ANNUAL REPORT
[JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2003]
(a) Ms B P Sonjica : January March 2003
(b) Mr J F Van Wyk : 19 March 2003 31 December 2003
Chairpersons overview
Notwithstanding political differences, the Portfolio Committee functioned fairly well as a collective. There was a high level of commitment, discipline and participation from Members of all parties. Everything was done in a transparent, effective and co-operative way.
The change in chairperson, because of the deployment of the previous chairperson as Deputy Minister, did not negatively impact on the functioning of the committee and all went fairly smooth.
Good working relationships exist and was strengthened with the Department, SALGA, SAAWU and other prominent stakeholders, both in government and in civil society. Through its oversight work, the committee to a large extent, succeeded to highlight the major challenges in the water and forestry sector, and contributes to more effective service delivery and implementation.
Although there was a lot of improvement with the support from the Committee Section, there is room for improvement in areas such as the processing of reports and procedural advice.
Challenges faced by the committee in 2003
The committee did not deal with any legislation, except regulations, and therefore mostly focussed on oversight work.
Due to a limited budget and a very full and drastically shortened Parliamentary Programme, the committee could not do proper justice to its oversight function.
The major challenges of the committee are to, through its oversight work, ensure policy implementation in key areas of delivery, like access to basic water supply and sanitation services, free basic water implementation and the sustainable management and development of the countrys water resources and forestry.
A word of appreciation goes to:
(a) All Members of the Committee who despite other commitments participated in all Committee activities.
(b) The Ministry and Department for their cooperation and readiness to appear before the Committee.
2.1 Control Committee Secretary: Ms N C Manjezi
Period: May 2003 to date
2.2 Committee Secretary: Ms S Cassiem
Period: April 2002 to date
Committee Assistant: Ms O Siebrietz
Period: January 2002 to date
Committee Assistant: Ms N Tshoma
Period: 1995 to date
Ms M Mecuur: Jan March 2003
Ms S Mninzi: April Aug 2003
Ms B Venter: Aug 2003 to date
2.5 Researcher (Research Unit): Mr T Liebenberg
Committee Assistant: Ms S Mninzi
Stand-in from 15 August to 15 December 2003
Committee Assistant: Ms N Sobekwa
Stand-in from June to 31December 2003
MEMBER |
DATE APPOINTED (In current Parliament) |
DATE DISCHARGED |
African National Congress |
||
Mr J D Arendse * |
July 1999 |
|
Rev A D Goosen * |
July 1999 |
|
Chief C J Hlaneki * |
July 1999 |
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Mr Z J Kati * |
July 1999 |
|
Ms T E Leshivha |
July 1999 |
|
Mr D D Mabuza |
24 March 2003 |
|
Mr D Mabuyakhulu |
25 June 2003 |
|
Mr D S Maimane |
July 1999 |
|
Mr P M Mathebe |
July 1999 |
|
Mr M M Masala |
July 1999 |
|
Mr N E Magubane * |
July 1999 |
|
Ms P K Mothoagae * |
July 1999 |
|
Kgoshi L C Mothiba * |
13 May 2003 |
|
Ms R A Ndzanga |
July 1999 |
|
Ms M L Komape-Ngwenya |
July 1999 |
|
Mr M J Phala |
July 1999 |
|
Mr S Phohlela |
July 1999 |
|
Mr E M Sigwela * |
July 1999 |
|
Ms B P Sonjica |
July 1999 |
March 2003 |
Mr J F Van Wyk |
July 1999 |
|
Democratic Alliance |
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Mr G B D McIntosh |
July 1999 |
26 March |
Mr A H Nel |
28 March 2003 |
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Mr J W Le Roux * |
July 1999 |
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Inkatha Freedom Party |
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Inkosi B P Biyela * |
|
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Prof H Ngubane * |
July 1999 |
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Mr M S M Sibiya |
July 1999 |
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New National Party |
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Mr S Simmons |
July 1999 |
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Mr A S Van der Merwe * |
July 1999 |
|
United Democratic Movement |
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|
|
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African Christian Democratic Party |
||
|
|
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United Christian Democratic Party |
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Mr P H K Ditshetelo * |
July 1999 |
|
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania |
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Bishop M S Mogoba * |
July 1999 |
|
Federal Alliance |
|
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|
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4. DELIBERATIONS AND COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES (for further information refer to Minutes)
4.1 Meetings
22/01/2003 Discussion of committee programme
29/01/2003 Discussion and adoption of Annual Report 2002
3 7/02/03 Study Tour to Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
19/02/2003 Presentation by Eastern Cape Independent Sawmillers Association
26/02/2003 Discussion on Upcoming Events and Programme Changes
05/03/2003 Briefing by Ukuvuka
11/03/2003 Hearings on DWAF Budget by Civil Society
12/03/2003 Discussion of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Study tour report
18/03/2003 National Water Week programme in Cape Town
19/03/2003 Election of Chairperson and Briefing by the National Sanitation Task Team
26/03/2003 Briefing on Indigenous forest management and Forest Assets restructuring
31/03/2003 Public Hearings on DWAF Budget
01/04/2003 Joint briefings by the Ukhahlamba and Alfred Nzo District Management Councils
02/04/2003 Briefing by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on their Budget
09/04/2003 Briefing on DWAFs Strategic Plan 2003/4 2005/6
16/04/2003 Discussion with National Sanitation Task Team
14/05/2003 Adoption of Study Tour report and Budget hearings report
19/05/2003 Joint meeting with Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on the Inter Governmental
Fiscal Review
28/05/2003 Presentation by the Water Research Commission
04/06/2003 Public hearings on Division of Revenue and Free Basic Water
11/06/2003 Briefing by Umgeni Water Board
18/06/2003 Briefing on the National Water Resource Strategy
24/06/2003 Discussion of Committee programme and possible study tours
3-8/08/2003 - Gauteng and North West Provincial Study tour
10-15/08/03 Northern Cape and Free State Provincial Study tour
20/08/2003 Meeting on SADC Protocol on Forestry, Arbor Week and the National Veld and Forest Act regulations
25/08/2003 Visit to Biolitix at Spier Estate
27/08/2003 TCTA briefing on their Annual Report and Berg Water Project at Franschoek
03/09/2003 Review of Fire Protection Association Regulations and briefing on forest fires.
10/09/2003 Discussion of DWAF Annual report
17/09/2003 Adoption of reports and Fire Regulations
12/11/2003 Briefing and discussion on the DWAF Annual Report
14/11/2003 Presentation by Rand Water Board
18/11/2003 - Discussion of Study tour reports
19/11/2003 Briefing by DWAF on Strategic Framework for Water Services.
26/11/2003 Adoption of outstanding minutes, programme for 2004 and study tour
reports and discussion of the Portfolio Committee 2003 Annual report.
Bill No. |
Name |
Public Hearing |
No of Submissions |
Amendments |
No of hrs spent |
|
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|
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|
|
Name |
Objective/s |
Decision by Committee |
2002 Committee Annual report
|
To record the committees activities for the year 2002
|
Report adopted in the committee on 29/01/03
|
Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Study tour report |
To monitor the implementation of and get progress reports on the delivery of water supply services, forestry restructuring and sanitation and water management structures in line with the provisions set out in the Water Services Act and National Forestry Act as part of the oversight role of the Committee. |
Report adopted in the committee on 14/05/03 and currently with editing office |
Report on Budget hearings
|
To promote comment /participation by both civil society and relevant public entities on the 2003/2004 Budget of DWAF. |
Report adopted in the committee on 14/05/03 and ATC 4/6/03
|
Free Basic Water Report
|
During the Committees hearings on Budget Vote 34, various challenges in relation to the free basic water policy were highlighted. The Committee therefore decided to have a special hearing on the implementation of the free basic water policy. |
Report adopted in the committee on 17/09/03 and currently with editing office
|
National Veld and Fires: Fire Protection Association Regulations |
National Veld and Forest Fire Act |
Committee adopted report on 17/09/03 |
SADC protocol on Forestry |
Constitutional Sectional ratify |
Protocol adopted by the committee on 20/08/03 |
Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape and Free State study tours report |
To monitor the implementation of and get progress reports on the delivery of water supply services, forestry restructuring and sanitation and water management structures in line with the provisions set out in the Water Services Act, National Water Act and National Forestry Act as part of the oversight role of the Committee. |
Committee adopted report on 26/11/03 and currently with editing office |
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE: NONE
Subject Matter |
Date |
Number and names of attendants |
Venue |
No of days spent |
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5. OTHER MATTERS DEALT WITH:
Subject |
Date |
Public Hearings Held |
Total Submissions |
No. of hours spent |
Hearings on DWAF Budget 2003/2004 |
11/03,31/03, 02/04 2003 |
Yes |
15 |
17 hrs |
Hearings on Free Basic Water |
04/06/2003 |
Yes |
5 |
3 hrs |
Subject |
Date |
Referral Date |
Decision by the Committee |
No. of hours spend |
SADC Protocol on Forestry |
20/08/03 |
20/06/03 |
Protocol adopted by the committee on 20/08/04 and referred to National Assembly for ratification |
|
6. VISITS
6.1 NATIONAL VISITS:
Period |
Places visited and purpose/objectives of such visit e.g. Fact finding investigations |
Number and names of Members attended |
Number of Staff |
Date Report Tabled |
Costs |
3 7 Feb 03 |
Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal |
13 members Ms B P Sonjica Mr J F Van Wyk Chief C J Hlaneki Mr M J Phala Mr J D Arendse Mrs R A Ndzanga Ms M L Ngwenya Ms T E Leshiva Mr Z J Kati Mr M M Masala Mr E M Sigwela Mr S Simmons Mr M S M Sibiya |
2 |
With editing office |
R70 000,00 |
3 8 Aug 03 |
Gauteng and North West Province |
7 Members Mr J F Van Wyk Mr D S Maimane Mr M M Masala Ms R A Ndzanga Mr M J Phala Mr M S M Sibiya MrPHK Ditshetelo |
2 |
With editing office |
|
10 15 Aug 03 |
Free State and Northern Cape Province |
7 Members Chief C J Hlaneki Mr D S Maimane Mr P M Mathebe Mr E M Sigwela Mr J F Van Wyk Prof H Ngubane Mr A H Nel |
1 |
With editing office |
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|
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6.2 INTERNATIONAL VISITS: NONE
Period |
Countries visited and purpose/objectives of such visit e.g. Fact finding investigations |
Number and names of Members |
Number of Staff |
Date Report Tabled |
Costs |
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7. SPONSORSHIP: NONE
Donor |
Purpose |
POs Approval Date |
Amount |
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The Portfolio Committee wants to make the following recommendations:
In conclusion, it is the opinion of the Portfolio Committee that, notwithstanding the fact that there are still a lot of challenges, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and other role-players in the water and forestry sector are on track to ensure the availability and supply of water on a national level, to ensure equitable and efficient provision of water services at local level, and also to promote sustainable forestry management.
9. FORMAL ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE:
The Committee adopted annual Report of the Portfolio Committee of Water Affairs and Forestry having been put to the Committee, on 29 January 2004.
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DATE
Mr J F Van Wyk
.
COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE
Mrs S Cassiem
.
CONTROL COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE
MS N C MANJEZI