Minister, can you make use of the translation services? I'm going to ask in Afrikaans.
Afrikaans:
Minister, ek dink dat u met die EVV sal saamstem dat die aangehoue droogte situasie wat ons in die land het, het 'n langtermyn strategie nodig om basies met die droogte te handel. Ons weet natuurlik dat die droogte 'n negatiewe impak op produksie, op die ekonomie en dan ook op werkskepping het. Onlangs het die Departement van Waterwese juis 'n verslag uitgebring en ondersoek ingestel, en gevind dat in 12 maande se tyd is daar 'n afname in ons damme van omtrent 10% van water wat verdywn, en dit benodig 'n omdraaistrategie.
My vraag aan u is soos volg. Is u as die Minister, in samewerking met die Minister van Waterwese, in interaksie met mekaar om seker te maak dat daar proaktiewe maatrels in plek is om seker te maak dat ons op die langtermyn nie opeindig soos wat ons amper hier in Kaapstad en in die Weskaap opgeindig het nie; waar daar 'n droogtetyd was en waar daar ges was ... day zero. Dat ons nie so 'n dag het nie. Is u en die Minister in interaksie om seker te maak dat daardie plan uitgevoer word? Baie, baie dankie.
English:
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
Thank you hon member Arnold. You know it's a new question but I will answer it. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] Yes. You have put it through
the window. But indeed, the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is working together with myself and other Minister on that water master plan, which seeks to look at the situation currently that we have as a country but also in the long term in the future and what strategies need to be developed. That would also require particular irrigation systems that as the agricultural sector must put in place. It would also ensure that we can look at drought resistant crops in certain instances. So, we are working together. As you that apart from water from our own resources in the country, we also get water from our neighbouring countries such as Lesotho. So, it's important how we work on conservation of water strategies to prepare for the future. So, indeed, we are working together. Thank you very much.
Question 163:
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Thank you very
much, hon Chair and hon members, the overall spent on procurement to black- owned companies by the department is 74% and amounts to approximately R415 million, 29% is spent on women and youth-owned companies and it amounts to R121 million. The department has also initiated workshops with small enterprises on a by-annual basis that specifically target, black, women and youth with the object of
encouraging the registration as prospective suppliers and service providers to the department.
From a job creation perspective the department has implemented a number of empowerment initiatives that support women and youth from previously disadvantaged communities. The recycling support programme which awards grants to waste management and recycling, small, medium and micro- enterprises, smmes, primarily owned by youth and women has generated the following spend over the period of R400 million or 14% going to women -owned enterprise, 11% or R3,4 million going to youth-owned enterprises.
Further, the recycling enterprise support programme is supported through an Expanded Public Works Programmes, EPWP, and has created a total of 28 000 Public Works opportunities, of this 14 000 or 52% go to women and 20 000 or 70% of the opportunities go to youth. The department continues to expand the EPWP to ensure the designated groups and that will include women, youth and people with disabilities are prioritised. As part of the biodiversity economy programme a total of 540 youth are receiving accredited training in game meat processing through a partnership between the department and Shoprite checkers and through the environment learnership programme, the department recruits 100 youth every year from
universities. These students are then placed and work-integrated learning and they are also allocated mentors and coaches who make sure that the year is fruitful and supportive of them. Thank you very much.