BIBLE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA REPEAL. BILL

Private Member's Bill

Submitted in terms of Section 73 (2) Read with' Section 76 (1) of the Constitution; (Pierre-Jeanne Gerber, MP)

MEMORANDUM

Notice is hereby given of the introduction of a Private Member's Bill in terms of Section 73(2) read with Section 76(1) of the Constitution. In terms of rule 234 (read with rule 230(1), a member must submit to the Speaker a memorandum which:

(a) sets out particulars of the proposed legislation;

(b) explains the objectives of the proposed legislation; and

(c) states whether the proposed legislation will have financial implications for the State, and, if" so, whether those implications may be a determining factor when the proposed legislation is considered.

The Honourable Speaker is requested to deal with this Bill in terms of Section 235 of the National Assembly Rules.

A. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION

The following Bill (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") is proposed:

BIBLE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA REPEAL BILL

1. Repeal of law - The Bible Society of South Africa Act, No 15 of 1970 is hereby repealed.

2. Short title - This Act shall be called the Bible Society of South Africa Repeal "Act.

B. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION

L In terms of our Constitution South Africa is a democratic 'state founded on the values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms, non-racialism and non-sexism.

2. It is interesting to note that, thirteen years into our democratic dispensation, we still have in our statute books pieces of legislation, inherited from the previous regime, that are inconsistent with the abovementioned values. These statutes undermine the strides made, in the past thirteen years, by Parliament in realising a better quality of life for all the people of South Africa.

3. Legislation by its very definition would have to apply to all citizens of the country. There is no basis for an Act of 'Parliament to regulate agreements and arrangements which only affect specific religious institutions. One such piece of legislation is the Bible Society of South Africa, Act 15, of 1970. Such act creates the impression that our Constitution permits segregation along religious lines.

4. It appears that some of these institutions were statutorily created for the purpose of operating as business entities outside the traditional business structures such as Closed Corporations, Companies, etc. This Act regulates specific institutional management matters such as accounting and auditing, procurement, etc.

5. In my view these types of statutes entrenches stereotype prejudices that our Constitution seeks to eradicate. I therefore move that the Bible Society of South Africa Act 15, of 1970 be repealed.

MEMBER OFP ARLIAMENT

C. FINANCIAL Il\1PLICATIONS FOR THE STATE

The legislation has no financial implications for the State.