13. Mr K B Manamela (African National Congress (ANC)to ask the Deputy President:
(1) With reference to a recent World Bank report (details furnished), what interventions (a) has he put in place and (b) does he intend to put in place to ensure (i) greater social unity and (ii) cohesion in the economy in terms of race, class and gender;
(2) whether he has found that a prolonged slow transformation and development rate will exacerbate inequalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
The World Bank report in question that the Honourable Member refers to, released in July 2012, focuses on those factors that affect life chances for the majority of our people, particularly those that were previously disadvantaged. Sadly, in our society, these circumstances are largely personal and family-related.
An equitable society should not allow circumstances over which the individual has no control to influence her or his basic opportunities after birth. Unfortunately, at the moment whether a person is born a boy or a girl, black or white, in a township or suburb, to educated and well-off parents or otherwise is very relevant to whether or not they reach their full potential.
On the other hand there are those factors that we can and should influence that provide an individual the opportunity to advance and reach their human potential, including improved chances of employment and earnings later on in life as adults. These are access to quality education, health care and essential services such as water and electricity.
Informed by the Constitutional, historical and political imperatives, our policies have consistently since 1994 pursued the triple goals of equity, access, and quality. We have achieved access in varying degrees in some areas although there is still room for improvement with respect to quality.
Therefore, we are of the firm belief that this is the critical path we need to follow towards greater social unity and cohesion in the economy in terms of race, class and gender.
With regard to the second part of the question, I have not conducted any studies to determine whether a prolonged, slow transformation and development rate will exacerbate inequalities.
I thank you.
14. The Leader of the Opposition (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Deputy President:
With reference to his reply to question 11 on 15 August 2012, (a) what are the several issues that organised business and labour have raised that require further discussion and (b) what date has been set for the Cabinet decision on the implementation of a youth wage subsidy?
Reply
Honourable Member, since I last addressed this issue in the National Assembly earlier this month, the process that I outlined then remains on track.
Furthermore, it would not be advisable for us to debate in this House the details of the discussions that are taking place in National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) before NEDLAC itself concludes such discussions and submits a report to Cabinet.
Cabinet has agreed that the process at NEDLAC should be fast- tracked and finalised and that specifics of a multi-pronged youth strategy be developed before it proceeds with new measures.
I thank you.
15. Mr M G P Lekota (Congress of the People) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government intends to implement measures to (a) respond to grievances of communities, (b) encourage disgruntled citizens to participate in constructive solutions to matters causing protest action and (c) prevent violent and destructive protests; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, in each case, what (i) measures and (ii) are the further relevant details?
Honourable Member, government supports and respects the right of people to express themselves through peaceful means – whether these be mass protests, marches, pickets or any form of peaceful demonstration.
Our Constitution and other laws of the land promote active citizenship by providing opportunities for people to participate in policy development and other matters that concern their lives.
At the same time, those engaging in mass demonstration have a duty to ensure that their action is peaceful and does not result in the violation of the rights of those who may choose not to be part of the action or who may hold different views.
It is of concern to us if violence is becoming normalised to the extent that it is considered to be a viable and legitimate way of resolving problems and asserting or protecting one’s interests.
Our efforts are aimed at strengthening our capacity as a nation to live, work and develop together. This can be achieved through improving individual attitudes and actions, based on respect for the rule of law and shared values, and a commitment to a strong social fabric.
I thank you.
16. Mr X Mabasa (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What measures are being put in place by the Government to contribute to (a) rail, (b) road, (c) maritime and (d) information technology infrastructure development with a view to achieving greater economic and social development across the African continent?
Reply
The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission has identified, as its 17th Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP), Regional Integration for Africa Cooperation and Development.
The objective of SIP 17 is to strengthen regional socio-economic development and intra-continental linkages through partnering with other African economies on infrastructure development.
The project focuses primarily on transport, water, energy and logistics infrastructure. SIP 17 will complement the Free Trade Area to create a market of 600 million people in South, Central and East Africa.
While focus has been on obtaining funding for South Africa’s infrastructure programme as driven by State-Owned Companies, government, through the Department of Public Enterprises as the lead department, has recently undertaken a number of measures to position them to contribute to the development of infrastructure on the Continent.
Based on lessons learnt in the past, a new engagement framework is thus being developed to guide and catalyse State-Owned Companies’ involvement in infrastructure projects.
The framework will provide a clear funding model and a process of building mutually beneficial relationships between our State-Owned Companies and partner countries on the Continent.
For instance, Eskom, Transnet and South African Airways have established business teams focused on developing African strategies.
In respect of information and communication technology, government is focused on establishing broadband Infraco’s core business in South Africa while at the same time providing interconnectivity within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This will be achieved with the roll-out of broadband infrastructure in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West and will therefore enable international connectivity to the West African Cable System. Currently Infraco is connecting two clients in the SADC region namely Namibia and Botswana.
Our engagements on the Continent aim to foster a strong shared vision on cooperation in infrastructure development, building institutional capacity, funding and a supportive investment and regulatory framework.
I thank you.
