Socio-Economic Development: Minutes of Proceedings
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF JOINT AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Note: These minutes where provided by the Parliamentary Clerk.
Tuesday, 10 January 2006 (09h20)
Venue: Committee Room E305, 3rd Floor, New Wing
PRESENT:
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Mohlaloga, Mr M R (Chairperson)
Mashiane, Ms L M
Njikelana, Mr S J
Mazibuko, Ms N F
DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
Kalyan, Ms S V
INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
Zulu, Prince N E
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Dudley, Ms C
The following staff members were also in attendance:
Manjezi, Ms N C – Committee Administrator.
Mvulane, Mr Z A – Committee Researcher.
The Chairperson welcomed everybody and proceeded to consider the following items on the agenda:
1. Consideration of Objective 1 and 6 and Review of Objective 2 and 5
1.1 Ms S.V. Kalyan – Objective 1 – Promoting self-reliance in development and building capacity for self-sustaining development - indicated that there is a need for a brief analysis of impact of sanctions in the economy before 1994. She further added that there is also a need to expand more on skills development and look at the influx of foreign immigrants and total debt of exports.
Ms Kalyan indicated that it would be important for the paper to look at investor perception both locally and internationally since this provide an understanding of whether international perception on the South African economy.
Hon. Prince N E Zulu indicated that foreign skills are not coming to South Africa the way it was supposed to be done. Therefore, hhe suggested that the paper also provides an overview of the kinds of people that are relocating to South Africa and how that contributes to economic growth
Ms N F Mazibuko added that the Committee must to look at the trends of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) since 1994 and compare them with that of the previous Government. She indicated that it would be important to also look at development plans that the Government has put in place in order to ensure the empowerment of women and the youth.
1.2 Ms N. F. Mazibuko – Objective 2 – Accelerating socio-economic development to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication.
The Committee agreed that this objective was thoroughly dealt with during its meeting held on 07 November 2006. However, Mr. Njikelana indicated that it would be important for the paper to look at the distinction between poverty eradication and poverty alleviation.
1.3 Prince N. E. Zulu - Objective 5 – Progressing towards gender equality in all critical areas of concern, including equal access to education for girls at all levels.
The Committee agreed that this objective was thoroughly dealt with during its meeting held on 07 November 2006. The Committee added no further input.
1.4 Ms C. Dudley – Objective 6 – Encouraging broad-based participation in development by all stakeholders at all levels.
Ms C Dudley added that stakeholders believed they should be more involved in the beginning phases of formulation of policy and legislation as this enhances the public participation. The final product would more accurately reflect the input of those most closely affected.
Mr S J Njikelana also added that the report must address:
- The extent to which Parliament/State allows and facilitate the voice of the opposition or alternative thinking as a measure to encourage broad-based participation.
- The extent to which alternative thinking is accommodated in various organs of government.
- Issues of vulnerable, disabled and disadvantaged people of this country.
Ms N F Mazibuko indicated that the Committee must to look at work of Provincial Legislatures, Ward Committees, School Governing Bodies (SGB’s), Local Government Structures, women and youth groups.
The Chairperson also added that the report must include:
- Public participation i.e reference on petitions and Izimbizo at the level of Government.
- Promotion of Access of Information Act.
- Use of indigenous languages.
Ms S Kalyan also added that reference should be made on Chapter 9 Institution as they enhance and strengthen constitutional democracy.
2. Adoption of reports submitted to JCC
The Committee accepted the reports circulated to all Members for information.
The Committee felt it is imperatively to write and submit a detailed report to the JCC and that such a report must raise issues of constraints, problems of personnel, general support, unfulfilled promises and overview of budget during period its work mandated by Parliament.
The Committee agreed that the Committee Administrator would draft the report and table it before the Committee for adoption in its next meeting.
4. Other matters discussed
The Committee agreed that by Monday, 23 January 2006, all Members should receive the last final draft and that the Chairperson would table the report to the JCC meeting on 16 January 2006 as its final draft. It further agreed that a meeting must be arranged in which the Committee can finally adopt the document in its final drafting stage.
The Committee considered and agreed to the following minutes of proceedings of meetings held on 26/10/2005, 02/11/2005, 23/11/2005, 07/12/2005 and 15/12/2005 with amendments.
The Committee further agreed that the Chairperson would sign all the minutes after the Committee Administrator has effected all the amendments as proposed by the Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 12h30 until further notice.
Adopted by the Committee: 25 January 2006
Signed by the Chairperson:…………………………………
Date:…………………………………