Chairperson, the ANC-led government's unwavering commitment to eradicating poverty, promoting social inclusion and building social cohesion is correctly located in its various strategic interventions in social welfare services, community development and comprehensive social security. We therefore welcome the increased budget allocation of 8,3% per annum.
We welcome the following initiatives by our government: The allocation of R365 million to train new social workers through the provision of scholarships and to use the additional resources to develop the capacity and skills of social workers already within the system. We call on the higher education sector to work with government to ensure that schools of social work in the country are fully operational and that more is done to ensure recruitment of social workers.
We welcome the allocation of resources to implement the Older Persons Act of 2006. Government's expansion of access to early childhood development through increased budgetary allocations affirms its commitment to tackling child poverty through early childhood development and social grants.
Through the expansion of our social assistance safety net we witness how the lives of children, older persons, the vulnerable and the destitute are improving. Over 8 million children now have access to social assistance. This includes 7,8 million children benefiting from the Child Support Grant, nearly 400 000 benefiting from the foster grant and 95 000 benefiting from the care development dependency. More than 2,1 million elderly persons receive an old age grant and 1,4 million receive a disability grant.
We welcome the government's initiative to put in place measures to support children over 14 years and to remove the means test for old age pensioners. We especially welcome the paradigm shift to a comprehensive approach to poverty reduction, especially for our children, and we support the initiative to link social grants to access to basic services. The ANC supports Budget Vote No 17. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Division demanded.
The House divided:
AYES - 260: Abram, S; Ainslie, A R; Anthony, T G; Asiya, S E; Balfour, B M N; Baloyi, M R; Bapela, K O; Bhamjee, Y S; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, M J; Bhengu, P; Bhoola, R B; Bici, J; Biyela, B P ; Bloem, D V; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Bonhomme, T J; Botha, N G W; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Cele, M A; Chalmers, J; Chang, E S; Chikunga, L S; Chohan-Khota, F I; Combrinck, J J; Cronin, J P; Cupido, H B ; Cwele, S C; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P; Davies, R H; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Direko, I W; Dithebe, S L; Ditshetelo, P H K; Dlali, D M; Doidge, G Q M; Du Toit, D C ; Dudley, C; Fihla, N B; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gabanakgosi, P S; Gaum, A H; Gcwabaza, N E ; George, M E; Gerber, P A; Gigaba, K M N; Godi, N T; Gomomo, P J; Gore, V C; Greyling, C H F; Greyling, L W; Gumede, D M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hanekom, D A ; Hangana, N E; Hendricks, L B; Hendrickse, P A C; Holomisa, S P; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, M; Jordan, Z P; Kalako, M U; Kasienyane, O R; Kasrils, R; Kekana, C D; Kganyago, N M; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, K K; Khumalo, K M; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Kondlo, N C; Kotwal, Z; Landers, L T; Lebenya, P; Lekgetho, G; Lishivha, T E; Louw, J T; Louw, S K; Ludwabe, C I; Luthuli, A N; Maake, J J; Mabe, L L; Mabena, D C; Mabudafhasi, T R; Madasa, Z L; Madella, A F; Madikiza, G T; Madlala-Routledge, N C ; Maduma, L D; Madumise, M M; Magwanishe, G B; Mahlaba, T L; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Mahlawe, N M; Mahote, S; Maine, M S; Maja, S J; Makasi, X C; Makgate, M W; Malahlela, M J; Maloyi, P D N; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, D K; Manana, M N S; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Maserumule, F T; Mashangoane, P R; Mashigo, R J; Mashile, B L; Masutha, T M; Mathibela, N F; Matlala, M H; Matsemela, M L; Matsepe-Casaburri, I F; Matsomela, M J J ; Maunye, M M; Mayatula, S M; Mbombo, N D; Mdladlose, M M; Mentor, M P; Meshoe, K R J; Mgabadeli, H C; Mkhize, Z S; Mkongi, B M; Mlangeni, A; Mnguni, B A; Mnyandu, B J; Moatshe, M S; Modisenyane, L J; Mofokeng, T R; Mogale, O M; Mogase, I D; Mohamed, I J; Mohlaloga, M R; Mokoena, A D; Molefe, C T; Moleketi, P J ; Moloto, K A; Monareng, O E; Montsitsi, S D; Moonsamy, K; Morutoa, M R; Morwamoche, K W; Mosala, B G; Moss, L N; Moss, M I; Mpahlwa, M B ; Mpontshane, A M; Mshudulu, S A; Mthembu, B; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mzondeki, M J G; Nawa, Z N; Ndzanga, R A; Nefolovhodwe, P J; Nel, A C; Nene, M J ; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngaleka, E; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngcobo, N W; Ngculu, L V J; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, M L; Ngwenya, W; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J ; Nkabinde, N C; Nkuna, C; Nqakula, C; Ntuli, B M; Ntuli, M M; Ntuli, R S; Nwamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nxumalo, M D; Nxumalo, S N ; Nyambi, A J; Nzimande, L P M; Olifant, D A A; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Padayachie, R L; Pahad, E G; Pandor, G N M; Phadagi, M G; Phungula, J P; Pieterse, R D; Pule, B E; Rabinowitz, R; Radebe, B A; Radebe, J T; Rajbally, S ; Ramgobin, M; Ramodibe, D M; Ramotsamai, C P M; Rasmeni, S M; Reid, L R R; Roopnarain, U; Rwexana, S P; Saloojee, E; Schippers, J; Schneemann, G D; Schoeman, E A; Seadimo, M D; Seaton, S A; Sefularo, M; Selau, G J; Shabangu, S; Sibande, M P; Sibanyoni, J B; Siboza, S ; Sibuyana, M W; Sigcau , S N; Simmons, S; Sisulu, L N; Skhosana, W M; Skosana, M B; Skweyiya, Z S T; Smith, V G; Solomon, G; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Surty, M E ; Swanson-Jacobs, J; Swart, S N; Thabethe, E; Tobias, T V; Tolo, L J; Tshabalala-Msimang, M E; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Vadi, I; Van den Heever, R P Z; Van der Merwe, J H; Van der Merwe, S C ; Van Wyk, A; Vos, S C; Vundisa, S S; Wang, Y; Woods, G G; Xolo, E T; Yengeni, L E; Zita, L; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 36: Blanch, J P I; Boinamo, G G; Delport, J T; Doman, W P; Dreyer, A M; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Gibson, D H M; Groenewald, P J; Joubert, L K; Julies, I F; Kalyan, S V; Kohler-Barnard, D; Labuschagne, L B; Lee, T D; Leon , A J; Lowe, C M; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Minnie, K J ; Morgan, G R; Nel, A H; Opperman , S E; Sayedali-Shah, M R; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Seremane, W J; Smuts, M; Spies, W D; Stephens, J J M; Steyn, A C; Swart, P S; Swathe, M M; Trent, E W; Van Der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M. Vote accordingly agreed to.
Vote No 18 - Sport and Recreation South Africa - put.
Declarations of vote: