Xandla xa Presidente, xana Afrika ri nga vuyeriwa njhani eka nhluvukiso wa switirhisiwa eka ku tumbuluxa mitirho, nhluvukiso wa swikili na nxaviselano wa matiko ya Afrika ku hunguta ku xava swikili, nhundzu na switirhisiwa swo huma ehandle ka Afrika loko swikili na nhundzu swi ri kona endzeni ka Afrika?
Xana tiyunivhesiti na tithekinikhono ti sungurile ku tilunghisela ku pfuna eka pfhumba ro kurisa switirhisiwa swa Afrika xana? (Translation of Xitsonga paragraphs follows.)
[Mr X MABASA: Deputy President, how can Africa benefit from infrastructure development in the creation of jobs, skills development and trade with African states in order to reduce the sourcing of skills, goods and infrastructure from outside Africa when skills and goods are available within Africa?
Have universities and technikons started with preparations to assist in the initiative to develop African infrastructure?]
Hon Mabasa, I could not agree with you more. The development of infrastructure and interconnectivity within the region is of paramount importance, and the sharing of research through institutions of higher learning and technikons is something that should underpin those efforts for enhancing interconnectivity within the region. In addition, such interconnectivity would include the road network and rail networks in the region itself, as well as in the area of information and communications technology, ICT. I think that covers the question as I followed it.
Hon Speaker, following on the Deputy President's reply, particularly regarding the presidential commission he mentioned, much is said - and we all agree - about interconnectivity on the continent. However, in relation to the transportation of goods, we are also worried about the country's rail freight system, which is becoming dilapidated.
We all know that economic growth also depends on that particular mode of transport being at the heart of the economy in terms of commuting and transporting. What is the government's thinking and focus around this rail freight? Mozambique is already leading the way, while we continue to think about the rail freight infrastructure and system. What are we going to be doing, in terms of the presidential commission, with regard to this particular area of work?
Hon Ramatlakane, as part of these SIPs, one of the nodal areas is the Waterberg area. Transnet is playing a very important role in terms of developing freight rail networks from that area in Limpopo through to Richards Bay, as well as Maputo.
As you know, Transnet is also increasing its rolling stock to ensure that the current practice of relying on road trains - which also punish the roads - is reduced, and more heavy cargo is transferred to rail. The plan by Transnet is to address precisely that problem. Thank you.
Mr Speaker, Xandla xa Presidente [Deputy President], I have a question in relation to the standardisation of infrastructure. I am thinking about the railway lines, for example. We know that some countries have got narrow gauge and others have wide gauge rail lines that cannot accommodate trains from other countries. In terms of ICT standardisation, certain countries in Africa source their infrastructure from different countries. How are we going to ensure that there is compatibility in the infrastructure that we are talking about across the entire continent? Also, taking into account that different countries in Africa have reached different levels of development, how do we ensure that this technology and this infrastructure speak to one another? Thank you.
Speaker, this was discussed at the summit of the three regional economic communities, the Southern African Development Community, SADC, the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas, and the East Africa Economic Community. The possibility of standardising infrastructure was also canvassed at that summit. Of course, the understanding is that there will be sidings where cargo and freight is transferred, rather than for the trains to run right across borders, as it were. This is something that is desirable and is one of the elements of integrating and promoting intratrade within Africa itself. Thank you.
Mr Speaker, I would like the Deputy President to kindly comment on the fact that, in respect of continental infrastructural development, for the past 20 years our leader, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has put forward a very detailed proposal to accommodate the development of a supernational entity in Africa at a much faster pace, but limited to democratic countries. This, while we continue to pursue what is the necessarily slower pace of international organisation through the existing infrastructure, specifically with a view to creating a continental centre of decision-making provided with limited sovereign powers. This can bring about the type of co-ordination of infrastructure which has not taken place - and it is a horrible reference to make, but a correct one - since the colonial period.
Does the President have an opportunity to review this echoing proposal from our leader? Does he have an opinion? If not, would he be in a position to review it once we send him a copy?
Speaker, certainly we would welcome it if we were favoured with a copy of the proposal. When was it penned, hon Oriani- Ambrosini?
Speaker, the first time was in January 1993, during the First World Economic Forum held in Cape Town, and on a number of subsequent occasions, including a presentation to Cabinet in 2003; and also in a couple of other articles which we will undoubtedly send to the Deputy President.
Thank you very much. Please, do furnish us with a copy. My colleague, the hon Trevor Manuel, sits on the North-South Corridor project of the African Union. So, that may actually be factored into their discussions in that regard. Do forward the copy to us. Thank you very much.