Audio [mp3]22 November 2007
Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Cape Town yesterday morning, 21
November 2007.
Cabinet decided that the Ministries of Minerals and Energy, Water Affairs
and Forestry, Public Enterprises and of Trade and Industry must collaborate to
develop a comprehensive Electricity Master Plan for the country. This decision
followed the presentation of a draft Electricity Master Plan which showed,
inter alia, the rise in demand for energy caused by the high rate of growth and
South Africa's continued reliance on coal as an energy source (88.23%). The
pillars of the comprehensive Electricity Master Plan will include increasing
capacity and improving the reliability of the electricity infrastructure;
providing reasonably priced electricity; ensuring security of supply as set out
in the security of supply standards; diversifying energy sources and meeting
the renewable energy targets. The investment in maintenance and rehabilitation
of infrastructure and the quality of supply of electricity will be regulated in
future.
This plan will enable the state to make the correct investment decisions to
meet South Africa's extensive energy requirements owing to the strengthening
and growth of the economy. Some of the strategic considerations will include
the skills development and management; the need for investment in research and
technology and meeting demands that are a result of the rise in fixed capital
formation by both the public and private sectors, including economic activities
associated with the 2010 Fifa World Cup. In the meantime Eskom's investment
strategy to increase the generation capacity and local government investments
in maintenance of existing infrastructure will continue and will form part of
the comprehensive Electricity Master plan. The final plan will be finalised and
approved in the New Year.
The meeting was also briefed on the progress in developing the Biofuels
Industrial Strategy and resolved that the strategy will be approved the end of
the year when all the finer details are finalised.
Cabinet also approved that South Africa ratify the African Energy Convention
(AFREC) which regulates and sets standards on energy policy matters in the
continent.
The Interim Textile and Clothing Development Programme (ITCDP) was extended
for a further two years until 31 March 2009. The Ministers of Trade and
Industry and Finance were directed to consult further on the measures that need
to be put in place to strengthen the administration and monitor the
implementation of the programme to curb abuse of the system.
The meeting endorsed the Historical Schools Restoration Project which seeks
to restore the rich heritage of schools that were established for Africans in
the late 19th century and early 20th century. These schools remain the
principal bearers of modern education among Africans and became incubators for
the African intelligentsia. This project will form part of the bicentennial
celebrations of Ntsikana who promoted the vision that Africans should learn to
read and write. This vision led to the establishment of schools such as Ohlange
High School and Adams College in KwaZulu-Natal, Healdtown and St Mathews. The
latter two schools are in the Eastern Cape.
The project will be piloted in the above-mentioned schools and will form
part of the national movement to revive the culture of teaching and learning in
our schools and is expected to expand as more historic schools are added to the
list. The pilot project in the four schools will be implemented at a cost of
R11.3 million over three years and will be funded jointly by the Departments of
Arts and Culture and Education. Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane has
been appointed as the Project Champion.
The meeting noted that the preparations for the hosting of the 2010 Fifa
preliminary draw, which is the key milestone event prior to the 2010 Fifa World
Cup, were proceeding according to plan and that this event will demonstrate our
ability to host successful international events. This occasion is the first
major Fifa event on African soil and will give the world a taste of the
outstanding World Cup that Africans will deliver in 2010. The event will be
addressed by President Thabo Mbeki and a host of other dignitaries.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children will be
launched on Sunday, 25 November 2007. Notable events on that day will include
men's marches in all provinces with the national event taking place in
Bloemfontein. Cabinet calls on men to participate in the marches to show their
support for the campaign against women and child abuse. This year's campaign
coincides with other international events that will take place during December
including the International AIDS day on 1st December and the International Day
of Disabled Persons 2nd December 2007.
The Africa agenda will receive further momentum when the Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting (CHOGM) holds its session in Kampala, Uganda from 23-25
November 2007 under the theme "Transforming Commonwealth Societies to achieve
political, economic and human development". South Africa will be providing
security and logistical support to the Ugandan authorities during the duration
of this meeting.
The meeting also noted that South Africa successfully hosted the Diaspora
conference which took place in Johannesburg over the past weekend. This
conference recognized that the Diaspora discourse cannot just be about an
emotional and spiritual journey but must also focus on concrete, actionable and
measurable results in the political, social and economic spheres. It also
identified the need to pay attention to areas such as tourism, culture,
communication and development of sustainable partnerships. The conference
resolved that the Diaspora must become the 6th region of the African Union in
order to facilitate the establishment of the necessary institutions to make the
concept operational.
Cabinet decided that the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) should be
strengthened as an anchor for regional economic integration in the Southern
African Development Community (SADC). The meeting agreed to adopt a development
centred approach which seeks to harmonise policy within government and in the
region. Work will be done to enhance sectoral co-operation within SADC as part
of the strategy towards regional integration within the context of the broader
African integration agenda.
Progress regarding South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array
(SKA) radio telescope was noted. Government is indeed confident that the
well-prepared bid could see the SKA being awarded to South Africa. The final
decision is expected in 2011.
The report of the meeting between President Mbeki and CEOs and heads of
state entities was noted. The meeting concurred with the need for greater
co-ordination and alignment between government and the various state entities
and among the various entities themselves. This initiative will help to
identify and address overlapping mandates; the role of state entities in
development programmes; and will ensure that the state system can contribute
meaningfully to the achievement of a better life for all South Africans.
The continued deployment of South African National Defence Force members in
different parts of the continent in countries such as Uganda and Sudan was
noted. Furthermore, the meeting approved that the Departments of Defence and
Arts and Culture should formulate social programmes aimed at motivating the
deployed forces during the festive season.
The guidelines on the design, implementation and maintenance of
organisational structures in the public service was approved. This guide
provides a common framework for the public service and will serve as a
practical tool to support practitioners in designing, implementing and
maintaining organisational structures.
Cabinet approved that the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs South
Africa hosts the 16th Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau's International Review
Conference in June 2008.
The meeting noted South Africa's successful hosting of the Group of 20 (G20)
Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors in Kleinmond in the Western
Cape last week. This meeting marked the culmination of the work done during
South Africa's first tenure as the chair of the group. Cabinet noted that the
G20 meeting discussed four major themes viz: the global economy; fiscal
elements of growth and development; commodity cycles and the Bretton Woods
reform. Climate change was also discussed.
With regard to appointments, Cabinet rejected the false reports which
suggested that President Mbeki had blocked the appointment of Mr Reuben
September as the CEO of Telkom. These reports are nothing but an embarrassing
fabrication that only serves to mislead the public and present the President in
a bad light. We once again call upon members of the media to refrain from
publishing unsubstantiated stories as this will discredit the media houses that
allow themselves to be used by anonymous and so-called 'unnamed' sources.
The following appointments were approved:
* The employment contract of Mr Thami Mseleku, Director-General in the
Department of Health was extended for two years with effect from 1 January
2008.
* Mr LM Makhubela was appointed as Deputy Director-General in the Department of
Foreign Affairs
* Mr J Morris was appointed to the post of Deputy Director-General in the
Department of Public Enterprises
* The following were appointed to the Board of the South African National
Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Mr T Sokutu (Chairperson); Dr T Hanekom; Ms T
Dingaan; Ms K Montgomery; Mr S Somyo; Professor P Omara-Ojungu; Mr T Frost; CFO
(vacant); Ms N Jezile and Dr T Abrahamse (CEO)
The following Bills were approved:
* Reform of Customary Law of Succession Bill for introduction to
Parliament.
* Child Justice Bill for submission to Parliament.
Enquiries: Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
22 November 2007
