8 March 2006
At its meeting, Cabinet noted progress in establishing the Joint Initiative
on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA). A critical part of Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) projects, JIPSA brings
together social partners to act on immediate and medium-term skills needs in
the economy, particularly high-level and artisan skills.
Cabinet approved the composition of the JIPSA Task Team: chaired by the
Deputy President and made up of senior representatives of government, labour,
business, youth, women, academic institutions, science councils and State-Owned
Enterprises. The meeting confirmed the appointment of Mr Gwede Mantashe,
General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers as chairperson the JIPSA
Technical Working Group. The National Business Initiative (NBI) will constitute
a Secretariat for the Initiative. It was also agreed that the needs of people
with disabilities needed to be integrated into JIPSA activities.
Cabinet welcomed the manner in which the third democratic local government
elections were conducted, and expressed its appreciation of the fact that the
elections were accepted by all participants as being substantially free and
fair. Voter participation, which was higher both in terms of percentage and
absolute numbers, confirmed improved civic-mindedness among South Africans on
matters pertaining to governance in local communities. Also welcome is the
massive improvement in the representation of women.
Government wishes to thank the Electoral Commission (IEC) for its excellent
management of the elections, and to congratulate voters for their participation
and conduct. We call on all citizens to join the newly-elected Councillors in
implementing programmes to improve communitiesâ quality of life. Further, we do
hope that, in public discourse, the media and âpolitical analystsâ will pay
attention to the positive reality about these elections.
In the coming period, national and provincial governments will implement
comprehensive programmes to ensure induction and training of the elected
representatives. And, in order to improve interaction with communities,
national and provincial leaders will focus on integrated implementation of
growth and development programmes during the National Imbizo Focus Week,
scheduled for 6 to 13 April.
Cabinet agreed that special efforts would be made to ensure return to
normalcy in the Khutsong area of Merafong, so that this community can benefit
from programmes to build a better life for all. In the same vein, government is
confident that issues pertaining to âhung councilsâ would be resolved as
urgently as possible.
The following appointments were approved:
* Board of Directors of the SA Post Office (SAPO) Limited, with Ms PRE Tshukudu
as Chairperson; and
* Non-Executive Directors and the Chief Financial Officer of the SENTECH
Board.
Cabinet noted the launch today, on International Womenâs Day, of the
programme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Womenâs March on Union
Buildings. This anniversary, which falls on 9 August, honours the struggles of
women and other South Africans for equal rights irrespective of gender, race or
religion. Various activities will take place during the course of the year to
reaffirm our countryâs commitment to gender equality and to ensure that this
principle increasingly informs our development and implementation of
policy.
Government commits itself to work with all social partners to promote the
economic empowerment of women, including access to finance, skills development
and affirmative procurement practices. In addition to a gender-sensitive
implementation of the Asgisa and other government programmes, a special effort
will be made to ensure that society reflects, in its day-to-day handling of
social issues, respect for womenâs rights.
In this context, Cabinet expressed its concern regarding the behaviour of
certain members of society around matters pertaining to allegations of, and
court hearings on, sexual violence. In particular, Cabinet calls on those who
wish to express their solidarity in the Johannesburg rape trial of the former
Deputy President to ensure that nothing is done which undermines the rule of
law, demeans the complainant and the defendant, and suggests disrespect for the
judiciary and law-enforcement agencies.
Cabinet approved for submission to Parliament the Sectional Titles Amendment
Bill which provides for rights of owners of property under sectional title, for
exclusive use areas and common property.
The meeting noted the work being done by relevant departments and Eskom to
ensure that power outages that have affected the Western Cape Province are
eliminated. It was agreed that the comprehensive plan to re-equip Koeberg and
improve transmission from other parts of the country should be implemented with
a sense of urgency. Though largely unforeseen, the impact of the recent power
disruptions on communities and business is profoundly regretted. While
investigations on the immediate causes of the disruption are continuing, the
main focus at this juncture is to ensure that we minimise this.
Government calls on all South Africans, especially in the Western Cape, to
co-operate with the energy authorities in implementing immediate measures aimed
at preventing load shedding.
The meeting was informed that the investigation by the Inspector-General for
Intelligence into alleged e-mail exchanges and chat-rooms among senior public
figures had been finalised, and that a report would be presented to the
Minister for Intelligence during the course of this week. The Minister will
study the report and, in consultation with the President, make recommendations
to Cabinet.
Government joins all South Africans in congratulating the directors and cast
of Tsotsi, which this week won the US Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. We
hope that this achievement will inspire the profession to greater heights,
reflecting the joy and tribulations of a nation changing itself for the
better.
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell: 082 900 0083
Issued by: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
8 March 2006
