Audio [mp3]
19 April 2007
Cabinet held its sixth meeting of the year yesterday morning, 18 April 2007,
in Pretoria.
Cabinet approved the establishment of the Broadband Infrastructure Company
(INFRACO) as a state-owned enterprise that will provide electronic
communications network services. The non-core Fixed Services Network (FSN)
assets of Eskom Ltd and Transnet Ltd will be transferred to INFRACO. The
Broadband Infrastructure Company Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the
2007 session. The Minister of Public Enterprises will be the shareholder
Representative.
The meeting approved the transfer of South African Express Airways (Pty) Ltd
(SAX) from Transnet to the state, with the Minister of Public Enterprises as
the shareholder representative. This decision effectively completes Transnet's
turnaround strategy of exiting the aviation sector in order to focus on its
freight operations. The Transfer of South African Express Airways and the South
African Express Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the 2007 session.
Cabinet noted that preparations for the celebration of Freedom Day on 27
April were on track. The President will participate in the national event which
will be held in Bisho on that day. This thirteenth anniversary of the
achievement of our freedom is an occasion for all South Africans to reflect on
the progress they have achieved since 1994 in creating a better life for all,
and overcoming the divisions of the past. It is a time to recognise how much
still needs to be done; and to renew our pledge to work together in a national
partnership to achieve our shared goal of a just, prosperous and united
society.
During this period, the President will be honouring the men and women who
have contributed to the national effort to build a better life for all, for
current and future generations, and who inspire young people. The National
Orders ceremony will be held shortly before Freedom Day, on 24 April, at which
the President will bestow National Orders on these stalwarts in recognition of
their contribution to our democracy.
The meeting received a preliminary report on the National Imbizo Week which
took place from 10 to 17 April. The widespread interaction between the public
and members of the executive in all three spheres of government included over
300 events across the country, involving the President, Deputy President,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and MECs, Mayors and councillors. The
issues canvassed covered a whole range of issues related to the Programme of
Action and service delivery challenges. The interaction confirmed both
appreciation of progress and the need to intensify implementation of government
programmes to improve the lives of our people. We take this opportunity to
thank all South Africans for their participation and invaluable feedback.
Cabinet noted that our preparations for the 15th Session of the United
Nations (UN) Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which will be meeting
in New York from 30 April to 11 May, were on track. The CSD's mandate is to
follow-up, monitor and report on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation that
was adopted at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD). Cabinet noted the need for African countries to develop and adopt a
common position on environmental matters, and to highlight the linkages between
poverty eradication, sustainable development and maintaining the integrity of
the of the natural resource base in the long term. The Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism will spearhead a process of developing South
Africa's position which will incorporate issues covered in the Kyoto Protocol
and the targets set at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable
Development.
The meeting approved the proposal for South Africa to sign the Framework
Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of
Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. This agreement will be submitted to
Parliament for final approval. The Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs
will be the implementing agent.
Cabinet welcomed the agreement by the Government of Sudan to implement the
second phase of the agreement on UN support to the African Union's (AU) Africa
Mission in that country. Cabinet would like to recognise the contribution made
by our President who has worked tirelessly to ensure that peace returns to the
Sudan. The latest positive developments are a critical step for further
progress towards creating conditions for a resolution of the political,
military and humanitarian situation in Darfur, and towards implementation of
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan. South Africa has made and will
continue to make, through our President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, a
meaningful contribution towards promoting peace and stability in that region.
We call upon all Sudanese stakeholders and the International community to
encourage the rebel groups to join the national dialogue as a matter of
urgency.
The meeting welcomed the decision of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government which gave President
Mbeki the mandate to facilitate dialogue between the Zimbabwean government and
the leaders of the opposition. The government, opposition and the people of
Zimbabwe must take advantage of the goodwill shown by the SADC Heads of State
and move speedily towards finding a lasting political solution. The critical
and urgent challenge facing all Zimbabweans is to take the necessary steps to
create an environment that would be conducive for free and fair elections in
2008. Zimbabwe and the whole SADC region need a stable socio-economic and
political climate that would enable the region to attend to the urgent
challenges of economic growth and development of our peoples. Cabinet was
encouraged by the confidence publicly expressed by, amongst others, the
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leadership, in President Mbeki's
appointment as a facilitator.
Cabinet wishes to congratulate the national cricket team on their superb
performance in the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday when they defeated the English
cricket team and qualified for the semi-finals. We are confident that our boys
will display the same excellence and courage in the next stage of the
tournament. We call upon all South Africans to continue to give the Proteas
enthusiastic support as they face the next hurdle on their way to winning the
Cricket World Cup. We, on behalf of all South Africans, would like to wish the
Proteas the best of luck in their next match against Australia.
The following appointments were approved:
* One Deputy Director-General (DDG) in the Department of Housing (Mr JM
Leshabane)
* Two DDGs in the Department of Labour (Ms SP Zondeki and Mr S Morotoba)
* Mr TB Seruwe as Commissioner: Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Department
of Labour
* The following were appointed to the Board of Directors of the Airports
Company of South Africa (ACSA) for a period of three years: Dr F Sonn
(Chairperson); Ms S Zilwa (Deputy Chairperson); Ms N Hlahla (CEO); Mr B
Mparutsa (Chief Financial Officer); Ms A Ngwezi; Mr W van der Vent; Ms N
Galeni; Ms T Siwendu; Mr R Persad; and Mr M Ramagaga.
* The following were appointed as new members of the Estate Agency Affairs
Board (EAAB) for a three year period: Mr S Faku; Ms MM Mogodi-Dikgetsi; Ms W
Machanik; Mr H Jawitz; Ms T Mmaseepi Dube; Ms SE Moolman; Ms L Noval; Mr N
Mafongosi; Adv M Mdlundlu; Adv A Mayet; Mr N Gopal; Mr D Hlathwayo; Mr RN
Theunissen; Mr K Naidoo and Mr FK Sibanda.
* The following were appointed as non-Executive Directors of the Board of
Electronic Communications Security (Pty) Ltd (COMSEC): Mr M E Manzini; Mr J
Kotane; Mr M Jhatham; Ms R Sekese and Mr FS Nomvalo.
Enquiries:
Themba Maseko
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
19 April 2007
