TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2008 __

          PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
                                ____

The Council met at 14:05.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.

                      CELEBRATION OF AFRICA DAY

                         (Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I move without notice:

That the Council –

(1) notes that last Sunday, 25 May, marked the annual commemoration of Africa Day;

(2) acknowledges that this day is intended to remind all of us that on 25 May 1963 the leaders of the then independent Africa made history and gave significant impetus to the continent’s collective struggle for independence, by establishing the Organisation of African Unity;

(3) further acknowledges that from the launch of the Organisation of African Unity to the advent of the African Union, the people of Africa stood united in the framework of a united African continent while making efforts to give depth and meaning to their political independence and the redress of the socioeconomic developmental challenges that were caused by long years of colonisation;

(4) takes this opportunity to remind all South Africans and the people of Africa that the celebration of this sacred and solemn moment in the history of our continent celebrates the unity, co-operation and arduous efforts of the African people over the past 40 decades; and

(5) therefore recognises that, as our country moves to quell the eruptions of xenophobic incidences and criminality directed against people from other parts of the African continent, Africa Day calls on all of us to individually reaffirm our collective resolve in our cradle of humanity and spirit of ubuntu to remain “our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers”, and to never again relive the sordid and sad tales of African imperialism and colonialism. Thank you.

Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

                         APPROPRIATION BILL

                           (Policy debate)

Vote No 23 – Agriculture and Vote No 27 - Land Affairs:

The MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Chairperson of the NCOP, hon members of the NCOP, MECs, particularly our MEC from the Western Cape, mayors and councillors, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen, drawing on the vision of the Freedom Charter, the provisions of the Constitution and the lessons of the first and second decades of our democracy, there is consensus about the urgency of the effective and speedy implementation of the Land and Agrarian Reform Project, Larp.

The most severe and intractable poverty in South Africa today is in our rural areas. Nearly half of all the people in our rural areas live in absolute poverty. This remains the main cause of migration into cities, which has imposed significant constraints on urban poverty reduction and made it difficult to sustain rural economies as a result of losing the most productive of our people to the cities.

The reverse of this disaster, namely the focus on development in South Africa, must, among other things, be on agriculture. If we are committed to reducing poverty and achieving sustainable growth, the powers and resources of agriculture for development must be unleashed. This requires the following: Having agriculture work in concert with other sectors and factors at local levels; building the capacity of smallholders and their communities; and developing institutions to help agriculture serve development, especially working with our developing farmers, women and young people in our communities towards sustainable development.

Compared with other initiatives, small-scale agriculture has the highest potential of kick-starting and supporting self-sustaining growth and employment across a range of agricultural and nonagricultural activities. Indeed, during this budget year, we shall focus on making land accessible to the majority of the people of South Africa and on smallholder production systems for household and national food security. This involves the acceleration and the implementation of the Larp. Larp is a new framework that creates a delivery paradigm for rural development and the green revolution aimed at unleashing access to land and agriculture as tools for sustainable development.

We are living in times of globally escalating food prices. According to the World Bank report, food crop prices are expected to remain high in 2008 and 2009 and then begin to decline as supply and demand respond to high prices. However, they are likely to remain high, well above the 2004 levels, throughout and up to 2015 for most of our food crops. Forecasts of other major organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, of the UN, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries’ report and the US Department of Agriculture that regularly monitors and protects commodity prices, are broadly consistent with these predictions. The FAO report of 2008 indicates that food prices have increased by 45% over the last 9 to 10 months. International stock levels of major staples are long-run lows which resulted in a serious shortage of major staples such as rice, wheat and maize.

Earlier in the month, we participated in the UN Commission on Sustainable Development known as the CSD-16, where the focus was on reviewing progress made on the implementation of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation in relation to climate change, the need for increased investment in agriculture and rural development, security of land tenure and the urgency of the implementation of Africa’s development agenda.

The problem of food security and the rapidly rising food prices were the main issues raised by most of the countries and groups such as the G77, the Africa Group, China, the European Union and organs of civil society. We agreed, with the nations of the world, to the implementation of programmes that will address all these important focal areas. The Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Ban Ki-moon said: The first green revolution may have skipped most of the African countries as it benefited the developed countries. We must ensure, therefore, that the second green revolution is specifically for Africa.

South Africa has also been affected by the rising prices, although our food prices have not increased at the same pace as in many countries worldwide. It is for this reason therefore that we agree with the Secretary-General of the UN that the time for Africa’s green revolution has now come.

According to the National Agricultural Marketing Council report released in February 2008, prices for maize during the period from January 2007 to January 2008 increased by 33,2%; wheat by 81%; and sunflower oil by 81,02%. Subsequently, in April 2008, Cabinet instructed a number of Ministers, and I, responsible for the economic and social clusters, to develop a strategy to address this challenge. Interministerial and interdepartmental task teams have been established and have conducted an analysis which identified various factors that contribute towards high food prices in order to finalise an intervention strategy by government.

Higher food prices impact negatively on the purchasing power of poor households. Thus, it is important that our budget should also speak to providing cushions to the poor. Our short-term intervention measures should ensure that they provide safety nets for the poor. These will include social welfare grants, starter packs for household vegetable production, family gardens, extending the family feeding schemes - as we know that more and more children are now going to go hungry - and also introducing the work for food projects under the Expanded Public Works Programme.

In addition, Cabinet is considering proposals on the zero rating of some of the basic foodstuffs such as sorghum, mielie meal and chicken in order to expand our protein base. We are also looking at selected baby foods.

We have also embarked on a private sector mobilisation programme to ensure that we look into mechanisms of donating food and addressing costs of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seed which impact heavily on agricultural production.

The long-term strategy for agriculture is to invigorate and increase agricultural production and improve investment in agriculture. I also want to add to what the Chief Whip has said about the inhuman and xenophobic attacks on our people and say that, as the government of South Africa, we are appalled at these criminal attacks against our brothers and sisters who are supposed to be our guests here in South Africa. This is definitely against our belief in ubuntu where we don’t regard a visitor or a guest as an enemy. In our culture, a person who comes at night into your house may not go to sleep without a plate of food. A visitor or a guest will share with you whatever you have. There is no child in Africa that is an orphan; every child has a parent and a home.

It is therefore very insulting and disgraceful that today, as South Africans who were accommodated by our very same African brothers and sisters during our difficult times in apartheid South Africa, we treat them this way. I think, as mothers and fathers, that it is very inhuman; what are we teaching our children? No man or woman deserves the kind of treatment that was meted out to our brothers and sisters. I want to say therefore, to all of us, that the government wants to appreciate what the people of South Africa have done to accommodate, to clothe and to feed these people the government will do everything in its power to ensure that criminals go to jail and that justice is done.

I want to say therefore, on behalf of our different departments, that we shall assist the people. The Department of Social Development has already started to make contributions to ensure that there are blankets and food. Through our police and security system there is safety for our guests who are here, not because of their own making, but because of the situations that they found themselves in in their countries. We therefore thank South Africans for the little they have done and hope that more will join and contribute towards assisting our brothers and sisters.

In terms of the food price crisis that we are going through, our long-term strategy, as the Department of Agriculture, is to increase agricultural production and improve investment in agriculture. We are not alone in this quest; we have our international partners who are intent on supporting our efforts in this regard. As I speak, the Premier of Limpopo is in Italy on a study tour with the MEC for Agriculture, where he is studying the food parks concept for the purpose of introducing these food parks in Limpopo. The Italians have made a commitment that they are ready to come to South Africa and introduce these food parks in the Limpopo province, in the Tzaneen area. They will be working with the government of South Africa in this regard.

At home, we are creating partnerships with the private sector; our commercial farmers have been very productive and supportive in this regard. Through these partnerships we hope to bring to bear the expertise through skills transfer and the training of our emerging black farmers. We also want to ensure that we put in place infrastructure and provide information and resources for the private sector on a risk-sharing basis to the implementation of the sustainable Land and Agrarian Reform Project.

In addition, we shall also focus on investing in highly capital-intensive projects, which will address the rehabilitation of our irrigation schemes and dipping services.

Chairperson, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, has been prioritised to respond timeously to the demands of the Land and Agrarian Reform Project. We shall also remember that this was one of the priority programmes identified at the Polokwane Conference.

This flexibility has been built into the administration of this facility Casp, which aims at developing new farmers, assisting developing farmers to increase the production of strategic agricultural products and contributing towards national food security, and increasing our exports. Since its inception in the 2004-05 financial year, Casp disbursement has totalled R1,165 billion. For the current financial year, Casp will disburse R535 million to 1 085 projects to benefit 37 908 beneficiaries. The different provinces have also greatly improved in their facilitation of projects that have been assisted through Casp. I believe that in the last financial year a lot of improvement has been realised and support has been given to farmers through this Casp programme.

The Zwelihle Organic Farm is one of the successful projects in Hermanus owned by a co-operative of women who produce seasonal organic vegetable crops and seedlings, which they sell locally to chain stores and the informal sector. Their range varies from spinach, cauliflower, green pepper to garlic and leeks.

In terms of the Ilima/Letsema Campaign, Mpumalanga has intensified Masibuyele eMasimini, a call to intensify food production. I am informed therefore that the bulk of their expenditure in ploughing is due to the provision of tractors. In some provinces, tractors purchased in the last two years have collapsed. It is important, therefore, that we come together with all the MECs and work out a bulk purchasing strategy that will give us a sustainable procurement of tractors for most of our provinces. This is the only way we can ensure that we transfer skills to our people to be mechanics for tractors and to ensure that such skills are also given to communities in the rural areas.

Chairperson, I wonder if I have additional time. [Laughter.]

The Micro- Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa, Mafisa, was rolled out in Limpopo, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal benefiting communities in the districts of Sekhukhune, O R Tambo – remember those are some of the poorest districts – Amathole, Alfred Nzo, Ukhahlamba, Chris Hani, Waterberg, Mopani and Vhembe; soon Mafisa will be rolled out in all provinces. We have evaluated and assessed Mafisa and we believe that we are ready to roll it out to provinces. I know that in the Northern Cape we have already launched Mafisa and we’ll be moving to other provinces.

I want to proceed to the sensitive issue of land affairs. We have launched the Agricultural Black Economic Empowerment Charter or the AgriBEE Charter which was gazetted on 20 March. We call on all farmers to go out and work collaboratively with commercial farmers … Bese sibatshela ukuthi manje sekuyisikhathi sokuthi basiqome nokuthi sishade ngoba uhulumeni uthi … [… and tell them that it is now the time for them to fall in love with us and marry us so as to work collaboratively with us because government says that …]

… the whites-only companies can no longer work in South Africa. We are looking at ensuring that women are partnered in the new AgriBEE dispensation. We are also considering youth and people with disabilities to participate so that they can benefit from our agricultural industry.

The Department of Land Affairs recently developed the Settlement Implementation Support Strategy, Siss, which will address, among other issues, the whole problem of postsettlement support. We believe this strategy, amongst others, will ensure livelihood, enterprise and technical support; integrated natural resource management; sustainable settlements; and give capacity as well as institutional support to emerging farmers, farmworkers, and women farmers. Incorporating this strategy with the Land and Agrarian Reform Project, shall enable us to transform the agricultural sector.

The Department of Land Affairs has completed a viability review of 1 200 projects funded by our Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development grants. The good news today is that even though the LRAD grants have been, of course – and we have all complained about it - very low and cannot assist our farmers, they have now been increased from R20 000 to R111 000 per person. With the current maximum grant of R100 000 per person qualifying, it has been increased to R430 000.

Furthermore, our big problem was the Settlement/Land Acquisition Grant, Slag; we have substantially increased it from R16 000.

… niyakhumbula yayifana nesibonelelo sezezindlu …[… you will remember that it was the same as the housing grant …]

… but we have increased it from R16 000 per person to R111 125 per household.

Ngakho uma niyinhlangano mhlawumbe niyishumi, niyakwazi ukuthola isigidi esisodwa samarandi ukuze nithenge into ebonakalayo. [Therefore if you are an organisation of maybe 10 people, you are able to get yourselves at least R1 million so as to buy something tangible.]

Chairperson, the Department of Land Affairs has responded to the calls for a national state land audit.

Lokhu kwakungenye yezinto esasizithunyiwe ePolokwane. [This was one of the resolutions of the ANC Conference in Polokwane.]

The department has completed the audit of some 228 000 parcels of state land on our national database and this amounts to 23 million hectares of state land.

Lokho akusho ukuthi sinamahektha ayizigidi ezingama-23 ombuso. [But that does not mean that we have 23 million hectares of state land.]

That land is not vacant. Of the 23 million …

… sibala nalana asePhalamende, yilawo amasosha nalawo ezikole. [… we also include the precincts of Parliament, those of the Defence Force as well as those of the schools.]

But, out of that, about two million hectares is vacant land. We have started to redistribute this land to the previously disadvantaged; to date, we’ve redistributed 800 000 hectares of the two million.

We are also looking at the question of security of tenure for farm dwellers and farmworkers. This remains high on our agenda and priority list. In this regard we are working on a number of interventions to ensure access to land, housing, water, education, health and the protection of their human rights.

We want to ensure that the high rate of evictions goes down. In this regard, the department is currently working with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. As we speak, the two study groups on justice and land affairs in the National Assembly, NA, are meeting to discuss the issue of evictions.

In this regard we have set up the Legal Aid Board. We are working with civil organisations and NGOs and also the legal fraternity to increase our collective capacity to provide legal representation, and to monitor evictions and other human rights violations on the farms. We are also working with the Minister of Safety and Security to ensure safety and security of our farmers and farm dwellers on our farms. We welcome the Land Claims Court’s decision that restored the dignity of Ntate Mokoena in Hoedspruit in Limpopo, by granting the family an order to bury their father on the farm where he was born, grew up and died at the age of 72. He was denied the right to be buried there. We also condemn the murder of our farmers, wherever this criminality occurs.

On 19 June the Department of Land Affairs will mark the 95th anniversary since the promulgation of the Native Land Act by the previous government in

1. I am glad to announce that in our efforts to reverse the effects of the notorious Land Act of 1913, we have declared the month of June as Land Month. This year we are going to commemorate Land Month by handing over 23 000 ha of land on 19 June to 665 households in the Koegas community, in the Siyanda Municipality in the Northern Cape. We will start the Land Month handover on 14 June at Hartebeespoort, where we will give 2 363 ha to Bakwena ba Mogopa. On 16 June we will give 1 570 ha of land to Moeketse Ga-Chatleka in the Winburg district in Limpopo. On 28 June we will give 3 324 ha to the Campbell community at Siyancuma in the Northern Cape, as well as 9 194 ha to several communities from the Gauteng and North West provinces.

Today we deliberate on the issue of high food prices and the state of vulnerable groups. I am delighted to state that on 20 June the Ministry, with the two departments, will be launching the Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development, Yard. Through the provincial structures they are ready and prepared to toil and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the agricultural sector. We call upon our youth to go into agriculture and go down the value chain. We also appeal to commercial farmers, to emerging farmers, to partner with the youth to produce and also ensure that they transfer some of their skills to our young farmers.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my Deputy Minister Adv Dirk du Toit for his support and his wisdom. I want to thank all our MECs for Agriculture for their support and co-operation. I also want to thank the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ntate Moatshe, for his unfailing support and guidance. I want to thank the members of this House.

Bayasibetha ke bethu. Kodwa ke … [They are always keeping us on our toes, but …] … we do listen to them because they assist us to correct our mistakes.

I also want to thank our directors-general in both the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Affairs and their dedicated support staff and also the staff in my office. I also want to thank the Chief Land Claims Commissioner and his team, the CEOs of all our state entities and the boards and the heads of departments in Agriculture. Last but not least, I want to thank the farmers unions. I want to thank AgriBEE, the Agri Business Chamber and also the agriprocessors for all the support that they have given to us.

Ndiyabona kwakhona ukuba bakhona noomama apha. Malibongwe! Siyazi ukuba ngaphandle koomama, ngakumbi oomama bezolimo, ayikho into esingakwazi ukuyenza. Nootata bebodwa abangekhe benze nto. Ndiyababulela ke nabo ootata ngegalelo abalenzileyo kwezolimo. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)

[I also notice that there are women here. Praise! We know that without women, especially women in agriculture, there is nothing that we can do. Even men alone cannot do anything. I also thank men for their contribution in agriculture.]

I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Thank you, hon Minister, I am sure you are aware why I gave you extra time, because I knew you would tell us lots of wonderful news. But that was only given to the Minister, for the rest of you, your minutes will be restricted to your given time.

Rev P MOATSHE: Modulasetulo o o tlotlegang, Maloko a ntlo e [Hon Chairperson, members of this House,]

… special delegates present here, MECs, Minister, Deputy Minister, your entourage and all stakeholders in the gallery …

… re a le dumedisa ka leina la Agriculture. [… we greet you all in the name of Agriculture.]

Minister, you did not mention aquaculture in your speech, so I would love to have a response when you answer later about why it was not included in your speech. Otherwise, the Constitution enjoins the state to take action to enable citizens to gain access to land on an equitable basis to ensure security of tenure for people and communities, and to realise the restitution of land rights for those dispossessed after 1913.

Current approaches to land reform are not achieving the scale or outcomes required for the realisation of a better life for rural South Africa. The Minister has made mention of vast quantities of hectares that will be allocated to our people. It sounds very good to our ears. If this could be utilised we will really make a difference with our people participating in the economic streams of this country.

We have only succeeded in redistributing 4%, that’s what I see, but we heard that we will distribute more percentages to the people of South Africa. The willing-seller willing-buyer approach to land acquisition has constrained the pace and efficacy of land reform. It is clear from our experience that the market is unable to effectively alter the patterns of land ownership in favour of an equitable and efficient distribution of land. Therefore it is imperative that this should be taken very seriously and done equitably.

Rural development is a central pillar of our struggle against unemployment, poverty and inequality. High levels of rural poverty and inequality inhibits the growth of our economy and undermines our efforts to ensure that growth is more equitably shared among our people. Gender equality must be a critical ingredient and important outcome of all our programmes of rural development, land reform and agrarian change. Correcting the injustices of the past requires that women increasingly become the beneficiaries and decision-makers in respect of strategies to overcome poverty in the rural areas.

Our programmes of rural development, land reform and agrarian change must be integrated into a clear strategy that seeks to empower the poor, particularly those who already derive all or part of their livelihood from the exploitation of productive land. In line with the Freedom Charter’s call that the land shall be shared among those who work it, the critical beneficiaries of change must be rural women, farm dwellers, household producers in former Bantustans, small businesses and rural entrepreneurs and residents of urban and peri-urban areas who wish to engage in agricultural livelihood.

Black economic empowerment and the deracialisation of agricultural ownership is a necessary, but insufficient, condition for the realisation of our transformation goals in rural South Africa. The participation of the poor in the design, implementation and monitoring of rural development programmes is a key objective of the developmental state and must be supported by appropriate structures to give voice to affected communities and structure their engagement with government programmes.

The ANC and its alliance partners have a critical role in mobilising and organising rural communities behind the objectives of the National Democratic Revolution, NDR, in general and the goals of rural development in particular. The ANC branches will have to work together with the progressive trade union movement, particularly the Food and Agricultural Workers Union, government agencies and civil society to build national organisations for farmworkers and farm dwellers dedicated to the realisation of their rights.

The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, is administered by provincial departments of agriculture. Casp beneficiaries are the hungry, subsistence and household food producers, emergent farmers and agricultural macrosystems within the consumer environment. The programme is a core focus for the Department of Agriculture. The following priorities can make Casp a success story in its endeavour to turnaround the lives of our subsistence farmers.

If there is no information, you are impoverishing the minds that have to unfold to love farming and to produce food for the masses of this country, therefore technological management has to become part of that. Technical and advisory assistance and regulatory services have to be provided from the side of the departments, and the departments must take the initiative to go down to the people and take them by the hand and work together to deliver the goods expected by the masses of South Africa. Marketing and business development is also imperative for our people to be encouraged to work hard in agriculture.

The ongoing training and capacity-building we experienced during our oversight trips seems to be a major shortfall. Our people need training so that they can be fully capacitated to do what is expected of them. Obviously, financial support patterns must be corrected. Money cannot be given to communities and be left at that point. They must be taught how to spend it and be economically viable. The national department with the provincial departments have to take that into cognisance so that the people are helped on the ground, every cent is utilised to the maximum and there is production of this budget.

The Micro Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa, Mafisa, which is the financial assistance pillar for Casp, was first piloted, as the Minister has said, in certain provinces. The time is long-overdue and it should have been rolled out to other provinces some time back, not at this point in time, so that we really speed this up. If this is successful, it is imperative that it reaches all the provinces at a speedy pace.

The Intergrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme is an interdepartmental programme that provides relief to indigent households that are affected by food security in the form of agricultural starter packs containing seeds, seedlings, farming implements, as mentioned by the Minister, fertilisers, etc. It is important that this information is filtered down to the people, to the periphery, to the remote corners of this country. How is the information reaching people in the rural areas? There is a shortfall as far as that is concerned. I think our processes and machinery is not speeding up things we have that have to be implemented on the ground. [Time expired.] Thank you, Chairperson, let me thank everybody. Thank you so much. [Applause.]

Mnr J W LE ROUX: Agbare Voorsitter, agb Minister, agb Adjunkminister, LUR’e

• veral my oudkollega mnr Dowry en kollegas; ek was die afgelope 40 jaar lank betrokke by die landbou en deel graag ’n paar gedagtes met u. Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners en trouens die meeste mense dwarsoor Afrika hunker om ’n stukkie grond te bekom.

Die probleem is dat dit baie moeilik is om wins te maak uit boerdery en in die meeste gevalle is dit onmoontlik om selfs net te oorleef. Sakebeginsels geld in die landbou net soos in alle vertakkings van die sakesektor. Die wette van skaal geld in die landbou en as ’n reël is kleinskaalboerdery net nie lonend nie.

Ek het plase in Kenia en Ghana besoek en die grootste armoede op die platteland gesien, waar duisende kleinboere sukkel om te oorleef. Die grond in Kenia en Ghana is vrugbaar en die reënval is hoog, nogtans was die opbrengste en die gehalte van die diere baie swak. Die redes vir die mislukking van kleinboere en boere in die algemeen is eerstens ’n gebrek aan kennis, tweedens ’n gebrek aan landboudienste en ondersteuning van die staat en derdens ’n gebrek aan kapitaal.

Ons moet in Suid-Afrika leer uit die ondervinding van ander en sorg dat ons boere ten minste ’n kans gegun word om sukses te behaal. Ek hoop en vertrou wat die Minister vandag hier aangekondig het, sal ons boere in ’n groot mate kan help. Ongelukkig, wat betref die opleiding van voornemende boere en die ondersteuning van landboutegniese dienste, het die regering skouspelagtig misluk.

Dit bring my by die belangrike punt van voedselsekuriteit. In alle suksesvolle lande speel die landbou ’n baie groot rol. Dit is die rede waarom boere dwarsoor die wêreld groot finansiële en ander hulp van hulle onderskeie regerings ontvang. Hoe meer effektief ons boere kan produseer en hoe minder landbouprodukte ons hoef in te voer, hoe beter. Hoe meer ons boere produseer, hoe goedkoper word ons voedsel.

Ons moet in Suid-Afrika ’n landbousektor hê wat floreer, wat werkgeleenthede skep en wat valuta vir die land kan verdien. Tans kompeteer ons boere teen produkte van ander lande wat deur hulle regerings gesubsidieer word. Hierdie is ’n groot probleem en die regering sal ’n oplossing hiervoor móét vind.

As ons na ander lande kyk wat finansieel agteruit gaan en waar inflasie en veral voedselinflasie handuit ruk, is een faktor altyd teenwoordig, naamlik dalende produksievlakke in die landbou. ’n Florerende landbougemeenskap is in ons land se belang en die staat moet sy positiewe rol hier speel. Dit is tragies dat waar Suid-Afrika eers ’n netto uitvoerder van voedsel was, ons nou vir die eerste maal ’n netto invoerder van voedsel is.

Wat die billike herverdeling van grond betref, is daar hopeloos te veel spanning. In dié verband kan ek die Minister die versekering gee dat die meeste boere wil hê dat herverdeling moet slaag en meer as gewillig is om hulp en kundigheid te deel. Dit sal dwaas wees om die enkele negatiewe boere as die norm te gebruik. Die probleem van herverdeling lê nie by die boere nie; die grootste probleem moet by staatsdepartemente gesoek word. Dís die probleem, nié die boere nie.

Daar is baie goeie landbougrond deurlopend in die mark en dis onwaar dat slegs swak landbougrond aangebied word. Verder is daar baie boere wat bereid is om vennootskappe te sluit. Verwyder rompslomp in die departemente, dan sál ons ons teikens bereik. Tans is die vestiging van nuwe boere ’n ramp. Alle aanduidings is dat 50% van alle projekte volslae mislukkings is. Miljoene rand is vermors en winsgewende boerderyeenhede is vernietig.

Wat betref die verkoop van grond: Landbougrond is ’n bate wat verkoop word en die eienaar van die bate het die reg om sy bate te verkoop teen ’n sekere prys. Die debat gaan oor wat ’n billike prys is. Natuurlik is daar met landbougrond ook ander faktore wat ’n rol speel, maar gesiene ekonome van Adam Smith se tyd is dit eens dat vraag en aanbod die prys van ’n kommoditeit moet bepaal.

Op die oomblik heers daar groot spanning oor die Wysigingswet op Onteiening. Een van die hoofredes waarom Afrika nie beleggers kan trek nie, is dat eiendomsreg nie beskerm word nie. Minister, behalwe dat die wet ongrondwetlik is, gaan Suid-Afrika ’n duur prys betaal as ons voortgaan met hierdie wetgewing. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)

[Mr J W LE ROUX: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, MECs - especially my ex-colleague Mr Dowry and other colleagues; I have been involved in agriculture for the past 40 years and I gladly share a few thoughts with you. Most South Africans and, in fact, most of the people across Africa long to obtain a piece of land.

The problem is that it is difficult to make a profit in farming and in most cases it is even impossible just to survive. Business principles apply to agriculture in much the same way they apply to other branches of the business sector. The laws of scale apply to agriculture and as a rule small- scale farming is just not profitable.

I visited farms in Kenya and Ghana and witnessed the worst poverty in the rural areas, where thousands of peasant farmers struggle to survive. The land in Kenya and Ghana is fertile and the rainfall is high, but even so the crops and the quality of the animals are very poor. The reasons for the failure of peasant farmers and farmers in general are: Firstly, a lack of knowledge; secondly, insufficient agricultural services and support by the state; and thirdly, insufficient funds.

We in South Africa should learn from the experience of others and see to it that our farmers are given at least a chance to achieve success. I hope and trust that what the Minister has announced here today will assist our farmers in a significant way. Unfortunately, when it comes to the training of prospective farmers and support from Agricultural Technical Services, the government has failed spectacularly.

This brings me to the important matter of food security. Agriculture plays a very important role in all successful countries. This is the reason why farmers across the globe receive major financial and other aid from their respective governments. The more effectively our farmers can produce and the fewer agricultural products we have to import, the better. The more our farmers produce, the cheaper our food will become.

In South Africa we should have an agricultural sector that flourishes, that creates job opportunities and that can earn foreign exchange for the country. Currently, our farmers are competing with products of other countries which are being subsidised by their governments. This is a major problem and the government will have to find a solution for this.

If we look at other countries that are regressing financially and where inflation, and especially food inflation, has become unmanageable, one factor is always present, namely, the declining levels of agricultural production. A flourishing agricultural community is in the interest of our country and the government should play a positive role in this. It is tragic that whereas South Africa has been a net exporter of food in the past, we are now, for the first time, a net importer of food.

As far as the fair redistribution of land is concerned, there is far too much tension. In this regard I can give the Minister the assurance that the majority of the farmers want redistribution to be successful and are more than willing to assist and to share expertise. It will be absurd to use the few farmers who are negative as the norm. The problem of redistribution lies not with the farmers; the most important problem should be sought in the government departments. That is the problem, not the farmers.

There is regularly a lot of excellent agricultural land on the market, and it is untrue that only poor agricultural land is made available. In addition, there are many farmers who are willing to form partnerships. Remove the red tape in the departments then we will achieve our targets. Settling new farmers is a catastrophe at the moment. All indications are that 50% of all projects are absolute failures. Millions of rand have been squandered and profitable farming units have been destroyed.

With regard to the selling of land: Agricultural land is an asset that could be sold and the owner of the asset has the right to sell his asset at a certain price. The debate deals with what constitutes a reasonable price. When it comes to agricultural land, there are, of course, other factors that play a role as well, but respected economists from the time of Adam Smith agree that supply and demand should determine the price of a commodity.

Currently, huge tension prevails regarding the Expropriation Amendment Act. One of the main reasons why Africa is unable to attract investment is because the right of ownership is not protected. Minister, except for the fact that this Act is unconstitutional, South Africa will also pay a high price if we were to continue with this legislation. Thank you.]

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Modulasetulo, Tona ya tša Temo le Motlatši wa gagwe, badiredi ba mmušo kamoka ga bona, maloko a Ntlo e hlomphegago … [Hon Chairperson, Minister of Agriculture and her Deputy, all government officials, members of this august House …]

… comrades and all the members, dignitaries and the visitors to this House …

… go fepa setšhaba ke tlhotlo ye kgolo yeo Lefapha la tša Temo le lebanego le yona. Tlhago le yona e mpefatša maemo ka baka la komelelo yeo e tšeago nako e telele. Malwetši a diphoofolo le ona a dira gore seemo se befele pele le go tšea karolo moo go sego gwa lekalekana ka baka la go hloka tsebo le bjona bokgoni bja tša temo. Matšatšing a lehono go mpefalela pele ka ge ditheko le tšona di nyoga go ya go ile. Theko ya makhura a dinamelwa ke peterole le disele - dijo le bona bophelo ka kakaretšo, ga di dire gore bao ba fulelago ganong ba kgone go ba le bophelo bjo bokaone – bjo bo bego bo ka phelega. Bodiidi, hlokego ya mešomo, hlokego ya tsebo le maitemogelo le yona thuto di maatlafatša seo mokgatlo wa ANC o se boletšego ge o re … (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)

[One of the most challenging issues faced by the Department of Agriculture is to feed the nation. The ongoing drought is also worsening the situation. Animal diseases, lack of knowledge and skills in farming and poor participation also make matters worse.

Furthermore, things are getting more and more expensive these days. Fuel – be it petrol or diesel - food prices and our lifestyle in general are not helping the situation at all. Poverty, unemployment and the lack of skills, experience and education add to what was said by the ANC that …]

… there must be adequate support services for farmers in the form of inputs; that is, tractors, fertilisers, chemicals, seed and financing for agribusiness and quality extension advisory services. The Freedom Charter stated the ANC’s approach to issues of land and agrarian transformation in those terms.

Rural development forms an essential component of the ANC’s programmes for redistribution and growth. As such, the rural development policy would give emphasis to generating a viable productive rural economy through activities such as the agro industry.

Sustainable job creation programmes would incorporate the provision of infrastructure and skills to enhance the productivity capacity of these areas as well as raise the standard of living of the people. These programmes should focus on economically viable localities and at the same time benefit people of the rural areas, especially women, the youth and people with disabilities.

In addition, the ANC also stated that it would initiate wide-ranging consultation and co-ordinated research to develop a comprehensive rural development programme.

As a result the current budget seeks to allocate resources as a simple technical process of financial allocation. The thrust of the ANC’s priorities should also be adequately reflected. Such issues as articulated through the “Ready to Govern” and other key policy priorities of the ANC should as such find resonance in the current Vote.

Amongst these is the crystallisation and effective incorporation of the 52nd National Conference Resolution on Land, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the centre of the government programme going forward.

In this regard the conference’s resolution calls for the discarding of market–driven land reform and the immediate reviewing of the principle of willing-buyer willing-seller in accelerating equitable distribution of land. This clearly indicates that the resources allocated to land reform should increase substantially, given the anticipation that there is going to be challenges of postsettlement support or other risk factors, including litigation, in the process of expropriation.

In addition, agrarian change must be pursued with a view to supporting subsistence food production, expanding the role and productivity of the modern smallholder, and farming and maintaining a vibrant and competitive agricultural sector. Thus, connecting forms of ownership is at the centre of how the ANC is viewing agrarian change and rural development.]

Thlahlo ya baswa e raloka karolo e kgolo go tša temo. Re boletše gantši bjalo ka mokgahlo wa ANC gore re nyaka baswa bao ba tlago tšea karolo ka go hlabolla le go fepa setšhaba.

Go na le baswa bao ba nago le phišego ya go ba balemi ba ka moso, bao ba nyakago go bona setšhaba se etšwa bodidiing. Ga bjale, ke ile ka huduega maikutlo ge ke be ke re ke iša ba bangwe ba baswa bao kua dikholetšheng tša tlhahlo tša go swana le boTompi Seleka, ka hwetša e le gore ga ba sa tšea baswa bao. Ke ile ka ba tšea gape ka re ke a furalela ke leba Madzivhandila, ka hwetša e le gore le gona ga go sa na monyetla wa baswa wa gore ba tle ba kgone go fepa setš haba.

Potšišo ke gore, a naa ge re sa nyake baswa ba ba tsenya diatla tša bona ka mo gare ga temo – ba fepe setšhaba, re nyaka bafe bao e lego gore ba tla re ge ba re re a ithuta, ba ithuta ba se na selo ka mo maleng. Re reng? Re re naa baswa ba Limpopo ba emelele ba ye Mpumalanga goba ba ye North West goba ba ye kae – ba tshele mellwane ba ye go ithutela tša temo? Mola re be re re ka lebaka la gore dikholetšhe tše di gona mo gae mo Limpopo gomme re tlo holega ka tšona.

Tše dintši tša dienywa tšeo di tšwago Limpopo, bjale ka ge re re Limpopo ke Edene ya Afrika. Batho ba gona, le a ba bona, go thoma ka Kgoši Mokoena, Ntate Botha le mohlomphegi Sibiya, gore ke batho bao ba jago dienywa tša tlhago – ke batho bao ba kgonago gore ge ba tsoga gosasa ba ye go kga ka mo sehlareng ba kgone go ja. Fela bothata bjo bogolo ke gore bontši bja dienywa tšeo ka moka ga tšona di tšwa ka mono porofenseng ya Limpopo ka ge re se na difeme tša go tšweletša, tša go dira gore batho ba Limpopo ba kgone gore go be le dikgotlaomone, ke ra tšamo bao ba sa tsebego Sepedi, ba tsebe go bona gore go ba le tamatisoso. Ka ge Limpopo e le yona e ntšhago tše dintši tša dienywa tša go swana le ditamati, re kgone go bona go eba le difeme, re tloše batho ba kua magaeng bodidi bja go hloka mešomo. Se sengwe seo se ilego sa nkhuduwa maikutlo ke gore ge re be re ile Limpopo ka Taking Parliament to the People, re dira ditatelelo tša tšhepedišo, re ile ra etela dipolase tša go swana le bo-Berlin, bo-Mariveni le bo- Ngavumune, go tšona ka moka re re batho ba swanetše ba boele ba kgone go itirela. Se ka moka se, mohlomphegi Tona, se befetšwa pele ke gore batho bao re ba tsenye ka gare ga mathata ka nako yona ye. Ba bangwe ba kolota Land Bank tšhelete ye nngwe ye ntši ye e ka fihlago dimilione tše R24. Ba tlo e tšea kae ka gore ke batho ba dikobo di magetleng, ba ikgonere, ga ba na sa bona.

Bjale ka mokgahlo wa ANC re re, lefapha le ga le tsenye seatla le mo go diprofense, le kgontšhe gore batho ba Limpopo le batho ba diporofense ka moka bao ba lego kua dinaga-magaeng ba kgone go holega. Re re… (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)

[Farming skills that are offered to the young generation play a very important role. As the ANC, we have mentioned before that we are looking for youth who will commit themselves to taking part in developing and feeding the nation through agriculture.

Some of the youth are willing to commit themselves to farming as a way to fight poverty. I took some of those youth to colleges like Tompi Seleka for enrolment but, to my surprise, I was told that the college is closed; they do not offer training anymore. I also went to Madzivhandila and the situation there is the same. There is no more training. Now the question is, if we do not offer farming skills to our very own youth, who are we going to train and develop? What should be done? Are the youth of Limpopo supposed to go to Mpumalanga or North West in order to be trained as farmers? We were hoping that the youth of Limpopo would benefit from those colleges in their own province.

Most of the fruits in this country are from Limpopo, hence the name “Eden of Africa”. By looking at Kgoshi Mokoena, Mr Botha and the hon Sibiya, one can tell that they get healthy fruits from their own gardens every day. It is unfortunate that although Limpopo is rich with fruits and vegetables, there are no factories that produce jam and tomato sauce. More factories are necessary to assist in fighting poverty in Limpopo.

During our Taking Parliament to the People visit in Limpopo, we visited farms such as Berlin, Mariveni and Nguvamuni as a follow-up procedure and I was very disappointed because we were hoping that our people would benefit from them. The problem is that those people are now in serious trouble – some of them owe an estimated amount of R24 million to the Land Bank. Poor as they are, where will they get the money to pay off their debts? As the ANC, we say that this department must assist the people in the rural areas of Limpopo and all the other provinces. We say …]

Hon Minister, we support your Budget Vote with those recommendations. I thank you.

Mr C DOWRY (Western Cape): Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members, this Budget Vote is tabled at a time when agriculture is on the receiving end of electricity outages, rising inflation and interest rates, rocketing fuel prices and the issue of food security and land reform that are topping the list of priorities of agriculture. I am mindful of the words of the hon Minister when she recently said:

Through our co-ordinated efforts and actions, which include sustainable empowerment initiatives, the challenges can be absorbed and turned into successes.

We are very aware of the fact that the earth was not given to us by our parents but that it is lent to us by our children and, therefore, my efforts and those of the Western Cape’s department of agriculture have for the past five years been to work vigorously towards liberty for the people of the Western Cape and to make sure that we develop and protect the land which our children are lending to us. It is the mission of this government to provide to our people the freedom to own and cultivate land and to experience the right of food security and access to safe and nutritious food. That is necessary for an active and healthy life.

The Constitution of our country recognises food security as a fundamental right and our labours have been focused on turning this right into a reality. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, there are worldwide around 852 million men, women and children who are chronically hungry due to extreme poverty, while up to 2 billion people lack food security, intermittently due to varying degrees of poverty.

It is our task, on the one hand, to enable people to have the financial means to buy food and on the other hand to help people to produce their food within their limited means. One of the most pressing issues is the rise in food prices and we can rightfully ask: What is happening with the price of food? The most recent report by the National Agricultural Marketing Council indicates that the January 2008 year-on-year increase in the consumer price of food was 13,4%. This means that the cost of the food basket bought by the average South African has increased significantly faster over the past year than the official three to six per cent inflation target of the Reserve Bank.

In the case of certain individual products this increase was even significantly higher. Specific mention can be made of increases in the price of onions – 69,4%; cooking oil – 66%; pumpkin – 59,4%; potatoes – 47% and even oranges – 45,4%. Similarly the SA Futures Exchange, Safex spot price of wheat has increased from the low of R1 235 per ton on 25 February 2005 to a high of R4 298 on 26 March 2008 – this is a significant increase of close to 250% over this three-year period.

It is important to understand what is driving this increase in the price of agricultural commodities. The South African agricultural economy is open to the international environment. It follows that the prices of agricultural commodities, in general, are being driven by the international price of that product, as the exchange rate translates international price into the domestic price.

The second factor determining the domestic price of food is the exchange rate. The third major factor influencing food prices is the movement of domestic industries between import and export parity. This in turn is the function of local climatic conditions and the relative price movements between commodities.

Finally, the domestic competitive structure of an industry has an impact on the effectiveness and transparency of price forming. While the farmers are price takers and price setters, we would have to look at input cost. What is not driving the farm-gate prices of agricultural commodities are the domestic price of diesel, labour, land, land reform, fertiliser and claimed illegitimate margins in the supply chain. These factors will influence the profit margins of various individual and collective role-players but not the prices of farm commodities.

Let us then apply this rationale to the record high prices of wheat. Land being transformed to carbohydrate production, like sugar cane, maize, wheat and lipids that will serve as feedstock for the biofuels industry led to a sharp increase in global wheat prices. The drought in Australia, one of the major exporters of wheat, led to historical lows in wheat stocks, changing consumption patterns driven by rapid economic growth. In China and India it led to increased demand for certain commodities. Around the turn of the year, the rand was one of the most rapidly depreciating currencies and global economic conditions have led to renewed interest in commodities.

Die stygende voedselpryse is vir ons ‘n uiters ernstige saak en as regering is ons intens bewus van die gevolge hiervan. Suid-Afrikaanse huishoudings word in 10 “lifestyle measure”- groepe ingedeel. Die eerste groep is die armste groep en daar word 70% van hulle inkomste aan voedsel bestee, terwyl die LSM 10, die rykste groep, slegs nodig het om 10% van hulle inkomste aan voedsel te bestee. Die armste mense word dus die meeste geraak deur stygings in voedselpryse en indien dit nie verlaag word nie, sal ons beslis ongewenste reaksie in Suid-Afrika sien.

Die vraag is nou: Wat moet ons hieromtrent doen? Ons het bepaal dat in die Wes-Kaap daar nie te min voedsel is nie. Daar word genoeg voedsel geproduseer, maar die voedsel is te duur vir arm mense om te kan bekostig. Daarom sal ons ernstig moet kyk na die produksiekoste van voedsel en kyk hoe daardie produksiekoste verminder kan word, sodat voedsel goedkoper geproduseer kan word vir arm mense sodat hulle dit kan benut.

Daar is nog vele ander opsies en ter ondersteuning van die Minister se inisiatiewe poog ek en my departement om soveel moontlik met ons eie beskikbare begroting te doen, om die kwessie aan te spreek. So word geld bestee aan navorsing, opleiding en die ondersteuning van bestaande, sowel as nuwe boere. Die departement maak ’n integrale deel uit om armoede te verlig en werk te skep. Dit is hoekom ons oor die laaste vier jaar daarin geslaag het om byna 99 000 persoonwerksdae vir werklose mense te skep, deur hulle onder andere in te span vir die uitwissing van indringerplante. Vanjaar beoog ons om nog 25 000 persoonwerksdae te skep.

Ten opsigte van die maatskaplike welstand van byvoorbeeld plaaswerkers het ons na afloop van ons konferensie oor alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik ‘n taakspan op die been gebring om ‘n dwelmmeesterplan te formuleer wat in ooreenstemming is met die nasionale plan. Hierdie plan is voltooi en ter tafel gelê.

By ons Volstruis Centre of Excellence ondersteun ons ‘n bedryf wat werk verskaf aan meer as 20 000 mense en terselfdertyd valuta genereer vir ons land via die uitvoer van die verskillende volstruisprodukte.

Ons program vir volhoubare hulpbronbestuur het sedert 2004 R15 miljoen aan 20 projekte bestee, veral rondom die watervoorsiening- en besproeiingsinfrastruktuur wat in baie gevalle aan mense water voorsien het, wat nooit voorheen toegang tot water gehad het nie. Hierdie projekte is … (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[The rise in food prices is a very serious matter to us and we as government are intensely aware of the consequences thereof. South African households are divided into 10 ”lifestyle measure” groups. The first group is the poorest group, which spends 70% of its income on food, while the LSM 10, the wealthiest group, only spends 10% of its income on food. Therefore the poorest people are affected the most by this rise in food prices and if it is not cushioned, we will definitely experience an undesirable reaction to this in South Africa.

The question now is: What should we do about this? We have determined that there is no food shortage in the Western Cape. Enough food is being produced, but the food is too expensive for poor people to afford. That is why we will have to look at food production costs and how we can reduce these production costs, so that food can be produced in a cheaper way which will allow poor people to be able to afford it.

There are many other options and in support of the Minister’s initiatives, my department and I are striving to do as much as possible with the budget that is available to us to address this issue. Therefore money is spent on research, training and to support existing as well as new farmers. The department is an integral part of the process to alleviate poverty and create jobs. That is why we have succeeded, over the past four years, in creating nearly 99 000 person-days of work for unemployed people, by using them, among other things, to clear alien vegetation. We intend to create another 25 000 person-days of work in this year.

Subsequent to our conference on alcohol and drug abuse, regarding the social wellbeing of farmworkers for example, we’ve established a task team to formulate a drug master plan that is in accordance with the national plan. This plan was finalised and tabled.

We are also supporting an industry that provides work to more than 20 000 people at our Ostrich Centre of Excellence, which at the same time generates foreign exchange for our country via the export of different ostrich products.

Since 2004, we have spent R15 million on 20 projects through our programme for sustainable resource management, particularly in relation to the provision of water and irrigation infrastructure, which in many instances supplied water to people who previously had no access to water. These projects are …] … at Matjies River near Oudtshoorn. Two earth canals were replaced with pipelines and water tanks provided to 12 households; two further earth canals were completed, replaced by pipelines for 6,7 km and a small balancing reservoir constructed; water tanks provided to 15 households; irrigation equipment supplied to 20 ha and 50 ha of land prepared and planted with lucerne, providing 155 beneficiaries on 29 farms.

The Kobee Berg Project near Vanrhynsdorp is now supplying water for domestic and animal use to nine farms through a borehole pump storage tank and a pipeline of 18 km. Some 200 beneficiaries now have clean drinking water for the first time. Previously they had to transport water over a distance of 50 km to have that kind of privilege to drink clean water.

Let me end by saying that we will continue to support those who work the land and those with a dream with its roots in agriculture. I thank you.

Mr W M DOUGLAS: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon MECs, hon members and guests, the Department of Agriculture plays a key role in the development of South African agriculture and its profitability and international competitiveness. To this end we are facing serious problems due to unstable weather conditions, lack of safety on our farms, unavailability of water, slow progress in land reform, increasing food and fuel prices globally and skills shortages.

What’s more, global food stockpiles have declined to the lowest point in decades. The world supply of wheat is at its lowest in 50 years, and there is just five weeks worth of consumption available for the world’s more than 6 billion people. Food security may soon depend more on availability rather than affordability. In one example, wheat stock worldwide declined by 11% in 2007.

The ACDP is therefore concerned with the price and cost increases in agriculture as this translates directly into higher living costs for all South Africans. With maize still being the staple diet of the indigent in South Africa, we cannot help but call on government to begin investigating a large-scale roll-out of subsidisation to farmers in South Africa similar to those found in the US and European Union, in order to secure food security and the supply of low-cost maize to the indigent.

In a report recently tabled at the United Nations it was stated that, on the whole, African governments should significantly increase investments in agricultural research and development institutions and in agricultural education in general at all levels of education, in order to attract and develop new talent in the field of agriculture.

We live each day with the legacy of apartheid in the agricultural environment. One of the hallmarks of this legacy is a severe lack of skilled black landowners who can economically participate in large-scale agricultural development.

Education and skills improvement of young people to become farmers in key nodal points in the education system is paramount in redressing the legacy of apartheid. We need more money to be set aside for this purpose, and we have seen that a lack of food security can turn law-abiding citizens into violent people who turn on their fellow Africans. We ask that the Minister seriously look at education as a spending priority. The ACDP will support this Vote.

Mr M A MZIZI: Chairperson, in a developing country such as South Africa, issues of agriculture and land are of the utmost importance. Many people who are living in the rural areas do not have the necessary education and skills to make a living or to survive. In the formal sector, agriculture on tenure land plays a leading role in their fight for survival and economic freedom.

This department is tasked with leading and supporting sustainable agriculture, and promotes rural development. To achieve this, it is of paramount importance that people with the necessary skills and expertise are employed by the department.

Many people who farm in the rural areas rely on indigenous knowledge and farming techniques. Issues such as global warming and climate change will have a much greater influence on the way that these farmers do their farming. The changing weather patterns that result from global warming will necessitate change in farming techniques and patterns.

This department must ensure that all farmers, and particularly those in the rural areas, are aware of these impending changes and incorporate a traditional farming method with more modern techniques for farmers to survive and thrive. For this to happen I suggest that the department’s assistance to rural farmers be substantive, and knowledgeable experts be employed to assist farmers and pass this knowledge to them.

With the limited time I have, I shall probably focus on land reform. Land reform has been an explosive issue for many years. We, in the IFP, believe that the complex issues surrounding land reform have consequences for the country in respect of agricultural production, economic opportunities and race relations. There has been a widespread failure of support to beneficiaries who wish to farm commercially and maximise the economic benefit. Redress has not been realised while the slow pace of change has resulted in growing frustration about landlessness.

The IFP believes that the provinces should have a greater scope to address the land issue. Centralising power and responsibility does not promise a locally accepted solution. We also believe that far more attention needs to be paid to the post-distribution phase of the process. Abandoning commercial productive farms and subsistence practices is not a desirable outcome.

This land issue has been dragging on. If it is to be successful, then a creative solution is needed. There must also be more synergy and communication between various levels of government and governmental departments and stakeholders. The department faces a challenge of obstacles, but it has an important role to play in the economy and social advancement of the people of our country. So, it is imperative that it succeeds in reaching its objectives. The IFP supports the Vote.

Ngqongqoshe udaba lwakho lolo lokuthi akuqonywane, cha mina nje uqobo lwami ngishadelwe kodwa ke ngiyatholakala. [Uhleko.] [As for your suggestion, hon Minister, that we – as a people - should fall in love - well, I am married but available! [Laughter.]]

Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, MEC, members and comrades, in an article Mr Masemola, General Secretary of the Food and Allied Workers Union, published in the ANC Today he argues that:

… any intervention in the demand side to relieve consumers from the impact of the current abnormal high increase in food prices, without tackling the structural problems and market failures on the supply side, would be tantamount to redistributing resources away from the poor to the rich.

I have to agree with Mr Masemola’s very sound argument and his proposed interventions which include the following: To nationalise companies located in the value chain of staple foods; to pursue those found guilty of price- fixing; to set up state-owned enterprises that will seek to influence prices downwards, through training people and producing and storing commodities in times of surplus; to set up a price regulatory body that will control prices from reaching levels reflecting super profits, and to strengthen the competition authorities and review competition laws, such that chief executive officers presiding over companies found guilty of price-fixing are impeached and banned from serving as directors or employed as senior management.

What the above statement does not sufficiently address and which, to my mind, is of fundamental importance from a supply perspective, as well as food security point of view, is a necessity of substantial support to small and emerging farmers by government. This will require a complete rethinking by the National Treasury and the Department of Agriculture in the allocation of resources and the current funding model.

These small producers, both in SA and in Africa as a whole, are currently not only faced with adverse global factors such as climate change, spiralling input costs and uncontrolled increase in oil prices, but they are further subjected to marketing and production pressures from the developed countries such as the USA and the European Union, who provide billions of dollars of subsidies to support their own farmers, own most of the intellectual property for genetically modified organisms through multibillion dollar conglomerates, deliberately delay the World Trade Organisation negotiations, and increasingly use maize for the production of biofuels.

Since all the above factors have a direct effect on the price and availability of food, it is therefore clear that farmers, whose main function is to alleviate poverty and provide food security, are under tremendous pressure to compete and produce successfully in a very hostile environment.

The department’s budget of R435 million for the current financial year for farmers’ support and development is insufficient in providing any meaningful support, as well as addressing the current pressures that they are subjected to.

To illustrate this further, in the Free State province, which is the bread basket of the country and where agriculture is a major employer and contributor to the provincial gross domestic product, only R49 million is allocated to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme or Casp. This is totally insufficient to have any meaningful impact on the agricultural sector in the Free State.

If we are truly serious about eradicating poverty and providing food security for our people, funding for farmers’ support and development must be substantially increased over the next MTEF period to avoid a major meltdown of this sector.

Under the department’s Livelihoods Development Support programme, which provides postsettlement support to emerging farmers and is responsible for food security, the budget allocation will decline from R744 million in the 2008 to 2009 financial year to only R572 million in 2010 to 2011. This, together with the fact that the allocation for Casp increased at the average rate of 27,5 % from R200 million in 2004 and 2005 to R415 million in 2007 and 2008, but then declined to an average annual rate of only 6,9% over the next three years, is a matter of great concern.

The good work done by the department thus far in developing small emerging farmers must now be complemented and strengthened by providing sufficient comprehensive support with regard to agricultural inputs, thereby levelling the playing field for these farmers to operate and survive in a hostile and competitive environment.

During the state of the nation address the President called for “Business Unusual”. Other than the specific support to emerging small farmers, the strategy and budget presented to us by the department seems to have taken the President’s call seriously for which they must be congratulated. I thank you.

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: Thank you, Madam Chair, if you say that …

Die mense sê ek moet mooi praat. Hulle moet maar net mooi luister vandag. [Gelag.]

Verskeie kollegas het verwys na stygende voedselpryse en dat dit ’n wesenlike invloed op veral arm mense in Suid-Afrika het. Onlangs het die sekretaris-generaal van die ANC, mnr Mantashe, gesê dat grondhervorming stygende voedselpryse sal verhinder. ’n Mens sou ’n veel meer deurdagte benadering van die sekretaris-generaal verwag het. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[People are saying that I should choose my words carefully. They should just listen carefully today. [Laughter.]

Various colleagues have referred to rising food prices and that it has a real impact, especially on the poor in South Africa. The secretary-general of the ANC, Mr Mantashe, said recently that land reform would prevent rising food prices. One would have expected a more measured approach from the secretary-general.] Madam Chair, responsible land reform is necessary. But what is the hon Minister doing? The current approach to land issues has a Zimbabwean style to it. What are the facts? White farmers facing land claims are reluctant to plant crops while emerging black farmers have insufficient training and support. Other colleagues also referred to this insufficient training and support and they cannot therefore produce the quantities needed.

A recent report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise estimated that at least 50% of land reform projects are considered as failures. [Interjections.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Order! Is that a point of order, hon member?

Mr V V Z WINDVOëL: What does the hon member mean by a Zimbabwean style of government in terms of the South African law?

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: If I have time at the end of my speech I will definitely reply to that question, Madam Chair.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): We would like you to reply now, please.

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: If you’ll allow me extra time, Madam Chair, at the end of my speech. What I mean by the Zimbabwean style is the inconsiderate taking of land and giving it to people who are not properly funded and trained to farm those lands.

Mr V V Z WINDVOëL: Thank you.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): You may continue, hon member.

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: As I was saying, a recent report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise estimated that at least 50% of land reform projects are considered as failures. The Minister’s department is presently encouraging municipalities to levy very high rates on farmland in order to make it unaffordable for established … [Interjections.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Order, hon van Heerden. Is that a point of order, hon member?

Mr D D GAMEDE: Will the hon member take a question?

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Would you like to take a question, hon member?

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: Yes, Madam Chair, I would like to respond to a question but I noticed on this timer that the moment that I started again with my contribution, a bit of my time was taken off. I would like to respond and if you’ll allow me to finish my contribution, I will gladly take a question.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): I will.

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: Yes, Madam Chair.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Thank you.

Mr D D GAMEDE: May I raise a question, Chairperson? Can the hon member acknowledge that the misery that he’s just told us about, the Zimbabwean style in South Africa, was caused by the apartheid regime that he belonged to? Thank you very much.

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: Madam Chair, I have already referred to the Zimbabwean question in replying to hon Windvoël. Is this a separate question? [Laughter.] Otherwise, that hon member must just please listen and not wake up at this late stage, Madam Chair. [Laughter.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Hon van Heerden, are you asking him a question now?

Dr F J VAN HEERDEN: Madam Chair, no, I am making a statement. It’s not a question. Yes, it’s a statement, maybe in the form of a question.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Thank you.

My tyd loop uit. Ek sien ek het ’n paar minute oor. ’n Plaas wat nie gebruik word nie of wat ondoeltreffend of slegs gedeeltelik gebruik word, beteken weinig, indien enigiets, en mense eet nie ’n ideologie nie. ’n Ideologie maak mense ook nie vol nie. Pas grondhervorming billik, regverdig en prakties toe, dan sal almal wen en almal sal dit ondersteun. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)

[My time is running out. I see that I have a few minutes left. A farm that is not being utilised, or that is not being utilised effectively, or that is only partly utilised means little, if anything at all, and one does not eat an ideology. An ideology does not fill one’s stomach. If land reform is implemented in an equitable, fair and practical manner, then everyone will win and support it. I thank you.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Thank you, hon member.

Mr R J TAU: Hon Chair, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, MEC from the Western Cape, officials and comrades, I think it would be unfair if one does not really make a reflection on what the hon Le Roux has said. He spoke of Adam Smith, and Adam Smith as an economic philosopher. I want to believe that the problems that we are faced with today are as a result of that very same ideology and philosophy of land reform. The unfortunate hon member who just finished here said that we cannot live and eat an ideology. But, unfortunately, it is the very same capitalist ideology that has forced us to have the problems that we are faced with today.

When we talk about price-fixing of bread; when we talk about price fixing of milk; when we talk about price-fixing of very important food - some of which is even being investigated by the Competition Board as we speak today

• it’s as a result of the same ideology that informs their thinking which is a capitalist thinking. It is a ruthless thinking of accumulation at the expense of the poor, a ruthless accumulation that does not give a damn how our people feel. It doesn’t think about the poor; it doesn’t think about the one who goes to bed without having anything to eat. It is therefore important that one must make a call as a result of that same ideology.

It is important that as a House we must accept and call upon the Competition Board, not only to find these price-fixers but in actual fact to criminally charge them, because poor people have died as a result of hunger as they could not afford to buy bread. Poor people have gone hungry and children have gone hungry and as a result they could not go to school. That poor people and children have fled into our country today is as a result of the very same nature of this cruel system and ideology referred to as capitalism. [Applause.] Chairperson, by now we all know that the main aim of the Department of Land Affairs is to create and maintain an equitable and sustainable dispensation that results in social and economic development for all South Africans.

These objectives are in line with the ANC’s policy objectives of ensuring a better life for all which are accordingly reflected in the Freedom Charter. As a result the 52nd National Conference of the ANC resolved as follows, hon Le Roux: That there is a greater need to support the growth and rural market institutions, including through the provision of infrastructure by helping rural communities and small farmers to build organisations which will help them access markets, build links for the formal sector value chains and co-ordinate their activities to realise economies of scale.

The resolutions become clearer in ensuring that there is a need for a developmental approach in terms of the formation of producer co-operatives, when they state that the range of organisations to be built include producer co-operatives smallholder associations. In a way, what we are saying as the ANC is that we need to harness the energy of all those people who are capable, and especially those who have been put on the periphery of agriculture, and who have the capacity to make a meaningful and constructive contribution in developing our agricultural sector.

I don’t know why this time is running so fast. I must jump now. [Laughter.] Okay, for the implementation of, for instance, the five objectives of LARP, the department will need financial resources as well as appropriate capacity. We think it is quite important. In particular, it will need more funding for post-settlement support for the 10 000 new agricultural producers that will be created through the Land and Agrarian Reform Project, LARP. This implies that the budget for the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme is expected to increase in order to be able to deal with the increase in land reform beneficiaries owing to the accelerated land reform programme.

It is therefore important that in order to ensure that proper support is given to land beneficiaries and other emerging farmers, the department is going to roll out an extension recovery plan. Thus, through this plan provinces will be recruiting about 350 additional extension officers by upgrading the skills of 560 extension staff members and providing information and communications technology, equipment and other resources to about 365 extension officers. All these will have an impact on the budget.

Furthermore, the roll-out of Micro Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa, Mafisa, to the other six provinces will imply that more money should be allocated to Mafisa. Through Mafisa the department has disbursed about R635 million which, I think, it is important that provinces take note of in order to follow up some of these things. Truly speaking, hon Minister, it is quite embarrassing that when we go to our provinces and when we visit projects that have been supported we find that at some of these projects there is no accountability for money that has been disbursed. Some of the project money has not even been spent and therefore it is important that we reflect on some of these things.

Under the Livelihoods, Economics and Business Development programme, the department commits itself to promoting equitable access to the agricultural sector, the growth and commercial viability of emerging farmers, food security and rural development. Furthermore, it facilitates market access for South African agricultural products nationally and of course internationally by developing and implementing appropriate policies and targeted programmes and promotes broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE.

Hon Minister, it would not be fair for me not to mention the following once more: May this be true broad-based black economic empowerment and not PEE’s which is personal economic empowerment or economic development, because it is quite important that government programmes be guarded and protected in such a way that individuals do not take advantage on the basis of the access to these resources and only advance their personal interest through state resources, which would have in the main benefited the poor and the vulnerable or the hungry.

We have noted that the budget allocation of course to the department over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is not in line with the government priority to speed up land and agrarian reform. That is a very important observation we have made as a committee. Budget allocation to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, is increasing gradually and is not in line with the sharp increase in budget for land reform. In addition, the budget allocation to the Mafisa in real terms over the MTEF is declining.

However, the recruitment of additional extension officers in the MTEF period shows a commitment to improving support to land reform beneficiaries and other emerging farmers. It is important maybe to mention in the last seconds that the issue of the extension farmers becomes quite important. In the North West we visited about three agricultural projects, and in the Northern Cape, and we could not find a single extension officer, because the provincial department said they didn’t have extension officers.

We embrace this aspect to say that the money should be spent on the recruitment of extension officers over the MTEF. Of course, with the completion of the Land Restitution Programme, we hope that the money that has been put in land restitution will therefore be shifted to address some of the shortcomings that we have identified as we move around. [Time expired.] We support the Bill. Thank you very much, Chair. [Applause.]

The MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS: Chairperson, Deputy Chair, let me first thank all the hon members for their support and also for pleading on behalf of the farmers.

Indeed our farmers are suffering, in real terms, even though we say the high food prices mean opportunities for agriculture. The additional income does not go to the farmer, because of the input price increase that we have experienced in recent months. If you look at the price of diesel that the farmer has to use; the price of fertiliser, which also is a derivative of petrol chemicals and we import most of our fertiliser; and if we look at the price of seed, definitely, all that is a load that the farmer is carrying alone.

I know that in some of the reports of the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development, OECD, South Africa has been regarded as one of the countries that really does not give enough support to the farmers. So, it is something that we are working on with the Treasury and Cabinet. There is political will. I’m sure, with your support, we will be able to realise the necessary support that we need in this regard.

I want to say to the chair, yes, I didn’t say much about aquaculture. I had said a lot about it last year. Indeed we are training our young people in China. I think we have trained about 35 now. We are planning to start a training pilot project in the Free State, at the Gariep Dam and another one in Limpopo where we are going to train young South Africans to go to each province and establish aquaculture. We realise that it will open great opportunities for us, also for job creation and it’s also of nutritional value to our people, particularly in the rural areas.

So, it’s something that we are prioritising in terms of food production in the department. I am sure the chairperson will hear soon about the amount of work that has been done there. [Applause.]

I have received a note from hon Gamede talking about title deeds and a few problems. I just want to say that hon Gamede can speak to Sibusiso Gamede in my office. [Laughter.] Maybe he is a father too. You can send the son to go assist and ensure that … I remember the request that you have made.

I also want to say that, on the issue of extension officers, yes, when I first came to the department that was my main concern, namely where are the extension officers?

Abalimi ababesebenza no mama no bobaba emakhaya bebafundisa ukulima, bebafundisa ukulima iklabishi, isipinashi, ukherothi, nobhithuruthi, nokuthi zithenwa kanjani izinkomo. [Extension officers who worked hand in hand with men and women in rural areas, teaching them about ploughing, were also teaching them how to cultivate cabbage, spinach, carrots and beetroot and also how to castrate bulls.] How do you prune your fruit trees?

Where are they today? We have since embarked … I think it’s a crisis of a shortage of them, but also a crisis of just sitting in the office, and not going out there and doing the work. There was such invisibility that I suggested that we give them the orange uniform so that you can see them from far away. [Laughter.]

Now at one stage we had the Ilima/Letsema campaign. Some police were looking for Mr Mathe. We all remember Mr Mathe who was in Pretoria High Security Prison. The police stopped my officials and said ``Akuna Mathe la phakathi kwenu’’. [Uhleko.] [There is no Mathe amongst you?][Laughter.] That is because they were wearing orange overalls.

However, I want to inform members that we have embarked on an extension recovery plan. That plan was launched at an indaba that was held in East London this year where we invited officials from Kenya and Cuba who came to share with us their experience and how they do extension services in those countries.

As a result, this year, working towards this extension recovery plan, we have set aside R500 million over the MTEF period 2008-11. We have targeted all nine provinces to address capacity deficiencies and create a more visible and accountable extension service.

We also want to have an agriculture summit at the end of July this year, the purpose of which will be to review our agriculture policy and also to launch the revised sector plan and the land and agrarian reform plan to which we hope hon members will be invited.

In that summit in July, we want to launch the green book’’. Thegreen book’’ will be given to our farmers. We are saying that all those farmers must record the time that the extension officer has visited.

Uma efikile ngehora leshumi, akabhale phansi ukuthi ufikile ngehora leshumi kwaze kwaba ihora leshumi nambili. Ufike wenzani? [If the person did arrive at work at 10 am, he must write down that he arrived at 10 am until 12 pm. What did he do?]

It’s not just like popping in. What he did and when he moves and goes to the next farm, the next farmer has his own ``green book’’. They will record and will state, ukuthi ufike nini? [Indicate what time he arrived.]

We are also in the process of engaging and monitoring officials who will go to these provinces and monitor whether the extension officers are going out there, because we are tired of extension officers sitting in the office and doing their work by remote control - by telephone. Our telephone bill is just too high and we must put those resources there and assist the farmers to do their work.

That is what we are doing. But overall, we have a plan of retraining our extension officers and recruiting. We are planning for this year to recruit 1 000 new extension officers, well-qualified in terms of their technical and professional qualifications.

Hon Matlanyane, we are working on that as the department. Hon Tau has gone out. He also raised the issue of … [Interjections.] There was a lady there who raised the issue of training colleges, Matlanyane, ok. Oh! I have swopped you. [Laughter.]

The comrade raised an important … I just want to report - because I passed over this point in my speech because of time - that in terms of our colleges, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has commissioned a study to investigate the best possible mechanisms to transform our colleges of agriculture into national agricultural training institutes, and to position these institutions as centres of excellence in terms of various agro-ecological zones and centres for rural wealth creation.

Therefore, perhaps we are going to look at the issues that she raised. I don’t know why the students were not taken in at the colleges, but we have already set up the national education and training forum which will be providing a bridging course for learners who do not meet the entry requirements.

I am sure we can talk with the hon member and see what can be done for those young people, because it is a major concern for us. The average age of a farmer in South Africa is 55 years. If we don’t train and invest in our young people, then it means agriculture has no future in South Africa. Therefore, we might not be able to feed this nation five years, ten years down the line. I would like to encourage our hon members to bring in young people into this sector.

On an integrated food security system, yes, we see this as our antipoverty programme. This is why we are talking about family gardens. We also believe we can use this programme to fight the increasing food price crisis.

If we increase food production in our back gardens, we will not use our money to go and buy expensive food in the shops. We shall be able to feed ourselves. Perhaps we shall even have a surplus where we can go and sell to the communities out there and maybe even to other countries.

I also want to say that for us the food price is not yet a food crisis, it’s a food price crisis. It is about food affordability, not food accessibility. In other countries, for instance in Egypt, there is no food on the shelves. In our case the food is there but the price is the problem.

Therefore, I think what is important is for us to make sure that the poorest of the poor are assisted through subsidies, through the safety nets, through the cutting of VAT on basic foodstuffs and other programmes that will assist the poorest, the vulnerable and the elderly who cannot afford the food that we are now being sold on our shelves.

I want to say that through our food security programme, we can assist by ensuring that people are able to produce their own food. I also want to say to Mr Le Roux who raised the question of commercial farmers who are ready to partner with our farmers, that we must commend those farmers. But I must say they are still very few.

We need more and more farmers who are ready and prepared to train, transfer skills to the poor but also to ensure that all South Africans can also be part of this agricultural sector that has great potential in South Africa.

We are also saying that we would like to see farmers come forward, and not charge exorbitant prices for land, because they know that the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has to buy land because it has to meet the government targets, and therefore, they can charge any price. I think, as true South Africans and patriots, for us to have a stable democracy and a prosperous South Africa all of us must support land reform.

I thank the MEC for all the projects and the programmes that he has raised. Indeed, we are all working very well together with the MECs to ensure food security for the people of South Africa and also for the people of the world.

Kubaba uMzizi ngifuna ukuthi … [I would like to say this to Mr Mzizi …]

Through the Land and Agrarian Reform Project, which was also part of the resolutions of the Polokwane Conference, we are committing to addressing the problems of postsettlement support. Very soon we will be engaging a special project co-ordinator, who will be focusing on land and agrarian reform.

One of the priorities in this regard would be to buy land for farm dwellers and farmworkers. It will also be to help those of our people who have received land, who have a lack of training and lack of skills, to assist them to make those farms productive, sustainable and also good agricultural enterprises.

I also want to say to the hon member Van Rooyen, who raised the question of support for poor emerging farmers, that I think we will be looking at how we expand the costs, put together the Land Bank packages or the Mafisas to ensure that we come up with a comprehensive package that would be meaningful and that will assist our farmers. I agree that price-fixing is a crime and that we need to have stricter measures to deal with that crime.

I also want to say regarding the WTO, that as developing countries and Africa, we are not treated in a fair and just manner. In fact, last year I met with the US secretary for agriculture, the Minister, in Washington DC, and I met with the chair of the Congress responsible for agriculture.

From both of them, I did not get any joy. The Chair was ready and prepared to add more subsidies for their farmers. Indeed, a week ago, I heard on the news that they have actually added to their subsidies for domestic support and for farmers in America.

Now under such circumstances, we know at the end it’s a question of dumping their cheap products onto our farmers from the developing countries and from Africa. And that means because their products are cheaper, because they are heavily subsidised, our farmers cannot afford to produce at the level that they are producing and compete with these products that are cheap on the market. We have been informed that there will be a meeting of Ministers at the WTO next month, but I don’t know what we are going to achieve.

However, I want to agree again and endorse the concerns that have been raised by members that we need to increase support for our farmers. As the department, we will do our best to assist farmers, particularly in these inflationary times. However, I want to say to hon Van Heerden from the FF Plus that it would just not be logical; it is not going to make political sense or economic sense to stop land reform.

I think the land reform programme was introduced in order for us to bring peace to South Africa. All of them, the Centre for Development and Enterprise, CDE, the FF Plus, Agri SA, the Transvaal Agriculture Union, Tau

• because Agri SA, when it comes to real interest, is at one with Tau. [Interjections.] When things are nice, they are liberals. But when it comes to what it really means to do land reform and to transform the agricultural sector, they are at one with Tau.

So, for me it is a Broederbond. A Broederbond that includes CDE, FF Plus, Tau and Agri SA. [Laughter.] That Broederbond wants us to stop transformation. They want us to stop land reform in this country. There is no way we are going to stop land reform. There is no way we can say it is correct that 90% of fertile commercial prime agricultural land must belong to 10% of the elite white farmers of South Africa.

It cannot happen. We cannot allow the status quo to continue forever and ever. Amen! [Interjections.] [Laughter.] I want to say also that we are not doing anything Zimbabwean style. We are implementing the mandate that we have been given. We are implementing under the rule of law, South African law, guided by our Constitution.

We have the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1994. It is not from Zimbabwe. We have all the land Acts that we have in this country. They are not from Zimbabwe. We have our Constitution that says we must redress the imbalances and the injustices of the past. [Interjections.]

That did not come from Zimbabwe. [Interjections.] And we are not going to be intimidated. They can insult us in whatever way they want. They can write all their lies about us in their newspapers. We are not going to be intimidated. We are not going to stop transformation. [Applause.]

We are going to move forward. They can go to their Orania and revive the Broederbond. [Laughter.]

Nakhona sizofika, ngoba isikhathi sabo siphelile. [Uhleko.] [We will get there as well, because their time is up.][Laughter.]

I want to say: Forward with land reform, forward with land restitution. Forward ever, backward never. Malibongwe! [Praise.] [Interjections.] [Applause.]

CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL REPORT OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE - SPECIAL ``BROWSE MOLE’’ CONSOLIDATED REPORT

Kgoshi M L MOKOENA: Chairperson, I come before this House to table a report that responds to something that was issued in this country and that nearly shook our government and the world. As the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, we have been suspecting all along that the Directorate of Special Operations - commonly known as the Scorpions - was illegally gathering intelligence. We invited several officials from the National Intelligence Agency and the Scorpions and questioned them about this illegal activity and they all denied this.

The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence was not convinced. We probed the matter further. As can be seen by the report and by the chronological list of events in relation to what is known as the ``Browse Mole’’ Report, members will recall that the President, in terms of section 84(2) of the Constitution, appointed the Khampepe Commission whose task was to look, among other things, at the mandate of the DSO – the Scorpions.

The Khampepe Commission came to the conclusion that, yes, the Scorpions were illegally gathering intelligence. This was confirmed not only by Khampepe but those very senior officials who denied it from the beginning.

What made the matter even worse was when the ``Browse Mole’’ Report was leaked to Cosatu by one Good Samaritan. Members will recall that in that very report that was leaked there were serious and very damaging allegations against the ANC President, Comrade Jacob Zuma and that he was planning to overthrow this government.

The report also alleges that the ANC President, Comrade Jacob Zuma, was funded by the Angolan President Jose-Eduardo dos Santos and the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence was concerned about these serious allegations against our leader. The ``Browse Mole’’ Report contains these very serious allegations.

When it was enquired as to who had authorised this investigation it was only then that it was discovered that the Scorpions were really gathering this illegal intelligence. This was the report that is called the ``Browse Mole Report’’. Senior officials were fingered to be responsible for this illegal action.

It was at this point that the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, on which the Chief Whip hon Ntwanambi and I are serving, made its own investigation and discovered that its suspicions were not wrong and were spot on. It was only then that those people owned up to this wrongdoing and also promised the committee that, from now onwards, they are going to stop this illegal gathering of intelligence.

The question is: Why were such serious allegations made against our President? Where was this mischievous plan conducted, by whom, with whom and for what reason? And the timing thereof is very suspicious.

Some of the senior officials who were part of this smear campaign against our President have resigned. As I am speaking, they are busy looking for greener pastures. It is now official that they are going and they are now accepting that they were really doing a wrong thing. They accepted that in front of the committee.

It is only the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, that is authorised to gather intelligence – not any other person, not any other institution.

Our committee made its own investigations and findings. After a thorough consideration, we made the following recommendations: That the executive authority must take appropriate action against the head of the DSO and all the officials who were involved in the production of the ``Browse Mole’’ Report; that government must direct the DSO to stop these intelligence gathering operations with immediate effect; that the NIA must expedite the averting of all DSO officials, prioritising those who are exposed to sensitive state information, such as the DSO senior special investigators; that government must expedite the regulation of private intelligence - gathering activities and put measures in place that will reduce the risk of being exposed to information peddlers; that the government must conduct a comprehensive review of the DSO; and that serious and urgent attention must be given to the manner in which the DSO is operating. Oh, thank God, their days are numbered.

We therefore call upon the executive, especially the Justice cluster, to take the necessary corrective measures and report back within a specified period.

Chairperson and colleagues, those of you who did not have time to go through this report, please do so because you will be shocked – if you are not strong enough, please, get a good doctor.

The report that we are tabling before this honourable House is the report that was produced by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence that responds to the so-called very damaging `Browse’ Mole Report. I humbly request this House to adopt the report as tabled before it. I thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Order! I shall now put the question in respect of the Second Order. The question is that the report be adopted. As this decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all delegation heads are present in the Chamber to cast their province’s votes. Are all the delegation heads present?

In accordance with Rule 71, I shall first allow provinces the opportunity to make their declarations of vote if they so wish. Is there any province wishing to make any declaration of vote? There is obviously none.

We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province. Delegation heads must please indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour or against or abstain from voting. Eastern Cape?

Mr A T MANYOSI: Eastern Cape supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Free State? Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: Free State supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Gauteng?

Ms N F MAZIBUKO: Gauteng supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): KwaZulu-Natal?

Mr Z C NTULI: KwaZulu-Natal siyaxhasa. [KwaZulu-Natal supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Limpopo?

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Limpopo ondersteun. [Limpopo supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Mpumalanga?

Ms F NYANDA: Mpumalanga votes in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Northern Cape?

Mr C M GOEIEMAN: Noord-Kaap ondersteun. [Northern Cape supports.)

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): North West?

Mr Z S KOLWENI: Bokone-Bophirima ke ya rona. [North West supports.)

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Western Cape?

Mr N J MACK: Wes-Kaap ondersteun. [Western Cape supports.)

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): All nine provinces voted in favour. I therefore declare the report adopted in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE - WORKSHOP WITH NATIONAL TREASURY ON CONTENT AND REVISION OF PFMA SECTION 32 REPORTS

Order disposed of without debate.

Question put.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Order! I shall now put the question in respect of the Third Order. The question is that the report be adopted. As this decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all delegation heads are present in the Chamber to cast their province’s votes. Are all the delegation heads present?

I shall now also allow provinces the opportunity to make their declarations of vote in terms of Rule 71 if they so wish. Is there any province wishing to make any declaration of vote? There is obviously none.

We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province. Delegation heads must please indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour or against or abstain from voting. Eastern Cape?

Mr A T MANYOSI: Eastern Cape supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Free State?

Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: Free State is in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Gauteng?

Ms N F MAZIBUKO: Gauteng iyavuma. [Gauteng supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): KwaZulu-Natal?

Mr Z C NTULI: KwaZulu-Natal is in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Limpopo?

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Limpopo ondersteun. [Limpopo supports.] The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Mpumalanga?

Ms F NYANDA: Mpumalanga supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Northern Cape?

Mr C M GOEIEMAN: Noord-Kaap ondersteun. [Northern Cape supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): North West?

Mr Z S KOLWENI: North West is in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Western Cape?

Mr N J MACK: Western Cape supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): All nine provinces voted in favour. I therefore declare the report adopted in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE - BUDGET AND MEDIUM-TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK Order disposed of without debate.

Question put

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Order! I shall now put the question in respect of the Fourth Order. The question is that the report be adopted. As this decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all delegation heads are present in the Chamber to cast their province’s votes. Are all the delegation heads present? Thank you.

I shall now also allow provinces the opportunity to make their declarations of vote in terms of Rule 71 if they so wish. Is there any province wishing to make any declaration of vote? There is obviously none.

We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province. Delegation heads must please indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour or against or abstain from voting. Eastern Cape?

Mr A T MANYOSI: Eastern Cape is in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Free State?

Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: Free State supports.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Gauteng?

Ms N F MAZIBUKO: Gauteng siyavuma. [Gauteng supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): KwaZulu-Natal?

Mr Z C NTULI: KwaZulu-Natal siyaxhasa. [KwaZulu Natal supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Limpopo?

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Limpopo ondersteun. [Limpopo supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Mpumalanga?

Ms F NYANDA: Mpumalanga ke ya rona. [Mpumalanga supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Northern Cape?

Mr C M GOEIEMAN: Re a dumelana. [Northern Cape supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): North West?

Mr Z S KOLWENI: Bokoni-Bophirima ke ya rona. [North West supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Western Cape?

Mr N J MACK: INtshona-Koloni siyavuma. [Western Cape supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): All nine provinces have voted in favour. I therefore declare the report adopted in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE — EXPENDITURE FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2007-08 FINANCIAL YEAR

Mr B J MKHALIPHI: Hon Deputy Chairperson and hon members, it is our pleasure to tackle the expenditure report for the second quarter of the financial year ending March 2008 in this session of this Council.

As you are aware, this report was tabled in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports of 15 April 2008. This report before us is consistent with the terms of reference of the Joint Budget Committee. In terms of this reference, the Joint Budget Committee is required to monitor on a monthly basis and then report on a quarterly basis the actual revenue and expenditure incurred by national departments. The purpose of this monitoring is to ascertain whether the patterns of spending are consistent with the budgets of these departments.

The Joint Budget Committee is aware that this in-year monitoring exercise is crucial to ensuring the timeous detection of the slightest discrepancy in spending is prevented, and any derailment of service delivery avoided. Increased volume of service promptly delivered is a major contribution to the pursuit of a better life for all.

It is then our obligation to work tirelessly in order to ensure that obstacles to service delivery are tackled and removed. The crucial message we are trying to convey here is that we need to do better. Government comprises numerous departments, each with specific functions, objectives and responsibilities. For sure, the national Budget helps us to ensure that public resources are allocated in accordance with the national priorities and we need to maximise that.

That our expenditure must align with the declared objectives is crucial to the strategic plans of national departments. This Council is in the best position to question actual performance in order to ensure that government departments have, in actual fact, delivered what is expected. We are trying, in this regard, to explain some of these expenditure patterns in our report by means of graphs for the first and the second quarters, and we’ll continue in this pattern, and in a day or two, we will be publishing the expenditure trends for the third quarter, followed by the report of the whole financial year after the end of May this year.

I, therefore, table this report in this House, not only for adoption and then filing, but we sincerely hope that this focus will help us as we deal with our Budget Votes. Some of the issues were raised here. I think they could have been better enhanced had we also borne in mind what is raised in this report. This is our sincere contribution to better service delivery and oversight in this Parliament. Thank you. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): I shall now put the question. The question is that the report be adopted. As the decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all delegation heads are present in the Chamber to cast their province’s vote. Are all the delegation heads present? HON MEMBERS: Yes!

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): In accordance with Rule 71, I shall first allow provinces the opportunity to make their declarations of vote if they so wish.

We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province. Delegation heads must please indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour or against or abstain from voting. Eastern Cape?

Mr A T MANYOSI: Eastern Cape is in favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Free State?

Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: In favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Gauteng?

Ms N F MAZIBUKO: Gauteng iyavuma [Gauteng supports.)

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): KwaZulu-Natal?

Mr Z C NTULI: In favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Limpopo?

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Limpopo ondersteun. [Limpopo supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Mpumalanga?

Ms F NYANDA: Siyavuma. [Support.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Northern Cape?

Mr C M GOEIEMAN: Ke a rona. [Support.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): North West?

Mr Z S KOLWENI: In favour.

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Western Cape?

Mr N J MACK: Die Wes-Kaap ondersteun. [Western Cape supports.]

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms P M Hollander): Nine provinces voted in favour. I therefore declare the report adopted in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

The Council adjourned at 16:30. ____

            ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

                         FRIDAY, 23 MAY 2008

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Introduction of Bills

 (1)    The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs


      a) Agricultural Debt Management Repeal Bill [B 24 – 2008]
         (National Assembly – proposed sec 75) [Explanatory summary of
         Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in
         Government Gazette No 30979 of 15 April 2008.]


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


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

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development

   (a) Government Notice No R.391 published in Government Gazette No 30953 dated 11 April 2008: Regulations prescribing the tariff of allowances payable to witnesses in criminal proceedings, in terms of the Criminal Proceedings Act, 1977 (Act No 51 of 1977).

   (b) Government Notice No R.392 published in Government Gazette No 30953 dated 11 April 2008: Regulations prescribing the tariff of allowances payable to psychiatrists and clinical psychologists who appear as witnesses in court, in terms of the Criminal Proceedings Act, 1977 (Act No 51 of 1977).

   (c) Government Notice No R.393 published in Government Gazette No 30953 dated 11 April 2008: Tariff payable to a psychiatrists or clinical psychologists for an enquiry into the mental condition of an accused, in terms of the Criminal Proceedings Act, 1977 (Act No 51 of 1977).

   (d) Government Notice No R.394 published in Government Gazette No 30953 dated 11 April 2008: Tariff of allowances payable to witnesses in civil cases, in terms of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, 1944 (Act No 32 of 1944) and the Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act No 59 of 1959).

2. The Minister of Arts and Culture

 (a)    Report and Financial Statements of the Nelson Mandela National
    Museum for 2006-2007, including the Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Financial Statements for 2006-2007 [RP 242-2007].

National Council of Provinces

1. The Chairperson

   (a) The Acting President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 15 April 2008 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces informing Members of the Council of the extension of the employment of the South African National Defence Force in the Central African Republic, for service in fulfilment of the International Obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the Central African Republic:

   EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE  SOUTH  AFRICAN  NATIONAL  DEFENCE
   FORCE IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, FOR SERVICE IN  FULFILMENT
   OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH  AFRICA
   TOWARDS THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
   
   
   This serves to inform the National Council of  Provinces  that  I
   have authorised the extension of employment of the South  African
   National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in the  Central  African
   Republic (CAR), in fulfilment of the international obligations of
   the Republic of South Africa towards the CAR, to provide security
   to the President of the CAR.
   This employment was authorised in accordance with the  provisions
   of section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South
   Africa, 1996, read with section 93 of the Defence Act, 2002  (Act
   No 42 of 2002).
   
   
   A total of 85 SANDF members were employed in the  CAR  to  assist
   with the capacity building  of  the  CAR  Defence  Force  and  to
   provide security to the President of the CAR.  It  was  initially
   thought that the deployment of the SANDF  protection  task  force
   would be completed by end of February 2008. After the  review  of
   security situation in CAR it became necessary that the protection
   services be extended extend until 31 July 2008  and  to  have  an
   additional 15 SANDF members employed.
   
   
   I will  communicate  this  report  to  members  of  the  National
   Assembly and Joint Standing Committee on  Defence,  and  wish  to
   request that you bring the contents hereof to  the  attention  of
   the National Council of Provinces.
   
   
   Regards
   
   
   signed
   P MLAMBO-NGCUKA
   ACTING PRESIDENT
                     TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2008
   

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

The Speaker and the Chairperson

1. Draft Bills submitted in terms of Joint Rule 159

(1)    Companies Bill and Competition Amendment Bill, 2008, submitted
     by the Minister of Trade and Industry. Referred to the Portfolio
     Committee on Trade and Industry and the Select Committee on
     Economic and Foreign Affairs.

1. Withdrawal of Bills

The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development withdrew the
following Bill on 27 May 2008 :


(1)    Judicial Officers Amendment Bill [B 72 - 2001] (National
     Assembly - sec 75).

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister for Provincial and Local Government

(a)    Strategic Plan of the Department of Provincial and Local
    Government for 2007-2012.

1. The Minister of Sport and Recreation

(a)    Strategic Plan of the Department of Sport and Recreation South
    Africa for 2008-2012.

National Council of Provinces

1. The Chairperson

 a) Tabling of written statement submitted in terms of  section  106(3)
    of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No 32  of
    2000):  Rustenburg  Municipality  by  the  North   West   MEC   for
    Developmental Local Government and Housing.


    Referred  to  the  Select  Committee  on   Local   Government   and
    Administration for consideration and report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

National Council of Provinces

“1. Report of the Select Committee on Finance on the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill [B13 – 2008] (National Assembly—Section 77), dated 27 May 2008: The Select Committee on Finance, having considered the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill [B13 – 2008] (National Assembly – Section 77) referred to it and classified by the JTM as a Section 77 Bill, reports that it has agreed to the Bill.

1. Report of the Select Committee on Finance on the Taxation Laws Second Amendment Bill [B14 – 2008] (National Assembly – Section 75), dated 27 May 2008:

 The Select Committee on Finance, having considered  the  Taxation  Laws
 Second Amendment Bill [B14 – 2008] (National  Assembly  –  Section  75)
 referred to it and classified by the JTM as a Section 75 Bill,  reports
 that it has agreed to the Bill.’’