REPORT ON “TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE”: NORTHERN CAPE, 27 – 31
March 2006
Executive Summary
The
NCOP conducted its Northern Cape Taking Parliament to the People
programme at the Moshaweng Municipality Hall in the Kgalagadi District
Municipality from 27 to 31 March 2006. Members of various communities
participated in public hearings, expressing themselves on a wide range of
topics, raising important issues of concern in areas such as social security,
the provision of basic services, poverty alleviation and gender equality. In
addition to Members of the NCOP, the Premier of the Province, provincial and
municipal Speakers, Managers of government Departments, Mayors and Councillors,
as well as other relevant stakeholders, participated in the events.
As part of
the programme, special delegations comprising of Members of the NCOP, Members
of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) and local councillors carried out visits
to health centres, farms, schools and projects falling under the Expanded
Public Works Programme, with the aim of ascertaining the situation on the
ground.
The
Northern Cape programme was located within the theme “All shall have
equal rights”. Deliberations were therefore aimed at creating a platform for
people to engage government and Parliament on issues such as the right to basic
services, including education, health care, water, sanitation, housing and
social assistance. In addition, the deliberations focused on poverty, job
creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme, the functioning of local
government, local economic development and the empowerment of women.
Discussions
on the effectiveness of local government revealed that there was significant
concern among communities about the slow pace of delivery of services. Access
to water was noted as a major concern at almost every meeting, with communities
pointing out that the measures undertaken by Government to address water
shortages have often not been effective. The condition of roads was also raised
repeatedly, and participants noted that the recent rainfall had caused serious
damage to roads. There was a degree of dissatisfaction expressed by communities
regarding their elected representatives at local government level, with
communities indicating that councillors do not take their needs seriously when
it comes to planning for service delivery.
Participants
in the deliberations registered concerns about the fact that there are not
enough clinics and hospitals close to communities. In addition, visits to
health centres indicated that despite the progress that has been made in the
province with the building of clinics, there are chronic staff shortages at
clinics, long waiting lists for patients, and challenges with regard to the
maintenance of health care facilities. However, steps have been taken to ensure
that the problems relating to the slow response by emergency medical services
is addressed, as well as ensuring that medications that form part of the
Essential Drug List are made available to smaller health care facilities.
During the
public hearings, the NCOP was informed that communities participating in
agricultural projects experience challenges with regard to access to water for
their livestock, access to grazing land, a lack of fences as well as inadequate
support from local authorities. Funding for the expansion of projects was also
raised as a major concern, while communities struggled with communal ownership
of projects.
The public
hearings as well as the visits to schools revealed that schools have
difficulties with staff shortages, poor state of equipment and interruptions in
the water supply. Learners have to travel very long distances to school, some
as far as 150 km. This raised the need for subsidised accommodation for such
learners, as well as a well-organised and subsidised learner transport system.
Finally,
the issue of employment opportunities was raised at each of the meetings held
during the week. Communities repeatedly pointed to the fact that they were
eager to become involved in income-generating projects, but that they needed
support to access the appropriate information, as well as skills development
with regard to business planning and operation. Access to start-up funding was
another major concern. In relation to the Expanded Public Works Programme, participants
noted that they would like to get the chance to be employed in the programme or
to tender for contracts, but that it had been their experience that tenders
often still went to people who had previously been advantaged, or who now have
access to authority figures who assisted them in obtaining contracts.
1.
INTRODUCTION
The
NCOP had a sitting at the Moshaweng Municipality Hall in the Kgalagadi District
Municipality in the Northern Cape from 27 to 31 March 2006. Members of various
communities participated in public hearings, expressing themselves on a wide
range of topics, raising important issues of concern in areas such as social
security, the provision of basic services, poverty alleviation and gender
equality. In addition to Members of the NCOP, the Premier of the Province,
provincial and municipal Speakers, Managers of government Departments, Mayors
and Councillors, as well as other relevant stakeholders, participated in the
events. Where political leaders and government officials formed part of the
panels at the public hearings, they responded to issues raised by communities.
Time did not permit all members of the community to raise their issues in the
discussion. However, written submissions were received.
As part of
the programme, special delegations comprising of Members of the NCOP, Members
of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) and local Councillors carried out visits
to health centres, farms, schools and projects falling under the Expanded
Public Works Programme, with the aim of ascertaining the situation on the
ground.
The
Northern Cape Taking Parliament to the People programme was located
within the theme “All shall have equal rights”. Deliberations were therefore
aimed at creating a platform for people to engage government and Parliament on
issues such as the right to basic services, including education, health care,
water, sanitation, housing and social assistance. In addition, the
deliberations focused on poverty, job creation through the Expanded Public
Works Programme, the functioning of local government, local economic
development and the empowerment of women. The following themes underpinned the
formal inputs/submissions and site visits:
·
All shall have equal rights.
·
Cooperative governance: An effective tool to
accelerate service delivery: public hearing on local government matters.
·
Poverty alleviation, educational and social needs:
public hearing on social assistance, education and health care issues.
·
Structures put in place to address the challenges
faced by children, the youth and people with disabilities: Meeting with youth
and people with disabilities.
·
Structures and institutions set up by government in
the past 11 years of democracy towards the advancement of women: Meeting with
women.
·
The provision of water as a basic human right: public
hearing on the provision of water, land restitution and agricultural matters.
·
The impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme and
other programmes directed at the creation of employment.
2.
OVERVIEW OF THEMES UNDERPINNING THE PROGRAMME
2.1. Theme
1: All shall have equal rights
2.1.1.
Opening address by the Hon Ms S Mereeotlhe, Executive Mayor of the Kgalagadi
District Municipality
The
Executive Mayor of the Kgalagadi District Municipality began her opening
address by calling attention to the passing away of the Mayor of the
Ga-Segonyane Local Municipality. She paid tribute to the late Mayor, saying
that the region, the province and the nation had lost an important fighter for
equal rights for all the people of the country. She further expressed gratitude
to the NCOP for bringing Parliament to the people in the region, and encouraged
members and visitors to visit some of the tourist attractions in the province,
including the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kalahari Gemsbok Park.
2.1.2. Address
by the Hon Ms E D Peters, Premier of the Northern Cape
The
Premier noted that the theme of the week’s proceedings was “All shall have
equal rights”. The visit by the NCOP to the Province illustrates that whether
someone lives in Vanzylsrus, Springbok or Hartswater, or Cape Town, Gauteng,
Umlazi, Mamelodi or Pretoria, all South Africans are equal.
The
Premier further noted that the people of the rural region of Kgalagadi
experience poverty, joblessness and lack of access to basic services. As the majority
of mines in the Gariep and the Namaqualand regions have been depleted, the iron
and manganese mines in the Kgalagadi region represent important potential for
employment.
Referring
once more to the levels of poverty in the area and the sharp contrasts between
wealth and poverty, the Premier said that it was important to ensure that the
living standard of people of all the parts of the Northern Cape becomes equal.
2.1.3.
Address by the Hon Mr M J Mahlangu, Chairperson of the NCOP:
The
Chairperson of the NCOP prefaced his address by noting that his first
impression of the Province during this visit was the sparseness of its
population, and the impact that the remoteness of some of the villages has on
people’s standard of living. This is one of the reasons why the “Taking
Parliament to the People” project was such an important public participation
mechanism. It gives people in the most remote areas of the country the
opportunity to speak to their elected representatives directly and in doing so,
take ownership of Parliament. Furthermore, the programme gives Members the
opportunity to listen to the concerns people have. It also enables the NCOP to
inform the people about government programmes and how Government and Parliament
works. In addition, the programme is aimed at ensuring that Parliament responds
to the needs of the people.
It was in
light of these considerations that the Chairperson invited the communities
attending the opening ceremony to make use of the week to raise their concerns
directly with political leaders. He further pointed out that Members must also
exercise their oversight function with regard to the issues raised by
communities. This means that when the NCOP does a follow-up visit, they must be
able to track whether something has been done about the concerns raised by the
people of Kgalagadi.
The
Chairperson also raised the issue of preparing Provincial budgets and the
manner in which the NCOP exercises oversight over the spending of these
budgets. He emphasised that the process of calling MECs to account for
expenditure in their departments was not about creating conflict, but rather
about ensuring that budgets benefit communities. It is also not about
undermining the work of provincial political leaders, but rather about giving effect
to the system of intergovernmental relations. In terms of the system, all
levels of government are interdependent and have to work together. As the local
sphere of government has only been in operation for 6 years, it is important
for the other spheres to provide it with adequate support. The Chairperson
emphasised the need to strengthen local government to deliver those services
that impact directly on the quality of people’s lives.
The Hon.
Mr Mahlangu indicated that he was awaiting a report on which departments are
under spending and why. It was critical that the Budget is used as a tool for
delivering services on the ground, and unless it is approached in this manner,
Government would not achieve anything. It would mean that people continue to be
unemployed, hungry and without educational opportunities.
In
conclusion the Chairperson reiterated the importance of the “Taking Parliament
to the People” programme as communities have repeatedly demonstrated a
willingness to speak to Parliament frankly, and to be informed on issues of
governance. This was especially important as it allowed people to recognise
their rights and question actions that do not conform to what is provided for
in the Constitution or any other legislation.
2.2.
Visits to health centres
Delegations
from the NCOP visited the following health centres to observe the delivery of
health services in the Kgalagadi area:
2.2.1.
Kagiso Health Centre
A
delegation led by the Hon. F Mazibuko visited the Kagiso Health Centre in
Mothibistad Township. The centre falls under the jurisdiction of the
Ga-Segonyane Municipality.
The Kagiso
Health Centre serves 10 villages and attends to approximately 11 450 patients
on a monthly basis. The centre operates on a 24-hour basis and seven days a
week. The Centre has 11 professional nurses and the doctors visit the Centre
once a week. The centre also provides home-based care, which includes providing
assistance during campaigns and caregivers conducting visits, compiling reports
and doing follow-ups with people who default in taking their medication.
Excluding
the maintenance of the building, Kagiso Health Centre’s budget is made up as
follows:
The
following challenges were identified:
The
following recommendations were made:
The staff indicated that the health centre lacks
full-time doctors. In addition, the Centre consists of 11 professional nurses
of which 4 work night shifts. There is effective coordination between the
Centre and the Home-Based Caregivers working on voluntary basis. However, there
is a vacant post for a dental therapist to cater for the places currently
served by the mobile dental clinic. The mobile Tuberculosis Clinic caters for
62 Health Centres on a monthly basis. As a result, the Centre refers the
majority of the patients to the nearest hospital (Tswaraganong Hospital). The
Centre and the Tswaraganong Hospital have formulated a toll free number for
ambulance emergencies. Furthermore, the Kagiso Health Centre uses its mortuary
facility for forensic purposes.
The Centre
is not accredited to provide Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, and HIV-positive
patients access ARV treatment from Tswaraganong Hospital.
The Department of Health has entered into contracts
with SMMEs for the effective distribution of medication. This partnership has
fast-tracked the distribution of medication and improved service delivery.
Furthermore, the Centre works in tandem with a private security company to
ensure safety and reduction of theft. The security company provides the Centre
with a guard who works on a 24-hour basis.
Currently,
boreholes supply the Centre with water. As a result, the water used at the
Centre has a high chlorine content, which impacts negatively on the functioning
of the geyser.
The
delegation made the following observations:
A
delegation led by the Hon. Ms. P. Hollander visited the Bendel Health Centre,
situated in Moshaweng Municipality.
Bendel
Clinic is situated in Moshaweng, 92km from the Municipality Offices and 150km
from the District Hospital. The clinic, which serves five villages with a
population of 5 240, was built by Roman Catholic Missionaries.
C. Services Rendered
This
Primary Health Care Centre renders the following services:
The clinic
operates 12 hours a day and seven days a week.
·
Shortage of staff
The clinic
has two professional nurses working 12 hours and seven days a week. The
insufficiency of staff has resulted in patients being sent back home
unattended. The clinic has the following personnel:
(i)
Two auxiliary nurses, one of which is performing
community service. The clinic needs six more professional nurses.
(ii)
One cleaner.
(iii)
There are seven full time doctors for the whole
district to cater for the population of 5240. This results in the inability of
district doctors to visit the Health Centre on a daily basis.
·
Shortage of ambulances
There
are two ambulances for use in the district – the one for emergencies and the
other to cover the whole district, which comprises 199 villages. The ambulances
cater for the villages that are about 20 – 25 km from the clinic. The community
uses their own transport to the clinic, including making use of donkey carts.
The absence of public transport and the shortage of ambulances impacts
negatively on the community’s access to health care services.
·
Resources
The lack
of medical waste incinerators compels mothers to take their placentas with them
after birth, and the practice now appears to have become the norm. The clinic
had expected to receive three incinerators as promised by the Kgalagadi
Municipality. Resource constraints prevented the Kgalagadi Municipality from
facilitating the provision of the incinerators to the Health Centre. As a
result, the Department discourages the usage of the incinerators for the
disposal of medical waste, and has entered into agreements with subcontractors
to provide transport for the collection of the placentas. Currently, this
programme proves to be effective and it is envisaged that it will be
implemented in other clinics.
·
Infrastructure and equipment
The
standard of service delivery at the clinic is adversely affected by the absence
of telephone lines and difficulties in accessing water. Furthermore, there is
poor road infrastructure.
The
following recommendations were made:
2.2.3.
Mecwetsaneng Health Centre
A.
Introduction
B.
Background
The clinic is situated in Mecwetsaneng Village in
Moshaweng Local Municipality and falls under the jurisdiction of the Churchill
Health Area. It serves 11 surrounding villages with a population of 2852
people. The clinic operates only on weekdays from 7am to 4pm, and it has a call
system for after-hours service.
C.
Services Rendered
Primary
Health Care Services being rendered at the clinic include:
There is a home-based care (HBC) group attached to
the facility, namely Tlotlego HBC, which has a membership of 8. The group is
responsible for caring for the chronically ill as well as being supporters. It
is not funded, but the group is being provided with Care Kits as well as
training.
D.
Challenges faced by the Health Centre
·
Shortage of staff
There is
one professional nurse and assistant nurse at the clinic that attend to an
average of 500 people on a monthly basis. Furthermore, there is 1 groundsman
that works as a security guard.
·
Maintenance of Assets
The maintenance of infrastructure, including the
nursing homes, is a major problem at the clinic.
·
Insufficient budget
The clinic does not have the required office
equipment such as fax machines. In addition, the allocation of budget prevents
the purchase of office equipment, resulting in a compromised working
environment.
E.
Observations on the tour of the Health Centre
The
delegation observed the following:
F. Issues
discussed during the visit
The
nearest health centre is Kagiso Health Centre, which is 27km away from
Mecwetsaneng. The patients are transported by ambulance to the Health Centres.
The
volunteers are given incentives, which are in monetary terms and some form of
training as a recognition of their service. However, previously the incentives
were not monetary, but included, for example, clothes.
The clinic
is operated by 1 professional nurse instead of 3 professional nurses. The
shortage of staff is exacerbated by the difficulties in staff retention. This
impacts on the effectiveness of service delivery. Currently, the Department is
in the process of offering learnerships to the local community. Learnerships
are aimed at job creation and improving service delivery in the Mecwetsaneng
Health Centre and other affected health centres.
The clinic
has since 1994 operated in terms of an outdated personnel structure. The
Department intends implementing a new personnel structure in the 2006/07
financial year to improve service delivery.
The
Department of Health has formed partnerships with two service providers to fast
track the distribution of medication to clinics and hospitals, including
Mecwetsaneng Health Centre. The appointment of the service providers for
medication distribution promotes Small Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs).
Currently, the clinic is not accredited to provide patients with ARVs. As a
result, the patients have to travel to the Hospital, which is far from their
residences. However, the clinic is not experiencing problems pertaining to
defaulting patients.
The
Department of Health and the Mecwetsaneng Management indicated that the
insufficiency of budget impacts negatively on the availability of resources
such as office equipment. However, the Department ensures that there are
telephone lines or a cellular phone in each health centre.
2.3. Visits
to farms
2.3.1.
Bendel Boergoat (Dipudi) Project
A. Introduction
The
delegation led by the Hon B Dlulane visited the Greyfield Farm situated in the
Bendel Village, 72 km North of Mothibistad.
The
delegation was welcomed by the MEC for Agriculture, the Hon Ms T J
Joemat-Petterson who introduced members of the project to the delegation.
The farm
occupies 583 hectares of land and has the capacity to sustain approximately 200
goats.
Fifteen
(15) women beneficiaries interested in goat farming initiated the Project. Each
of the fifteen women contributed five ewes. Currently, the project has 14
members. One member passed away. The Project forms part of the Kgalagadi Dipudi
Enterprise Co-Operative and is managed by a Board of 7 members.
The
objective of the project is poverty alleviation, job creation and income
generation. This objective will be achieved by improving the quality of
indigenous goats through a breeding programme.
Financial
assistance received for the Project from the Department of Agriculture &
the Kgalagadi District Municipality is as follows:
Initially,
each member contributed 5 goats and an annual fee. The Kgalagadi District
Municipality and Eskom have contributed 244 goats to this project. In addition,
the Municipality and Eskom have fenced off the 583 hectares, dividing the
project site into 3 camps that are equipped with boreholes driven either by
windmills or by engines.
The
project has made the following progress:
The
drought in 2002/3 led to serious stock fatalities, resulting in the sale of the
remaining stock. This led to a total profit of R9 900. The project managed to
recover in the 2003/04 financial year, with a banking profit of R58 000 through
livestock sale. In addition, the livestock sales have now expanded to the
Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) livestock market. Consequently, the profit benefits have
accrued in an encouraging manner.
The
project has experienced certain problems and challenges, namely:
In
terms of skills development, the group has been provided with a three-week
accredited training on entrepreneurship encompassing:
·
Business Management.
·
Budgeting.
·
Marketing.
The
municipality has agreed to:
I.
Achievements of the project
The
Project successfully managed to breed other types of goats. Furthermore, the
location of the project impacts positively in the breeding processes of the
indigenous goats. Currently, the project sells its livestock within the
province due to market subjectivity.
In
addition, the project, in conjunction with Tetra Packaging, produces milkshakes
using goat milk, which is then sold to the school feeding schemes, hospitals
and South African National Defence Force (SANDF). However, the municipality
plays a vital role in assisting the project in sales negotiations for the
exporting of goats to the European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
Hence,
two of the most significant achievements of this project are that this project
is registered as an Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa
(ASGISA) project, and is the only goat-breeding project in the Province
complying with all the European Union requirements. The Province has identified
an abattoir in Kuruman, which is earmarked for an upgrade. This is to assist
the project, and to encourage people in the rural areas to invest in the
abattoir business.
2.3.2.
Rekopane Ostrich Agricultural Cooperative Enterprise Limited
The
delegation led by the Hon H. Matlanyane visited the Rekopane Ostrich Farm
situated in the Ellendale area, 30 km of the North of the Moshaweng
Municipality.
The farm
comprises 712 hectares of land and has the capacity to sustain 10 female and 6
male ostriches.
35
participants began the Rekopane Ostrich Project in May 2003, comprising ten
women, twenty men and five youths. In November 2004, the project was registered
with the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) as a cooperative.
The
objective of the project is to increase the number of ostriches on the farm,
reduce poverty through job creation and facilitate income generation from the
ostrich products.
Financial
assistance received for the Project from the Department of Agriculture &
the Kgalagadi District Municipality is as follows:
The
project has experienced certain problems and challenges, namely:
2.3.3.
Wrenchville Kleinboere Vrouevereniging Trust
The
delegation led by the Hon C. van Rooyen visited the Wrenchville Small-farmers
Women’s Society situated next to Camden, which is 82 km from Kuruman.
Mrs
Anna Eylers leased the land from the Municipality for livestock farming. This
process proved successful and in 2001, she was bestowed the ‘Northern Cape
Female Farmer of the Year’. Due to the progress made with this initiative, the
Northern Cape Land Reform Office approached Mrs Eylers with a proposal, which
assisted her in acquiring a piece of agricultural land with title deeds,
business growth and expansion. She organised a group of emerging farmers
consisting of thirty additional women involved in livestock farming, with
varying skills. This resulted in the registration of the Trust in 2002 named Wrenchville
Kleinboere Vrouevereniging Trust.
C. Funding received for the project
In
the 2005/6 financial year, the project received R 400 000.00 from the
Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) grant to build and upgrade
farm infrastructure. The upgrading and building of infrastructure includes the
erection of a boundary fence, and an irrigation system for vegetable
production. A R52 866 contribution from the LRAD funds for infrastructure
development was given to the project.
D. Project Achievements
The
Extension and Veterinary Services provides the group with the following
training, namely:
Currently,
the project is in the process of diversifying production to include cash crops
such as vegetables and maize. However, the members of the association are
participants in the Kgalagadi Dipudi Enterprise, classified as a priority
project under the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Plan (ISRDP).
E. Challenges faced by Project
The
project has experienced certain challenges, namely:
F. Capacity Building
Currently,
there has been no transfer of skills to the members of the project. This has
resulted in financial problems, which includes incurring significant debt with
the bank. The Society indicated that they needed financial management skills to
ensure effective financial monitoring within the project.
G. Addressing the challenges
The
Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs has allocated R400 000 for fencing
and skills transfer to the Society in the 2006/07 financial year. In addition,
the aforementioned Departments had intervened as mediators in addressing
conflicts arising between the members of the Society.
H.
Issues raised by the delegation and responses given
The
project has created employment for two men residing on the farm, each of whom
is paid R700 per month. Currently, the members of the Society commute to and
from the project site. The fact that members do no live at the project has
resulted in the increased rate of livestock theft. Incidences of theft have
been reported to the police, and thefts are being investigated.
The
Department of Agriculture plays a vital role in the provision of funds for the
sustainability of the project. Moreover, the Departments of Agriculture and
Land Affairs will ensure that there is a transfer of skills (financial
management, bookkeeping, marketing and draft of the business plans) to the
members of the Society. This will be used as one of the Departments’
interventions in addressing the challenges constraining project development.
2.4. Theme
2: Cooperative governance: An effective tool to accelerate service delivery:
public hearing on local government matters
Mr S
Shiceka, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Local Government and
Administration in the NCOP co-chaired the meeting with Mr Smith, Chairperson of
the Standing Committee in the Northern Cape Legislature.
2.4.2.
Objective of the hearings
The
Chairperson noted that the objective of the meeting was to explore the
effectiveness of local government in the region. This included discussing
whether the municipality involved communities in the preparation of Integrated
development Plans (IDPs). In addition, discussions would look at whether ward
committees have been established and are functioning effectively. Members would
also be interested in the levels of service delivery in the area as it relates
to the provision of water, electricity and sanitation. The Chairperson also
noted that the Kgalagadi region had been declared a rural development node, and
that the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry had been assigned to assist in
driving economic development at local government level.
2.4.3. Issues raised by
communities
A. Development
There were
a number of participants that commented on the fact that there have been some
developments in the area, while others complained that they had not seen any
development since the democratic transition. Communities noted that there are
few community halls in the area that could accommodate community meetings and
that could also serve as pension pay points. It was also noted that the
flooding after the recent heavy rains had done significant damage to
infrastructure such as roads, housing and sanitation connections.
B. Water
A number
of communities raised serious difficulties with regard to water. There are some
areas that do not get any water for periods of between three and six months. In
some cases the community can only access water through windmills, which means
that the availability of water is dependent on wind. Many communities do not
have ready access to running water, and in some cases, where water is available,
it is not potable. High alkaline levels were mentioned as one of the reasons
for this. Participants noted that there are instances where there is no
distinction between water points for human use and drinking places for their
animals. One community complained that the municipality had taken some steps to
purify their water, but the community was not given alternative water to drink
during the process. There is also an urgent need for infrastructure to be
developed into the most isolated areas.
Where water
is available and communities have started using water tanks, they report a
shortage of tanks as well as faulty and leaking tanks. There were also reports
of reservoirs being too small to serve the whole community. The tanks that are
available are unable to hold water for too long, and in one instance, the new
tank that the community had been promised had not arrived yet.
C. Sanitation
Some
communities reported that they have not been provided with decent sanitation.
Participants report that when toilets are full, they become a health hazard.
This is especially the case after heavy rains. Rainfall fills up toilet bowls
and this poses health hazards.
D. Electricity
A number
of participants stated that their community had been connected to the electricity
grid, while others indicated that the electrification programme had not yet
reached them. The backlog in electrification was especially serious where
settlements had been provided with new housing. In communities that have been
provided with electricity, participants requested the installation of street
lights to improve on the safety in the area. In some instances electricity
transformers are very weak.
E. Housing
Communities
requested that they be provided with housing, with some participants stating
that the last time houses had been built in the area was in 1989. The recent
rains had damaged houses in many communities. Residents complained that the
response from the local government had been to provide them with tents and food
parcels. These have been inadequate, and in some cases the tents have been
blown away. People also noted concerns that municipal rates were too high for
poor communities.
F. Roads
The
condition of roads in the Kgalagadi region was also raised as a matter of
concern. Many of the smaller communities do not have access roads. This impacts
on their ability to access main roads and public transport, as buses and taxi
drivers refuse to enter some areas. Once again, the rain that fell during the
summer months damaged roads extensively. This is especially the case with
gravel roads, and repairs need to be done as a matter of urgency. The rains had
also damaged other infrastructure such as trenches for water and sanitation
connections. Communities further noted that they do not always have access
roads to graveyards, and that there were places where bridges needed to be
built.
In one
area where there has been significant development, and tarred roads had been
built, members of the community requested the installation of speed bumps to
end the levels of speeding on some of the roads. In addition, it was noted that
there are no stop signs on the roads, which leads to an increase in accidents.
There were
a number of concerns regarding the level of cooperation and communication
between councillors and communities. Questions were raised about the fact that
traditional authorities were currently not playing any significant role in
facilitating development in their communities. Communities emphasised that they
had certain expectations from councillors as they had participated in the local
government elections. In a number of communities, ward committees are not
functioning effectively. One participant said that the priorities he had taken
to the local government on behalf of his community had not been included in the
Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan. The result is that his community
does not believe that he represents them effectively. There have also been
incidences where there is no clarity which level of municipal government has
responsibility for the delivery of a particular service.
H. Schools
Issues
relating to schools in the greater Kgalagadi area ranged considerably. Some
communities reported that their children have to walk long distances to
schools, ranging to as much as 16 km per day. The long distances learners have
to travel to and from school elicited comments on the issue of access roads to
schools as well as the availability of transport for learners. In areas where
school is available only as far as grade four, parents find it difficult to pay
the cost of sending their children to schools that are further away.
Accommodation is not always available for children who have to attend school
far from their home villages.
One
community reported that they had taken the initiative to build their own
school, but that they were unable to repay the debt relating to the school
without government assistance. Other communities also indicated that they had
built their own schools, but that some of these had very little equipment, and
others have been vandalised to such an extent that the buildings were now no
longer fit to be used as classrooms.
Another
issue related to the location of schools was their inappropriate location,
either in deserted areas, close to rubbish dumps or asbestos mines. This placed
the learners at risk of contracting illnesses or, where schools are isolated,
made them vulnerable to attacks and sexual violence. Although the community had
notified the authorities of their concern, nothing had been done to address
their concerns.
2.4.4. Responses to issues raised
2.4.4.1.
Northern Cape MEC for Housing, the Hon. B van Wyk
The MEC
noted the fact that traditional leadership structures in the Province had
disintegrated. Legislation was being drafted to establish a House of
Traditional Leaders for the Northern Cape, and it was envisaged that an
official would be appointed to deal with issues of traditional leaders.
The MEC
noted that Government had acknowledged the levels of underdevelopment in the area.
For this reason, the President has identified the Kgalagadi region as one of
the Rural Development Nodes. This means that priority will be given to the
provision of water, sanitation and electricity.
There is a
need to strengthen local government, especially in the Kgalagadi area. It is
envisaged that Project Consolidate, which is driven by the national government,
will also assist the Kgalagadi District.
The MEC
emphasised the importance of planning for development. Every municipality in
the area must have an Integrated Development Plan, which should dovetail with
the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, and national development plans
more generally. In terms of Government’s vision, by 2010 every household should
have access to clean water, sanitation and electricity. The Province would be
working towards providing every family with a house by 2014. From 6 to 10 April
2006, visits will be conducted with all the relevant stakeholders to monitor
service delivery. Some of the problems are of a short-term nature, and can be
resolved under the Government Emergency Programme available in the Province.
All the relevant stakeholders will attend to the issue of roads.
2.4.4.2. Premier of the Northern
Cape, the Hon. Ms D.P. Peters
The
Premier informed the meeting that President Mbeki would visit the province on 7
July 2006. One of the reasons for the visit would be to address the issue of
people going to other towns to pay for their services instead of paying them in
their own areas. As the issue of cross-boundary municipalities has been
resolved, people should no longer be sent from one province to the other in
order to receive services or to register problems with service delivery.
North-West Province and the Northern Cape are now working together towards
resolving the question of who has the responsibility for which service.
The
Premier thanked the public for their honest input. She acknowledged the problem
of asbestos and said a relief fund will be made available to all families
affected by asbestos. Schools built with asbestos will be demolished and
rebuilt.
She
further urged the public to make use of Constituency offices and to work with
government. Volunteers are an important extension of Government, and are making
a significant contribution to ward committees. From 6 to 10 April 2006, a
number of villages will be visited. With regard to those villages not covered
during this visit, she noted that she would communicate with the Hon. Ms E
Thabethe (Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry) to ensure that they are
visited at a later stage.
2.4.5. Closing remarks by the
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the Hon. M J Mahlangu
The Hon.
Mr Mahlangu informed the meeting that the Minister of Finance would be
attending the sitting of the House on Tuesday 28 March, and would participate
in the debate on the Division of Revenue Bill. This Bill sets out how much
money has been allocated to the Northern Cape, and contains the details of the
allocations for housing, electricity, roads and sanitation.
The
Premier and the Provincial Cabinet would earmark areas to be given priority in
the planning process. When the NCOP returns to Parliament, a report on the
visit would be tabled and debated in the House. The Chairperson commented on
the statement that was made by a member of the public that they were paying
exorbitant amounts of money for water. He noted that it was Government policy
to provide free basic water to each household, and that poor communities should
therefore not be paying such amounts for this service.
Councillors
should work closely with communities and when there are delays in projects, it
should be communicated to them.
2.5. Theme
3: Poverty alleviation, educational and social needs: public hearing on social
assistance, education and health care issues
2.5.1.
Background
The Hon.
Ms JM Masilo, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services in the
NCOP chaired the meeting together with the Hon. R. Stadhouer, MPL.
Communities
expressed concern about the fact that there are very few schools, and those
that are available are overcrowded and understaffed. In addition, where there
is no school close to a community, there is also no learner transport
available. Some participants stated that there are no educational facilities
for disabled persons. In some schools the registration process relating to
Grade R was still problematic, and participants asked that Government intervene
to iron out these problems.
Participants
also raised the issue of the manner in which the National School Nutrition
Programme is run in the province, saying that it was currently not efficient,
and that the food provided to learners was not of an acceptable standard.
Participants
complained that there are very few health centres in the Kgalagadi region, and
that health centres are generally understaffed and under-resourced. Concern was
also raised about the fact that most clinics do not operate over the weekends
or after 4pm during the week. An appeal was made for assistance with an
ambulance service in Kembel, where the residents have collected R25 000 as
start-up funding for such a project.
Participants
noted that the processes that relate to grant applications are not clear.
Residents do not know where to go when applying, and officials at municipal
offices are unhelpful. Concerns were also raised about the fact that many
residents have difficulties obtaining identity documentation from the
Department of Home Affairs, and that this prevents them from accessing grants.
In addition, there are a number of pay points where there is no shelter, water
or sanitation for beneficiaries.
The MEC
noted that many of the problems identified relate to programmes that must be
nationally driven, such as the provision of schools or clinics. Many of the
problems are similar to those in other provinces. The MEC indicated that in light
of budget limitations, Government had to set certain priorities for the
provision of basic education. The nationally determined ratio of 1 educator for
every 35 learners would play an important part in determining priorities. The
Northern Cape government would attempt to ensure that all schools are provided
with water and sanitation, and that no school has only one teacher. This means
that schools would have to serve clusters of communities, and shortcomings
would be addressed progressively. Attention would also be paid to providing
learners with transport to school, and the government would be exploring the
idea of establishing boarding facilities for learners who have to attend school
far from their homes. However, the MEC acknowledged that boarding school might
not be the best possible option for very young learners, and that the
provincial government would have to explore other solutions in this case.
With
regard to the school nutrition programme, the MEC stated that women in many of
the communities indicated that they are willing to cook food for the children.
The department has already awarded a number of community groupings with
stipends to provide the service. However, the work of volunteers was also
important, and the MEC thanked communities that have come forward and said that
they will play their part in the people’s contract for a better life for all.
The Deputy
Minister called attention to the fact that the responsibility to build and maintain
schools lies with the provincial Department of Education, while the National
Department of Education (DoE) is responsible for the norms and standards and
also the effective functioning of the school.
Deputy
Minister Surty emphasised the importance of a good quality education. He
indicated that Government had set aside R1,3 billion for scholarships, and that
criteria such as gender, disability and poverty would be weighed heavily in
determining who the scholarships were awarded to. He further noted that the
response to the needs of learners with disabilities has to be systematic. As
Government is committed to inclusive education, it was important to ensure that
educators are equipped with the skills to deal with disabled learners being
integrated into mainstream classrooms. In order to strengthen the approach to
disabled learners, budget allocations have been set aside for the establishment
of special resource centres for the disabled in the provinces.
The Deputy
Minister noted that education issues must be seen as part of the Integrated
Sustainable Rural Development (ISDR) programme. As a result, the additional
funding that has been made available in the Kgalagadi region for infrastructure
development will also contribute to the improvement of access to education.
Nationally, in terms of a special allocation of R10 billion, the most neglected
schools will be provided with better resources such as libraries and other
facilities. However, he noted that Government was still exploring the best
response to the particular needs of rural education, given the realities of a
sparsely populated province such as the Northern Cape.
The MEC
stated that government was making a concerted effort to bring health facilities
closer to the people. The provincial health department has already approached
private companies, such as mining companies, to assist in the provision of
mobile clinics so that health services could be made available more equitably.
She said that 24 hour services are to be implemented in key areas, while for
other areas, the approach would be to have a nurse on call after 4pm. She noted
that the current budget does not allow the provincial department to build a
clinic in each and every village in the province.
She
further acknowledged that there was a large shortage of doctors and
professional nurses in the province. The Northern Cape is encouraging learners
to enrol for mathematics and science in order to increase the number of
learners that would be eligible to enrol for health sciences training. The aim
is to ensure that 40 learners are assisted annually to become medical doctors,
and that these health professionals would then return and work in their
communities. The Department has also utilised the Cuban Scholar Programme to
assist with the training of health care professionals.
The MEC
urged people to speak out against officials at public health facilities who do
not assist people properly. She stated that government officials are now
required to wear name-tags in order for people to identify officials. She
further noted that it was unacceptable for a person to wait for a long period
only to be turned away without being helped.
With
regard to ambulances, the MEC stated that there are call centres in the various
districts to assist people in accessing ambulance and emergency services. She
further noted that the condition of the roads in the province was a problem
that would have to be addressed. One of the options being considered for the
Kgalagadi region was using 4X4 vehicles that could reach remote communities.
The MEC
thanked participants in the hearings who acknowledged the improvements that
Government had made to health services in the region. Despite these
improvements, there were still challenges.
MEC
Rasmeni noted that the shortage of medication was still a serious problem.
Government has tried to address the issue of the shortage of medicines by
contracting with Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises to deliver medicines to
community health centres, clinics etc. However, she noted that all health
centres should be able to provide patients with medication that forms part of
the Essential Drugs List, while certain medication would only be available at
accredited health centres.
She
further indicated that the process of re-hiring retired nurses to assist with
health care delivery would address the shortage of nurses and other health
professionals to some degree. The Northern Cape and North West will have a
Retired Nurses Summit in the near future to discuss their re-employment.
The Deputy
Minister indicated that the lack of staff was a critical priority for the
National Department of Health (DoH) in 2006. Some provinces have already
started utilising retired nurses, and one of the areas that would be addressed
as a matter of priority would be to standardise the working conditions
applicable to retired nurses. She further noted that a number of nursing
colleges would be re-opened to ensure that training and skills development was
available closer to communities. Certain personnel, such as pharmacists’
assistants, have already been enrolled to study at such colleges. In addition,
the national Minister of Health would announce a National Human Resource Plan
for health care services in April 2006. This plan also looks at the conditions
of work of health professions, as this has been identified as one of the
reasons why so many professionals seek employment abroad.
With
regard to shortages of medication at some clinics, the Deputy Minister
indicated that the decentralisation of power to the Chief Executive Officers of
hospitals has enabled them to procure equipment that will increase service
delivery. In addition, the Department was trying its utmost to alleviate the
problem of long waiting lists at health care facilities. One mechanism to
address the problem is to improve the management of health records of patients.
When all records have been captured electronically, it should be possible for
patients to access health care services at any service point in the province,
as their health records can be accessed from a central electronic database.
2.5.3.6.
Northern Cape MEC for Social Services, the Hon. G Akharwaray
The MEC
stated that government’s policy about the fair and dignified treatment of
beneficiaries at pay points was clear. Service providers must therefore ensure
that shelter, seats, sanitation and water are available to people at pay
points, and that the elderly are assisted. Where this was currently not the
case, these pay points needed to be upgraded, and the MEC undertook to ensure
that this was addressed progressively. He further stated that the province is
trying to ensure that the pay points are as close as possible to the
beneficiaries, where the department makes use of a mobile service.
He further
noted that the provincial government was working hard to minimise the
turnaround time in relation to grant applications. The Northern Cape provincial
department replies within 21 days, although delays sometimes occur due to
application forms being completed incorrectly. The South African Social
Security Agency (SASSA) would take over the social assistance function in the
province from 1 April 2006, and it is envisaged that the delivery of social
assistance would be further improved through this Agency.
The Deputy
Minister stated that the possession of an identity document (ID) would enable a
person to access a grant form the Department of Social Services. He further
noted that the ID provides security, and prevents people from claiming a false
identity. In order to ensure that people are provided with the correct identity
documentation, they must be able to prove their identity in some manner. One of
these is an affidavit made to the South African Police Service. Affidavits can
also be obtained from the traditional leaders in the region, although the
Deputy Minister appealed to traditional authorities not to fraudulently provide
supporting documentation for ID applications. Other forms of identification
that could be submitted to the Department include a child’s clinic certificate,
a certificate of baptism, a death certificate of a parent or grandparent. In
addition, there are 2 health facilities in the region that can register newborn
babies immediately.
The Deputy
Minister also noted that there was a mobile office from the Department of Home
Affairs present at the gathering, and encouraged people who needed to apply for
identity documentation to make use of this opportunity.
2.6.
Visits to schools
2.6.1.
Wrenchville High School
The school is situated in Kuruman under the jurisdiction
of the Siyanda District Municipality, and qualifies for additional funding from
the national Department to address backlogs in resources and infrastructure. In
addition, the school buildings are maintained properly, with the exception of
the leakages in the underground water pipes. The School Governing Body (SGB)
and parents participate effectively in all school activities. However, the
school consists of 26 educators and 850 learners, which translates to a ratio
of 31 learners per educator. Wrenchville High School has 25 classrooms and a
library.
The
school community noted the following challenges:
·
Leakage of water pipes.
·
Lack of computers.
·
The school is not fenced.
·
Shortage of staff i.e. one mathematics teacher for
all the grades and absence of Headmaster.
·
Shortage of textbooks.
·
Inadequate or neglected school equipment.
·
Language barrier. Most learners from Mothibistad in
Grades 10 and 11 do not understand English.
·
The temporary teachers are not paid on time.
Sometimes they are paid two or four months later than permanent counterparts.
The school
is situated in Kuruman and has been earmarked for the allocation of redress
funding. School buildings are maintained properly, and the School Governing
Body (SGB) and parents participate effectively in all school activities.
The school
consists of 18 educators and 442 learners, which translates to a ratio of 22
learners per educator. The SGB pays 6 educators and the other 12 educators are
paid by the Department of Education.
There is a
shortage of staff, while 138 learners commute 25km to and from school using
public transport. This contributes to their problems with punctuality.
The SGB,
School Management Committee and the Representative Council of Learners
presented their concerns to the delegation.
The SGB reported the following:
The
learners highlighted the following challenges:
The
principal indicated that the school accommodates learners staying in
Cardington, Ward 5, Deerward and Deerham. The school is located between 15km
and 20km away from the aforementioned villages. A number of learners are
renting nearby houses from villagers. However, farmers provide the learners
with transport to and from schools.
Most
parents are unable to pay school fees due to unemployment and poverty in the
area. Currently, the school offers the unemployed parents an opportunity to
partake in gardening and cleaning tasks as a contribution to the school. In
addition, parents are encouraged to pay what they can afford. As a result, some
parents are paying half of the school fee.
Financial
reports are given to the parents at the end of each financial year. The budget
allocated to the school is insufficient to address existing challenges. Despite
the aforementioned challenges, which include insufficient Learner Support
Material, the dropout rate is low.
The
delegation made the following recommendations:
2.6.4.
Lesedi High School
The school
is situated in the Batlharos Village in Kuruman, and has also been earmarked
for redress funding because of its poverty ranking. It consists of 395 learners
and 16 educators. School buildings are in a bad condition.
The
school has the following challenges:
2.7. Visits
to Expanded Public Works Projects
2.7.1.
Road Upgrades in Debeng, Dingleton and Sisheng: Gamagara Municipality
A. Background
Debeng,
Dingleton and Sishen fall under the jurisdiction of the Gamagara Local
Municipality, which forms part of the Kgalagadi District Municipality. The
Gamagara Municipality comprises four Wards and one District Management Area
(DMA). The Honourable Councillor MJ Rakoi as an Executive Mayor oversees the
Gamagara Municipality. The EPWP upgrading of roads
project commenced in May 2005.
The
Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works under the Provincial Government
of the Northern Cape transferred R1 million to the Gamagara Municipality for
roads upgrading. The Municipality identified Debeng, Dingleton and Sishen
communities as part of Phase 1 of the EPWP project. Phase 1 incorporated the
construction of 330m, 330m and 340m of road for Debeng, Dingleton and Sishen
respectively. Thus, one km (1000m) of road was constructed at a cost of R1 million.
As
part of the road-building project, the Department of Labour trained 99
beneficiaries from the three local communities (33 people each) in road
construction. The beneficiaries were employed in Phase 1 of the project. The
project complies with the EPWP guidelines including employment targets of 60%
women, 35% youth and 5% people with disabilities. This project utilises labour
intensive methods instead of machinery. The EPWP beneficiaries are supplied
with safety clothing including the Work Kits. The EPWP beneficiaries work 5
days a week, at a total of 45 hours. They earn R35 to R50 per day.
Phase
2 of the project commenced with the upgrading of 360m of road in Debeng. The
Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works funds this project at a cost of
R482 000. This project is an extension of the Phase 1 road.
C. Challenges faced by the EPWP project
The
project has experienced the following challenges:
2.7.2.Road
Upgrades in Wrenchville: GaSegonyana Municipality
The
Ga-Segonyana Municipality is a former cross-boundary municipality for the North
West and Northern Cape provinces. It comprises eleven Wards including Kuruman
and various villages that were part of the former Bophuthatswana.
The
project has experienced the following challenges:
The Ga-Segonyana Municipality plays an important role in poverty
eradication and job creation through the EPWP for the Wrenchville Community.
In
the 2005/06 financial year, R981 600 was budgeted for the upgrading of roads in
the area. The upgrading of roads project commenced in February 2006 and
contributed to the creation of 60 job opportunities. In addition, the
aforementioned project involves the construction and paving of roads using
labour intensive methods.
2.7.3.
Office Paintings and Erection and Paving of Carports: North
West Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works in Mothibistad
A
delegation led by the Hon F Adams visited the EPWP project in Mothibistad.
The
project site previously belonged to Bophirima. The site was renovated to be
utilised as offices by the Department of Public Works as part of the EPWP. The
EPWP project has created 13578 jobs for the surrounding communities. The EPWP
project provides skills to the beneficiaries on brick making, paving, painting
and office administration. Training also includes financial management and
business management skills to encourage emerging entrepreneurs through Small
Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
The bricks produced by the EPWP beneficiaries are
used to pave the offices of the Department of Education in Mothibistad. The
EPWP beneficiaries use the Department of Public Works’ workshop to construct
the bricks.
The
painting project commenced in October 2005 and is estimated to be completed
before the end of the 2005/06 financial year.
The
project site is in Mothibistad in the Department of Education. The EPWP
beneficiaries are constructing carports for 30 cars. This EPWP project is
categorised into 2 phases. The first phase, to be completed by the end of the
2005/06 financial year, comprises the erection of between 2 and 15 carports.
The second phase will commence on 1 April 2006 and will include the remaining
15 carports. This project will utilise funds rolled over from the 2005/06
financial year in the second phase.
The
project site is located within the Department of Public Works and produces 1500
bricks on a daily basis. Working conditions are not satisfactory, as workers do
not have the protective gear required for brick making.
Some of
the air conditioners have been stolen through housebreaking. As a result, air
conditioners are now installed on the ceiling.
It was
recommended that the Department of Public Works needs to look at security
measures to prevent theft and housebreaking on the project site.
2.8. Theme 4: Structures put in place to address the challenges faced
by children, the youth and people with disabilities: Meeting with youth and
people with disabilities
2.8.2. Objective of the meeting
Mr Gamede
indicated that the meeting was aimed at providing the youth and persons with
disabilities with an opportunity to share their views on service delivery, and
to assist Government in making improvements where programmes aimed at youth and
disabled persons were lacking.
2.8.3.
Issues raised by members of the disabled community
A. Discrimination
Speakers
stated that both the community and Government are discriminating against people
with disabilities, and that the latter had not kept its promise to the
disabled. In addition, disabled people felt that rural and urban people with
disabilities are not treated equally. It further appeared that people in urban
areas live better lives than those in rural areas. It was noted that disabled
persons should also be considered for skills development and training
programmes, so that they can acquire those skills that will enable them to live
more independently. This was especially important in light of the fact that
unemployment among persons with disabilities was extremely high.
A number
of participants noted that nothing has been done to adapt houses to the needs
of disabled persons. Toilets and water taps are far from the houses, which
makes it more difficult for someone with a disability to make use of these. In
addition, there does not appear to be adequate care for persons with mental
disabilities. If someone is discharged from hospital without adequate care or
support, they may be a danger to themselves or to the community.
With
regard to access to justice, people claimed that police officials often do not
take persons with disabilities seriously. When a crime such as rape is
reported, nothing is done to apprehend the alleged rapist or to address the
needs of the survivor. Participants further stated that the principles of Batho
Pele are not applied at the Municipal offices, especially when it comes to
people with disabilities. In light thereof, disabled persons requested that an
office be established in Kgalagadi to deal with issues of disability, and to
advise persons with disabilities on how to apply for social assistance.
B. Schools
Concern
was expressed that there are few schools for disabled learners, and that these
are far removed from communities in the area – in the case of the Kgalagadi
region, there is only one school at Amarela. The shortage of schools has
increased the level of unemployment, and often the only employment available in
the area is on farms. In addition to requesting the building of an adequate
number of schools for learners with disabilities, participants also noted that
the schools currently available for disabled learners are not adequately
staffed and equipped. This results in learners with disabilities being left in
the classroom without anyone to look after them.
C. Grants
It was
alleged that a number of people who are looking after the disabled misuse the
disabled person’s social assistance grant. As a result, the grant does not
serve the intended purpose. Participants proposed that Government closely
monitor HIV-positive recipients of disability grants. Those persons whose
CD4-count is high enough should be able to work. This, it was argued, would
allow Government to provide grants to people who are unfit to go to work.
D. Transportation
Transportation
for the disabled is a basic need in most areas. Roads are in bad repair across
the region, which creates difficulties for people using wheelchairs. Speakers
called on Government to create ramps in pavements. Participants also noted that
persons with disabilities wait for hours at the bus stops. People who own
vehicles are reluctant to provide disabled members of their community with
lifts. It was suggested that Government should consider making available public
transport that also caters for the needs of disabled persons. In relation to
the shortages in the province of ambulance services, participants noted that
this has a serious impact on the disabled community. Disabled patients
regularly have to hire vehicles to get to their regular hospital or clinic
visits. The cost of hiring a vehicle could amount to as much as R300 per trip.
People
with HIV and AIDS in Kgalagadi felt that they are also being discriminated
against. They noted that they did not have access to a hall to meet and discuss
issues related to HIV and AIDS. Speakers said that this was difficult to
understand, as in a number of areas, there are buildings available that are not
in use. A call was also made to Government to educate people about the syndrome
in order to increase awareness.
2.8.4.
Issues raised by the youth
A. Recreation Centres
Participants
stated that there was a lack of recreation centres for young people, and that
this often resulted in youth spending their time in taverns or becoming
involved in illegal activities. Government was therefore requested to build
recreation centres for youth. It was pointed out that there were abandoned
hostels at Abarosi that are allegedly used for illegal activities. In the
opinion of the community this could be converted into a community centre for
youth and for other community activities.
B. Youth Development
The high
unemployment level among the youth in the Kgalagadi region was a cause for
concern among a number of participants. The meeting was told that youth and
disabled people have talents, but they are unable to develop or utilise their
talents because they do not have access to resources. A call was made to
government to assist youth with accessing training and development
opportunities that are available in urban centres such as Johannesburg. In
addition, participants indicated that they are not regularly and adequately informed
of learnership programmes aimed at providing the youth with skills, and they
asked that communication between Government agencies and the youth be improved.
It was also noted that new entrepreneurs have great difficulty accessing
funding, and participants asked that an advisory centre be established locally
so that people can access advice on how to start a business.
Youth are
also generally asked to provide collateral in order to access funds. This makes
it virtually impossible for youth from poor communities to access loans with
which to start businesses. One group of participants reported that they had won
a voucher to the value of R700 000 from the Umsobomvu Youth Development Fund.
However, when the group wanted to utilise the voucher, a registration fee of
R700 was required. The group approached the Municipality for assistance, but
the Municipality could not help in this regard.
C.
Corruption
Youth from
the Abarosi area felt that the question of nepotism was a problem when it came
to projects. It was noted that volunteers of a certain project had been
promised employment as soon as the project was approved, but later, new people
were employed in the project. An enquiry was supposed to have taken place into
these allegations, but nothing has transpired thus far. Participants requested
that Government intervene to end corrupt practices in relation to projects.
It was
also pointed out that there was a need to create youth structures at local
government level, and for the youth to be involved effectively. This would
prevent repeated incidences of projects established by government not filtering
down to benefit communities.
2.8.5.
Responses to issues raised
2.8.5.1.
G. Bezuidenhout – Chairperson of the Northern Cape Youth Commission
The
Chairperson of the Northern Cape Youth Commission noted the challenges faced by
youth around education and skills development. This included the challenge
around access to financial assistance. He indicated that a project aimed at
integrating youth in Municipalities would be put in place soon. In addition,
IDPs will be reviewed to strengthen youth structures.
He further
informed the public that the SAYC and the Department of Arts and Culture in the
Northern Cape would launch the Northern Cape Youth Commission and Arts and
Culture Youth Council during the course of 2006. In addition, the Premier would
launch Youth Fund Enterprises that will focus on granting loans for youth who
want to become entrepreneurs. Business Plans and a clear indication of the
viability of proposed projects would be important eligibility criteria.
2.8.5.2. J. Mbalula – Chairperson of the National Youth Commission
Mr Mbalula
informed the meeting that a number of activities would coincide with the 30th
anniversary of the June 16 student uprisings.
The
programme for the Anniversary will highlight:
He further
indicated that Government envisaged that the interventions implemented in terms
of the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA) would be
able to address some youth concerns. He encouraged people with disabilities to
submit their written comments and concerns to the Office of the Premier. In
addition, he informed the public that there was an office at Municipal level
that should deal with issues relating to children and women. Issues related to
social grants need to be reported to the Premier’s Office. There is also an
office in Kgalagadi that deals with these issues.
With
regard to youth that want to record their music, Mr Palima promised to
communicate with South African recording companies to enable people to access
their services. He further noted in relation to transport issues that residents
should speak to Taxi Associations with a view to introducing a transport
programme that would be driven by youth.
The Hon.
Mr Gigaba, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, started his response by saying that
Government had made enormous strides in bringing the fruits of development to
the most remote communities. While people register dissatisfaction with the
cost of services at local level, it must be noted that Government was already
progressively rolling out free basic water and electricity to communities. He
acknowledged that there was still a lot of work to be done, and that it would
take time for services and employment opportunities to reach each and every
community. Through interventions such as ASGISA, which was aimed at creating
growth and improving skills, the level of service delivery and employment
should be improved significantly. He noted that R120 billion has been budgeted
for infrastructure, and that a significant proportion of this allocation would
be targeted at youth. However, it would be a challenge to ensure that youth and
persons with disabilities become involved in ward committees, so that their
particular needs could be included in development plans.
Regarding
sport and recreation facilities, the Hon. Mr Gigaba noted that a budget for the
development of sport facilities had been made available. However, youth and
disabled people need to work hand in hand with local government, and not wait
for the NCOP’s programme of “Taking Parliament to the People”. He indicated
that there had been important increases in the amounts of money available for
learning opportunities for youth, and encouraged young people to make use of
learnership programmes.
2.9. Theme
5: Structures and institutions set up by government in the past 11 years of
democracy towards the advancement of women: Meeting with women
2.9.1.
Background
The
meeting was co-chaired by Ms A. N. D. Qikani and Ms S. Lucas.
The joint
chairpersons of the meeting informed participants that the meeting was aimed at
ensuring that Members of the NCOP and the provincial Legislature were informed
of the needs of the women of Moshaweng and Kgalagadi. They also noted that more
women had been elected to leadership positions in the local government
elections, and that this would ensure that women’s needs are taken into account
in developments in the region.
2.9.2.
Issues raised by participants
A number
of women who participated in the meeting reported high illiteracy levels and
unemployment among women in the greater Kgalagadi region. Councillors were
requested to focus on remote areas to inform and educate women about their
rights. This was especially important to enable women to deal with issues such
as domestic abuse. Women are often afraid to speak out about abuse. However, if
there were adequate counselling and social work support, women would be better
able to deal with these issues.
Participants
also brought the issue of the economic empowerment of women into sharp focus.
They noted that women were not well-informed about economic opportunities,
although they were eager to participate in projects. Requests were therefore
made that women be afforded priority in the awarding of tenders. For women to
tender for projects, however, they needed the correct information and support,
as well as access to skills development and training. Tender opportunities
often get awarded to groups from outside the province while the local people
are sidelined. This was also true in relation to mining activities,
participants claimed, with women from Gauteng being given the opportunity to
become involved in mining in the Northern Cape province.
Women also
said that they look forward to being given other employment opportunities, such
as removing litter from streets or felling alien trees. However, concern was
raised in relation to women who work as domestic workers. Participants
requested that attention be given to their plight, as they are still subjected
to unbearable working conditions, some workers earning as little as R30 per
day.
In
relation to training opportunities for young people, participants noted that
while bursaries are available for training after Grade 12, there were still
some barriers to accessing these opportunities. It sometimes happened that a
young person was prevented from taking up a bursary simply because their
parents could not afford the R100 registration fees for aptitude tests. Women
therefore asked Government to assist poor families to access educational opportunities
for their children.
A number
of women said that they were eager to start projects of their own, but that
they could not do this without assistance from Government. An example was given
of a poultry project that had been started in 2003. While Government assisted
the women with the initial costs related to building chicken coops and buying
livestock, the women were told that there would be no further funding for the
project. Due to the initially low revenue from the project, the women had to
work without an income, which resulted in the group disintegrating and the
project grinding to a halt. In another instance, women asked that Government
assist them with building a structure for their sewing project so that they
could expand their business to include printing.
Women
believed that the proper support would make a significant difference to their
ability to make projects sustainable. This includes assistance with regard to
preparing business plans, obtaining affordable loans and obtaining appropriate
information about new development initiatives. This support had to be made
available at the local government level. The need for continuity in the staff
that dealt with particular projects was also noted.
There were
a number of concerns about the implementation of the home-based care programme
in the municipal area. Some of the concerns related to the fact that there
appeared to be a lack of clarity with regard to why some participants in the
programme received payment, while others received late payment, and another
group did not receive any remuneration at all. In one instance, women noted the
example of a group of volunteers that had started a TB-support clinic in 2002.
The group operated without Government support for a period of time, but they
were then told that their services were no longer needed because of the
implementation of the home-based care programme. Speakers at the meeting
therefore requested that the criteria for receiving payment be made clear. In
addition, women requested that the training given to participants in home-based
care be expanded so that more women could participate in the programme.
Requests were also made for assistance with buildings that could accommodate group
meetings and other care-related activities.
A
significant number of submissions called attention to the need for social
services close to communities. Women pointed to the need for counselling
services for abused women and children as well as counselling for people
suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. One of the ways this need
could be addressed was by providing communities with multi-purpose community
centres. The women at the meeting pointed out that such centres could serve as
pension pay points, as meeting places for community groupings, and as a base
for community development workers and counsellors. In addition, women stated
that there was a need for spaces for children to engage in recreational activities,
while such centres could also be used as counselling spaces for abused women
and children. It was even suggested that such centres could also serve as
health care centres in the absence of clinics.
E. Social Assistance
Contributions
concerning social assistance ranged from issues around pension pay points to
accessing grants for children. Older women complained about the conditions at
pay points, saying that there were many pay points where there was no shelter,
water or toilets. Some women noted that they were having difficulties with
their husbands who did not want to work as long as someone in the family had
access to a grant.
The
monetary value of grants also came under discussion, with some women noting
that the amount of the child support grant was too little to properly care for
a child. In addition, it was noted that in some poor households where the grant
is the only income, the money is used for the whole family, and that the
children therefore do not get the full benefit from the grant. Because the
family was in receipt of the child support grant, they also did not qualify for
food parcels, although they were desperately poor. Participants also expressed
concern about the fact that they had been told they could not apply for grants
for their grandchildren because the children’s mothers were still alive,
pointing out that the grandmothers had the responsibility of caring for the
children. In addition, women asked for assistance with ensuring that fathers
pay maintenance for their children.
Women
noted that they are vulnerable to abuse and sexual violence, and suggested that
sentences for convicted rapists were too lenient. Older, widowed women in
particular do not feel safe in their communities. Calls were therefore made
that rape sentences be toughened as a deterrent to rape.
Mr Saaiman
said that he had noted all the important subjects on which the women needed
information. He assured the women who had called for job creation by the
Government that the Government would create work. Through the Municipal
Infrastructure Grant programme, municipalities across South Africa would
receive grants to the amount of R 400 billion for infrastructure development
such as roads, water and sanitation. It was further envisaged that business and
development opportunities would broaden across the country, including the
Kgalagadi region, through the interventions made in terms of ASGISA, the
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa.
Women had
to understand that for projects, their first point of contact had to be their
municipal office, whether it was for economic, social, tourism, sports or arts
and culture projects. He said they had to bring their applications so that the
local government could include proposed projects in the Municipality’s
Integrated Development Plan. Local government could manage a project in its
entirety in terms of funding and other support. Alternatively, a project could
be approved with the aim of local government providing assistance with
accessing funding and support.
Women would also be assisted to be part of the
Government programmes and to be independent contractors or developers by a new
agency called the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) that had been
launched in the Northern Cape by the MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr P
P Dikgetsi, in March 2006. SEDA had been meant to help all those who had raised
the question of where to find help as small contractors. A SEDA office would be
opened in every municipality by the end of 2006, also in Moshaweng, where all
those who wanted to form small companies and enterprises could go for support.
They would be advised on how to form companies, how to read and understand
tenders. Until then people could go for help to the Kgalagadi Development
Agency in Kuruman for advice on where to find tenders and how to read them.
He said
that the Office on the Status of Women in the office of the Northern Cape
Premier, in conjunction with local government, had to work together to take
people from the Department of Justice to the area to inform women of their
rights. Government had declared 2006 as the Year of the Woman to let women understand
how to fight against violence and domestic violence, and how to protect their
children.
The
Department of Justice has a programme in terms of which they would come to the
area to inform those women of their rights and their children’s rights. He said
that the local government had to invite the Department of Labour to inform
women of their labour rights, and encouraged people to use the structures that
the Government had put in place.
The Deputy
Minister added to what the previous speakers had said by announcing that the
Department of Minerals and Energy would come to the area and join in the
workshop for training the women, working together with the office of the Premier,
the Office on the Status of Women and the office of MEC Dikgetsi.
She said
that the questions from the women had highlighted the real problems faced by
the women in Kgalagadi, and that the information would help the Government to
plan a way forward. She said she would focus on the economic empowerment of
women. She encouraged women who had already started co-operatives. They would
work hand in hand with those who had experienced problems to find a way
forward. She informed the women about the existence of NGOs that work with
abused women, like Illitha Labantu, Women against Abuse and Violence against
Women and Malibongwe. She also informed them of a campaign called Isondlo that
had been initiated by the Minister. She hoped that women would visit those offices
and access support and resources.
Deputy
Minister Xingwana further noted that the women who requested development
centres in the rural areas had impressed her. She said that they would talk to
the Department of Public Works (national and provincial) to motivate that their
requests be considered, because those centres would create jobs for women.
She said
the Department of Minerals and Energy would return to Kgalagadi. She introduced
Mr Mdaweni, the manager of the regional office in Kimberley, so that people
could speak to him and other delegated officials after the meeting. They would
explain Black Economic Empowerment, how applications could be brought and how
the mining legislation worked. Before the end of April 2006 there would be a
workshop in Springbok. The seven pillars of the Mining Charter would also be
explained at the workshop.
The Deputy
Minister announced that there would be rehabilitation programmes through which
the Department of Minerals and Energy would empower the women so that they
would understand the principles and processes relating to completing
applications, for instance. The programmes would also focus on enabling women
to interpret the environmental plans and social plans that had to accompany all
mining ventures in future. In terms of these plans, local communities must
benefit from mining activities in their region.
Minister
Xingwana emphasised that the people who wanted to be part of mining had to
study the industry in order to understand how to run it and to empower themselves.
She mentioned the possibility of getting involved in transporting minerals to
the trains and said that the work had to be given to the local people and not
white people from Gauteng and the Western Cape. In addition, the people who had
sewing projects could sew the uniforms for the mines, for instance. It was
important that people attended the workshops to understand how mines should
operate legally in order that they inform the MECs whenever mines operated
illegally.
The
Department of Agriculture had projects to empower emerging women farmers. One
such programme is the Mafisa project, which had been rolled out in all the
provinces. However, for people to access the relevant information, they have to
visit their local government office because of the intergovernmental
co-ordination programme, which was aimed at making all spheres of government
work together.
With
regard to the water problems in Kgalagadi, Minister Xingwana said that she
would request that the Minister for Water Affairs and Forestry visit the area
to identify the problems. She informed the audience about mobile water
services, and said that if they informed their Mayor that there were problems
in an area, the Mayor would communicate with the Department, and that help
would be available.
It was
important that women joined the South African Women in Mining Association
(SAWIMA) and Women in Oil and Energy South Africa (WOESA), organisations helping women to access the oil business,
and other issues of energy. It was also suggested that women join the South
African Women's Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN), working under the Department of
Trade and Industry, an organisation joining women from all business centres.
She said that when women accessed these organisations they would have information
to empower them to carry out their duties.
With
regard to the plight of domestic workers, the Deputy Minister noted that there
was a law protecting them. If workers did not receive the minimum wage, their
employers could be arrested.
2.9.4. Closing remarks by the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the Hon.
Ms P. Hollander
The Deputy
Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms P. Hollander, apologised that some of the questions
raised had not been answered fully. However, she said it was the duty of the
NCOP to ensure that the issues were not put on the backburner, but brought to
resolution either by speeding up service delivery or adapting policies. The
NCOP would take the issues to Parliament and the relevant Select Committees
would sift through them to make sure they were responded to.
She said
that Government was committed to the empowerment and emancipation of women, and
that even though progress had been made through enacting laws and establishing
structures, more had to be done to ensure that the laws were implemented.
Parliament had launched a programme of assessing equality legislation in 2006,
setting the tone to gauge the extent to which the ordinary citizen had
benefited from equality legislation. Parliament’s review campaign was focusing
specifically on the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair
Discrimination Act (Act No. 4 of 2000), with a focus on its impact on the lives
of women.
2.10. Theme 6: The provision of water as a basic human right: public
hearing on the provision of water, land restitution and agricultural matters
2.10.1.
Background
The
meeting was co-chaired by the Hon. Mr. M.C. Goeieman, MPL, and the Hon. Mr. D.
Rooi, MPL. The chairpersons of the meeting indicated that the meeting was aimed
at providing the people of the Kgalagadi region with an opportunity to raise
issues with regard to water as it relates to agricultural activities, and to
reflect on the progress made with regard to land restitution and the
development of farming in the area.
2.10.2.
Issues raised by the community
A. Water
for agricultural purposes
Various
communities noted that they struggle to access water, with some people saying
that they go without water for weeks at a time. People reported using
wheelbarrows to fetch water from the nearest access points, which is
complicated by the condition of the roads in the area. In some areas, the
settlements have expanded, and new settlements have not been provided access to
water. There are communities that have been provided with water tanks, but
tanks are leaking and although communities have reported the problems to the
authorities, tanks have not been replaced.
Some
participants indicated that they had requested an expansion of their land so
that the land they used for their livestock could include areas that had water.
In addition, applications for support in installing boreholes have either not
been successful, or communities did not receive any feedback from the
municipality. Speakers felt that with adequate support, they could keep their
small-scale farming activities going, and that this could create opportunities
for youth to become involved in farming. Where irrigation schemes had been
initiated, financial aid was necessary to sustain the schemes, as start-up
funding for such projects have in many cases been exhausted.
The
shortage of water also has a direct impact on people’s livestock. In some
instances, people reported that they had to make use of the same water source
as their animals, which posed health risks for the community.
Agriculture
is an important source of income for communities in the Kgalagadi region.
However, people are experiencing challenges with regard to access to land. In
one case, an application for camps had been lodged in 1997, and the application
was approved in 2003. Quantity surveyors visited the area and consulted with
the traditional leaders. However, the community was later informed that the
application had been unsuccessful. Participants therefore wanted to know what
Government’s intention was with their application. Other speakers noted that
because of problems in accessing land and water, people in the community were
forced to sell their animals, but they did not receive adequate remuneration
for livestock sold. Communities felt that this problem could be addressed if
they had adequate support from the Department of Agriculture to progress
towards becoming commercial farmers. Another example given was that of a
community that had instituted a land claim, but that was left without
information about what the next step in their development would be, or what had
happened to their claim.
A number
of speakers also complained about the fact that they do not have fencing to
keep their livestock in camps. Animals strayed onto roads, which was dangerous
both to the animals and to the public.
2.10.3.1.
Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture & Land Reform, the Hon. Ms T.J.
Joemat-Pettersson
The MEC
indicated that people should not be afraid to ask questions or to consult and
communicate with officials. At the same time, it should be understood that
there are bureaucratic processes to be followed. The office structures in the
Department of Agriculture & Department of Land Affairs are rather
complicated, resulting in people being sent to the wrong offices. This is being
addressed, by referring all land claim issues to the Land Restitution
Commission who will deal with all relevant issues.
Cross-boundary
claims, which previously fell under the North West and Gauteng Provinces, are
being accelerated in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Most claims
that are being dealt with are at various stages, such as the negotiation stage
with State Land Disposal Commission, State Land Attorney or the Minister’s
Office.
The MEC
further noted that most agricultural problems are related to issues of fencing,
stock theft and providing water for human and animal consumption. A joint
effort is in progress involving the Departments of Agriculture, Local
Government and Public Works in consultation with the House of Traditional
Leaders. The aim of the discussions is to try and develop a mechanism to raise
public awareness around the negative impact of stock theft and the theft of
fences in the province.
The MEC
said that she wanted communities to understand that when theft of fencing
material occurs, resources and funds have to be allocated to replace fences,
whereas these funds should have been used to fund other development projects.
She noted
that a drought relief programme was now underway. The programme will address
the issue of providing water for human and animal consumption. Implementation
of the programme has already commenced in the Moshaweng area, and funds have
been set aside to assist people with the installation of boreholes.
Agricultural
extension officers will be sent to assess the situation and see what is
required. It was also noted that more extension officers are required for two
reasons, namely:
2.10.3.2.
Northern Cape MEC for Housing and Local Government, the Hon. B. van Wyk
The MEC
assured communities that all the issues raised at the meeting have been noted
and that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry would address issues
together with the provincial Department of Local Government & Housing and
the municipality. The backlog of housing is also contributing to the problem of
water and sanitation. The Hon. Mr Van Wyk acknowledged the concerns about access
to water, stating that the municipality was at the current moment also faces
capacity problems.
The
municipality does not have a budget of its own; it depends on the funds from
national and provincial government. The municipality does not have any type of
billing system that could generate their own income, and therefore they rely on
the Kgalagadi Municipality. However, the municipality does have a long-term
programme that forms part of its Integrated Development Plan to address the
issue of water and sanitation. In this regard, he noted that there was a pilot
project underway in conjunction with the Kgalagadi municipality to launch a new
water meter system that will help generate revenue. Communities should play an
active role in this programme by supporting it to strengthen the municipality
so that it too could be self-reliant one day. In addition, the municipality has
clear plans in addressing the issue of providing houses, basic water by 2008
and providing sanitation by 2010.
The Deputy
Minister indicated that in terms of Government policy, everyone should have
access to basic water. However, it was important for people to ensure that they
look after the limited resources. One of the problems contributing to the lack
of water for human consumption is that farmers bring their cattle home at
night, resulting in the depletion of the town’s water supply. Cows drink up to
60 litres of water per day, compared to an average consumption of 20 litres per
day by humans.
Boreholes
as well as windmill-generated pumps should be utilised to replenish low water
levels. People should be trained to apply this method as it could be used to
start a business, whereby they could be empowered to become self-reliant.
The
problem of erecting fences could be addressed as part of an EPWP project where
people are trained to erect and maintain fences. This would reduce communities’
reliance on constant support from Government.
The Deputy
Minister indicated that he had given the instruction that legal action be taken
against those councils or individuals who do not want to relinquish land
identified and earmarked for re-allocation under the Land Reform Act. On the
other hand, the Deputy Minister warned people not to occupy land illegally, as
this too will not be condoned or tolerated.
The Land
Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) grant is not sufficient to
sustain the current system of demand. Therefore it will be adjusted to a supply,
rather than a demand system. In terms of this principle, the land is first
acquired, and then allocated to communities earmarked to receive land.
If the
province requires more funding for the Agricultural Extension Programme and can
show the need and capacity to spend it, funds will be made available from the
Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme.
By making
officials more accessible to the public, problems can be resolved before they
escalate. The Department of Land Affairs has been instructed by the Deputy
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs to set up a sub office in Moshaweng.
Over the
next five years, R7 billion will be allocated under the Communal Land Rights
Act (CLARA) programme.
Minister
Sonjica noted that it is important for members of the public to interact with
Government, as this will only strengthen Government. Ms Sonjica welcomed the
response received from the people during this session with all concerns and
issues noted.
Section 27
of the Constitution ensures access to basic water for all, and Government will
not relax its efforts until this right has been fully realised. During its
twelve years in power, Government has reduced the number of people without
basic water by up to 3 million.
However,
there are still challenges to deal with, and people who cannot afford to pay
for water must apply for exemption, whereas those who can afford to pay must
continue doing so. Failure to pay for water services impacts negatively on
local government’s ability to sustain itself and to sustain the delivery of
this service. In addition, communities must address the issue of vandalism, as
the costs related to repairing or replacing water infrastructure also impacts
negatively on Government’s ability to provide all communities with access to
water.
The
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, in conjunction with other
departments, will have to look at how the problem of providing water for
livestock can be addressed.
The
Minister concluded, saying that there are many programmes in Government that
are aimed at improving the lives of all South Africans. However, the lack of
communication between Government and communities was proving a major stumbling
block. It is therefore vital that people should constantly interact with
government on all levels to ensure that their concerns are heard, noted and
addressed.
2.11.
Theme 7: The impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme and other programmes
directed at the creation of jobs
2.11.1.
Background
The
meeting was chaired by the Hon. R.J. Tau, Chairperson of the Select Committee
on Public Services in the NCOP, and the Hon. T.T. Tsikwe, MPL. The Chairpersons
noted that the meeting was aimed at informing communities on the objectives of
the Expanded Public Works Programme, and to provide communities with the
opportunity to raise questions and concerns about this programme.
2.11.2.
Issues raised by communities
Participants
noted that roads were a problem in all the communities in the Kgalagadi region.
Roads are untarred, and where there are access roads to clinics and schools,
these are not maintained. It appeared that road maintenance was only carried
out in the bigger towns. Travelling on gravel roads often damages cars, but
insurance companies do not compensate vehicle owners that claim for such
damage.
Communities
asked that local residents be given priority when employment is offered in road
building or road maintenance projects.
People
raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure in their areas, and indicated
that they were hoping to gain employment from infrastructure projects in the
region. Infrastructure needs in Kgalagadi include the following:
In
addition to the above-mentioned issues, communities also requested that the
housing programme be expanded, and that they be provided with fencing for their
livestock camps.
2.11.3.
Responses to issues raised
2.11.3.1. Northern Cape MEC
for Transport, Roads & Public Works, the Hon. F.A. Wyngaardt
The MEC
for Transport, Roads and Public Works acknowledged that delivery of
infrastructure such as roads in the area was very slow. He emphasised that
planning for the rural nodal points should be different from planning for
townships. With regard to transport, the MEC explained that “Shovakalula” was a
project aimed at assisting in transporting school children. He further
clarified that after finishing learnership programmes, learners should tender
for other jobs in various relevant departments and that the private sector
should assist in providing young people who had undergone learnerships with
employment.
The MEC
also provided information with regard to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
It was envisaged that the programme would create 10 000 jobs in relation to
cleaning up neglected areas and widening of roads, painting of schools, clinics
and hospitals. This programme would also be implemented in the Moshaweng
municipal area.
In
relation to roads, the MEC noted that there would be a detailed process of
inspecting roads and planning for upgrades or the construction of new roads. He
envisaged that more than 100 000km of roads would be built, which would result
in significant employment opportunities.
2.11.3.2.
Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, the Hon. Ms E. Thabethe
The
Minister indicated that the Department of Trade & Industry was the lead
department in the Economic cluster, and that she was deployed in Northern Cape.
She undertook to assist with the development of projects aimed at creating
employment. She further noted that the Provincial Department of Public Works
would be working closely with the Department of Finance to ensure that funding
is made available for various projects.
3. Annual
Address to the NCOP by the Hon. Deputy President of the Republic of South
Africa, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
The annual
Address by the Hon. Deputy President was located within the context of the
theme “All shall have equal rights”. The theme is related to the aspirations
expressed in the Freedom Charter, and the question is how these aspirations to
equality for all should be translated into reality.
The Deputy
President pointed out that the aspirations to equality are related to access to
basic services, access to water, housing, infrastructure, and electricity. In
addition, it relates to access to economic opportunities and ensuring that
economic prosperity is accelerated and shared amongst the people.
Interventions
aimed at developing the South African economy are meant to address the
fundamental question of economic empowerment. This is why the national focus
will be on achieving faster economic growth and improvements in employment
creation.
With
reference to developments in the Kgalagadi District Municipality, the Deputy
President indicated that progress has been made with the provision of basic
services to the people. She noted that more than 9700 households have gained
access to clean drinking water, all of which benefit from the allocation of
free basic water. Since the introduction of the Integrated Sustainable Rural
Development Programme, 25 000 more households in the region have gained access
to water. A significant number of households have also been assisted with the construction
of toilets, which led to employment opportunities, as well as the training of
builders. However, there was room for improvement with regard to access to free
basic electricity.
One of the
main objectives with increasing economic growth is that Government wants to
reduce poverty and unemployment by 50% by 2014. In order to achieve this, the
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) targets
factors that constrain economic growth. An important factor hampering growth is
the shortage of suitable skilled labour, mainly due to the legacy of apartheid.
It is envisaged that the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA) will bring together stakeholders from Government, business, labour and
civil society to decide on the most effective way of addressing the skills
shortage in South Africa.
JIPSA
will address skills shortages in areas that include engineering and planning
skills for transport, communications and energy, as well as the artisan and
technical skills needed in the manufacturing sector. With regard to the
requirements of local government, the focus will be on urban and regional
planning and engineering skills, as well as on those skills needed to ensure
infrastructure development and local economic development. In addition,
attention will be paid to improved teacher training for mathematics, science,
Information and Communication Technology, and language competency. Finally, the
programme will address those skills needed by the priority ASGISA sectors, such
as Tourism and Business Process Outsourcing.
These
interventions are also aimed at enabling South Africans who are still locked
within the Second Economy to participate in the First Economy and in the
growing South African economy in general. The Deputy President emphasised that
these goals are closely linked to one of the themes set out in the Freedom
Charter, namely that the “The People Shall Share in the Country's Wealth!”
With
reference to a number of significant anniversaries to be commemorated in the
year, including the 1956 Women’s March and the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the Deputy
President called on the NCOP to continue working towards transforming the
ideals fought for in the freedom struggle into realities in people’s daily
lives. She also called on Members to accurately and fairly reflect the feelings
and aspirations of the people, and to put the interests of the people before
their own.
She noted
that Government also expects communities to take charge of their lives by
utilising the various laws and policies promulgated since the inception of
democracy in South Africa. This also meant that people must become involved in
strong partnerships so that the economy is able to grow and that all share in
its benefits.