Report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on the
consideration of a shortlist of candidates for appointment to the Board of the
Human Sciences Research Council, dated 8 July 2009:
The
Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology, having considered the shortlist
of candidates for appointment to the Board of the Human Sciences Research
Council (HSRC) in terms of section 5 of the HSRC Act (Act No 17 of 2008), which
was referred to the Committee on 8 June 2009, reports as follows:
The
Committee held meetings on 23 June, 1 July and 8 July 2009 on the above
subject. The Act provides for a selection of up to 20 shortlisted
candidates. The Department received 32 applications and shortlisted
only 13 of the 32. The Committee was
concerned that the list submitted by the Department did not incorporate the
full set of criteria in the Act, and therefore recommended that the number be
increased.
During its
deliberations the Committee found that the criteria on
which the 13 candidates were shortlisted, were not as
prescribed in the Act, specifically on the issue of the demographics of the
South African society. The Committee subsequently requested that the Department
review the shortlist to include persons with the requisite academic and experiential
qualification, which should form an important criterion. The Committee was
presented with a supplemented list.
Based on the
above, the Committee recommends that the House approves the following
shortlist:
1.
Ms PN Gasa
2.
Prof R Hassan
3.
4.
Dr P Gobodo-Madikizela
5.
Mr TP Masobe
6.
Dr FG Netswera
7.
Ms P Ntombela-Nzimande
8.
Prof T Pillay
9.
Prof L Qalinge
10.
Mr A Samassekou
11.
Prof A Sawyerr
12.
Dr S Zinn
13.
Prof P Zulu
14.
Prof A Lourens
15.
Dr BO Tema
16.
Prof P Naidoo
17.
Prof EC Webster
The
Committee, cognisant of the aspect of separation of powers, further notes that:
1.
Within the science
and technology portfolio there are considerable differences in the legislation
governing the appointment of members to Boards.
2.
There are
differences across portfolios in respect of appointments of personnel to
statuary bodies.
The
Committee recommends that:
1.
The Minister
considers reviewing legislation with the purpose of bringing in line
legislation, which has bearing on the appointment of members to Boards so that
there is a uniform approach with regard to the appointment processes.
2.
As the oversight
authority, Parliament should consider facilitating discussion, research and
review around the standardisation of legislation which deals with procedures
for appointing Boards.
Report to be considered