Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. It has been stated that the Commission for Gender Equality is one of the most crucial institutional elements of our constitutional democracy. Its important role in our society is evidenced by the status accorded it by our Constitution. Chapter 9, section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic defines its mandate in that the commission "must promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality". The CGE is empowered by the Constitution to monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby, advise and report on issues concerning gender equality.
In addition, the Commission on Gender Equality Act, Act 39 of 1996, gives further power to the CGE to transform society through state intervention. Amongst these legislative powers are the monitoring and evaluation of policies and practices of organs of state, strategic bodies and public bodies, as well as the private sector; evaluating any piece of legislation to ensure its consistency with the Constitution and a culture of human rights; and recommending new legislation to promote gender equality and the status of women.
Both the constitutional stipulations, as well as those contained in the Act, constitute an acknowledgement of the reality of the continued persistence of social inequalities within our young democratic dispensation. It bears testimony to the fact that though democracy has been obtained, our goal for a nonsexist society in which there is gender equality is still some way off. The CGE is therefore a critical mechanism for social transformation. A well-managed and optimally functioning CGE is an integral component of transformation towards the achievement of gender equality. Given the enormous importance, tasks and obligations that the CGE is expected to perform in terms of the Constitution and the CGE Act, it is imperative that Parliament give priority to ensuring that its capacity is strengthened. The debate on the appointment of its commissioners is therefore welcome and opportune for today. The ANC, which as a party is based on the principles of equality, nonsexism, nonracism and democratic values, stands for the eradication of patriarchy in our society, the liberation of women, the eradication of the triple oppression of black women, the working class and especially African women. By establishing a developmental state, the ANC seeks active state intervention in promoting gender equality throughout society. Through state intervention, it seeks to enforce current laws and policies that address inequalities, educate society on gender issues and inculcate progressive values into society to address gender challenges.
Given these fundamental principles and values, the ANC has supported the establishment of the CGE and will relentlessly continue to support the work of the commission. Our commitment to social transformation makes us determined to ensure that the CGE is strengthened. We believe that as long as we have an unequal society, we will need a strong, progressive and transformational CGE. We believe that any institution is as good as its people. Therefore the recommendation of the commissioners today by Parliament is crucial for the building of capacity within the CGE to perform its constitutional tasks.
The quality of the proposed commissioners will significantly assist in addressing the historical challenges that the organisation has faced in the past. We believe that from now on the CGE will go from strength to strength. The ANC supports the appointment of the proposed commissioners. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the House approves the nominations of Mr M Shozi, Ms L Nare, Ms S D Stevens-Maziya, Ms J Hicks, Ms N E P Loyilane, Mr W A Mgoqi, Ms N M Ranuga, Ms T Mpumlwana and Prof A Gouws to serve on the Commission for Gender Equality.
AYES - 256: Abram, S; Adams, L H; Adams, P E; Bhanga, B M; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Boinamo, G G; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Bothman, S G; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Cele, M A ; Chabane, O C; Chikunga, L S; Coetzee, T W; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P N; De Freitas, M S F; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dikobo, K J; Ditshetelo, I C; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlulane , B N; Dreyer, A M; Du Toit, N D; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Duncan, P C; Dunjwa , M L; Eloff, E H; Farrow, S B; Fihla, N B; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gaehler, L B; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gaum, A H; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; George, D T; Gina, N; Gololo , C L; Gona, M F; Goqwana, M B; Gumede, D M; Hajaig, F; Holomisa, S P; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; James, W G; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, M; Kalyan, S V; Kekane, C D; Kenye, T E; Kganare , D A; Khunou, N P; Kilian , J D; Koornhof, G W; Koornhof, N J; Kopane, S P; Kubayi, M T; Lamoela, H; Landers, L T; Lebenya- Ntanzi, S P; Lekota, M G P; Lesoma, R M M; Line-Hendriks, H; Lishivha, T E; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Lucas , E J; Maake, J J; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Madlopha, C Q; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magubane, E; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Malale, M I; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashatile, P; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Max, L; Mayatula, S M; Mazibuko, L D; Mbili, M E; Mdakane, M R; Mfundisi, I S; Michael , N W A; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mmusi, S G; Mncwango, M A; Mnisi, N A; Mnqasela, M; Mocumi, P A; Mohale, M C; Mohorosi, M M; Mokgalapa, S; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Moloto, K A; Moni, C M; More, E; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motau, S C; Motlanthe, K P; Motsepe, R M; Motshekga, M S; Mphahlele, L M; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mtshali, E; Mubu, K S; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndlanzi, A Z; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngonyama, L S; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya- Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa , D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, B M; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nxumalo, M D ; Nyalungu, R E; Nyekemba, E; Nzimande, B E; Oliphant, M N; Ollis, I M; Pandor, G N M; Paulse, S; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaliso, M N; Pilane-Majake, M C C; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Radebe, B A; Ramodibe, D M; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Sayedali Shah, M R; Schmidt, H C; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Selfe , J; September, C C; Shabangu, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibiya, D; Sindane, G S; Singh, N; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Skosana, M B; Smalle, J; Smith, V G; Smuts, M; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Stubbe, D; Sulliman, E M; Surty, M E; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Thabethe, E; Thibedi, J D; Thobejane, S G; Tlake, M F; Tobias, T V; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshabalala, J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Van Dalen, P; Van den Berg, N J; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Van Wyk, A; Waters, M; Watson, A; Wenger, M; Williams, A J; Williams-De Bruyn, S T; Xaba, P P; Ximbi, D L; Xingwana, L M; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zulu, B Z.
Question agreed to.
Nominations accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 193(5)(b)(ii) of the Constitution.