Date: 06/06/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in NA


REPLY FROM THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, MR J ZUMA, TO QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 6 June 2003

QUESTION NUMBER: 37

Mr KDS Durr to ask the Deputy President:

(1) What is the Government's official position on the (a) ongoing civil war in the Sudan and (b) Machakos Protocol currently under negotiation in Nairobi;

(2) Whether Government has been informed of the violations of the agreement by the government of the Sudan as reported by the Sudan Ecumenical Forum that met in Pretoria from 23 to 27 February 2003; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether the Government is providing any assistance or encouragement to the parties involved in the Machakos Protocol talks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) Whether the Government recognises the right to self-determination of the majority of South Sudan to be tested by an internationally supervised referendum in the future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY

1. (a) The South African Government has been fully supportive of the IGAD (Inter Governmental Authority for Development) led initiative for peace in Sudan, and has in the last 8 years interacted regularly with the various conflicting parties, in order to encourage them to continue with peace talks and remain committed to a negotiated and lasting peace settlement to Africa's longest civil war.

(b) The South African Government therefore publicly welcomed the Machakos Protocol signed in Nairobi on 20 June 2002, as a significant step towards realising a just and lasting peace in Sudan. The Government has seized every opportunity to share the South African experience with the parties with a view to instilling a sense of trust and confidence in the process.

2. Yes. It would appear that the absence of a cease-fire agreement was at the centre of the problem and the conclusion of a comprehensive cease-fire agreement on 15 October 2002 (and addendum on 4 February 2003), creates an environment for more stable and sustainable negotiations. The establishment of a US led Civilian Protection Monitoring Team adds value to the efforts to eliminate temptation for violations.

3. The South African Government continues to engage both parties to the talks and encourages them to negotiate in good faith. This message was clearly conveyed to the Government of Sudan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs during her visit to Sudan in February 2003, as well as by myself during the visit of the Vice President of Sudan to South Africa in March 2003. Minister Dlamini-Zuma conveyed the same message to a high ranking Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) delegation that visited South Africa at the end of March 2003.

The Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A have separately and independently expressed a desire for South Africa to participate in the IGAD led peace talks. These appeals have been persistent from both parties prompting the Government to consider approaching IGAD for observer status.

4. The South African Government recognises the right of all the people of Sudan to decide, by democratic means, the future of their country's political dispensation. The principle of possible secession for the South is embodied in the Machakos Protocol of June 2002, and provides that after a six-year interim period, the Southerners can decide by an internationally monitored referendum to vote on the question of secession for the South. South Africa would support and honour any decision taken by the Sudanese themselves in this regard.

QUESTION NUMBER: 607

Mr SN Swart (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether, as chairperson of SA National Aids Council, he will request the Minister of Finance to consider allocating the unexpected R1, 6 billion special dividend paid the National Treasury from the state-owned oil-from-gas company, Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA), to expedite the provision of antiretrovirals for the treatment of HIV/Aids; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY

Honourable Member, it is not the function of SANAC or its Chairperson to advise the Minister of Finance on the application of funds received as dividends form state-owned enterprises. On the matter of the special dividend receipted from PetroSA, the Minister of Finance has set out Government's position in response to question number 80 dated 9 April 2003.

However, it is pleasing to note that the Minister of Finance has allocated R3.3 billion to augment the amount of financial resources to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa. This is over and above the initial allocation and will be made available over the MTEF period. It is quite clear therefore that Government is spending a considerable amount of resources to fight HIV and AIDS and the increase referred to above is unprecedented.

QUESTION NUMBER: 679

Mr JPI Blanche (FA) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to Question no 478 in June 2002, any state departments have drawn up programmes detailing the contribution they will make in rebuilding the moral fibre of society; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which departments and (b) on what date or dates will these plans be made public;

(2) Whether the SABC and e-TV have submitted their proposals regarding the role each can play in this campaign; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when did they submit them and (b) what are the details of these proposals;

(3) Whether proposals for editorial policies for news and programming have been drawn up and agreed by the broadcasters; if not, why not; if so, what are these policies;

(4) Whether the Department of Communication has submitted its findings from its study on the impact of general programmes and advertisements on moral and ethical values embedded within programmes and advertisements in the South African broadcasting system; if not, when will these findings be available; if so, (a) what were the findings of the study and (b) what impact has this research had on the design of a framework to ensure that broadcasting plays its role in the moral regeneration of our society?

REPLY

(1) A number of national departments have embarked upon programmes that address specific areas regarding moral regeneration. The Departments that have integrated moral regeneration into their programmes include: the Departments of Arts and Culture, Correctional Services, Education, Safety and Security, Sport and Recreation, Water Affairs and Forestry and Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

These programmes are run parallel to the activities of the Moral Regeneration Movement. As I have stated before the Movement is a partnership between Government and civil society. The line function department in the moral regeneration programme, the Department of Arts and Culture conducted an audit of this programme in national and provincial departments. The audit shows that an uneven process has evolved at the provincial level.

(2) The SABC is now required in law to prepare and submit to the Regulator, policies that will ensure compliance with the Regulators' Code of Conduct and its licence conditions as well as the objectives contained in the Broadcasting Act. These policies will also address standards such as exposure to violence, criminal activity, gratuitous sex and nudity on our screens and airwaves. The Broadcaster must ensure public participation in the development of the policies and institute regular and effective means to solicit public opinion about its programming and give due consideration to that public input.

The SABC has also submitted its MTEF Budget plan in which it also outlines its fight against corruption as one of its contributions to moral regeneration. SABC contributes/sponsors some of the events related to moral regeneration and gives events related to moral regeneration free advertising airtime for publicizing these activities.

e-TV is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), a national body which represents the interests of a cross sectional broadcasters. The NAB regularly participates and attends the meetings of the Moral Regeneration Movement. The issues of moral regeneration are also discussed in detail and on regular basis at the NAB Executive monthly meetings. E-TV, like all other broadcasters, also adheres to the Broadcasting Code of Conduct, which covers issues related to the moral regeneration, as its contribution and role in the moral regeneration.

(3) The SABC Board has developed draft policies, in accordance with the stipulations of the Broadcasting Amendment Act, 2002. The policies are currently being subjected to public scrutiny and will be finalised after this process.

(4) The study will be completed in October. The findings will be available towards the end of the year.

Issued by The Presidency
6 June 2003