(1) Whether, with reference to the preservation of the manuscripts in Timbuktu, Mali, which was one of the key pillars of former President Thabo Mbeki’s African Renaissance agenda, and the apparent lack of commitment from the Government to preserve the specified ancient manuscripts and leading to them being endangered, why has her department ignored the specified project since 2009; (2) is this an indication of a weakening resolve for the African Renaissance within the current administration; if not, what has the Government done to show its commitment to the rejuvenation of Africa? NW760E

Whether the Government is working with international partners to help end the siege of Gaza and push for a rapprochement between Gaza and Israel so that the conflict in the Middle East could find a resolution and come to an end in the region which is creating huge problems for neighbouring countries and the world; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Has her department awarded any contracts to companies indirectly or directly owned by certain persons (names furnished) in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; if so, in each specified financial year, (i) how many times were such contracts awarded and (ii) for what amount? NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO:223(NW224E) PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 2-2016 OF 19 FEBRUARY 2016 MR S.P Mhlongo (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION: Has her department awarded any contracts to companies indirectly or directly owned by certain persons (names furnished) in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; if so, in each specified financial year, (i) how many times were such contracts awarded and (ii) for what amount? UNQUOTE REPLY: (i)The number of times her Department awarded the contracts to the companies indirectly or directly owed by certain persons: No awards were made to certain persons. (aaa)2012/2013: None (bbb)2013/2014:None (ccc)2014/2015:None (ii)The amount that her Department spent on contracts awarded to the companies indirectly or directly owed by certain persons: No money spent as there were no awards made to certain persons. (aaa)2012/2013: None (bbb)2013/2014:None (ccc)2014/2015:None

(1) (a) What percentage of the total procurement of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her went to (i) SMMEs and (ii) co-operatives from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO: 371(NW383E) PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 2-2016 OF 19 FEBRUARY 2016 MS J Edwards (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION: (a) What percentage of the total procurement of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her went to (i) SMMEs and (ii) co-operatives from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?                                                                                       UNQUOTE REPLY: (i)The percentage of the total procurement that her Department spent on SMME and Co-operatives from April 2015 up to latest date is as follows: DIRCO (i) SMME: 22.90% (ii) Co-operatives: 6.65% None

(1) Whether she or her Department contacted or been contacted by any organ of state in the United States of America in respect of the on-going investigation and indictment into allegations of corruption in respect of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the relevant details of the communication? NW4575E

(1) What (a) total amount did her department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) What is the total amount that her department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?

(1) What amount did (i) her department and (ii) state entities reporting to her spend on each newspaper subscription in each month (aa) in the (aaa) 2011-12, (bbb) 2012-13 and (ccc) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) during the period l April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) how many copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week (i) in each specified financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?