1. Ms M L Dunjwa (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
In view of the latest national survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) which indicates that the knowledge levels and awareness of HIV protection among key population groups like the youth have slowly been declining, can he, as Chairperson of the SA National Aids Council (SANAC), assure the country that a national communications campaign is to be launched in order to increase knowledge and awareness among young persons in particular, as part of our national response to (a) HIV/Aids and (b) tuberculosis? NO1704E
REPLY
Honourable Member, the South African National AIDS Council deliberated on the findings of the HSRC report and in particular noted the findings, one of which points out the declining levels of knowledge. In response to this concerning finding, the SANAC Plenary took a conscious decision on the need to develop a comprehensive communications strategy. The SANAC Secretariat has been tasked with ensuring that a comprehensive behaviour change communication strategy is developed, costed and implemented through the various sectors and government departments.
It is important to highlight that there is on-going communication on HIV, TB and the social determinants thereof through other campaigns such as the ZAZI campaign which focuses on young women and girls - this campaign was launched in 2013. Another campaign to note is led by the men’s sector and addresses issues of violence against women and girls. These and other campaigns are spearheaded by their respective lead departments and civil society groups working closely with communities.
I have been informed that the Department of Health has already started work on a comprehensive strategy which will be launched in the near future. SANAC continues to mobilize resources for our communication campaign and recently the Global Fund awarded South Africa a grant for the implementation of a behaviour change communication strategy with a special focus on girls.
Provincial AIDS Councils continue to raise awareness on HIV and risky sexual practices such as the campaign which addresses intergenerational sex led by the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
I thank you.
2. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether, with reference to the reply by the Minister in The Presidency to question 441 on 22 July 2014, he, as the Leader of Government Business, will make known to the National Assembly the terms and targets of the performance agreements with Ministers in the Cabinet, outlining what each department will do to deliver on the programme of action; if not, why not; if so, on what date? NO1706E
REPLY
Honourable Maimane, as explained by the Minister in The Presidency, Minister Jeff Radebe, in his Reply to a similar Parliamentary Question last week, Cabinet recently approved the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), for the period 2014 to 2019.
The MTSF sets out priorities for this term of government. Accordingly, the President is now engaging Ministers and setting targets for each Ministry based on the Medium Term Strategic Framework which has been made public.
Honourable Members, let me put it on record that the performance agreements are in fact a mechanism for the President to structure his expectations of each member of Cabinet based on the electoral mandate which set delivery priorities. In other words, these agreements are about the relationship between the President and his Cabinet.
However, these do not substitute existing legal and Constitutional instruments designed to manage the performance and accountability of Members of the Executive. To the extent that Parliament holds the Executive accountable in terms of programme implementation, there are Departmental Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans and budgets which are approved by this Parliament. These should and are being used by Parliament to hold the Executive to account.
In addition, because of our emphasis on increased and better inter-governmental coordination, Cabinet will have the opportunity to discuss these performance agreements with Ministers annually. This arrangement takes into account the reality that no department can succeed on its own, without tighter coordinating with other departments within and across Clusters.
I thank you.
3. Mr J S Malema (EFF) to ask the Deputy President:
How does he reconcile his testimony before the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, including his characterisation of the unfolding events as a mineworkers’ strike having gone beyond a labour dispute and the resultant death of 34 striking mineworkers on 16 August 2012 at Marikana, with any of the Government’s interventions up to now to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the Marikana tragedy? NO1707E
REPLY
Honourable Malema, there is no correlation between my testimony before the Farlam Commission of Inquiry and government’s interventions following the Marikana tragedy.
The interventions of government sought to assist the families of all 44 people who died, to establish the facts about what happened at Marikana, to address the social and economic conditions in mining communities, and to address challenges in the mining sector more broadly.
Following the Marikana tragedy, President Jacob Zuma established a commission of inquiry chaired by Judge Farlam to investigate matters of public, national and international concern arising out of the tragic incidents in Marikana between 11 and 16 August 2012. In addition, the president set up the Inter-Ministerial Committee which is now chaired by Minister Jeff Radebe.
Under the leadership of former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, a Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry was entered into by labour, business and government.
The agreement seeks to address a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:
- accelerating the process of transformation and beneficiation;
- eliminating negative social and economic legacies and empowering workers;
- accelerating efforts to upgrade human settlements in mining towns by all spheres of government;
- accelerating implementation of processes to transform the migrant labour system.
This process is now being led by the President.
As stated above, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Revitalisation of Distressed Mining Communities was established and is now being led by the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Jeff Radebe.
Implementation of the Presidential Package under the guidance of this IMC is underway to build housing and other services to revitalise mining towns as part of the October 2012 agreement between business, government and labour. The focus is the mining areas of Motlosana, Emalahleni, Sekhukhune, Lephalale, West Rand and Matjhabeng.
In the Bojanala Platinum Complex, the North West Provincial government has set aside R462 million for housing projects in the mining area of Marikana. Over the next three years, the North West will provide focused technical support on human settlements and a mix of housing opportunities in the mining areas of the Bojanala District.
Rustenburg Municipality provides basic services to eight prioritised informal settlements and Madibeng Municipality to three informal settlements.
During the period June to August 2014, the Department of Social Development and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provided support to informal settlements in the Rustenburg and Madibeng local municipalities.
To further promote improved living conditions for mine workers, government is monitoring the compliance of mining companies with Mining Charter targets relating to improving the living conditions of workers. Government has urged the companies to meet the 2014 deadline for these targets.
I thank you.
4. Mr J L Mahlangu (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
In view of the National Development Plan Vision for 2030, which requires all South Africans to work towards nation-building and social cohesion and the need for a balance to be found between healing the divisions of the past, broadening economic opportunities for black persons in particular and building a sense of inclusion and common purpose among all South Africans, (a) what programmes have been initiated by the Government in order to achieve this goal, (b) what steps will the Government take to ensure that in the process of building a cohesive society, diverse identities that manifest themselves through cultural practices and languages do not disappear and (c) what plans are in place to ensure that the private sector also contributes meaningfully towards nation-building and social cohesion programmes? NO1705E
REPLY
Honourable Members, there are a number of ways in which government contributes to the promotion of social cohesion. Government invests significantly towards providing universal access to quality health care, education and training, clean water and adequate sanitation as well as in reversing apartheid geography and strengthening the social wage.
Taking the education example, 86% of our schools have been declared no-fee schools, and over 9 million learners are fed at school through the National School Nutrition Programme.
Secondly, the economy must grow and at least 11 million jobs must be created by 2030. Initiatives here include supporting local suppliers for the infrastructure programme; 3 Special Economic Zones must have been proclaimed; 250 investment projects facilitated and the Export Council needs to develop African export markets.
Mass economic and cultural redress must be effected. This would include land restitution and redistribution; employment equity and Black economic empowerment and the production of stories that facilitate healing, nation building and dialogue.
Thirdly, the sharing of common space across race, space and class must be enabled through instituting sustained community dialogues, improving public spaces and services and elevating sports both at a community and at schools levels.
Fourthly, constitutional values must be fostered so as to help forge a new South African identity. Initiatives identified in the Medium Term Strategic Framework include establishing Constitutional Monday and inculcating the Bill of Responsibilities in learners and reciting the Preamble of the Constitution at School Assembly.
Lastly, all of society must come together to craft and implement a social compact that should help propel South Africa onto a higher developmental trajectory as well as build a more cohesive and equitable society.
The compact should outline how each social partner seeks to ensure that the National Development Plan and vision is realised. In addition, the National Planning Commission and its secretariat are talking to business and civil society about uniting behind the NDP.
Honourable Members, Parliament is called upon to join this national effort by ensuring that national unity and economic inclusion remain the strategic goal in its engagements with the Executive, stakeholders and the public.
I thank you.
