Please find attached the breakdown (Annexure A), as requested, which I am advised reflects the information requested.
Annexure A provides a complete breakdown of all official international travel for the Minister of Basic Education since she assumed office, including the (i) purpose and justification for each trip, (ii) destination details, (iii) costs incurred, including, but not limited, to transport, accommodation, meals and other related incidental expenses, (iv) names and roles of all accompanying support staff and their respective costs; and (v) additional costs associated with each specified trip.
With respect to the Minister’s travel to New York, neither the Minister nor support staff travelled to New York, as the final logistical arrangements and authorisations could not be secured. Presently, the Department’s travel agency is in the process of recouping the refunds associated with the trip.
Concerning the Minister’s travel to Qatar, the Department of Basic Education was responsible for the cost of officials within the Minister’s delegation. The high-level engagement in Qatar was facilitated by UNESCO, UNICEF and other partner and multilateral organisations, including the Education Above All Foundation (EEA). As is typical of such high-level meetings of multilateral organisations, the EEA provided for the Minister’s costs concerning flights, accommodation and ground transportation. Details of the costs covered by the EEA have been requested and may be provided to the Honourable Member once available.
Regarding the Minister’s travel to Brazil, the Department of Basic Education attended the fourth G20 education working group meeting from 29 to 31 October 2024 in Brazil. The Group of 20 Countries (G20) is a leading forum of major economies that seeks to develop global policies to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Education Working Group (EWG) was established in 2018 under the Argentinian Presidency. Both the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) actively participate in this forum. Brazil held the G20 presidency in 2024. South Africa is a member of the Troika with India and Brazil, and It will hold the Presidency in 2025.
It is confirmed that the deputy minister has not been on any official international travel since she assumed office.