Minister 's Responses

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 2195 (NW2701E)

 

2195.    Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(1)        Whether he intends setting any benchmark targets for the eradication of child labour; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2)        whether there are any benchmarks to differentiate between acceptable household chores and child labour; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will such benchmarks be set; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)        whether he will perform annual studies on child labour; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4)        whether he will institute and table a report on child labour with acceptable benchmarks in Parliament annually; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?              NW2701E

Minister of Labour replied:

(1)  It is important to note that the Child Labour Programme of Action acknowledges that although the number of children in employment in South Africa is relatively low and thus could be managed much more easily than in other countries, the kinds of interventions needed to deal with child labour should address the root causes of child labour.  It is globally accepted as in the Child Labour Programme of Action that these root causes are poverty and lack of education.

In focusing on the root causes of the scourge a focus purely on numbers and therefore setting numerical targets would thus be contrary to the approach that the Child Labour Programme of Action sets forth.  Further, even if the focus is on numbers, there is no guarantee that the root causes as identified above will not render more children susceptible to the scourge. 

The focus of the Child Labour programme of Action is therefore on addressing the root causes rather than a numbers game. However, the intention of the Child Labour Programme of Action is to eradicate child labour completely.

 

 (2)  The Child Labour Programme as approved by Cabinet in 2009 sets a very clear benchmark. It further states that “work in itself is not necessarily harmful and could, in fact, be beneficial to them in many ways”. The Child Labour Programme of Action further recognizes the role of cultural attitudes in considering whether work is harmful and stresses throughout the programme that work by children such as household chores, and activities such as fetching water can be beneficial to them.

The definition for child labour that informs the CLPA of “work which is exploitative, hazardous or otherwise inappropriate for their age, detrimental to their schooling or their social, physical, mental, spiritual or moral development…” provides a sufficient and very clearly stated benchmark for what constitutes child labour. It should therefore not be necessary to quantify what household chores constitute child labour beyond what the definition provides.

(3) A commitment made on tabling the Child Labour Programme of Action in Cabinet was that a biennial report would be submitted to Cabinet on the progress of its implementation. This provides a much better timeframe to evaluate the Programme of Action. The Department of Labour is currently in the process of gathering information on progress from various government departments and will present a report to Cabinet during this financial year.

 

(4)        As indicated previously, my Department must submit a biennial report to Cabinet on the implementation of the Child Labour Programme of Action. This report will look at the progress made by various government departments guided by the child labour indicators as set out within the CLPA. Further the statistical agency of government, Statistics South Africa as part of its Quarterly Labour Force Survey, attached a child labour module to the survey. This will also be done on a regular basis. I am of the view that this process of reporting will provide an adequate view on both our progress in addressing the root causes that informs child labour but also assess whether we have achieved against the indicators for child labour that was developed and set out in the CLPA.

 

 

 

 

PARLIMENTRY  QUESTION NO 2193 (NW2699E)

Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:                                                NW2699E

 

(1)        How many individuals have lost their jobs by (a) retrenchment, (b) being fired and (c) shedding by economy during the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 in the (a) public and (b) private sector;

(2)        Whether any individuals were retrained in the lay-off training scheme for the same period; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?                        

Minister of Labour replied:

(1)     (a& (b) The Department of Labour data regarding individuals that have lost jobs by retrenchment, dismissals or affected by the closure of business is collected through the Unemployment Insurance Fund, This data is recorded on a monthly basis and the labour force survey uses the same data in publishing their quarterly reports.

Using the consolidated Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) the number of job losses is as follows:

      Change in employment by type of enterprise/business

	Apr-Jun 2009	Jul-Sep 2009	Oct-Dec 2009	Jan-Mar 2010	Apr-Jun 2010
	Thousand
National/Provincial/Local government		- 14	- 4	15	- 23
Government controlled business (e.g. Eskom/Telkom)		- 1	- 4	- 21	13
Private enterprise		- 433	165	- 204	- 43
Non-profit organisation (NGO/CBO)		- 2	3	3	- 18
Private household		- 34	- 71	36	12
Others		- 2		- 1	- 2
Total		- 485	89	- 171	- 61

 

(2)     The number of people assisted through the Training Layoff scheme which commenced during September 2009 is as follows.

·                     There is a total of ten cases where the training process is under way involving

                     5 271 workers;

·               There are two cases where training has been completed wherein a total of 184 was involved.

 

·                     During August 2010, a total of 22 companies along with the associated trade unions submitted applications covering a total of 6 028 workers.  The applications are currently in a process of being finalised by implementing partners, namely the CCMA, SETAs and the Department of Labour/Department of Higher education and Training Committee.

END          

 

 

 

PARLIAMENTAY QUESTION NO 2172 (NW2675E)

Adv A de W Alberts (VF Plus) vra die Minister van Arbeid:

Of hy beoog om 'n arbeidsburo te skep waardeur geskoolde persone wat hul werk weens regstellende aksie verloor het, vir werk kan aansoek doen ten einde sistemiese tekortkominge in die ekonomie aan te vul; so nie, waarom nie; so ja, wat die tersaaklike besonderhede is?           NW2675E

 

 

 

Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) asks the Minister of Labour:

 

If he intends to establish a labour bureau where skilled persons who lost their jobs as a result of affirmative action can apply for work in order to supplement systemic short-comings in the economy; if not, why not; if yes,  what is the relevant detail of such bureau?             NW2675E

 

Minister of Labour replied:

 

This question is rather strange seeing that the representation of Whites at the middle-to-upper levels are four-to-five times their EAP, whereas Blacks are a fraction of their EAP at these levels.  In addition, the trend shows that most people who were recruited and promoted over the past ten years at these levels have mainly been White – Is the Honorable Member saying that lucrative jobs should only go to the White population at the expense of suitably qualified individuals from designated groups, especially Blacks!

 

Nevertheless, I do not intend to establish a labour bureau as envisaged by the Honorable Member because the law does not provide for any person to lose their job because of affirmative action.  The law does not allow for absolute barriers - the addressing of under-representation through affirmative action can only take place where there is natural attrition. The Department of Labour does, however, have an employment services system called ESSA where all South Africans seeking employment are able to register their Curriculum Vitae at labour centres.

 

 

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

WRITTEN REPLY

 

 

QUESTION NO: 2161

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 August 2010

 

QUESTION PAPER: 21

 

DATE OF REPLY: 26 August 2010

 

 

2161. Mrs J D Killian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Communications:

 

(1) With reference to the disciplinary action taken against a certain official (name furnished) of his department for alleged irregularities, (a) what was the total cost to his department of the disciplinary process and (b) who will be held liable for payment of these costs;

 

(2) Whether any decision has been taken regarding an appeal against the ruling to reinstate the said official; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2617E

 

 

 

REPLY

 

(1) a) The total cost which was paid for the Presiding Officer to chair the hearing and the Departmental Representative to lead evidence amounts to R450 129,50.

b) The Department of Communications is liable for the costs.

 

(2) No decision has been taken to appeal the ruling to re-instate the official.

 

 

 

 

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

WRITTEN REPLY

 

 

QUESTION NO: 2147

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 August 2010

 

QUESTION PAPER: 21

 

DATE OF REPLY: 26 August 2010

 

 

Mrs J D Killian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Communications:

 

1. On what date was a certain firm of forensic auditors (name furnished) appointed to investigate alleged irregularities by a certain official (details furnished) of his department;

 

2. Whether the required process was followed to procure such service; if not, (a) why note and (b) who will be held accountable for any cost incurred by his department as a result; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2587E

 

 

REPLY

 

 

1. On 2 October 2009.

 

 

2. Yes the required process was followed.

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2131

 

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 AUGUST 2010 [IQP No 21 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

 

Question 2131 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 

(1)        Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1207 of 11 May 2010, the report by the task team on the workshop held on 4 February 2009 has been forwarded to Cabinet for discussion; if not, why not; if so, when;

(2)        whether she has a strategy and vision for fishing harbours; if not, what steps has the Government taken to resolve issues raised in the Fishing Harbour Feasibility study; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)        whether the Fishing Harbour Feasibility study has been made public; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be made public; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2571E

 

 

REPLY

 

(1)                 The task team referred to in question 1207 was appointed by the Directors-General (DGs) of the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW). The brief of the task team was to analyse the recommendations of the harbour feasibility report, following which they would brief the DGs of the DEAT and the DPW. The DGs had agreed that upon receiving a report from the task team, they would brief their respective Ministers. The report from the task team required further engagement with the consultants on matters that needed to be clarified, which delayed feedback to the Ministers. The process was also further delayed by the restructuring of some national Departments and consequently, new executive authorities becoming involved. The two departments are currently preparing a combined submission to the current Ministers who will then table the findings at Cabinet.

(2)                 The Minister has indicated in her budget speech that the harbours are key vehicles for economic development for the fishing communities where they are located. However, further details on the future of the proclaimed fishing harbours will only become clear after the two Ministers have engaged on the study outcomes and the recommendations contained in the report.

(3)     Due to the delays in the briefing of the Ministers as explained in (1), the departments agreed not to make the outcomes of the study public until the relevant Ministers had agreed on the report, as well as what recommendations to make to Cabinet. Following an agreement between the Ministers responsible and a subsequent briefing of Cabinet on the recommendations, the Inter- departmental Harbour Steering Committee will then embark on a road show to provide feedback and engage with all the relevant stakeholders. 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2123

 

 

Mr D.C. Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

 

Whether she has been informed of problems at the Military Academy in Saldanha Bay which hindered this institution from providing quality training to the students enrolled there; if so, what (a) vacancies for lecturers are there at present, (b) steps will be taken to fill the vacancies, (c) are the relevant details of reports about the managerial level in this regard and (d) are there further relevant details? (NW2563E)

  

REPLY

 

The matter is being dealt with in conjunction with the Minister of Higher Education, who is responsible for the quality of higher education.   As soon as we have jointly examined the concerns raised, a further response will be provided.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2091

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 AUGUST 2010 [IQP No 19 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

Question 2091 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr. P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 

1) How many agricultural units have been operated (a) commercially and (b) noncommercially in each year since 1994 by (i) coloured, (ii) Indian, (iii) black and (iv) white farmers;

(2)(a) how many (i) of those (aa) coloured, (bb) Indian, (cc) black and (dd) white farmers are in possession of more than one agricultural unit and (ii) agricultural units are in the possession of a legal entity and (b) what is the racial composition of those legal entities;

(3) how many (a) of the agricultural units have been consolidated in other (i) existing and (ii) new agricultural units and (b) agricultural units have completely ceased to function;

(4) how many of the agricultural units that are no longer operated as such have been converted for (a) residential and (b) commercial use? NW2492A

 

REPLY

 

1)             Currently, information on land use in the agricultural sector per race is not available.  Due to the dynamics of the agricultural sector regular changes occur in terms of the ownership and the level of farming activity that makes record keeping thereof very difficult.  At present no single database is available that captures the farm name / portion number, land owner / race and gender of the land owner as well as land use occurring on the farm.  As a result of the aforementioned the CEO Forum for Agriculture has initiated a pilot project to determine land ownership (including race and gender) for each individual land parcel in four pilot areas in the country in order to determine the best suited methodology to follow for the gathering and maintenance of such information. The Department has also conducted a pilot survey in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo province to test the methodology which could be used for a farmer register system. Furthermore, the Department has a field crop boundary data set available, which indicates all cultivated land in the country. However, it does not indicate the crop planted on the land nor is the data set updated annually for every province due to cost implications.  Statistical information is therefore not always complete as some of the fields may be left unplanted (fallow) for certain seasons due to a number of reasons.

 

         According to Agricultural Census data released by Statistics SA, the official statisticians of government, the number of commercial farming units in South Africa have declined by a fifth since 1993. In 1993 there were 57 980 commercial farming units, which increased to 60 938 in 1996, but declined to 45 818 in 2002, and declined further to 39 982 farming units by 2007. This suggests a consolidation of landholding into larger units of ownership and production. With respect to the number of smallholder farmers, it is estimated that there are approximately 200 000 of these farmers. According to the Labour Force Survey, 2007, about 2.5 million households or 4 million people produce extra food for own consumption Four district municipalities, namely Vhembe in Limpopo, Umkhanyakude in KwaZulu-Natal, Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo in the Eastern Cape, account for a large percentage of household food producers, especially Vhembe and OR Tambo. A report in 2009 by the University of Stellenbosch indicates that of the estimated eight million households living in non-metro areas in South Africa, 17% or 1.3 million households, have access to land for farming purposes. About 97% of these households engage in some farming activity, mostly on relatively small plots of land. Geographically, these households are mainly clustered in the former homeland areas, with 64% of these households living in 10 districts, six of which have been declared presidential poverty nodes.

 

 

2)             Since there is no single source of data available where the requested information is captured and the quality of the farm (cadastre) data is not always what it should be, the above-mentioned situation also applies to this section of the question.  No race or gender information is captured as part of a title deed of a farm.  It is therefore not possible to determine land ownership that may be linked to more than one farm parcel.  Should the farmer not have made use of extension services or if a formal record is not kept by the various Provincial Departments of Agriculture pertaining to the farmer and his / her farming activities, no detail will be available on the particular farmer or his / her farming activities.  There is also no comprehensive data base available in the country on farmers and their farming activities.

 

3)             The AgriLand system has been developed to monitor the application pertaining to Act 70 / 70 and deployed in 2006. Before 2006 a hard copy administration system was maintained.  However, the current version of the system does not indicate if a farm parcel is consolidated with another before it is sub-divided.  Also not captured on the system is the size of the related farm portions or the current land use before and after the sub-division / consolidation.  These requirements will be incorporated within the next upgraded version of the system. It should be mentioned, however, that the Department has no control of whether a land parcel was actually sub-divided / consolidated after permission had been granted by the Department. Also no record is kept of whether the new title deed is registered by the land owner to complete the process. Information on whether the land was kept for agricultural purposes after the process is also not maintained as this is a very costly and time consuming process.  To obtain accurate information a physical farm visit is needed as a lot of agricultural practices can not be identified by using remote sensing techniques.

 

4)             The Department has no control over other land uses that occur on a farming unit after it has been excluded from agricultural land.  Supporting data sets such as the national Land Cover data 2000, and since then individual provincial land cover and land use projects can, through the aid of GIS, assist in giving an indication of any changes of land use that may have occurred. The national SPOT satellite images for the last four years are also available to assist.  It is, however, a comprehensive and costly process to determine and map changes of land use from agricultural land to any other land use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2077

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 AUGUST 2010 [IQP No 19 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 2077 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr S B Farrow (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether she and/or her department intends purchasing tractors for emerging farmers; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amount has been allocated for this purpose, (b) how many tractors will be purchased and (c) how will these tractors be allocated to emerging farmers in each province;

(2) whether emerging farmers will have to apply for these tractors; if not, (a) why not and (b) what criteria will be used to allocate tractors to emerging farmers; if so, what criteria will be used to determine which emerging farmers qualify for receiving these tractors;

(3) what measures will be put in place to ensure that these tractors are properly maintained and retained;

(4) whether consideration will be given to allowing the emerging farmers to select tractors of their choice; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2476E

 

REPLY:

 

(1)  YES, tractors with implements will be purchased to develop mechanisation capacity where individual farmers cannot afford to own tractors due to the limited size of their cultivated land

 

(a) The amount allocated for this purpose is R 420 million

 

(b) Between 300 and 350 tractors with the required implements depending on the soil, crop and terrain in the service area

 

(c) Municipalities and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture will register the tractors as owners and maintain them while farmers would be able to request the mechanisation services from municipalities and provincial departments

 

(2) NO as the ownership rests with the government, emerging farmers would only be able to apply for the mechanisation services and not for the tractors as such

 

(b) Mechanisation services will be provided based on the crop planted but the tractors will not be allocated to individual farmers

 

(3) The department has identified a coordinator that will visit these tractors and implements regularly and will ensure that it is properly used and cared for. Where necessary, municipalities will be assisted with technical advisory services and interaction with the manufacturers of the equipment. Six monthly reports will be provided to measure the outcome of the project. The Provincial Departments of Agriculture will be issuing management contracts to assist with the utilization and maintenance of these tractors.

 

(4) The tractors will be obtained through the normal tender procedures and the number, size and implements required have been specified. Maintenance has also been included in the tender. The successful bidder will be determined based on price and adherence to the specifications of the tender. Where individual emerging farmers are supported to purchase tractors through part grants and part loans they are able to make their own choices

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION NO 2076

 

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

 

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:  6 AUGUST 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2010)

 

Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

 

1. Whether her department has established a National Language Forum; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, who are the members of the forum,(c) what (i) are the functions and (ii) is the purpose of the forum, how often does it meet and (e) when did the last meeting take place?

NW2475E

 

REPLY:

 

1. (a). Yes; my department has established the National Language Forum since February 2003;

 

(b). The National Language Forum consists of selected government representatives from National, Provincial and Local government structures, as well as PanSALB:

 

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Organisation	Name	Address	Telephone	Cell
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60.Presidency: Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration in the Presidency	Ms Kgomotso Maaroganye	Private Bag X1000 PRETORIA 0001	(012) 300 533	079 500 8998
61. Government Communication and information system	Mr Elias Tibane (Head)       Mr M Mogale	Private Bag X1000 PRETORIA 0001	(012) 314-2371     (012)  314 2922	074 430 4472       072 175 6648
62. Statistics South Africa	Ms Noceba Tshiki (leader) Ms Lufuno Netshitomboni		012 310 6939   (012) 310 8641	082 855 8284
63.State Security	Mr H Roos	Private Bag X1000 PRETORIA 0001	(012) 367 0708	082 883 8802

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES

 

64.Tshwane Municipality	Ms Nyangintsimbi Landela (Head)   Mr G, Wolhuter	PO Box 940 PRETORIA 0001	(012)  358 4762     012 358 7512
65. Mangaung Municipality	Matiase, S (Head)   Mr Mr PM Mothekhe			082 4680 823   082 771 0847 082 4680 823

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE

 

 

66. Dr Jokweni	Chief Director National Language Service	Kingsley Centre	0124413255
67. Dr J Sukumane	Director Language Planning and Development	Kingsley Centre	012 4413253
68. Ms H Machaba	Director- Terminology Co-ordination	Kingsley Centre	0124413251
69. Mrs M Gaffane	Director- Translation and Editing	Kingsley Centre	0124413256
70. Mr W Mohapi	Deputy-Director Translation and Editing	Kingsley Centre	0124413841
71. Mrs Z Mtsweni	Deputy-Director Planning and Development	Kingsley Centre	0124413833
72. Mr SL Manganyi	Deputy-Director Planning and Development	Kingsley Centre	0124413846
73. Mr S Mnisi	Deputy-Director Terminology Co-ordination	Kingsley Centre	0124413851
74. Ms M Malebo	Chief Language Practitioner	Kingsley Centre	0124413809
75. Mr S Toni	Chief Language Practitioner	Kingsley Centre	0124413826
76. Ms C Mokoena	Chief Language Practitioner	Kingsley Centre	0124413881
77. Ms S Mpotu	Secretary	Kingsley Centre	0124413252
78. Mr ZW Peter	Chief Language Practitioner	Kingsley Centre	0124413814

(c). (i) The key functions of the National Language Forum meetings are to (i) monitor implementation processes; (ii) and the purpose is to create discourse on language policy and implementation issues amongst government structures;

 

(d) National Language Forum meetings ought to take place quarterly where the budget is not a constraint. So far it has been meeting twice yearly due to budgetary constraints;

 

(e). the last National Language Forum was held on 26-27 May 2010.

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2034

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 AUGUST 2010 [IQP No 19 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

Question 2034   Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether the Government will initiate a seeds-for-needs programme to benefit rural inhabitants to access new strains of seeds that are produced at gene banks and which are hardier than the traditional varieties of seeds; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2373E

 

REPLY

 

Currently, the Department manages a programme on conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture (PGRFA).  This includes the collection, characterisation and storage of indigenous or traditional varieties at the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC) or national Gene Bank. 

 

The mandate of the NPGRC is to provide a risk management strategy to counter genetic erosion of indigenous landrace plant genetic material.  Currently, this mandate excludes research and therefore the Gene Bank does not produce any new varieties.  Research institutions may however access stored material for research purposes (which may include the development of new varieties).  Material is transferred under the terms of a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) which outlines the terms of use of the material.  The use of the NPGRC material is key to ensure the elucidation of potentially useful characteristics towards the development of new and useful varieties.

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1972

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 30 JULY 2010 [IQP No 18 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

Question 1972 for written reply, National Assembly:  Ms D. Carter (COPE) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 

(1)        Whether her department is taking any steps to assist farmers to produce adequate food at affordable prices to meet the country’s demands; if not, why not; if so,

 

(2)        how will her department ensure that the recent ruling on fertilizer pricing handed down against a certain entity (name furnished) by the Competition Tribunal will immediately benefit farmers by cutting their input costs? NW2356E

 

REPLY:

 

(1)     Yes, the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries is taking steps to assist farmers to produce food at affordable prices to meet the country’s demands.

 

The recent ruling by the Competition Tribunal implies the removal of the distortions (abuse of domination and price discrimination practices) in the fertilizer market. One aspect of the ruling is that the behavioral undertakings of the company found guilty of abuse of domination and price discrimination will be monitored. It is trusted that the monitoring aspect will ensure that the fertilizer market is free and prices are determined by market forces. On the basis that the domestic fertilizer market is unregulated, the DAFF does not have the power to determine or influence the market prices of fertilizers. However, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) monitors the costs of agricultural inputs, including fertilizer costs, on a regular basis. By the beginning of 2010, the NAMC reported that the prices of fertilizers were decreasing, some at a double digit rate

 

(2)     DAFF will continue to work closely with the NAMC to monitor fertilizer and other input cost trends.

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION 1964

WRITTEN REPLY

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 26 JULY 2010 [IQP No 17 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

Question 1964 for written reply: National Assembly, MS D. Carter (COPE) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 

(1)        Whether there are any plans/programmes in place to actively counteract the threat to food production and food security by water pollution caused by effluent drainage from mining operations; if not, why not; if so,

(2)        Whether there has been any interaction with the Department of Water Affairs in order to remedy the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)        whether any steps have been taken to deal with the concerns of the European Union regarding grain exports from South Africa and the toxicity of water; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2352E

 

REPLY

 

1. The legislation for mitigation of the impact on water pollution by mining activities and other activities lies within the mandates of the Department of Water Affairs and the Department of Minerals and Energy. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries participates in the various forums that the two Departments have established and provides advice on issues relating to the threat to food production and food security by these activities.

 

2. There is interaction between the DAFF and the DWA to address these and other issues relating to the use of water by the sector.

 

3. South Africa imports grains for animal feed. The grains that South Africa produces for human consumption are not genetically modified (GM) free which is not according to EU requirements.

According to international research, the uptake of heavy metals by plant organs such as fruit and seeds (grains included) is minimal due to their low transpiration rates and the fact that they are largely phloem-loaded thus rendering heavy metals generally poorly mobile in the phloem.

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1909

 

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 26 JULY 2010 [IQP No 17 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

 

Question 1909 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr N D du Toit (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1362 of 23 June 2010, any of the members of the anti-poaching unit in the Fisheries Branch currently receive (a) a state pension or (b) any other state grant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what are the relevant details of the grants received in respect of each member and (ii) what is the position with regard to staff employed by the Fisheries Branch whilst they are receiving state grants? NW2296E

 

 

REPLY:

 

a)      Only 4 of the 57 members receive a special pension. These members are                             i. Mongezi Dosi

ii. Melinathi Dyirha

iii. Minnie Mathews and

iv. Mxolisi Mlanjeni.

 

 

b)      No, the members of the anti-poaching unit are not staff employed by the Fisheries Branch but are employed by an independent Service Provider, Manuel Security Services.

i.         N/A

ii.       N/A

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 148

25 AUGUST 2010

  

148. Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

  

 Whether the same number of Public Works job opportunities that were  created in the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament (a) still exist, (b) are filled by workers and (c) are managed at the same cost by the State; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NO2671E 

 

REPLY

 

a)       Five projects were reported as having created EPWP work opportunities under the Environment and Culture Sector (refer to Table 1).       

b)       Five projects were reported as having created EPWP work opportunities under the Infrastructure (refer to Table 2). Soccer City projects were also reported as multi year projects. See table 3           

c)       The column “Gross Num Jobs” in table 1 and 2 shows the number of beneficiaries who were still in those projects as at 30 July 2010 (the closing date for EPWP reporting for quarter 1).

d)       The reported cost is as outlined in the columns, labeled “Annual Budget” and “Expenditure”.

 

The majority of the projects that were carried out as a result of the 2010 Soccer World Cup were major contracts. Those projects were highly machine-intensive - hence not considered as EPWP. However, within those major projects, there were activities that were carried out labour intensively, e.g., paving, waste collection and beautification of parks, those kinds of projects were reported under the EPWP

 

 

PROGRAMME NAME	PROJECT STATUS	PROJECT NUMBER	PROJECT NAME	DISTRICT MUNICIPALITYNAME	LOCAL MUNICIPALITY NAME	ANNUAL BUDGET (R)	EXPENDITURE (R)	GROSS NUM JOBS	PROVINCE	MIN DAILY WAGE
Labour Intensive Programme	Completed	GPENV86700/305	JCP KK 2010: Dhlamini Park	Johannesburg Metro	Joburg Metro	10 000 000		16	Gauteng	90
People and Parks	Completed	GPENV710348	Fountains Circle 2010 Flagship Beautification	City of Tshwane Metro	Tshwane Metro	4 000 000	4 000 000	244	Gauteng	85
Working on Waste	On hold	NATENV(DEA)DEAT1/2000/1693	LP - 2010 Polokwane Waste Collection	Capricorn	Polokwane	4 000 000	1 268 214	251	Limpopo	70
Working on Waste	Implementation (ends September 2010)	NATENV(DEA)DEAT1/2000/1688	NW - 2010 Rustenburg Waste Collection	Bojanala	Rustenburg	1 680 000	1 106 080	173	North West	90
Working on Waste	Implementation(Ends September 2010)	NATENV(DEA)DEAT1/2000/1680	FS - 2010 Mangaung Waste Collection Project	Motheo	Mangaung	4 000 000	896 766	252	Free State	70

 Table 1: 2010 EPWP reported work opportunities: ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE

 

   

 Table 2: 2010 EPWP reported work opportunities: INFRASTRUCTURE

 

PROJECT NAME	PROJECT STATUS	DEPARTMENT	PROVINCE	ANNUAL BUDGET	EXPENDITURE	GROSS NUM JOBS	MIN DAILY WAGE
Rustenburg 2010 City Beautification	Nearing Completion	Rustenburg	NW	R 5,000,000.00	R 4,200,000.00	219	R 65.00
2010 TRAINING VENUES	Completed	Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan	EC	R 46,784,378.71	R 46,784,378.71	41	R 82.65
Nasrec SPTN and Precint 2010	Implementation	City of Johannesburg Metropolitan	GP	R 31,287,475.00	R 10,740,780.00	1,018	R 90.00
JRA EPWP 2010 Project	Nearing Completion	City of Johannesburg Metropolitan	GP	R 2,230,521.00	R 1,541,400.00	261	R 90.00
Oudtshoorn: R/MT 101/2010 - Routine road maintenance	Implementation	WC - Transport and Public Works	WC	R 818,981.91	R 108,731.76	21	R 72.00

 

 

Table 3 : Infrastructure: Soccer City Projects

 

PUBLIC BODY	PROJECT NAME	PROJECT AMOUNT	FINANCIAL YEAR	WO
City of Joburg	Soccer City construction of FNB stadium	R 850,692,000	08/09	3987
City of Joburg	Soccer City construction of FNB stadium		09/10	19441
City of Joburg	Soccer City construction of FNB stadium		10/11	8329

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 131

25 August 2010

 

131.  Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

What (a) were the (i) details and (ii) highlights of his recent meeting with the Black Engineering Council, (b) agreements were made and (c) are the outstanding matters?      

           

Reply

 

To the best of my knowledge, no such organization exists and as such no meeting has taken place.

 

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 24 AUGUST 2010

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION 125

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY

 

 125.  Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(1)     Whether her department will meet its target to introduce 10 000 GWh to the electricity grid by 2013 through renewable energy sources; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2)     What (i) is the contribution of renewable energy sources currently, (ii) are the relevant details of these sources and (b) how many independent power producers (IPPs) contribute to the grid;

(3)     What is the status regarding the establishment of the independent sales and marketing offices to facilitate the contribution of IPPs to the grid?   NO2646E

                    

REPLY

(1)       Over the last six years, the Department has been developing and implementing various instruments to create an enabling environment conducive for the deployment and commercial implementation of renewable energy technologies. The target will be reached as the Department has embarked on the following:

·         New Generation Capacity Regulations promulgated in 2009 which will enable the procurement of power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) including those using renewable energy sources. These regulations define the institutional arrangement within which this procurement must be controlled. The afore-mentioned regulations are expected to expedite the procurement process of the IPPs  as well as ensure that all future electricity plans are streamlined to correspond with the country’s position on primary energy mix in general; clean energy power production is also prioritized.

·         It is also anticipated that through the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (REFIT) (Phase 1 and 2), there will be an increased uptake of the renewable energy projects.

·         The Department also made provision for Renewable Energy contribution to the energy mix for 2013 period through the Integrated Resource Plan 1 wherein the funding associated with this plan was also approved by the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA).

·         Eskom has an allocation of about R 7 Billion to procure power from IPPs between 2010 – 2012, with these elements in place, we are confident that the more than 6000 Mw of renewable energy projects in the pipeline will exceed the 10 000 GigaWatt hour (GWh) target.

(2)(a) (i) It was reported at the Renewable Energy Summit  of 2009, that as of March 2009, less than 10% has been achieved.

(ii)   The sources are hydro, landfill gas and wind.

     (2)(b) There are 6 Renewable Energy IPPs which were supported by the Department of Energy under the Renewable Energy Finance and Subsidy office that contribute to the grid.

     (3)      A working group comprising various affected government departments was established to facilitate the establishment of Independent Systems and Market Operator (ISMO). Different proposals were made to the IMC on the structure of the proposed ISMO. The department is currently preparing a Cabinet Memorandum, requesting Cabinet approval of the proposed ISMO structure, including the draft Bill for facilitating its establishment.  Phase one of the proposed structure (ring-fenced business unit within Eskom) is expected to be in operation not later than December 2010.

 

                           

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 24 AUGUST 2010

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION 124

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY

 

 124.     Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

 

(1)   Whether her department will meet its goal of universal access to electricity for all schools by the end of 2010 through grid and non-grid technologies; if not, (a) why not, (b) how many schools will not be electrified by the target date and (c) when is it anticipated that the school electrification programme will be completed; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2645E

 

Answer

(1)     (a)&(b) The Department will by the end of 2010 electrify all the schools meeting criteria for electrification however, there is a list of 445 schools which will not be electrified at the time due to the fact that these schools are either mud structured or farm schools;

 

(c)                 The Department has engaged Department of Basic Education (DBE) with regard to electrification of these schools. As part of DBE strategy to eradicate mud-structured schools, the Department will electrify schools as and when converted into the permanent structure;

 

The challenge with the farm schools is that the DBE struggles to conclude contracts between them and the farmers, these contracts are important as they allow for easy access to farm premises when installing and maintaining the electrical infrastructure that will be created by the Department.

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY ON 25 AUGUST 2010

 

QUESTION NO.: 121

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17 AUGUST 2010

Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development: [Interdepartmental transfer]

(1)        Whether he held  discussions with trade unions on their role with regard to the development of economic policy to address high levels of unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2)        whether an analysis have been undertaken to determine the root causes of unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)        whether he has taken any steps to deal with the root causes of unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what (a) steps and (b) are the further relevant details?                                                                         NO2642E

REPLY

(1)        The Minister of Economic Development has held discussions with trade unions on their role in addressing high levels of unemployment. These discussions took place in the context of how the social partners could respond to the economic crisis through economic interventions and policy. In February 2009, organized business, organized labour, community and the government concluded the Framework for South Africa’s Response to the International Economic Crisis. This agreement came out of deliberation between the social partners in the Presidential Economic Joint Working Group and then the National Economic and Development Labour Council (NEDLAC).

 

This agreement identifies a role for the trade unions in the development of economic policy to address high unemployment. It commits the social partners to engage further in a number of areas including investment in public infrastructure, industrial and trade policy measures, employment measures, social measures and global coordination. This includes meetings in the appropriate sector-level forums to develop proposals and packages to assist distressed sectors; work on funding companies in distress; EPWP; the Training Layoff Scheme; policy and implementation thereof to create decent work in the green economy; measures to enhance funding by DFIs and private sector banks; enhancing food accessibility and affordability.

 

The Minister of Economic Development has continued to engage the trade unions to improve employment outcomes after this agreement was signed through his role as chair of the Leadership Task Team. The Economic Development Department (EDD) convened the Leadership Task Team, comprising principals of labour, government, business and community, to oversee the implementation of the Framework for South Africa’s Response to the International Economic Crisis. The Leadership Task Team oversees the work of the officials responsible for implementation, takes decisions and guides future activities. The Leadership Task Team met 11 times from July 2009 to July 2010. The dates of these meetings were 3 July, 17 July, 31 July, 21 August, 4 September, 18 September, 6 October, 5 November and 1 December in 2009, and 31 March and 2 July in 2010.

 

(2)        An analysis of the root causes of unemployment has been undertaken. The main causes lie in the structures of production, ownership and settlement established under apartheid, which effectively marginalized much of the population in order to generate cheap labour. Examples include the establishment of townships and informal settlements far from economic centres; the denial of formal training and qualifications to African workers; and the resettlement of and denial of credit to black entrepreneurs. With the decline in labour absorption across the economy from the late 1970s, the result was rising unemployment. It follows that achieving a more equitable and inclusive economy will require substantial shifts in economic and social structures.

 

In the recent past, the overvaluation of the currency associated with excessive dependence on short-run capital inflows has reduced the competitiveness of local production. Government is committed to addressing this problem, as well as the bottlenecks in skills and infrastructure that contribute to a less efficient economy overall. Unless we also vigorously pursue a more equitable and diversified economy through employment-oriented industrial and rural-development policies, however, we will not ensure a sustained decline in joblessness.

 

(3)        Various government policies aim to support employment creation. My Department is in the process of developing a strategy to refine the relevant programmes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY NO  118  (NO2639E)

 

 

 

Question Asked by:      Mr IM Ollis

 

Question Asked to:       Minister of Labour

 

Whether his department intends replacing the current information communication technology software of the Compensation Fund; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details?                                                              NO2639E

 

The Minister’s reply

 

The Compensation Fund’s information systems are being replaced by two systems. These are a financial system to manage the money-in and out process, and a claims management system for claims processing. According to the projected timeframes, these are scheduled for deployment at the beginning of the next financial year.

 

 

PARLAMENTARY QUESTION NO 117 ( NO2638E)

Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:

Whether his department made any findings on the wages earned by temporary employees of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?    NO2638E

 Minister of Labour replied:

 

             The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is an existing programme of government. A ministerial determination that provides for conditions of employment was first made in 2002. The programme has been implemented since 2004 and during the first phase of the then called Special Public Works Programmes (SPWP) implemented from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009, the Ministerial Determination and the Code of Good Practice that accompanied it, did not regulate minimum wages for the EPWP. There was therefore no need to make any findings on minimum wages and thus not on minimum wages for persons in temporary employment since the EPWP was never intended to be full time employment.

            

             The second phase of the EPWP lead by Department of Public Works started on 1 April 2009.  A report was presented to NEDLAC by the Department of Public Works with a request to review the Code of Good Practice and the Determination as well as to investigate the establishment of a minimum wage. The review of the Ministerial determination and the establishment of a minimum wage is a Department of Labour competency and I referred the matter to the Employment Conditions Commission who has concluded its deliberations. The process at NEDLAC on the amendment of the Code of Good practice however has not been finalized. Even in the context of establishing a minimum wage in the sector, it is important to note that EPWP employment was never intended to displace full time or permanent employment and thus it is not necessary to look at earnings of temporary employees in the EPWP.

It further is important to note that the current ministerial determination that is in place does not regulate minimum wages and without stating the obvious, there is no minimum wage that is applicable in the EPWP programme. Wages therefore is agreed upon between employers and employees. The current process of amending the determination seeks to address this issue and when the consultation process at NEDLAC is concluded it is envisaged that the proposed amendments to the Ministerial Determination will set a minimum wage that would be applicable to all EPWP programmes.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 116

25 AUGUST 2010

 

116.       Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

(1)        What role did his department play in respect of the R500 million rental agreements entered into between SA Police Service and a certain company (name furnished) for the rental of the Middestad Sanlam Centre;

 

(2)  whether he considered any other rental agreements with other property owners prior to entering into the agreement; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?             NO2637E

 

 

REPLY

 

(1) There is an ongoing investigation to ascertain in specific terms, the role the department played in this lease.

 

 (2) No, the lease in question was concluded under the negotiated procedure. The reasons for not utilizing alternative acquisition procedures are part of the current investigation into the rental agreement.

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 112         25 AUGUST 2010

 

 

112. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

 

 (1)  What job categories currently fall under the scope of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP);

 

 (2)  whether his department has any plans to extend the scope of the types of work that is done under the EPWP; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2632E

 

Reply

 

1. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is implemented under 4 sectors, namely Infrastructure, Social, Environment and Culture, and Non- State.  Non-State activities are implemented by Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs), such as Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and other Community-Based Organisations (CBOs).

 

The categories reported to DPW for each sector are shown in Table 1.  The notes below the table explain the categories in more detail. The programmes in bold are flagship programmes.

 

2. The EPWP Unit at the Department is currently engaging different state owned entities and government departments to look at possible areas of expansion.  The entities engaged thus far are SANRAL, ESKOM, CSIR and the Department of Water Affairs.  Extension of EPWP work in the Social Sector is being advanced by including expansion areas such as the Adult Mass Literacy Programme (Kha Ri Gude), Child & Youth Care, School Sports (Mass Participation Programme and School Caretakers). Engagements with relevant implementation partners to ensure EPWP compliance and support are underway

 

Table 1: Expanded Public Works Programme Job Categories

Infrastructure Sector	Social Sector	Environment and Culture	Non State
Contractor Development	Advocacy Programme	Asisebenze Poverty Alleviation Programme	Community Based Care
EPWP Provincial	Basic Pharmacy Assistant	Capacity Building & Environmental Education	NGO (volunteers)
EPWP Upscaling	Child and Youth Care Worker Programme	Community Participation	Alien Clearing
Facilities & Infrastructure Development Programme	Community Based Services	Job Creation Ward 43 Operating	Land Care
Housing Delivery	Community Counselor	Mass Participation	Community Works Programme
Labour Based Construction Programme	Community Development Workers	Overall electrical upgrade	Road Maintenance
Labour Intensive Programme	Community Safety	People and Parks	ECD
National Youth Service	Drop in Centre Programme	School Sport Mass Participation Programme	HCBC
NYS Provincial	Early Childhood Development	Siyadlala	Grass cutting
Subsidised Housing	Enrolled Nursing Assistant	Sustainable Land Based (CASP)
UISP (Construction of VIP toilets)	High Transmission Area Project (Peer Educators Programme)	Sustainable Land Based (Land Care)
Vuk'uphile	Home Community Based Care	Sustainable Land Based (Working for land)
	Home Community Based Care Isibindi Programme	Sustainable Land Based (Working for Water)
	Home Community Based Care Learnerships	Sustainable Land Based (Working for Wetlands)
	Hospice	Sustainable Land Based (Working on Fire)
	HTA	URP Cleaning of Public Open Spaces
	Khusela Abahlali Community Based Crime Prevention Project	Working for the Coast
	Multipurpose Centre Programme	Working for Tourism
	National School Nutrition	Working for Tourism (Investing in Culture)
	NGO	Working on Waste
	Nursing auxiliary
	PLHA
	School Nutrition Programme
	Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme
	Sport & Recreation
	Tourism Safety Monitors
	VCT
	Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrade
	Youth Care Workers NYS

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY NO 111 (NO2631E)

___________________________________________________________________

 

 

Question Asked By:                  Mr A Louw

 

Question Asked To:                  Minister of Labour

 

 

Question:

 

1. Whether the impact of job losses, especially amongst the youth, has had any effect on his department’s position on the intended Wage subsidy mentioned by the Minister of Finance in his February 2010 Budget Speech; if not, (a) why not, (b) what is the position; if so, what are the details?   
2. Whether the department will have the required capacity to monitor the roll out of the intended Wage Subsidy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

 

 

The Minister’s reply:

 

(1)  Young people have been disproportionally affected by the global crisis that broke out in 2008. Its effect is so serious such that unless action is taken, the situation of youth unemployment can become unsustainable putting social cohesion at risk. In some circles this problem is often colloquially referred to as “a greatest ticking time bomb”.

 

According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the country’s unemployment rate increased from 25,2 % to 25,3% in the second quarter of 2010, meaning that  about 4,31 million people are officially out of work. The situation is even more serious if one takes into account that some unemployed people have simply given up trying to find work and are referred to as discouraged work-seekers.

 

The inaugural Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Economic Survey of South Africa released on 18 July 2010 indicates that the country had the worst rate of unemployment amongst the youth between the ages of 15 and 24 when compared to all the countries surveyed. Racial disparities were further compounding the matters, with 53,4% of all young black Africans between the ages of 15 and 24 being unemployed by the end of 2009, three times worse than the unemployment rate of 14,5% of young white South Africans. Young people who lack general or vocational education and work experience, are especially vulnerable to the crisis. Many young people who are employed are “overqualified” for the jobs they perform.

 

As part of our intervention to alleviate youth unemployment, we introduced Apprentice, Learnerships, Internship allowances as form of subsidies to learners whilst undergoing training under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The employers also received Tax Allowances under the Income Tax Act administered by SARS. People who participated in the Training of Unemployed people also received a daily allowance. These allowances have since been transferred to the Department of Higher Education and Training with the Skills Development Act functions.

 

(2) I have not yet seen a final proposal on the new proposed Youth Wage Subsidy Scheme that the Minister of Finance nor do I know which Department is going to take sole responsibility in administering the Youth Wage Subsidy.

 

N02631E

 

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY ON 25 AUGUST 2010

 

QUESTION NO.: 110

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17 AUGUST 2010

Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:†

Whether he has identified bottle-necks that hinder economic growth; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?  NO2629E

REPLY

The main bottlenecks hindering economic growth include:

 

(a)     High levels of unemployment;

(b)     Poverty levels: 58% of African households live in poverty (2005)

(c)     Inequality: high and rising income inequality (gini increased from 0.64 to 0.69 in first decade of democracy);

(d)     Rural development: weak economic and social conditions in rural areas;

(e)     The persistence of the spatial geography of apartheid;

(f)      Limited progress in broadening participation in the economy;

(g)      Infrastructure, especially electricity and logistics infrastructure from the centre of the country through to the ports;

(h)     Quality of education and artisan skills;

(i)       Carbon intensity of the economy;

(j)       Economic concentration and rent-seeking behaviour;

(k)     A long-term decline in mining and agriculture employment and insufficient beneficiation of natural resources;

(l)       A low savings rate; and

(m)    An uncompetitive and volatile exchange rate.

 

Government is committed to addressing these bottlenecks within a responsible fiscal framework and without sacrificing our overall goal of a more labour-absorbing, green economy.

 

 

 

PARLIAMENTRY QUESTION   NO 109 (NO2628E)

Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Labour:†

Whether he is considering a sunset clause to terminate affirmative action (a) in general and (b) in respect of white people who have matriculated after 1994; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?                                      NO2628E

 Minister of Labour replied:

(a) No, I am not considering a sunset clause to terminate affirmative action both  generally and in respect of white people who have matriculated after 1994. The main aim of the Employment Equity Act is to address imbalances in the workplace by eliminating unfair discrimination, introducing affirmative action measures for the equitable representation of the designated groups at all occupational levels and categories. In addition, employers are called upon to diversify their workplaces.

(b) As reflected in the recently published 10th CEE Annual Report, there is still a massive underrepresentation of designated groups in the workplace, particularly in the private sector. In line with international trends, government still views affirmative action as a necessary and appropriate tool in addressing these imbalances and disparities in the workplace. In light of these prevailing inequalities, any debate about a sunset clause to terminate affirmative action is irrelevant and very pre-mature.

END

 

 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY ON 25 AUGUST 2010

 

QUESTION NO.: 107

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17 AUGUST 2010

 

Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether there have been any economic benefits derived from the successful hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament; if not, (a) why not and (b) how are the funds spent on infrastructure and stadia justified; if so, (i) what are the short and long term benefits that have been indentified and (ii) what are the further relevant details?                                                                          NO2626E

REPLY

Yes. The main industries that benefited directly are construction services and inputs, both for the stadiums and for public transport, highways and airports, in particular; and tourism services, which include transport, accommodation, restaurants and other entertainment venues, and arts and crafts. In addition, broadcast services and other journalistic activities and employment in private security have benefited. Finally, producers of branded clothing, vuvuzelas and makarapas have benefited, although the country has struggled to keep out counterfeit goods.

 

Estimates by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) suggest that the infrastructure investments associated with the World Cup, including in stadiums and public transport, created some 300 000 employment opportunities. Infrastructure spending alone ranged from a 0,5% increase in growth due to the stadiums alone to over 2% if public transport infrastructure is included. Estimates on tax earnings from tourism alone come to around R1 billion. The broader long-term stimulus to the GDP should increase tax revenues by around R1,5 billion a year. The longer-term impact is expected to be on the order of 0,5% a year, based on the experience of other host countries. Spending by tourists in 2010 alone is estimated to be R8 billion, increasing the GDP by 0,54%.

 

Grant Thornton estimates on the impact of the World Cup are very similar. In April, the company anticipated half a percent growth in GDP resulting from World Cup tourism alone, with a significantly higher effect if government spending is included. It also expected the World Cup to sustain 280 000 jobs in 2010 alone.

 

In his speech to Parliament on August 18, the President noted a host of benefits from the World Cup to the nation:

Government recorded that more than 1.4 million foreigners visited the country during the tournament… 

It is estimated that half a billion viewers around the world watched the opening ceremony on 11 June 2010.  That was the most powerful marketing opportunity for this young democracy. It was worth every penny spent on the tournament.

With regards to the economic impact, South Africa has demonstrated that it has the infrastructure and the capability to warrant serious investment consideration. It is still too early for a precise indication of the benefits the 2010 World Cup will have on our economy. 
However, it is clear that a healthy return on investment is expected on the R33 billion spent on transport infrastructure, telecommunications and stadiums.  It is estimated the tournament will add 0.4% to the country's real Gross Domestic Product.

Another important factor is that the successful hosting of the event, in the midst of a global economic downturn, clearly proves the economic prowess of the country. 
We have earned the reputation of a country that can deliver on its undertakings. 
The World Cup now opens the country to further investment, growth in trade and economic opportunities… 

We reiterate that we view the tournament not as an end in itself, but as a catalyst for development, whose benefits will be felt long after the final whistle…
Public transport formed the backbone of our transport plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and one of the greatest successes of the tournament. Our integrated transport infrastructure and networks will improve the lives of South Africans for many years to come. The World Cup legacy will ensure that by 2020, more than 85% of any city’s population will live within a kilometre or closer to an Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network feeder or corridor.

 

The impact on the country’s tourism sector cannot be over-estimated. Tourism establishments in areas that were not usually frequented by tourists were patronised by visitors who may recommend these to their families and friends back home.
Small establishments which would otherwise never have had the need to be graded, are now graded and are registered with the Tourism Council.

 

The World Cup was particularly important because they had a counter-cyclical impact, with peak investments during the international economic downturn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 24 AUGUST 2010

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

QUESTION 103

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY

 

 103.  Mr E J Lucas (IFP) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(1)     Whether the Interministerial Committee on Energy has a time-frame in which to examine independent power producers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2)     whether she intends establishing a policy to protect the poor from rising electricity prices before Eskom implements their forthcoming price increase; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?        NO2620E

        

REPLY

(1)     The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was established to look at different mechanisms of meeting the electricity demand.  The IMC was given until June 2010 while acknowledging that some projects might take longer than expected.  Through the different working groups, proposals were considered by the IMC, including the review of the electricity regulatory framework to attract private sector participation and assumptions for the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2). In relation to the regulatory framework, new legislation and regulations were proposed to facilitate independent private generation into the national grid.

The last IMC will be in August but it was acknowledged that the amendment of the Electricity Regulation Act, the ISMO Establishment Bill and revised regulations will take longer. The Department of Energy will lead the processing of the Bills to Cabinet going forward. The IMC assisted with the identification of the blockages and the mechanisms for resolving these challenges.

Whilst the IMC might have been focussed on energy issues, it also included issues that affected and were led by other departments such as National Treasury and Department of Public Enterprises.

 

(2)     The Electricity Pricing Policy (EPP) provides for the protection of indigent households against high electricity tariffs through the introduction of a life-line tariff (Free Basic Electricity). Furthermore, the regulator has implemented the inclining block tariff to alleviate the impact of higher tariffs on the poor. We recognize that at this stage the “poverty net” will be effective in areas where conventional rather than prepaid meters are used, and there are considerations to increase the net to those areas using prepaid meters. 

It must also be indicated that the poverty net goes beyond what is being done in the energy sector only – other government anti-poverty support programmes need to be mentioned, including social grants, the provision of solar water heating etc. This also assists in ensuring that the adverse impact of rising electricity tariffs is mitigated in relation to the poor.

These considerations are a matter of consultation between government, business and civil society at Nedlac, and we hope to reach a common resolution before the end of the financial year.

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO  102  (NO. 2619E)

 

Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(1)        When will the proposals to subsidise the cost of hiring young school-leavers as workers, as referred to in a certain article (copy furnished) be tabled;

(2)        Whether a youth skills database has been established; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)        Whether he intends establishing a service corps for unemployed youth; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

 

Minister of Labour replied:

 

1.         The proposal around a Youth Wage Subsidy Scheme came from the National Treasury .

2.         Within the Department of Labour we have developed the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system that amongst others contain data of those young people and unemployed or underemployed people who came to register in any of our offices as work-seekers. Through this system, we are able to refer work-seekers for careers counselling and guidance, to skills development opportunities and to work opportunities.

3.         For years, when skills development was under the Department of Labour, we worked with other Departments including the Department of Defence and Youth bodies such as Umsobomvu Youth Fund in establishing various youth employment schemes to address youth unemployment. As for the Service Corps Project, the Minister of Defense is best placed to provide details with regard to its inception and progress in that regard.