades. Government needs to help rural women to help themselves and these women must be given access to those institutions that can do the job.
Raced-based redistribution policies, such as our current BEE and affirmative action policies will not achieve this as they do not favour the poor, nor do they grow the economy. They merely transfer the wealth of the white elite to the black elite.
Access to finance is vital. Group saving schemes such as stokvels help to save small amounts of money regularly and collectively and are a powerful way to mobilise savings activities among women. Many rural women find informal enterprises to sustain themselves and to clothe, feed and educate their families.
This spirit of enterprise is something that can be built upon. It is one thing to provide grants that help cover the basics that women and their families need to survive, but it is quite another to create a situation where women will be able to become agents of their own empowerment.
The poor circumstances in which the majority of our rural women live need to be addressed and need to be addressed now. Poor women also do not need to be pacified with promises of jobs through an Expanded Public Works Programme, which, by its very nature, is not able to create real, sustainable employment.
What we need to do now, if we want to emancipate, empower, equalise and eradicate poverty, is to move on with these programmes right now. Thank you. [Applause.]
Ms C N Z ZIKALALA: Deputy Speaker, emancipation, empowerment, equality and poverty eradication – why only now? We have been talking about gender equality, eradicating poverty and women empowerment since the end of apartheid. But clearly, this is a battle that we have not yet won as women continue to be abused and still live in abject poverty.
The time has come for us to deal with poverty decisively. Government, the private sector, the NGOs, churches and everyone, even we as women, need to embark on self-help and self-reliance strategies, that is, we need to help ourselves. We have done a lot by talking and asking but we are now really beginning to get tired.
Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain, said during the 14th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Conference in 2006, and I quote:
Poverty crushes the human spirit, poverty violates human rights. Whenever men and women are destined to live in severe poverty human rights are violated. However, it is our duty to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.
The IFP believes that women are the most precious and delicate creatures in the world and they must be respected. The government, together with the relevant stakeholders, must provide for a major increase in the quantity and quality of resources necessary for the eradication of poverty and to promote gender equality. These resources must ensure that women and children are not violated by being raped, sodomised or beaten. They must not be victims of human trafficking.
In conclusion, I would like to highlight the following: In the emancipation and empowerment of women, eradication of poverty and addressing the gender issues, government must ensure gender equality and social justice and that all forms of violence against women be stopped, uphold women’s rights and ensure that women have access to resources.
Lastly, women must also be catered for with regard to health policies, reproductive health and actively fighting the HIV/Aids pandemic and diseases associated with poverty. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mnu J BICI: Bambela-Somlomo, Baphathiswa ababekekileyo, malungu abekekileyo kunye neendwendwe zethu ezibekekileyo, i-UDM iyanibulisa emva kwemini nje. I-UDM iyazixhasa iingxoxo-mpikiswano ezilolu hlobo ngoba ziyakha, kuba zithetha ngoomama. Kambe i-UDM ibuhlungu kuba kudala noko sikhululekile kodwa basekhona oomama abacinezelekileyo. Wofika bethwele iinyanda bevela kutheza iinkuni nee-emele bevela kukha amanzi.
ILUNGU ELIHLONIPHEKILEYO: Uxela wena!
Mnu J BICI: Hayi mna!
Kwaye basekhona nabo basasokolayo. Noko mayibe kho into ebonakalayo eyenziwa ngurhulumente ukuzama ukukhawulezisa inkqubo yokubeka oomama kule ndawo sikuyo. Siyayixhasa yonke into ethethwa ngoomama ngoba ayikho into eyenzekayo engekho umama. Ikhaya elingenamama liyabanda ngoba abukho obuya bushushu bukamama. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa speech follows.)
[Mr J BICI: Acting Speaker, hon Ministers, hon members and our distinguished guests, the UDM greets you this afternoon. The UDM supports debates of this nature because they are about women and are constructive. But the UDM is disappointed because it is quite a long time since we attained freedom but there are women who are still oppressed. You will find them bearing bundles of woods they have collected and carrying buckets of water on their heads.
An HON MEMBER: You are referring to yourself!
Mr J BICI: No, not me.
There are women who are still suffering. There must be something that the government can do to speed up women’s empowerment. We support all that women are saying because without them nothing will happen. There is no warmth in a home without a mother. They provide warmth in a home. Thank you. Applause.]]
The ACTING SPEAKER: Order!
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: Chairperson, on a point of order: I think that it is not appropriate for the speaker to be covered on the screen as is the position now over there.
The ACTING SPEAKER: I think the matter will be attended to.
Ms M R MORUTOA: Madam Acting Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, distinguished guests in the gallery, on behalf of all of us I congratulate and thank this Parliament for bringing together women from in and around South Africa and from different walks of life to grace this occasion with their presence and to give impetus to the discussions.
The Women’s Parliament takes place at a time in our history when we are celebrating the 51st anniversary of the famous women’s march to Pretoria in protest against the extension of the pass laws to African women. Women of all races from different social backgrounds made a stand for human rights.
I would like to start off by defining what we actually mean by gender and emancipation of women. By contrast, gender refers to a set of qualities and behaviours expected from a female or male by society. Gender roles are learned and can be affected by factors such as education and economics. The emancipation of women, that is their liberation from religious, legal, economic and sexual oppression, their access to higher education and their escape from narrow gender roles, is not easily achieved. The struggle for sexual equality has a long history and is likely to continue for some time.
South Africa is a signatory to many regional and international instruments which deal specifically with gender issues. At 19,4% the regional SADC average for women in parliament is higher than the global average of 15,4%. Although there are vast differences between countries - for example, from 4,7% in Mauritius to 30% in Mozambique - as a region, Southern Africa ranks second only to the Nordic countries as far as the representation of women in parliament is concerned. The relatively high levels of women in parliament in South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles, as well as in local government in Namibia and the Cabinet in South Africa - where women make up one third and many are in nontraditional posts - make it possible to start assessing the impact of women in decision-making in the region.
Strategic objective F1 of the Beijing Platform for Action indicates that women’s economic rights and independence need to be promoted. However, women who have been abused or violated can be seen as a wasted resource because violence jeopardises women’s health and thus constrains their participation in the labour force. Given that women make up slightly more than half of South Africa’s population, it is crucial that development activities tap into women’s skills and capacities if they are to be effective.
The AU Commission has completed a gender audit which revealed the extent to which it and its organs have progressed in addressing gender and women’s empowerment in their policies and programmes. Women must be empowered to fight and overcome social ills such as poverty, which is directly related to the absence of economic opportunities and autonomy; the lack of access to economic resources, including credit, land ownership and inheritance; the lack of access to education and support services, and their minimal participation in the decision-making process.
Poverty can also force women into situations in which they would be vulnerable to sexual exploitation, thus resulting in the current trends of HIV transmission and prevalence that clearly show that the epidemic is fuelled by gender-based vulnerabilities. Close to 60% of adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women. Almost 75% of young people living with HIV in Southern Africa are female. As we know, most of the Millennium Development Goals face a deadline of 2015 by when the gender parity target was set to be achieved and South Africa will reach this target earlier than expected - an acknowledgment that equal access to education is the foundation for all other development goals.
The Women’s Charter of 1954 was a landmark in the process of asserting the rights of women and demanding freedom from discrimination on the basis of gender. But long before that, Charlotte Maxeke, in an extraordinary speech at a conference in Fort Hare in 1930, described movingly and vividly what subsequently came to be known as the triple oppression of black women. It is the most remarkable analysis of the migrant labour system and its effect, especially on young women. She ended up with an insight that was truly significant: If you definitely and earnestly set out to uplift women and children in the social life of Africans you will find that the men will benefit too, and thus the whole community - both black and white. These are the challenges.
Mainstreaming is not about adding a women’s component or even a gender equality component into an existing activity. It goes beyond increasing women’s participation. It means bringing the experience, knowledge and interests of women and men to bear on the development agenda.
South Africa is a country where human beings are illegally recruited, held and also passed on to other countries. In South Africa there is some legislation which outlaws sexual acts with children, such as the Child Care Act. The Immigration Act does criminalise trafficking and the sexual offences Act is being reviewed in order to include legislation and penalties relating to trafficking.
In 2004, the SA Law Commission proposed an Issue Paper which recommended protocols to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, but it still has to be authorised by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. While legislation will help, other measures must also be put in place.
Recommendations with regard to all of these include strengthening the women’s movement in order to propose strategies, mechanisms and plans to hold government accountable locally and corporations accountable at the national level; continuing to apply pressure to implement the commitments made at relevant forums, including the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals to achieve gender equality and other development objectives; and integrating gender-specific actions into policies aimed at fulfilling gender-mainstreaming activities through the identification of operational and analytic examples of how a gender perspective can be mainstreamed into the policies.
On the identification of tools that promote accountability in the implementation strategies, the Engendering SADC Parliaments programme deals directly with national parliaments targeting and reaching out to both male and female members of parliaments who are the law-makers, given the fact that they have the authority to enact laws that can promote gender equality in the region. Masijule Ngengxoxo Makhosikazi AseMzansi! [Let’s deepen the debate, women of South Africa!] [Applause.]
Mr H B CUPIDO: Madam Deputy Speaker, the month of August 2007 was set aside to focus on our women and all that concerns them. All activities come to an apex with our Women’s Parliament that is meeting at this time.
The ACDP welcomes all legislation that has been passed by Parliament during the past years to better the lives of South African women. We salute, especially, the women who work tirelessly as volunteers in NGOs and other care-giving organisations to bring relief and to improve the lives of others. To them all we say is: Thank you.
The ACDP is in full support of women being empowered in society. It is our earnest desire that women should have more opportunities to earn a living if they wish to do so and to contribute to their families’ wellbeing. Certainly in our communities, many new avenues have opened up for women to work and this has had a marked impact on the general improvement in communities’ standards of living.
There is however situation in which our efforts appear to be possibly counterproductive, namely that as we are concerned with improving the lot of our women, this may inadvertently contribute to a rise in the levels of spousal abuse. While women are now out there earning a living, their husbands are frequently still searching for work. Unemployment is frustrating for anyone looking for work, but all the more so for a husband who is accustomed to being a breadwinner.
Whilst unemployment does not excuse any man’s violent behaviour, it is in many cases a sorry truth. What can we do about this? Equality now exists in reverse. These men were also the victims of discrimination on account of their race. But opportunities for work for them are much fewer than for some women. So, they continue to feel marginalised and are much like bottles of beer rolling around and just building up pressure until they explode. [Time expired.]
Mrs B M NTULI: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy President, our delegates, colleagues and friends, land ownership and the use of land has always played an important role in shaping the political, economic and social processes in the country. Past land policies were a major cause of insecurity, landlessness, homelessness and poverty in South Africa. The past policies had hard consequences for women, black and rural women in particular. Women were essentially seen as minors and dependants. Highly unequal relationships within households, communities and markets that favoured men over women prevailed and still prevail.
In her address to the Rural Women in Agriculture and Land Initiatives Summit, the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs said, and I quote:
Amakhosikazi [the women] still feel the brunt of injustice - they do not have access to land, basic infrastructure and access to agrarian benefits. No one has felt oppression like women. First it was colonialism, then apartheid. Then, to top it all, traditional oppression of customs. Women’s rights were violated and still are. They continue to experience violent abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, gender discrimination and inequality.
Today we are embracing the Age of Hope. Women have and will always be involved in agriculture, whether as supporters or as female farmers in their own right or as household food producers.
Within the broader context of apartheid land dispossession and discrimination in terms of the Natives Land Act of 1913, black women were further consistently denied access to land under rules of customary law of succession in terms of the Black Administration Act of 1927. This law provided that all movable property belonging to a black person and allotted by him or accruing under black law of customs, any woman with whom he will live a customary union or any house that he shall upon his death devolve shall be administered under black law and custom. All land in a tribal settlement held in traditional tenure upon contract conditions by a black person shall devolve upon his death to one male person to be determined in accordance with tables of succession.
This highly discriminatory legislation often left grown women in situations where they were dependent on minor married children and relatives for their livelihood. Even with liberation and even under the constitutional dispensation, these discriminatory practices still existed until around 2005, which in substance restricted black women’s capacity to acquire land. This amounted to the violation of the rights of women - those who were the most vulnerable.
Secondly, other aspects of discrimination that have impacted negatively on women’s capacity to acquire property and land is that financial institutions used to require married women to have permission from their husbands when applying for home or business financing. This form of discrimination has been removed from the Statute Book and to a certain extent in practice.
However, women still comprise a very low number of land and property owners throughout the world. Recent United Nations estimates show that women own barely 1% of the land property today. Although the Department of Land Affairs has encouraged the participation of women in land reform projects, there has been no concerted effort to mainstream women’s issues in land reform projects. Recognising these weaknesses when the strategy for the implementation of land reform programmes is developed, there should be representation of women - particularly rural women at all levels of decision-making positions in rural development public institutions; women should be given a voice at village levels and in village development structures; women-only land reform projects, land-holding entities and communities should be established; and information on land reform programmes should be disseminated - together targeting rural women to enable them to develop tools that they need to bring about organisational transformation in rural development structures, particularly those dealing with issues of access to land and land tenure, policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Women are still the primary caregivers of children and the elderly. By empowering a woman, government is including the whole family in the economic upliftment, resulting in an automatic multiplier effect.
I’ll skip this.
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights would also be unable to put down or to say how many land claimants are women at this stage or how many of the beneficiaries of the restitution cases that have been settled thus far in the Land Claims Court are women. We need to collect that data and not just talk about households.
Uma unganikeza umama umhlaba, ungabona into yamehlo. Uma, kwezolimo, omama benganikezwa umhlaba, bangayibamba ishisa futhi bakhwele phezu komsebenzi. Ngikusho ngani lokhu na? Ngikusho ngoba umama akaze adalwe ngothuli lomhlabathi, indoda eyabunjwa ngobumba. Kodwa umama yena wadalwa ngobambo olwathathwa ohlangothini lwendoda. Yingakho-ke umama ekwazi ukumelana nazo zonke izimo. Ithambo ulibeka emvuleni kodwa ulithole liseyithambo, ulibeke elangeni ulithole liseyithambo, uphinde ulibeke emakhazeni ulithole liseyithambo. Ngakho-ke omama bayakwazi ukuzimela. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[If you can give land to a woman you will see wonders. If women can be provided with land, in agriculture, they can do their best. Why do I say this? I say this because a woman was not created out of the dust of the earth. It is the man who was created out of clay. The woman, however, was created out of the rib taken from a man’s side. That is why a woman is able to handle all kinds of challenges. You put a bone in the rain and you will find that it remains a bone; you put it in the sun and it still remains a bone, and you put it in the cold and it still remains a bone. Therefore, women are able to be independent. [Applause.]]
Having land rights will empower women and strengthen their ability to fight for equality, dignity and economic rights.
Omama banamandla. Bayakwazi ukuzilwela futhi basukuma balwa impi yamapasi. Nanamhlanje singasukuma silwe impi yomhlaba singomama. Omama banamandla futhi bayakwazi ukuzimela. Yingakho sithi amaphesenti angama-30 omhlaba okufanele unikezwe abantu. Amaphesenti ayi-15 alowo mhlaba awunikezwe omama. Uma omama benganikezwa lo mhlaba, ungabona ukuthi bazowusebenzisa ngendlela ezophucula izimpilo zabantu.
Lesi sihloko esithi Masijule Ngengxoxo Makhosikazi oMzansi sisho ukuthi ake sixoxe ngale ndaba yokunikezwa kwabantu umhlaba ukuze sikwazi ukuthi uma sesinikezwe lo mhlaba siwusebenzise ukuze siphucule izimpilo zethu. Ukhulumile-ke uNgqongqoshe ngendaba yokuthi kukhona izitshalo ezizotshalwa ezizokwenza amafutha okuhambisa izinqola. Ngakho-ke thina bomama asibambe leli qhaza ukuze singene kuleli bhizinisi lokuthuthukisa izwe lethu. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Women are powerful. They are able to fight for themselves, and they did so when they stood up and fought against the pass laws. Even today we can stand up as women and fight a world war. Women are strong and they are also independent. That is why we say 30% of that land should be given to the people, and 15% of that must be given to the women. If women can be provided with this land, you will see how they will utilise it in a way that will improve people’s lives.
The theme “Let’s deepen the debate, women of South Africa” means that we must talk about this matter of handing land over to the people so that, when we have been given this land, we may utilise it to improve our lives. The Minister did say that there are plants that will be grown that will make the fuel for vehicles. Therefore we as women should play a major role so that we get into this business developing our country.]
In the case of communally held rights, whether formal or informal, the formation of a new legal entity required by law to take the ownership of the land being restored or granted in view of the original land also provides women with the opportunity to gain legal recognition as new-rights holders. The restitution programme seeks to return land or compensate people who have been dispossessed of their land through discriminatory laws since 1913. [Interjections.] Ngibonga kakhulu.
IPHINI LIKASOMLOMO: Asisekho nesikhathi sokungibonga.
Nkk B M NTULI: Kodwa omama abasuke babambe iqhaza … [Kwaphela isikhathi.] [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Thank you very much.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Even the time to thank me has expired.
Mrs B M NTULI: However, the women who participate … [Time expired.] [Laughter.]]
Ms M M MDLALOSE: Madam Deputy Speaker, former President Mandela said: “Society will never be free unless women are liberated from all forms of oppression”. Year in and year out the month of August is marked by various celebrations.
Njalo siyathokoza, sincome futhi sikhulume ngomama minyaka yonke. Kodwa sekufanele kufike lapho kuphela khona ukukhuluma, sifike lapho senza khona. Sekuyisikhathi sokuba omama bazikhulule , ngoba banawo amandla okuzikhulula. Sekuyisikhathi futhi sokuthi omama bakhululwe basizwe nangobaba ukuthi bakhululeke. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Every year we always rejoice, praise and talk about women. However, there has to come a time when we stop talking and start doing. Now is the time for women to free themselves, because they have the power to do so. It is also time for women to be freed and to be assisted by men to free themselves.]
This should not just be centred in the workplace, as women are not only disempowered and marginalised in their workplaces, but in their homes as well. Discourse, public deliberation and resolutions should evolve from issues that are discussed during this women’s month. They need to be acted upon as they significantly affect a large percentage of our society.
Njengoba sihleli nje lapha, sinamakhosikazi amaningi, ayizigidi, abheke emakhaya ethu. Thina sifika emakhaya sijabulele ukuthi izinto zonke zimi kahle kodwa lowo nalowo nkosikazi unomndeni wakhe. Simenzelani thina ukuze akhululeke? (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[As we are sitting here, there are many women, millions of them, who are looking after our homes. We arrive home and appreciate that everything is in order, but each and every woman has her family. What are we doing for her to be free?]
That woman needs to be liberated. That woman needs to have her life improved. Thina-ke esingamakhosikazi kufanele sizitshele lokho ukuthi sikhulule abanye omama ngoba thina sesinikiwe ithuba lokukhululeka. Asigcini lapho, sihamba singena nakwezinye izindawo. Ngokomnotho, kuyadingeka ukuthi singene njengomama, kanjalo nasemfundweni. Njengoba sihlangane lapha ePhalamende labesifazane, sikhuluma ngazo lezo zinto. Amandla akithi sonke singomama ukuthi sikuthathe lokhu sikuse em akhaya. Akube khona umehluko emakhaya. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[As women, we should tell ourselves that we have to free other women because we have been given a chance to be free. That is not all, we also go to other places. Economically, we need to intervene as women, even in education. As we are gathered here in the Women’s Parliament, we are talking about those things. We have the power, as women, to take this home. There must be a difference in our homes.]
Mr P H K DITSHETELO: Deputy Speaker, Deputy President and Ministers, the UCDP has long subscribed to the emancipation of women, as far back as 1972. We decided to free women from their shackles of bondage by ending the need for wives to have their husbands’ consent before taking up permanent employment in government. It is this party that saw to it that qualified women got permanent posts in government as against what was contained in the past apartheid South Africa, where women, on getting married, would only be appointed to temporary posts.
The UCDP has never been hamstrung regarding the progression of women. We were the first party in South Africa that, as far back as 1995, had appointed a woman secretary-general in the north of Limpopo. We set the pace for others to follow. Similarly, in our time, we were the first government to have a woman serving in Cabinet. Women are to us the backbone of the party.
When we had resources at our disposal, women played a prominent part and role in mobilising poverty eradication. They had food gardens and had jobs that kept them afloat economically.
Gatelang pele basadi. Tswelelang pele, re tla bona ka ditiro tsa lona. Dipuo ga di thuse sepe. Basadi tshwarang ka thata … [Nako e fedile.][Legofi.] [Let the women progress, your efforts will pay dividends. More talk and less action does not help. Do not despair, you shall overcome … [Time expired.] [Applause.]]
Mr M T LIKOTSI: Madam Deputy Speaker, Deputy President and Ministers present here, let me start by saying: Train a woman, train a nation. My speech is dedicated to all the women of the world who played a meaningful role in the socioeconomic emancipation of humankind. The list is very long. If I name them, I may be accused of leaving some out. It is only fitting to give credit to women for the various roles they play. Women have proved to be pillars of strength in our homes, communities, society and the nation. Empowering women is empowering a nation. The PAC observes that many women in our country have made an indelible mark in the male-dominated world and have successfully taken up leading roles in business and government, but the majority of our women are still struggling daily to make ends meet. The emancipation of women is not easily achieved, but it is necessary and desirable. The struggle for sexual equality has a long history and is likely to continue for some time.
The PAC’s position is that women should be equipped with the necessary basic skills and be assisted to open their own small businesses, especially in the rural areas. Their hard work, dedication and perseverance will benefit the communities they live in. Improvement in the status of women has far-reaching consequences and produces fundamental political changes. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms S RAJBALLY: Acting Speaker, our Ministers, our Deputy President, we truly need to inculcate a gender balance in South Africa. Relations need to be forged that shall bind men and women in the united effort for sustainable development. Parliament, upon the guidelines of our national Constitution that advocates gender equality, has passed supportive legislation and policies that strengthen women’s rights and open roads that women in a patriarchal society have not trod upon.
With such support, women and men can create a virtuous circle of sustainability and equity. Without it, they will be trapped and this will result in a vicious spiral of continuing poverty, high fertility, limited opportunity and social degradation. We need to steer away from the narrow belief that sustainable growth is dependent primarily on economic expansion and development.
The importance of people’s lives and wellbeing, and our surroundings is so that it shall sustain economic growth and world safety. However, the Minority Front stresses that for women to empower themselves there has to be a self-realisation of their self-worth and commitment and a drive to expand, and individual acknowledgement that the women of South Africa have the power and the right to be great.
We commemorate all our wonderful women who have helped pave our way to greatness and we salute all our women for contributing to being great now. I thank you.
Mr L M GREEN: Deputy Speaker, the emancipation and equality of women remains an issue that challenges certain ethical and customary conventions. Hundreds of years of perceptions of women built into the value constructs of society are not easily dismantled by either legislation or the latest democratic order alone, although these are credible aids towards an acceptable framework in gender relations.
Customs, beliefs, institutional traditions and other related social factors provide additional challenges and an exciting discourse around this issue. However, in the quest for a more equitable dispensation for all, no person ought to be treated as though they are inferior to another and each one has a right to be treated fairly with honour and dignity, both male and female.
The empowerment of women starts with transforming perception. One industry that can help in this regard is the advertising industry. They have been guilty for many years of perpetuating the perception that women are objects of desire and utility commodities in marketing strategies. Over the last few years there has been a downward trend by the advertising industry in exploitative and demeaning female adverts and we hope that as the message has gotten through to this industry, the same can be achieved in the wider society, as long as we do not slow down in our efforts.
The FD believes that women have an equal obligation, like men, to develop society and that both add value to the work by the distinctive mix of the two irrespective of the vocation they hold. Society will be free from abuse and violence if women are free from sexual slavery such as prostitution. Society will also be free from wars and conflict if women are free from customary, political and fanatical religious controls.
The FD salutes all women and we commend them for the critical role they have played in the transformation of our nation. I thank you.
The ACTING SPEAKER: Order! A message for the delegates of the Women’s Parliament: As you leave the Chamber, you may do so quietly. But, what I do not understand is what the hurry is, because your programme won’t continue until this debate has ended.
So, please take your seats, even if I don’t have any jurisdiction in the gallery. But this debate is also for your benefit. Before we proceed, calling the last speaker for this debate, we also need to mention to the National Assembly that we have here two former members of this House who are now delegates of the Women’s Parliament. They are Mrs Ruth Mompati and Ms Mita Seperepere. [Applause.]
Mrs X C MAKASI: Hon Acting Speaker, Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, colleagues and friends, our delegates in the gallery … malibongwe!
AMALUNGU AHLONIPHEKILEYO: Igama lamakhosikazi!
Nksz X C MAKASI: Kungovuyo namhlanje ukuba sibambe le ngxoxo-mpikiswano ngemini ekudibene ngayo amakhosikazi oMzantsi Afrika eze kuxoxa ngekamva lawo. Kungovuyo kananjalo ukuqaphela ukuba oomama abaze kuzimasa le ngxoxo- mpikiswano naMalungu ePalamente ngabantu abayizabalazelayo into yokuba sikhululeke. Abanye babeziinkumanda abanye bezi-commissar zoMkhonto weSizwe. Siyanamkela namhlanje kule Palamente yethu; iPalamente yenu. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[… praise!
HON MEMBERS: The name of women!
Mrs X C MAKASI: It is a pleasure today that women of South Africa are gathered here and debating their future. It is a pleasure too to notice that women who are participating in this debate with Members of Parliament are some of the women who struggled for our liberation. Some were commanders and others were MK commissars. We welcome you in our Parliament today, which is your Parliament.]
The term “glass ceiling” was coined to describe the barriers that allow women to see the top of the corporate ladder, but prevent them from reaching it.
Le nyanga sikuyo ka-Agasti, yiNyanga yooMama, oomama abenza umngcelele ukuya kwiZakhiwo zoMdibaniso. Siyabulela ngokuba urhulumente wamisela le nyanga njengeNyanga yooMama. Sijonge ekubeni siqinise indima yoomama kwezoshishino nakwezolawulo kwaye sibabeke kwiqondo eliphakamileyo lokuzenzela.
Masingalibali ukuba kule Palamente yethu yoMzantsi Afrika sizamile, kwithutyana nje elincinane, ukuvala umsantsa wokungalingani phakathi koomama nootata. Namhlanje oomama banegalelo kwaye bayinxalenye yezigqibo zolawulo. Yiyo loo nto sisithi sibulela oomama abenza umngcelele ukuya kuStrydom.
Apha eMzantsi Afrika sikwinqanaba leshumi ngokuba noomama abaninzi epalamente kwiipalamente ezili-130 ehlabathini jikelele. Singoomama baseMzantsi Afrika sithi xa sizithelekisa noomama behlabathi sizibone siphambili, siyibetha iKhanada, iAustralia neMelika ngokumelwa ngoomama epalamente.
Ukusukela kunyaka we-1994 zininzi izinto esiphumeleleyo ngokubhekisele ekukhululweni koomama emakhamandeleni kodwa kusekuninzi ekufuneka kwenziwe. Mininzi imithetho ephunyeziweyo efana ne-Employment Equity Act, iMaintenance Act, iDomestic Violence Act neminye endingayibalanga. Maninzi namanye amaziko akhiweyo ngurhulumente esenzela ukuncedisa ekuphuhliseni oomama. Ndingabala iCommission on Gender Equality, SA Human Rights Commission kunye ne-Office on the Status of Women. Kanti apha ePalamente sinayo iJoint Monitoring Committee on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women. Siyasebenzisana namanye amaziko afana ne-UN Declaration kunye neConvention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[The month of August is the month in which women marched to the Union Buildings. We are grateful that the government declared this month as women’s month. We hope to strengthen women’s role in business enterprises and administration, and place them at a higher level of self-development.
We need not forget the fact that in the Parliament of South Africa we have tried within a short space of time to close the gap of inequality between men and women. Today women have a role to play and also take part in decision-making bodies. It is for that reason that we congratulate women who marched to Strydom at the Union Buildings.
South Africa is placed 10th in the world out of 130 parliaments in terms of women’s representation in Parliament. Women of South Africa are leading the pack in women’s representation in Parliament and we compare ourselves with countries like Canada, Australia and America.
There are many things that we have achieved since 1994, especially in the field of women’s empowerment. But there is a lot that still needs to be done. Many Acts, like the Employment Equity Act, the Maintenance Act, Domestic Violence Act and other Acts that I have not mentioned, have been passed. There are many institutions that the government has established for women’s empowerment. I can make mention of the Commission on Gender Equality, the SA Human Rights Commission and the Office on the Status of Women. In Parliament we have a Joint Monitoring Committee on the Improvement of the Quality of Life and Status of Women. We also work in partnership with other institutions like the UN Declaration and Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.]
You will agree with me when I attest that there is concrete evidence of the work the government has done to uplift women and place them at policy- making and decision-making levels. A wide range of government programmes have been created to pay special attention to the needs of women especially the marginalised.
A number of international and regional treaties and conventions require SADC states to achieve gender equality and representivity at all levels of government and decision-making bodies. As the ANC, we are beyond 30% and we are on the way to meeting the Millennium Development Goals in terms of 50/50 representation at a decision-making level.
President Thabo Mbeki himself has bitten the bullet with a Cabinet that now consists of 42% women. As the ANC Women’s League, we applaud our President for having fulfilled his promises on the emancipation of women in South Africa. We therefore challenge the DA and other smaller parties to follow the good example that has been set by the ANC.
South Africa has made significant gains in the representation of women at the national level where the number of women has dramatically increased. This placed South Africa at the top of the list in terms of women’s representation worldwide. However, at ward level women are still less represented. We need to focus on the local level and ensure that women ward councillors are elected.
Ndingalilibelanga icandelo leejaji, umkhosi wasemanzini kunye necandelo lezorhwebo, macandelo lawo asenenani eliphantsi kakhulu lamakhosikazi. Kufuneka sinyuse inani loomama kula macandelo. [I shall not forget the judiciary, the navy and trade and industries. These areas still have a low number of women and we need to work to improve that.]
These women are faced with challenges such as required skills, stereotyping that assumes women are not capable of handling management positions, past discrimination that has limited work experience and the perception that women are less mobile and are therefore not suitable to take advantage of work opportunities in other provinces.
There is a gap between government and the private sector in terms of salaries between men and women. Small changes in terms of the work procedures have been introduced to enable women to work flexible hours and not be forced to choose between their career and their family.
Women have different needs and their needs have to be accommodated in order for the process of integration to be successful. There is a need to adapt the management profile and afford more family employees the opportunity to occupy positions of influence, enabling women to have a voice both politically and economically.
Ukuvala, uMargaret Thatcher wakhe wathi: [In conclusion, Margaret Thatcher once said:]
In politics, if you want anything said, then ask a man; if you want anything done, do ask women.
Malibongwe! [Praise!]
Debate concluded.
DISPUTE BETWEEN SABC AND PSL
(Member’s Statement)
Mr B M KOMPHELA (ANC): Chairperson, the ANC wish to raise serious concerns over the unresolved matter of the Premier Soccer League’s radio broadcasting rights. Last Friday’s announcement by the acting CEO of the PSL, Mr Ronnie Schloss, that the PSL was withdrawing the radio broadcasting rights from all SABC radio stations is a major setback for the football fans. A protracted battle between the PSL and the public broadcaster is not in the interests of the majority of our people. It seems that the negotiations between the two parties are riddled with suspicion and a lack of trust and shifting of the goal posts is the order of the day. It is therefore mind- boggling and worrying that the SABC and the PSL fail to resolve this matter amicably.
Rural communities and those who cannot afford to buy tickets or pay for satellite TV are now left at the mercy of the two entities who ignore the national interests. Sports, especially soccer, belong to all the people of this country, not only to the select few administrators of the game. All proceeds derived out of sports and broadcasting should benefit the people and supporters of sport.
The ANC thus calls on the Minister of Sport and Recreation and the Minister of Communications to intervene in this matter to ensure that our people are not deprived because of narrow, selfish interests. Thank you. [Applause.]
SKILLS SHORTAGE IN THE PROVINCES
(Member’s Statement)
Mr W P DOMAN (DA): Chairperson, at the beginning of June the President said:
Let me state categorically that our government has not taken any decision to reduce the number of provinces.
That is after the Minister of Finance said in May:
The country does not have an adequate skills endowment to staff the multitude of institutions we have created. We must look at the number of provinces as well as their assignment of powers and functions.
I am not sure which statement is a collective view of government. Is the hon Minister Manuel guilty of “lone ranger” behaviour? It is now clear from the questions put by Minister Mufamadi in his provincial review that the government is once again engaging in the process of centralising power by pretending that it is not happening. Thus, they are craftily doing away with some or abolishing provinces all together while distracting the public with false promises.
There is indeed a skills crisis in the provincial sphere but if the ANC is willing to employ people from outside its cadres, it will find that there are enough skills in the country to run the nine provinces effectively.
COUNTRY’S READINESS TO HOST 2010 WORLD CUP
(Member’s Statement) Mr E J LUCAS (IFP): Our country’s readiness to host the 2010 World Cup has been questioned on numerous occasions. But, I have absolutely no doubt that we will prove the prophets of doom wrong and host the best event yet. It is, however, imperative that in our efforts to be ready on time and meet deadlines we do not cut corners and place the lives of workers at risk unnecessarily.
Inspectors from the Department of Labour, during an unannounced visit to Durban’s 2010 Moses Mabhida Stadium, ordered construction on the site to stop after they found noncompliance with safety regulations in certain parts of the stadium which would have endangered the lives of workers.
They also found that workers have not been adequately trained on safety. According to the inspector, most of the problems they have encountered at the Durban Stadium were the same as those in six other provinces they had visited. Considering the many dangers associated with the construction industry, the careless, haphazard behaviour displayed by the relevant contractor is unacceptable. We do, however, hope that the situation will be rectified as soon as possible and the relevant safety requirements and standards adhered to.
This should also be a lesson to contractors that under no circumstances should the lives of their employees be put at risk unnecessarily. I thank you.
CONSTITUENCY OVERSIGHT VISIT
(Member’s Statement)
Mnr F BEUKMAN (ANC): Voorsitter, tydens die kiesafdelingstydperk in Julie 2007 het ons oorsigbesoeke aan staatsdepartemente in die Helderberggebied gebring ten einde die kwaliteit van dienslewering aan die publiek te peil.
Een van die kantore wat besoek is, is dié van die streekkantoor van die Departement van Arbeid in Somerset–Wes, wat vir ’n gedeelte van die Metropool, Boland en Overberg verantwoordelik is. Die kantoor word deur ’n bekwame kantoorhoof, mev Zulaigha Smith, bestuur, tesame met ’n gemotiveerde personeelkorps.
Die volgende gevolgtrekkings is gemaak ná die besoek: Daar is ’n proaktiewe implementering van die strategiese bestuursplan van die departement; daar is voldoende opgeleide personeel om die kerntake uit te voer; daar is voldoende hulpbronne en logistieke hulpmiddels vir die uitvoer van take; die genoegsame beskikbaarheid van rekenaars en die implementering van ’n nuwe sagtewareprogram bevorder produktiwiteit; personeel word opgelei om ’n eenstopdiens aan die publiek te lewer; en daar is gereelde oorsigbesoeke van hoofkantoor en die rekenpligtige beampte aan die kantoor.
Verder het die streekkantoor sy dienspunte na 13 uitgebrei om veral in die landelike gebiede meer toeganklik vir lede van die publiek te wees.
Die ANC wil graag die Departement van Arbeid en hierdie streekkantoor aanmoedig om voort te gaan met sy goeie werk, en die amptenare bedank wat voortdurend streef om kwaliteitdiens aan die publiek te bring.
Staatsdiensamptenare wat die beginsels van Batho Pele uitleef deur hul optrede, verdien die vermelding en ondersteuning van al die lede in hierdie Huis. (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Mr F BEUKMAN (ANC): Chairperson, during the constituency period in July 2007, we conducted oversight visits to state departments in the Helderberg region in order to ascertain the quality of service delivery to the public.
One of the offices visited was that of the regional office of the Department of Labour in Somerset West that is responsible for a portion of the Metropole, Boland and the Overberg. The office is managed by a competent office manager, Mrs Zulaigha Smith, together with a motivated staff complement.
The following conclusions were drawn from the visit: The strategic management plan of the department is being implemented proactively; there is an adequate number of trained staff to execute core tasks; there are adequate resources and logistical aids for the execution of tasks; the ample supply of computers and the implementation of a new software programme enhance productivity; staff are being trained to provide the public with a one-stop service; and there are regular oversight visits from head office and the accounting officer to the office.
Furthermore, the regional office has increased its service points to 13 to make them more accessible to members of the public, especially in the rural areas.
The ANC would like to encourage the Department of Labour and this regional office to continue with their good work, and thank the officials who continue to strive to provide excellent service to the public.
Public servants whose actions reflect the principles of Batho Pele, deserve mention and the support of all members in this House.]
FLOOR-CROSSING
(Member’s Statement)
Mr H B CUPIDO (ACDP): Chairperson, it is with deep concern that the ACDP takes note of the divisive effect that the floor-crossing legislation has on members and political parties in all spheres of government. It engenders suspicion and fear of betrayal at a time when members’ minds should be on the upcoming business of good governance.
The process of floor-crossing was used to register protest at a single piece of legislation; it was only very rarely used to represent a permanent change of party. The concept is being abused in the most mercenary way. Small parties are particularly affected; not only does this cause upheaval in party relationships, but in practical terms the parties’ budgetary commitments are drastically affected when office rental and other important contractual commitments cannot be met because crossing members take their constituency allowance with them.
Floor-crossing at national, provincial and local levels also has a very negative effect on the voting public. The trust of millions of voters is being violated. The vote, for every South African man and woman, is a much treasured and hard-fought enfranchisement at the very heart of democracy and it should not be tampered with. This legislation, as it presently stands, is a disgrace that erodes confidence in voting.
The ACDP calls on government with the greatest possible earnestness to hasten the process of changing that legislation pertaining to floor- crossing as a matter of grave urgency. This is what the people are counting on from government at this moment. Please do not let them down. [Time expired.]
JOINT INITIATIVES WITH DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
(Member’s Statement)
Mme M W MAKGATE (ANC): Modulasetilo, Phatwe ke kgwedi ya basadi e re gopolang bagaka ba rona ba ba neng ba lwela kgololosego le go bona gore basadi ga e nne basalagae. Ka di 26 Phatwe 2007 maloko a dikereke, mekgatlho e e seng ya puso jaaka Lizwe, Potchefstroom Community Correctional Services le Potchefstroom Minister’s Forum ka fa tlase ga boeteledipele jwa ANC Women’s League, ba ne ba etela lefelo la kgopololo la batshwarwa ba basadi kwa Tlokwe mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima.
Maitlhomomagolo e ne e le go ba rotloetsa go nna le tshepo, go tiisa dikgolagano magareng ga bona le bana, masika le setšhaba ka kakaretso le go bontsha gore setšhaba se ikaeletse go ba abela tšhono ya bobedi.
Re ikuela mo dikerekeng, mekgatlho e e seng ya puso le borakgwebo go tsaya sekai se, jaaka re itse gore kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa. Halala basadi, halala! [Tsenoganong.] (Translation of Setswana member’s statement follows.)
[Ms M W MAKGATE (ANC): Chairperson, August is women’s month in which we commemorate our heroes who fought for freedom, to ensure that women do not just become people who remain at home. On 26 August 2007, church members, nongovernmental organisations like Lizwe, Potchefstroom Community Correctional Services and the Potchefstroom Ministers’ Forum, under the leadership of the ANC Women’s League, visited the Female Correctional Service Centre in Tlokwe in the North West province.
The main aim was to encourage them to have faith, to strengthen the relationship between themselves and their children, their relatives and the nation in general and to show them that the nation is prepared to give them a second chance.
We appeal to churches, nongovernmental organisations and businessmen to follow suit, as we all know many hands make light work. Halala basadi, halala! [Interjections.]]
TRAUMA AND THE YOUTH
(Member’s Statement)
Mr L M GREEN (FD): Chairperson, the effects of trauma amongst the youth is an area not always sufficiently highlighted in our society.
The types of trauma youths may invariably be exposed to are domestic violence; gang violence; rape and sexual abuse; school violence; and criminal violence. If these traumatic experiences persist they will have adverse behavioural effects on young children, creating feelings such as fear, depression, anger, helplessness and despair, and lead to suicide attempts.
Such feelings can affect their performance at school and within society, and their relationships with family and friends. This can continue into adulthood.
Low service impact, related to trauma care, invariably impacts on the mental health of the youth. It has been established by the World Health Organisation that worldwide up to 20% of children present diagnosable with mental, emotional and behavioural problems that can lead to school failure, family discord, violence or suicide.
The FD is concerned about the effects of trauma on the mental health status of our youth and suggests an improved funding formula for established care centres and the establishment of more trauma and victim centres to deal with mental health problems due to violence, crime and other forms of abuse. I thank you.
DECREASED TRADE RESTRICTIONS AND TARIFFS
(Member’s Statement)
Dr P J RABIE (DA): Chair, a visit by the DA to clothing and textile manufacturers on 7 August this year clearly illustrated the negative effects of the Chinese import restrictions on this industry. Home textiles in particular have in certain cases seen their turnover decrease by up to 70%. These businesses employ thousands of workers, the majority of whom are either sole breadwinners or single women.
Ironically, the importation of finished products from China is not restricted, thus having the effect that the shortfall in local production is now being made up with imports.
Manufacturers who have succeeded in obtaining extended quotas have only managed to do so after months of torturous negotiations since the Department of Trade and Industry has abdicated all responsibility to make determinations on additional quotas to the South African Clothing and Textiles Workers’ Union.
Meanwhile, formerly busy clothing and textile manufacturers’ precincts, such as Salt River, Cape Town, are growing increasingly desolate and continue to haemorrhage jobs.
If the government wants to assist the recovery of the clothing and textile manufacturers in our country, it needs to remove the trade restrictions and decrease the trade tariffs on raw materials as a matter of urgency. I thank you, Chair.
FARMWORKERS IN THE CEDERBERG MUNICIPALITY
(Member’s Statement)
Me L N MOSS (ANC): Voorsitter, die Grondwet verklaar dat Suid-Afrika behoort aan almal behoort wat daarin woon.
Dié doel is slegs moontlik deur middel van boustene soos byvoorbeeld om ’n beter kwaliteit lewe te gee aan almal wat in Suid-Afrika woon, veral die plaaswerkers wat nog steeds mishandel en benadeel word deur plaaseienaars in ’n kiesafdeling in die Cederberg.
Ek wil die volgende ervarings, wat werklik gebeur het in die Cederberg- kiesafdeling, deel met die Huis. Die Cederberg- kiesafdeling is ’n baie landelike gebied. Plaaseienaars het deesdae die vermetelheid om werkers en inwoners van hulle plase af te sit. Die mense woon alreeds amper tien jaar daar, maar dit word gedoen om die Wet op die Uitbreiding van Sekerheid van Verblyfreg te omseil.
Soms, as die werknemers of inwoners nie die plaas wil verlaat nie, word die krag en water afgesit. ’n Voorbeeld van so ’n geval is dié van ’n pensioentrekker, wat onder ’n afdak bly en wie se vleis toe vrot geword het. Hy het eendag na my kantoor toe gekom.
Voorsitter, ander voorbeelde is die gevalle van die plase soos Middelplaas, Groenvlei, Markuskraal, Keerom, Brakvlei en Kleinvlei. Dit is duidelik dat die wet geïgnoreer word. Uitsettings word deur die hof goedgekeur, alhoewel daar geen huisvesting beskikbaar is nie en dit veroorsaak ’n lang waglys by die Cederberg-munisipaliteit.
Die ANC-regering het alreeds heelwat gedoen om programme in te stel vir plaaswerkers, byvoorbeeld oor menseregte. Ek wil die ANC-regering bedank vir hul uitmuntende werk wat hulle alreeds gedoen het en by die ANC- regering pleit dat hulle dié punte van kritiek en die probleme so spoedig moontlik moet aanspreek. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Ms L N MOSS (ANC): Chairperson, the Constitution states that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
This objective is only possible by means of building blocks such as, for example, providing a better quality life for all the people that live in South Africa, especially the farmworkers who are still being ill-treated and marginalised by farm owners in the Cederberg constituency.
I would like to share the following experiences, which are actually taking place in the Cederberg constituency, with the House. The Cederberg constituency is a very rural area. Farm owners have the audacity these days to evict workers and farm dwellers from their farms. These people have already been living there for close to 10 years, but this is being done to circumvent the Extension of Security of Tenure Act.
Sometimes, when workers or farm dwellers refuse to leave the farm, the electricity and water supply is cut off. An example of such an incident is that of a pensioner who stays in a shack, and as a result of this action, his meat went off. He then came to my office one day.
Chairperson, other similar incidents are taking place on the following farms, namely Groenvlei, Marcuskraal, Keerom, Brakvlei and Kleinvlei. It is clear that the law is being ignored. Farm evictions are endorsed by the courts, in spite of the fact that there is no accommodation available and this gives rise to the Cederberg Municipality having long waiting lists.
The ANC government has already taken action by putting programmes in place for farmworkers, for example with regard to human rights. I would like to thank the ANC government for the excellent work they have already done and appeal to the ANC government to address these issues and problems as soon as possible. I thank you.] ATM BOMBINGS IN RURAL KWAZULU-NATAL
(Member’s Statement)
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP): Hon Chairperson, the IFP is extremely concerned now that it has become apparent that ATM bombers are targeting rural areas. In recent weeks there has been a spate of ATM bombings at Dube village, Inanda, KwaHlabisa in northern Zululand; Jozini in Ingwavuma; and KwaSkhemelele on your way to Kosi Bay - on the Mozambique border. Poorer communities are being punished by ruthless criminals, who especially like to target KwaZulu-Natal’s rural areas.
ATMs are provided by private companies and banks to people who live in poorer communities because they don’t have the resources to travel to bigger towns or cities to make use of banking services. The poor are once again suffering and we therefore call on the Minister of Safety and Security to step up all efforts to curb the recent upsurge of ATM bombings. Police, liaising with various stakeholders, must make sure that they stop commercial explosives being illegally sold to these callous criminals. I thank you.
LAND REDISTRIBUTION AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(Member’s Statement) Mr N B FIHLA (ANC): Chairperson, during the past two weeks the national and provincial Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs played a leading role in empowering and uplifting rural farm communities in the Eastern Cape. At Loerie Hoogte poultry farm in the Cacadu district, a R20 million black economic empowerment project was officially launched by the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs. The project is a joint venture between Rocklands Poultry and Kamnandi Tradings – a black-owned farmworkers’ company in Loerie. As part of the 10-year contract between the two entities, Rocklands supplies Kamnandi with chicks and feed, and in turn Kamnandi rears the chicks and sells full-grown birds to Rocklands.
In another development, the Eastern Cape agriculture and land affairs department has acquired three citrus farms in the Sunday River Valley, to empower about 45 farmworkers as part of the land redistribution programme. The department paid about R33 million for the farms through its proactive land acquisition strategy. Although the workers are the direct beneficiaries, they haven’t taken receipt of the farms as yet, as they still have to go through intensive training, including farm administration management.
The ANC welcomes these efforts to empower rural communities through effective land redistribution initiatives and sustainable economic projects. This will assist greatly in fighting poverty and creating jobs for rural communities. I thank you.
RAPE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
(Member’s Statement)
Mr M WATERS (DA): Chairperson, on 11 July a man was arrested near Oudtshoorn for the alleged rape and indecent assault of a 5-year-old girl. This man was at the time out on bail for the rape of a 13-year-old girl. How ironic that this could happen under the governance of the ANC who claim to place the safety of women and children at the top of their agenda.
After the first assault, the man was freed on his own recognisance. In reply to a question from the DA, the National Prosecuting Authority indicated that although they had opposed the bail the man was nevertheless released. Furthermore, the DA established that, according to the most recent figures the Department of Safety and Security is willing to provide, an average of two children a day are raped by known sex offenders.
It is clear that repeat rape offenders are contributing to South Africa’s child rape crisis. Magistrates are repeatedly releasing on their own recognisance people who are a danger to young boys and girls. It is therefore necessary to introduce a programme of education and awareness- raising for magistrates, to ensure that repeat rape offenders are not set free to continue to prey on our young. I thank you. [Applause.] FARMING ISSUES IN WATERBERG DISTRICT
(Member’s Statement)
Ms R J MASHIGO (ANC): Chairperson, in order to transform our society and improve the lives of the people of Mabatlane, in the Waterberg District in Limpopo, the Department of Trade and Industry, through Seda, identified two co-operatives, entered into a five-year lease agreement with two farms, secured 24 hectares on each farm, agreed with co-operatives to farm on essential farms, provided the two co-operatives with farming and financial management and agreed to pay R1 000 per member until their first harvest.
One of the farms was Maluba farm, which started in April 2006 and consisted of 10 former farmworkers. Their first harvest was in February 2007 and their turnover was 126 000. They also started paying themselves R1 000 per month out of their own revenues. Their second harvest was affected by frost. They could have harvested their first and second crops for essential oils.
The other farm was Yarona farm, which started in February this year and consists of eight youths from the local community. Their harvest will be ready very soon. It is the objective, Chairperson, of the ANC to ensure equitable possession of ownership.
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS
(Member’s Statement)
Nk B T NGCOBO (ANC): Sihlalo, kuyaqala emlandweni ukuthi uKhongolose avule ihhovisi endaweni yase ningizimu neTheku. Lokhu kwenzeke kulonyaka, u 2007. Leli hhovisi liyasebenzisana neminyango eminingi kahulumeni.
Okusemqoka futhi ukuthi likwazile ukuba nokusebenzisana okuhle noMnyango Wezokuthuthukiswa Komphakathi kanye noMnyango Wezobulungiswa. Le minyango yomibili ibambisene ukunikeza usizo emndenini wakwa Khanyile, lapho uSilindile Khanyile enikezwe igunya lokuthi abheke izingane zakubo, ezineminyaka engu 17, 15 kanye no 13. Ubaba wezingane ubenodlame futhi wazishiya ngo 2002. Umama wazo, owayehlala ngokugula, washona ngo 2005. Ubaba ubuye ngoba esozomngcwaba, waphinde wahamba.
Lezi zingane zingaphansi kukadadewabo. Kodwa ke futhi ziphindile futhi ezobulungiswa zazikhipha endlini ngoba ubaba efuna ukudayisa indlu yakhe ebisilele emuva ngeminyaka emibili. Sixoxisana naleli hhovisi lezobulungiswa ukuthi uma ingabe indlu isidayisiwe, izingane zikwazi ukuthola ingxenye eqondene nomama wazo ukuze zikwazi ukuphila. Okwamanje ikhansela lendawo lizibe endaweni thize ukuthi zikwazi ukuhlala. Uma kuqala ukwakhiwa, ngo Okthoba, izindlu zomxhaso, zizothola indawo yokuhlala. Lokhu kukhombisa ubuntu.
Siyayibonga kakhulu ke iminyango ebambisana nomphakathi. Sengathi lokhu kubambisana kungaqhubeka kukhule zonke izindawo zeNingizimu Afrika. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu member’s statement follows.)
[Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC): Chairperson, the ANC has, for the first time in history, established a constituency office in the Durban South area. This happened this year, 2007. This office works hand in hand with many government departments.
What is also important is the fact that it has managed to establish a good working relationship with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Justice. These two departments worked together in providing assistance to the Khanyile family, where Silindile Khanyile has been given custody of her fellow siblings, aged 17, 15 and 13 respectively. The children’s father was abusive, and he abandoned them in 2002. The children’s mother, who was very sickly, died in 2005. The father only returned briefly for the burial and then left again.
These children, who are now in the custody of their sister, were evicted from their home by the Department of Justice because the father wanted to sell it, due to the fact that bond repayments were two years in arrears. We are liaising with the Department of Justice to enable the children to inherit their mother’s share of the proceeds when the house is sold, so that they can buy basic necessities. The ward councillor has temporarily placed the children in a place of safety. When the project of building RDP houses commences in October, a house will be built for the children. This is an indication of ubuntu.
We do appreciate the co-operation between government departments and the community. May this co-operation continue spreading all over South Africa. Thank you.]
ESKOM AND MAINTENANCE
(Member’s Statement)
Dr S M VAN DYK (DA): Chairperson, the DA notes with concern that Eskom has ceased all maintenance work because of falling standards which have led to 10 deaths since 1 April this year.
Reports indicate that in Eskom’s distribution department alone, four people have died, 54 people have been seriously injured and an additional of 59 people have received medical attention. Another three motor vehicle accidents also took place.
This is a massive increase over previous years during which Eskom’s annual death toll used to average between five and eleven people per annum. Whilst the deaths that have resulted are tragic and completely unacceptable, the maintenance stoppage is sure to have a detrimental effect on Eskom’s ability to ensure the security of our electricity supply.
According to the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa’s annual report, power cuts already cost South Africa up to R8 billion per annum, which equates to half a percentage point of Gross Domestic Product growth, Mr Manuel.
During President Mbeki’s recent discussion with his big business working group, business leaders such as Saki Macozoma voiced the precise concern that if the country’s security of electricity supply is not carefully managed, it could be a constraint to economic growth.
The DA, therefore, requests that the Minister for Public Enterprises brief this House on this matter as a matter of urgency. Thank you.
ATM BOMBINGS IN RURAL KWAZULU-NATAL
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: Thank you, Chair. I thought it would be worth our while to reflect a bit on the pattern of the ATM bombings that were referred to by the hon member from the IFP. I think it is actually significant that criminals have begun to move to outlying areas - like rural areas and smaller towns – precisely because, in the bigger centres, both communities and policing agencies have begun to achieve levels of co- operation that frustrated the activities of the syndicates. Therefore they move out to the outlying areas because they are more isolated and there are longer distances to cover.
In any case, crime migrates like that. Where the police move in a certain direction, it moves in the opposite direction. They do operate like predators because they always go for the potentially weaker victims. I think it is very important that we must observe and understand that. It does mean that there is a need now to engage with communities in more rural areas, with a view to raising their awareness that the drift of the crime is going there because it is being driven out of a certain area of the country.
An issue of ongoing major concern is that the people who supply the dynamite with which the ATMs are bombed are workers in the mining industry. It is important that there should be an intervention to mobilise unionised workers in particular to assist the policing agencies by identifying the sources and workers who are selling dynamite to the syndicates. Those workers who are selling the dynamite are, in fact, part of the syndicates because they are there when the loot is shared.
A second issue of concern is the courts. A fair number of the magistrates do not seem to take a serious enough view of this kind of offence. That, I think, has partly to do with the fact that some of the magistrates are people whom we inherited from the old order, but, to a certain extent, it has to do with the relaxing of the legislation relating to the handling of the criminals. We have to find a way, and this House also has a responsibility to continuously look at legislation to find a way, in which we can tighten legislation. There is a certain category of crime, such as the syndicates, that has to be closed in on and we have to tighten legislation so that, once they are arrested, it must be very difficult for a member of a syndicate to go on.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): Thank you, hon Minister, but your time has expired.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: There’s a second issue I just want to deal with that is different from this one.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): We’ve got room for that.
FLOOR-CROSSING
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: Chairperson, when September comes, this issue of floor-crossing always comes up. Of course the newspapers and sister parties in this House complain. I think we must not forget that we were all in this House when the legislation was passed and there were objective considerations. I would like to say from the position of the ANC that we recognised the need for such legislation. Even though we did not lead it at the beginning, when the debate was opened we observed that there was a need for this kind of legislation. The ANC had been misrepresented to the population of this country for a very long time. It was only as we were interacting in this House, as we were correctly putting the positions of the ANC that many members of communities and of other political parties began to understand that the ghost that they were told about was not the ANC. [Applause.]
It became important to create space for all kinds of individuals. There were those who were now recognising the real truth: that, to be able to move, if they wanted, to the ANC, would be okay; if they wanted to move away from the ANC to another party, it would be fine. [Interjections.] That is what democracy is about. Democracy is about the right of citizens, including members of this House, to change the position in which they are if they realise that they are working backwards and not taking the country forward. Why are we terrified of democracy now, all of a sudden? Political parties must not become political prisons. Certainly, the ANC has no intention of being a political prison to someone who may have come into the ANC not understanding it, only to discover afterwards that, in fact, they don’t belong there, they belong in some other little party somewhere else. [Laughter.] So, let us all act in this way. We must act in the interests of democracy. We must not cry “democracy” when it suits us and reject it when it does not. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): Order! Your time is up, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: He wants to ask a question and I’m quite willing to entertain it.
Mr E W TRENT: Is the hon Minister aware of the fact that some of his comrades in some provinces are offering councillors to have their bonds paid up and their motorcars paid up, if they come to the ANC?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): What’s the question, hon member?
Mr E W TRENT: I want to know if he approves of that and, if we can produce affidavits to that effect, whether he would take action against them?
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE: I can say without batting an eyelid that, if the African National Congress established that any member of the ANC buys loyalty or pays people to join the ANC, we will act with immediate effect and without any hesitation. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): Order! Thank you, hon Minister.
SKILLS SHORTAGES IN THE PROVINCES
RAPE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
ESKOM AND MAINTENANCE
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Chairperson, let me deal with a few. The first would be the statement from the hon Doman. When I said that we’ve created in the Constitution a series of institutions without necessarily having considered whether we had sufficient skills to staff them, of course I started by thinking about the Opposition.
It’s a crying shame that we have to put up with what we do, but I think that we accept that the Constitution is a product of compromise, and within that compromise we had diametrically opposed views and we constructed concurrent functions. If we don’t pause from time to time to consider whether these are working, I think we fail future generations. In the address to the NCOP on their 10th anniversary that is essentially what I did.
There was a particular context, which was that we must evaluate whether the concurrent functions are working, whether the distribution of powers and functions is having the desired effect, because if they aren’t, then I think we must not continue along that trajectory. We must arrest the situation and try and improve on the efficiency of governance so that the quality of the public services that our people receive will improve, and I think that the enemy of a process such as this is complacency.
The second issue I’d like to respond to is that raised by the hon Waters. Let me say that I share the concern and the moral outrage at the rape of women and children. The difficulty here, though, is that the judges and magistrates must serve government regardless of the party in power. The decisions are not of the ANC. They are decisions of the magistracy, and the magistracy has a different line of accountability.
They said they weren’t accountable to the ANC, so there’s a wider issue and I think that we must confer with our colleagues from this House who serve on the Magistrates’ Commission, and ensure that these issues can be dealt with. I needn’t remind you that whilst we pass the minimum sentences for some kinds of crimes here in this House, the judiciary has railed against the idea because they say that it would limit their independence.
So, these are issues which, in a democracy, we must be able to talk about, but they’re not party-political issues. I think that they are broadly societal issues because the nature of the crime is deeply social, and I think we all share the outrage about it. In respect of what the hon Van Dyk raised on Eskom and maintenance, I think that part of what you’re dealing with here is a situation in which maintenance of some of the high-voltage long-transmission lines was delayed for too long, and the problem is that the risks increase.
If you look at where the problems are, you’ll see they are at the top of pylons in the insulators within the transmission system, and this is very high-risk work. These people have to clamber up and sit suspended tens of metres above the ground. I think the nature of the maintenance task at hand changes.
It’s wise that Eskom considers all the safety issues and the safety record, but it’s not the same as walking around on the ground with a screwdriver and dealing with issues. We’ve got to understand, if we want a regular, consistent, low-cost supply of energy, then from time to time these kinds of issues are going to arise in the maintenance cycle.
We mustn’t cry wolf – I think we must ask that the maintenance be continued and that it be carried out to ensure consistency of supply; that is all. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): Thank you, hon Minister.
We have a few more ministerial responses, but I want to appeal to Ministers to keep exactly to the time.
FARMING ISSUES IN WATERBERG DISTRICT
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: I want to thank the hon Mashigo for bringing the essential oils projects in Limpopo to the attention of the House, especially the permanent and sustainable jobs that have been created through these projects.
I thought I would use the opportunity to share with this House the fact that the Department of Science and Technology, using technology developed by the CSIR – oil distillation units, in this case – have 13 such projects in various parts of the country that are currently employing 184 people - also permanent, sustainable jobs – producing a variety of crops and manufacturing a number of products out of these crops.
To give two examples, in very remote areas where job prospects are extremely slim - I’ll use Pella and Onseepkans, two very small villages in the Northern Cape - the hoodia plant amongst other things, is being cultivated. As hon members here would know, the hoodia plant has appetite- suppressing properties, which some hon members might be very interested in! In addition to that, hon Mashigo, we would encourage you to visit the project in Giyani in Limpopo as well, where, amongst other things, the essential oils grown in Giyani are used to manufacture candles that have very powerful mosquito-repellent properties, and therefore help us in our fight against malaria. Thank you.
DISPUTE BETWEEN PSL AND SABC
CONSTRUCTION OF ETHEKWINI STADIUM
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Chairperson, the issue of the dispute between the PSL and the SABC with respect to the broadcasting of soccer games in this country seems to be entering into its last phase. The first phase, members will remember, took up the first six months of this year, and we must be proud that our departments, the Ministers who got involved in this, were able to broker a solution.
We did this precisely because we agree with what Mr Komphela says about the fact that sport is a national asset which must be accessible to as many people in South Africa as possible. It is not always easy to do that in a situation which is also driven by finance and commercial interest, and of course, also driven by personal egos. But we have been able to go beyond that and we have no doubt that even this last phase of the radio broadcast issue will be managed efficaciously before the end of this month. With regard to the other question raised about the eThekwini Stadium, yes, there is a hiccup in the construction works that has been reported, but it is being exaggerated, like the other hiccups that we encountered at the Green Point Stadium, where our detractors have continuously tried to put a spanner in the works and they lost all the time. In the case of eThekwini, the LOC and the CEO of the LOC, together with the people of eThekwini, are on top of that situation. There’s no problem. We will be on time.
JOINT INITIATIVES WITH DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: Chairperson, I wish to respond to the statement made by the hon Makgate. Firstly, on behalf of the Department of Correctional Services, I want to congratulate the ANC Women’s League, the faith-based organisations and others on this initiative, but also to encourage them to continue throughout the year with these kinds of initiatives in joining hands with the Department of Correctional Services.
As my colleagues might be aware, our White Paper on Corrections, indeed, places the issues of corrections, rehabilitation and social reintegration at the centre of the work that we do, but also we place this responsibility on society at large and therefore, last year, as I said before in this House, for the first time in the history of Correctional Services, we launched Corrections Week where during that week in September - in fact it’s coming up now very soon - we reach out to society at large to assist us in this mammoth task.
We also want to take this opportunity as the Department of Correctional Services to encourage and challenge all members of this House from all political parties to join hands with us as the Department of Correctional Services to - as one of our slogans says – make Correctional Services a place of new beginnings. Thank you.
LAND REDISTRIBUTION AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Mhlalingaphambili … [Chairperson …]
… indeed, the Rocklands Poultry Farm is one of the biggest poultry farms in South Africa, using advanced world-class technology in poultry farming.
Le ke yinkampani esele ingenile phaya kwi-JSE kwaye sisiphumo senye yeeprojekthi zethu zokuxhobisa abamnyama ababefudula bevinjwe amathuba kwezolimo. [This company is listed on the JSE and is one of our projects for the empowerment of black people who were previously denied agricultural opportunities.]
They have also formed a joint venture with Sifikile black emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape who are supplying the Rocklands Poultry Farm with grown birds. The Department of Land Affairs bought farms for Sifikile farmers through the Elrad Scheme and through that programme the farmers have been able to start their poultry farms.
Ungekapheli lo nyaka sijonge ukuphehlelela enye iprojekthi enkulu ebandakanya uSifikile, eya kudla ama-40 amawaka eerandi neya kuba yeyona projekthi yofuyo lweenkuku inkulu kwiAfrika yonke. Sijonge ukuqesha abantu abafikileyo kuma-350.
Kwakhona, ndiyavuya kuba ilungu beliphakamise iprojekthi yokulima imithi yesitrasi. Amakhosikazi nolutsha luyayithabatha inxaxheba kule projekthi. Phaya eMaluba Farm naseYarona Farm kukho abantu abafumene imisebenzi nabaseke ookopolotyeni. Ngayo yonke loo mizamo urhulumente kaKhongolose uthi: Wagwetywa ndlala! Silwa nentswelo. Sidala imisebenzi ukuze abantu bakwazi ukulala betyile. Siyabulela. [Kwaqhatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Before the end of this year, we are looking at launching another big project that includes Sifikile at a cost of R40 000. This will be the biggest poultry project in Africa and we intend to employ about 350 people.
I feel happy because there was a member who proposed a project to plant citrus trees. Women and the youth are participating in this project. At Maluba and Yarona farms there are people who got job opportunities and also established co-operatives. With all these endeavours the government, led by the African National Congress says: Hunger is something of the past. We are fighting poverty and are creating jobs for people to survive. Thank you. [Applause.]]
The House adjourned at 15:56. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
MONDAY, 27 AUGUST 2007
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
- Assent by President in respect of Bill
(a) Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B 12D – 2006] – Act No 28 of
2006 (assented to and signed by President on 17 August 2007). 2. Membership of Committees
(1) The following changes have been made to the membership of Joint Committees:
Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and
Status of Children, Youth and Disabled Persons
Appointed: Marais, Mr S J F
National Assembly
The Speaker
- Membership of Committees
(1) The following changes have been made to the membership of
Portfolio Committees:
Finance
Appointed: Marais, Mr S J F
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
-
The Minister of Finance (a) Report and Financial Statements of the Public Investment Corporation Limited for 2006-2007, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 187- 2007].
-
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(a) General Notice No 900 published in Government Gazette No 30099,
dated 20 July 2007: Prescription of a new form for an application
for a registration certificate or provisional registration
certificate, and the form of the registration certificate or
provisional registration certificate: For public comment in terms
of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965 (Act No 45 of
1965).
(b) General Notice No 955 published in Government Gazette No 30142,
dated 3 August 2007: Notice is hereby given that the Minister of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism intends introducing the National
Environmental Management Waste Bill in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 241(1) of the Rules of the National Assembly.
(c) General Notice No 956 published in Government Gazette No 30142,
dated 3 August 2007: Notice is hereby given that the Minister of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism intends introducing the National
Environmental Management Second Amendment Bill in accordance with
the provisions of Rule 186 of the Rules of the National Council of
Provinces.
(d) General Notice No 957 published in Government Gazette No 30142,
dated 3 August 2007: Notice is hereby given that the Minister of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism intends introducing the National
Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill in accordance with
the provisions of Rule 186 of the Rules of the National Council of
Provinces.
(e) General Notice No 954 published in Government Gazette No 30141,
dated 6 August 2007: Notice is hereby given that the Minister of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism intends introducing the National
Environmental Management Integrated Coastal Management Bill in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 241(1) of the Rules of the
National Assembly.
(f) Government Notice No 711 published in Government Gazette No
30164 dated 17 August 2007: Correction Notice: Substitution of the
map describing boundaries of the Vaal Triangle air-shed priority
area, in terms of the National Environmental Management Air
Quality Act, 2004 (Act No 39 of 2004).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence on Prohibition or Restriction of Certain Conventional Weapons Bill [B7-2007] (National Assembly- sec 75), dated 24 August 2007:
The Portfolio Committee on Defence, having considered the subject of the Prohibition or Restriction of Certain Conventional Weapons Bill [B7-2007] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it, and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 75 Bill, reports that it has agreed to the Bill with amendments [B7A- 2007]. TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST, 2007
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly
The Speaker
- Membership of Assembly
(1) The vacancy which occurred in the National Assembly owing to the
death of Mr M Diko has been filled, with effect from 15 August
2007, by the nomination of Ms Z N Ndlazi.
(2) The vacancy which occurred in the National Assembly owing to the
death of Prince N E Zulu has been filled, with effect from 23
August 2007, by the nomination of Mr N Singh.
(3) The following Member vacated her seat in the National Assembly
with effect from 17 August 2007:
Ginwala, Dr F N
- Referral to Committees of papers tabled
(1) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Environmental Affairs and Tourism for consideration:
(a) Government Notice No 505 published in Government Gazette
No 29996 dated 19 June 2007: Establishment of the new Mokala
National Park, made in terms of section 20(1)(a)(i) of the
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003
(Act No 57 of 2003).
(b) Government Notice No 514 published in Government Gazette
No 29999 dated 21 June 2007: Constitution of the National
Environmental Advisory Forum, made in terms of Chapter 2,
section 6(1)(a)(i) of the National Environmental Management
Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).
(c) Government Notice No 830 published in Government Gazette
No 30057 dated 6 July 2007: Notice of intention to establish
the National Framework , made in terms of section 7 of the
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act
No 39 of 2004).
(2) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Social Development for consideration and report:
(a) Report of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for 2005-2006
[RP 6-2007].
(3) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Public Enterprises for consideration and report. The Reports of
the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements are referred
to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of South African Airways
(Proprietary) Limited (SAA) for 2006-2007, including the
Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements
for 2006-2007.
(b) Report and Financial Statements of Denel (Proprietary)
Limited for 2006-2007, including the Report of the Independent
Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007.
(4) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Arts and Culture for consideration and report. The Report of the
Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements is referred to
the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Business and Arts South
Africa (BASA) for 2006-2007, including the Report of the
Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007
[RP 141-2007].
(5) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Environmental Affairs and Tourism for consideration and report:
(a) Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery
Resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean (SEAFO), tabled in
terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the Convention on the
Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in the South
East Atlantic Ocean (SEAFO).
(6) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry:
(a) Agreement between the Government of Sweden and the
Government of the Republic of South Africa on Development Co-
operation 1 July 2004 – 30 June 2007, tabled in terms of
section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum on the Agreement between the
Government of Sweden and the Government of the Republic of
South Africa on Development Co-operation 1 July 2004 – 30 June
2007.
(7) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Finance:
(a) Government Notice No R. 478 published in Government
Gazette No 29958 dated 1 June 2007: Rules made by the Minister
of Finance under section 771 of the Customs and Excise Act,
1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
(b) Government Notice No R. 484 published in Government
Gazette No 29951 dated 8 June 2007: Amendment of Schedule No 1
(No 1/1/1337)in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act
No 91 of 1964).
(c) Government Notice No R. 485 published in Government
Gazette No 29951 dated 8 June 2007: Amendment of Schedule No 3
(No 3/612) in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act
No 91 of 1964).
(d) Government Notice No R. 486 published in Government
Gazette No 29951 dated 8 June 2007: Amendment of Schedule No 4
(No 4/306) in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act
No 91 of 1964).
(e) Government Notice No R.492 published in Government Gazette
No 29966 dated 15 June 2007: Municipal Regulations on Debt
Disclosure, in terms of section 168 of the Local Government:
Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No 56 of 2003).
(f) Report and Financial Statements of the Financial Services
Board on the Road Accident Fund for 2005-2006.
(g) Government Notice No 503 published in Government Gazette
No 29984 dated 14 June 2007: Amendment of Schedule No 2
(2/290) in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No
91 of 1964).
(8) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Energy:
(a) Explanatory Memorandum to the Diamond Export Levy Bill,
2007
(9) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local
Government:
(a) Government Notice No R.493 published in Government Gazette
No 29967 dated 15 June 2007: Municipal Regulations on Minimum
Competency Levels, in terms of section 168 of the Local
Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No 56
of 2003).
(10) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Safety and Security and the Portfolio Committee on Foreign
Affairs:
(a) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South
Africa and the Government of the Republic of Malta in respect
of Police Co-operation, tabled in terms of section 231(3) of
the Constitution, 1996.
(11) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Transport for consideration and report. The Report of the Auditor-
General on the Financial Statements is referred to the Standing
Committee on Public Accounts for consideration:
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Urban Transport
Fund (UTF) for 2005-2006, including the Report of the Auditor-
General on the Financial Statements for 2005-2006 [RP 45-
2007].
(12) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on
Transport for consideration and report:
(a) International Convention for the Control and Management of
Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments – 2004 (Ballast Water
Management Convention), tabled in terms of section 231(2) of
the Constitution, 1996.
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the International Convention for
the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and
Sediments – 2004 (Ballast Water Management Convention). TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
- The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Legal Aid Board for 2006-
2007, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 37-2007].
(b) Government Notice No 736 published in Government Gazette No
30173 dated 14 August 2007: Appointment of Subcommittee on
Amnesty, in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and
Reconciliation Act, 1995 (Act No 34 of 1995).
- The Minister of Arts and Culture
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the Market Theatre Foundation
for 2006-2007, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the
Financial Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 149-2007].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the War Museum of the Boer
Republics for 2006-2007, including the Report of the Auditor-
General on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 149-2007].
- The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(a) Report and Financial Statements of the South African National
Parks (SANparks) for 2006-2007, including the Report of the
Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 173-
2007].
(b) Report and Financial Statements of the National Environmental
Advisory Forum (NEAF) for 2006-2007 [RP 158-2007].