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Date : 14/09/2005
Source: The Presidency
Title:Mlambo-Ngcuka: Answers to questions in National Assembly


    Oral reply by the Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in the National Assembly

QUESTION NUMBER: 18

Mrs SM Camerer Democratic Alliance (DA) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether the Presidency has at any time contributed any (a) funds from the money budgeted for the Presidency, (b) legal and/or (c) other assistance to former Deputy President Mr Jacob Zuma in relation to the trial of Mr Shabir Shaik and/or the charges currently faced by Mr Zuma; if not, what factors were taken into consideration in reaching this conclusion; if so, (i) who authorised the funds or assistance, (ii) what are the relevant details of the funds or assistance provided and (iii) why?

REPLY:
The Presidency agreed to fund a watching brief for Mr Zuma in the trial of Mr Shabir Shaik. The decision was taken after considering a recommendation by the Chief State Law Advisor and the uniqueness of the case in that although the then Deputy President was not charged in the matter, the majority of allegations that had to be answered in court involved him directly, but also noting that there was no precedent that could be relied on for guidance under the unique circumstances.

The accounts have been settled by the State Attorneys but no payments have as yet been made from the Presidency budget.

No application has been submitted to The Presidency in relation to the charges currently faced by Mr Zuma.

QUESTION NUMBER: 19

Dr M Sefularo African National Congress (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:

What linkages to and initiatives in sectors in the first economy have been identified by the government to assist women, the disabled and the youth operating businesses in the second economy?

REPLY:

Our broad economic policy is to eradicate poverty and unemployment in our society with particular focus on the most vulnerable. As women, youth and the disabled are the key vulnerable groups in our society, many government policies make provision for these groups.

Specific targets are therefore set for women, disabled and the youth in government’s empowerment policies, entrepreneurial development programmes, small business development programmes, employment equity or other programmes. As a result of time constraints I can only give details regarding a few of these.

Some laws passed in this regard are:

* The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003 which ensures that great number of people including women benefit. * The Employment Equity Act provides for affirmative action and protection against unfair discrimination based on gender and disability.

* The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 amongst others entrenches the right of women to participate in the economy and to own mines.

* The Preferential Procurement Act that allows women, youth and the disabled to secure tenders and render services for government departments.

The government has implemented various measures to encourage financial institutions to extend credit to women and other historically disadvantaged groups.

These include such measures as the recently signed agreement between the Department of Public Works and ABSA which facilitates access to credit for women in construction.

On the disabled, the office for the Status of Disabled People in the Presidency is also working with the Department of Trade and Industry on a targeted assistance programme on small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) development for the disabled.

Government support programmes in targeted groups includes the disabled.

On the youth, the Umsobomvu was established to assist and promote a number of youth initiatives. These includes youth career building initiatives, employment and entrepreneurship information and advice and graduate database which links unemployed graduates to job opportunities.

There are also Youth Entrepreneurship programmes that provide access to finance and business development support. The programme is provided through a voucher to young entrepreneurs that they use to pay for services from an accredited service provider.

To promote entrepreneurship, Umsobomvu has started the Entrepreneurship Education programme currently running in 30 schools.

Honourable members, it is clear that through general government policies and specific targeted programmes women, the disabled and the young are provided for to ensure their active participation in the economic life in our country.

QUESTION NUMBER: 20

Mr BM Komphela (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:

What (a) progress has the government made in meeting its commitments and deadlines as agreed to with Federal international de Football Association (FIFA) upon being awarded the opportunity to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, (b) outstanding commitments must still be met in this regard by the end of 2005 and (c) organisational framework has been put in place to co-ordinate the preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup?

REPLY:

a) Honourable member let me again reiterate government’s commitment to ensuring that all the requirements set by FIFA for the hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup are met. These requirements range from those that are necessary to ensure that we host a successful World Cup that promotes soccer in this country, the continent and the world as well as commitments to ensure that good quality infrastructure is in place for the tournament.

This infrastructure relates to not only the venues where the events will be held but also other matters such as transport, accommodation etc. I am pleased to report that government is ahead in meeting its obligations.

b) The only outstanding commitments relate to the need to pass the Special and Financial Measures Bills which will consolidate all legal guarantees. We originally were required to enact the two Bills before the end of the year. However in terms of an agreement between FIFA and the Local Organising Committee this deadline has been extended to June next year in the light of certain technical information not being finalised.

c) The Local Organising Committee consists of representatives of government, SAFA and the business sector. The CEO of this structure is Mr Danny Jordaan and he and his staff are responsible for the implementation of the Local Organising Committee Board decisions.

From government’s side, we have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Deputy President to drive government’s commitments towards the successful implementation of the FIFA World Cup. A Technical Coordinating Committee, to ensure that our responsibilities are implemented in a coordinated fashion has now been also been established. This committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Jabu Moleketi. Earlier last month, Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr Joe Phaahla, former CEO of the South African Sports Commission, as Government Coordinator, to lead the implementation of Government commitments.

QUESTION NUMBER: 21

Mr WP Doman (DA) to ask Deputy President: Whether, Cabinet has discussed the failure of the local sphere of government to deliver basic services in terms of its mandate; if not, why not; if so, (a) What key factors have been identified as contributing to this failure and (b) what steps are being taken to rectify these problems?

REPLY:

It is our view that local government has not failed to deliver services but that it is experiencing certain challenges in particular as a result of historic factors that need to be attended to so that it can be adequately empowered to meet its responsibilities. The challenges that municipalities are experiencing are evaluated and discussed by Cabinet on a regular basis.

A number of these challenges were listed by the President when he replied to Questions in this House last week.

With regard to steps taken to address these problems, one of the initiatives undertaken by government is Project Consolidate. This is a hands-on initiative within 136 municipalities to assist them in building their capacity to improve service delivery, local economic development, financial viability, municipal transformation and good governance.

This process is further complemented by the municipal Izimbizo programme of which the President also gave details last week. The programme involves meetings with mayors, councillors and municipal officials as well as meetings with ward committees and allows for an in depth evaluation of the problems experienced by the affected municipalities in a district. A number of municipalities have thus been visited by the President and Deputy President as well as Ministers and government officials to have a hands-on experience on what is happening on the ground and make informed interventions.

Sector departments, provinces, public entities and the private sector are now also involved in supporting the municipalities with planning, capacity building on sector technical standards and norms, implementation, monitoring, evaluating and auditing of local programmes as implemented by municipalities.

Government is therefore taking a practical approach to ensure that all systems are in place to allow the local sphere of government to be able to deliver services in terms of its mandate.

Issued by: The Presidency
14 September 2005
   

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