4 March 2009
Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Pretoria this morning, 4 March
2009.
Cabinet condemns the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore,
Pakistan. No objective, political or otherwise, could ever justify the barbaric
attack on innocent sportspeople who were in Pakistan to represent their country
and its people. This government rejects, in no uncertain terms, the targeting
of sports teams as they serve the important role of being ambassadors for all
sports loving citizens of the world.
The meeting received a report on the aid that was provided to Zimbabwe in
terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Zimbabwean
Humanitarian Development Assistance Framework. This framework was put in place
following the visit to Zimbabwe by an interdepartmental task team that was led
by Reverend Chikane. This framework provided for the establishment of
multi-stakeholder structures to ensure that the aid was provided in a
non-partisan way. The stakeholders represented in the structures included
United Nations agencies, government representatives, religious community,
farmers unions and SADC. These structures were monitored by and reported to the
SADC ambassadors.
Cabinet was pleased to note that all reports indicated that the aid was
distributed in full compliance of the SADC framework. An interdepartmental task
team that visited Zimbabwe over the past two weeks has also found that there
was compliance with the SADC framework. We are therefore satisfied that the
South African aid was received by the targeted ordinary Zimbabweans. The
meeting noted that some media reports appeared to be confusing the SADC aid and
the aid that was provided to farmers by the Zimbabwean government.
The meeting welcomed the positive news that the sale of tickets for the 2010
FIFA World Cup was proceeding well. However, Cabinet shares the concern that
South Africans were not purchasing the tickets. Extra measures will have to be
put in place jointly with the Local Organising Committee to ensure that the
Confederations Cup and the World Cup finals are marketed to South Africans.
The report on the establishment of the Education Evaluation and Development
Unit in the Department of Education was received and noted. The report will be
published for public comment before the matter is finalised.
The Inter-governmental protocol for the provision of support to the Eastern
Cape Department of Education was approved. This protocol will provide the legal
basis for the National Department of Education to provide technical and
administrative support to the provincial department of education, including
clarification of roles and responsibilities between the two departments.
The meeting noted that the 13th Awards ceremony for the National Orders
will
take place on 27 March 2009, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The following appointments were approved:
* Mr D van Schalkwyk was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in the
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
* The employment contract of DR RM Adam, the Chief Executive Officer of the
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, was extended for a period of three
years.
* The employment contract of Mr A Zaloumis, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, was extended for a three year
period.
* The following were appointed to the South African Tourism Board for a period
of three years; Mr J Mabuza (Chairperson); Mr F Kilbourn (Deputy Chairperson),
Ms T Makgabo, Dr I Abedian, Mr B Dungan, Mr Z Mntambo, Ms S Mzimela, Ms A
Malan, Ms Y Johnson, Mr M Lutzeyer, Mr M Mosola, Chairperson of the Tourism
Grading Council (ex officio) and the Chairperson of Tourism Empowerment Council
of South Africa (ex officio).
* The following were appointed as members of the Board of South African
National Parks (Sanparks): Mr K Dlamini (Chairperson); Dr G Dry, Mr M Diemont,
Ms B Kunene, Prof G Kerley, Mr T Mabilane, Dr D Mabunda, Mr F Mketeni, Ms S
Rensburg Prof G Swan, Mr J Vilakazi and Prof W Van Riet.
Enquiries:
Themba Maseko
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by Government Communications (GCIS)
4 March 2009
