Question 1: Dr H E Mateme (ANC – Limpopo)
(1) Whether the Government has considered the impact of the recent proliferation of attacks against foreign nationals in government’s attempts to foster social cohesion in our communities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether there are concerns regarding the (a) participation of young persons or the so called “born frees” who are currently regarded as socio-culturally cohesive and (b) underlying factors that draw them to take part in these attacks; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any measures are in place to (a) promote socio-cultural cohesiveness in our communities and (b) redress the silent results of economic distress in these areas and the cultural discord between foreign nationals and the communities where they live, especially in the areas that experienced attacks against foreign nationals; if not, why not; if so, what measures?
REPLY
Honourable Members,
Attacks against foreign nationals are a matter of great concern for government and for all South Africans who value tolerance and respect for human rights. Our security services will continue to monitor areas affected by, or likely to be affected by, such violence.
Particular attention will be paid to stabilising areas where violence is manifest. Perpetrators of crimes against foreign nationals will face the full might of the law.
However, to effectively and meaningfully deal with attacks on foreign nationals, we need to increase efforts to promote social cohesion and nation building. Communities that are bound together by a sense of common purpose – which value tolerance and respect – are less likely to be sites of violence against foreign nationals.
These are communities where steady progress is being made in addressing the social and economic needs of the people, the prerequisite for social inclusion. The National Development Plan envisions a nation that accepts peoples’ multiple identities, united in their diversity.
It envisages a nation that is more cohesive and inclusive. It provides a framework for actions that will address poverty, inequality and unemployment, all of which undermine social inclusion. Young people are critical to the success of all these efforts to promote social cohesion.
The Department of Arts and Culture has appointed eminent individuals as ‘Advocates for Social Cohesion’. They have had a number of dialogues with the youth on social cohesion and nation building across the country. The community conversations convened by the department involve youth and vulnerable groups in our society, including foreign nationals.
They exchange knowledge on their histories and explore ways of forging a common identity in a free and democratic society. Government recognises that stopping violence against foreign nationals is a collective effort. We need to affirm the values of our Constitution. We need to build communities that are inclusive and cohesive.
And we need to work harder to address the social and economic needs of all our people.
I thank you.
Question 2: Ms E C van Lingen (DA – EC)
Whether any progress has been made to date by the technical war room established by Cabinet in December 2014 regarding the 5-point plan devised as a turnaround strategy for Eskom to address the energy crisis in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what progress?
REPLY
Honourable Members,
Progress is being made with all the elements of the five point plan adopted by Cabinet last December to address the electricity challenge.
On immediate interventions to improve supply:
Eskom has taken steps to improve the maintenance and operation of its power stations.
These include adherence to planned maintenance schedules and the deployment of senior managers to power stations. Synchronisation of the first unit of the Medupi power station to the grid was successfully started in February. Barring any unexpected delays, is due to provide full power to the grid by the middle of the year.
The war room is facilitating engagements between Eskom and municipalities to improve the management of load shedding.
On the cogeneration of electricity by the private sector:
Regulatory processes are currently underway to renew the existing short-term cogeneration contracts between Eskom and private sector co-generators and entering into new short-term cogeneration contracts.
The Department of Energy is currently running a process of procuring longer-term cogeneration.
The Department has entered into contracts with independent power producers to provide peaking plant power of 1,000 MW, which is currently being built.
It has now managed four procurement processes for renewable energy projects by the private sector, which has resulted in contracts being entered into for 3,900 MW of power, with more than 1,500 MW already on the grid.
On the conversion of the diesel plants to gas:
Plans are being developed to convert Eskom’s existing diesel-powered open cycle turbines to gas.
Under consideration is the import of gas from Mozambique, importing liquefied natural gas, as well as utilising local off-shore and Karoo gas resources.
On the construction of a new private sector coal plant:
The Department of Energy has issued a request for proposals from the private sector for a new coal power station of 2,500 MW.
The Department of Energy will also be issuing a request for information for independent power producer projects to provide 3,000 MW of gas-fired power.
On reducing electricity demand:
The Department has also issued a request for information on possible demand-side options.
The department will be making announcements shortly regarding the award of incentives or subsidies for successful demand side management proposals. The war room has also been engaging with business organisations on mechanisms to reduce and better manage demand. Working together with Eskom and other stakeholders, we are taking decisive action now to reduce the need for load shedding and secure our energy supply into the future.
I thank you.
Question 3: Ms T Motara (ANC – Gauteng)
(1) Whether processes have resumed to establish the SA Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) as envisaged by the 7th Session of the Germany-South Africa Bi-national Commission which was held in Berlin in 2012; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the Germany-South Africa Bi-national Commission had any engagement since then with regard to expanding bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Germany at (a) national, (b) continental and (c) global level; if not, why not; if so, (i) when and (ii) what are the further relevant details;
(3) what mechanisms are in place to advance this shared common interests within or outside the SADPA?
REPLY
Honourable Members,
The South African Development Partnership Agency was established as a government component in 2013 under the authority of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Plans are underway to operationalise the Agency this year. The 8th South Africa-Germany Bi-national Commission was held in Pretoria on 21 November 2014. It was co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The BNC is comprised of nine committees, which are responsible for implementing BNC outcomes and identifying new areas for possible cooperation between our countries.
The Foreign and Security Policy Committee of the BNC includes in its agenda extensive consultations on continental and global issues. Cooperation between South Africa and Germany is ongoing and there will be continuous engagements between the two countries to follow-up on the outcomes of the 8th BNC.
The 9th BNC will be hosted by Germany in 2016. Germany, like other international partners, will be working with South Africa as we expand our development cooperation on the continent.
I thank you.
Question 4: Mr M Khawula (IFP – KZN)
(1) Whether South Africa has signed any bilateral agreements with Russia; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the details regarding the nuclear power agreements between these two countries;
(2) whether such agreements will have a negative impact on the transparent and independent operation of the Board of the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
Honourable Members,
South Africa has signed bilateral agreements with Russia in several areas, including in the area of nuclear energy.
In his 2015 State of the Nation Address, President Zuma indicated that any matters related to the procurement of nuclear energy would be done in an open and transparent manner. As announced by the Department of Energy, South Africa has also signed bilateral agreements on nuclear energy with China, South Korea and France.
The process of signing agreements with the USA, Canada and Japan is at an advanced stage.
The governance of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) is guided by, among others, the Nuclear Energy Act, the Companies Act and the Public Finance Management Act. It would therefore be unaffected by such bilateral agreements.
I thank you.
Question 5: Mr E R Makue (ANC – Gauteng)
(1) Whether the Government (a) has signed or (b) is currently negotiating any bilateral engagements with any countries on energy cooperation and partnerships (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) to what extent will this enhance our national energy sources and infrastructure for sustainable energy and (ii) what are the further relevant details;
(2) whether the Government will consider more bilateral cooperation and partnerships in order to improve and develop a national sustainable energy infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
Honourable Members,
I have been informed by the Department of Energy that it is currently doing an analysis and evaluation of all bilateral agreements on energy which have already been signed with 63 countries. From 1994 until 2009, the energy portfolio was part of the Department of Minerals and Energy and most bilateral agreements involved both minerals and energy.
The department has been requested to disaggregate this information so that the work done by the energy portfolio can be evaluated. The Department of Energy will make this information public as soon as this work is completed.
Government is currently considering further bilateral cooperation and partnership agreements especially with countries within the African continent. The bilateral cooperation and partnerships South Africa is planning to sign are focusing on policy and expert assistance. In some cases pilot projects form part of this cooperation in sustainable energy infrastructure, such as a pilot solar roof top project.
I thank you.
Question 6: Ms C Labuschagne (DA – WC)
What short-term job creation programmes has the Government established in order to combat poverty sustainably?
REPLY
Honourable Members,
In many countries in the world, public employment programmes are an important policy instrument that governments use to create short-term employment programmes for those whose livelihoods are threatened by poverty, structural unemployment, economic recession, natural disasters, job losses or seasonal job demand shortfalls.
In South Africa, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government initiative aimed at addressing the triple challenge of unemployment, inequality and poverty through provision of short term to medium term work opportunities.
To ensure that that the programme is sustainable, the EPWP programmes are designed to equip participants with training and work experience to enhance their ability to earn a living in the future.
Public Employment Programmes under the EPWP cover a wide range of different sectors, including infrastructure, social, environmental and non-governmental.
Since the establishment of EPWP, over 5 million work opportunities have been created. The EPWP achieves far more than providing income to the most needy. It also improves the lives of the poor by providing a wide range of services and assets.
For example, it provides home-based care for the sick and elderly; by removing invasive alien plants it creates better pastures for grazing of cattle; and through better roads, it creates better access to markets, school and clinics. Approximately half of all EPWP participants were unemployed for more than three years prior to working in the EPWP.
The EPWP provides an opportunity for them to work and earn an income.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
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