Chairperson, Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon members, the committee conducted oversight into the OR Tambo headquarters building of the department. We wish to report as follows and request the House to adopt the Report. I should just like to start by highlighting some of the issues that emanated from the visit.
The committee noted and commended the department for the establishment of a youth directorate, putting matters of youth at the centre of foreign policy- making and execution. The committee also noted, supported and indeed commended the department for sending most of its seasoned diplomats to provide support to the African Union Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma.
We have also noted that the matter of the filling of South Africa's quota of vacancies is indeed receiving attention, especially vacancies in the AU. The department is looking at proposals which, amongst others, will include the topping-up of the salaries of prospective participants.
The committee also noted that progress is being made on the Registration of South Africans Abroad, Rosa, programme, which is meant to notify the department of the presence of South Africans in foreign countries. This, hon members, is an important programme, because it is meant to ensure that the department is notified of the presence of South Africans abroad, especially given disasters and, in some cases, man-made disasters in other parts of the world.
I want to use the opportunity to call upon hon members to use this Registration of South Africans Abroad programme and notify the department when travelling abroad so that whenever these disasters strike, at least the department knows where you are in that country and in which part of the country you are.
We have also noted the efforts of the department in undertaking public diplomacy through various social media platforms and periodic izimbizo. While we acknowledge these efforts, we believe that there is a lot more that can be done and indeed should be done to ensure that we demystify international relations as a tool for advancing our domestic agenda and the programme that seeks to engage the public in a proactive manner on matters of foreign policy.
We were also satisfied that the department was indeed putting in place systems and processes that are necessary to correct and mitigate some challenges faced by the department. We have, amongst others, noted and supported attempts by the department at prioritising the recruitment and employment of women and people with disabilities. This is indeed consistent with the President's state of the nation address. However, we believe that more can be done in this regard, but we are acknowledging the attempts of government and the department in this case.
While the general impression that we got was that the department's performance is improving over time, especially in the areas that we have pointed out, we, however, believe that there is room for improvement.
In conclusion, we have adopted the view that it is only through working together in a co-operative manner - the executive and the legislature - and through sharpening up our oversight that we will be able to achieve our country's domestic priorities. Thank you so much. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, I move:
That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to. Report accordingly adopted.