National Assembly, Questions for Oral Reply, Friday, 22 September 2023, Deputy President
Ms S Gwarube (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
What are the relevant details of priority service delivery hotspot areas that he has identified for (a) rapid response interventions and (b) troubleshooting since 7 March 2023?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker,
The question was posed to us during our last appearance in this chamber in June, and we take it very seriously. Together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, we have identified, through the State of Local Government Report, 66 municipalities that require immediate support.
The challenges facing local government are multi-dimensional and are primarily rooted in the following:
- Poor governance;
- Weak institutional capacity;
- Poor financial management, and;
- Political instability.
To this end, we have conducted oversight visits to six provinces, namely North West, Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, to resolve the challenges of poor governance and a lack of service delivery.
Furthermore, during our outreach programme, we have identified areas for improvement in coordinating service delivery interventions related to infrastructure backlogs and providing access to essential services.
We are also working through the District Development Model to improve inter-governmental relations between government spheres on policy, planning, budgeting and execution.
Together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, we established the Result Management Office (RMO) to strengthen this work.
The RMO will focus on:
- ensuring municipalities improve service delivery with support and capacity from the War Room, an engine for Integrated Service Delivery that links to the community, coordinates profiles, and integrates service delivery.
- bringing about improvements through a range of measures designed to empower municipalities to execute projects in a manner that is consistent with best practices and improve processes across the local government space;
- addressing resource, capacity, and skills constraints in the local government space, and;
- facilitating improvements in planning, coordination, executing, monitoring, and reporting on the delivery of projects.
Honourable Speaker
We aim to create resilient, sustainable, and cohesive communities where municipalities serve as catalysts and enablers of development.
Thank you.
Mr F N Shivambu (EFF) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether, with regard to the 7th Report of the Land Access Movement of South Africa by the Land Claims Commission to the Land Claims Court, which indicated that there are over 6 600 outstanding land claims that were lodged on or before 31 December 1998, and that it would take almost 30 years and a further R68 billion to resolve the remaining land claims, he has had any engagements with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development and the Land Claims Commission to speed up the finalisation of these claims; if not, why not; if so, what action will he take to ensure that these claims are settled in as short a period as possible? NO3329E
Reply:
Honourable Speaker,
As the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, I have been proactively engaging with the Minister on various issues, including this one. The issue of land claims is sensitive, and we treat it with the utmost urgency and care it deserves.
During a recent interaction with the Minister and Members of the IMC, I was presented with a report that indicates that, as of June 30, 2023, there are 5407 outstanding old order claims rather than 6,600 as the member has indicated.
A discrepancy of over 1100 exists from the claim made by the Honourable Member. Honourable Shivambu may be unaware of the updated report.
Honourable Speaker
The government has since adopted several interventions to support the acceleration of the land reform programme. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- The National Council of Provinces is currently considering the Expropriation Bill;
- The Land Court Amendment Bill, which includes provisions for communal land transfer, registration, title, and appointment of a land rights enquirer, has been sent to the President for assent. The Bill aims to regulate the administration and use of communal land by communities within the framework of applicable laws, including Spatial Planning and Land Use Management;
- The revision of the Property Valuation Act to provide for the precise scope of the Office of the Valuer-General and methodology to determine just and equitable compensation;
- The development of an overarching integrated land administration policy framework that prioritises documenting all land rights and legislation to underpin economic, social, institutional and environmental sustainability;
- Identifying land needs within cities and towns to inform the land reform programme, prioritising land needs for human settlements, industrial, economic, and urban agricultural development to change spatial patterns and enhance socio-economic advancement, and;
- The strategic acquisition, release, and allocation of land, which includes the release of the remaining parcels of land for restitution purposes and, equally important, the post-settlement support required to ensure the successful usage and application of land that has been released.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture will continue to review the best plausible options to improve the overall financing of the Backlog Reduction Strategy, as introduced by the Commission, to accelerate the settlement of old-order claims so that we can resolve this matter within a reasonably shorter period.
Thank you
Mr B S Nkosi (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
With reference to his recent visit to South Sudan on 28 to 31 August 2023, to assess the latest developments and progress in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as well as to discuss challenges and solutions to the peace process with all stakeholders, what (a) is the progress in the implementation of the R-ARCSS and (b) role will the Government play in the resolution of the conflict in neighbouring countries, as emphasised by the President of South Sudan, Mr Salva Kiir?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker,
Supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, I undertook a working visit to the Republic of South Sudan from 29-31 August 2023. The visit to South Sudan enabled me to familiarise myself with the South Sudan peace process and its challenges.
In this context, I held extensive and fruitful discussions with President Kiir and met with the following stakeholders:
- Dr Riek Machar, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition; Vice President Taban Deng Gai; Vice President Dr. James Wani; Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi, except for Mama Rebecca Nyangdeng who was out of the country;
- African Ambassadors accredited to South Sudan;
- the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD);
- Ambassadors of the Troika (made up of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Norway);
- the Ministers of Information and Communication Technologies and Postal Services and Justice and Constitutional Affairs;
- the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission;
- the Ambassador of the European Union;
- the Head of the African Union Mission in South Sudan, as well as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Mr Nicholas Haysom.
During these discussions, the key issue that Sudanese actors and others raised was the need to fully implement the Transitional Security Arrangements contained in Chapter 2 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
The South Sudanese have requested assistance from South Africa in this area, and the Departments of Defence and Police will be consulted regarding assistance in implementing Chapter 2, including a holistic Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process.
Honourable Speaker, South Africa is committed to supporting South Sudan to conclude the implementation of the revitalised transitional phase to hold peaceful national elections by December 2024.
Another outstanding issue is the promulgation of electoral and political party legislation to enable the reconstitution of electoral institutions such as the National Elections Commission (NEC) of South Sudan.
To prepare for the organisation of national elections by December 2024, the NEC will require capacity building and training for its officials. In addition, it was noted that substantial electoral funding will be required, particularly if national, provincial and local elections will take place simultaneously.
South Sudan is due to undertake a permanent constitution-making process under Chapter 6 of the R-ARCSS. This process attaches with substantial legal work and is necessarily time-consuming. A broader nationwide consultative process must still be undertaken to build on the modest work already commenced.
South Sudan further requires assistance with Transitional Justice matters and Judicial Reconstitution and Reforms under Chapter 5 of R-ARCSS, which focuses on Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation and Healing.
South Africa has been requested to share our Truth and Reconciliation Commission experience as South Sudan prepares to undergo its national reconciliation and healing journey. They are also intent on establishing a Compensation and Reparation Authority and an independent Hybrid Court of South Sudan with support and assistance from the African Union.
Honourable Speaker,
I want to emphasise that South Africa is committed to supporting all regional and continental initiatives to silence the guns on the continent in support of Agenda 2063. We will continue to support the IGAD and African Union-led initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and prosperity in South Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
Thank you.
Mr M G E Hendricks (Al Jamah-Ah) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, in light of his responsibility to fast-track and co-ordinate government programmes to accelerate land reform, he intends to intervene and speed up the land claim of the 200 families who have been allocated restitution sites at Zandvlei, near Macassar in the Western Cape, where Islam was established and rooted 375 years ago by Sheikh Yusuf (details furnished), which have still not been handed over to the community; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(2) Whether he intends to visit Zandvlei; if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker,
The matter of the Macassar land claim, which consists of three competing claimants i.e. Zandvlei Community Claim, Cammies/Darries Heritage Land Claim, and the Muslim Judicial Council, is before the Land Claims Court.
We are, therefore, not in a position to intervene until the court finalises the matter.
I urge the parties involved to find each other so that we can finalise the land claim.
However, as part of our delegated responsibility of implementing rapid response interventions on service delivery, trouble-shooting service delivery hotpots, and monitoring the implementation of the District Development Model, we will be visiting communities in the Western Cape, including Zandvlei, Porterville, and other areas to monitor and address community development and service delivery challenges.
Rest assured, esteemed members of this house, that we are taking active measures to prioritise the acceleration of land claims, and it stands as a top priority on the agenda of the IMC.
Thank you.
Mr N Capa (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
Considering the high cost and onerous conditions of development finance for the growth of small‑ and medium‑scale black‑owned farms in rural areas which remains a barrier to such farmers, what are the relevant details of the initiatives which he seeks to implement to establish a different funding model which will empower small‑ and medium‑scale black farmers in rural areas?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker,
The government will continue to implement steps to capacitate producers with the requisite skills and mentorship programmes as part of comprehensive farmer support. This support assists farmers to optimise both production and marketing operations.
To reach this goal, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the private sector, and labour collaborated to develop the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan and signed it in May 2022.
The Master Plan is a social compact and the first strategic plan to have commodity-specific transformation targets, jobs, exports, investments, and growth rates. It focuses on commercial land reform in rural areas to increase food production and farmers’ infrastructure.
Through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, the government has successfully leveraged and unlocked nearly R3.5 billion in funding through the Blended Finance Scheme to support farmers and agribusinesses.
Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has launched the R1.2 billion Agro-Energy Fund to assist small, medium and large-scale farmers in diversifying their energy supply sources for energy-intensive farming practices.
Honourable Speaker,
In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Industrial Development Corporation has established the Agri-Industrial Fund to support economically viable activities in Agro-processing sectors, including food and non-food products.
The aim is to develop a competitive industry that uses local and regional resources to supply domestic demand and increase international trade participation. The program targets high-value export-oriented crops, poultry, livestock, and expansionary acquisitions in these sub-sectors.
Qualifying businesses, which should be 60 per cent black-owned, will access debt and grants to support their capital equipment, infrastructure and working capital requirements.
The Agri-Industrial Fund is central to the recovery of the local economy by assisting producers and investees in developing, expanding, acquiring and integrating operations in prioritised agricultural value chains.
In this regard, we are engaging key stakeholders, including private sector players, to sponsor programmes to enhance skills development, capacity-building, and access to markets for underdeveloped communities and small-scale producers to ensure that rural businesses and small-scale farmers benefit from this initiative.
Honourable Speaker.
The government is also reviewing relevant legislation governing land-holding entities such as Trusts and Communal Property Associations. In this regard, the Communal Properties Associations Amendment Bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and has been sent to the President for assent.
Through these interventions and measures, the government will be able to introduce sustainable finance and farmer development models that will enable small‑and medium‑scale black-owned farms in rural areas to grow, produce and market their quality products and thus contribute to South Africa’s food security.
Thank you.
Mr G G Mpumza (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What measures will he put in place to process the outcomes of the National Dialogue on Coalitions to strengthen governance systems to withstand the instability that characterises coalition governments and thereby prevent its potential negative impact on the Government’s delivery of services?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker
The National Dialogue on Coalition Governments was hosted on 04 and 05 August 2023 at the University of the Western Cape, and discussions were held on developing a framework to guide coalition governments across the three spheres of government.
Currently, we have sent the Framework to all parties that participated in the Dialogue and we are awaiting responses in order to finalise the report that will be presented to Parliament for approval.
I would like to thank the political parties that have submitted which include the IFP. I urge all the political parties to submit as agreed.
The government also acknowledges the negative impact of dysfunctional coalition arrangements on the mandate of municipalities to deliver essential services.
To this end, work is underway to develop the framework and legislative amendments that will apply specifically to local government.
While a broader process of developing the national framework for coalition government is underway, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is implementing policy and legislative reform to stabilise local government coalitions.
In accordance with Section 154 (1) of the Constitution, the National Government, in collaboration with Provincial Governments, will continue to strengthen the capabilities of municipalities in managing their affairs and carrying out their functions.
We call on all Members of this August House to continue to exercise leadership to achieve the cohesion of municipalities. The nation’s success is far greater than the narrow interests of individuals and political parties.
Thank yo
