Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA-led City of Cape Town has since 2006 significantly increased purchases from historically disadvantaged individuals and small and medium enterprises compared to the previous ANC-run administration.
We know that all state procurement is governed by the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, which states that the historically disadvantaged companies must be awarded additional points for their status when tendering.
The ANC had previously added additional BEE requirements in the City of Cape Town, which DA Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson has argued were illegal and had the adverse effect of excluding many companies from doing business with the city. The city administration, under the DA-led government, subsequently relaxed the requirements for doing business with the city to bring it in line with the national legislation.
The effect has been to expand opportunities, as is the goal of the DA. During 2006 the city procured about 40% of its supplies from historically disadvantaged individuals and small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs. This has immediately risen to around 60% and reached a height of 80% in the fourth quarter of last year.
The City has also expanded the number of vendors from which it procures from around 10 000 in 2007 to more than 15 000 at the beginning of this year, 2010. This shows that the DA ... [Time expired.]