Thank you, hon member. Hon members, before the hon Ms Moloi-Moropa starts her speech, may I take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence on our gallery of students from Georgia State University. They are currently on tour in South Africa and they saw fit to visit Parliament. Thank you very much. [Applause.] You came at an appropriate time - when the Minister of Basic Education gave her speech. Thank you very much. Welcome.
Madam Deputy Speaker, just before the next speaker speaks, could I simply ask what it was that Mr Bhoola gave the hon President - was it a CV? [Laughter.]
I am sure, hon member, that when the President responds on Tuesday, he will be able to say if it was more than a CV; whether it's employment of Mr Bhoola. [Laughter.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, I think the hon Mike Ellis has a hearing problem. In my speech I indicated that it was a White Paper on multiparty democracy. [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker, I must just say to the hon Bhoola, if you don't mind, that in fact we didn't really understand what he was saying, that's why I couldn't hear what he was saying. [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker, on a point of order ... [Laughter.]
What is your point of order, Mr Bhoola?
I did not really know that the hon Mike Ellis has a limited knowledge level. [Laughter.]
Please proceed Ms Moloi-Moropa.
Hon Deputy Speaker, His Excellency the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma; Deputy President, the hon Motlanthe; Ministers and Deputy Ministers; hon members; comrades and friends; allow me to contribute to our President's state of the nation address, which is quite historical, by giving context to the nature and extent of the South African developmental state as it is currently. It is important because the need for a developmental approach arose within the historic context of a colonial apartheid state, which was based on narrow ideological separatism. As a result, such a state failed to respond to the multidimensional challenges of public life in South Africa.
As a response to the above, South Africa has, since the 1994 democratic breakthrough, ushered in new political and democratic conditions providing a unique opportunity to actively build a developmental state capable of implementing the objectives of our national democratic change.
Our hon President, Jacob Zuma, in his state of the nation address on 3 June 2009, this week on Wednesday, clearly reaffirmed and called upon us to take up the task of building a developmental state that would play a central role in the social and economic development of the country and serve as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic growth.
Such a developmental state will be instrumental in the realisation of the developmental objectives of our national goals - that of a better life for all. This we must achieve by developing a broad democratic front that will lead towards the actualisation of the institution of democratic governance to facilitate the pursuit of a prosperous country.
Our task is, clearly, to achieve broad national consensus on a developmental state, its role and how it will assist us in the broader objectives of creating the better life we talk about. This is in line with the ANC's 52nd national conference resolution, a commitment we are prepared and ready to implement.
A developmental state has the following characteristics. It strives to maintain a delicate balance between achieving higher economic growth and addressing social inequalities. This is because it has a clear poverty eradication programme that is biased towards the poor. A development state gives direction in providing a clear developmental agenda that strives to address major societal challenges. Along those lines, it does not leave the resolution of social problems solely in the hands of the market forces. It has a central planning capacity which enables it to drive integrated development. I really want to emphasise this in order for us to understand what we mean when we talk about a single Public Service. What do we mean? There is logic; it flows from the very same characteristics of a developmental state.
Therefore, I would want to emphasise this point - that it has a central planning capacity which enables it to drive integrated development. This is development we can really achieve in the rural areas and that we can also achieve in local government, because, as we all know, we haven't been able to reach local government with ease. That is very critical; that is logical and we cannot blow out of proportion the issue of a single Public Service for any political gain.
A developmental state has, as its key features, a strong democratic culture and promotes accountability and transparency; it is people-driven and involves communities in the planning and implementation of developmental projects; and it provides an enabling environment for different social actors to be able to realise their goals.
Since 1994 the South African state can be described as a developmental state, which is based on constitutional and participatory democracy. Its character and orientation differs to many colonial states that have emerged in many African countries. Notwithstanding the challenges and weaknesses that still remain to be addressed, the developmental state in South Africa has been able to achieve the delicate balance between economic progress and socioeconomic imbalances manifested by poverty, unemployment, inequalities and societal injustice.
Unlike many states in the world, the developmental state in South Africa since 1994 has made quite significant achievements. I wouldn't like to get into all the issues and areas I believe and hope we have been observing and we are aware of, but I will just pick up on a few. One of them is black economic empowerment, which we would, critically, like to see as broad- based black economic empowerment. I can also mention the education policies such as free basic education, school nutrition, early childhood development, no-fee schools and Abet. I wouldn't be doing justice if I left out the progressive health care policies. Note that these are just a few of the examples. There are many more.
Amongst other things, it is important to note that safety and security measures, such as community policing forums, have been achieved along the lines of job-creation interventions aimed at reducing unemployment. It is also important to talk about the Expanded Public Works Programmes. In short, one can confidently indicate that with this resolution, the ANC's implementation programme is on course in a developmental state that aims at addressing poverty, underdevelopment, inequality and injustice.
Although these major advances have been made since 1994, South Africa still faces major challenges that still require concerted efforts. Our developmental state is required to deal with the following challenges: the deconstruction of inequalities between races and social classes; the adoption of economic policies that create meaningful and decent employment; and the adoption of effective and antipoverty measures.
Over the past 15 years we have managed to establish wall-to-wall government structures that provide a seamless arrangement for the Public Service.
Did it work?
The creation of a single Public Service remains a critical aspect and will be implemented as a priority. [Applause.] Of course, thorough consultation with all stakeholders will be embarked upon as a requirement of democracy; that will always be done. [Interjections.]
With this call to actively build an activist state, we are equally charged ...
There is a point of order, hon member.
I rise on a point of order. It is the hon member's maiden speech and the conduct of the opposition benches is actually quite unacceptable. There is a convention that we must stick to, and I ask that you use your authority as the Chair. Thank you. [Interjections.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, may I respond to that? It is convention, yes, but then the alternative is that you should not be controversial. If you are controversial, you then invite response from our side. And, I think, the statements made by the hon member have been controversial.
Order! A point of order has been raised, and I seriously didn't hear anything that I think was controversial. [Interjections.] No, no, no, members!
Madam Deputy Speaker, may I address you on that?
I didn't say you could speak. I am saying there was nothing controversial. There are different points of view. That is not controversial. [Interjections.] No, no ... if you have a different point of view from that of the speaker, you can't say the speaker is provocative or controversial when he or she says something that he or she believes in and that you don't believe in. I think we must stick to the rules regarding a maiden speech: that there aren't any interjections, please. Could we continue with our meeting? [Applause.]
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. With the call to actively build an activist state, we are equally charged with the task of building a unique cadre for the people-centred Public Service. In this instance, we require an all-rounder cadre - well prepared to serve his or her fellow South African citizens with distinction. These servants of a developmental state do not have to be rocket scientists, but an ordinary agent of democratic change armed with the correct theory of social transformation within the context of a single Public Service for a unitary state.
During the independence of Mozambique in 1975, President Samora Machel talked about the need for a new mindset and a new person for the democratisation of the postcolonial state and its society.
The South African state requires similar people that are ever prepared to learn more so that they can be in a better position to discharge the developmental mandate of the state within the Public Service. Hon Bhoola, as the Chinese proverb goes: Live as if you are going to die tomorrow and learn as if you are going to live forever.
In the spirit of Mandela Day, we must reaffirm the Batho Pele principles and work towards the creation of a new cadre with the ability to do more. This should be towards the advancement of the developmental agenda of the state, anchored on the following platform: dedication to human solidarity, selfless devotion to civic duty and discipline, voluntarism in pursuit of social justice, sensitivity to unethical conduct, and humanity to the most vulnerable.
Hon President and hon Deputy President, these are the fundamental, though not exhaustive, attributes in the qualification of a new cadre equipped to serve his or her people. Excellence service awards will be considered for the best-serving servants of the people as recognition of their unique contribution above and beyond the call of duty.
The introduction of the key Ministry of Economic Development, aimed at strengthening and creating an institutional centre for government-wide medium to long-term economic and developmental planning, will go a long way towards activating the state to intervene in the economy.
A developmental state, within the economy, should ensure that our national democratic resources that include land, water, minerals and marine resources, are not exploited but effectively advanced to meet the developmental challenges of the economic meltdown.
Expanding the opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and supporting the economic growth of underdeveloped and small business sectors of the economy in the poorly resourced centres of our country remain practical tasks.
Our participation in world trade, pursuing strategic partnerships with countries of the South and in agitating for a fairer world trade system, under conditions of economic recession, constitute an internationalist task of the developmental state, taking the imposing opportunities into account.
There is a need for South Africa to provide leadership in the economic integration of the Southern African region and the world during this opportune period of financial crisis.
To end, it is important for us to indicate that the institutions of governance that have been established remain active to ensure that we achieve our objectives. We do also, in the main, have the Chapter 9 institutions which deal with various sectors.
When it comes to the SA Human Rights Commission, SAHRC, it is important for us to particularly focus on the demon of racism that is rising up in our country. As South African citizens, black and white, I am sure we do not agree with racism as a factor. We therefore have to work very hard because that demon keeps raising its head from time to time. [Applause.] We have to confront racism head-on. Hon Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank you. [Applause.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, Mr President and hon members, let me start by stating the obvious: I am a South African, no less, no more. I am equal to anyone in this Chamber or outside this Chamber. [Applause.]
Ke setlogolo sa matswetla! Ke setlogolo sa matebele! Ke setlogolo sa bakgatla! Ke moagi wa Aforika Borwa, thwii thwii! [Praise.]
I am a passionate South African and I am very passionate about the South African project of building this nation. I, like my colleagues, am inspired by the vision of a South Africa that is united; one nation, one future, and an open-opportunity society in which every South African can be the best they can be. We were thus, in the DA, encouraged by the President's call that we must build a common national identity and patriotism, and that we must forge an inclusive national identity.
I believe truly that this is the greatest challenge facing this country today. I believe that to deliver on this plea of the President, we need to acknowledge certain truisms. These are self-evident truths that we ourselves must acknowledge and harness for the benefit of South Africa. Let us put South Africa first in all our social, economic and political endeavours. This will enhance our effort to cultivate and inculcate and nurture the spirit of the nation. These are some of the things that we can do, that we need to do to give flesh to this.
We, the people of South Africa, need to recognise that we are not yet a nation. We must work very, very hard to build our nation. We must acknowledge that South Africa went to war with itself to rid the country of the abomination that was apartheid, so that all its citizens could know peace and political, social and economic freedom. We need to acknowledge that South Africa didn't go to war with itself so that political and economic power could again be colonised by a handful of people merely because they belong to a particular race, a particular tribe or a particular political formation. [Applause.]
We need to acknowledge - and I thank you, Madam - that racism is neither a colour nor a power thing. Racism is an evil human failing that must be eradicated like all maladies. [Applause.] All of us must do our best to rid ourselves of this cancer.
We need to acknowledge that Nelson Mandela - that once-in-a-lifetime gift to this country - and the millions of South Africans who gave their lives to the struggle did so to afford every one of us, black and white, to be the best that we can be. Let me read that again. We need to acknowledge that Nelson Mandela and the millions of South Africans who gave their lives to the struggle did so to afford every one of us, citizens of South Africa, black and white, male and female, the chance to become president of this country. We need to acknowledge that all these things are dependent upon significant, sustained economic growth. This is critical to a stable, prosperous and democratic South Africa.
We were thus deeply disappointed, I must say, that the President in his speech seemed to dismiss energy sufficiency in just one sentence, and in fairness let me just quote what the President said: "We will continue to improve our energy efficiency and reliance on renewable energy." This is good, but that is not enough. I want to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who added a little bit more substance. The optimist that I am, I look forward to the Minister of Energy taking this further so that we can engage, because sufficiency in energy is crucial to our economic development.
Fifty million South Africans depend on us here, collectively, to make a success of this nation-building mission. We cannot fail because we dare not fail, because "the consequences of failure are too ghastly to contemplate" to quote one of our former leaders.
I need to finish by reminding us of two gifts to this country who entertained us on Wednesday: Lebo Mashile and Don Matera, the amazing gifts to South Africa. Lebo urged us to look for the threads that bind us. One of those threads is Madiba. The other thread is our country. There are many of them and all of us can find them to help us with this nation-building mission. Let us take these threads and weave them together in the fabric of a prosperous, nonracial, nonsexist, open-opportunity society we desire for ourselves. And let us remember what Bra Don said to us. He reminded us of this land, South Africa; our land that we need to preserve. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate interrupted.
Business suspended at 10:59 and resumed at 11:15.
Modulasetulo, Mopresidente wa Afrika Borwa le Motlat?a Mopresidente, Maloko a Palamente le bamemiwa ba ba hlomphegago bao ba dut?ego ka madulong a makgethwa, dumelang. [Good afternoon, Chairperson, the President of South Africa and the Deputy President, hon Members of Parliament and distinguished guests sitting in the gallery.]
On Wednesday we witnessed the announcement of a five year programme that government will be implementing through the state of the nation address.
Ons is baie bly. [We are very happy.] Re thabile. [We are happy.] We are happy, as Members of Parliament of the ruling party, to identify with the priorities contained in your state of the nation address. These priorities, as contained in the ANC election manifesto, are what the people of South Africa voted for on 22 April this year.
Re ikgant?ha ka thlalo?aboemo bja ANC le ka polelo ya seemo sa naga ya rena, ka ge di emet ?e mant?u a batho ba naga ya rena. Ke ka thlalo?oboemo bja ANC mo batho ba t?ereng karolo ka Khampeine ya ANC ya ka, Ponelopele ya ka, Bokamoso bjaka.
Re thabi?it?we kudu ka polelo ya Mopresidente, ya seemo sa boset?haba, ka ge e akaredit?e meoya le maikemi?et?o a kopano ya ANC ya boset?haba yeo e bego e swerwe e bile e tsebja ka la Khonferense sa Polokwane. (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[We pride ourselves in the ANC's election manifesto and the state of the nation address as they represent the voices our people. It is through the ANC's election manifesto that people participated in the campaign 'My ANC, My vision, My future'.
We embrace the state of the nation address as it encompasses the vision and objectives of the ANC national conference which took place and is even known as the Polokwane Conference.]
Taking forward those resolutions through the state of the nation address means that we are speaking to the thousands of delegates who attended that conference - the majority of whom still remain members of the ANC - and the hundreds of thousands of members of the ANC who had mandated those delegates.
Ga gona temokrasi e feti?ago yekhwi. [No democracy can be compared to this one.]
We are also happy that the majority of young people - mainly members of the Young Communist League and the ANC Youth League - came out in support of, and contributed to, that manifesto and, therefore, directly to your state of the nation address.
We hope that you will not heed calls from some quarters in this House that suggest that you should not heed those organisations and sectors of society as part of the programme of governing the country.
We also hope that, in implementing the manifesto and shaping the objectives as contained in the state of the nation address, you will include all organisations and sectors of civil society, especially the SACP, Cosatu and Sanco, so that we attain the call that "Together, we can do more." [Applause.]
All of us in this House, sitting on both its sides, are fresh from an exciting election campaign which revealed both the wealth of our nation and its accompanying poverty. We have spoken to the men and women in the rural countryside, the depressed townships and opulent suburbs, mobilising them to participate in the elections and vote for our different political parties.
They have shared with us their vision for this country. They have instructed us to change the course of their history, from poverty and want to prosperity. We have been given a mandate by that old woman who has to walk miles to fetch water, by that child who walks miles every morning to school and back, and by that young person who is unemployed or retrenched because of the economic recession. We are the protectors of those mandates.
Ons praat van die ouer wat nie kos vir haar kinders kan gee nie. Ons moet haar stem behou. [We refer to the parent who is unable to feed her children. We must retain her vote.]
It is heartening to hear from the benches of the Opposition about their commitment to working together with the ANC government to contribute towards changing the course of history and ensuring that all South Africans weather the storms.
We are aware that we are faced with a most daunting economic recession whose victims are not its creators. This period, therefore, does not warrant "we told you so" speeches, as so many may be tempted to give. It is a period that requires men and women of courage, elected as legislators, contributing collectively towards helping our people survive through and through.
This situation also requires that, as ordinary men and women sit at home and listen to our speeches, they are inspired and have hope, as they did on Wednesday when the President spoke to them, that together, we can survive this economic situation.
At the heart of the state of the nation address is the need for infrastructure development and its importance in building the economy. Infrastructure development is a vital part of our attempt to alter the course of history from poverty and want, to prosperity.
Through this, we should build houses that will provide shelter; build schools that will provide education; build clinics that will provide basic health care; build community facilities that will serve as recreational centres; build roads that will connect the rural to the urban; build nursery homes that will enable children to sing rhymes and learn their first alphabets and vowels, while their parents are at work; build telecommunication infrastructure so that, in the words of the President, " ... we do not leave the rural poor out of these developments".
When President Nelson Mandela took us along a new path of democracy, he took with him one of the most important policy documents that the ANC, together with its allies, had led the people into crafting. That document is called the Reconstruction and Development Programme. At the time, the RDP stated that the infrastructural development programme must ensure an integrated approach to the provision of various services, so that we upgrade our infrastructure in a manner that both meets basic needs and enhances new and effective economic activity.
This pronouncement of the RDP, as well as the pronouncement you made on Wednesday - about your commitment to creating more than 500 000 jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme by the end of the year, and more than 4 million jobs by 2014 - is in line with meeting basic needs and enhancing new and effective economic activity.
The creation of a Ministry and Department of Human Settlement means that a plethora of our people's basic needs, as opposed to a mere house, will be provided for. It means that town planning should take into consideration the provision of schools, sanitation, basic health care, small and macrotraders, an integrated transport system, recreational facilities, telecommunications and electricity. This means that the relevant government departments need to look into the model and designs of public schools, clinics and hospitals.
Our people in the rural and peri-urban townships deserve the same quality and standard of service as those in the well-off areas. There should be no school that is built without a science lab, computer laboratory, sports field or proper sanitation. [Applause.]
There should be no clinic that is without the necessary facilities that can take care of the immediate health needs of our people. There should be no hospital that is built on the skeleton of an apartheid design 15 years after the demon was buried. This will ensure that those who settle in these towns will become the heart of their economy and will not have to travel long distances to access services, as is the case now with some of the planning of our towns.
At the heart of infrastructure development is the need for skills. I hope that your agreement with the various social actors and training workers, before they are retrenched, will consider such skills-based professions as plumbers, electricians, welders, bricklayers, painters, woodworkers and pavers, as those artisans have the skills which are needed to construct the ideal town that we spoke about.
I also hope that the training will assist these workers in setting up co- operatives so that they are able to manage their economic activity.
The constraining situation - that you said needs to be relaxed for the success of small and medium enterprises - should also be extended to include co-operatives. We must challenge the monopoly of big construction companies so that it is not only the few who enjoy the sweetness of the honey produced by the hive of democracy. This should be done by promoting small, macro and medium enterprises and co-operatives who will share in the cake that government is availing and also create work.
I am also pleased that the President has indicated his commitment to black economic empowerment and affirmative action.
I therefore implore all structures and institutions that are charged with the responsibility of supporting small businesses and co-operatives to assist them, so that they are able to compete with the conglomerates in providing quality infrastructure for our economy.
At the heart of your state of the nation address you have provided the details of an industrial policy and the specified lead sectors. These details provide a clear infrastructure development programme which will connect these industries to the factories that will produce the goods that are needed to ensure that the wheels of our economy are oiled.
As part of this, we hope that the millions of workers in the rural areas, who are involved in agriculture, will be able to connect with the urban areas and ensure that their oranges, their avocados and whatever other produce they produce in those rural areas are able to reach the cities and, therefore, enhance their economic activity. This can only be done through an improved roads network and various other infrastructural projects which will ensure that we create jobs in the rural areas and so forth.
As you champion the development of an industrial policy, we need you to keep in mind that the National Youth Service remains at its centre. The youth of our country, irrespective of their race, have come out in their numbers to vote for this government. The main reward we can pay to them is by integrating them into your industrial policy.
Next year, our country will be hosting one of the most prestigious sports events in the world, the Fifa World Cup. If we cannot win on the field of play during the World Cup - and I hope we do - at least our people should be able to win when they are on the touchline. Who is building the stadiums that the teams will play in? Who is building the roads leading to these stadiums? Who will be printing the tickets that provide entry into the stadiums? Who will be providing the transport to the stadiums? Who will be cooking for the guests and the players? Who will be providing their accommodation? Of course, workers will be at the centre of these services. However, we implore the powers that be to give these workers, the unemployed, and the youth of the country, a share in the profits. That is the legacy we cherish. [Applause.]
We are happy with the announcement that R787 billion has been set aside to ensure that we build stadia, improve telecommunications, introduce a Bus Rapid Transport public transport system and connect road, air and sea travel. All of this means that we need to involve our people as both the producers and consumers of these goods in order to ensure that they are back on their feet as they fight against the tide of the economic recession.
Our region is burdened with a lack of infrastructure development. Many in the region travel long distances into our country in order to break through the borders that keep them in poverty. South Africa is better placed to ensure that we connect this region, the SADC region, through our infrastructure in roads, air, sea and telecommunications. This is the commitment we want to hear from our government.
All of the programmes that you have developed will require a cadre that is determined, committed and understands the vision of "Working together, we can do more."
I must advise you that the ANC strategy of deploying cadres on the basis of their ability, commitment and astuteness has always ensured that we get the best services in the public sector to implement these programmes. [Interjections.]
I must also say - don't worry, Chair, I can handle people disrupting my maiden speech - that all of these programmes that you have announced in your state of the nation address should also benefit the people of Orania and the Western Cape. They are South Africans. They belong within the same borders as you and I, irrespective of that which their leaders may claim. They share your vision, and know that you understand their needs, interests and aspirations.
I also hope that these programmes will also benefit the women of the Western Cape. They are part of the jewels of our country. They may not be regarded as meritoriously deserving of serving in government, but at least, through your leadership, they should be placed at the helm of development in our country.
In conclusion, I want to guarantee the President that, with the kind of state of the nation address he presented on Wednesday, there is no need for the ANC to recall him from government and Parliament. This is because your state of the nation address represents what your party, the ANC, and the people it represents, has espoused in its election manifesto.
As the ruling party, we are committed to ensuring that democracy is implemented to the letter. In doing so, it is our responsibility to ensure that our Head of State takes forward the broad mandate that our party has been elected on, and maintains it throughout his term of office.
In that regard, we dare not fail our people. Their hopes, needs, interests and aspirations are embodied in our efforts and tireless endeavours. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, hon President, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members of the House, I would like to start by congratulating Minister Joemat-Pettersson on her appointment as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the Deputy Minister on his appointment. Unfortunately, I see that they are not present. I would have liked to congratulate them in person.
Meneer die President, dit was met teleurstelling, maar sekerlik nie onverwags nie, dat die landbou nie deur u as van besondere belang vir die land se ekonomiese groei en stabiliteit uitgesonder was in u staatsrede nie. Die belangrikheid van die landbousektor as voedsel- en veselverskaffer, as werkgewer en verdiener van buitelandse valuta was in die verlede nooit deur die ANC as sulks erken nie. Die gesegde lui dat enige land wat sy landbou misken uiteindelik tot mislukking gedoem is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Mr President, it was with disappointment, but certainly not unexpected, that in your state of the nation address agriculture was not distinguished as being of particular importance for our country's economic growth and stability. The importance of the agricultural sector as food and fibre supplier, as employer and earner of foreign exchange was never recognised as such by the ANC in the past. The saying goes that any country that overlooks its agriculture is eventually doomed to fail.]
The DA supports a united, profitable, sustainable and thriving agricultural sector in South Africa. We believe it is critical for our food security and that South Africa needs to be the food exporter that it once was. Apart from ensuring South Africa's food security, the primary agricultural sector employs a workforce of 796 000 workers or 8,8% of the total workforce in South Africa. Unfortunately, this is down from 1,2 million workers a decade ago.
It is in this context that we fully support the Department of Agriculture when, in October last year, it unveiled its plans to increase the country's agriculture production by 10% to 15% over the next two years.
However, with the regulatory position of the previous governments, I'm afraid to say it will not be achieved. As a result of its confrontational stance to commercial agriculture, we have seen a huge disinvestment and decline in employment in this important sector. The threats from government to do away with the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle and the now shelved Expropriation Bill certainly also contributed to the decline in investor confidence. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes.
The challenges that we now face to restore confidence and improve production are the following. Government must have a clear regulatory framework based on the free-market system to regulate and enhance investment in the sector. This will include that all land redistribution under our land reform programmes is carried out at market-related prices and that there is an unequivocal adoption of the willing-seller principle by our government.
We must overhaul the failure of our land reform programmes by ensuring that the new land beneficiaries have adequate post-settlement financial and other support. We need to identify people with an interest in farming; we need to train them and have proper mentorship programmes with former landowners in place to ensure a smooth skills transfer.
Sadly, the department's extension services have completely collapsed. They need to be rejuvenated as a matter of urgency. New farm owners should have freehold title ownership to unlock the economic potential of their assets, especially in communal rural areas. Market access is of vital importance for small-scale producers to secure adequate and fair prices for their products. We will have to look into it to make it possible. More money will have to be put into research and development, as well as into the use of biotechnology to its fullest possible extent to increase production.
Another critical issue which will have to be addressed is the vast impact of climate change on agriculture. We will have to focus on strategies to mitigate its adverse effect and impact on especially water availability and adapted plant biodiversity. In conjunction with other departments, resources need to be allocated to infrastructure development, such as roads, rail and communication in order for our products to reach their markets on time. Proper management of natural disasters is critical for the long-term sustainability of this sector. We need to accelerate the promulgation of a disaster management Act.
Currently, the management of disaster strikes is ad hoc and takes far too long to be implemented. We need to revisit our trade and tariff policy in order to align it with agreements and the policy space allowed for in the Doha Round of the WTO agreement in order to make sure that our local production remains competitive and profitable. Lastly, the high crime rate in rural areas should, as a matter of urgency, be addressed by ensuring that effective sector policing is in place and that proper policing in our local police stations is secured.
In conclusion, the DA looks forward to a more co-operative relationship with the Minister and her department in order to take agriculture development, food security and our country forward. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, hon President Jacob Zuma, hon Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the Chief Whips, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, comrades and friends, I bid all a very good day and wish to thank the Speaker for inviting me to participate in this parliamentary debate on an important issue related to women.
I am indeed honoured to have been appointed as the Minister who will oversee delivery against the women's agenda. Therefore, this debate is of significant importance to the Ministry, government and society as a whole.
Allow me to begin by congratulating His Excellency, President Zuma, on his address to the nation. We are truly motivated by the plans put forward by His Excellency and want to place on record the serious commitment of the Ministry for Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities towards meeting these goals, and ensuring that the targeted and vulnerable are indeed protected, promoted, empowered, advanced and developed.
I am most encouraged by the President's pronouncements that the fight against poverty, together with government's aim to reduce job losses, is a cornerstone of government's focus. The President's statement that workers who would ordinarily be facing retrenchment due to economic difficulty, would be kept in employment for a period of time and be reskilled, is extremely important for women. You would know, Mr President, that whenever there are retrenchments, women are the first to go.
I am also encouraged by the announcement of the fast-tracking of phase two of the Expanded Public Works Programme, given its significance for women employment and economic development, and towards improving the quality of life in all our communities. The creation of decent work will be at the centre of our economic policies, together with our efforts to promote a more inclusive economy and correct the imbalances of the past. This transformation, the President proclaimed, will be undertaken in support of women, youth and people with disabilities.
Our historical backgrounds take us back to resolution 109 - on the establishment of a women's ministry - adopted at the fifty-second conference of the ANC in December 2007. I quote:
In considering the matter of establishing a women's ministry, the commission recommended that a thorough assessment be undertaken by the ANC to analyse current instruments and their relevance, strategies, areas of focus and programmes on the matter of women and the impact these programmes made. These assessments would then provide comprehensive recommendations on the form and content of whatever institutional mechanisms will be put in place in pursuit of women's emancipation and gender matters.
The resolution further noted that the ANC has led South Africa in ensuring that the empowerment of women is brought to the centre of development.
South Africa has addressed the issues of women empowerment through all government departments and by monitoring through the gender machinery at the national level.
Fighting poverty is a key objective of the ANC and poverty affects women disproportionately. There is a need to consider the impact of all government policies on women and for the co-ordination of the necessary redress.
The resolution further noted that the ANC's objective is to halve poverty by 2014 and work towards the eradication of poverty. Further investigation is necessary on appropriate government structures to address issues affecting women and the increasing feminisation of poverty in South Africa and globally.
The most specific key areas of the Ministry are to establish the empowerment fund for women as well as the skills development fund for people with disabilities. These will be tools to alleviate poverty with much emphasis on rural areas. As I have indicated, the empowerment fund for women will be launched together with the skills development fund later in the year.
Today's debate among the Members of Parliament - on strengthening the position of women as pillars of the economy and drivers of social transformation - assures me that women's issues are being prioritised by national Parliament. I therefore urge all members to fully participate and engage in this debate.
I am emphasising the practical interventions aimed at addressing and changing the patriarchal notion that only men must be at the centre of the economy. Our ability to limit the negative effects of patriarchy is key to social transformation which will positively impact on women's economic participation, development and empowerment.
We also remain cognisant that, in South Africa, racism combines with patriarchy to subvert women's economic efforts. Thus, the path to women's economic empowerment lies in the ability of men and women to agree on changing the social frameworks that subjugate women in relation to men and to address discrimination in all its forms: racial, sexist and disability. I quote Cornell, who made this statement in 2005.
While we acknowledge that the economic empowerment of women has been a government priority since 1994, this inclusive approach has had a limited impact on women's lives, although broad economic measures taken over the last 15 years include the following: implementing the social safety net, reducing inequality, eliminating poverty, supporting job creation, encouraging small and medium enterprises, setting up strong competition policies, opening markets, promoting skills development and land reform.
We remain concerned with the slow pace of economic empowerment of women. In this regard, I am therefore inclined to state that the government's antipoverty strategy and measures to eradicate poverty should be at the centre of the fight. The creation of economic opportunities and enabling and empowering communities and individuals to access these opportunities remain critical to the process of strengthening women's positions, particularly in ensuring that we move more of the second economy into the first economy.
The success of the antipoverty strategy emphasises economic growth, and must be embedded in uprooting those obstacles that constrain women's participation in economic advancements and development. This will ensure that women become the pillars of the economy, thereby exerting a positive effect on social transformation in general.
Women's roles in the family and community generally tend to limit their participation in the economy, especially in big business and the private sector. What we need to concentrate on is ensuring that women are given increasing opportunities to take up positions in decision-making and managerial levels. This will most certainly contribute to the economy, and that includes the Western Cape.
In order to promote women's active participation, we have to begin to look at workplace policies that will promote an environment conducive to their advancement. In this light I refer to policies that would assist in reconciling family and work life, such as crches and child-care facilities, the introduction of flexitime at the workplace, elimination of sexual stereotyping and sexual harassment, favourable leave policies - including maternity and paternity leave, as well as fostering equal sharing of responsibilities between men and women at the household level, including time spent on household and family tasks.
I also want to propose that we consider strengthening mechanisms of co- ordination and collaboration with business, labour and the private sector, in order to unlock the enormous resources that these sectors have to promote women's impact on improving the quality of life of their families and communities and thus acting as drivers for social transformation. Their roles as mothers, wives and caregivers become vital in this process. Economically empowered women will therefore impact positively as drivers of such transformation.
The pronouncement furthers the revolution waged by the governing party for the full liberation of women in our society. The ANC has always waged war against the suppression and subjugation of women. True liberation of our country will not be complete if women are left out of economic development. In this I fully concur with the late President Samora Machel in his belief that women's liberation is a fundamental necessity for the revolution.
I would like to propose the following under the leadership of the ANC-led government, so that we can reverse what we have inherited in the last decades: I propose that we encourage the participation of rural women in rural employment. This is a critical factor for labour force restructuring in our country. I propose that we facilitate and fast-track the achievement of parity in representivity in the private and public sectors.
We will process and pass the draft 50/50 Bill to ensure equal representation and participation at all levels of our society. [Applause.] We will ensure that the Public Service reaches its target of having women in 50% of executive and senior management positions by 2010. We will fast- track the substantive increase in the quantity of women in all these executive positions, and I dare say that includes the Western Cape.
We will increase efforts to move women from unpaid work to paid work and towards greater ownership of land and control over its use and produce, including empowerment of women in rural areas through skills development initiatives.
We should continue building on existing programmes of government that have the possibility of wide impact and replicability while initiating and developing selected new programmes. Particularly with regard to low-income women, we need to facilitate women's equal access to resources, employment, markets and trade. We need to provide business services, training and access to markets, and information and technology. We need to strengthen women's economic capacity and commercial networks. We need to eliminate occupational segregation and all forms of employment discrimination, promote harmonisation of work and family responsibility for women and men. We need to eliminate the differences in remuneration between women and men where they are manifested, in order to achieve equal pay for work of equal value. We need to promote the development of nondiscriminatory methods of evaluating work and women's inclusion in wage negotiations.
Unfortunately, hon Minister, your time has long since expired. I gave you extra time to allow you to deal with the issues relating to women.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Thank you. [Applause.]
House Chair, comrades and hon members, may I join the House in congratulating the hon President on his maiden state of the nation address, and especially on the Medium-term Strategic Framework for 2009 to 2014.
The framework touches on a wide range of critical issues whose accomplishment would give material meaning to the freedom that we have, at least to the majority of our people for whom in part the promise of freedom has remained a dream perpetually deferred.
The APC believes that education and health are critical developmental issues for our country whose neglect will condemn our people to perpetual underdevelopment. Without education our people will not only be unemployed, but also unemployable, and they will remain the "garden boys" and "kitchen girls" of others. We need, in a pointed way, to address the question of access to higher education by all. The health facilities used by the majority of people are not providing first-class services as a result of neglect and inefficient management. It is a crisis situation requiring drastic and urgent measures.
The rural areas, which were the dumping grounds under white minority rule, have been yearning for a lifeline, and the APC stands ready to make positive contributions to accelerate their development.
Comrade President, did the taxi operators have to go on strike to be listened to about the bus rapid transit system? Why does the Minister not re-engage on the recapitalisation programme as well? It is a source of deep resentment, frustration and confusion. The APC would like to see this programme reviewed.
At the centre of the fight against poverty is the creation of decent jobs for our people. It is a strongly held position of the APC that labour brokers should not be part of that equation. The APC wants labour brokers banned. They represent the worst form of primitive accumulation. The story of the labour brokers is a story of bitterness, frustration, heartless exploitation and naked greed.
The APC is talking here of about 400 employees of the Post Office all over Gauteng who are looking at government to end this scourge. What government values is a parastatal representing when it engages in this kind of practice. The permanent employees of the Post Office earn about R6 000 per month, while those hired through the labour brokers get R2 000 per month.
Comrade President, we are living in difficult economic times. Capitalism has fallen into a ditch of its own digging. These terrible times, the APC believes, do not call upon us to tighten our embrace of the system, but rather give us the opportunity and possibility to examine some of the axiomatic truths of progressive economic thought, strengthening the national character and sovereignty of the economy, local ownership, local production and local consumption. In these trying times it is by growing the local economy that we can ensure that the country survives the cyclical boom and bust of the global free-market economy.
Implementing government policies and delivering services means using money. In these times of scarce resources it means more than ever before that we must account for every cent of public money; we must get value for money beyond mere mechanical compliance by public servants. It is the hope of the APC that both the executive and Parliament will be vigilant in ensuring that public funds indeed improve the lives of our people. Yes, no roll- overs, but also no fiscal dumping!
Comrade President, the APC believes that we indeed need to work with haste to deepen the transformation of our society from its settler colonial past to the free and equal society that we fought for, to consolidate and advance our democracy so that it works for all our people, to fight the stubborn demons of racism and the inequalities that are still a definition of our past.
The APC, however, is alive to the fact that this national effort requires a front of all progressive and patriotic forces to join hands and share ideas on how best we can accelerate service delivery to our people, develop a national consensus on the strategic direction of our country and unite the people behind a popular vision to ensure that the promise of freedom does not remain a dream perpetually deferred for the majority of our people. On such a positive coming together the APC is ready and willing to engage. The decks are cleared, the battle must be joined. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon House Chairperson ... [Interjections.] ... Hoe gaan dit daai kant? [How are things over there?]
Baie goed, dankie! [Very well, thank you!] [Laughter.]
Hon House Chairperson, your Excellencies President Zuma and Deputy President Motlanthe, esteemed hon Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, section 44(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states as follows:
When exercising its legislative authority, Parliament is bound only by the Constitution, and must act in accordance with, and within the limits of the Constitution.
It is worth recalling that the concept of democratic governance, which confers legitimacy, has emerged as an objective principle under public international law, and that the subjective fundamental right for democratic governance has its source in the right of human dignity.
The concept of democratic governance, therefore, means that all acts of any public authority should be legitimised by a democratic process.
Parliament is thus founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. As the freely elected representatives of the people of South Africa, our duty as Members of Parliament is, first and foremost, to represent and act as a voice of the people in fulfilling our constitutional functions of passing legally sound laws and overseeing executive action.
Some of the fundamental questions that have remained current from the first, second and third democratic Parliaments to the fourth democratic Parliament are: one, how Parliament can be made more effective as an institution acting in the interests of all South Africans, irrespective of race, class or creed; two, how Parliament can be made to empower ordinary citizens to participate more in portfolio committee public hearings and have a greater say over the laws that they are expected to abide by; and three, how Parliament can more effectively scrutinise executive action.
Another question we have to answer as Parliament is, how do we as public representatives ensure that Parliament truly becomes an organ of people's power in word and deed? And, furthermore, how do we as a Parliament of renewed promise ensure that the government delivers on the ten priority areas which the President highlighted, without us getting lost in the detour of empty political rhetoric?
Common sense dictates that in order to achieve progress, portfolio committees, Ministries and departments will have to develop a critical, but benign constructive relationship that has the common objective and aim of optimising service delivery to ensure a better life for all South Africans. The consequences of non-delivery are just too dire in the current recession when greater numbers of workers and self-employed people are losing their jobs daily.
For Parliament to become a true organ of people's power it will have to be, one, more responsive to the needs of South Africans and be driven by the ideal of facilitating the realisation of a better quality of life for all South Africans; two, play an active part in the transformation of society for the common good; three, continue to nurture democratic values; four, promote social justice and fundamental human rights; five, be more accessible to the people; six, find new ways of involving citizens more in its processes; seven, act as a voice of the people; eight, be a vibrant national forum for the consideration of all issues; nine, act in co- operation with other spheres of government; ten, pass legally sound laws; eleven, be a more effective and efficient institution; twelve, continue building a united, democratic nonracial South Africa; and thirteen, continue to work with international bodies as guided by South Africa's foreign policy.
In conclusion, in order to gain a higher degree of democratic and social legitimacy as a people's parliament, Parliament should keep its finger on the pulse of society.
As the Freedom Charter states, "The people shall govern!" I thank you. [Applause.]