1. Ms F I Chohan-Kota African National Congress (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
(a) With reference to his statement at the recent Presidential Imbizo (details furnished), what are the pre-requisites for effective learning and teaching and (b) How is the government planning to effect the changes necessary to improve the quality of schooling?
Reply:
The achievement of quality education for all requires renewed purpose and action from education department officials, school principals, teachers, learners, parents and communities.
Government launched the quality learning and teaching campaign in October 2008.
Each of the role players - government, communities, civil society, business, media and other sectors - are called upon to make a commitment to a code for quality education, which describes the responsibilities required of them.
On 7 August, I met with the two education ministers, premiers, MECs and more than 1 500 school principals from all provinces to share our vision and hear their views on how we can revitalise education and improve results.
We agreed on certain non-negotiables.
Departmental officials are required to support schools, ensure that all teaching resources are provided on time.
They should improve their own skills base to better assist schools, must regularly monitor teacher and learner attendance, and facilitate teacher development.
Teachers are required to be on time, be well prepared for all their lessons, teach for at least seven hours every school day and improve their own skills and knowledge. Learners are required to attend school regularly, work hard in school, respect their teachers and adhere to the rules of their school.
Parents are required to support schools and educators and create a conducive home environment for their children to study.
The community is required to ensure that every school-going child is at school and that schools are not vandalised. They are also to report problems at schools to the relevant authorities.
To ensure that all role-players carry out their responsibilities, coordinating structures are being set up at national, provincial and regional levels.
We recognise that the improvement of learning and teaching has to be accompanied by strong support mechanisms and performance and monitoring with clearly stipulated outcomes.
The Ministry in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, together with the Department of Basic Education, is developing a set of performance measures.
These will form the basis of performance agreements between the President, the Minister of Basic Education and the respective MECs.
The performance agreement will ensure that the non-negotiables relating to the department is catered for.
For example, the department will develop an integrated plan to ensure that all schools have the necessary resources. Government will intensify efforts to ensure that all schools have safe and supportive environments for all children.
We urge all Honourable Members to support us in this campaign to make education an apex priority for our country.
2. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
With reference to his statement at the National Press Club on 6 August 2009 regarding the next Chief Justice (details furnished), what are the reasons for stating that he had requested advice from leaders of political parties of the National Assembly?
Reply:
In my address to the National Press Club on 6 August 2009, I announced my decision to nominate Justice Sandile Ngcobo as the new Chief Justice.
I further said that the nomination was subject to advice from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly.
Section 174 (3) of the Constitution requires the President, as head of the national executive, after consulting the JSC and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, to appoint the Chief Justice.
The statement made to the National Press Club was based on the understanding that letters addressed to leaders of parties, which I signed on 5 August, had been dispatched, as was the case with the letter to the JSC.
The Constitutional provisions regarding the appointment process does not preclude the President from proposing a name, and thereafter soliciting the opinions of leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly.
In fact, the practice as followed in the past has generally been for the President to ask the parties to state their views on a particular name.
Let me reiterate that I have not appointed a new Chief Justice. I have merely nominated Justice Ngcobo for the position and reiterate that he remains my preferred candidate.
In making my final decision, I will of course take into account the views of the JSC and the leaders of parties, regarding whether or not Justice Ngcobo is fit and proper for the position.
3. Dr H M Dandala (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether the government intends introducing policy with regard to public servants who have businesses that transact with the State; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether he will instruct Ministers to cooperate with the prosecuting authority in bringing corrupt public officials to book; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Let me state that this administration will not condone or tolerate any conduct by public officials that breaks the law or regulations that govern the public service.
We view the report of the Auditor-General on public servants that do business with government without following proper procedures in a very serious light.
I have instructed the Ministers in whose departments such officials are employed to investigate the alleged misconduct.
I have made it clear that where wrongdoing is found to have been committed, they must take necessary corrective steps, including taking disciplinary measures against the officials concerned.
I have also asked the Minister for Public Service and Administration, Honourable Richard Baloyi, to expedite the development of the conflict of interest framework and to send it to Cabinet in the next few weeks.
The conflict of interest framework is meant to plug existing holes in public service regulations. Among other things, this should ensure that some of the problems raised by the Auditor-General can be prevented in future.
The new framework will not on its own solve the problems. Most of the wrongdoing occurs when public officials do not comply with existing regulations.
I have requested Ministers to ensure that public officials comply with the relevant regulations and laws. We will not tolerate or condone the abuse of public trust and public resources by any public official.
Our administration will cooperate with any institution of State that is legitimately enforcing the laws and regulations of this country.
4. Ms J L Fubbs (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
(a) What are the principles, pillars and character of a new economic international order that is the framework of South Africa’s response to the international economic crisis and (b) what will South Africa’s role be in such a new order?
Reply:
It is premature to speak of a new economic international order. The current global crisis has exposed the deficiencies and imbalances of the prevailing economic dispensation and international corporate governance.
It should urge us to pursue with greater urgency a stable, sustainable and more equitable global economic order.
We have noted before in this House that although it is not of our making, the crisis is having a profound effect on our economy and people.
As a country, we have responded to this crisis with urgency and energy. There are two main elements to our response.
The first is to undertake a series of measures, within the framework agreed upon with our social partners, to mitigate the effects of this. Through this Framework Agreement we have managed to mobilise all sectors of the economy.
These measures include a training layoff scheme as an alternative to retrenchment, ensuring that we develop the skills of our workforce while maintaining the capacity of business to respond when the economic recovers.
It also includes the provision by our development finance institutions, working with the banking sector, of financial support to qualifying companies in distress. The second element of our response is to actively engage in international forums to promote global solutions.
While this crisis is likely to reverse some of the gains made by developing countries in recent years, it does provide an unprecedented opportunity for greater cooperation between the developed and developing world in finding solutions.
This includes the building of requisite infrastructure and systems for intra-Africa trade and South-South trade.
5. Mr P F Smith (IFP) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether the government intends introducing constitutional amendments to Chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution to improve the authority of traditional leaders enabling them to play a meaningful role in the administration and deployment of services in the areas under their administration; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(2) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Government remains committed to strengthening the institution of traditional leadership and appreciates the role it plays in our society.
The reconfiguration of the Department of Provincial and Local Government into the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs signifies the importance that this administration places on the role and place of traditional leaders in the lives of our people, especially in rural areas.
Our administration regards traditional leaders as partners in the implementation of the programmes of government.
The success of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, to a large extent, depends on the partnership that government would foster with traditional leaders.
A number of departments have put in place legislation that clearly defines the role of traditional leaders in the areas of justice, in the establishment of traditional Courts and the administration of tribal land.
This is a demonstration of government’s willingness to effect the power and recognition of traditional authorities and leadership.
We have also sought to demonstrate our commitment in a variety of ways. For example, we have passed numerous pieces of legislation and implemented a variety of programmes to ensure that the institution does not only live and thrive, but that it also makes an important contribution to the development of our society.
Changes that are suggested should not necessarily follow the route of amendments to the Constitution. We should rather explore other ways of effecting the role and powers of traditional leaders in the system of local government, and communicate these to all stakeholders. There are currently amendments to the two principal laws on traditional leadership, before Parliament.
These are the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill and the National House of Traditional Leaders Bill.
The amendments are based on lessons learnt during implementation, which indicated a need for further emphasis.
We will do our best to ensure that the institution of traditional leadership is accorded the respect, dignity and role that it justifiably deserves.
6. Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) When does he intend signing the Competition Amendment Bill [B10D – 2000] into law;
(2) What has prevented him from signing the Bill into law?
(3) Whether these obstacles will soon be resolved; if not, why not; if so, when?
Reply:
The Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament in 2008.
The Presidency has received submissions from interested and affected parties citing the perceived unconstitutionality of certain provisions of the bill. I am still considering the submissions and will make a decision soon thereafter. We are aware of the importance of the matter and will move with the necessary speed to finalise it.
Issued by: The Presidency
26 August 2009