Chairperson, I was at the rehearsals at Nasrec on Sunday. I believe we have experts in the area - choreographers, artistic directors and creative directors. They are out there in the field. Those people meet there from 8:00 sometimes right up to 20:00 in the evening. I believe they are ready, and I already have a clear picture of what is going to happen from my visit on Sunday.
I don't know about China. Maybe their dances and songs are very complicated. But I think South Africans are artists and songstresses by nature. So, the question of rehearsing comes naturally. For example, I can call on the Deputy Chairperson to dance and she will dance right now. [Laughter.] So, I don't think there will be a problem in that regard. I am confident that we are going to have a super and extraordinary African celebration during the opening and closing ceremonies. Thank you, Chairperson.
Assistance by department to senior citizens registering for social pensions, bottlenecks at state agency offices and staff complement processing pensions
52. Mr F Adams (ANC) asked the Minister of Social Development:
(1) (a) What assistance will her department provide to senior citizens who are queueing during the night for a place to register for social pensions and (b) what causes these bottlenecks at the state agency offices;
(2) whether her department has enough staff members to process pensions for senior citizens; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CO267E