Chairperson, hon members, the message to society as a whole must, however, remain clear: While circumcision significantly reduces the chances of infection, by 50 to 60%, it does not completely protect males from infection or infecting others. The circumcision drive does not replace the core messages of abstaining, being faithful and condomising.
The Moral Regeneration Movement is a campaign driven by a section 21 entity that has successfully mobilised civic organisations, NGOs, faith-based organisations and activists. Whilst undergoing a review by the Arts and Culture Department, the Moral Regeneration Movement continues to implement the Charter of Positive Values and a range of other community-based campaigns aimed at promoting solidarity, respect for public property and, more importantly, the strengthening of the family as a basic unit of production of social values.
What we must recognise, is that moral regeneration and social cohesion campaigns in general stand or fall on the shoulders of all members of society. Such an understanding is the reason behind the slogan, that working together with all social partners we can do more.
Another initiative that we co-ordinate is the National Stakeholder Advisory Council on Energy. This is a product of collaboration with social partners within the country, especially co-ordinated at Nedlac. The council is supported by an Interministerial Committee, chaired by the Public Enterprises Minister, as well as a technical response team led by senior managers from the Departments of Energy, Public Enterprises, Economic Development and The Presidency. It was established in order to deal with the electricity supply challenges. Its input has contributed towards the stabilisation of the electricity situation in the country. The Department of Energy is developing a long-term integrated resource plan. Items under consideration include: protecting the poor from higher electricity prices; ensuring that there is sufficient generation capacity to meet demand; entry of independent power producers; and the implementation of demand - side management and energy efficiency measures.
We are a government that invites inputs and advice from the broadest cross- section of the South African population. We draw on the skills, knowledge and talents available in the country, and thus this council is one of the bodies that help government sharpen its interventions.
Poverty eradication is uppermost on government's programme for promoting social justice. We note that the extent of poverty in this country is still profoundly felt in the rural areas and informal settlements in all provinces. Our government is committed to pushing back the frontiers of poverty in order to attain the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2014.
It is encouraging to recognise that, working with social partners at Nedlac, we are progressing towards finalising an antipoverty strategy that should guide our comprehensive response to this stubborn problem. We have agreed with labour, business and civil groups that the strategy should be ready for adoption at the July Cabinet Lekgotla this year. To this extent, there is already general agreement on the pillars of the antipoverty strategy built upon the five government priorities.
Moreover, we are encouraged that all Nedlac sectors agree that education and skills development are the most effective tools in the arsenal of poverty reduction. We affirm, too, that accelerating access to basic social services is a vital short-term poverty alleviation measure with medium to long-term effects.
Such are the objectives of the War on Poverty Campaign that has benefitted communities in Jacobsdal, Lubala, Ga-Kgatla, uMsinga, Taung, Kagiso and Sikwahlane. The War on Poverty Campaign sought, among other things, to build a repository of information on the immediate needs of poor households living in the most deprived wards of our country. This enabled national, provincial and local government departments to intervene in a focused and co-ordinated manner. Using this approach, access to basic services has improved. More so, households were assisted to identify change agents. These are individuals with the greatest potential to lift each household out of poverty.
In the course of the campaign, we also noted a number of limitations. These include the slow pace at which we respond to complaints and challenges, co- ordination of interventions, poor administration and absence of leadership. In some instances people still do not know where to access services. Hence, the role of community development workers is very important as they are located in the midst of communities. They act as a point of reference for those most deprived or in need of government intervention.
In this regard, it is important that the individuals selected must always be committed persons of good standing in the community so that they have the credibility and legitimacy to escalate community issues with the relevant authorities. In this House today, we have two such exemplary community development workers. May I please request the House to acknowledge the presence of Ms Khuselwa Dlungwane from the Eastern Cape and Ms Siena Cloete from the Free State. They are in the gallery. [Applause.] Thank you.
One other key area in the work of the Presidency is to provide leadership in the implementation of the Human Resource Development Strategy, HRDSA, of South Africa. This strategy was canvassed widely amongst practitioners and stakeholders and has been welcomed as a critical mechanism to address our skills shortages. The HRD Strategy will be managed in the Department of Higher Education and Training, which is currently revising it and the strategy will be ready for publication by August this year.
Central to the realisation of the goals of the HRDSA is the alignment of strategies that are subordinate to it. One of these is the National Skills Development Strategy, which directs the spending of the 1% payroll levy contributed by employers. The HRD Strategy calls for the establishment of the Human Resource Development Council chaired by the Deputy President. We launched this HRD Council in March this year. This advisory body comprises of representatives from all social partners, research agencies, education and training bodies, as well as experts in the field of human capital development. The HRD Council's secretariat is being established in the Department of Higher Education and Training.
The position of Leader of Government Business is provided for in the Constitution and in the rules of Parliament. Effectively, our purpose is co- ordination and harmonisation of the interaction between the executive and the legislature. There is, unfortunately, a tendency to use this office largely as a channel for complaints. I have also received numerous requests for government business opportunities. Many out there believe I am in charge of government business. [Laughter.] This is a genuine misunderstanding and I have had to explain very courteously that I am not in charge of any business.
I wish to reiterate that parliamentary oversight as provided for in the Constitution is crucial and should be rigorously observed. I am aware that as there are new Members of Parliament and new Ministers, challenges have arisen that are perceived to be affecting the relationship between Parliament and the executive. Let me reiterate that these two arms of the state are enjoined by the Constitution to work co-operatively although they have different mandates. This Assembly is obligated to oversee implementation by the executive, which is responsible for implementing government programmes and therefore should be accorded time and space to do so. For that reason, there should be no uncertainty regarding these distinct yet complementary functions.
One instrument that the Assembly uses to hold the executive accountable is parliamentary questions.