Speaker, sorry, but there is one more opportunity for a follow- up question.
Minister, you may say that the Western Cape government is not doing much for women, children and persons with disabilities, but let me tell you that our leader is a woman; our parliamentary leader is a woman; and we believe that a woman can be the President of this country, unlike your party and your Women's League! [Interjections.]
Minister, the Human Rights Commission report, which we have both referred to, found that the state was not fulfilling its objectives to protect children from abuse and neglect. The current Child Protection Register is not a true reflection of crimes committed against children - failure to adequately implement the register has rendered it ineffective. And the list goes on and on.
Minister, you have tried to justify your overseas jaunts, you have tried to justify the new furniture in your office, but I see you did not try to justify the purchasing of new cars. I wonder why. But could you please explain to this House, once and for all, why it is that your department cannot oversee the Child Protection Register and fulfil your core responsibility of monitoring it? Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Well, hon member, I have never bought a car from the time when I was Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs. The cars that were bought in my department were for the protectors, because it is too expensive to hire cars every month. It is a cost-saving tactic, with which we are trying to save on car hire.
I also want to say that I have not had any jaunts overseas, except to go and report to the United Nations on the tasks that we have been given by the President of South Africa - to report on progress women are making, and to report on progress people with disabilities are making.
I also want to assure hon members that South Africa is a shining example to the world in regard to empowering women. [Applause.] We are rated number two in Africa after Rwanda in regard to the representation of women in Parliament. We are rated number six in the world in regard to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Therefore, we have a lot to be proud of.
We have two Deputy Ministers who have disabilities, and we have 96 public representatives with disabilities. Therefore, I believe that the ANC government has done a lot to empower our people. In the past 20 years, the ANC government has passed laws, and passed a Constitution that is lauded the world over. Thank you. [Applause.]
Envisaged impact of redetermination of municipal boundaries
335. Ms D G Nhlengethwa (ANC) asked the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(a) When will the redetermination of municipal boundaries as recently announced by the Municipal Demarcation Board take effect and (b) what is the foreseen impact? NO3376E