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

    1. South African Heritage Resource Heritage Agency (SAHRA) – It is established the South African Heritage Resources Agency, which together with its Council coordinates and promotes the management of Heritage resources at national level.
    2. Arts Institutions – They assist in creating a sustainable performing arts industry based on access, excellence, diversity and redress. They encourage the development of the full range of performing arts.
    3. Business Arts South Africa (BASA) – it aims at encouraging sponsorship of the arts by the business sector through the introduction of a matching grant scheme.
    4. National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) – it provides and encourages the provision of opportunities for persons from disadvantaged communities to participate in the industry. The Foundation also promotes local film and video products, supports the development of and access to the industry, and addresses historical imbalances in infrastructure, skills and resources in the industry.
    5. National Arts Council – The Council also promotes general application of the arts in the community, fosters the expression of a national identity by means of the arts, promotes freedom in the practice of the arts, and gives historically disadvantaged people greater acce3ss to the arts.
    6. National Archives Commission – The Commission assists the National Archivist in carrying out functions of the National Archives, promotes the coordination of archival policy at national and provincial levels, approves the appraisal policy of the National Archives and monitors its implementation.
    7. Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) – The Board actively promotes an awareness of multilingualism as national resources, and supports the previously marginalized languages by developing, administering, and monitoring access, information and implementation.
    8. Human Science Research Council (HSRC) – The council provides for the promotion of research and the extension of knowledge in the field of the human sciences in terms of the Human Sciences Research Act, 1968.
    9. National Research Foundation (NRF) – The Foundation provides for the promotion of research, both basic and applied, and the extension and transfer of knowledge in the field of science, technology and indigenous technology.
    10. Africa Institute of South Africa – It carries out in-depth analysis of Africa’s current affairs and addresses issues of the future of the continent, the African Renaissance and change in general.
    11. National Laser Centre (NLC) – The NLC was created from laser competencies at both the CSIR and the extension Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa. Its goal is to promote South African competitiveness in the area of lasers, particularly with regard to application in the manufacturing, communication, health, safety and security, industries.
    12. Innovative Fund – Trust It is one of the Science and Technology White Paper (1996) initiatives and was designed to encourage collaborative research and technology development programmes.
    13. Libraries – They preserve and promote awareness of the national documentary heritage, and provide for matters connected therewith.

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

  1. Discussion of the agreement of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology co-operation between the Government of the RSA and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
  2. Briefing by the Department on Science and Technology on the ratification of South Africa’s membership on the Centre for Science and Technology of the non-alignment and other developing countries; and
  3. Briefing by the Department of Science and Technology on the ratification of South Africa’s membership of the International Centre for Genetically Engineering and Biotechnology

25 February 2003

  1. Public Hearings on Natural Scientific Professions Bill [B56-2002]

04 March2003

1.Iformal deliberations on the Natural Scientific Professions Bill[B56-2002]

07 March 2003

  1. Adoption of minutes;
  2. Continuation of deliberations on Natural Scientific Professions Bill [B56-2002]

11 March 2003

  1. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr B Ngubane, to update the Committee on all activities taking place within the Department.
  2. Discussion on Vote No 18 of Science and Technology Main Estimates, 2003-2004 with the Department of Science and Technology.

12 March 2003

  1. Discussion on Vote No 14 of Arts and Culture Main Estimates, 2003-2004 with the Department of Arts and Culture

18 March 2003

  1. Budget Hearings on Science and Technology – Vote No. 18

19 March 2003

  1. Budget Hearings on Arts and Culture – Vote No. 14

25 March 2003

  1. Briefing by the Department of Science and Technology on the Ratification of South Africa’s membership of the International Centre for Genetical Engineering and Biotechnology;
  2. Short-listing of names to serve on the NAC board.

01 April 2003

  1. Briefing by the South African Museums Association (SAMA) on the following:
  2. Transformation of museums and monuments;
  3. Presence of human remains in museums;
  4. General overview of SAMA, challenges and constraints, achievements and way forward.

08 April 2003

  1. Adoption of minutes;
  2. Report-back by the subcommittee and adoption on the Annual Reports of:
  3. The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology;
  4. NACI
  5. Discussion on reports referred to the Committee.

15 April 2003

  1. Briefing by the Department of Arts and Culture on SADC Multi-disciplinary Festival

13 May 2003

1. Discussing matters referred to the Committee- because the department has cancelled the meeting at last minute

20 May 2003

  1. Briefing by the Department of Science and Technology on the Square Kilometre Array;
  2. Progress Report on Biotechnology; and adoption of Minutes.

03 June 2003

  1. Presentation by Viva Africa Festival

10 June 2003

  1. Briefing by Mintek on its developments over the last year as well as the plans for the current year.

17 June 2003

  1. Discussing Committee programme for next term

24 June 2003

  1. Briefing by Medical Research Council on new developments in HIV/AIDS

05 August 2003

  1. Briefing by the Deputy Minister regarding the Science week and the South African reference group on Women in Science and Technology; and
  2. Discussion and policy analysis of the Department of Science and Technology

06 August 2003

  1. Progress Report on the implementation of the employment Equity Act in the Department of Science and Technology; and

07 August 2003

  1. Briefing by Director General of Arts and Culture on the programme and development in the department

18 August 2003

  1. Meeting with the Deputy Minister and the National Film and Video Foundation on the developments in the film industry

19 August 2003

  1. Launch of the CSIR Annual Report 2003

20 August 2003

  1. Briefing by the South African Resource Agency on the developments on Heritage and Museums

25 August 2003

  1. Ratification of the SADC Protocol and Culture Information and Sport.
  2. Presentation by the Research Unit on Open-Source Code

26 August 2003

  1. International co-operation and NEPAD briefing

01 September 2003

  1. Briefing by South African Police Services on Natural Scientific Professions Bill [B 56B-2002]

09 September 2003

  1. Discussion on the visit to Prestwich Burial Site

16 September 2003

  1. Meeting with the Department of Arts and Culture on the role of heritage in the development of the economy;
  2. Briefing by the Department of Science and Technology on National Biotechnology Strategy; and
  3. Discussion on the Biotechnology Policy document

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

  1. Adoption of Report on the Membership to the Statutes of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology;
  2. Adoption of Report on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport;
  3. Adoption of Freedom Park Study Tour Report; and
  4. Adoption of Minutes.

18 November 2003

  1. Meeting cancelled due to plenary

26 November 2003

  1. Briefing by the Department of Science and Technology on NEPAD;
  2. Consideration and adoption of the Annual Report: 2003;
  3. Adoption of Minutes;
  4. Consideration and adoption of study tour reports; and
  5. Consideration of programme for 2004.

 

 

6. Matters other than mandated legislation

International agreements

      1. Membership to the Statutes of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
      2. Southern African Development Community Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport.

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

  1. Financial statements

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