The new president will be elected on April 23, the Cabinet heard on
Wednesday at its last meeting before the upcoming general
election.
The Government Communication and information System (GCIS) said the lengthy meeting was informed that the new National Assembly and its presiding officers would be sworn in on the same day.
GCIS spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said the president would be sworn on Freedom Day, April 27.
With the elections in mind, Cabinet was told "there were no major security challenges".
Cabinet urged citizens to plan their Easter holidays around the elections so that they would be in the correct place on the day to vote.
Addressing the gathering, the SA Police Service, SA National Defence Force and the Intelligence Agency said no security problems were identified and that all logistical matters were being attended to.
"In isolated instances where individuals have broken the law, these have been firmly dealt with," Netshitenzhe said adding that Cabinet had urged the Independent Electoral Commission and security agencies to continue their work in this regard.
Cabinet also discussed the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup bid and government reiterated its commitment to meet the obligations required by Fifa. It asked all South Africans to unite behind the bid.
On recommendations by the Council of Statistics South Africa, Cabinet decided to extend the census cycle to every 10 years instead of every five years as was currently the case.
"This means the next census will be in 2011," Netshitenzhe said.
But he explained that a census of dwellings and the standardisation of physical addresses would be undertaken between 2005 and 2007.
"An extended annual household survey in 2006 and every three years thereafter will also be conducted," he said.
Regarding business, Cabinet approved an incentive package to make the country more competitive in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO or Call Centres) field.
Government plans to market South Africa as a preferred offshore destination and has allocated approximately R200-million over the next three years to boost efforts.
It approved the Petroleum Products Amendment Bill, which seeks to brink the governance of the liquid fuel sector in line with government's policy objectives. It also approved the Precious Metals and Diamonds General Amendment Bill, which seeks to remove restrictions on access to precious metals for purpose of benefaction.
Regarding the public broadcaster, Cabinet approved the corporatisation of Channel Africa Radio as a subsidiary of the SABC. Known as Channel Africa Network, the new company will have its own board of directors with four non-executive directors.
The immigration policy which has seen Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi (the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party)and Mbeki clash on numerous occasions, was also discussed.
"Cabinet reaffirmed the process under way in the relevant Inter-Ministerial Committee to finalise the Immigration Regulations in line with the Act," Netshitenzhe said but added it would be done in line with South Africa's security, diplomatic, trade and other interests.
Cabinet also approved the appointment of directors general for health, education, water affairs and forestry and public services and administration.
Buthelezi took the opportunity to thank Mbeki for his leadership and said: "I think history will give him credit for promoting reconciliation between the IFP and African National Congress."
Buthelezi also expressed his appreciation and admiration for the work done by Mbeki. He acknowledged that at times the IFP's presence in cabinet was not easy for Mbeki.
"At times it has also not been easy for us to participate in his Coalition Cabinet," he said, but continued: "I feel that the value of our participation for the cause of reconciliation and the progress in nation building has outweighed any personal or collegial difficulty which we have experienced."
The President expressed his gratitude to Buthelezi for his generosity, and specifically thanked members of the IFP, Azapo and the New National Party whose parties agreed to serve in government with the ANC - Sapa.
The Government Communication and information System (GCIS) said the lengthy meeting was informed that the new National Assembly and its presiding officers would be sworn in on the same day.
GCIS spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said the president would be sworn on Freedom Day, April 27.
With the elections in mind, Cabinet was told "there were no major security challenges".
Cabinet urged citizens to plan their Easter holidays around the elections so that they would be in the correct place on the day to vote.
Addressing the gathering, the SA Police Service, SA National Defence Force and the Intelligence Agency said no security problems were identified and that all logistical matters were being attended to.
"In isolated instances where individuals have broken the law, these have been firmly dealt with," Netshitenzhe said adding that Cabinet had urged the Independent Electoral Commission and security agencies to continue their work in this regard.
Cabinet also discussed the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup bid and government reiterated its commitment to meet the obligations required by Fifa. It asked all South Africans to unite behind the bid.
On recommendations by the Council of Statistics South Africa, Cabinet decided to extend the census cycle to every 10 years instead of every five years as was currently the case.
"This means the next census will be in 2011," Netshitenzhe said.
But he explained that a census of dwellings and the standardisation of physical addresses would be undertaken between 2005 and 2007.
"An extended annual household survey in 2006 and every three years thereafter will also be conducted," he said.
Regarding business, Cabinet approved an incentive package to make the country more competitive in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO or Call Centres) field.
Government plans to market South Africa as a preferred offshore destination and has allocated approximately R200-million over the next three years to boost efforts.
It approved the Petroleum Products Amendment Bill, which seeks to brink the governance of the liquid fuel sector in line with government's policy objectives. It also approved the Precious Metals and Diamonds General Amendment Bill, which seeks to remove restrictions on access to precious metals for purpose of benefaction.
Regarding the public broadcaster, Cabinet approved the corporatisation of Channel Africa Radio as a subsidiary of the SABC. Known as Channel Africa Network, the new company will have its own board of directors with four non-executive directors.
The immigration policy which has seen Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi (the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party)and Mbeki clash on numerous occasions, was also discussed.
"Cabinet reaffirmed the process under way in the relevant Inter-Ministerial Committee to finalise the Immigration Regulations in line with the Act," Netshitenzhe said but added it would be done in line with South Africa's security, diplomatic, trade and other interests.
Cabinet also approved the appointment of directors general for health, education, water affairs and forestry and public services and administration.
Buthelezi took the opportunity to thank Mbeki for his leadership and said: "I think history will give him credit for promoting reconciliation between the IFP and African National Congress."
Buthelezi also expressed his appreciation and admiration for the work done by Mbeki. He acknowledged that at times the IFP's presence in cabinet was not easy for Mbeki.
"At times it has also not been easy for us to participate in his Coalition Cabinet," he said, but continued: "I feel that the value of our participation for the cause of reconciliation and the progress in nation building has outweighed any personal or collegial difficulty which we have experienced."
The President expressed his gratitude to Buthelezi for his generosity, and specifically thanked members of the IFP, Azapo and the New National Party whose parties agreed to serve in government with the ANC - Sapa.
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