National Assembly - 09 November 2010
TUESDAY, 09 NOVEMBER 2010
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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The House met at 14:03.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.
NEW MEMBERS
(Announcement)
The Speaker announced that the vacancies which occurred in the National Assembly owing to the passing away of Dr M Sefularo, the resignations of Ms B A Hogan and Mr I Vadi had been filled by the nominations of Ms S G Pampiri, with effect from 2 November 2010, Mr A H Gaum, with effect from 4 November 2010, and Ms S T Williams-De Bruyn, with effect from 9 November 2010, respectively.
OATH
Ms Pampiri, Mr Gaum and Ms Williams-De Bruyn, accompanied by Mrs M M Maunye and Ms N D Ngcengwane, made and subscribed the oath, and took their seats.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr M E GEORGE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the House debates the impropriety of Kimberley prison officials in allowing MEC John Block to be treated as a celebrity deserving of special treatment.
[Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Hon members, order!
Dr W G JAMES: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the continued existence of mud schools in several provinces in South Africa, and solutions to rapidly replace those structures with buildings that ensure an environment conducive to learning.
[Applause.] The SPEAKER: Does any other member wish to give notice of a motion? Mrs P C NGWENYA-MABILA: Yes, Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Hon member, where are you saying “yes” from? Please go ahead. [Laughter.]
Mrs P C NGWENYA-MABILA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates how to change perceptions that the criminal justice system is ineffective in dealing with crime and corruption.
[Applause.]
Mr P D DEXTER: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the House debates the failure of government to help resolve the crisis at the Aurora Mines, where an environmental disaster is unfolding.
[Applause.]
Mr N J J KOORNHOF: Speaker, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of Cope: That the House discusses whether the remuneration of chief executive officers in South Africa is out of control.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ACDP:
That the House debates the increase in the number of rapes committed by schoolchildren on school grounds, and what should be done to make the schools safe centres of learning once again.
Mr C L GOLOLO: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates reviving the role of state-owned enterprises in skills development, training and building partnerships between the state, parastatals, the union movement and the private sector to improve skills.
Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates how the Road Accident Fund can speed up its processes so that road accident victims are compensated faster than at present.
Mrs F F MUSHWANA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates ways to increase graduate output in areas of skills shortages.
Mr L S NGONYAMA: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the House debates the prevailing insecurity along Africa’s eastern coast as a result of Somali piracy and the implications thereof.
Mrs A STEYN: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates measures by which the land restitution backlog in South Africa can finally be cleared.
[Applause.]
Mr G R MORGAN: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates threats to the quality of water in South Africa, and solutions to ensure that water is of an acceptable quality.
SUDDEN DEATH OF JAZZ LEGEND HOTEP IDRIS GALETA
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House —
1) notes with deep sadness the sudden death of jazz legend Hotep Idris
Galeta after an asthma attack on 3 November 2010, at the age of 69;
2) remembers that Mr Galeta started music at the age of seven and was
mentored by a great musician, Abdullah Ibrahim, whom he met at high
school, and that throughout his astonishing career, he had worked
with the most acclaimed artists from South Africa and the United
States and recorded 18 albums;
3) recognises that Mr Galeta was also an academic who obtained his
Masters degree in Jazz Education and Performance with distinction
while studying and lecturing in the United States, that he returned
to South Africa in 1991 and lectured in the Music Department at the
University of Fort Hare;
4) believes that he has played his role to the fullest, has made an
impact in the music fraternity and has touched many music lovers
here in South Africa and abroad; and
5) conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the
music fraternity.
Agreed to.
TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FALL OF BERLIN WALL
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Mr Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House —
1) notes that today marks 21 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall
in November 1989;
2) further notes that the Wall was constructed in August 1961 as a
barrier to separate West and East Berlin in order to prevent the
emigration and defection of citizens that characterised Germany and
the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period;
3) recognises that the fall of the Wall marked the end of the Cold War
and the beginning of a new wave of democratisation across Eastern
Europe;
4) further recognises the symbolic importance of this day, not only to
the citizens of Berlin and Germany, but also to all those people
who have ever had their freedoms curtailed by a government; and
5) acknowledges the significance of the collapse of the Wall as it
embodies the principles of unity, freedom and democracy.
Agreed to.
PROTEAS CRICKET TEAM WINS ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SERIES AGAINST PAKISTAN
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House — 1) celebrates the 57-run win of the Proteas cricket team over Pakistan and a 3-2 victory in the one-day series in Dubai on Monday, 8 November 2010;
2) believes that the Proteas played well, put up their best
performance and deserved to win;
3) congratulates the Proteas on winning the ODI against Pakistan and
for flying the South African flag high;
4) wishes Graeme Smith and the rest of the team the best for the
upcoming season and urges them to make the nation proud.
Agreed to.
JACQUES KALLIS LAUDED FOR PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN CRICKET
Mrs J D KILIAN: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House —
(1) notes that Jacques Kallis surpassed 11 000 runs in one day internationals on Monday evening, 8 November 2010, while steering South Africa to a 3-2 series win against Pakistan;
(2) further notes that Kallis was named Man of the Match in the epic final game of the one-day series in Dubai and that he is the first South African and the sixth player in the history of this great game to achieve this unique milestone;
(3) recognises that Kallis is widely considered to be the best all- rounder of all time, having captured more than 250 wickets and 11 000 runs in both the five-day and one-day version of the game, thus becoming the only player in history to do so; and
(4) congratulates Kallis on achieving this milestone, wishes him all the best and hopes that he will continue to serve the country with distinction.
Agreed to.
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
(The late Mama Mittah Seperepere)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move:
That the House —
1) notes the sad passing of a gallant freedom fighter, a pathfinder of
note and community builder, Mama Mittah Seperepere or Goeieman, as
she was affectionately known, on 30 October 2010;
2) further notes that Mama Mittah was born on 28 December 1929 in
Riverton and lived most of her adult life in exile;
3) remembers her participation in sowing the seeds of the struggle for
women’s emancipation inspired by the Programme of Action of 1949 of
the African National Congress Youth League and that her involvement
earned her the wrath of the Special Branch, culminating in her
imprisonment in 1965;
4) further remembers that in 1989 Mama Mittah was appointed ANC Chief
Representative to Madagascar, La Réunion, Seychelles, Mauritius and
the Comores;
5) recalls that in 1990, she returned to South Africa and served as a
Member of the National Assembly from 1994 to 1999; and
6) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Seperepere family, friends
and comrades in the ANC and its alliance partners.
Agreed to.
The SPEAKER: The condolences of the House will be conveyed accordingly.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I’m sorry to raise this point, sir. We have certainly acknowledged the resolution and I realise that we probably should have made an issue of this beforehand if we had any problems with it, but I’m not at all sure, sir, why a notice of this particular type appears on the Order Paper and why it wasn’t simply a motion without notice read by the ANC.
There might be some other details that I’m not aware of, but at the same time, I believe that this might lead to a kind of precedent being followed in Parliament in the future that could have unfortunate consequences.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, with due respect, we think that that objection should have come much earlier. Thank you very much.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I wish to emphasise, sir, that I’m not objecting to the motion, but I’m just saying to the ANC Whippery that I would sincerely hope that we are more cautious in the future about the kind of motions that we put on the Order Paper.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: We …
The SPEAKER: Hon member, I really don’t want to open a debate on this matter.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: With your permission, Speaker, we take the point. Thank you.
QUESTION NOT TO TAKE PRECEDENCE ON 10 NOVEMBER
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move:
That, notwithstanding the provisions of Rules 29(8) and 113(1), Questions shall not take precedence tomorrow, 10 November 2010.
Agreed to.
PROBLEMS RELATING TO CENTRAL FIREARMS REGISTRY
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs L S CHIKUNGA (ANC): Speaker, the Firearms Control Act, No 60 of 2000, came into effect in 2004. Section 124(17) of the Act establishes the Central Firearms Registry that must contain all information related to firearms, such as a firearms database, dealer database, manufacturers’ database, licences, authorisations and permits, renewals and cancellations.
There have been complaints and allegations related to the malfunctioning of the SAPS Central Firearms Registry. The Minister’s task team, led by the Civilian Secretary of Police which probed these allegations, confirmed the malfunctioning, which is evidenced by a backlog in the processing of firearms licences, corruption and irregular issuing of these licences and other things.
We welcome the Minister’s appropriate intervention, which includes the establishment of an intervention team to address the current backlog. We agree with the Minister that the current management of the Central Firearms Registry needs to be changed as a matter of urgency. We further call upon the Minister to ensure that where corruption has occurred, sanctions should be applied.
In the interests of all citizens, we further ask the public and interested parties to co-operate and exercise patience as these challenges are being addressed. We believe that an incorruptible Central Firearms Registry is an important component in South Africa’s fight against crime. I thank you. [Applause.]
STATE OF SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr D J MAYNIER (DA): Speaker, the hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, seemed to blow a political gasket last week. [Interjections.] This followed revelations about the state of the Defence Force read out in this Parliament.
The Minister switched to rapid fire and released two press statements trying to persuade us that all is well in the Defence Force. However, the interim report of the National Defence Force Service Commission paints a different picture.
On combat readiness, the interim report found that it is possible that the level of combat readiness in the SANDF is not quite as good as it should be. On service conditions, the interim report found that salaries of junior members are totally inadequate and force them to live in informal settlements far from their place of work; and that the effects of transport costs significantly dilute their income, leading to social, psychological and family crises.
The salary situation is so poor that some members state that they would rather have their right to vote revoked in lieu of nonpayment of personal income tax. The housing allowance at R500 per month is regarded as ridiculous because it cannot cover bond repayments and members are not able to get bonds through the commercial banks, given their poor salary levels.
There have been improvements in the SANDF and some of these improvements are a credit to the Minister, but we have a long way to go. [Time expired.] [Applause.] RETRENCHMENTS AT STANDARD BANK AND NEDBANK IMMINENT
(Member’s Statement)
Mr L S NGONYAMA (Cope): Speaker, our country is bleeding. Millions of people have not been able to find jobs for some time. On top of that, nearly a million people lost their jobs last year.
As this year is coming to an end, thousands more face the terrible prospect of losing their jobs if Standard Bank and Nedbank proceed with their intention of retrenching staff.
It is common cause that corruption within government is severely distorting the economy. The economy is therefore in a crisis. Our country, more than ever, needs leadership that is moral, ethical and visionary. We say this because government has dedicated funds in reserve to help companies in distress to both retain and retrain their staff; yet, the silence of the government with regard to the imminent retrenchment of staff at Standard Bank and Nedbank is deafening. All of South Africa must be wondering why the government has not begun negotiations with these banks in the interests of saving jobs, protecting the livelihoods of many families and keeping our economy afloat.
Of course, in a democracy such as ours, government fosters patronage in an unapologetic and self-serving manner, rather than focusing on the needs and aspirations of the people. We demand that government enters into immediate negotiations with the above-mentioned banks. I thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]
ANC WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTH AFRICAN RISK AND VULNERABILITY ATLAS
(Member’s Statement)
Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC): Speaker, the ANC welcomes the launch of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, and the Department of Science and Technology.
The primary objective of the atlas initiative is to provide decision-makers in South Africa with information to timeously inform planning decisions that will minimise sensitivity to global changes and improve adaptive capacity.
The application will be endowed with features similar to Google Earth. It will further enable users to zoom in on specific locations in South Africa and get information about the projected effects of climate change.
South Africa is a relatively water-scarce country that experiences periodical droughts and floods. It is therefore vulnerable to climate change. The ANC welcomes the fact that Risk and Vulnerability Atlas Centres will be established at the historically disadvantaged rural universities, namely the Fort Hare, Limpopo, Zululand, Walter Sisulu and Venda campuses, which will provide advice to rural municipalities.
The initiative will strengthen the research capacity of these universities and at the same time enhance the planning capacity of rural municipalities that will be the most affected by climate change. I thank you. [Applause.]
ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF STATE-OWNED HOUSES BY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
(Member’s Statement)
Mr B W DHLAMINI (IFP): Speaker, it was sad to read that it was reported in The Star newspaper that more than 708 state-owned houses in Gauteng are occupied by friends and relatives of government officials.
This information was released in terms of the report submitted by the department of infrastructure and development to the legislature’s oversight committee in Gauteng last night. According to the report, some of the occupants claim to have bribed senior government officials in order to gain access to houses. Out of 826 state-owned and occupied houses, there were only 46 signed lease agreements, with most of the tenants who were friends or relatives currently defaulting on the payment of taxes, rent and rates.
The report described the houses as being in a mess and in a state of disrepair. It will cost the state an estimated R5 billion to restore them, for which the department has only budgeted R520 million for this year.
In conclusion, the IFP calls for an urgent investigation into the above irregularities concerning illegal tenants of the state, where these tenants are friends and relatives of government officials. I thank you. [Applause.]
SHOCKING REPORT OF SCHOOLGIRL GANG-RAPED BY THREE BOYS AT JOHANNESBURG SCHOOL
(Member’s Statement)
Mr N M KGANYAGO (UDM): Speaker, the UDM is horrified by the reports that a 15-year-old girl was drugged and gang-raped by three schoolboys at a Johannesburg school during school hours, whilst the ordeal was witnessed and filmed by other schoolchildren.
We are further outraged that this injustice was exacerbated by the reported negligence and further careless initial response of school authorities and the police.
We cannot pretend that this is a terrible, isolated case because the truth is that it is simply one of the countless cases of sexual abuse that happen every day in the country.
For instance, in the Gauteng education department alone there are reportedly 36 outstanding cases of sexual assault and of the 15 cases processed this year, 13 resulted in a teacher being found guilty. There is a deep, underlying rot in our society when rape and sexual assault are so common and pervasive. Today South Africa is making international headlines due to the injustice experienced by the girl from Johannesburg. Sadly, she is just one of thousands who are victimised every month.
As a society we should hang our heads in shame. We call on government to investigate and punish those school authorities and members of the police who initially neglected this case. We trust that the three perpetrators will have their day in court as soon as possible. I thank you. [Applause.]
VICTIM SUPPORT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH WEST
(Member’s Statement) Mr G LEKGETHO (ANC): Speaker, the ANC reaffirms that the focus should be placed on mobilising society to make life difficult for criminals in our midst. This includes improving gender and family relations and intolerance of abuse within communities, as well as the transformation of institutions dealing with crime.
Hence the ANC welcomes the North West province’s steps to make its criminal justice system more victim-friendly. This is after the MEC for health and social development, Rebecca Kasienyane, unveiled the Victim Empowerment Integrated Plan on Tuesday, 2 November 2010.
The aim of the plan is to provide support, protection and empowerment to victims of crime and violence through a strategic partnership between government and civil society, with a special focus on vulnerable groups.
Finally, this initiative is in line with the ANC’s serious commitment to combat violence and crime against women and children by increasing the capacity of the criminal justice system to deal with such violence. Thank you.
MARITIME PIRACY AFFECTING GLOBAL TRADE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr K S MUBU (DA): Speaker, inflicting a financial loss of over US$16 billion on the international shipping industry, the occurrence of maritime piracy in and around the east coast of Africa has significantly affected the long-term stability of global maritime trade.
Since the collapse of the Somali state in the early 1990s, international watch groups have expressed their concern about the rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia and the waterways of the Gulf of Aden.
As more than 85% of world trade relies on maritime transport, the lack of a feasible solution to this problem is troublesome, to say the least. The problem of piracy has never truly been a concern for the South African government, as attacks have never taken place within our territory’s waters.
However, recent attacks indicate that this phenomenon is not only limited to the corner of Africa, as attacks have even been documented as far south as Mauritius and the Seychelles.
The latest attacks by pirates appear to have affected South African citizens. It is of the utmost importance that the government breaks its silence on this issue and addresses the matter with the seriousness that it deserves.
Considering our country’s commitment to ensuring peace and security on the African continent and the need to ensure our own national security and the maintenance of international trade, the DA calls on the Departments of International Relations and Co-operation, and Defence and Military Veterans to address the issue of piracy on the coast of Africa, especially considering that piracy could become a more direct threat to South Africa if left unchecked elsewhere. Thank you.
SHOVA KALULA BICYCLES DONATED TO CHILDREN IN MPUMALANGA
(Member’s Statement)
Ms P BHENGU (ANC): Speaker, Shova Kalula [Pedal Easy] is the ANC government- sponsored initiative that provides bicycles to communities to ensure improved levels of mobility and accessibility. This is done by integrating rural, peri-urban and urban areas into an effective transport system. As a result, up to 2 000 children in townships around Siyabuswa and Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga will no longer have to walk long distances to school.
This is after the MEC for public works, roads and transport, Clifford Mkasi, handed over 1 643 bicycles that will be distributed to schools in the Dr J S Moroka and Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities, north of Emalahleni/Witbank in the first week of November. This is part of the national Shova Kalula campaign, to cater for learners who have to walk up to 6 km to get to school.
The ANC welcomes this initiative to promote cycling as a low-cost mobility solution for low-income households, targeting many scholars, rural women and farmworkers. The ANC hopes that other provinces can revive cycling and emulate this initiative in order to curb children having to walk long distances to school, especially in rural communities. Thank you.
NONDELIVERY OF LAPTOPS FOR EDUCATORS
(Member’s Statement)
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP): Speaker, last week the IFP raised the question of laptops that were promised to educators. The Deputy Minister’s reply was that the task of supplying these computers was given to the SA Council for Educators, SACE.
The IFP has since done some research on this matter by, inter alia, contacting the people concerned. Nothing has been done. In other words, no computers are being delivered.
The IFP, therefore, calls on the Ministry to make a comprehensive report on this matter and not to shift its responsibility as it is not the SACE that promised laptops, but the Ministry. It is the Ministry that is directly and immediately accountable to this House. I thank you. [Applause.]
NEED TO ADDRESS CRISES IN EDUCATION
(Member’s Statement)
Ms N Y VUKUZA-LINDA (Cope): Speaker, education seems to be lurching from one crisis to the other. As if the crises of curricular and professional issues were not enough, we also have to contend with the disgraceful conduct of many of our educators. There are those who abuse young females, are routinely absent, are late for duty and who come to school intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. They are terribly unworthy role models for our children.
Through the bad example of many of these educators, the rot spreads to the children in our schools. Schoolchildren gang-raping a fellow student is unacceptable in any decent society. Schoolchildren abusing drugs and narcotics undermines the future progress of this country. Educators using pornography subverts the values we hold dear as a people.
Cope demands that parents receive a categorical assurance from this government that the crises in education will be resolved to the satisfaction of all those concerned. This government cannot afford to let the country down. Further damage to our children must be stopped. Thank you. [Applause.]
CIVIL SOCIETY PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr Z C NTULI (ANC): Speaker, the ANC-led government has always strived to improve access to justice institutions for vulnerable and marginalised groups and to enhance participatory democracy. Therefore, we welcome the launch of the strengthening of civil society programme. This programme is designed to assist South Africa’s vulnerable citizens, with the financial support of the European Union.
Government has already increased social spending to uplift the poor, and the newly launched programme will assist with reaching many more South Africans. The targeted communities and beneficiaries include women and children, rural and urban poor communities, farmworkers, child-headed households and refugees and asylumseekers.
The ANC commends the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for its commitment to improving access to justice for all our people.
Ngiyabonga Somlomo. [Thank you, Speaker.] [Applause.] RACIST COMMENTS MADE BY SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER SUNETTE BRIDGES
(Member’s Statement)
Dr A LOTRIET (DA): Speaker, the DA is shocked by the appalling comments attributed to South African singer, Sunette Bridges. Ms Bridges has been quoted in Beeld as making horrible, disparaging comments about black South Africans.
This is more reminiscent of a bygone era of racial domination under apartheid than the kind of conversation one expects to hear in a multiracial democracy in 2010. Sunette Bridges needs to attend a sensitivity workshop and to apologise to all South Africans. It is appalling that she is now attempting to defend her comments.
The statement shows that there are still South Africans out there who are detached from the values of modern South African society and who are careless and uncaring in their treatment of their fellow citizens.
The sorts of comments made by Ms Bridges are completely out of line and should be rejected by every South African who is committed to building a compassionate, caring society. [Applause.]
ZEVENFONTEIN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT RESIDENTS MOVED TO COSMO CITY
(Member’s Statement)
Mr G D SCHNEEMANN (ANC): Speaker, the Zevenfontein informal settlement has been in existence since the late 1980s. Zevenfontein was not formalised, as the land was privately owned. Land had been earmarked for that community, and they were to be relocated to an area now known as Cosmo City.
There were numerous delays in the establishment of Cosmo City due to court action from surrounding landowners who wanted to prevent the development of that area. Finally, in 2004, the go-ahead was given for the establishment of Cosmo City.
The first residents from Zevenfontein moved into their new homes in late
- Since then, the entire community who qualified for housing assistance from government has been relocated into formal housing in Cosmo City.
The informal settlement of Zevenfontein, which was the only home many young people had known, is no longer in existence. The last family was recently moved to Cosmo City.
In Zevenfontein, the community had access to limited basic services, and in Cosmo City they now live in a well-established suburb. This clearly demonstrates that it is possible to eradicate informal settlements. The ANC- led government must be congratulated on this achievement.
We would also call on those involved in the eradication of informal settlements to learn from the experiences of both Zevenfontein and Cosmo City. The ANC lives and the ANC leads. I thank you. [Applause.]
The SPEAKER: The APC did not make use of its opportunity to make a statement. This will now go over to the ANC. Does the ANC wish to make a statement?
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker … [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Hon member, I have asked the question. Does the ANC wish to make a statement? If not, then it moves on to the DA.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I wanted to say that the hon Trevor Manuel … Oh, it doesn’t matter, sir! [Laughter.]
The SPEAKER: Hon member, please don’t waste our time. Apart from Mr Ellis, does the DA wish to make a serious statement? [Laughter.]
RISING PRODUCTION COSTS OF WHEAT AND INADEQUATE IMPORT TARIFF INCREASES
(Member’s Statement)
Mnr N D DU TOIT (DA): Speaker, omtrent ’n jaar gelede is die Minister van Handel en Nywerheid deur die tersaaklike organisasies in landbou genader om ’n besluit te neem oor die invoertariewe op koring. Die Minister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye het nie juis die saak aangeblaas nie, en dit het ses maande geduur voordat ’n besluit geneem is.
Die besluit was geneem ten tyde van die departementele begroting, nadat die DA die agb Minister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye daaraan herinner het dat planttyd reeds begin het, en oor ’n maand sou klaar wees. Die uiteindelike tariefverhoging was te min en te laat, en die kommersiële produsente het nog steeds ’n prys gekry wat laer as produksiekoste was.
Dit is nou weer daardie tyd van die jaar, en almal is angstig om te sien of die agb Minister gaan onthou dat daar produsente is wat die nasie moet voed. Kom ons kyk hierdie keer hoe lank dit gaan neem om ’n tarief vas te stel en of dit genoeg gaan wees om die koringproduksie winsgewend te maak.
Vir diegene wat dink dat koring altyd ingevoer kan word om tekorte aan te vul, let op die volgende: ingevoerde koring van ’n swak gehalte veroorsaak baie probleme in die meulenaars- en bakkerybedryf, want dit moet met Suid- Afrikaanse koring van ’n beter graad vermeng word en die meel wil nie behoorlik rys nie. Hoe meer boere ophou koring plant, hoe erger gaan die probleem word.
Daar is toenemende vrees onder ontwikkelende lande dat daar aan die einde van die volgende dekade wêreldwyd ’n tekort aan voedsel gaan wees. Daar is reeds ’n miljard honger mense op die aarde, en oor 10 jaar moet daar nog ’n miljard gevoed word. Dit moet geskied teen toenemende produksiekostes wêreldwyd. Baie mense gaan dus nie kos kan bekostig nie. As die lede van hierdie Huis dink lande kan orals … Dankie, Speaker. [Tyd verstreke.] (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Mr N D DU TOIT (DA): Speaker, approximately one year ago the Minister of Trade and Industry was approached by the relevant agricultural organisations to make a decision regarding wheat import tariffs. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries did not show much enthusiasm, and it took six months for a decision to be made.
The decision was made during the departmental budget, after the DA reminded the hon Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries that the planting season had already begun, and would finish within a month. The eventual tariff increase was too little and too late, and the commercial producers still had to sell at a price lower than their production costs.
It is that time of year once again, and everyone is anxiously waiting to see whether the hon Minister will remember that there are producers who have to feed the nation. Let us see how long it will take to determine a tariff this time and whether it will be enough to make wheat production profitable.
Those who think that wheat can always be imported to make up for shortages, should note the following: Imported wheat of a poor quality causes many problems in the milling and baking industries, because it has to be mixed with the higher-grade South African wheat and the flour does not rise properly. The more farmers stop planting wheat, the worse the problem will become.
There is an increasing fear amongst developing countries that at the end of the next decade there will be a shortage of food globally. There are a billion hungry people on earth already, and within 10 years another billion will have to be fed. This has to take place at increasing production costs worldwide. Many people will therefore not be able to afford food. If the members of this House think that countries can … Thank you, Speaker. [Time expired.]]
RISING PRODUCTION COSTS OF WHEAT AND INADEQUATE IMPORT TARIFF INCREASES
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Speaker, I want to respond to the last statement that was made by the DA. I am interested, in the first instance, in the fact that the DA wants high tariffs. That is news to me.
In this particular case, I think that the hon member needs to know that this process was fast-tracked. We have a process of setting tariffs in this country, and it is not a question of coming to talk to the Minister and lobbying the Minister; there is a process of investigation that takes place.
There was no inordinate delay, and that tariff was in place. Unfortunately, I think the problems in the sector are bigger and deeper than simply that. If one looks at the Industrial Policy Action Plan, one will see that we are actually working on some of those matters.
Let me also say that I think that the entire value chain has some very significant problems, because it is very, very important that we make sure that the benefits go on to the ordinary consumer. The statement that was made by the Minister of Economic Development the other day, about the price- fixing that had been going on among bread producers, shows that there are a lot of very significant problems that need to be solved.
I think that the work has been done on our side and that it is mostly to the satisfaction, broadly speaking, of the grain producers. Thank you.
SHOVA KALULA BICYCLES DONATED TO CHILDREN IN MPUMALANGA
RACIST COMMENTS MADE BY SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER SUNETTE BRIDGES
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Speaker, I would like to thank the hon Bhengu for informing this House about the 1 643 bicycles that have been distributed to poor schoolchildren in Mpumalanga province, particularly those who have to walk more than 6 km in order to get to school. I think this is a very important initiative; it’s not just in Mpumalanga province, but is part of a countrywide initiative.
What is helping this initiative is also the fact that we are now able to locate it more effectively within the rural development programme led by Minister Gugile Nkwinti. The need to see mobility in rural areas is not just a stand-alone thing, but part and parcel of developing our region.
The DA has reminded us today that it is 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down. But I think before we celebrate too quickly about that matter we need to remind ourselves that there are many walls that still remain in the world and in our country; and many types of spatial discrimination. The most fortified frontier in the world is between two countries supposedly at peace — Mexico and the United States. More people have died on that border than tragically died on the Berlin Wall. I think that that is a sobering thing that we should remember.
My point is that there are all kinds of spatial discriminations alive and well, including within our own country. Gated communities are but one example of this spatial discrimination, and they are found in many communities represented by the DA, no doubt.
There are spatial discriminations of all kinds, and the Shova Kalula programme is one small contribution to beginning to democratise mobility, space and access in our country.
Another DA member correctly, I think, stood up, and it was good that the DA sided with us and made the point that the statements by the singer Sunette Bridges are outrageous. The DA came up with the useful suggestion that she should be sent to sensitivity classes. I think that would be a good contribution to our country.
While she goes, perhaps so that we can get two for the price of one, there are a couple of members in their caucus, the DA caucus, who might also like to go to sensitivity training when it comes to understanding a nonracial South Africa. [Applause.] MARITIME PIRACY AFFECTING GLOBAL TRADE
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY: Deputy Speaker, I would just like to respond to the challenge posed by piracy on the east coast of Africa. Firstly, this is a global challenge, although it affects our region. It happens in other regions too, particularly in Asia and the Far East. It therefore does need a collective response from all nations.
Secondly, while it is true that the challenge on the east coast of Africa arises particularly out of the weak state of government in Somalia, it is ironic that the DA, which always advocates for weak states, is now the first to complain here. It is important that we find a solution because it is the root cause. [Interjections.]
We have a failed state in Somalia because others have been advocating that we should create these weak governments, that we create stability inside Somalia first so that there is political stability in order to deal … [Interjections.] You can never deal with this challenge on the high seas until you deal … [Interjections.] … because these are soldiers and navy people who were in the army and we now have the effect of that weak state.
It can never be true that the South African government has not been paying attention to this problem. Since the beginning of last year we have been working within the Southern African Development Community, SADC, because many SADC states have been affected by this phenomenon. We have been working within the ambit of the African Union, AU, to try and have a collective response to this cancer which is happening on the east coast of Africa. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order please, members!
The MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY: As the South African government, we will continue to find the solutions in Somalia, to find a stable government. [Interjections.] We will continue to find collective solutions to fight piracy on our east coast. Thank you. [Applause.]
STATE OF SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE
RETRENCHMENTS AT STANDARD BANK AND NEDBANK IMMINENT ANC WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTH AFRICAN RISK AND VULNERABILITY ATLAS
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I just want to confirm, in response to the hon Maynier, that the hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans has taken extensive steps to address the challenges that she encountered when she became Minister in this department.
We have to acknowledge the steps she has taken to improve the conditions of service, the status of the Defence Force and the provisions that the Defence Force requires in order to carry out its work.
Secondly, I understand that, in terms of sensitivity training, apparently the hon Ellis has excellent skills in this regard and, perhaps, should offer Ms Bridges some assistance! [Interjections.]
With respect to the concern about job losses expressed by the hon Ngonyama, clearly this is a concern that all of us share and government, through its new growth strategy, is working with the relevant sectors to establish what steps can be taken to improve the employment situation in our country.
However, we don’t see ourselves assuming the role of running any of the banks in our country; and therefore I was asked by the hon Nzimande to invite the hon Ngonyama — not in November, but in October next year — to join the Red October Campaign to assist and support the Communist Party in its campaign on banks. [Laughter.]
I also would like to welcome the statement by the hon Ngcobo recognising and referring to the SA Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, which has been developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, with support from our department, to improve geographic earth observation in the world.
We are very pleased that the atlas has been welcomed by many colleagues and researchers. Recently colleagues at the geographic Earth Observation Summit indicated an interest in using the model of the SA Risk and Vulnerability Atlas to develop their own observation technology along the lines of the technology that has been developed in our country. So we are very pleased that we have developed a mechanism that assists us to monitor climate change and its impact, as well as to alert communities well in time in order to address the management of disasters that often confront communities before they have a full warning to take appropriate action. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
ACCESS TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR POOR, DESERVING UNDER- AND
POSTGRADUATES
(Subject for Discussion)
Mrs M T KUBAYI: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Members of Parliament, members of the public in the gallery, I would like to acknowledge the students’ representative council, SRC, members from the University of the Western Cape, UWC; University of Cape Town, UCT; Cape Peninsula University of Technology, CPUT; and Stellenbosch institutions who earlier on interacted with the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, to share their experiences and what they think this debate should inform. As part of my debate, I would also reflect on what they have highlighted for us.
Access to tertiary institutions for the majority of the youth and the community at large is a critical matter, which all off us need to be worried about in terms of sustaining our economic growth.
The debate, Madam Deputy Speaker, takes place at a time when the year is coming to an end – a period when many institutions are at the point of preparing for enrolment for the year 2011.
However, most of the time, when you look at this time now and the following year, you will find that many students, instead of focusing on their studies, are worrying about the fee increments that are imposed on them. The fee increments are normally at a level which the majority of our people, learners and students at institutions can’t afford. Instead of these students focusing on their studies, they become worried about what the future holds and whether it will be sustained because the fee increments are not at the levels that they can afford.
Madam Deputy Speaker, in Stellenbosch we have a situation, which the students have shared with us, where the proposed fee increase was 15%. Students had to fight to get it to 11%, which is still very high. When you look at the interest rates currently sitting at 6%, you could understand it if they are to put on an additional 2%. However, you can’t justify having 11% as an increase. This is one of the means by which discrimination continues against our students.
Furthermore, we looked at the issues of institutional differentiation and mergers. One of the key goals of transforming the institutional landscape includes the creation of a more diverse and differentiated higher education landscape.
The aim was the diversification of institutional profiles and their capacity to address diverse needs and societal demands, which usually are associated with the expansion and massification of higher education, and the increasingly diverse profiles, competences and qualifications of students. With the expectation that they should fulfil a wide range of demands linked to the emergence of knowledge societies, new roles and tasks that go well beyond the traditional functions of teaching and research have developed.
It is important to note that in addition to widening access in order to produce a greater pool of qualified workers for the knowledge economy, business innovation, knowledge transfer and continuing professional development have become increasingly important dimensions of higher education activities.
Through the mergers, three institutional types were developed and were created to bring about differentiation amongst institutions of higher learning. It is important that we note that this included democracy, equity with redress, public accountability, academic freedom and quality. This was reflected in the White Paper.
Different institutional types provide choices to students; graduates from different programmes for a complex labour market; efficiency through specialisation; and different staffing arrangements.
According to the Higher Education South Africa, HESA, report entitled Pathways to a Diverse and Effective South African Higher Education System, Strategic Framework 2010-20, major achievements have been seen. African students now make up 63% of the public higher education student numbers, which rose from 58% in 2008. We also look at African female students, who now make up 56% of the total student number, which increased from 52% in 2000.
We further note the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Unesco, report that defines the challenges we are faced with. Currently we have an enrolment that has increased by 1% from 15% in 2001; in 2010 we are sitting at 16%. This shows that we still have a lot of challenges.
The quite worrying factor is the high dropout rate of students in higher education institutions, particularly during the first year of their studies. This is a well-known factor and we have been interacting with this through the presentations that we have received even at the committee level. However, the other challenge that the institutions are faced with is the low graduation rates, and this together with the high dropout rates clearly shows that something is seriously amiss in our higher education system.
The poor students coming from different disadvantaged communities continue to suffer because the institutions by nature have been defined and designed to look at minority people and also to look at those who are coming from urban areas. Often you would find students from rural areas who are poor and can’t adjust to the institution and therefore end up dropping out.
There are many issues, Madam Speaker, which we would also like to cover in terms of the institutions of higher learning having a responsibility to ensure that they are accessible to all South Africans. The key issue is that there is a need to really look in detail at the functions of these institutions and to be able to respond to the demand and the need. Student enrolment needs to respond to the country’s demographics and the immediate needs of communities.
At times, you will find that institutions that exist within the rural communities do not respond to the challenges and needs of that particular community. You would find that the institutions that exist in the rural communities do not even have, for example, agricultural studies, which would contribute to the development of the economy of that environment.
Continually, an institution creates means tests as a form of entry to courses, which often become a method of continuing to exclude more students. You would find many young black students piling up in social studies and there are fewer of them in the scarce skills area. An example, Madam Deputy Speaker, is reflected in the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, CPUT, and has been shared with us by the students. They inform us that currently there has been a capping method in place in the commercial subjects.
Therefore, we request the assistance of the Minister to look at these matters. We call on the department to look at the best ways that can be used to continue to assist in reducing the discrimination against poor, deserving students. If this is not monitored, it can be quite a problem.
Madam Deputy Speaker, the need for comprehensive student support is critical at tertiary institutions. Firstly, these institutions by their nature have been designed to respond to smaller populations. It is further important for institutions to provide courses that are relevant to the communities and the environment they exist in.
Finally, it is important to look at the managerial programmes that are offered by business schools existing within these tertiary institutions. Many courses that are offered by these business schools are not affordable; their fees are so high that many of our people can’t afford them.
In conclusion, I just want to reflect on some of the issues that were raised by the students. They raised the issue of academic freedom, transformation and the mergers. Regarding the mergers, we have received complaints that they are not effective, therefore students continue to suffer. However, on the issue of academic freedom, students raised the point that they continue to support academic freedom as long as they are not excluded through the process.
Again, students raised the issue of key private-public partnerships that need to be introduced as a form of comprehensive funding for students, because at times you would find that their postgraduate level is not funded. When they are interested in continuing to the postgraduate level they do not get the support they need to be able to meet the challenges.
Among these issues are the high, upfront payments requested by institutions. This is a major challenge that, most of the time, causes the high dropout rate of students in higher education institutions. As a result, they have requested us to say when we talk about access, let’s not talk about them getting into the schools or the tertiary institution, but we must look at them being sustained in those institutions. We must look at them being able to graduate and move on to a higher postgraduate level. Thank you. [Applause.]
Dr W G JAMES: Hon Deputy Speaker, in July of every year, young South African matriculants start to prepare their applications to attend university. It is an absolutely vital first step in realising their hope for a future as independent young adults.
Parental pride, of course, is accompanied by anxiety about whether they can afford a university-level education, especially one that is worthwhile.
The statistics for 2009 indicate that 164 528 students entered university for the first time. We estimate that some 65% of those entering class for the first time are drawn directly from matric. Three times as many students apply for admission as those who enter for the first time. Admission requirements are modified in many cases by giving preferential access to students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Many students do not attend the university of their choice. We do not know, on a national level, how many students get to attend their first, second or third choice of university. Anecdotally, the estimate is a one-in-twenty chance for the average student with average academic performance to enter the university of their first choice.
Attending a university, especially for those who are located far away from home, can be a frightening prospect. If you are the first person from your family to attend university, which is the case for many if not most poor students, the unfamiliarity of that experience on a wide variety of fronts can be terrifying. What then are the barriers to entering a South African university?
To start with, university officials would, of course, say that the greatest barrier is academic. Reviewing the figures since 1994, we reached a high point of a 73% matric pass rate in 2003, followed by a prolonged downswing to reach 61% in 2009. Of those who passed, 20% of students had university exemption. Of those who wrote the first key subject of mathematics needed for any science or economics degree, 18% passed with 50% or more and 29% passed with 40% or more.
If one takes 50% to be a real pass in mathematics, then 82% of our students who wrote mathematics actually failed and 18% passed. This is a decline in performance of catastrophic proportions.
The second barrier to entry is cultural. If you are academically capable and your first language is English, the world is your oyster in South Africa. There is far less of a choice, but you still have a choice between some credible institutions of higher learning if your first language is Afrikaans. You do not have many good choices to make if your first language is isiZulu or isiXhosa.
Language and the cultural apparatus that comes with it are vital resources on which to build academic success. They give emotional security to those entering universities for the first time. Families who have sent their children to university for generations do not know how lucky they are.
The third barrier to entry is class. All universities charge fees as the government subsidy is not enough to cover the costs of a quality education. The facility that enables poor students to afford university education is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS. Aid is provided to 17% of students.
In 2008 a mere 19% of NSFAS-supported students graduated, whereas a phenomenal 48% dropped out of the system. Poor students, who are mostly black, are therefore granted access, but they fail or drop out and then sink back into poverty.
There are other barriers that matter, such as geography, gender and disability. While universities should do what they can to ameliorate barriers to entry, the most fundamental one is really out of their hands, which is the quality of our matric results and the expansion of the college system. At present there are about 125 000 full-time equivalent students studying at the further education and training, FET, colleges. This number is subject to confirmation. The enrolment should grow to over a million by
- The pass rate for FET colleges is estimated to be a dismal 30%.
At university it takes, on average, five years to complete a three-year degree. The dropout rate is alarming. There are too many underprepared students in the system. It distracts universities and diverts resources from their core functions. In summary, we need to solve some major problems and unless we do, our human resources development strategy will implode.
The question is: What has the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, done to solve the problems? Not much, it seems. He has held many summits and made lots of speeches. The only hard decision he has taken is to place some sector education and training authorities, Setas, under administration. He has also announced what is called the new Seta landscape; an act undertaken with the courage of a mouse in the face of the fury of an elephant.
The creation of a new Ministry, his brainchild, will cost the taxpayer R150 million. He has lost a director-general, Prof Mary Metcalfe — because, I believe, he wanted to fly half of the SACP to Cuba — and his media spokesperson because he is a public relations nightmare. He was recently spotted at the Vineyard Hotel and, if he was staying there, it seems as if the embarrassment of staying at the uberbourgeois hotel, the Mount Nelson, is not enough to deter him.
The question is: What has to be done? Many more opportunities for the main Nguni first-language speakers should be created using a multicultural approach to development at universities at a regional level. Universities should be financed to replace the three-year-long degree with a four-year- long one.
In consultation with the provinces, dysfunctional FET college councils and principals should be performance-managed out of the system and a quality rebuilding process should begin.
The National Skills Fund should be used as a financial vehicle for the FET curriculum expansion involving the private sector and, when it comes to schools, the provincial education superintendent-generals should assert their duties and obligations to govern and administer, keep the teachers’ unions at bay and be held to account for mismanagement. Government must abandon the national democratic revolution as the guiding principle in appointments.
In conclusion, last week, the Eastern Cape provincial government rehired Mr Mannya as superintendent-general of education. He was rehired even though he left the same post in 2001 after being threatened with criminal charges by the MEC for education, who claimed he had failed to perform his duties.
Last year he was suspended and dismissed as head of the KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty on 16 charges of misconduct. So here he is to rescue a department that received a disclaimer from the Auditor-General - no accountability! Government recycles crooks to look after our children’s education. Thank you. [Applause.]
Ms N Y VUKUZA-LINDA: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon members, learners in the gallery, we are today tackling the issue of access to tertiary education for poor and deserving students. I much prefer referring to such learners as learners without means rather than poor students, as this labelling perspective is drawn from a deficit model where poor is equated to inability, rural, underpreparedness and sometimes mental underdevelopment.
History should tell us that this couldn’t be further from the truth as South Africa on her own boasts leaders who come from such poor backgrounds. The issue of “poor” when addressed developmentally means opening and giving opportunities to those learners without means, who have the potential and to which such opportunities did not or do not come naturally.
For Cope, access to a tertiary institution is more than students bringing warm bodies to the institution. It starts with an enabling environment, be this physical, as in residences; psychological, as in mental preparedness; economic, as in means; or geographic, as in proximity or lack thereof. It is a total package of an environment ready and willing to receive, teach, engage and nurture the learner. A passive, hostile environment is not psychologically enabling. Therefore, it will not be helpful to a learner even if such a learner had the material means to study; bearing in mind that there are many poor and deserving learners, who, because of their socioeconomic conditions, are not able to make it to such institutions.
The enabling environment goes as far as giving material assistance to deserving learners, which brings me to the issue of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS. I am aware that this issue, Minister, is currently receiving attention. I hope that the Cabinet will be generous in its approach to this question.
Everybody uses the World Cup and its successes as a benchmark of how South Africa can rise to a challenge when called upon to do so. Well, there can never be a bigger and better World Cup than an investment in the human resources of this country!
Still on the question of the national students fund, one cannot overemphasise the principles of fairness and justice in administering this scheme. There is so much mischief at institutional level with regard to the disbursement of this fund and so much politics involved in its administration.
Suddenly, to be poor and deserving means being properly networked and connected. This must stop. Being without means must be what it is and “deserving” must be what it means. That is why we have professional students who stand in the way of learners wanting to come in. Those powerful parents whose children are not in a hurry to finish studying, must stop intimidating institutions by using their influence and power to persuade them not to exclude their children. They are blocking the way.
In conclusion, access to the institutions of higher learning starts at the basic education level. That is why we need a sustained and focused engagement with basic education. I repeat the assertion that education must be seen as a chain from production to consumers, linking primary schooling to secondary schooling, to higher education and ultimately to the marketplace.
Any supply chain manager will tell you that the chain is as strong as its weakest link. The failures of primary schooling cannot be fixed at tertiary institutions. The failures at tertiary institutions cannot be fixed in the marketplace and that is why we need to support the efforts of basic education. Thank you. [Applause] Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Hon Deputy Speaker, the Department of Education, then, developed a plan for higher education in 2004 with targets to tackle issues such as the one we dealing with today.
The question is: What happened to that plan? Why was it never implemented? Here we are, six years later, dealing with the same challenges that we were going to address in 2004.
Nevertheless, the IFP believes that the key to successfully overcoming our challenges lies first in being able to identify them correctly, and with sufficient insight and clarity. Let me cite four challenges that we are facing. Firstly, with regard to quality of education, our learners suffer because our approach to quality education has always been, “Fatten the pig before the day of sale”. This focus has made us neglect some very essential elements in basic education.
For instance, in 2008 we had a 62% matric pass rate with 19,5% of the students obtaining matriculation exemptions. In 2009, the matric pass rate was 60,7% with 19,8% of the students obtaining matriculation exemption. This equates to approximately only 100 000 learners per year being eligible for tertiary education. Our basic education is not equipping our learners to adequately deal with and adapt to the high standards of education at our tertiary institutions.
Secondly, in terms of university autonomy, universities drive their own entrance requirements. We feel they should at least liaise with the department regarding these exams so that our learners can be better prepared when they sit these examinations.
Thirdly, regarding NSFAS, here we can urge the Minister to implement the recommendations that are contained in the recent review of the scheme. We feel that many students are turned away just because they cannot pay the registration fees. We know that the Minister thinks it was hon Minister Pandor who had entered into an agreement with universities to waive the registration fees. However, this has not been enforceable.
Lastly, on the issue of personal circumstances, we must come to the personal circumstances surrounding many of our poor learners and these may vary from unwanted pregnancies, HIV and Aids and in some instances, cultural constraints. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr S Z NTAPANE: Hon chairperson and hon members, the UDM fully supports access to tertiary education for deserving under- and postgraduate students who are denied an opportunity because of poverty. It would be difficult to imagine that anyone in this House would disagree with that proposition.
The question is, therefore, not whether it is desirable, but what steps are required to make this happen. This is where the dilemma lies: South Africa is already spending more on education in general than any other line function, except for social assistance and grants. In other words, we would be taking funding from other vital functions if we intend to find funding for these students outside the education budget.
We can honestly ask ourselves whether the money should not come from within the large budget allocated to the two departments of education. Are taxpayers genuinely getting value for their money from the current education budget? The answer is an undeniable no.
Basic literacy and numeracy among South African schoolchildren are far below international standards. Countries that are far poorer and spend significantly less on education still outperform us.
As the UDM has said in its manifesto, we need to return to the basics with our education. Years of fiddling with the curriculum and policies have left the education system in a perilous state. We should be getting far more value from the overall education budget. Clearly, money that could fund deserving under- and postgraduates from disadvantaged circumstances is going to waste.
A word of caution should also be raised with regard to the popular practice in certain circles of blaming the universities and tertiary institutions. These institutions are pressured by government to produce more degrees with less funding to answer the skills shortage in the economy, but at the same time government demands higher enrolment and lower fees. These are two competing demands, which, if not checked can lead to only … [Time expired.]
Ms N GINA: Hon Chairperson, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa declares that everyone has the right to basic and further education. Despite the declaration and concerns that education should be accorded to all, access for the disabled or for people living with disabilities is still a challenge in our country. That is why today I will speak on access to education for people living with disabilities.
We normally understand access to education to be the accessibility of education to any student, including access to appropriate educational institutions, materials and personnel. For disabled people, however, access is more than that. Access for them has more to do with the characteristics of available facilities, programmes and services that allow these to be entered or used by individuals despite visual, hearing, mobility and other impairments.
This is because disability is a condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. Therefore, this is more about removing obstacles and barriers so that people with disabilities are able to perform.
The Soudien report noted the following: As far as disability is concerned, there seems to be a general recognition that there has been limited progress made in addressing the needs of the disabled, both in terms of the physical infrastructure, as well as educational support structures.
The lack of access to higher education for disabled people is indicated by the fact that in 2007 there were only 4 325 disabled students in higher education that were recorded. This figure represents only 0,6% of the total head-count of the enrolment of students for higher education.
When one looks at the statistics for 2009, there was a very minimal growth in that number: only 347, which meant that it moved up to 4 672 students with disabilities who had access to the higher education of our country from 4 325. This is an area of concern. However, we are very proud to say that with the current Minister and with Higher Education and Training as a Ministry on its own, we hope and believe that these are some of the issues that are going to be addressed and looked at so that we can see more people with disabilities having access to higher education, as we expect them to.
On top of this, Minister, as has been mentioned by the previous speakers here, I think it is important to note that no matter what we do, we will never succeed as the Department of Higher Education and Training if we don’t involve or work together with the Department of Basic Education. This is because we can’t really wait for learners to have access to higher education institutions.
What is happening at the basic education level? We think that is what we need to look at. I will just give an example. There is a community for the disabled here in Cape Town that has just come to the portfolio committee to air their views and complaints about where they are at the schooling level.
They said they were running short of educators who are well trained to teach disabled learners. There was also an example of deaf schools. So, really, Minister, if we don’t look at what is happening at the school level, we will always be faced with the problem of people with disabilities experiencing difficulties in having access to higher education, as is the case now.
As a country, I think we have to note that we have undergone a significant process of transformation, especially in higher education. At the centre of this transformation process that we are talking about is the goal of increasing access for the most disadvantaged groups in our society, including students with disabilities. It is disheartening, though, to note that there is still a lack of commitment by some of the higher education institutions to ensure that the right environment for learning for students with disabilities is being provided. Another breakthrough that our government has achieved was to make sure that people with disabilities do get access to higher education institutions. When we look at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, everybody can apply for it. It is a great achievement that there is a portion that is specifically allocated to people with disabilities within NSFAS.
When one looks at the annual report for 2009-10 at NSFAS, it is reported that there has been a low uptake of special funding by disabled students. This is caused by the lack of advocacy. One would find that most of the students were not aware that they could specifically apply for such funding for them to have access to higher education institutions. However, I think we need to commend the government for doing this to show that they are taking care of people living with disabilities.
Again, when we look at the Soudien report, we note that there is still discrimination taking place when one goes to institutions of higher learning. The infrastructure is not yet up to standard to accommodate some of these learners. Here is one example: There is a university where students had to sit for more than three weeks without going to classes just because there were no ramps for wheelchairs for them to go and attend those classes. I think this is one of the things you need to look at, Minister, to make sure that our students who are disabled have access in this form.
Another thing that is lacking in some of the universities is that even residences are not built in a manner that can accommodate such students. We find that due to that, a small number of students have access to universities.
We also need our universities to have sensitivity towards learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Braille needs to be used. We need to see these things happening in our institutions. So this is a challenge to all universities to provide all these adequate systems to support the teaching and learning of students with disabilities and to make sure that teaching methods do take this into consideration.
This would require a budget, and we need to commit to this budget for the purpose of ensuring access for these students. By so doing, we will be ensuring that people with disabilities feel they are part of the community in our country and that they will even have access to the labour market and be able to contribute to the economy of the country.
Minister, we know the passion that you have. I think it would be proper for me to highlight this. The Minister that we have is very passionate, especially about the skilling of people. When we talk of the skilling of people, we are not leaving … [Interjections.] Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Order! Hon members, you are conversing too loudly, and we can’t hear the speakers. Please!
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, following the Anglo Boer War in 1902, the majority of Afrikaans families were very poor.
My father was the youngest child of such a family. There were 10 children who qualified for the definition of today’s subject. If I may define it, they were poor and deserving children who wanted to become students. Because there wasn’t any money, the eldest seven children could not study further after school level and had to go and work.
The youngest three could go and study further only because the older brothers and sisters, who were working, sent money home for them to study. So, this is not a new problem at the moment. The FF Plus says it is a serious injustice perpetrated against any child who has the ability to learn and who performs well academically at school, if he or she cannot study further for economic reasons.
That is why the government’s bursary scheme is so important. However, the government’s bursary scheme seriously discriminates, at the moment, against certain students, specifically brown students and white students. According to statistics, only 4% of brown students recently received bursaries and only 2% of white students received bursaries. This is not representative of the general population at all.
It also appears as if Afrikaans students are being discriminated against specifically. Now you must remember that the majority of Afrikaans-speaking people in South Africa, for a long time already, have not been white people. Afrikaans is a language through which these students, especially the brown students, are empowered.
The majority of these students live in the Western Cape. The population in the Western Cape is approximately 60% brown, 20% white and 20% black. According to the national bursary scheme, 16 000 bursaries were made available in the Western Cape. Altogether 69% of these were awarded to black students; 22% were awarded to brown students; and 6% were awarded to white students. How do I explain this to the young people who phone me and talk to me about this?
We are creating a new generation of aggrieved young people – brown and white – because they feel that they are being discriminated against because they are poor, on the one hand, but also because it seems they are not black enough, on the other hand. After 16 years, surely this is a very serious matter that cannot continue. I thank you.
Mr Z S MAKHUBELE: Hon Chairperson, let me first and foremost acknowledge the guests, particularly the students’ representative council, SRC, leadership, my mother, my wife and the young ones in the gallery.
The challenge facing our country in the new dispensation, amongst other things, is the transformation of the education and training system to redress past discrimination and ensure representation and equal access. The educational disparities are manifested along racial, class and gender lines due to the political, economic and social policies of the pre-1994 era.
Most learners from rural, disadvantaged schools are seldom advised on alternative paths to education and career opportunities and funding availability. They often learn about the national financial aid schemes only upon arrival at the universities.
These institutions should reach out to all areas of the country, more especially the most rural areas where the youth or learners have very little access to any form of media, by conducting road shows and other strategies that would enhance fair access to information.
The provision of quality education for the broader section of learners coming from rural and poorer areas leaves much to be desired, thereby hindering access opportunities for the majority of learners. Many of them have to undergo bridging courses before the primary course they intend to study. These bridging courses are not funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS. Therefore, those students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, though deserving, may not be able to afford the cost for the bridging courses.
The threshold for the beneficiaries of the NSFAS funds should be reviewed in order to accommodate those students whose parents currently qualify for neither the scheme, as middle-income earners, nor loans from the financial houses. The NSFAS institution allocation formula needs to be revisited to ensure access to adequate resources for all deserving students.
The government should consider funding postgraduate programmes to assist students who often rely on part-time employment to finance their studies.
There is also an urgent need to improve, strengthen and expand the further education and training, FET, sector so that many students, who cannot gain entry to universities, are absorbed by the colleges. The majority of learners from rural and poor areas are inadequately prepared for higher education studies due to a lack of proper facilities. The college sector should accommodate them.
There is a need for improvement of the curriculum at FET colleges to enable smooth articulation from FET colleges to institutions of higher learning. The FET colleges are mostly accessible to most learners and should deliberately be made institutions of choice. We need a clear focus on this sector if we are to succeed in the provision of critical skills needed by the economy of our country.
Some of the FET colleges are not relevant and/or responsive to the local economic development strategies where they are found. This matter needs urgent attention to ensure that their programmes are responsive to the market demands as far as possible.
It should be acknowledged that the educational policies of the past prevented millions of our people from accessing formal education and training, hence the ANC government introduced recognition of prior learning to recognise the expertise and the experience of these people and to award credits towards the achievement of qualifications or part qualifications. Others have never completed their formal education. Recognition of prior learning, RPL, gives them a second chance to access education and training and become the qualified citizens they ought to be. Yet others have undergone in-house and workplace training, but do not have full qualifications. Therefore RPL will acknowledge the parts of qualifications that people already have and identify what is outstanding so that they can complete their qualifications should they wish to do so.
It has been noted that most institutions of higher learning use RPL for admission purposes and not to award credits or qualifications. Since there is no financial recoveries being made from implementing RPL, institutions place it on the low-priority list. Therefore, it is not surprising that very little has been done since 2002. Most institutions are still grappling with a proper conceptualisation and implementation of this programme.
The government, through the Setas, should use funds earmarked for skills development to include RPL and probably give financial incentives in order to encourage institutions to implement it.
Recognition of prior learning should be positioned as a central pillar of redress, having the capacity to widen access to education and training and to enhance the qualification status of historically disadvantaged adults. It is required of us to remove legal impediments such as the 50% residency clause and the Umalusi accreditation requirements that disallow assessment- only providers and the matriculation with endorsement as entry requirements to higher education.
The new higher education and training system, which is a single, national, co-ordinated system, should enhance the broadening of the social base of learners in terms of race, class, gender and age. The higher education system must be transformed to redress past inequalities, to serve a new social order, to meet pressing national needs and to respond to new realities and opportunities.
Tiko leri vekisaka eka dyondzo ya rixaka kumbe eka vaakatiko hi ku angarhela i tiko leri hluvukaka hi ku hatlisa loko ri tekele enhlokweni dyondzo ya rixaka. Inkomu Mutshamaxitulu. [Va phokotela.] [A country that invests in the nation’s education or society in general is a country that develops rapidly if it has prioritised the nation’s education. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]]
Rev K R J MESHOE: House Chairperson, the ACDP believes that to merely consider access to tertiary institutions for poor, deserving under- and postgraduates without addressing the reasons for the high undergraduate dropout rate would in all probability be a waste, ultimately, of our time and resources.
It is reported that at some institutions the dropout rate is as high as 80% and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa has managed to recover only 20% of the total R12 billion in funds it has loaned.
Access to tertiary education also means access to relevant books and equipment. Calls for government to consider dropping VAT on textbooks to free up 14% more funds for books and resource materials seem like a reasonable idea. Has the government considered this, hon Minister?
First-generation students from low-income families with cramped living conditions are, however, the most likely to drop out, and it will take nothing short of total funding on education, accommodation, food and books to ensure that students have an opportunity to actually complete their degrees.
From the ACDP would like to see the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa linked to public-private partnerships where students are placed in companies that provide financial support, mentoring, vacation employment and an incentive to reach degree goals.
As far back as 1994, the ACDP has been calling for the introduction of a voucher system in our schools. The ACDP has also called for broader criteria for loan qualification, and we therefore support the recommendation to change the income level. This will allow additional students to qualify for partial funding, a step that would be in the right direction. Thank you.
Mr K J DIKOBO: Chairperson, hon members, guests, and representatives of SRCs, one of the issues that limits access to higher education is funding. There are many students in our country who are euphemistically referred to as previously or historically disadvantaged.
For many of them, there is nothing previous about them being disadvantaged. They are still as disadvantaged now as their parents have been. They attend poorly resourced and poorly run schools, referred to as dysfunctional schools. They get poor Grade 12 passes, not because they are intellectually less gifted, but because the system failed them.
Azapo believes that besides funding, the best way of improving access to higher education for the majority of our people is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in village and township schools. Thank you.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: House Chairperson, I would just like to note and acknowledge the inputs and the contributions to the discussion. I think there is a need for all of us continually to engage to ensure that there is a better future for all young people in South Africa, so that they can contribute positively to the economy of the country.
There are various areas that I just want to respond to that members have reflected on. Firstly, I would like to respond to the issue of the summits. I want to say here that those of us who were part of the summits acknowledge their importance. The summits that were referred to by the hon James were stakeholder summits where people were operating within particular sectors. It was a skills development summit, a higher education summit, and a further education and training summit.
The stakeholders appreciated what the Minister was doing. The stakeholders appreciated the engagement, saying that they appreciate being engaged with in a process where they can make inputs to policy development and development of the Green Paper.
I think, Minister, from where we are standing as the ANC, we applaud you for the work that you have done and appreciate that this is a government of the people by the people. It is not that we are doing something separate that people are not part of.
I think we need to acknowledge that and note that perhaps that is the view that the DA is holding, because they did not participate in the summits, although they were invited. All of us, as members of the portfolio committee, went to those summits. Again, it does not profit us to go to the point of character assassination, hitting on the Minister without us dealing with the issues we are faced with.
All of us are stakeholders; all of us have a responsibility; and all of us have a part to play. This means that all of us, including the DA, need to assist in shaping the way forward, in informing the policies that are being developed, as Members of Parliament and members of the portfolio committee.
There is a second point that I want to reflect on. I am not so sure that the issues that the hon Ntapane from the UDM has raised are relevant in a higher education debate. The issue that we are dealing with here is access to tertiary institutions by students at a tertiary level. It has nothing to do with numeracy and literacy. Those are issues that we must debate at a basic education level. Therefore, I think that he should perhaps introduce a motion for us to have a debate on that issue. [Applause.]
Finally, the last issue that I think we need to look at in terms of relevance, hon Deputy Minister, is the issue of the equity definition. I don’t know whether there is anything called “brown”. We have black, white, and coloured. I am not sure about this. I am trying to understand what you are talking about, which racial group you are talking about. I wanted to understand the “brown”.
In conclusion, I would like to say that we should appreciate … [Interjections.]
Dr C P MULDER: Can I help the member?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Order! Why are you rising, hon member?
Dr C P MULDER: Those categories are not my categories. They are your categories that you filled in on all those different forms at university when they must give census figures. You can go and check on them.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): You can continue, hon member.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: I don’t think he’s responding to that. I thought perhaps he would assist and clarify, but we will take it outside. The issue that I think we should look at is the importance of making sure that as we talk about access, there are a number of issues that members have raised.
There are a number of issues that are fundamental to making sure that access to tertiary institutions is open so that all people, old and young, can benefit. We do not sit here and only speak for a particular group. We do not sit here as Members of Parliament and not make sure the …
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Hon member, your time has expired.
Mrs M T KUBAYI: I just wanted to say that the debate has contributed positively in ensuring that articulation is properly done in the department. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL ACTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE, ANTALYA, 2006
Mr S E KHOLWANE: Chairperson, the Portfolio Committee on Communications received and considered the report on the Final Acts of the International Telecommunications Union, known as the ITU. This is a leading agency of the United Nations providing a platform for the governance of information and communication technology for the technology sector.
It comprises 191 member states and more than 700 sector members and associates. It has three co-sectors, which are radio communication, telecommunication standardisation and telecommunication development.
It was at this conference held in Antalya in 2006 where South Africa was elected to the executive council of the ITU. South Africa has been re- elected to the same position in 2010.
The portfolio committee, having considered the Final Acts of the International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference, Antalya, 2006, recommends that the House approves the final acts of this conference. I thank you, Chair.
There was no debate. Final Acts of the International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference, Antalya, 2006, approved.
The House adjourned at 15:33. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2010
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly
The Speaker
- Membership of Committees
(1) The following members have been nominated by their party to
serve on the Ad Hoc Committee on Commission for Gender Equality
Forensic Investigation:
African National Congress
Ramodibe, Ms DM
Van Wyk, Ms A TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
- The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
(a) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr F R
Rambau, a regional magistrate at Polokwane in terms of section
13(3)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(b) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr L
Skrenya, a magistrate at Cala in terms of section 13(3)(b) of the
Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(c) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr M K
Chauke, an additional magistrate at Pretoria in terms of section
13(3)(c) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(d) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr W J M
Prinsloo, a magistrate at Ermelo in terms of section 13(3)(c) of
the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(e) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr I W O
M Morake, a magistrate at Lichtenburg in terms of section 13(3)(b)
of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(f) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Ms A
Maharaj, an additional magistrate at George in terms of section
13(4)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
(g) Report on the provisional suspension of a magistrate: Mr N M
Jassiem, an additional magistrate at Mitchells Plain in terms of
section 13(4)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993).
- The Minister of Finance
(a) Government Notice No R999 published in Government Gazette No
33717 dated 1 November 2010: Amendment: Exchange Control
Regulations, in terms of the Currency and Exchanges Act, 1933 (Act
No 9 of 1933).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly
CREDA INSERT - T101105e-insert1 – PAGES 3693 – 3706
MONDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2010
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises on the Funding Solution for the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and the Transport Pension Fund, dated 2 November 2010
- Introduction
The Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises received a petition from the Pensioners of Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund (TSDBF) and the Transport Pension Fund (TPF). The plea of the pensioners was informed by the deteriorating economic conditions and challenges that they faced as a result of the low pensions they continued to receive. They received an annual increase of 2% on their pensions for 2 decades as per rule Rule 24 (Rule as a Schedule) of the Transnet Pension Fund Act (Act 62 of 1990) as amended in 1991 (52 of 1991); amended in 2000 (41 of 2000) and amended in 2007 (6 of 2007).
- Background
Prior to 1990 Transnet had the Railways and harbours pension Fund for Black employees and the Railways and Harbours Superannuation Fund for white employees. In 1990 these two funds were merged into the Transnet Pension Fund which was established under the Transnet Pension Fund Act of 1990 (Act 62 of 1990). Prior to the merger the two pension funds were controlled by the state and had an actuarial deficit of R17.1 billion. The fund has 79 467 members and the average pension received by the members is R2 833 per month, and 40% of the pensioners received less that the State’s social pension of R940,00 per month (as in 2008).
- Investigation by the Committee
Having considered the petition of the Pensioners, the Committee invited the affected stakeholders to brief the Committee and subsequently took a resolution to investigate a funding solution for the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and the Transport Pension Fund. The Committee established a task team that comprised of Hon G Borman (ANC) (Convener), Hon L Gololo (ANC), Hon G Koornhof (ANC), Hon S Van Dyk (DA), representatives of Transnet, Department of Public Enterprises and National Treasury.
The task team met several times with Transnet, National Treasury and the Department of Public Enterprises and consulted with parties, study groups and clusters. Bearing in mind the injustices of the past a funding solution needed to be affordable, fair and one that did not jeopardise the future of the pension funds. The funding solution was aimed at addressing the following objectives:
a) Ex gratia payment to compensate pensioners for the low amounts paid out in the past; b) Increasing the base pension of the pensioners; and c) An increase policy to be applied going forward.
- Recommendations
The task team of the Committee tabled a report with recommendations to the Portfolio Committee on 2 November 2010. The Committee deliberated on the report and adopted the following recommendations:
Transnet and National Treasury should make a cash injection of R1.963 billion into the Funds which will be a funding solution for TSDBF and TPF:
a) An ex gratia payment of 5 months’ pension; b) A base upliftment of 3.21% and c) A 75% of CPI annual increase going forward on the 3.21% uplifted base
- Conclusion
Both Transnet and National Treasury participated in the process that led to the recommendations, and the figures above were derived from presentations on both TSDBF and TPF combined. They agreed that the funding solution was affordable. Report to be considered
TUESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2010
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
- Introduction of Bills
(1) The Minister of Trade and Industry
a) Companies Amendment Bill [B 40 – 2010] (National Assembly –
proposed sec 75) [Explanatory summary of Bill and prior notice
of its introduction published in Government Gazette No 33695
of 27 October 2010.]
Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Trade
and Industry 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.
- Bills passed by Houses – to be submitted to President for assent
(1) Bills passed by National Council of Provinces on 9 November
2010:
a) Black Authorites Act Repeal Bill [B 9 – 2010] (National
Assembly – sec 76).
b) Local Government: Municipal Electoral Amendment Bill [B 27 –
2010] (National Assembly – sec 75). 3. Membership of Committees
(1) Hon. Mr JB Sibanyoni (NA) and Hon. Mr AG Matila (NCOP) were
elected as co-chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Code of
Judicial Conduct and the Regulations on Judges’ Disclosure of
Registrable Interests on 9 November 2010.
- Classification of Bills by Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)
(1) The JTM in terms of Joint Rule 160(6) classified the following
Bills as section 75 Bills:
a) Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of
Communication-related Information Amendment Bill [B 38 – 2010]
(National Assembly – sec 75).
b) Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill [B 39 – 2010] (National
Assembly – sec 75).
National Assembly
The Speaker
-
Message from National Council of Provinces to National Assembly in respect of Bills passed by Council and returned to Assembly
1) Bills, subject to proposed amendments, passed by National Council of Provinces on 9 November 2010 and returned for consideration of Council’s proposed amendments:
a) South African Citizenship Amendment Bill [B 17B – 2010] (National Assembly – sec 75) (for proposed amendments, see Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports, 3 November 2010, p 3662). The Bill has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs of the National Assembly for a report on the amendments proposed by the Council. b) Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill [B 18B – 2010] (National Assembly – sec 75) (for proposed amendment, see Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports, 2 November 2010, p 3611). The Bill has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs of the National Assembly for a report on the amendment proposed by the Council. -
Membership of Committees
(1) Hon Ms D M Ramodibe was elected as chairperson of the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Commission for Gender Equality Forensic
Investigation on 9 November 2010.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly
CREDA INSERT - T101109e-insert1 – PAGES 3722 - 3738
- Progress report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the process followed on recommending a person for appointment to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 09 November 2010.
The Portfolio Committee on Communications, having considered the nominations of candidates submitted for appointment to serve on the ICASA Council in terms of ICASA Act, 13 of 2000 (as amended) reports as follows:
Request from the Minister of Communications to fill in a vacancy at ICASA was referred to the Portfolio Committee on Communications on 04 November 2010 (see ATC 05 November 2010).
The Committee called for nominations and received 24 CV’s. The Committee subsequently shortlisted the following candidates:
Dr Marcia Socikwa Ms Katheryn Berman Dr Sadhasivan Perumal Ms Nomonde Pearl Gongxeka Mr Cornwell Ismail Dauds
The interviews are scheduled for 25 November 2010.
-
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B 38 - 2010] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 9 November 2010:
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, having considered the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B 38 - 2010] (National Assembly – sec 76), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 75 Bill, reports the Bill without amendment.