COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
JANUARY– DECEMBER 2003
Name of the Committee: PC ON ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Mandate of the Committee
VISION: To establish a good working relationship between the Ministry, Departments and Stakeholders of Arts, Culture, Language, Science and Technology.
MISSION: To constantly perform a monitoring and oversight role by
Engaging the Departments and various Stakeholders in their progress and development.
2. List of Entities reporting to the Committee
Public Entities:
3. Chairperson’s overview (summary for the year)
The year 2003 was a productive year for the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
The separation of the former Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in July 2002, into two distinct departments: Arts and Culture (DAC) and Science and Technology (DST), posed new challenges to the Committee. What with each department keen to make a fresh start and identifying programmes anew, the Committee was determined to face up to these new challenges. As the programme for 2003 shows the Committee interacted extensively with both departments.
We welcomed the promotion of the former Deputy Minister the Honourable Bridgette Mabandla as Minister for Housing as we felt she deserved this recognition, and her replacement by the new Deputy Minister the Honourable Buyelwa Sonjica. The Committee was happy to receive the new Director- General for the DAC, Professor Itumeleng Mosala in April this year.
As can be detected from the programme, the Portfolio Committee has already had several interactions with the new Deputy Minister and the Director-General. One of the most exciting programmes for the year was the budget vote public hearing conducted on 18 March (DST) and 19 March (DAC) in which a variety of stakeholders participated in the exercise for the first time. The hearings were preceded by equally exciting and extensive briefings on the budget vote by all directorates from both departments and in which the Minister, the Honourable Dr Ben Ngubane, participated – a rarity in our Portfolio Committee activities. Working relationships with both Directors General and their staff have been cordial throughout the year. The holding of public hearings on budget votes should be encouraged for all portfolio committees. It gives a platform and creates the necessary awareness to the public on the importance and need for all stakeholders to monitor the use of the budgets by departments. This is another way of strengthening our democracy. However, all said and done, the Committee sees an urgent need to serve the two new Departments effectively as their activities straddle over a very wide area and much still needs to be done to meet the challenges.
I VISITS
International Visits
Mention must be made once again of the disappointment to the Committee on the late cancellation of the intended trip to Cuba to study that country’s much talked about successful programmes on Biotechnology, with the aim of enriching and strengthening South Africa’s own strategy on Biotechnology. Even the Department considered the visit so important and strategic that it was prepared t pay for one of its members to join our delegation. The Committee felt quite devastated, as all arrangements except payment of tickets had been completed. It is hoped that in future before such drastic steps are taken, committees will be consulted in time. To the Committee the trip was not about holiday making but was part of its oversight work and helping to enlighten South Africa on one of the technologies currently and seriously on the agenda worldwide. The unfortunate consequences of the cancellation were that funds budgeted for could not be fully utilised and of course the doubts created about our Parliament’s image to minds of the Cubans.
Provincial Visits
Visits to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in August this year were an eye-opener. The aim was to monitor activities of and transformation in institutions such as museums, art galleries, theatre, archives, etc, and in particular the functioning and status of community art centres established by legislation in previous years. Good work to transform the old institutions is in progress. However, for the community art centres there are still many disparities in the provision of facilities. Most lack funds to enable them to carry out the desired activities, some meant to lead to economic empowerment of the previously disadvantaged communities.
Freedom Park
The visit to Freedom Park enabled the Committee to have an insight into how the R40 million budget, for this year is put into use. Activities of Freedom Park are central to nation building and reconciliation and to the 10th anniversary celebrations. The Committee envisages mere interaction with the project in future, particularly with regards to the ongoing preparations for the 10th anniversary celebrations and that its role in these activities, if any, can be better clarified.
Another welcomed development this year was the introduction by the whippery of the practice to introduce reports in plenary on international agreements and protocols signed between South Africa and other countries. This new procedure enabled the Committee to introduce to Parliament two agreements it had adopted on 11th November. The Committee supports the introduction of this practice as it not only "puts life" into this aspect of Parliament’s work but also allows Members generally to participate in meaningfully adopting agreements and protocols other that those referred to their own committees.
II MEMBERSHIP
The Membership list (attached) shows that the Portfolio Committee consists of 37 Members, 10 of who are alternate members. However, the reality is that out of 27 supposed to be full time members, only 16 can be said to be active in the work of the Committee. It is suggested that Parties in Parliament be made to review the membership of committees regularly so that committee registers are meaningful.
III RESEARCHERS
Experience points to the fact that Committee Members would be better served if there was a researcher linked to the Committee. The recommendation is that this be seriously considered.
IV COMMITTEE REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT
In some cases Committee Reports adopted by Parliament e.g. those appearing in the ATC have a bearing on the work of other committees. However, it is not clear whether the affected committee/s are expected to make a follow-up. There does not seem to be a mechanism to address this situation. Therefore the Portfolio Committee recommends that a mechanism be established to enable an affected committee to make a follow-up on matters arising out of such reports.
V LEGISLATION
The Committee passed only one piece of legislation this year, namely: The Natural Scientific Professions Bill, an important guide to practising scientists. The expected tabling of the South African National Languages Bill in July this year did not materialise. The Committee had actually programmed public hearings for the Bill. It is hoped that the DAC will ensure that the promotion of multilingualism in our country, a requirement of the Constitution, is not compromised by further delays.
VI CONCLUSION
The Chairperson appreciates the co-operation received from Members of the Committee, the untiring Committee Staff, the DAC and DST, and from stakeholders who participated in our work and with us in the course of the year. There are many and more challenges facing our Committee in the coming year, but working together we are certain to make progress.
Proceedings of all the committees meetings were recorded and effort to follow-up matters arising out of these was made. The Committee Staff are consistently showing improvement in the execution of this important task. However, the Committee would like to see Minutes of meetings held distributed promptly to enable a quick follow-up where necessary.
May you all have a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year
4. Core objectives (responsibilities)
The objectives of the Portfolio Committee are to play an oversight role over the areas of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. It is the Committee that straddles a wide area, taking under its wing 43 entities that include Science Councils and Boards. Many of these entities are also accountable to other committees of parliament.
5. Legislation (briefings and hearings) (Highlight briefly the Bills referred to the Committee, briefings submission and indicate any amendments made)
DATE OF MEETING |
SUBJECT |
21 January 2003 |
Discussion of programme for 2003 |
23 January 2003 |
Adoption of programme for 2003 |
04February 2003 |
Discussing the Annual report of the department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology |
19 February 2003 |
|
25 February 2003 |
|
04 March2003 |
1.Iformal deliberations on the Natural Scientific Professions Bill[B56-2002] |
07 March 2003 |
|
11 March 2003 |
|
12 March 2003 |
|
18 March 2003 |
|
19 March 2003 |
|
25 March 2003 |
|
01 April 2003 |
|
08 April 2003 |
|
15 April 2003 |
|
13 May 2003 |
1. Discussing matters referred to the Committee- because the department has cancelled the meeting at last minute |
20 May 2003 |
|
03 June 2003 |
|
10 June 2003 |
|
17 June 2003 |
|
24 June 2003 |
|
05 August 2003 |
|
06 August 2003 |
|
07 August 2003 |
|
18 August 2003 |
|
19 August 2003 |
|
20 August 2003 |
|
25 August 2003 |
|
26 August 2003 |
|
01 September 2003 |
|
09 September 2003 |
|
16 September 2003 |
|
23 September 2003 |
1. Briefing by department of Science and Technology on Technology and Business Development |
26 September 2003 |
1. Briefing by Kebble Brett Awards delegation |
11 November 2003 |
|
18 November 2003 |
|
26 November 2003 |
|
6. Matters other than mandated legislation
International agreements
Hearings on national interest, if any…
7. Oversight
(Briefly indicate places where the committee conducted oversight, its findings and recommendations on the visit/s)
Annual Reports
Implementation of legislation
Institutional Oversight
International/ national visits (capacity building)
8. Committee activities
Invitations for Chairperson, in other invitations the chairperson delegated other
Members to attend.
DATE |
NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY |
NAMES |
14-16 February 2003 |
Indigenous Knowledge Systems South Africa-Strategic Planning Workshop |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
20 May 2003 |
Department of Arts and Culture – Participate as panellist in interviews for post of Deputy Director General |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
09 June 2003 |
Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology- Opening Ceremony of the High-LEVEL forum on Science and Technolgy in the Common Wealth |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
10 June 2003 |
Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology- To a cock tail marking the 231st Meeting of the Commonwealth Science Council |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
12-13 June 2003 |
Department of Arts and Culture- Participate at the National Consultative Conference on South African Language Bill |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
18 June 2003 |
National Library - National Library of South Africa Public Lecture Series |
Mrs ND Mbombo |
18 September 2003 |
The State of Nation South Africa 2003/2004 |
Mr SL Dithebe |
30 September 2003 |
MINMEC conference |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
03 November 2003 |
Free State Legislature |
Mrs MAA Njobe |
Conferences
Any other
The overall amount used by the Committee up to date is R157 265
Balance R182 735
Budget R340 000
Provincial visits
Catering
Oversight
10. Appendices
(Membership (appointment date/ discharge, party, support staff)
Member Name and Party * Indicates alternate |
Appointment Date |
Discharge Date |
African National Congress |
||
Mrs S F Baloyi* |
17.09.2002 |
|
Mr S L Dithebe |
||
Mr M Z Dyani |
17.09.2002 |
|
Mr N B Fihla |
17.09.2002 |
|
Mr T Jeebodh |
||
DR N A Luthuli* |
17.09.2002 |
|
Mrs X C Makasi |
17.09.2002 |
|
Mr D Mabuyakhulu |
||
Mr B D Martin* |
17.09.2002 |
|
Ms X C Makasi * |
||
Mrs N D Mbombo |
||
Prof I J Mohamed |
||
Ms H M Mpaka |
||
Mrs S D Motubatse-Hounkpatin |
||
Ms S N Mstweni* |
||
Ms W S Newhoudt-Druchen* |
||
Mr N Ngcobo |
15.10.2002 |
|
Mrs M A A Njobe |
||
Mr M Ramgobin |
17.09.2002 |
|
Dr W M Serote |
||
Rev L J Tolo |
26.02.2002 |
|
Ms P N Tsheole |
||
Mrs T J Tshivhase |
||
Ms L M T Xingwana* |
Democratic Party |
||
Mr V C Gore |
||
Mr S E Opperman |
Inkatha Freedom Party |
||
Inkosi B P Biyela* |
||
Ms M M Mdlalose |
||
Dr R Rabinowitz * |
New National Assembly |
||
Mrs A Van Wyk |
||
Mr J W Le Roux* |
United Democratic Movement |
||
Ms O N Mndende |
||
Ms A Van Wyk |
African Christian Democratic Party |
||
Mrs C Dudley |
||
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania |
||
Dr S E Pheko |
8-03-2002 |
|
United Christian Democratic Party |
||
Ms M A Seeco |
13-02-2002 |
|
Independent |
||
Mr M F Cassim |
Control Committee Secretary: Mr T Madima
Period from September 2000 to date
Committee Secretary: Ms T R Cawe
Period from 01 June 2001 to date
Mr J Ramrock
Period from February 2003 to date
Committee Assistant: Ms C Adams
Period from November 2002 to date
Secretary to Chairperson: Ms M Gobozi
Period from 01 June 2001 to date
Researcher (Research Unit): Mr N Van Zyl
Legal Support: No legal support was required in 2003