Madam Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon members, let me start by thanking Parliament for giving this committee an opportunity to make a recommendation for a fulltime Commissioner for a period of five years in the Office of the Commission for Gender Equality.
The Department of Justice, in a bid to expedite the process, called for proposals from interested parties by way of a notice in Government Gazette No 30149 in August 2007 and in the Sunday Times of 5 August 2007. The deadline for submission was 3 September 2007. Afterwards, CVs, a copy of the Government Gazette and the notice as published in the Sunday Times were referred to the ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee consisted of hon members from the ANC, DA, IFP and MF that performed tasks collectively.
Discussions in the committee were very constructive and I would like to thank you for the support. The committee was blessed with a combination of skilled members, some of whom were experts on gender issues, such as hon Morutoa, hon Bertha Gxowa, and others were legal experts such as hon Louw and hon Camerer. This was a very committed group of members of Parliament. The committee received 14 very impressive CVs and shortlisted six candidates.
The following candidates were shortlisted: Ms Malima Mapula, Lebisi Cecilia Phama, Ms Evangelinah Shirley Mabusela, Mr Cheney Mandla, Dr Andre Keet and Ms Moira Thandoluhle Mpanza. Interviews were conducted on 16 and 17 October 2007. Having interviewed the candidates, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend Dr Andre Keet for the appointment to fill the vacancy in the Commission for Gender Equality.
Dr Keet holds an MA Degree in Education and a PhD in Education Management Law and Policy which he completed in 2006. He obtained several certificates on human rights training for trainers' courses. The list is long, hon members, but the most important thing about Dr Keet is that he is not just an academic; he has worked in the communities. He is the Deputy Chief Executive in the Office of the Southern African Human Rights Commission.
In conclusion, I would like to thank members of the ad hoc committee once more for the support they gave me. The tough and thorough discussions we engaged in before reaching consensus taught me a lot about co-operating. Hon Mzimande, hon Rajbally, hon Lucas and other members of the committee, I thank you very much. [Applause.]
Question put: That Dr Andre Keet be recommended for appointment to the Commission for Gender Equality.
AYES - 244: Anthony, T G; Arendse, J D; Asiya, S E; Balfour, B M N; Baloyi, M R; Bekker, H J; Beukman, F; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, M J; Bhengu, P; Bici, J; Blanch, J P I; Bloem, DV; Boinamo, G G; Botha, A; Botha, C-S; Botha, N G W; Burgess, C V; Cachalia, I M; Camerer, S M; Carrim, Y I; Cele, MA; Chalmers, J; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Cronin, J P; Cupido, H B ; Cwele, S C; Davidson, I O; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Didiza, A T; Dikgacwi, M M; Direko, IW; Dithebe, S L; Ditshetelo, P H K; Dlali, D M; Doidge, G Q M; Doman, W P; Dreyer, A M; Du Toit, D C ; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fihla, N B; Fraser-Moleketi, G J; Fubbs, J L; Gabanakgosi, P S; Gaum, A H; George, M E; Gerber, P A; Gigaba, K M N; Gogotya, N J; Green, LM; Greyling, C H F; Gumede, DM; Gumede,MM; Gxowa, N B; Hanekom, D A; Hangana, N E; Hendricks, L B; Hlangwana, N; Hogan, B A; Holomisa, S P; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, C B; Johnson, M; Joubert, L K; Kalyan, S V; Kasienyane, O R; Khaoue, M K; Khoarai, L P; Khumalo, K M; Khunou, N P; King, R J; Kondlo, N C; Kota, Z A; Labuschagne, L B; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Likotsi,MT; Lishivha, T E; Louw, J T; Louw, S K; Lowe, C M; Luthuli, A N; Maake, J J; Mabandla, B S; Mabe, L L; Mabena, D C; Mabudafhasi, T R; Madasa, Z L; Madikiza, G T; Madlala-Routledge, N C; Maduma, LD; Madumise,MM; Magwanishe, G B; Mahlaba, T L; Mahote, S; Maine, M S; Maja, S J; Makasi, X C; Makgate, M W; Malahlela, M J; Maloney, L; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, D K; Manana, M N S; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Marais, S J F; Mars, I; Maserumule, F T; Mashangoane, P R; Mashigo, R J; Masutha, T M; Mathibela, N F; Matlala, M H; Matsemela, M L; Matsomela, M J J; Maunye,MM; Mayatula, SM; Mbete, B; Mbombo, N D; Mgabadeli, H C; Minnie, K J; Mkhize, Z S; Mkongi, B M; Mlangeni, A; Mnguni, B A; Moatshe, M S; Modisenyane, L J; Mogale, O M; Mogase, I D; Mohlaloga, M R; Mokoena, A D; Mokoto, N R; Molefe, C T; Moleketi, P J; Moloto, K A; Moonsamy, K; Morgan, G R; Morobi, D M; Morutoa, M R; Morwamoche, KW; Mosala, B G; Moss,MI; Motubatse-Hounkpatin, S D; Mpahlwa, M B; Mpontshane, A M; Mshudulu, S A; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mufamadi, F S; Mzondeki, M J G; Ndlazi, ZA; Ndzanga, RA; Nel,AC; Nene, M J ; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen,WS; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, NW; Ngculu, LV J; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, M L; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njobe, M A A; Nkabinde, N C; Nonkonyana, M; Nqakula, C; Ntuli, B M; Ntuli, M M; Ntuli, R S; Nwamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nxumalo, M D; Nxumalo, S N ; Olifant, D A A; Oosthuizen, G C; Opperman, S E; Padayachie, R L; Pahad, E G; Pandor, G N M; Phungula, J P; Pieterse, R D; Pule, B E; Radebe, J T; Rajbally, S ; Ramgobin, M; Ramodibe, D M; Ramotsamai, C P M; Rwexana, S P; Sayedali- Shah, M R; Schippers, J; Schneemann, G D; Schoeman, EA; Seadimo,MD; Seaton, S A; Sefularo, M; Sehlare, L J; Selau, J G; September, C C; Shabangu, S; Sibidla, N N; Siboza, S; Sibuyana, M W; Sigcau, S N; Sikakane, M R; Singh, N; Sisulu, L N; Skhosana, W M; Skweyiya, Z S T; Smith, P F; Smuts, M; Solo, B M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Stephens, J J M; Surty, M E; Swart, M; Swart, P S; Swart, S N; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tobias, T V; Tolo, L J; Trent, E W; Tshabalala-Msimang, M E; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van den Heever, R P Z; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Niekerk, A I; Vundisa, S S; Waters, M; Woods, G G; Xingwana, L M; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zita, L.
Question agreed to.
Recommendation accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 193(5)(b)(ii) of the Constitution.