Indeed, it is true that this exercise requires long-term planning as we go forward. Even this amount of money is not enough. However, as a responsible government in South Africa, it is of critical importance that we don't look at a problem becoming worse and worse every day. It is for that reason that we resolved, at a Cabinet level, to allocate this amount of money as a short-term measure to eradicate the problem for now, while we are also looking at all other solutions, including the "polluter pays" principle. As a matter of fact, three of our pieces of legislation contain the "polluter pays" element, such as the Mining Act and Water Act, as well as our National Environmental Management Act. So, we can use any of them. At this time we have resolved to use section 19 and 20 of the Water Act to follow all those mines that have to come on board in terms of payment and really ensure that this principle of "the polluter pays" works.
Also, Treasury is currently working with us to investigate other methods and mechanisms of ensuring that there is sustainability and the possibility of a long-term funding programme going forward to deal with this problem. As government we definitely can't come on board all the time and pop out taxpayers' money to deal with a mining problem when people have pocketed profits and left. Particulars regarding achievement of 2015 target to send 10 000 qualified artisans into the economy annually
39. Ms N Y Vukuza-Linda (Cope) asked the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
Whether his department is on track to reach its target by 2015 to send 10 000 qualified artisans into the economy on an annual basis; if not, why not; if so, (a) how will his department ensure that the artisans are qualified to enter the job market and (b) how much money has been allocated to training these artisans annually?