Date: 11/11/2010
Source: The Presidency
Title: SA: Reply to Parliamentary questions, by Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of South Africa, in the National Assembly

Question No 19

ê19. Mr M P Sibande (ANC-Mpumalanga) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether current sanctions on nuclear matters against Iran which South Africa supported are justified; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? CO364E

REPLY

As a country that remains firmly committed to the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction and to their non-proliferation, South Africa does not wish to see any other country possessing or acquiring nuclear weapons, including Iran. South Africa's position is informed by our own national experience as the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons and related programmes.

In this regard South Africa acts on the basis of the principle and in full support of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency where we are active as a member of its Board of Governors and act consistently to promote consensus.

During South Africa's membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2007 and 2008, we focused our efforts on trying to de-escalate tensions, promote dialogue to establish confidence in Iran's nuclear programme, ensure that International Atomic Energu Agency processes were supported and Iran remained part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Security Council resolution framework on Iran is aimed at a negotiated solution. The Security Council is pursuing a dual-track approach of incentives and pressure, but in both instances the stated objective is a comprehensive negotiated solution.

While recognising that the Security Council could be called upon to impose coercive measures such as sanctions, South Africa called for these measures to be exercised with great caution, and only to support the resumption of political dialogue and negotiations to achieve a peaceful solution.

We reminded members of the Security Council that by voting in favour of sanctions measures, they had a special obligation to the Iranian people and had to exercise the highest degree of scrutiny and oversight on the implementation of the sanctions to ensure that there were no unintended consequences and that the sole focus remained on the nuclear programme.

In conclusion, South Africa upholds the right of all countries, including Iran, to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, subject to appropriate safeguards. For South Africa, it is important to ensure that the international community's response to the Iranian situation does not deny any signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to exploit the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

I thank you

Question No 20

ê20. Mr R A Lees (DA-KZN) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) has held any meetings during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, (a) with whom were the meetings held, (b) what subjects were covered in the meetings, (c) what (i) decisions and (ii) recommendations were made at such meetings and (d) who attended the meetings? CO539E

REPLY

Honourable Members, the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), the section 21 organisation has held numerous Management and Board meetings. The organisation has held meetings with external stakeholders both in government and with non-state actors.

The subjects covered varied from organisational matters dealt with at management and board meetings to meetings with external stakeholders that naturally focused on strategic and programmatic matters or those matters that relate to the successful implementation of the strategic priorities of the organisation.

If Honourable Members are interested, I can request the MRM to supply its schedule of meetings.

These details however are not part of my work as patron of MRM. Some of the details can also be obtained from the Department of Arts and Culture which is the department overseeing the work of MRM.

I thank you.

Question No 21

ê21. Mr R A Lees (DA-KZN) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether the Energy Advisory Council has held any meetings during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, (a) with whom were the meetings held, (b) what subjects were covered in the meetings, (c) what (i) decisions and (ii) recommendations were made at such meetings and (d) who attended the meetings;

(2) whether the Energy Advisory Council has considered the building of any further nuclear power stations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what conclusions were reached regarding the (a) need, (b) locality, (c) timing and (d) financing by the Energy Advisory Council of the new nuclear power stations? CO540E

REPLY

1. The National Stakeholder Advisory Council on Energy met on 8 December 2009 and on 15 October 2010. Members of the Council are drawn from government, labour, business and civil society organisations, constituted along the same lines as the NEDLAC constituencies. At its December 2009 meeting the Council discussed matters concerning the rising cost of electricity and how this affected consumers, especially the poor. It also discussed an innovative funding model for building new power stations.

The Council agreed that while the National Energy Regulator of South Africa is the authority that has the mandate to decide on Eskom's proposed new electricity tariffs, there was a need to devise means to cushion the poor by introducing sloping block tariffs.

The Council also agreed to consider the proposed funding model that was presented by the labour movement.

In the meeting of 15 October 2010 the Council considered a proposal on the Integrated Resource Plan. Some of the stakeholders felt that although they had been given time to consider the proposals on this plan, they still needed more time to consider this given its complexity. Government agreed to this request

The meeting also received a report on the process to create the Independent System and Market Operator in a phased approach to allow independent operators to participate in the generation of electricity. This matter is currently being processed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy.

On the matter of Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management, government indicated that it recognised the need to provide financial incentives to stimulate the energy efficiency program through rebates. The required regulations for accessing these incentives have been drafted and once the concurrence of the Minister of Finance has been obtained, the regulations will be circulated for public comment.

The Council was also keen to have an update regarding the Regional Electricity Distributor program, and whether it would proceed or not. Government indicated that the matter was under consideration at the IMC and that a decision will be announced in due course.

2. Apart from considering the draft Integrated Resource Plan that was presented, the Council did not take any nuclear-specific decisions. The nuclear build programme remains part of our future plans and once all processes have been finalised including consultation with stakeholders we will make a public announcement about the programme.

I thank you.

Question No 22

ê22. Prince M M M Zulu (IFP-KZN) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) (a) To what extent are Traditional and Religious Leaders integrated into the Government's effort to fight HIV/Aids, especially in the rural areas and (b) how does the Government address the issue of gender equality in traditional societies in dealing with HIV/Aids;

(2) what new (a) strategies and (b) plans will the Government put in place in the next 5-10 years to assist existing programmes such as Lovelife in order to target the youth with HIV/Aids prevention messages? CO554E

REPLY

Both traditional leaders and religious leaders are represented in the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and participate in all of the deliberations of the Council and its programmes including World AIDS Day events, and the national HIV Counseling and Testing Campaign.

Traditional healers have been integrated into the work of the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal and through the medical male circumcision campaign that was mandated and launched by his Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.

As recently as last month, the House of Traditional Leaders reaffirmed its commitment to campaign against HIV and AIDS and resolved to participate in the various programmes implemented in their areas of jurisdiction.

The issue of gender equality is a broad social issue that impacts on health but is not exclusively a health issue. Civil society as well as community leaders and other government departments also have a role to play.

The South African National AIDS Council includes the women's and men's sectors that have as their objective changing gender roles and addressing gender inequalities. Working with non-governmental organisations, SANAC participated in the launch of the Brothers for Life campaign - which seeks to make men more responsible for ensuring an equal society.

The medical male circumcision campaign in KwaZulu-Natal also focuses on the roles and responsibilities of manhood. Young men are taught these responsibilities in the province (including far rural areas) by community leaders and elders. It is hoped that such programmes will decrease the incidence of gender-based violence and sexual assault.

The lifespan of the current HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan ends at the end of 2011. The idea is that the new plan will be developed through a consultative process during the course of 2011.

I thank you.

Question No 23

ê23. Ms N D Ntwanambi (ANC-WC) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether, as part of his anti-poverty campaign, he or the Presidency has received any reports regarding the progress made by municipalities in the fight against poverty; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether all municipalities have functioning (a) indigent policies and/or (b) programmes in place that are targeted at the poor; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the Government has any plans to assist poor municipalities in playing a critical role in advancing (a) the fight against poverty, (b) social marginalisation of the poor, (c) child-headed households and (d) senior citizens; if not, why not; if so, what plans? CO560E

REPLY

(1) The War on Poverty Campaign is part of the Comprehensive Antipoverty Strategy of government. It is an urgent and intermediate intervention against poverty.

Progress reports on the War on Poverty Campaign are submitted to the National War Room that in turn briefs the Presidency. We do not just receive reports but we also undertake regular verification visits to areas where the War on Poverty Campaign has been launched to review progress for ourselves.

(2) According to our monitoring reports, all municipalities have indigent policies. Municipalities complete a template every quarter that reports on whether they have indigent registers, how many people are registered, and the number of persons benefiting from free basic services.

Free basic services such as water and electricity are an example of local government programmes that are targeted at the poor and are being implemented in most municipalities

(3) National Government through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs currently has three programmes that support municipalities with initiatives that target the poor. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant enables municipalities to roll-out basic services to poorer communities; and the Siyenza Manje programme provides technical hands on support to municipalities.

The Community Work Programme is an initiative designed to provide an employment safety net, by providing participants with a predictable number of days of work per month - thus supplementing their existing livelihood strategies and affording them a basic level of income security through work.

The programme is targeted at unemployed and/or underemployed people of working age, including those whose livelihood activities are insufficient to lift them out of poverty. The programme currently has 75 000 participants.

More details on these programmes can be obtained from the Minster of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affiars.

In addition to this, government has a plethora of programmes that address the social marginalisation of the poor.

For example, we have significantly increased the number of no fee schools, school feeding programmes, early childhood facilities and many other programmes.

The Department of Social Development has programmes for child-headed households. These include foster care, monitoring by social workers and Justice Officials as per the Children's Act and the provisions of our Constitution. We also work in partnership with non-state actors to address the issues of children in our country.

With regard to senior citizens, per capita grants are given to institutions that provide residential care for senior citizens. Social programmes to keep our senior citizens involved in the social life of our communities are being implemented across the country. We have also taken a conscious decision to include the affairs of senior citizens in all our new programmes such as the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme Most recently, a South African female senior citizens football team represented the country abroad.

I thank you.

Question No 24

ê24. Ms N D Ntwanambi (ANC-WC) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether any part of the R300 billion that the Government has been spending annually on infrastructure investment includes investment in ensuring the supply and preservation of (a) clean water, (b) water storage and (c) distribution, especially in clearing out our national water infrastructure backlog in communities of the rural areas and townships of Limpopo, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga that have been battling with drought, inconsistent water supply, contaminated water and/or still use natural water streams and dams; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CO561E

REPLY

Honourable Members, as with many other basic services, the provision of water to the people of South Africa is severely influenced by the application of unequal policies in the past. Some rural communities are in the catchment areas for water supplies to the big cities but although they watch the water being piped off to the cities, they do not have access to potable water themselves.

We now look at managing water in its entirety in our Water for Growth and Development Framework - a sector approach to Water Management instead of Water Resources and Water Services as separate disciplines.

While water rights was the term used in the old Water Act, of 1956, the current National Water Act, 1998 refers to the term as water use entitlements.

The Act makes provision for rural communities to apply for a water use license. This replaces the riparian rights principle (which excluded an estimated 90% of blacks from obtaining water) that was the basis of the 1956 Water Act.

With regard to your Question Honourable Member, the answer is yes, the Department of Water Affairs through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and Accelerated Community Infrastructure Programmes is investing up to R 5 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to reduce the current backlog in the supply of bulk potable water for socio-economic and development needs in all provinces of South Africa.

Honourable Ntwanambi asks specifically about the rural areas and townships of Limpopo, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.

Starting with Mpumalanga, Government is attempting to address the challenge by installing water treatment package plants in five communities; namely; Ntunda, Louville, Skhwahlane, Brooklyn and Draaikraal.

During my visit to the Mpumalanga Province, on 30 October 2010, I opened a 2 Megalitre package plant in the Ntunda Village at a cost of R 2.8 million and a pipeline to reservoirs costing R 1.4million. This project now supplies potable water to the Ntunda and Skhwahlane Villages to at least 7000 people.

The Department of Water Affairs has through the Bulk Infrastructure Grant in the Limpopo Province allocated an amount of R228 million in the 2009/10 financial year for funding 9 water supply projects. An additional allocation of R28, 66 million in the 2010/2011 financial year from the Community Infrastructure Programme ensures that reticulation takes place in the municipalities.

In the Eastern Cape R 23 million has been invested for the supply of water and addressing water pollution related issues, while in the Northern Cape a total of R 8.37 million has been invested in three municipalities in the Northern Cape waste water and sewerage pump stations refurbishment and water supply.

A number of municipalities have been declared as drought stricken areas in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo Provinces late 2009. These provinces in consultation with the affected municipalities have conducted assessments to quantify the needs and the resources required to bring about drought relief. The Inter-Ministerial Committee approved a sum of:

· R86.857 million for the Eastern Cape Province

· R185,2 million for the Western Cape of which R53,7 million was transferred to the Western Cape during the November 2010 and a further amount of R141.5 million for the 2010/11 financial year, and;

· R54 million for the Limpopo Province in January 2010. Funds were made available from 1 July 2010 (the beginning of the 2010/11 municipal financial year).

With regard to initiatives to address acid mine drainage, Cabinet appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to address the serious challenges related to the Acid Mine Drainage in the Witwatersrand. Subsequently, a team of experts was appointed and they presented their report to the IMC on 21 October 2010.

The IMC has asked the team of experts to look at the cost implications of their recommendations and other options to resolve Acid Mine Drainage.

I thank you