Somlomo, Indvuna, emalunga lahlon, ngitsandza kutsi nangita langembili ngibeke lokwekutsi kuye kuhluphe lokutsi bantfu nabeta lapha ngembili batewunyembenya nje bangayati intfo lebayikhulumako. Umuntfu longakaze ete ekomidini afike atewukhuluma emaphosiso lapha embikwebantfu labahlonipheke kangaka, uyahlupha.
Lilunga lelihlon, Umnu. Dexter kwangatsi angetama kutsi ahlanganyele kanye natsi atekwati kutivela ngetindlebe takhe tintfo letikhulunywa kulemihlangano lesiyibambako. (Translation of Siswati paragraphs follows.)
[Mr G S RADEBE: Speaker, hon Minister, hon members, as I come before you, I want to point out that it is not good that when people are given the platform, they just criticise for the sake of criticising. A person who has never attended a committee meeting comes and tells falsehoods in front of these honourable people, which is worrying.
The hon member Mr Dexter should try to be part of us so he could hear for himself the issues that we discuss in these meetings that we attend.]
The Department of Higher Education and Training is the pillar of society, whereas the FET institution is the backbone and economic hub of the country. Why should the DA oppose the amendment of this Bill? It is intended to contribute positively to the FET colleges. Is it because they don't want to move away from apartheid laws and keep all the benefits to themselves because they continue to oppress disadvantaged people? This will be the first time the FET colleges become a national responsibility and we believe that, as it becomes a national responsibility, Minister Nzimande will ensure that these FET colleges operate accordingly.
One of the challenges that needs strong attention in the FET sector is conflict of interest. Hon Minister, procurement processes have not been followed properly in most of the FET colleges. Minister, given that you are taking over the responsibility of overseeing the sector, please pay attention to this and tighten the bolts on procurement processes.
The experience of Lephalale FET College, where the former CEO, Mr Raath, was investigated by the ANC-led Limpopo provincial government and charged with misconduct, is a good example of where a former CEO has taken a very unfair decision. He failed to develop and implement an effective and efficient supply chain management system and financial controls. He also continued to misuse his position to support his daughter and Mr Coetzee. These are some of the reasons that the FET sector needs special attention. I could mention so many examples.
Haeba o hopola hantle, bekeng e fetileng re ne re le mane Bloemfontein, Motheo FET College, moo re neng re etsa Tekolo ya tswelopele teng. Re fumane mehlolo teng. Letona, mmoho le Molaodi Kakaretso wa hao, re kopa le shebisise hantle taba ya Kholetjhe ya Motheo FET. Le kene dipakeng ka tsela e ikgethang ... (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)
[If you remember, last week we were in Bloemfontein, at Motheo FET College, where we were carrying out our oversight duties. We found some amazing things. Minister, as well as your director-general, we would like for you to look carefully into the matter concerning Motheo FET College. You must intervene in a special kind of way ...]
... so that the FET colleges can operate properly. The FET Bill, in clause 76, seeks to remove all references to provincial authorities and functions of members of executive councils and change it to Ministers and functions of the HOD and the director-general. It regulates the conduct of the council members and staff of public colleges not to engage in business with the relevant colleges.
Hon Minister, Napoleon Hill says, and I quote:
Don't look for opportunities in the far distances of space and time but embrace them right where you are because where you are already has the perfection and the balance.
Full accessibility of colleges should not be a problem. I mean there should be flexibility at colleges so that students can access them and use them on weekends and after hours. I believe this will contribute positively to the students' results.
Clause 14 of the Bill deals with the state's responsibilities and giving the Minister power to allocate funds and monitor such funds according to norms and standards. The only concern the opposition has with this Bill is with subsection 3 and nothing else, as it deals with addressing the inequalities that have been experienced in this sector.
The monitoring of the proper functioning of these institutions is a responsibility that cannot be relegated anywhere else. Minister, don't worry, victory is certain. We shall overcome. Churchill once said, "In victory we deserve it, in defeat we need it." I think the DA will be sad when we continue to address the inequalities and they will need something to deal with it.
I have said this before, Minister: The portfolio committee will continue to support you. Continue with the sterling work that you are doing. It is very important that we understand why the opposition is doing this. It is because they know very well that they will never lead this country in their lifetime.